Cornwall Birding

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:

Lands End - *RED-EYED VIREO* again at Trevilley Farm in garden of Mowhay Barn. Bird is elusive but shows well when in view. (photos to follow this evening) Thanks to the owners of Mowhay Barn and the Farmer at Trevilley for their kind co-operation this morning, allowing access to their properties.

Nanjizal - Red-breasted Flycatcher (fem/1st cal male) in valley by track to Trrevilley Farm this morning.

Penberth Cove - Yellow-browed warbler, Firecrest and Common Crossbill (3) this morning.

Porthgwarra - Wryneck again by coastguards this morning.

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:

Newquay - **BOBOLINK** this morning just west of Pentire at Porth Joke at top end just before NT car park at 10.30hrs then lost to view. Bird was seen well but flew high to the east and could not be relocated well. If accepted it will constitute the first record for Cornwall. Also at Porth Joke: Yellow-browed Warbler (4) and Pied Flycatcher.

Lands End - *RED-EYED VIREO* in pitisporum around barn in main farm yard, tho elusive.

Bude - GREAT WHITE EGRET at Maer Lake, Bude at 17.00hrs.

Hayle Estuary - AMERICAN WIGEON (fem/juv) again at 1630hrs from Old Quay House car park

Nanjizal - probable LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER flew over valley at 13.00hrs

Porthgwarra - Wryneck by coastguards watchpoint. Yellow-browed Warbler still in 60ft cover.

Kenidjack - Yellow-browed Warbler at top end of valley by shed.

St Ives - Yellow browed warbler in trees at end of Orange lane (Thanks R.James)

Rame Head - Yellow-browed Warbler in elms on west side of Penlee this morning.

Downderry - Yellow-browed Warbler in Garden near Seaton this evening.

The Lizard - Osprey over Goonhilly Downs west of Satellite Station late afternoon.

We have been asked to pass on our thanks to everyone for arranging such a well organised twitch at Nanjizal recently. Everyone was on their best behaviour allowing everyone an enjoyable experience and good views of the Alder Flycatcher. A copy of the e-mail is shown below:

Apologies for not publishing any reports from the Scillies yesterday, todays highlights include:

St Mary’s - *RED-EYED VIREO* on The Garrison at Tower Cottage at 10.10hrs. *AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER* still on Porth Hellick Downs with Golden Plover (6). Yellow-browed warbler on the Garrison at Lower Broome. RICHARDS PIPIT flew over Peninnis Head towards Hugh Town early morning, also WRYNECK at south end and Snow Bunting and Black Redstart (2). Yellow-browed warbler at Porth Hellick Pool. Dotterel and Snow Bunting on airfield.

St Agnes - *BLACKPOLL WARBLER* reported again at Lower Town this morning but no sign early afternoon. *RED-EYED VIREO* still at Covean this morning. Yellow-browed Warbler showing well at The Parsonage.

St Martins - Yellow-browed Warbler at Higher Town Quay in elms by toilet block.

Tresco - Yellow-browed Warbler in Sycamores at north end of Borough Farm. Pink footed Goose still in field at Old Grimsby. Little Stint on Abbey Pool then flew towards Pentle Bay. Spoonbill flew towards Plumb Island early afternoon.

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:

Nanjizal - No sign of **ALDER FLYCATCHER** today up to 13.55hrs. (Photos from yesterday) RICHARDS PIPIT flew over and Grey Phalarope (15+) on sea in cove.

Stithians - *CATTLE EGRET* at south end from Carmenellis Causeway this afternoon.

Pendeen - ROSE-COLOURED STARLING (juv) again in Car Park at 13.50hrs.

Sennen - possible AZOREAN YELLOW-LEGGED GULL again in fields near chapel east of A30.

Porthcurno - Firecrest in bushes south of car park. Yellow-browed Warbler at St Levan along track from church to Grey Gables

Cot Valley - Pied Flycatcher in valley mid-morning.

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:

Nanjizal - ***ALDER FLYCATCHER** trapped and ringed and confirmed as 1st winter male Alder Flycatcher. Measurements also show it at the top end of the range for this species. Still showing well this afternoon.

Also at Nanjizal: RICHARDS PIPIT over and Merlin seen chasing a male Snow Bunting. Report of a Common Rosefinch was erroneous (Yellowhammer). Also Yellow-browed Warbler (2) in valley.

Pendeen - ROSE-COLOURED STARLING (2 juv) by church tho mobile. TREE SPARROW in car park opposite Boscaswell Stores mid-afternoon (nearly as rare as the Flycatcher down here!!)

Sennen - possible *AZOREAN YELLOW-LEGGED GULL* again in field east of Trevear in sown field viewable from minor road at 15.20hrs then flew west. Hooded Crow in Cove at 18.20hrs and Snow Bunting.

Cot Valley - RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER in trees by entrance to Youth Hostel at 11.20hrs, but no sign by mid afternoon. Yellow-browed warbler (2) in Valley today

Newquay - Yellow-browed Warbler (2) at Porth Joke; 1 near Pond; 1 in willows below campsite.

Wadebridge - Water Pipit still at Amble Marshes this afternoon. Also Whinchat (2).

Nanquidno - Firecrest (2) and Chough over. Also Snow Bunting in fields at seaward end.

Looe - Great Northern Diver still in harbour (Thanks J.Batey)

….will probably reign for ever more unless the bird is trapped. Could it even be Acadian? Information from the USA’s Cornell Lab of Ornithology states:

Alder Flycatcher is difficult to distinguish from the Willow Flycatcher by any feature other than voice.

Song is the only definitive way to tell them apart. However, measurements of crown color with a colorimeter, together with other measures of wing shape, bill and tail, may be able to distinguish birds in the hand that are not calling.

Willow and Alder flycatchers do not respond to playback of recordings of each other’s songs, even where their ranges overlap.

Willow Flycatcher has a thin white eyering which may be lacking. (The Nanjizal bird has a very obvious one)

The distribution/migration maps show Alder Flycatcher to migrate only on the eastern side of America to its wintering quarters in Nothern south America, whereas Willow, migrates south across the whole of central America to winter in central and southern America.

The photos below all show WILLOW Flycatcher. I have trawled through 100’s of photos of Willow and cant find many that show (a) as bold, bright wingbars as the Nanjizal bird and (b) as prominant an eyering as the Nanjizal bird? On the other hand all the literature states they can only be seperated on call.

Paul Freestone (c) Cornwall Birding 2008.

It’s finally turning out to be an epic October in Cornwall and the Scillies! Todays Highlights in Cornwall include:

Nanjizal - ***MEGA**MEGA*** - **ALDER or WILLOW FLYCATCHER** at seaward end of Nanjizal valley and showing well. The bird was feeding well and became more mobile late afternoon. Please park in field at Ardensawah Farm (£1) and follow on site instructions. (record shots below of Nanjizal bird: M.Halliday)

The Lizard - **MEGA** - **COMMON NIGHTHAWK** again this afternoon briefly in flight over garden at Church Cove then flew in-land.

Looe - Great Northern Diver still in the harbour, also Brent Goose (5) at the Limmicks, East Looe. (Thanks D.Spooner)

St Austell - Yellow Browed Warbler this afternoon in Gorran Haven village (Thanks D.Payne)

Porthgwarra - Hen Harrier (Ringtail) and Firecrest early morning (Thanks G.Treadwell)

Truro - Water Rail (4), Greenshank (4) and Black-tailed Godwit (20) at Tresemple pool, Tresillian this morning. (Thanks D.Jenkins)

Todays Birding highlights on the Isles of Scilly include:

St Mary’s - *RED-EYED VIREO* on the Garrison at the campite at 18.45hrs. *AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER* still on Porth Hellick Downs with Golden Plover. Red-backed Shrike still on west side of Peninnis Head.

St Agnes - *RED-EYED VIREO* between Post Office and Tea rooms briefly this afternoon and *BLACKPOLL WARBLER* along track to Cove Vean at 16.30hrs. Yellow-browed Warbler between lighthouse and School this afternoon.

Bryher - **AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT** still in Popplestone Bay this morning.

Tresco - Yellow-browed Warbler at north end of Borough Farm and Little Stint (2) at south beach.

For photos of the birds on the Scillies this October (including the dead Nighthawk!) see The Bumbling Bears website. The site is updated daily with photographs by John and Dave Hall.

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:

The Lizard - ***MEGA*** - **COMMON NIGHTHAWK** flew in off sea between Church Cove and Lizard Point at 1700hrs then flew towards Church Cove. No further sign by dusk.

Hayle Estuary - Pink-footed Goose (2), Med Gull (6) and Curlew Sandpiper this morning.

Porthgwarra - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER still in 60ft cover tho mobile. Also Firecrest (2) and Firecrest at Penberth Cove.

Marazion - ROSEATE TERN flew along beach this morning. Also Med Gull and PB Brent Goose (16)

No new birds reported today from the Islands. **AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT**, *AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER*, still present today as well as most of the scarce migrants reported yesterday.

Here’s a couple of superb images of a very obliging Barn Owl at Stithians Reservoir yesterday. Thanks to Brian McGeough for sharing these shots.

Todays Birding highlights on the Isles of Scilly include:

St Mary’s - **COMMON NIGHTHAWK** unfortunately found dead (initially thought to be Nightjar) at Porthloo Lane/Telegraph Junction this morning. *AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER* on airfield by windsock with Dotterel. Snow Bunting still at Peninnis Head. LITTLE BUNTING (1) still at Carn Friars and Bullfinch flew over. WRYNECK still at Peninnis Head. YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER still on the Garrison at Lower Broome.  RED-BACKED SHRIKE along west side of Peninnis Head and showing well.

Bryher - **AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT** again at north end of Popplestone Bay and showing well. SHORT-TOED LARK at Stinking Porth at 13.25hrs then flew towards Great Porth.

St Agnes - SHORT-TOED LARK still on Wingletang Down this morning. Curlew Sandpiper at Periglis Cove. RED-BREASTED FLCATCHER at The Parsonage.

Samson - SPOONBILL (juv) still on Green Island.

Tresco - *AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER* flew over Pentle Bay towards Great Pool at 13.50hrs. (later on St Mary’s) Little Stint (2) still in Pentle Bay. Whooper Swan (3) and Pink-footed Goose still on Great Pool.

St Martins - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (2) 1 at Little Arthur Farm; 1 in willows nr cricket pitch. Also Lesser Whitethroat.

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:

Sennen - possible *AZOREAN YELLOW-LEGGED GULL* (2w) again today

Porthgwarra - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER  still in 60ft Cover.

Porthcurno - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER still in bushes south of Car park.

Marazion - PB Brent Goose (25) in Mounts Bay. Also Med Gull.

St Austell - (0900-1100) Long tailed Skua (2ad), Arctic Skua (4), Sooty Shearwater (2), Balearic Shearwater (2), Common Scoter (4), Sandwich Tern (1) and Great Northern Diver (1) past Gorran Haven. (Thanks D.Payne)

Hayle Estuary - Pink-footed Goose (2), Med Gull (4), Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff (3) (Thanks M.Halliday and J.H.Johns)

Nanquidno - possible Marsh Warbler again at Nanquidno (see article) but no sign of Subalpine Warbler.

Todays Birding highlights on the Isles of Scilly include:

St Mary’s - LITTLE BUNTING (2) still at Carn Friars tho mobile. Also YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (3) at Carn Frairs at Seaward end. PECTORAL SANDPIPER on airfield at 1705 hrs then flew off. WRYNECK still on west side of Penninis Head and YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER there. YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER on the Garrison at Lower Broome Platform. Snow Bunting on Porthcressa side of Peninnis Head on coastal path. Jack Snipe still on Porth Hellick Pool.

St Martin’s - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER in willows by cricket pitch. Black-throated Diver off Old Quay.

Bryher - Possible *RED-THROATED PIPIT* on campsite briefly then flew off. Dotterel on heath above Fraggle rock pub and WRYNECK at Hell Bay.

Tresco - Little Stint (2) on south beach this morning. YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (2) at Rosefield Crossroads at 0830hrs. Great-spotted Woodpecker at Middle Downs in pines behind Borough farm. Whooper swan (3) at Great Pool, also seen at St Martins, Bryher and Porth Hellick Pool, St Mary’s. PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Pentle Bay and Crossbill (2) in pines at Pentle bay at 08.30hrs.

Samson - SPOONBILL (juv) again on Green Island this morning.

CLICK HERE to see the brand new Stithians Reservoir Blog. With some great photographs of Marsh Tit by S.Rogers on todays update.

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:

Nanquidno - *SUBALPINE WARBLER* (1w Fem) in brambles along stream between Nanjulian Farm and Mill House and showing well this evening. Also Firecrest and chough.

The Lizard - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS at Church Cove.

Porthgwarra - MELODIOUS WARBLER still in 60ft cover tho elusive. Also Firecrest in Car park.

St Levan - LAPLAND BUNTING in fields east of church. Also Firecrest in copse near turning circle.

Truro - Osprey perched on dead wood over Restronguet Creek early afternoon (Thanks J.Perrertt)

Marazion - PB Brent Goose (5) in Mounts Bay this morning.

Hayle Estuary - Pink-footed Goose (2), Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff (3) and Greenshank (3).

Pendeen - Leach’s Petrel (1), Long-tailed Skua (1), Pom Skua (1), Grey Phalarope (15), Puffin (2), Great Skua (40) and Arctic Skua (20) (Thanks H.Cook)

An individual colour-ringing programme has been commenced to try and elicit some information on destination, passage routes and origin of the large number of Grey Wagtail passing through north Lancashire in autumn. 71 have been ringed at Heysham Obs so far this autumn (to 28th September), despite a lot of unsuitable mornings. Please note that there are two colours on one leg and a colour over metal on the other leg. Perhaps unfortunately, we have had to use black, so please take care if it appears a colour is ’suspended’ half way up the tarsus - it could be ‘over’ a less-visible black ring! Please also be careful to note which colour is on top & which is at the bottom of the tarsus. There are no rings above the knee. “Please could visitors to sewage works or other suitable sites please keep an eye open for colour-ringed Grey Wagtail.  Full details plus contacts can be found on http://heyshamobservatory.blogspot.com
Thanks in anticipation.”

Pete Walsh.

Todays Birding highlights on the Isles of Scilly iclude:

St Mary’s - LITTLE BUNTING still at Carn Friars this morning. Jack Snipe still at Porth Hellick Pool. Pink-footed Goose on football pitch again this morning. YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at Carn Friars in area with no general access and another at Holy Vale before 2nd bridge this afternoon.

St Agnes - SHORT-TOED LARK on Wingltang Downs. YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at Parsonage.