Cornwall birding - September 26
Updated: Sep 24
Our latest trip to Cornwall started out promising with reports of several vagrant birds arriving in the county but soon deteriorated through inclement weather making birding difficult at times, nevertheless rain didn't dampen our enthusiasm and we managed to record around 90 species in a week including several sightings of Buff-breasted sandpiper (pictured above) during our trip which incorporated a twitch on the way for the long-staying Long-tailed shrike, looking dapper after recently completing its moult into fresh adult plumage.
Found in early-to-mid July 2026, the bird stayed in the same hedgerow on the Gloucestershire border near Eastleach Martin feeding on abundant supply of insects while finishing its vital feather moult. The bird was only the third recorded sighting of a Long-tailed Shrike in the UK and the first ever for England. We followed directions from Bird guides and parked in the nearby stubble field set-aside for the huge influx of birders, and followed the crowd.
The Shrike didn't disappoint and was showing well in the hedgerows, occasionally dropping down on the ground for insects. Moult complete, the bird had transformed into a dapper adult with bright, pristine plumage. We watched for a while before continuing on our journey. And not long after our visit the Long-tailed shrike continued on its own journey, We had been lucky to see this special bird on our way down to Cornwall, which was a lifer.
Day 1 we headed to Clodgy point, St. Ives where a Wryneck had been reported along with sightings of Lesser whitethroat. We saw neither and after a few hours, our sightings were Grey seal, Oystercatcher, Rock pipit (pictured), Stonechat, Chiffchaff and a lovely Humming-bird hawk moth. The point was busy with dog walkers and hikers so we returned to the car which we parked at the rugby club. Parking is limited in the town and can work out expensive.
Next stop was Kenidjack valley, where an Icterine warbler had been reported on Bird guides. Parking on a pull-in on old foundry road we continued on foot down the hill to the first donkey paddock and shortly after we had views of the warbler (right) in the bushes along with sightings of Willow warbler. Raven, Barn swallow, House martin, Sand martin, Wren, Robin and Dunnock which we added to our list along with Wood pigeon and Collared dove.
Day 2 we headed for Davidstow airfield checking out reports of waders including Pectoral sandpiper. A recent hot spell had made the ground unsuitable for feeding and we were unable to find any wading birds except a small flock of Ringed plover (right). Sightings here were Meadow pipit, Rook, Magpie, Carrion crow, Jackdaw and Kestrel. From here we headed towards Davidstow wood noting Common buzzard, Chaffinch, Goldcrest and Greenfinch.
At Crowdy reservoir we noted BB Gull, LBB Gull, Herring gull, Cormorant, Great crested grebe and Little grebe. Before returning back to our base over in Wadebridge we re-visited the airfield once more spotting a few Grey wagtail, good numbers of Pied wagtail and several Yellow wagtail (right) which were precariously feeding around the legs of a flock of sheep. Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern wheatear and Linnet were also added to our sightings list.
Day 3 we headed for Bodmin moor and Colliford lake, the largest reservoir in Cornwall looking for a recently reported Buff-breasted sandpiper (right) and dropped on the bird almost immediately from the dam wall car park. The Sandpiper was showing really well along with views of Northern wheatear, Ringed plover, Meadow pipit, Stonechat, Great tit, Blue tit, Goldfinch and Pied wagtail before being spooked by a low flying drone above the tree line.
Our next stop was over at Dozmary pool, where we noted Great white egret, Shoveler and Tufted duck followed by a stop off at Siblyback lake looking for Pectoral sandpiper. Here we had distant views of Sandpiper (too far to accurately record) along with sightings of Ringed plover, Dunlin, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen Grey heron and Common sandpiper on the wire fencing Barn swallows perched and on the mud a second Buff-breasted sandpiper was spotted.
Day 4 the forecast was grim and we opted to bird from inside the car and headed back to Davidstow airfield where some more wader sightings had been reported. Here we recorded Sparrowhawk, Ringed plover and a single Golden plover at close quarters (pictured). There were huge numbers of Meadow pipits along with Linnet, Pied wagtail, Stonechat and Northern wheatear (below right). We thought the waders may be on Crowdy and headed over.
Sideways rain and poor visibility meant we didn't have a good look around the reservoir and after driving around the airfield for a second time we decided to return back to base early. The only birds of note around the reservoir was Canada geese, Mallard, Cormorant, the usual Gull species which included Black-headed and a flyby, possibly Merlin or Hobby. Great spotted woodpecker was recorded calling from the trees over in Davidstow woods.
Day 5 we headed to Hayle and the RSPB bird hide overlooking Ryan's field then walked the causeway along to the bridge before stopping off at Carnsew pool and Copperhouse. Sightings included Black-tailed godwit, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Kingfisher, Little egret, Bar-tailed godwit, Mallard, Rock pipit, Dunlin, Teal, Gadwall and Redshank. The tide was out making bird sightings a little challenging but the respite in the inclement weather was welcomed.
A short drive to Godrevy added Red-billed chough and Shag to our sightings while back at Gwithian we spotted a single Barnacle goose in a large flock of Canada geese. Other sightings here were Kestrel, Rock dove, Dunlin, Gadwall, Curlew, LBB Gull, BB Gull, Herring gull, Black-headed gull, House martin, Barn swallow, Sand martin and Rock pipit. Returning back we spent an hour Sea-watching up at Trevose head adding Gannet to our sightings list.
Day 6 and another trip over to Colliford lake, this time to catch up with a Wryneck which had been showing for several days, albeit distant and elusive. We eventually had brief views of the bird before it disappeared. Other sightings included Bullfinch, and Red kite. Pectoral sandpiper had been present but we didn't spot it, we did however have 2 Buff-breasted sandpiper and a flock of Ringed plover along with Northern wheatear and Meadow pipit.
Our next stop was Crowdy reservoir where we sat in the rickety old bird hide to shelter from the rain which also brought down a White-tailed sea eagle. The eagle perched on the opposite banking for 30 minutes or more and was regularly badgered by Ravens before eventually taking off and heading over the airfield. Other sightings included Dunlin, Little stint, Ruff, Teal, Mallard, Canada geese, LBB Gull, BB Gull, Herring gull and a Grey heron.
Day 7 we parked at the old town car park, Padstow and walked along the Camel trail as far as the Iron bridge where we saw several Sandwich tern (right). Other sightings: Redshank, Curlew (below right), Oystercatcher, Grey heron, Bar-tailed godwit, Greenshank, Dunlin, Mute swan, Little egret, Canada geese, Ringed plover, Cormorant, Herring gull, Blackcap, BH gull, LBB gull, BB gull, Stock dove, Pheasant and Common sandpiper.
Day 8 for our last day we headed towards Calstock wetlands on the river Tamar, a great spot to finish our trip, sightings here were Mute swan, Canada geese, Reed warbler, Cetti's warbler, Common sandpiper, Mallard, Teal, Grey heron, Little egret, Cormorant and Reed bunting. A short trip over to the bird hide at Kingsmill lake where Osprey had recently been reported proved fruitless due to low tide but probably worth a return visit in the future.
Back at our base in Wadebridge we also noted the following birds from the gardens: Green woodpecker, Tawny owl, Starling, Jay, Common buzzard, Greenfinch, Linnet, Robin, Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Blackcap, Great tit, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven, Rook, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Nuthatch, Wren, Blackbird, and Bullfinch. A full sightings list can be found at the bottom of the page.
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