Is there more to Cornwall than Beaches, secret Coves and busy Harbour Towns with the odd Gull ready to steal your lunch, well hold on to your pasties as we head away from the hustle and bustle of these traditional Seaside towns and explore a few of the Counties most productive beauty spots in search of some interesting Birds and Wildlife. Mainly compiled from visits during Autumn 2020 and Spring 2021 using our sightings along with some local ones from the Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society
Kenidjack Valley:
Northwest of Saint Just and close to the world heritage site at Botallack this area is steeped in mining history, ruined engine houses and mine workings can be seen along the beautiful wooded valley which gives way to a rugged cove where the valley meets the sea between high granite cliffs north of the Cape Cornwall headland. Kenidjack Valley and the surrounding area is renowned for attracting rarities particularly during migration.
Woodchat shrike, Red-throated pipit, Olive-backed pipit, Tree pipit, Black redstart, Red-rumped swallow and Hoopoe were recorded between April and May 2021 along with many common species such as Siskin, Common whitethroat, Northern wheatear, Stonechat, Ring ouzel, Peregrine falcon, Common buzzard, Common redstart, Sedge warbler Willow warbler, Grasshopper warbler, Pied flycatcher Sparrowhawk and Hobby, during the autumn of 2020 a Red-eyed vireo stayed for several days before moving on.
The Rumps:
This dramatic twin promontory jutting into the Atlantic is situated at the north-east corner of Pentire head and is run by the National Trust who maintain the land for the benefit nature, supporting an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife that make Pentire their home. A mile north-west of the point lies Newlands a small island often referred to as Puffin Island, while 300 yards north-east of the Rumps, the Mouls, another island supports colonies of Seabirds.
Sightings during April and May 2021 included Fulmar, Gannet, Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot, Greater black-backed gull, Kittiwake, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Shag, Common buzzard, Kestrel, Rook, Skylark, Swallow, Cormorant, Swift, Rock pipit, Northern wheatear, Stonechat, Little Egret, Common whitethroat, Linnet, Goldfinch, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Whinchat and Nightingale.
Porthgwarra:
Accessed via a narrow lane at Polgigga, Porthgwarra is a small coastal village situated between Land's End and Porthcurno with a car park and cafe in a beautiful cove with a private slipway and small beach. The headland path to Gwennap Head is managed by the RSPB and the viewpoint is famous for unusual seabird sightings. Porthgwarra has a varied habitat including heather moorland and rugged cliff top, at the opposite edge of the moor there is a tiny pool which is dry in summer and attracts migrants in autumn while rarities are regularly recorded in the grassy car park area.
Sea watch produced Puffin, Manx shearwater, Kittewake, Great northern diver, Red-throated diver, Auks, Sandwich tern, Roseate tern, Arctic tern, Pomarine skua, Great skua, Arctic skua, Sooty shearwater, Storm Petrel, Glaucous gull, Fulmar, Common scoter, Harbour porpoise, Grey seal, Dolphin and Basking shark. Other sightings included Grasshopper warbler, Eastern subalpine warbler, Reed warbler, Willow warbler, Cetti's warbler, Black redstart, Hoopoe, Nightingale, Chough, Tree pipit, Siskin, Northern wheatear, Snipe, Turtle dove, Bee-eater, Goldcrest, Bar-tailed godwit, Rock pipit, Ring ouzel, Yellow wagtail and Whimbrel.
Camel trail and estuary:
The trail is a pedestrian cycle track running alongside the river Camel from Bodmin to Padsow which passes through the town of Wadebridge. The estuary enters the sea at Padstow and has been designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. With its large area of salt marshes and mudflats the estuary provides an excellent habitat for wading birds and the most productive stretch is between Padstow and Wadebridge. A number of purpose built hides on the trail are open to the public while southwest heading from Wadebridge to Bodmin the habitat consists of woodland, fields and river tributaries which offer a variety of wildlife and bird species.
Rarities recorded here in the past include American bittern, Semipalmated sandpiper, Whiskered tern, Blue-winged teal and Lesser yellowlegs, while more recently Greenshank, Redshank, Dunlin, Little ringed plover, Curlew, Lesser black-backed gull, Oystercatcher, Shellduck, Mute swan, Little egret, Barnacle geese, Siskin, Mandarin, Glaucous gull, Herring gull, Black-headed gull, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Peregrine falcon, Goldfinch, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Great spotted woodpecker, Egyptian geese, Tawny owl, Carrion crow,
Common buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Grey wagtail, Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Teal, Jay, Rook, Jackdaw, Mallard, Blackcap, Willow warbler, Swift, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Knot, Grey heron, Grey plover, Ringed plover, Canada geese, Cormorant, Osprey, Common sandpiper, Sand martin, House martin, Black-tailed godwit, Bar-tailed godwit, Pheasant, Greenfinch, Magpie, Marsh tit, Song thrush, Med gull and Nuthatch have been recorded. Last July I watched two Fox cubs playing in fields on the trail at Wadebridge.
Trevose Head:
Situated on the north coast this National Trust site boasts far reaching views to Pendeen Watch in the west and Hartland Point in the east. Heading away from the coast, rough grassland and Gorse gives way to arable fields which is ideal for ground nesting birds while the Headland and lighthouse area attracts many migrants during Spring and Autumn. Southwest the coast path offers great views across Booby’s Bay and Constantine Bay while Mother Ivey’s Bay lies to the Northwest. Dinas Head at the tip of the headland with it's sheer cliffs and huge round hole is a dramatic result of a cave top collapse, here we had nesting Ravens in April 2021.
April and May 2021 sightings here included Lapland bunting, Corn bunting, Wren, Common whitethroat, Willow warbler, Sedge warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Yellow wagtail, White wagtail, Short-eared owl, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Meadow pipit, Linnet, Stonechat, Common redstart, Northern wheatear, Herring gull, Black-tailed godwit, Ringed plover, Whimbrel and Sanderling.
Crowdy Reservoir - Davidstow Airfieled:
Situated within a site of special scientific interest, designated for its fantastic habitats and associated wildlife, Crowdy Reservoir, Davidstow Woods and Davidstow Airfield are at the northern gateway to Bodmin Moor.
The reservoir is managed by SW Lakes Trust and the wood comes under the protection of Forestry England, the airfield which was built for the RAF during the war is now partly used by microlights and motor gliders. This area has a reputation for attracting some unusual wader sightings and is accessed via a network of minor roads which include Roughtor with it's impressive Starling Murmuration and Brown willy 4 miles southeast of Camelford and the highest point in Cornwall.
Sighting recorded during April and May 2021 included Buff breasted sandpiper, Curlew sandpiper, Golden plover, Ringed plover, Sanderling, Pied flycatcher, Spotted flycatcher, Garden warbler, Cuckoo, Common redstart, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Meadow pipit, Siskin, Reed bunting, Coal tit, Treecreeper,
Canada geese, Greylag geese, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Tufted duck, Gadwall, Little grebe, Med gull, Wren, Grasshopper warbler, Goldcrest, White fronted geese, Great crested grebe, Greater black-backed gull, Herring gull, Raven, Great spotted woodpecker, Common buzzard, White wagtail, Kestrel, Song thrush and Northern wheatear. Other birds recorded include Crossbill, Redwing, Mistle thrush and Fieldfare.
Buttermilk Hill:
Buttermilk hill (Rosewall) lies two miles to the west of St Ives on the road to Zennor and looks out towards Penwith hill, St Ives and and the north coast of Cornwall. Neolithic and Iron age remains can be found here along with old Cornish mine workings stretching out across this National Trust site of outstanding natural beauty. Many bird species are attracted here including Nightjar which breed during Spring while Ring ouzel, Hobby, Cuckoo and Short eared owl are frequently recorded.
Other sightings during Apr and May 2021 included Meadow pipit, Linnet, Northern wheatear, Common whitethroat, Willow warbler, Raven, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Red-throated pipit, Common buzzard, Kestrel, Pied flycatcher, Common redstart, Hen harrier, Sparrowhawk and Stonechat while down at St Ives a small group of Turnstone's were sheltering on the harbour wall.
Other locations:
There are many other locations worth considering if your planning a trip such as Hayle Estuary, Marazion Marshes, Breney Common, Botallack, Lizard Point, Trebarwith, Sennen, Golitha Falls, Nanjizal Valley and Cardinham Woods to mention just a few.
Excursions:
A fantastic way of seeing wildlife close up is by boat, and for this I would recommend AK Wildlife Cruises out of Falmouth, its a great way to spend a few hours with potential sightings of Seals, Dolphins, Whales and Basking sharks complementing a variety of seabirds which can be seen during a half day or full day tour.
Most of the images in the blog are taken during numerous visits to Cornwall throughout the year, a few of the images are stock photo's for illustration purposes only and may not have necessarily been taken in Cornwall.
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