Perrenporth and area Cornwall

Spent a week in Perrinporth with the family, ten of us in all which made a good time. But we will not talk about car breakdown?

 

Stayed in Mill Cottage: which was in the valley leading in land from the beach. A small stream called  Perrincombe River. Seemed to have several trout, it runs close by and the area is rather benign in climate. Best bird for here was a PERI which flew South West on two occasions late afternoon. Also five CHIFFCHAFF in the tree at one time so must be on move. GREEN WOODPECKER and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER seen and heard on regular days. COAL TIT about three birds each morning with BLUE and GREAT TIT. MAGPIE, CROW, ROOK, RAVEN, JACKDAW, BLACKBIRD, GOLDFINCH, WREN, ROBIN, HOUSE SPARROW, COLLARD DOVE, WOOD PIGEON, FERRAL PIGEON, COMMON BUZZARD 2, GOLDCREST, CHAFINCH. I also had a flock of 50 HOUSE MARTIN, SWALLOW, SAND MARTIN.

 

Perrincombe Stream: Was short on bird life which was a surprise with no dipper or grey wag or kingfisher. But did bring in CHIFFCHAFF, G.S.WOOD, LONG TAILED TIT, BLUE TIT, GREAT TIT, CHAFINCH, GOLDFINCH, DUNOCK, ROBIN, WREN, COMMON BUZZARD. HOUSE MARTIN, SWALLOW, HERRING GULL. MUSCOVY DUCK with MALLARD and MUTE SWAN on the boating lake.

 

Perrinporth Beach: brought in CARRION CROW, ROOK, JACKDAW, RAVEN, HERRING GULL, GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL, LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL, ROCK DOVE, WOOD PIGEON, ROCK PIPIT was the bird to watch here with several families of birds. Young birds independent but obviously still in partnership with adults. The other real bird of interest was a family of FULMER PETREL with a chick which would put its head up on occasions. The first fulmerling if that is what it is I have ever seen. Further along before Perrin Sands a flock of ROCK DOVE flew around he cliffs.

 

St Agnes Head: Spent an early Monday morning here with Jonathan and as soon as we arrived our first bird was a BONXIE flying behind a GANNET. Numbers of gannets was good with all flying South West which was with a strong West wind. Was rather chilly to say the least but well worth the visit with the best bird being two CORY'S SHEARWATER which where flying close enough in to give a good id. Watched birds which gave all the id that one requires. But the most encouraging view for any birder is the amount of MANX SHEARWATER which must have run to 10,000 birds in the three hours we were there. From inshore to horizon birds fling singularly and in small groups. With young birds identifiable on the wing.FULMER and G.B.B.Gull as well as CORMORANT,  KITTIWAK and I also had a small group of SHAG at the bottom of the cliff which were enjoying the sun. Here to KESTREL, COMMON BUZZARD, COMMON BUZZARD, and a pair of SPARROWHAWK.

                                                            Best Rock Pip picture

 But these are not far behind.

             

                          Pictures from St Agnes Head with Shag and Manx

  

                                                                           Cliffs just before Perrin Sands with young chick.