Wednesday 20th March 2024: Kennal Vale

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This morning we abandoned the coast, and travelled inland to the Cornwall Wildlfe Trust reserve at Kennal Vale. This is a breathtaking setting, with cascading waterfalls, rushing streams and rich, green vegetation set around the ruins of an old gunpowder factory. 



As we entered the woodland, we could hear Marsh Tit sneezing, but frustratingly couldn’t get onto the bird, which was flitting amongst the trees, but always seemed to melt into the high vegetation before I’d got my bins on it. We found a number of the regular tits moving through the vegetation at a lower level, before leaving the track and dropping down the valley towards the water, crossing a bridge at the bottom of the reserve. From here we clambered up the path which meandered upstream amongst the ruined factory buildings, now cloaked in mosses, ferns and lush vegetation. We peered through green windows framing the beautiful scenery beyond.



Stumbling upon a small, narrow channel just above the river, three Grey Wagtails were calling and waggling, before flitting off to dance around the branches over the stream. Suddenly a Dipper darted past at high speed, a brown blob with a flash of white chest, slowly registering on the brain as it disappeared from sight.

Dipper

We moved on slightly to an open glade where there was a wider expanse of water on view and sat down to wait. Upstream we spotted another pair, bobbing characteristically on mossy boulders, with frenziedly foaming water on all sides. One then sped off downstream, but the other stayed put for several minutes allowing Tim to get some record shots. A Grey Wagtail also returned, posing on a nearby bridge, calling constantly,  before step-stoning its way up the river and out of sight.

Grey Wagtail

We sat for some time, drinking in the peaceful atmosphere, savouring the senses with roaring water, lush vegetation, blue skies,  melodious birdsong…and a a Kitkat! 

Eventually we tore ourselves away, and slowly wandered back towards the car. A Nuthatch was busy nest building, beginning to build a mud wall to fill in a rather large looking cavity, and we stood for several minutes watching this fascinating activity.

Nuthatch

Our last sighting was a Coal Tit singing its heart out at the top of a tree right by the entrance. It had been a very enjoyable visit, a completely different habitat and rather lovely to be sheltered from the cold winds of recent days.



Picturesque Kennal Vale



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