Prime target for the trip – Dalmatian Pelican. Distant views on the Taw Estuary, now returned to Cornwall

We’ve just returned from a few days birding with our travelling companions Bob & Sue, in the South West. Following in the long and noble tradition of GPOG, we stayed at the Beachside Holiday Park, Hayle, and toured the various valleys and birding hot-spots of the Land’s End peninsular. The weather was fabulous with blue skies, a gentle breeze and peak temperatures of 18 degrees – perfect conditions to enjoy this lovely corner of the country. We managed to collect a couple of long-staying national rarities during the trip – Dalmatian Pelican on the Taw estuary and Hudsonian Whimbrel in Mounts Bay, together with a good supporting cast including: Baird’s & Pectoral Sandpiper, Richard’s Pipit x2, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler x3, an off-shore Osprey, Hen Harrier, Chough and Cirl Bunting. There were still a few regular migrants around like Swallow, Whinchat, Wheatear and Spotted Flycatcher keeping us entertained whilst searching out the scarcer species. The total trip list was 114 species.

Juvenile Baird’s Sandpiper, Davidstow airfield

Hudsonian Whimbrel, Boat Cove, Mount’s Bay

One of several Yellow-browed Warbler found during our trip

Some of the more regular species which kept us occupied whilst searching for the less common. A nice Raven at Pendeen

and Wheatear

An elusive Red-breasted Flycatcher in Kenidjack

Two Richard’s Pipit at Portgwarra – an adult and 1st winter, I presume

A total surprise – Osprey, seen off-shore at Pendeen

A late juvenile Common Tern at Argal Reservoir was a nice bonus after the Pectoral Sandpiper

A stop-off at the traditional site on the way home, produced several Cirl Bunting