May Bird Guiding Day 7

May 17th on the itinerary was late afternoon on the Hayle Estuary then head to The Lizard to mop up on a few specialist species. First on the agenda at Hayle was the very showy Ring-billed Gull, which sat in the main creek close to the bridge. Not a particularly great bird for an American birder, but a trip tick all the same. Fortunately Steve was far more impressed with the Grey Plover on Lelant Saltings. Once the tide was fully in and satisfied we hadn’t missed anything we headed for Lizard Point.

On arrival at the south car park we were fortunate to bump into the Chough Watch volunteers who informed us of the best place to watch for the Choughs. After half an hour a male flew in to a field above us where it afforded great views before flying close underneath the cliff and out of view. With an hour to kill before the local Pub started serving food we drove the short distance to Kynance Cove, a well known spot for the elusive Dartford Warbler. We were lucky enough to find a vocal male who gave us superb close views!

After an excellent meal in the local pub we drove back north to Croft Pascoe where after a long wait we were treated to at least 6 Nightjars, both females and churring males. Other birds seen today were:

Hayle: Redshank, Whimbrel, Curlew, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, GBB Gull, LBB Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Little egret, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, 20 Dunlin, RING BILLED GULL, Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, Blue tit, Grey Heron, Magpie, Linnet, Buzzard, Robin, Chaffinch, Reed Warbler, Woodpigeon.

The Lizard/Kynance: Chough, Dartford Warbler, Whitethroat, Stonechat, Raven, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Kittiwake, Gannet, Herring Gull, GBB Gull, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Buzzard.

Croft Pascoe: 6+ Nightjar, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Cuckoo, Blue Tit, Stonechat, Long-tailed tit, Buzzard, 4+ Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting.

TRIP LIST TALLY – 143 Species