Cornwall 08/09/2025

 

Both my regular readers will remember that Black Kite is one of my bogie birds, lots of attempts to string various Red Kites into one have failed miserably, so with  several reports coming out around Cornwall, it made sense to go and look for one. We therefore found ourselves at the Drift reservoir, a nice walk around, but yes you've guessed it no Black Kite!!! We even did a half hour Raptor Watch, couple of Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk our only reward!! Did have a Wheatear, distant views of a Marsh Harrier and a surprising number of Butterflies when the Sun shone. 

Drift Reservoir

Grey Heron

Wheatear

Wall Butterfly

Small Copper

Cormorant

Small Copper

Painted lady, looks like somethings had a nibble

Little Egret

Moulting Bullfinch

Marsh Harrier

Little Grebe

Black-headed Gull

Great Crested Grebe

Peacock

Sparrowhawk

Raven

Common Buzzard

Sparrowhawk being mobbed

Giving up, we headed to the coast at Pendeen, arriving just as the last of the Sea-watchers were leaving! Doh! Still gave it a go, lots of Gannets, quite a few Manx Shearwaters and a Dark Phase Arctic Skua the best of it, sadly no Choughs seen, a few Stonechats, a showy Wagtail and the stunning scenery providing highlights!! Sadly the Skua and the Manxies were too distant for pics!

Wagtail, not sure if it's a White Wagtail or a Pied!

Stonechat

Gannets

Gannets

We ended the day at the Hayle Estuary, where we hung out in the hide for a while, some good Wader action with 3 Greenshanks, 2 Knot, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits,4 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover and a Curlew joining the numerous Redshanks!! Highlight was a Kingfisher that flew into the bushes next to the hide, steadfastly refusing to land on the numerous perches in front of the hide!!!

Herring Gull with lunch

Ryan's Field

Greenshank and Redshanks

Godwits and Knot

Dunlin and Ringed Plover

Redshank

Little Egret

Redshank

Kingfisher

A highly enjoyable day no Black Kite, no surprise they seem to be able to avoid me at will!!