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I was praying that the fog had cleared overnight and judging by the lack of noise from the foghorn, the fog had lifted. I done an early morning sea watch back at Pendeen and arrived there around 6.15am. I was surprised to see another birder there, a chap from Buckinghamshire, who had slept here overnight in the car park! Poor Bugger!
Nevertheless, I joined him and spent the next two hours spent 30 minutes or so picking up a few seabirds.
The only month tick I saw during the two hours was a single Bonxie flying just past the rocks below. At least eight Fulmars went past as well as at least six Manx Shearwaters went past also. Again, Gannets and Shags went past in good numbers. Just the one Basking Shark seen this morning despite better weather conditions and a couple of Seals were playing down by the rocks. Though a pleasant couple of hours and a good chat, I was a little disappointed with the sea watch.
It’s a well known fact now that Chough’s are breeding in this area and so I had to go and try and see my first English birds. I parked up in the furthest car park close to the sea and then took the coastal path heading west along the cliffs. The weather was perfect and the rock pools below looked very inviting. As several Rock Pipits flew past, I kept an eye out for the Choughs and it didn’t take long before a pair of birds flew up from the cliffs and circled round only to disappear behind the hill within the adjacent field. I was now a very happy bunny, but that was the only sighting I had got of the Choughs. A couple of Willow Warblers were seen in the suada close to the café’s also as well as a couple of dusting House Sparrows.
Becky and I had to find another B&B to stay for tonight and we found a nice location within the village of Lelant, St. Ives. So, after visiting St. Ives for an afternoon stroll., I fancied another sea watch at Pendeen to finish the day off.
We arrived around 7pm and settled down for a relaxing end to the day. Around the rocks, there were two seals swimming which pleased Becky while out at sea, I counted at least 20+ Manx Shearwaters in total going through. Within a small flock of three Shearwaters, I picked out my first Sooty Shearwater of the year, which really put a big smile on my face. A flock of 19 Common Scoters flew past which was a nice surprise and at least two Fulmars went past also.
Becky and I watched the sun disappear over the horizon and called it a day. So, we headed back to the car with another year tick under my belt.
Lizard Point, The Lizard, Cornwall
Pendeen Watch, Pendeen, Cornwall.
Left, Becky looking over the sea at Lizard Point. Right, sunset from Pendeen watch this evening.
