January
As is usual on New Year's Day, everyone bird-brained scrambled to assemble their shiny new year lists. Last year's pair of Whooper Swans were on Croft Pascoe briefly and 2 Sooty Shearwaters, a close in Puffin, a flock of Shoveler, 2 Red-throated, 1 Black-throated and a Great Northern Diver past Lizard Point were the fist notable birds of the year. As the morning progressed, news trickled in of a further 7 Great Northern Divers and a Red-throated Diver in the Helford and 7 Red-throated, 3 Black-throated and 1 Great Northern Diver past Coverack. Further noteable birds included 2 Wigeon at Windmill Farm a whopping flock of 76 Cattle Egret near Newton St-Martin, and Siberian Chiffchaffs at Helston Sewage Works (1) and Carminowe Valley (2). By the afternoon it started pouring with rain and most folk went home.
Part of the large flock of Cattle Egret near Netwon-St-Martin. By the end of January some were getting into full breeding plumage. Photo: Ilya Maclean
With everybody out looking, the first half of January produced quite a few good birds. On the 2nd, a Cattle Egret at Choon Farm near Mannacan and Joe and Steve W found a Bittern in the Penrose Water Garden. On the 3rd Rupert found Water Pipit and a Whimbrel near Lowland Point and on the 5th, a Red-necked Grebe at Frenchman's Creek. On the 6th, 15 Red-throated diver were off the Gunwalloe Fishing Cove/ Loe Bar area and Dave relocated last year's Richard Pipit at the bottom of Caerthillian Cove. Later in the day a Short-eared Owl was seen just outside Lizard Village. On the 7th, a Long-tailed Duck flew past Nare Point and on the 9th, a Gadwall and 2 male Wigeon were in the little pools in the Penrose amenity area. The two Whooper Swan also stayed on being seen throughout the week. By the 10th the Wigeon had moved to Loe Pool, a Great White Egret flew over Caerthillian and a Jack Snipe was found on Lizard Downs. On the 11th there was a Brent Goose near Ponsongath, which eluded positive identification as wither Pale- or Dark-bellied. Over the next few days, the same field attracted a steady trickle of waders, with 2 Greenshank and 20+ Dunlin as well as the usual flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing. On the 13th there was a female Marsh Harrier over Mullion Golf course and a Short-eared Owl near Trelan. On the 14th, the Marsh Harrier was replaced by a Hen Harrier over Gunwalloe.
Richard's Pipit in Caerthillian, where it stayed on for much of January. Photo: Steve Wood.
Spring sometimes starts early in the south-west and to prove it, a Mallard with 4 chicks was seen on Croft Pascoe Pool on the 16th. As if attracted by the mallard, a male and female Hen Harrier were seen near there the next day. On the 17th, three Slavonian Grebes appeared in the Helford and a Siberian Chiffchaff in Porthleven. The Water Pipit and Bittern hung aorund into the second half of the month and were both seen on the 17th. On the 19th 28 Dunlin were seen near Ponsongath and on the 20th there was an adult Yellow-Legged Gull Loe pool. On the 22nd, the Yellow-Legged Gull had been replaced by 108 Mediterranean Gulls and 72 Common Gull. Gull fest continued into late January with Dave finding a 3rd cy Kumlein's Gull and a probable lusitanius Yellow-legged Gull at Lizard Point on the 24th. The month was rounded off with a Red Kite at Kweek and Black Guillemot in Falmouth Bay viewed from St Anthony's Head on the 27th, a Great White Egret on Loe Pool and 2 Great Skua and 3 Manx Shearwater past Lizard Point on the 28th, and a Marsh Harrier at Grade Marsh and 9 Wigeon and pair of Shoveler at Hayle Kimbro on the 30th.
February
As is often the case, February was a pretty quiet month. Likely the same Whimbrel as seen near Lowland Point in January was nearer Coverack on the 6th. On the 10th, Steve W found an adult winter Black Guillemot off Porthkerris and on the 12th there was an Eider and adult Pomarine Skua off Porthallow. On the 18th there were Hen Harriers on Lizard and Crousa Downs, and on the 19th a Dipper in Tremayne Wood. On the 23rd, a Great Skua landed on the sea off Porthoustock, and a rather emaciated Short-eared Owl was found and taken into care at Penrose. On the 24th, Pomarine and Great Skua flew past Porthoustoc. Highlight from otherwise slim pickings were probably a Red-Merganser at the mouth of the Helford, an adult Caspian Gull near Traboe Cross and an early Ring Ouzel at Black Head on the 25th. On the 28th and 29th there were 120 Mediterranean Gulls on Loe Pool
Hen Harrier, Crousa Downs. Photo: Steve Wood
March
March is the month in which sporing migrants usually start turnign up em-masse, and this year was no exception, although the start of the month was dominated by lingering winter migrants. However, the start of the month was pretty quiet, with the only noteable birds being a Marsh Harrier at Gunwalloe and a Short-eared Owl at Crousa Downs on the 3rd. Things picked up On the 4th, a Kumlien's Gull was along Old lizard head Lane, before moving to Lizard Point. However, spring kicked-off in earnest on the 10th, with a very unseasonal Cory's Shearwater past Lizard Point and much more seasonal Wheater at Old Lizard Head. On the 12th, the first Sand Martins turned up (at Helston Boating Lake). On the 13th a Red Kite was seen at Higher Bochym, and on the 14th, the Bittern was again seen at Penrose.
3cy Kumlein's Gull, LIzard Point. Photo: Steve Wood
In the second half of March, the trickle of Spring migrants opened to become a flood. On the 17th, 800+ Puffin and 350 Manx Shearwaters flew past Lizard Point and 50 Stock Dove were seen in a cabbage fields at Gilly Gabben. On the 18th, the passage of seabirds continued, with a further 809 Puffin and 137 Manx Shearwater past the point. On the 19th, another (or possibly the same) Ring Ouzel turned up at Treleaver . By the 20th and 21st Wheatears turned up en-masse and there was a Siberian Chiffchaff at Windmill Farm. On the 24th, the first White Wagtails and Swallows of the year showed up, and on the 26th, the first Willow Warblers and Sandnwich Tern. Also on the 26th, there were 3 Crossbills at Croft Pascoe. On the 27th, there was a Green Sandpiper at Ponsangath and by the 30th, the number of Manx Shearwater flying past Lizard Point had grown to 1000+. Also on the 30th, a Little Gull flew south past Porthoustock and first definate Iceland Redwing recorded on the Lizard turned up in Lizard Village. By the last day of the month, there were large flocks of hirundines over Loe Pool, including a House Martin and 4 Swallows, the first Arctic Skua of the year flew past Lizard Point, but perhaps most remarkably a Common Swift turned up in Porthleven.
By late March, wheatears were common. Photo: Ilya Maclean
An unseasonally early Swift at Porthleven. The unsual date and dark appearance, prompted some to suggest this might be a Plain Swift, but on balance, Common Swift is almost certainly the correct ID. Photo: Ilya Maclean
April
April started with the usual flurry of spring migrants including a Great White Egret near Mullion on the 4th. On the 5th, a pale-phase Arctic skua, 3 Sandwich Tern and 2 Great Northern Divers were at Porthallow and a Turtle Dove was seen near St Keverne on the 6th, On the 7th a Cuckoo was seen in the Rizza Valley and on the 8th at least 6 Great Skua, 2 dark phase Arctic Skua, 1 pale Arctic Skua and a pale Pomarine Skua were seen from Porthoustock. Whitethroats were late this year and the first didn't show up until the 10th. On the 11th, the first Reed and Grasshopper Warblers of the year turned up and there was a singing Siberian Chiffchaff at Helston Boating Lake. Things kicked-off in earnest, however, on the 14th, when Rubert found an absolutely cracking male Golden Oriole near Church Cove. Also on the 14th, a Turtle Dove was found near Lizard Village. The first half of the month was rounded off wiht a Wood Sandpiper on the pools at Higher Bochym and a Ruff in the fields at Treleaver on the 15th.
Sandwich Tern, Porthallow. Photo: Steve Wood
Singing Siberian Chiffchaff at Helston Boating Lake. Audio: Ilya Maclean
Golden Oriole, near Church Cove. Photo: Joe Jones.
The run of good birds continued in the second half of April with an adult male Little Bittern near Coverack on the 17th. Unfortunately found and photographed in a garden by a non-birder and not seen by any of the Lizard regulars despite much searching. Also on the 17th Ed found a rather cracking breeidng plumage male Water Pipit turned at Kynance, Jake a Woodchat Shrike in field hedges behind Godrevy Beach (Rosenithon) and JOhn had a very good shout for a Pallid Swift near Coverack, but couldn't quite clinch it. On the 18th, Steve B found another Golden Oriole at Crousa Downs and Green Sandpiper flew over there too. On the 19th, I found a rather puzzling looking harrier near Loe Bar, which after some head-scratching couldn't really be turned into anything other than a hybrid Hen x Pallid Harrier. There were also 3 Lesser Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler at Windmill Farm. On the 21st a male Whinchat turned up at Kynance Farm and on the 23rd, an Osprey over Black Head. Also on the 23rd, a rather splendid-looking male Garganey turned up on the Helston Boating Lake. On the 27th, Joe found a Purple Heron in off the sea over Lizard Point. On the 29th, a Pomarine Skua flew past Lizard Point and John saw a Little Ringed Plover fly over Porthoustock.
Woodchat Shrike, near Godrevy Beach. Photo: Steve Wood
Hen x Pallid Harrier, Chyvarloe. Photo: Steve Wood.
Male Garganey, Helston Boating Lake. Photo: Ilya Maclean.
May
May kickedoff with a Yellow Wagtail over Housel Bay and Reed and Grasshopper Warblers on territory neat by. Bird of the day, and probably the month was a cracking Red-footed Falcon found by John over Crousa Downs late afternoon on the 1st. On the 2nd the falcon was replaced by a Hobby at Croft Pascoe. On the 4th, there was a bit of an arrival of Spotted Flycatchers, and on the 5th, 4 White Wagtails in fields near Treleaver. On the 6th, a Black Redstart, Tree Pipit and Garden Warbler showed up at Housel Bay, and on the 9th, there was a bit of an unflux of Red Kites. On the 10th, another Woodchat Shrike turned up, this one along the coast just south of Mullion Cove. On the 11th a migrant Nightjar was seen coming in off the sea at Predannack Cliffs and on the 12th, there were 3 Crossbill in Croft Pascoe Woods. Thereafter, it was pretty quiet until the 16th when two Bee-eaters flew over Croft Pascoe
Woodchat Shrike near Mullion Cove. Photo: Ilya Maclean
On the 17th, there was a cracking full breeding plumage male Ruff in the fields near Old Lizard Head and on the 18th a Common Redstart along Lloyd's Lane. On the 20th, Steve W heard a Quail near Gwenter. On the 21st, there was a large influx of Kites, which included at least two Black Kites seen near Mullion. Also, a pair of Grey Plover flew over Higher Penrose . On the 24th 5 Hobbies were seen over Croft Pascoe, and a Great White Egret put in an appearance at Loe Pool. The most `noteable' bird in latter half of May was probably a Golden Pheasant seen near St Martin, unfortunately undoubtebly an escape. On the 25th, a Pomarine Skua flew past Porthoustock and a quick informal survey revealed 16 pairs of Firecrest holding territory aorund Loe Pool,
By the end of May things had quitened down, but there were good numbers of Hobbies. The top one at Predannack on 21st May. Photo: Dougy Wright. The bottom, one of 5 at Croft Pascoe. Photo: Steve Wood.
June
June is tradiationally quite a quiet month, some goodies can turn up. On the 1st, Steve B found a Blue-headed Wagtail at Predannack Head. On the 2nd, somewhat suprisingly a Whooper Swans flew past Kennack Sands (possible the same as reported on the Isles of Scilly in previous days), and on the 3rd, a Cory's Shearwater flew past Lizard Point. However, bird of the month was undoubtebly Tony's Common Rosefinch at Housel Bay on the 9th. By mid-June attenion had partly switched to seawatching, with 4 Sooty Shearwater past Lizard Point on the 13t. On the 16th, I found a Treecreeper at Loe Pool. Once a fairly common bird aorund the north of the Lizard, I wouldn't be too suprised if that one was the last I'll see. By late June things had quietened down. A Yellow Wagtail ssp at Soapy Cove may have been Blue-headed or Channel Wagtail and the 24th, a Barn Owl hunting near Ponsangath proved quite photogenic.
Blue-headed Wagtail, Predannack Head. Photo: Steve Bury.
Common Rosefinch, Housel Bay. Photo: Dougy Wright.
Common Whitehtroats were uncharacteristically late this year, but once arrived, were present in good numbers. This one taking a quick snack along Lloyd's Lane on 9th June. Photo: Steve Wood.
Barn Owl, Ponsongath. Photo: Steve Wood.
July
July kicked-off with a Corn Bunting near the Youth Hostel garden on the 1st, and 2 summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits at the north end of Loe pool on the 2nd. On the 5th, the first Great Shearwaters of the year turned up, with two past Lizard Point, along with a Cory's and 3 Sooty Shearwater. On the 7th, an Eider, probably the same as that earlier in the year, was seen at Godrevy Beach and on the 8th, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Balearic Shearwater and 6 Common Terns flew past Lizard Point. On the 16th a Wood Sandpiper flew over Little Treleaver and on the 17th, Tony saw a Long-tailed Skua fly past Lizard Point. Also on the 17th Dave saw his first Lizard Little Ringed Plover - over Kynance Car Park. On the 20th, the first Wilson's Petrel of the year was seen - flying past Lizard Point, and on the 24th Bumble Rock produced 108 Cory's, 3 Great Shearwaters, 4 Balearic Shearwater, 12 Sooty Shearwater, a juv Long-tailed Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, 11 Puffins and  5 Storm Petrels. On the 25th, good seawacthing continued, with a Common Tern, 138 Cory's Shearwaters, 10 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Great Shearwaters. Good numbers of Cory's Shearwater and a few Great Shearwater were seen through to the end of the month.
July was pretty quiet, but a feature of the month was reasonable numbers of Cory's Shearwater. Photo: Steve Wood.
August
August started with a Green Sandpiper at Windmill Farm and another Woodchat Shrike along Lloyd's Lane, found by Steve W. On the 2nd, the Green Sandpiper at Windmill had been replaced by a Wood Sandpiper and a steady trickle of Cory's Shearwaters flew past Lizard Point. By the 3rd, over 500 Cory's Shearwater went past Lizard Point, and there were two Green Sandpiper on Bray's Cott. A record count of 30+ Yellow-legged Gulls put in an appearance at the point in the evening of the 3rd, On the 4th, Toby found a juvenile Caspian Gull at the point, and Tony clocked a year record count of ~1100 Cory's Shearwaters. Scopoli's Shearwater has eluded certian identity so far, but a very good candidate went past amidst the Cory's. On the 5th, the steady Cory's Shearwater pssage continued, and was supplemented by 2 Wilson's Petrels. The seabird haul for the 8th was pretty phenominal with 800+ Cory's, 329 Great, 159 Sooty, and 9 Balearic Shearwater, 77 Storm and 10 Wilsons Petrels, 5 Great Skua a probable South Polar Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Long-tailed Skuas and 7 Arctic Skuas. Good numbers of Cory's Shearwater were a feature for much of the month, with good numbers past on the 10th, 11th, 12th,13th, 19th and 22nd On the 12th there was a juv Knot at Kennack Sands and on the 13th, another 4 Wilsons Petrels flew past Bumble Rocks. Also on the 14th, the Great White Egret was back on Loe Pool, and on the 15th, another Wilson's Petrel flew past Lizard Point.
Part of the flock of White Stork that arrived on the 20th. Photo: Steve Wood.
On the 16th and the egret at Loe Pool was joined by 2 Green Sandpipers and another probable South Polar Skua was photographed form a boat 5km north-east of Porthoustock. On the 17th, a Garganey showed up on the Helston Boating Lake and on the 19th, another 2 Wilson's Petrels flew past Lizard Point along wiht 385 Cory's and 27 Sooty Shearwater. On the 20th, the Knepp White Storks re-appeared, with 74 over Ruan Pool. On the 22nd, a Black Guillemot and Little Tern flew past Coverack, the former also seen past Porthoustock. The first Red-throated Diver of the 'winter' also showed up at Bumble. On the 24th, Tony's earlier record count of Cory's Shearwater was surpassed by 1700 past Lizard Point along with 600 Great Shearwater and 60 Sooty Shearwater. Also on the 24th, the first Yellow Wagtails of the autumn showed up with 4 near the Lizard lighthouse and 2 near Kynance. On the 28th tthe enigma of South Polar Skua continued, with a 'probable' seen off Chynhalls Point. On the 29th, Autumn began in earnest with a Wrynecks at Jollytown and Kynance. On the 30th Dougy found a juvenile Woodchat Shrike at Soapy Cove, with a supporting cast of Whinchat, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers also present. On the last day of the month, there was a Wryneck at Grochall, a Green sandpiper along Mullion Cliffs, a Great White Egret on Croft pascoe, and a probable Honey Buzzard between Culdrose and Cury.
Woodchat Shrike at Soapy Cove. Photos: Dougy Wright (top) and Steve Wood (bottom).
September
On the 1st, Steve B found an Osprey perched on a telegraph pole at Mullion Golf Course, and on the 2nd 250 Great Shearwater flew past Porthoustock. on the 3rd, a Dotterel went north over Jollytown and two Greenshank put in an appearance at Windmill Farm. On the 5th, there was a bit of a Knot influx, with singles seen at Kynance, Lizard Point and Porthoustock. On the 6th, Tony found a Melodious Warbler in his garden and 4 Green Sandpiper were at the north end of Loe Pool. On the 7th there was a Wryneck at Kynance and on the 9th, a White-tailed Eagle was reported over Trelowarren Woods and 5 Common Sandpipers were at Gillan Creek. On the 11th, there were 1000+ Great Shearwater and 100+ Sooty Shearwater feeding of Lizard Point On the 13th, there was an exceptionally early Yellow-browed Warbler in Tony's garden and on the 14th, bird of the month in the shape of a Tawny Pipit at Windmill Farm. On the 15th, however a lone Cattle Egret in the fields between Housel Bay and the lighthouse was the highlight.
Osprey, Mullion Golf Course. Photo: Steve Bury.
The first half of September was actually remarkably quiet, but as per usual, a scattering of Whinchats put in an appearance. Photo: Steve Wood.
The second half of September kicked-off with a Wryneck at Caerthillian on the 17th and a possible Gull-billed Tern past Godrevy on the 18th. On the 18th, there was another Wryneck near Mullion Cove and on the 20th, two Great White Egrets put in an appearance at Loe Pool. Also on the 20th, an Osprey flew over Dave's house towatds the Helford. On the 21st torrential rain hit, grounding a few comoner migrants, including a Short-eared Owl and Garden Warbler in Caerthillian Cove. On the 21st, an extra-oridinary 13 Spoonbills flew past Lizard Point. On the 26th, a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling put in an appearance in Lizard Village and 850 Great Sheawaters past Lizard Point in 5 mins was apparently a pretty impessive sight. The total haul was 2000 Great Shearwaters, 50 Corys Shearwater, 50 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater and a Sabine's Gull. On the 28th, an American Golden Plover flew over Windmill Farm. On the 29th, attention turned to the sea again, with a Long-tailed Skua, 8 Arctic Skua, 2 Bonxie and 2 Arctic Terns past Lizard Point and 21 Arctic Skua, 4 Bonxie, 1 Long-tailed Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Black Terns, 3 Great Shearwater, 53 Balearic Shearwater, 4 Sooty Shearwater and a Sabine's Gull past Porthoustock. Last decent birds of the month were a Hoopoe near Lizard Lightouse, an Eider off Pothallow and another Sabine's Gull past Porthoustock on the 30th.
Juv Rose-coloured Starling, Lizard Village. Photo: Steve Wood.
October
October, though often resulting in fewer migrants, is typically amongst the 'rarest` months of the year, and this year was no exception, with good birds appearing almost every day. The month started with a Yellow-browed Warbler in the Youth Hostel gardens on the 1st and a Red-rumped Swallow at Kennack on the 2nd. On the 3rd, another Yellow-browed Warbler put in an appearance in Tony’s Garden and others put in an appearance in Lizard Village and Little Treleaver. On the 4th, two Great White Egrets flew over Windmill Farm and a Yellow-browed Warbler appeared in Church Cove. On the 5th, 10 Great Shearwater and 93 Cory’s Shearwater flew past Lizard Point and a possible Olive-backed Pipit turned up in Lizard Village. On he 6th, a Ruff turned up at Culdrose, and a possible Corn Crake was seen briefly along Lloyds Lane. ON the 7th, an Osprey flew south over Grade Marsh, and a Yellow-browed Warbler turned up in Cadgwith. On the 8th, ~500 Great and 65 Cory's Shearwater flew past the point along with 8 Barnacle Geese. On the 9th, another Yellow-browed Warbler turned up at Higher Bochym and 2 Spoonbills went past Lizard Point. On the 10th there was a Grasshopper Warbler at Cadgwith,
Lapland Bunting at Traboe. Photo: Steve Wood.
Mid-October saw a steady trickle of commoner migrants, with good numbers of Firecrest and the first few Black Redstart. On the 11th, Ed found a photogenic Lapland Bunting at Traboe, Things kicked-off in earnest on the 12th, with a small influx of Yellow-browed Warblers, at least six in the south Lizard area. However, bird of day, and indeed of the year, was a superb Red-flanked Bluetail found by Ed just south of Soapy Cove. The probable Blyth’s Reed Warbler found by Tony along Kynance Road, attracted much less attention! On the 13th, Ed’s good run of finds continued, with Barnacle and Pink-footed Goose on Lizard Downs. Also on the 13th, a Great White Egret flew over Traboe, a Jack Snipe was seen at Kynance Farm and a Turtle Dove few along Lloyd’s Lane. On the 14th, there was a Pomarine Skua at Porthoustock, and on the 15th, a Wryneck between Poldowrian and Kennack. On the 16th, a Ring Ouzel was at the top of the valley at Treleaver and on the 17th another turned up near Kynance. On the 19th, the Kynance Ring Ozel was joined by another, a Fea’s Petrel flew west past Lizard Point, a Hawfinch flew over Penrose and a Long-tailed Duck was seen in the bay to south of Chynhall’s Point.
The first Lizard record of Red-flanked Bluetail bagged Ed the coveted Booby Prize for the 3rd year in a row. Photo: Ilya Maclean.
The Long-tailed Duck just south of Chynhall's Point. Photo: Steve Wood.
The end of the month saw a continued stream of good birds, starting with a Yellow-browed Warbler and Siberian Chiffchaff at Church Cove on the 22nd. On the 23rd a Hen and Marsh Harrier were seen over Lizard Downs, and on the 25th, a probable Scopoli’s Shearwater was seen by Joe as it flew south past Porthkerris. Also on the 25th, 3 Snow Bunting turned and an American Golden Plover turned up on Predannack Airfield, and on the 26th, there was a late Willow Warbler in Church Cove. On the 28th, a Pomarine Skua flew east past Lizard Point and on the 29th, Ed saw the American Golden Plover over Predannack Wollas, and a Pintail in the Kynance Farm Ponds. On the 30th Dave found a male Ring Ouzel on clifftop north of Mullion, followed a little later by a Common Crane, which flew out over the sea, seen sometime later heading out west form the Bishop’s Rock lighouse! There were also 2 Ring Ouzels in the Treleaver Valley. On the 31st Steve B had a possible Blyth’s Pipit over Predannack Head and a Dark-eyed Junco turned up in a private garden in Helston. Slightly less unusual, was a Siberian Chiffchaff in the Kynance Valley
Top: Snow Buntings and bottom American Golden Plover, Predannack Airfield. Photo: Dougy Wright
November
As autumn neared its end, things settled down a bit, though in the beginning of November there was still a good number of scarcities around. On the 1st, a Wheatear and Snow and Lapland Buntings were seen at Old Lizard Head, 4 Swallows were over Lizard Village, a Whinchat was seen along Kynance Road and there were Ring Ouzels at Mullion Cove, Mullion Cliffs and Treleaver. On the 2nd, Tony found a Serin in the Hellarcher Valley and the Rose-coloured Starling was seen again in Lizard Village. On the 3rd a Snow Bunting flew over Hellarcher calling, and a Ring Ouzel turned up at Kynance Farm. On the 4th, it was joined by a second, and 3 Ring Ouzels flew north over Soapy Cove. On the 5th, I heard and saw what was probably an Olive-backed Pipit at Higher Penrose and John had a Hawfinch over his house. On the 6th, an American Golden Plover flew over Gwenter, and another probable Olive-backed Pipit was in Gwenter Quarry. On the 7th, there was a definite Olive-backed Pipit at Little Treleaver and 3 Ring Ouzels at Kynance Cove. Also on the 7th, three late Swallows lingered at Kynance and another Hawfinch flew over John’s house. On the 8th there was a Wheatear at Old Lizard Head, and a Brambling turned up at Poltesco. On the 9th, there was a Great White Egret at Windmill Farm and a Yellowhammer/Cirl Bunting was seen at Cadgwith (both are equally rare and the front-end photo wasn’t quite enough to clinch ID). On the 10th, another Great White Egret flew over Gwavas, a Hawfinch flushed off the track at Higher Bochym, a Lapland Bunting was at Kynance and there were to Yellow-browed Warblers in Penrose. On the 11th, there was a Brambling near St Keverne, and a Great White Egret flew over Crousa Downs. The 12th was a bit of a vis-mig day, with 100s of Stock Dove over, several Brambling and 6 Whooper Swans over Roseinthon. On the 13th, the Rose-coloured Starling was sighted again and there was a Great White Egret at Loe Pool. On the 14th, a Red Kite and Short-eared Owl flew over Lizard Downs and on the 15th, a late Wheatear at Mullion Cliffs was given a hard grilling, and was joined by Ring Ouzel and 8 Mistle Thrush.
The second half of the month also witnessed a steady trickle of scarcities. On the 16th, there was another influx of Yellow-browed Warblers, with birds at Treleaver, Roskilly and Helston. There was also a Black-necked Grebe and Great White Egret at Loe Pool and another Great White Egret at Windmill Farm. On the 17th, there were 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Siberian Chiffchaff in in the Helston Amenity area, a Siberian Chiffchaff near Soapy Cove and 7 Cattle Egret at Condurrow Farm, St. Anthony. On the 20th, there were 3 Common Scoter near the mouth of Frenchman’s Creek, and on the 23rd, a Little Auk flew past Lizard Point. On the 24th, Dave saw a Leach's Petrel fly past Lizard Point along with 6 Sooty Shearwaters. On the 27th a Yellow-browed Warbler was seen at Treleaver and a Redpoll at Ponsongath. On the 28th, a Velvet Scoter flew past Porthoustock and on the 29th, a Long-tailed Duck and Balearic Shearwater flew past Lizard Point. Additionally, three Balearic Shearwaters flew past Porthoustock. The month ended with a Whooper Swan at Croft Pascoe and Yellow-browed Warbler at Penrose.
December
December started with a bit of a surprise: a Ring-necked Parakeet in my garden in Porthleven, only the second I’ve seen in the Lizard area. On the 2nd, there was a Yellow-browed Warbler in Penrose, and on the 3rd, Steve W found a Red necked Grebe, 3 Eider a Common Scoter at the mouth of Frenchman’s Creek. Also on the 3rd, there was a Jack Snipe on Kynance Downs and news emerged of an Olive-backed Pipit in Helston. On the 4th, a Sooty Shearwater flew past Lizard Point and on the 7th, the Ring-necked Parakeet appeared in my garden again. On the 12th, the Whooper Swan that had appeared on Croft Pascoe was joined by a second, and on the 13th, there was a Whimbrel at Porthoustock. On the 14th, there was a Jack Snipe at Bray’s Cott, and on the 15th the Great White Egret reappeared on Loe Pool.
Eider - one of three on the Helford River. Photo: Steve Wood.
On the 16th, a Red-legged Partridge took a suicidal walk along the main road outside Zoar Garage and there were two Yellow-browed Warblers in the Helston Amenity area. Also on the 16th, a Greylag Goose flew over Lizard Point, eventually joining the Whooper Swans on Croft Pascoe. Also on the 16th, a Yellow-browed Warbler was seen in Gwendreath Valley and on the 18th, a Red-necked Grebe, Great Skua and 3 Balearic Shearwaters flew past Lizard Point. On the 22nd, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen on Loe Pool and was joined by the Great White Egret on the 23rd. On the 24th, the Great White Egret was joined by 2 Cattle Egrets and on the 26th, there was a Yellow-browed Warbler on Loe Pool. On the 27th, 2 Hawfinches flew over Coverack and a Jack Snipe was flushed by a Marsh Harrier at Loe Pool. On the 28th, the two Whooper Swan reappeared on Croft Pascoe, the Great White Egret reappeared at Loe Pool and there was a Siberian Chiffchaff at the Helston Sewage Works. Little of note turned up in the last few days of the year.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Gwendreath - one of several that lingered into winter. Photo: Steve Wood.
Great White Egret, Loe Pool. Photo: Steve Bury.
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