2025 yearly round-up

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.

To be continued...