Monday 23rd March 2026: Pendeen and Cot Valley

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We were a little later leaving our apartment than planned this morning, with the distraction of around fifty Razorbills resting on the sea in the bay and visible through the scope from our lounge window. A few diving Gannets were also on show, despite the somewhat misty conditions, such that Godrevey was frequently shrouded from view.

Encouraged by this sighting, we set off for Pendeen for a spot of seawatching. This was also a rewarding visit, with good numbers of auks passing in front of the rocks below the lighthouse and a steady stream of Manx Shearwaters passing just behind. A Fulmar passed close to the rocky shoreline, and a few Kittiwakes flew across further out over the sea. A cluster of Shags perched high on the rocks, their crests clearly visible. On the grassy rock face below us a pair of newly arrived Wheatear were a welcome find, and a Rock Pipit also flew across to land on the lighthouse wall.

After some time, we moved on to Cot Valley. Strolling up from the sea end, a few noisy Wrens popped up on the vegetation and a singing Chiffchaff was in the willows beside the stream. Our target bird here was a Bluethroat, reported over recent days. A farm gate with a gathering of people indicated we were in the right spot, but we had to wait some time for the bird to appear, and each time the views were fleeting. In fact we didn’t really get a decent front view of the bird, but its rufous edged tail was very noticeable when it landed with its back to us on the bramble.

Fortunately, there was a good supporting cast of birds to keep us entertained as we waited, with a pair of undulating Green Woodpeckers a highlight, some showy Stonechats which were far more obliging than the Bluethroat, and a single Great Spotted Woodpecker which landed at the top of a telegraph pole. A pair of calling Chough flow overhead, and we later picked these up again feeding in a grassy field behind us.

We finished the day back at Copperhouse Creek, where amongst the gull roost we noted four Mediterranean Gulls with varied ages and stages of plumage.

Stonechat

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