The Carrick Roads

This area North-East of Falmouth and Penryn, part of the Fal Estuary is known as The Carrick Roads. Being so deep it regularly attracts sea-going birds in the winter. The roads are renowned for good numbers of wintering water birds and traditionally hold one of the largest flocks of wintering Black-necked Grebes in the UK. Other species regularly encountered include: Red-necked and Slavonian Grebe, Red throated, Black throated and Great Northern Divers, Guillemot, Razorbill and occasionally Black Guillemot and Long-tailed Duck. Shag and Cormorant are regular here and flocks of up to 50 Red-breasted Merganser and similar numbers of Goldeneye have been recorded.

The access points to view over the Carrick Roads are few and far between but Loe Beach near Feock seems to be best. Alternatively Turnaware Point on the East side of the Carrick Roads affords closer vies of the grebes that usual feed on the east side. It can only be accessed by car though.
Past rarities include:- Great White Egret, Spoonbill (both upstream of the roads on mudflats), Osprey, Honey Buzzard, Surf Scoter x2, Laughing Gull.

Access –
By Car – Leave the A39 at Playing Place and follow the B3289 for two miles towards Feock, continue through the small village on a road leading down The Roads, this should be Loe Beach where the closest views are.

By Bus – The Truronian (T8 Service) runs from Truro to Falmouth and back via Mylor Bridge which is just 15 minutes walk to Restronguet Weir on the coast overlooking the Carrick Roads. Its not the best but as good as public transport goes around here. A bike would be preferable as you can cycle to Feock and Loe Beach which gives better views.