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Writer's pictureMartin Roper

Cornwall birding - June 23

Updated: Jul 11

Steeped in history and entwined in Celtic mythology Cornwall has long been a great destination for birding. The Cornish chough proudly adorns their Coat of Arms between Sea fisherman and Tin miner, it's red feet and bill said to signify King Arthur's bloody and violent departure from this world, and while a combination of changes in farming and trophy hunting brought the Chough to extinction in 1973, their natural return in 2001 started a remarkable comeback for this iconic Corvid which now boasts a population of over 200 birds.

Bodmin Moor

An area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) which extends around 200 square kilometres and comprises mainly of remote Grasslands, Heather and Granite outcrops. The source of many of the Counties rivers and home to the highest peaks of Brown Willy and Rough Tor. Bodmin moor also has a wealth of Lakes, Reservoirs and Woodland.

Right: old tin mine engine house - Minions.


Heading towards Davidstow and the gateway to Bodmin moor we drove the periphery of the Airfield where we saw both adult and juvenile Northern Wheatear, Skylark, Raven, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Magpie, Common buzzard and Meadow pipit. Below male adult Northern Wheatear.

In neighbouring Davidstow Woods we had juvenile Common redstart, Tree pipit, Nightjar, Cuckoo, Coal tit, Stonechat, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great tit, Blue tit, Blackcap, Wren, Whitethroat, Linnet, Dunnock, Robin, Kestrel and Greater spotted woodpecker. Below: Tree pipit and juvenile Common Redstart.

At Crowdy Reservoir we had Long-tailed tit, Reed bunting, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Pied wagtail, Goldcrest, Spotted flycatcher, Goldfinch, Swift, Sand martin, House martin, Greylag geese, Canada geese, Herring gull, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Starling, Great crested grebe and Barn swallow. Below: Spotted flycatcher.

During the late afternoon we headed over to Cardinham woods where we took the circular Lady Vale trail. Near the feeding station we noted Siskin, Great tit, Blue tit and Chaffinch while on the river we had adult and juvenile Grey wagtail. Crossing over the bridge to return to the carpark we could hear the call of a Tawny Owlet very close to us and after 5 minutes the young owl popped out in the open giving us some great views. Back at the carpark we noted Willow warbler, Jay and Chiffchaff. Below: Tawny Owlet calling.

Chapel Amble

A picturesque village located a few miles North of Wadebridge on the river Amble, a tributary of the river Camel. Nearby are the Amble marshes which include Walmsley sanctuary a (CBWPS) members only reserve with bird hides which can be accessed by non members by pre-arrangement. A hide key can also be borrowed (fee applies).

Left: Walmsley Sanctuary - Amble Marshes.

Parking in the lay-by before Trewornan bridge we crossed over on foot taking the track to the right through the fields to the the two hides at Walmsley where we spotted Sedge warbler, Mute swan, Rook, Herring gull, LBB Gull, Carrion crow, Reed warbler, Whitethroat, Wood pigeon, Jackdaw, Magpie, Mallard, Gadwall and Fox.

Right: Fox and below Marsh harrier at Walmsley.


Update: other sightings here were Teal, Little egret, Grey heron, Canada geese, Greylag geese, Chaffinch and a pair of Marsh harriers which were nesting, this was not mentioned in the initial report as we were requested not to for the welfare of the birds, we can now confirm that the pair went on to successfully fledge young.

Returning to the lay-by we crossed over the road and taking the left hand gate headed across two fields before reaching the publicly accessible Burniere hide with extensive views over the Camel estuary where we spotted Curlew, Common shelduck with ducklings and several mud Crabs. Below: Curlew.

Returning to the car we headed into the village and parked before checking the area for birds, sightings here were Goldcrest, Firecrest, Barn swallow, Sand martin, Great tit, Willow warbler, Starling, Blue tit, Dunnock, Linnet, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Skylark, Blackbird, Sedge warbler, and Goldfinch. Below: Sedge Warbler.

The Rumps, Mouls

Walking the circular route along the headland at Pentire across the Rumps we had great views out towards the Atlantic, just offshore we could see the small uninhabited island of Mouls one of the best locations to see Puffins. while the undulating terrain of the Rumps along with the surrounding farmland is home to a variety of Flora and Fauna.

Right: Mouls Island - Pentire Point.


The rock faces along this peninsula provide a haven for sea birds however the best way to view wildlife along the coastal headland and on the island of Mouls is by Inflatable Rib which we boarded in Padstow harbour. Booking in advance is recommended, the boats depart each day and are operated by Padstow Sea-life Safaris. Sightings from the boat included Oystercatcher, Manx shearwater, Cormorant, Razorbill, Gannet, LBB gull, Puffin, Shag, Herring gull, Guillemot, Fulmar and pods of Bottle-nosed dolphins some with youngsters.

Sightings from land included Skylark, Meadow pipit, Rock pipit, Whitethroat, Northern wheatear, Barn swallow, Stonechat, Swift, Wren, Linnet Rook, Carrion crow, Jackdaw and Kestrel Below: Skylark

Godrevy, St Gothian Sands and Hayle Estuary

Heading Southwest for the day we set off for the lighthouse over at Godrevy and after driving for an hour or so from our base in Wadebridge we reached our destination parking in the top field carpark. From here we continued on foot up the hill and along the coast path, near the lighthouse several Shags had young and Grey seals basked.

Left: Godrevy Lighthouse.


Other sightings here included Linnet, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Magpie, Herring gull, Rock pipit, LBB Gull, Cormorant, Stonechat and a pair of Red-billed chough feeding a juvenile. Below: Red-billed chough.

Returning to the car we dropped down to St Gothian Sands Nature Reserve and checked out the main pool noting juvenile Sand martin, House martin, Barn swallow, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, Black-tailed Godwit, Teal, Mallard, Greylag geese and Canada geese. Our final stop was at Hayle Estuary where we spotted Swift, Skylark, Shelduck, Little egret, Grey heron, Wren and Oystercatcher. Below: Sand Martin.

Wilsey down and Bedruthan sands

Early morning we decided to head over to Wilsey Down Woods, on arrival we parked in the small lay-by carpark and walked up the main path into the woods. Almost immediately we spotted a Fox, further along the path we flushed a Nightjar which was roosting under foliage close to the edge of the main track, a location worth checking out at dusk.

Siskin with nesting material.


Other sighting here included Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Siskin, Chaffinch, Great tit, Blue tit, Jay, Magpie, Wren, Common Buzzard, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Wood pigeon, Robin and Greenfinch. Below: Goldcrest.

From here we headed over to Bedruthan where we noted Skylark, Linnet, Stonechat, Herring gull, Fulmar, Wren, Dunnock, Whitethroat, Rock pipit, Kestrel and a passing Peregrine falcon. Below: Peregrine Falcon.

St Nectan's Glen and Trebarwith strand

Not really birding days but well worth visiting, St Nectan's is reached through established woodland and has a waterfall (entrance fee applies) and nature trek while Trebarwith is a dog friendly beach near to Port Isaac.

Sightings at the Glen included Common buzzard, juvenile Robin, Chaffinch, Jay, Song thrush, Goldfinch and Bank vole while at the beach we had Jackdaw, Wren, Herring gull, Pied Wagtail and Rock pipit. Gallery below shows some images taken during our trip.

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