West Cornwall Valleys Tour

From: £80.00

Full Day Tour in search of rare vagrant and scarce migrant birds in some of the famous birding hotspots in the Valleys of West Cornwall

Optics Hire We recommend good quality pair of binoculars and/or a telescope to get the most from our tours. If you need either we provide some great Zeiss products for hire. The cost of the hire will be deducted if you decide to buy the product from us!

I have my Own Binoculars

I want to hire a pair of Zeiss Terra ED Binoculars (£15.00)

I'd like to hire the Zeiss Gavia 85 Telescope (£15.00)

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Tour Information

The valleys of West Cornwall have always been famous in the birding world as THE place to find rare and scarce birds during Autumn migration in the UK. During periods of westerly winds American vagrants like Scarlet Tanager, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Wood Thrush, Varied Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Chimney Swift, American and Alder Flycatcher have all been found! If easterly winds prevail then we could see rarities from as far away as Asia and northern and Eastern Europe, such as Yellow-browed and Pallas’s Warblers, Red-flanked Bluetail, Wryneck, Desert or Isabelline Wheatear, Richards or Blyth’s Pipits. Other species we may encounter are Firecrest, Spotted and Pied Flycatcher, Common and Black Redstart, Lapland and Snow Bunting, Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Chough. Anything is possible at this time of year! We will visit at least two of the following: Cot, Kenidjack, Nanquidno, Nanjizal and Porthgwarra Valleys and Land’s End depending on the best locations for birds and the weather.

what our customers say

First rate tour guide with a manner that puts less experienced birders at ease and the knowledge to engage the more seasoned ones. Very willing to pass on knowledge in a way that is easy to understand. A brilliant day out.

Zac my son and myself had a wonderful weekend birding with Paul in Cornwall. His knowledge is exceptional and he was very patient and kind. Transport is first class and would highly recommend Cornwall Birdwatching Tours

We spent a day in late May with Paul and Brad and several others on a tour of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve, leaving early (7 am) from Hayle by van to visit Yarner Woods and Challacombe Farm, with a lunchtime stop at a pub. We saw a great variety of birds (all first-time as Americans) – the guides made sure everyone got to see a bird before moving on. We highly recommend Paul and this company – we’ll definitely contact him again when we return to Cornwall”.

Went on my third tour yesterday and again it didn't disappoint. The pace was just right with several sites covered and plenty of time to take photos and observe the birds. Paul has amazing knowledge and eyesight - spotting birds way out to sea or in the far distance that we could then look at with a scope. Thoroughly recommended. I'll be back!

We had a fabulous day at Avalon Marshes in Somerset. Really knowledgable and approachable guides. We learned so much and would recommend Cornwall Birdwatching Tours to anyone interested in and curious to find out more about the birds in our area.

A full day with Cornwall Bird Tours. 8am until 5pm and weather more like August than October - amazing. A carefully thought out tour which took us to migration hotspots around west Cornwall. My third trip with CBT and I reckon pushed 60+ species during the weekend including; Cattle Egret, Chough, Firecrest, Redstarts, Grey Wagtails, Rose Coloured Starling, Little Stint, Curlews, Turnstone, Med Gulls, Ruff and Grey Plover to list a few. Two really knowledgeable guides who catered for novice birdwatchers and more experienced birders, a great way to meet like minded people and superb Cornish scenery away from the tourist areas. Already booked another tour..

We had a wonderful day birding together as a family with Paul as our guide. We're beginners but saw a lot, including a wonderful experience of a peregrine right up close to us near some cliffs. Paul was very generous with his knowledge, including other animals along the coast (seals, an adder, etc). We all had a wonderful time.

I had the great pleasure of birding with Paul Freestone in Cornwall for two days on a custom tour finding local birds; several of which were "lifers" for me. The tour could not have been better planned and executed. Paul was not only a great birding guide, but also a well-informed birding companion who willingly shared much of the history of the countryside we toured. I recommend him and his company without hesitation and with enthusiasm. I look forward to returning to England soon and employing his company to assist me in my pursuit of new, and previously seen birds. Thank you Paul!

After going on three separate day tours with Cornwall Birdwatching Tours I decided to go on the big week tour to the Isles of Scilly during autumn 2022. Our experienced guide, who’s speciality is Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly took us to all the right places. We would not have seen a quarter of what we have seen if I had gone on my own. The Isles of Scilly are magical islands, there is so much to explore. However having a guide with such enthusiasm, knowledge and contacts made it a week to remember.

We had an absolutely fantastic day birdwatching with Paul as our guide. We saw over 60 species including the iconic Cornish Chough, a rare Iceland Gull, Short-eared Owl, mating Buzzards and many other beauties. Paul is super knowledgable and passionate about birds and his ability to spot them either by sight or call is amazing. He is fun to spend time with and patient to share his knowledge. Whether you are a novice birder or an expert - Paul is your guy! Highly, highly recommend

“Great friendly guides and well planned trips each day (Sunday to Saturday Norfolk). I don't think we could of done better with around 120 different bird species seen 8 new ones for me well worth going. Good food and place to stay thank you Paul and Brad will be booking again for future trips”

“Just returned from a week’s birdwatching in Norfolk with Cornwall Birdwatching Tours and had an amazing time. Having thoroughly researched the area and sites beforehand, Paul managed to show me all of the birds which I had longed to see including Hawfinches, Waxwings, Shorelarks and 1,000’s of Pink-footed Geese. Informative and immediately helpful with bird ID, he made sure that each group member saw the target birds. The chosen accommodation and meals were excellent too. Whether an expert birder or keen novice like myself, I’d certainly recommend going on a tour with Paul, and I know that I’ll be going again”

“Another great day out with lots of species and a first for me...the Red Eyed Vireo. Highly recommend a day out with Paul”

“A great Nightjar evening with Paul recently. Very well organised and hosted. We had excellent views of a very elusive bird that can be difficult to see. There was a brilliant atmosphere within the group who benefited from Paul’s expertise. Specialised equipment such as a thermal imager and spotting scope enhanced the experience. If you want to see these special birds, book a nightjar evening with Cornwall Birdwatching Tours”

Why Cornwall Bird watching Tours is the Perfect Choice?

01.

Experienced Guides

Paul and his team have just over 100 years of birding experience between them and have an intimate knowledge of the tour locations

02.

Money Back Guarantee

We make sure all our customers are happy with our tours. We are that confident you will love our tours we offer a money back guarantee

03.

Free local transport

We operate our own tour van capable of carrying up to 8 passengers. We take you to the tour locations so you don't have to worry about getting lost or paying for parking