2025 yearly round-up

Summary

It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that 2025 was the Lizard’s finest year on record for rarities. The peninsula delivered an extraordinary five Megas: BAROLO SHEARWATER, SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL, FORSTER'S TERN, STEPPE GREY SHRIKE and, in all probability, BAND-RUMPED PETREL, alongside a few other major rarities that didn't quite get clinched: Black-billed and Great Spotted Cuckoos and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. As if that wasn't enough, 17 other BBRC raraities graced the area: two Lesser Scaup, two Fea’s-type Petrels, three Scopoli’s Shearwaters, Pallid Harrier, Kentish Plover, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Pallid Swift, Aquatic Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Tawny Pipit and Rustic Bunting). County rarities were too numerous to summarise, but including a Purple Heron flying over flocks of Hoopoes, a major influx of Red-footed Falcons, two flocks of over 40 Glossy Ibises on the same day, Spotted Crake and Red-rumped Swallow within a day of each other, and John's extraordinary run of late-Autumn finds extending to an Olive-backed Pipit in his garden and a Pallas's Warbler at Church Cove. Eight species were added to the Lizard list in 2025, pushing the total to 385: a remarkable milestone in an unforgettable year.

January

The year opened with two Whooper Swans at Croft Pascoe on the 1st, an encouraging start to a month that mixed classic winter fare with several surprises. Activity at Frenchman’s Creek began immediately: on the 2nd it held a Red-breasted Merganser, three Eiders, and a Red-necked Grebe. Another Red-necked Grebe appeared there on the 6th, with both seen on the 7th. Also early in the month, a Dippers was seen at the Lidle Bridge on the 3rd. Siberian Chiffchaffs followed: one at Coverack on the 5th, and four at the Helston amenity area on the 7th. Unseasonable shearwaters were a feature too: Sooty Shearwaters passed Lizard Point on the 4th, followed by a Balearic Shearwater on the 5th. Lowland Point produced a Purple Sandpiper that same day. The 7th proved productive once again with a Marsh Harrier at Loe Pool, Cattle Egrets (two) at Newton, and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Lowland Point. Two more notable birds were seen on the 7th a Little Gull off Lizard Point (found by John), and a Yellow-browed Warbler in a garden (found by Steve W). A Barn Owl drifting over my house later that evening added to the activity. On the 8th, the Newton Cattle Egret flock increased to three, and a Bittern was seen at Loe Pool (found by Joe). A Water Pipit near Kynance Road the same day was also of note (found by John).

Mid-month brought numbers and variety: on the 10th, Predannack Downs held an impressive 5,500 Golden Plovers, while the Helford River produced a Slavonian Grebe. A Whimbrel appeared at Lowland Point on the 11th, and a Goldeneye was at Loe Pool on the 14th. On the 16th, John found a Red Kite near Zoar Garage and a Great White Egret was at Loe Pool; a Yellow-browed Warbler was also at Treleaver that day. Mid month also saw some good seawatch on the 17th, when a Great Shearwater and a Puffin passed Lizard Point. Last year's Olive-backed Pipit was also reported from the same area in Helston on the 17th. The Newton Cattle Egret total surged to twelve on the 18th, and two Great White Egrets were at Loe Pool on the 19th. Another garden Yellow-browed Warbler appeared in Dave's garden and a day later, on the 22nd, John found a Glossy Ibis flying over Lizard village. Even more surprising was a swift species passing Lizard Lighthouse on the 23rd (found by Terry).

Late highlights included a Red-necked Grebe off Nare Point on the 24th, a Grey Phalarope in Porthleven Harbour on the 27th, and yet another Siberian Chiffchaff, this time at Lower Nansloe, on the 28th. The month finished with strong diver numbers: seven Red-throated Divers off Porthleven on the 30th, followed on the 31st by another Red-throated Diver and an impressive 21 Black-throated Divers from Lizard Point.

February

February opened with impressive numbers of Cattle Egret, with 41 birds passing Jake’s house on the 4th. Smaller groups followed, including five at Loe Pool on the 5th and over 30 at Tretharrup Farm on the 16th, while another 20 were near Gweek on the 28th.

The month also brought a scattering of winter specialities. Two Siberian Chiffchaff were at Helston Sewage Works on the 6th, with another at Coverack Sewage Works on the 27th. A male Hen Harrier was at Croft Pascoe on the 6th, and a ringtail Hen Harrier was on Lizard Downs on the 16th. A notable sighting came on the 7th with a Red-legged Partridge near Coverack, found by Joe. On the 9th, a possible Richard’s Pipit was reported from Gunwalloe, later in the month on the 18th a Whimbrel was at Porthoustock and a Dipper near Lidl in Helston on the 24th.

Seawatching remained productive: a Sooty Shearwater passed Lizard Point on the 23rd, and the month ended with an exceptional gathering on the water at Gunwalloe on the 28th—190 Red-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe found by Dave. A Great White Egret at Cury, another at Gunwalloe and 2 Red-necked Grebes and 14 Cattle Egret at Frenchman's Creek on the 28th rounded off the month.

March

March opened on the 1st with two Red Kite at Treleaver, followed on the 2nd by a Redpoll in John's garden. Early migrants began to appear from the 6th, when two Wheatear were at Old Lizard Head, alongside a Green Sandpiper at Croft Pascoe and four Puffin off Lizard Point. More Puffin followed on the 9th, with two at Porthoustock that day, along with a White Wagtail at Old Lizard Head.

Mid-month brought a wider spread of arriving spring and departing winter migrants. A singing Black Redstart was at Porthleven on the 11th, and the first Sand Martin of spring was at Old Lizard Head on the 19th. The 20th proved particularly lively, producing White Wagtail at both Predannack Head and Kynance, the first Willow Warbler of the year at Kynance, and a Short-eared Owl nearby. Mullion Cliffs delivered a strong showing with a Hoopoe found by Steve B, 10 Black Redstart, and further birds included four Black Redstart at Ponsongath and 20+ White Wagtail at Predannack.

Spring continued to build pace on the 21st with a Swallow at Gwenter, and an incredible influx of Hoopoes, with one at Ruan Minor, another at Hellarcher found by Andrew, an 2 more at Kynance, which a Purple Heron flew over! There was also a Ring Ouzel in Tony’s garden. The 22nd was especially productive. I found a Brambling over Hellarcher Valley and Serin over Old Lizard Head and Joe racked the Kynance Hoopoes up three, with two (pssibly the same) seen at Jollytown the same day. Additional sightings included a another Hoopoe at the Cider Barn, a Ring Ouzel at Treleaver, and several Willow Warbler, including a northern-looking type at Soapy.

Migration continued steadily through the 23rd with a Swallow at Old Lizard Head, two Hoopoe at Grade Marsh found by John, and further Brambling and Ring Ouzel sightings. The 24th brought yet another Hoopoe, this time at Windmill Farm (found by Dougy), plus multiple on add-looking hybrid Common × Black Redstart also at Windmill. On the 24th, there was a good smattering of White Wagtails and Black Redstarts and a further cluster of Hoopoe followed on the 25th, including one in Lizard village (found by Joe), one at Jollytown and one at Million (seen by Andrew). Offshore, spring passage intensified, with 36 Puffin past Lizard Point on the 25th and an impressive 56 there on the 26th. Late in the month, Sandwich Tern appeared at Coverack Bay on the 28th, and a lone Fieldfare visited a garden on the 31st to round off the month.

April

Good birds found in April began on the 1st with Dougy's flyover Little Ringed Plover at Windmill Farm and John's Osprey over the Boating Lake. Migration picked up quickly from the 2nd, when Common Tern and a flock of 22 Sandwich Tern were off Loe Bar–Gunwalloe, alongside Osprey in the same area. The 2nd also produced Red Kite sightings towards Porthallow and at Gwenter.

The influx of Red Kite intensified on the 3rd, with birds seen from Bray’s Cott, Windmill Farm, Cross Common, Poltesco, and Trelanvean. However, the highlight was definately a Kentish Plover at Loe Bar found by Dave. The 4th brought another Red Kite at Rosenithon, a Ring Ouzel at Porthleven, and a Hoopoe at Treleaver (found by Steve W). The run of Hoopoes continued through the 5th and 6th, with birds in Lizard Village (found by Tony), Helston (found by Dougy), and Predannack. Also on the 6th, a Common Redstart appeared at Soapy Cove.

Windmill Farm was productive on the 7th when Dougy found a Spotted Crake and a Ring Ouzel. The next day brought a superb Red-rumped Swallow over Jollytown (found by Dave), two Hawfinch in Tony’s garden, and a Grasshopper Warbler at Bray’s Cott. By the 9th, two Whitethroat had arrived at Caerthillian, and on the 10th a Hoopoe was at Kynance along with two Ring Ouzel at Soapy Cove. The 11th brought further Hoopoe, with individuals at Windmill Farm and at Housel. It is a bit hard to say which Hoopoes were new and which lingering from March.

A cracking Purple Heron was Croft Pascoe on the 12th, found by John, and mid-month migrants followed: a Siberian Chiffchaff at Housel on the 13th and five Puffin at Lizard Point the same day. Late April saw a steady flow of returning warblers, including Lesser Whitethroat at Windmill Farm on the 19th, and Pied Flycatcher at Lizard Lighthouse on the 20th, followed by two Whinchat at Kynance Road. More Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, and Swift arrived from the 26th, with multiple sightings across Housel, Caerthillian, and Lizard Village. The 28th brought another Red Kite at Croft Pascoe and a standout Turtle Dove at Gunwalloe (found by Steve B). Kite passage built again on the 29th and 30th, with at least 12 birds noted on both days across multiple sites. The month closed with three Crossbill at Croft Pascoe on the 29th.

May

May opened with a widespread movement of Red Kite on the 1st, with 10+ birds across the area. The same day brought a Turtle Dove at Trerise Farm, and a superb Golden Oriole at Mullion Cliffs along with two Whinchat and a Pied Flycatcher, all foound by Luke. On the 2nd, the Purple Heron put in a brief appearance for John at Croft Pascoe, while Dave found Subalpine Warbler at Kynance, with opionions remaining divided to this day as to whether it was eastern or western (see mroe here). A smaller Red Kite passage followed on the 3rd.

Despite an excellent supporting cast, the main event of May was a large influx of Red-footed Falcons, culminating in aournd 7 individuals on the Lizard. The first of these was found by Tony at Hayle Kimbro on the 5th. More Red-footed Falcon activity followed swiftly: two at Gwendreath on the 8th (found by Jake), rising to reported at Croft Pascoe the later in the day, and another single at Kynance, also on the 8th (found by Ed). Supporting migrants included a Channel Wagtail at Soapy Cove on the 7th, a Hobby at Kynance on the 8th, and a Tree Pipit at Vellan Head on the 9th. The 9th also brought a sighitng of a lingering Hoopoe at Jollytown and yet another sighitng of Red-footed Falcon there, again Ed’s find. A fresh Red Kite influx on the 10th added to the sense of movement, and the same day produced an unseasonal Wigeon at Goonhilly, a likely genuine wild White Stork at Windmill Farm, and another Red-footed Falcon, this time  at Gunwalloe (found by Jason).

Mid-month sightings included Redpoll at Croft Pascoe on the 11th, Turtle Dove at Gwendreath the same day, and a Tawny Pipit reported from on North Predannack Downs on the 12th, which none of the regular Lizard birders were able to track down. A cracking Pallid Harrier flew across Crousa Downs on the 13th (found by John), followed on the 14th by a Black Kite candidate at Gwenter, an Osprey at Croft Pascoe (found by Steve W), and two Balearic Shearwater off Porthoustock.

Late May continued steadily with another Turtle Dove at Croft Pascoe on the 17th, a Hobby there on the 19th, and intringuingly, a possible Great Spotted Cuckoo at Gwenter. The 21st added a Redpoll at Cross Common. Warbler action returned at the end of the month, including Lesser Whitethroat at Predannack on the 24th and at Windmill Farm on the 29th. The 25th delivered a duo of Bee-eater over Lizard Point (found by Tony), while seawatching on the 26th produced a Balearic Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, and 15 Puffin off Lizard Point, followed by two more Sooty Shearwater later in the day. May closed on the 31st with a Quail at Lower Predannack, rounding off a lively and often remarkable month.

June

June opened with a spectacular rarity: on the 1st, Jake found a WHISKERED TERN at Loe Pool which stayed for a few days and was joined by a flyover Bee-eater found by Steve B on the 2nd. Seawatching picked up soon after: a Pomarine Skua flew past Lizard Point on the 3rd. There was also a Yellow-legged Gull there on the 5th. That same day in the evening, another cracking tern turned up at Loe Pool: this time a GULL-BILLED TERN found by Scott Reid and fortunately re-located the next day by Steve B. The 7th also produced a strong run of records off Lizard Point, with a Balearic Shearwater, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, and 2 Pomarine Skuas seen through the morning (all Joe). Inland, a Crossbill was at Kynance on the 11th, and a Hobby hunted over Croft Pascoe on the 14th. Mid-month saw a small influx of Red Kites on the 19th and 20th, with 7 and then 10+ drifting over various parts of the peninsula.

The 21st the second Little Ringed Plover of the year; this one found by Dave flying over Lizard Village. On the 23rd, the first Wilson’s Petrel of the year was found by Joe passing Lizard Point, along with a single Puffin. Seawatching remained lively on the 24th, producing a Long-tailed Skua, Arctic Skua, and 8 Sooty Shearwaters (Dave) and on the 26th, a Great Shearwater past Lizard Point (also Dave). Two more Arctic Skuas and a further Sooty Shearwater were logged on the 27th.

A dramatic moment came on the 28th, when a Quail was taken by a Peregrine. Stuart captured the moment on camera, capturign what is no doubt photo of the year! The month ended with 18 Crossbills at Croft Pascoe on the 29th, and a Quail at Lloyd’s Lane (Philip).

July

July opened quietly before escalating into one of the most suberp months ever. The 1st brought a Greenshank to Loe Pool, followed on the 3rd by 11 Black-tailed Godwits there. Things exploded on the 5th, when Lizard Point delivered a superb BAROLO SHEARWATER (Steve W et al), along with 5 Sooty Shearwaters, 7 Storm Petrels, and 4 Puffins. Further seabird movement continued on the 9th, with 9 Storm Petrels, 7 Puffins, and a Sooty Shearwater past Lizard Point(Joe).

Near miss of the year was on the 11th, when a Bee-eater species few over Mullion Golf Course, but wasn't seen, but sounded very much like BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER! A Ring-necked Parakeet near Grade Marsh was unexpected but no consolation and 13 Crossbills at Croft Pascoe was rather more expected. The 12th added Redshank and Green Sandpiper at Loe Pool.

On the 13th, seabird of the year turned up when John picked-up a Pteredroma at Black Head. Indications that it looked like a SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL resulted in a mass scramble to Lizard Point, but only Joe got there in time. Tony missed it by 3 mins and hasd to contend with just a Puffin, Yellow-legged Gull, and 30 Mediterranean Gulls. Fortunately the early warning also prompted a mass scramble to Porthgwarra and Mike McKee was able to grab some great (albeit rather swary) video footage!

https://www.michaelmckee.co.uk/videos/video.asp?ID=136&

A Green Sandpiper at Trevassack Quarry was logged later that evening. Another seabird movement on the 15th brought 57 Storm Petrels, 6 Cory’s Shearwaters, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 12 Puffins, a Long-tailed Skua (Steve V) and a probable SCOPOLI'S SHEARWATER (Steve V). This was followed on the 17th by 5 Wilson’s Petrels (Tony & Steve V), along with 45 Storm Petrels. The 18th and 19th brought a European Bee-eater at Coverack (18th), another at Predannack Head (19th, Steve B), 14 Crossbills at Higher Penrose, and 14 Sanderling at Loe Bar. A further Wilson’s Petrel, Cory’s Shearwater, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 4 Storm Petrels appeared off Lizard Point on the 21st.

A remarkable run at Chynhall’s Point on the 22nd produced a probable Fea’s-type Petrel, plus Wilson’s Petrel and Long-tailed Skua (David Wood). Crossbill numbers continued with 16 at Bochym on the 23rd. Wader passage picked up from the 24th onward, with Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, and Common Sandpiper across Di’s Pool, Bray’s Cott and Loe Pool. The 25th added further Wood and Green Sandpipers as well as a Long-tailed Skua at Coverack (John).

Lizard Point on the 26th yielded Balearic Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, and Pomarine Skua. Cadgwith on the 27th produced a Bonxie and 2 Balearic Shearwaters, while Lizard Point had 2 Wilson’s Petrels, 19 Storm Petrels, and the same Bonxie as at Cadgwith. Joe wisely went down in the afternoon insrtead of the morning and found another Fea’s-type Petrel followed (Joe). Chynhall’s Point continued its form on the 28th, with 2 Wilson’s Petrels, an Arctic Skua, Common Tern, and 5 Balearic Shearwaters (Joe). The 29th brought 3 Green Sandpipers to Bray’s Cott. On the 30th I managed 2 Wilson’s Petrels from my bedroom window in Porthleven, and Dave saw another 2 Wilson’s Petrels at Lizard Point plus Knot and a Sooty Shearwater there. Also on the 30th, an intriguing Harrier sp drifted over Kynance, but wasn't definatively identified.

August

August opened with strong wader passage, beginning on the 1st with 6 Green Sandpipers at Bray’s Cott, alongside a Little Stint (Steve W). The 2nd added a Tree Pipit at Gunwalloe and a superb CASPIAN TERN Tremayne Quay (John Overfield). Unfortunately, among the local birders, only Jake was able to catch-up with it. More Green Sandpipers followed on the 3rd, but the day was dominated by a good seawatch: 2 Wilson’s Petrels, 180 Storm Petrels, 5 Cory’s Shearwaters, 8 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Balearic Shearwaters and a Puffin past Lizard Point (Royston et al). Another major movement occurred on the 6th, with 4 Wilson’s Petrels, 45 Storm Petrels, and multiple Cory’s, Sooty and Balearic Shearwaters (Joe & Tony). The 7th continued in style with 2 Wilson’s Petrels and an Arctic Skua (Dave), plus inland Green Sandpiper at Gwenter.

Mid-month brought waterbirds, including Garganey at Windmill Farm on the 9th (Dougy) and the Lizard's third ever Temminck’s Stint at Bray’s Cott on the 10th (Steve W). The 11th–12th brought Red Kite, Whinchat, and more Green Sandpipers. Mid-month added Yellow Wagtails, Tree Pipits, and further waders around Loe Pool and Jollytown, plus 2 Little Terns there on the 16th (Steve B).

The 17th was busy: Ruff, Greenshank, Dunlin at Loe Pool, a Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher in Tony's garden, a Long-tailed Skua and Yellow-legged Gull at Poltesco (John), and a Wilson’s Petrel and 50+ Arctic Terns off Porthleven (me). The 20th–21st brought more Whinchat, Spotted Redshank, and Redstart, with a string of waders continuing at Loe Pool and Windmill Farm.

A superb run on the 22nd produced an Aquatic Warbler at Chough Ogo (Stuart), a Red-backed Shrike at Grochall (Dougy), White Stork at Poltesco (John), Pied Flycatchers, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, and Common Sandpiper. The 23rd added Ortolan Bunting along Lloyd’s Lane (me) and 10 White Storks over Green Lane (John). Late-month waders and migrants included more Ruffs, Black-tailed Godwits, Knot, Wryneck, Osprey, and widespread Pied Flycatchers (24th–26th). The 26th also brought Cetti’s Warbler and Redstart at Windmill Farm.

Seawatching resumed on the 27th, with 50 Great Shearwaters, a few Sooty Shearwaters, plus 2 Great Shearwaters at Coverack. The 28th added 40 Great Shearwaters off Cadgwith and a Grey Phalarope at Loe Pool ((Steve B). The end of the month delivered truly extraordinary seabird numbers. On the 30th, Lizard Point witnessed a passage of ~8400 Great Shearwaters, ~4800 Cory’s Shearwaters. Coverack held smaller numbers of large sshearwaters (100+ Cory's), but JOhn was able to pick out a SCOPOLI'S SHEARWATER among them, the first confirmed record for the Lizard, and likely the same bird photographed by Paul Chapman in Falmouth Bay. Steve V picked up what was possibly the same SCOPOLI'S SHEARWATER off Lizard Point, along with a Sabine’s Gull, Grey Phalarope, Arctic Tern, and Pomarine Skua. On the 31st, Lizard Point added another 5000+ Cory’s, 5000+ Great Shearwaters, and Wilson’s Petrel and two Sabine’s Gulls (Royston et al) and I managed a Long-tailed Skua from my bedroom window in Porthleven rounding off another remarkable seawatching month.

September

September opened with some impressive seawatching on the 2nd, when Lizard Point produced a superb run of birds: Sabine’s Gull, 2 Wilson’s Petrels, 2 Long-tailed Skuas, Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, Great Skua, around 500 Great Shearwaters, 50 Cory’s, 100 Storm Petrels, and 22 Arctic Terns (Dave et al). Inland, 10 Cattle Egrets were at Croft Pascoe and a Wood Sandpiper was at Hayle Kimbro. Incredibly, a BAND-RUMPED PETREL was reported from Coverack too. The 3rd kept the momentum, with 5 Long-tailed Skuas, a Little Tern, 50 Storm Petrels, 55 Arctic Terns, 360 Great Shearwaters, 6 Cory’s, and 22 Sooty Shearwaters (Steve V et al). A Glossy Ibis at Caerthillian (Joe) added variety.

Passage waders and migrants trickled through from the 4th–8th, including Firecrest, Pied Flycatcher, and a good suite of waders at Predannack Airfield on the 6th: Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Knot, Curlew Sandpipers, and Sanderling. Also on the 6th, a Melodious Warbler was at Predannack Wollas (Steve B). The 7th brought Wryneck, a probable Blyth’s Reed Warbler in Lizard Village, numerous Pied Flycatchers, and an impressive 43 Glossy Ibis over Kynance (Ed), with 48 Glossy Ibis, likely a different flock, seen over Lizard Village (Tony). The 8th added Osprey at Cadgwith, more Whinchats, and Little Gull at Loe Pool.

Seawatching surged again on the 9th, with Leach’s Petrel, Wilson’s Petrel, 4 Sabine’s Gulls, and, most notably, an astonishing number of Great Shearwaters (estimated at 96,562) past Lizard Point (Tony), along with an equally incredible 7 Long-tailed Skuas. On the 11th, a John saw a probable Barred Warbler in his garden. Two days later, the 13th delivered a decent mix: Grey Phalaropes at both Gunwalloe and Lizard Point, Long-tailed Skua, Cattle Egret and 35 Great Shearwaters, Hoopoe at Porthallow (reported via Facebook), Wryneck at Caerthillian (John). Predannack Airfield on the 14th hosted 4 Curlew Sandpipers. Lizard Point again produced large numbers of Great, Cory’s, and Balearic Shearwaters, plus 3 Long-tailed Skuas, Pomarine Skua, and another Leach’s Petrel (Joe et al).

A Dotterel turned up on the 16th - seen flying overhead by Steve W . From the 17th–18th, steady seawatching continued with Balearic, Cory’s, Sooty, Arctic, and Storm Petrels, plus an additional Long-tailed Skua. The 19th brought another huge pulse of seabirds: an estimated 17,000 Great Shearwaters, 59 Balearics, 45 Sooty Shearwaters, and single Arctic Skua and Long-tailed Skua (Steve Rogers). Waders and passerines included Grey Plover and Wryneck. Steve B also managed to see Dotterel on the ground near at Soapy Cove.

Another major seabird movement followed on the 20th, with 4000 Great Shearwaters, plus Cory’s, Balearics, Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skuas, and Arctic Terns (Joe et al). Several Pied Flycatchers and Firecrest appeared at Church Cove. From the 21st–23rd, arrivals included Wryneck, a Hoopoe along the Kynance Road (John), Hen Harrier, Whinchats, a roosting Long-eared Owl flushed by a blackbird (Stuart), Turtle Dove at Gunwalloe (Jake), and astonishingly 2 Melodious Warblers together at Housel (John).

Late-month highlights included Red-backed Shrike at Predannack on the 24th (Steve B), White Stork at Little Treleaver on the 25th (Royston), another Turtle Dove joining the original bird at Gunwalloe (Dave), and Wood Warbler at Caerthillian on the 26th (Steve Rowe). The 27th brought a Little Stint at Windmill Farm (Dougy) and 27 Cattle Egrets at Gillan Creek. The month closed with Osprey at Windmill Farm (28th), Green Sandpiper, Cetti’s Warbler, and a cracking 2 Red-necked Grebes from my bedroom window in Porthleven on the 29th, plus another Melodious Warbler at Kynance (Dave). On the 30th, Pied Flycatchers and a Merlin rounded off a remarkable September.

October

October began with a decent seawatch at Lizard Point, producing a Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic Skuas and a Sooty Shearwater. Elsewhere, Whinchat and a small flock of Crossbills were at Kynance Road, while Grey Plover (Rupert) and a Little Stint (Steve W) were found at Poldowrian. The 4th brought a Grey Phalarope to Loe Pool (me) and intinuingly, Dougy got brief views of a Cuckoo species with a long tail at Grochall, a few days before a Black-billed Cuckoo turned up in Devon. A Ring-necked Duck appeared at Gillan Cove on the 6th, and the 8th delivered a run of migrants, including a Great White Egret at Gwavas, a Wryneck and 3 Whinchats at Caerthillian, and 4 Whooper Swans at Loe Pool (Steve B).

28 Cattle Egret were at Gillan Creek on the 10th, along with a probable blythi Lesser Whitethroat at Soapy Cove and a possible Pallas’s Warbler at Carminowe Valley. The 11th added a Great White Egret at Gunwalloe, 10 Redpoll at Jollytown, and a notable Quail near the Rizza Valley (Stuart). Seawatching resumed on the 12th at Porthoustock with a Long-tailed Skua (Joe), plus 3 Arctic Skuas, a Sooty Shearwater, and 40+ Great Shearwaters. A few days later, on the 15th, Pintail and Wigeon were at Croft Pascoe (Dave), alongside 11 Crossbills at Ponsangath and a Ring Ouzel at Soapy Cove. On the 16th, my sighitng of 2 Cattle Egrets flying past my bedroom window in Porthleven was quickly eclipsed by the 24 found by Steve W at Bishop’s Quay. The 17th brought 2 Spoonbills over Lloyd’s Lane (Dave). A Jack Snipe was at Predannack Wollas on the 18th.

The 19th produced 2 Pintail at Croft Pascoe, and an incredible STEPPE GREY SHRIKE near Mullion. A Snow Bunting appeared at Predannack Wollas on the 20th. On the 22nd, a Dave found a Dusky Warbler at Hellarcher and found a Woodlark flying overhead while twicthing it. Further migrants including a Ring Ouzel at Soapy Cove and a White Stork over Helston (Greg).

On the 25th, John found the first ever RUSTIC BUNTING on the Lizard, in Roland's fields along Kynance Road on the 25th. Incredibly, this was followed by soon after by another Lizard first. On the 29th, Tony found a FORSTER'S TERN along with 3 Little Auks, 2 Puffins, 12 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Skuas, and a Pomarine Skua past Lizard Point. The month closed on the 31st at Lizard Point with a Leach’s Petrel (Joe et al), 30 Puffins, 4 Great Shearwaters, and 4 Sooty Shearwaters.

November

November opened with a late Swallow at Mullion on the 1st. Seawatching on the 3rd at Lizard Point produced a Long-tailed Skua (Joe et al), around 150 Great Shearwaters, and a Puffin. A Yellow-browed Warbler was also at Church Cove. The 4th brought further movement off Lizard Point with Leach’s Petrel (Joe), two Great Shearwaters, Sooty Shearwater, and Arctic Skua, while a female Lesser Scaup turned up on Helston Boating Lake, and a Snow Bunting near Chough Ogo. On the 5th, Coverack produced six Leach’s Petrels and a PALLID SWIFT (John), while a flyby possible Ring-billed Gull went past Porthkerris. The female Lesser Scaup was joined by a male, and a Black Guillemot was at Porthoustock (Steve W). Swallows also lingered, with 10+ at Lizard Village (Tony).

The 6th brought Brambling sightings from Little Treleaver, Lizard Village and Kynance Road , along with a Redpoll also at Lizard Village. On the 7th, JOhn backed and absolute cracker in his garden: an Olive-backed Pipit. More mundanely, a Great White Egret and a Yellow-browed Warbler were at Loe Pool on the 8th (me). On the 9th, seven Great Shearwaters flew past Lizard Point and and an Eider was at Gillan Creek (me). On the 11th, John saw a Ring-necked Parakeet fly over his garden and the middle of the month brought a Yellow-legged Gull to Loe Bar, a Great White Egret to Kynance Road, and three Marsh Harriers over Loe Pool on the 11th. The Lesser Scaup were joined by Greater Scaup at Helston Boating Lake on the 12th and on the two Whimbrel were at Lowland Point. Also that day, I heard a probable Dusky Warbler at Gwendreath though it steadfastly refused to show. Mid-month also saw a Leach’s Petrel off Porthleven (me) and a late Ring Ouzel at Porthkerris on the 15th , and an even later, an Arctic Tern followed at Coverack on the 16th. The 16th, also saw a Redpoll at Penrose , and the 17th a Jack Snipe at Porthleven. That day also produced a Yellow-browed Warbler at Porthallow (Dave) and a another cracking find by John: a Pallas’s Warbler at Church Cove.

On the 19th, a Caspian(ish) Gull appeared at Lizard Point (Steve W), alongside two Yellow-legged Gulls, with a Siberian Chiffchaff at Kynance Road. Late-month highlights included a blythi Lesser Whitethroat at Windmill Farm on the 24th (Dougy) and what was very likely a reappearance of the FORSTER'S TERN at Gillan Cove on the 21st (Jake). Another Siberian Chiffchaff was at Lower Nansloe on the 25th (Steve B). The month closed with an excellent duo of grebes at Frenchman’s Creek on the 28th: Red-necked Grebe and Slavonian Grebe (Dave), followed by a Bar-tailed Godwit at Bishop’s Quay (John) and a Great White Egret at Gunwalloe on the 29th.

December

December started pretty quietly, with a Hen Harrier quarertering Lizard Downs on the 3rd and a Little Gull past Lizard Point (Tony) on the 10th, being the only birds of note. On the 13th, things livened up a bit when a Bittern turned up on Loe Pool along with 2 Cattle Egrets, a Marsh Harrier and 12+ Firecrests. There was also a Siberian Chiffchaff near Grade Marsh and Great White Egret flew there form Lizard Downs. On the 15th, Dave found a lusitanius Yellow-legged Gull there and on the 16th, there was a Siberian Chiffchaff at Lower Nansloe and 1st winter male Pintail at Scott's Quay.