16th- 17th October: St Ives and North Cornwall

 Today we departed from our accommodation at Carbis Bay and relocated to spend the weekend with Andrew and Chelsea in Porth, near Newquay. Before we left the area though, we parked at the top of St Ives by the Cornish Arms, picking up our first Blackcap of the trip, and walked through the grounds of Treloyhan Manor, down the steep track to Porthminster beach  and out to the Island. We followed the coastal path round to the back and scanned the rocks, where we eventually identified a blob sticking out of the side of a large, distant rock as a Purple Sandpiper!

Purple Sandpiper

We continued up the coast and stopped at West Pentire for a walk around the headland and back past Polly Joke. Linnets and Skylarks filled the air, but frustratingly, a suspected Sparrowhawk disappeared before we managed to get the bins onto it. It was an enjoyable walk, with lovely views once again before we met up with Andrew and Chelsea.

The following day they took us away from the coast, to two new inland locations which we have never visited before. Our first stop was the stunning Golitha Falls, part of the River Fowey, tumbling through beautiful beech woodland, with just the start of golden hues appearing against the crisp blue sky. We had hoped for a Dipper,  but once again were unlucky, although a Grey Wagtail offered some compensation. 

Golitha Falls

Back at the car park, we indulged in tea or ice cream, and whilst queuing noticed a bird feeder behind the seating area. A pause here whilst we consumed our purchases allowed good views of a variety of woodland birds, including Nuthatch, Marsh Tit and Coal Tit.

Form here we drove across Bodmin Moor to Roughtor, arriving late afternoon. We climbed up to the top, when suddenly I noticed a flock of birds flying towards us. As they drew nearer I suspected Golden Plover, and as they approached this was confirmed, with the bright sunlight causing their brilliant white bellies to sparkle like diamonds, before they twisted away to reveal golden backs, giving an effect like twinkling fireworks. We watched them land on the rocky ground ahead of us and crept closer for some excellent views.

Golden Plover

 By now, dusk was approaching and we parked further along the road, ready for the event Andrew was hoping to show us - a Starling murmuration. His research indicated these occurred during the winter months, between November and February, and I have read they peak in January, so we were unsure what sort of a show we would get. We were not disappointed!  

As we scanned the trees, we spotted a flock of around a hundred birds fly into view, then another, and another, and very quickly birds were appearing from all directions. They swirled and dived, combining into one writhing mass, before splintering off into groups, then melding together again, in a constant shape-shifting spectacle. There were thousands of birds filling the skies with mesmerising movement. At times they flew directly overhead, a cascade of quietly whooshing wings, drawing you in as if one with the  flock, a delicate lace blanket overhead. It is difficult to put into words how magnificent an experience this was. We were awe-struck, watching in silence, save for the occasional gasp at an especially fluid manoeuvre, until finally they plummeted down into the trees, a disappearing ribbon of blackness, followed by a few moments of argumentative squeaking calls as they jostled for position on the branches. I felt an urge to applaud, so wonderful was this breathtaking display. A fitting finale to a wonderful time in Cornwall, with astonishingly, not a drop of rain!

Poor photo, but spectacular Starlings