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Caradon Hill, Minions 30th September 2023

On our way to Cornwall, we stopped off at Caradon Hill near Minions to look for the Lesser Grey Shrike. A few Northern Wheatears were seen south of the old quarry. The 1st Winter Lesser Grey Shrike showed well at times in very foggy conditons.

Lesser Grey Shrike [1st Winter]

Northern Wheatear [Juvenile]

Hayle, Marazion, Chapel Porth & St Agnes Head 1st October 2023

We had a quick look at Ryan's Field RSPB and the Hayle Estuary. We saw Bar-tailed Godwit, Kingfisher, Curlews, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpipers, Teal & Whimbrel heard calling.

We went to Marazion Marsh RSPB, where the Juvenile Woodchat Shrike was present in 1st Horse paddock & showed very well perched on the fence posts along Green Lane before flying over to the marsh. After having a quick bath, it perched in the bush briefly near where the car was parked. The Hoopoe was much more elusive, feeding in the slightly longer grass in the 2nd Horse paddock. It showed better in the late afternoon feeding along the edge of the field, viewed from the gate on Green Lane. It perched on the post briefly & then flew off towards the allotments. We went to Chapel Porth Beach to see the Rock Pipits, which were still present in good numbers around the car park. Our final port of call was St Agnes Head and a couple of Stonechats were seen along the cliff path.

Woodchat Shrike [Juvenile]

Hoopoe

Eurasian Curlew [Adult]

Woodchat Shrike [Juvenile]

Hoopoe

Rock Pipit [Adult Winter]

Stonechat [Female]

Stonechat [Male]

Woodchat Shrike [Juvenile]

The Lizard
2nd October 2023

We went to the Lizard Peninsular to look for the Northern Harrier that had been present on Goonhilly Down near Croft Pascoe Pool. Sadly no sign of it that day.

We went instead to Lizard Village for the Juvenile Rose-coloured Starling. After giving us a bit of a run around, the Juvenile Rosy Starling gave itself up & showed very well on the rooftops & feeding in a private garden viewed from the road with Common Starlings. It remained in the area until 5th October 2023. We didn’t go down to the point as we could hear the foghorns blowing, so it must have been very foggy there. We had a quick look at Kynance Cove, but that too was foggy. We finished the day at Stithians Reservoir Feeder Hide as the weather had taken the turn for worse. There was a Robin, Chaffinches, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Coal Tit & a couple of Dunnocks.

Rose-coloured Starling [Juvenile]

Rose-coloured Starling [Juvenile]

Chaffinch [Male]

Great Tit [Adult]

Blue Tit [Adult]

Rose-coloured Starling [Juvenile]

Hayle, Marazion, Land's End & Marazion
3rd October 2023

Another quick visit to Ryan's Field RSPB near Hayle, where we saw 2 Great Cormorants and the Kingfisher still hiding in the bushes. At Marazion Marsh RSPB, we had a bonus sighting of a Clouded Yellow. The Juvenile Woodchat Shrike was still present in the 1st paddock & showed very well during the morning. It remained in the area until 6th October 2023.

We headed to Land's End, down to Sennen. Two Choughs were feeding on the birdtable & an Oystercatcher foraged along the garden wall, before flying to sea. We saw a couple more Choughs at Cape Cornwall feeding below the car park. We had a quick look around Botallack hoping to see Wheatear, but all we had was a distant flyover Chough. We walked along the Cot Valley near Kelynack to look for Firecrest, but nothing. We did have a couple of Stonechats and Common Kestrel near the beach. We returned to Marazion in the late afternoon & the Hoopoe showed very well in sunshine feeding in the field near the allotments.

Woodchat Shrike [Juvenile]

Clouded Yellow

Common Kingfisher [Female]

Great Cormorant [Juvenile]

Eurasian Oystercatcher [Adult Winter]

Cape Cornwall

Common Kestrel [Juvenile]

Chough [Adult]

Hoopoe

Goonhilly Downs & Hayle 4th October 2023

We spent most of the morning exploring around Goonhilly Downs on the Lizard, looking for the Juvenile Male Northern Harrier. We saw lots of Golden Plover flying around, but when they landed, they disappeared from view. Despite a thorough scan around the landscape, the Harrier was not seen by us unfortunately even though it was repoted that day.

We then made our way down to Hayle. More bad news fell on our agenda, as we discovered that the road alongside Copperhouse Creek was and is permanently closed to motor vehicles. Instead, we went to carpark on the opposite side of the creek to see what was about. An Adult Bar-tailed Godwit showed well foraging along the creek. At nearby Ryan's Field RSPB, Hayle were 2 Common Buzzards perched on the pylon. From the hide was a Common Sandpiper & a Grey Wagtail.

Bar-tailed Godwit [Adult Winter]

Common Buzzard [Juvenile]

Common Sandpiper [Adult Winter]

Grey Wagtail [Female]

Goonhilly Downs, The Lizard

Godrevy, Hayle & Land's End 5th October 2023

Our first port call for the day was at Godrevy Point. In the Wader Roost were Ringed Plovers, Sanderlings, Dunlins, Oystercatchers, Turnstones & Red Knot (in Winter Plumage of course). A couple of Stonechats were behind the carpark. We saw one Chough which showed very well feeding on the cliff ledge near the carpark & another two made brief fly pasts. Quite a few Mediterranean Gulls were seen with the Waders. On the other beach, were Grey Seals. One Common Guillemot in Winter Plumage was swimming just off shore from the point. A Common Kestrel was hovering near the carpark and a Raven was perched on the cliff edge.. We continued down to Hayle carpark near Copperhouse Creek where we saw a Small White Butterfly, Common Greenshanks, Bar-tailed Godwits, Common Redshanks & Little Egret.

We went to Penberth Cove [made famous in the TV series of Poldark]. A Peacock & Red Admiral were feeding on Ivy and a Common Buzzard soared overhead. Down by the beach a Rock Pipit foraged amongst the rocks. On the way back to the car we saw two more Chough Fly over.

Just by the car I found and photographed the only Firecrest seen on that holiday. Me & Dad walked a bit of the Nanquidno Valley, but didn't see very much. Just a Common Buzzard perched on post, before taking off. Near Pendeen, we spotted a Hooded Crow perched on a post before flying off. It was feeding in a field near Higher Bojewyan farm. On our way back, we had look from the road of 2 Engine Houses called Greenburrow Engine House & Ding Dong Mine.

Sanderlings & Ringed Plovers

Chough [Adult]

Stonechat [Female]

Mediterranean Gull [1st Winter]

Mediterranean Gull [Adult Winter]

Grey Seal [Female]

Grey Seal [Juvenile]

Common Guillemot [Adult Winter]

Common Kestrel [Male]

Red Knot [Adult Winter]

Small White [Female]

Common Redshank [Juvenile]

Little Egret [Adult Winter]

Peacock

Red Admiral

Rock Pipit [Adult Winter]

Common Buzzard [Adult]

Firecrest

Hooded Crow [Adult]

Common Greenshank [Adult Winter]

Bar-tailed Godwit [Adult Winter]

Godrevy Point Lighthouse

Pendeen, Sennen, Penzance, Marazion, Nanquidno Valley
6th October 2023

We started our day at Pendeen Lighthouse with sightings of Gannets flying past at sea & a few Rock Pipits. At Sennen, we saw 2 Choughs & a brief view of a Clouded Yellow. We headed back to Penzance to look for Purple Sandpipers. We only saw Ringed Plovers and Turnstones. At Marazion Marsh RSPB, the Juvenile Woodchat Shrike still showed very well in the paddock. Also seen around the reserve was Stonechats, Whinchat, Robin, Grey Heron, Little Grebes & Little Egret. No Purple Heron sadly. We headed back to the field above Nanquidno Valley, where we saw the Juvenile American Golden Plover. This species is a very regular vagrant in Britain, during September & October. It was soon joined by a single European Golden Plover. Suddenly both birds, took off & flew down the valley when a Common Kestrel came and perched on a fence post. Although the European Golden Plover flew back into the field, sadly the same did not apply to the American Golden Plover. The bird remained on site until that evening, but it was not seen the following morning.

Chough [Adult]

Rock Pipit [Adult Winter]

Ruddy Turnstone [Adult Winter]

Ringed Plover [Adult Winter]

Stonechat [Male]

Whinchat [Juvenile]

European Golden Plover [Adult Winter]

American Golden Plover [Juvenile]

Whinchat [Juvenile]

American Golden Plover [Juvenile]

European Golden Plover [Adult Winter]

Caradon Hill, Minions
7th October 2023

We went back to Caradon Hill near Minions on our way back home. The 1st Winter Lesser Grey Shrike was still present and showed well at times. It stayed mainly on the radio masts as it had been spooked earlier by a falconer flying his Gyrfalcon. He was just leaving when we arrived. The Shrike still showed until that evening, but was not seen again the following day.

Lesser Grey Shrike [1st Winter]

Lesser Grey Shrike [1st Winter]

Meadow Pipit [Adult]

Forest of Dean
14th October 2023

We went to the Forest of Dean to see was about. We had Nuthatches, Robins, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Blackbirds, Dunnocks & Goldfinches. Also a Parent Shieldbug.

The main reason was visiting the Forest of Dean that day, was for the Dean Forest Railway's Royal Forest of Steam Gala. This featured the 2 resident engines 5541 & 9681 plus visiting engine Rosyth No 1 from Pontypool Railway, 401 Vulcan from North Tynside Railway & 1340 Trojan from Didcot Railway Centre.

Nuthatch [Adult]

Dunnock [Adult]

Goldfinch [Adult]

Rosyth No 1 at Lydney Junction

1340 Trojan at Parkend

9681 & 5541 at Lydney Junction ]

401 Vulcan & 5541 at Lydney Junction

Frampton-on-Severn
16th October 2023

After I finished work,we went to Frampton-on-Severn to look for the Osprey on Court Lake. A Grey Heron & Little Egrets were foraging around the lake. The Jays were flying to roost in the trees on the island. The Osprey made a brief appearance flying around the lake with a fish, before landing out of sight to eat it. There were plenty of Cormorants as well.

Osprey [Juvenile]

Osprey [Juvenile]

Grey Heron [Juvenile]

Great Cormorant [Juvenile]

Frampton-on-Severn
17th October 2023

After I finished work the following day, we went back to Frampton-on-Severn to see the Osprey again on Court Lake. Although it made a very brief appearance in flight only, at the back of lake it didn't hang around. The Adult Yellow-legged Gull showed very well on Court Lake with the Cormorants.

Yellow-legged Gull [Adult Winter]

Grey Herons

46100 Royal Scot, Bristol 19th October 2023

Me & Dad went to Lockleaze, Bristol to see 46100 Royal Scot running light engine with support coach from Bishops Lydeard WSR-Crewe Heritage Sidings.

Slimbridge WWT & Frampton-on-Severn
22nd October 2023

We went to Slimbridge WWT to look for the Lesser White-fronted Goose. On the Rushy Pen were 2 Common Snipe. The Tack Peice produced a large number of Eurasian Wigeon, 9 European White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese, Pintails & Common Redshank. From the Estuary Tower on the Dumbles were Canada Geese, Barnacle Geese, Lesser White-fronted Goose of unknown origin, Bar-headed Goose, Snow x Bar-headed Goose Hybrid & Ross's Goose all very distant.

Along the Estuary Walkway was a European Hornet perched. A couple more European Hornets were feeding on Ivy in the grounds with Wasps & Red Admirals. A few Common Darters were still on the wing around the grounds. Also saw a few captive birds such as the Carribean Flamingos in the grounds, Ringed Plovers, Avocets, Common Redshanks, Black-winged Stilts, Ruff, Garganey, Smew, Goosanders, Little Egrets & Black-tailed Godwits in the Aviary. From the Kingfisher Hide, we saw a Common Buzzard & 2 Marsh Harriers. A Cormorant was seen from the Van de Bovenkamp Hide. A few Common Cranes & Little Grebe in Winter Plumage were viewed from the Ziess Hide.

We moved on to Frampton-on-Severn to see the Osprey for the final time. Sadly it didn't show that time, we did however have Common Buzzard, Whirligig Beetles, Cormorants, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron & 1st Winter Little Gull all around Court Lake.

European Hornet

Eurasian Wigeon [Flock]

Pintail [Female]

European Hornet

Red Admiral

Ringed Plover [Captive Bird]

Common Redshank [Captive Bird]

Great Cormorant [Juvenile]

Goosander [Captive Bird]

Great Cormorant [Adult Winter]

Little Grebe Adult Winter]

Common Darter [Pair]

Common Crane [Adult]

Little Egret [Adult Winter]

Great White Egret [Adult Winter]

Little Gull [1st Winter]

Cotswold Water Park 25th October 2023

We went to Whelford Pools NR to see the Juvenile Purple Heron, which was present from 18th October-6th November 2023. The bird showed very well during our visit from the hide. After catching at least 4 or 5 fish, it disappeared back in the reeds by late morning/early afternoon. The Great Northern Diver showed very well catching Crayfish on Pit 74 viewed from Twitcher's Gate until the following day 26th October 2023.

Great Northern Diver [Adult Winter]

Swanage Railway & Middlebeare
27th October 2023

We went to Swanage Railway to see the newly restored 563 return to full passenger trains. 34070 Manston arrived first at Norden & Park Station, before departing back to Swanage. Then 563 entered on a special booked train. After running round at Norden, the T3 4-4-0 headed off back to Swanage. We had a quick visit to Middlebeare Avocet Hide. A few Common Teal, Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, Marsh Harrier, Curlew, Great White Egrets, also some Skia Deer. We went back to Norden to see T3 on it's last run of the day. At Harmans Cross, 34070 Manston was on the last train of the day to Norden. At Afflington Bridge near Corfe Common, we saw Manston on her last run back to Swanage for the day.

Sika Deer [Male]

Great White Egret [Adult Winter]

Little Egret [Adult Winter]

Avocet [Adult]

34070 Manston near Norden

563 near Norden

34070 Manston at Corfe Common

Horton
29th October 2023

In the Horton area, me & Dad saw Wren, Common Gulls & 2 Common Buzzards.

Wren [Adult]

Common Buzzard [Adult]

Common Gull [Flock Winter]

Nuthatch