15th October 2021: Round and about Penzance

 On another fine morning, we returned to Pendeen for another attempt at seawatching. The forecast the previous day had been for a north westerly, which would have provided optimum conditions, pushing the birds closer to the shore, but in the event it had changed direction to westerly. Nevertheless, the visit was more successful than earlier in the week. There was a substantial passage of Gannets with many close enough for excellent views. A number of flocks of auks (Guillemots and Razorbills) were also passing through. Some were too far out to identify precisely, but the consensus with other more expert birders present was that these were predominantly Guillemots. One flock passing within binocular view included a group of three Common Scoter hiding in the midst - an annual tick for me. A few ink-dipped Kittiwakes were picked our from amongst the various gulls. However, the highlight for me was a single Great Skua or Bonxie which passed through at close range just as I arrived, in time to track the bird with my bins as it travelled across, it’s barrelled belly and white wing markings showing remarkably well. A later Arctic Skua was also called, but despite my best efforts I was completely unable to get onto this bird, although Tim did manage to find this, but had missed the Great Skua. Such is birdwatching!

With a tip off from our fellow birders at Pendeen we headed to Bartinney Down, where they had seen Short-eared Owls the previous evening, presumably newly arrived. It was the wrong time of day to catch them flying, but there was a possibility of stumbling across one roosting on the ground, so we had a short walk up and across the down, but no luck. However, we have stored this site away to search on future visits, when we can plan to be there around dusk. We passed the information on to Sue Miles who arrived that afternoon, and they did have success the following evening, when we had moved away form West Cornwall.

Our next stop was Drift reservoir, accessing the private hide, which can be used with permission. Our target bird here was a Black-necked Grebe and as I set up my scope, it popped up right in front of the hide. Bonus! Tim was on hand with his camera, and managed to catch it eating a small fish.

Black-necked Grebe

As we scanned the reservoir, a Kingfisher darted across with the usual iridescent flash, then a Great White Egret showed to the left of the hide, actively feeding as it skulked amongst the reeds. A few dubious looking hybrids were noted amongst the Canada Geese and there were several Little Grebes, some retaining summer plumage features, and a single Great Crested Grebe, but little else of note.

Great White Egret

Form here, we continued on to Penzance seafront, close to Jubilee Pool, where last year we had seen good numbers of waders, following an icy swim with sisters Nicky (‘I can’t believe how warm it is for October’!!!!) and Sue. Looking over the wall we were again able to find these perched on a rock above the tide, adding Ringed Plover and Sanderling to our growing list.

Ringed Plover and Sanderling

So a good days birding at last, rounded off with a cup of tea and birding chat with Sue Miles at her accommodation overlooking St. Michael’s Mount, with the splendid backdrop of the setting sun melting beautifully into the still sea as we departed for our own apartment.