Cornwall 2009

The Brisons and Cape Cornwall, as seen from Nanquidno


Sennen Cove, home for the week

St Ives, and pumpkins in one of its greengrocers




Curlew at the Hayle Estuary - taken with the iPhone through my scope, Not too bad,,,

Cornwall 2008

Sennen Cove

Razorbill on the beach

As well as mucking about on the beach, there was also the small matter of the first Alder Flycatcher for the UK, at Nanjizal. Well, that's what they say it is, anyway. Conveniently we were driving through Penzance (on our way back from The Lizard for the Common Nighthawk) when news broke, and chortled as a chopper took off. You could almost hear the cries from inside: 'No, we've got to land again! Let me out!'

Read all about it at Buckton Birder.

Loads of nice scenery but birds were more elusive.

Kynance Cove

Kenidjack

More photos at www.flickr.com/photos/bogbumper

We stayed at Beachside Studio, Sennen Cove, and got quite a good window list going: Chough, Raven, Arctic Skua, Kittiwake (including three colour-ringed birds which I'm waiting to hear about), Gannet, Arctic Skua, Mediterranean Gull, Buzzard, Razorbill, Grey Seal, Rock Pipit and, er, Robin. 

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D + EF 300mm f/4L IS USM or Canon Powershot A640

Cornish Robin

Nearly forgot about this Robin, which I encountered in the Cot Valley the other week. It was the only time I used my DSLR all week.

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Coast

Nanjizal Bay

We finally got to Nanjizal this time (twice in one day). The first time, we parked at Polgigga and walked to Bosistow Farm, then to Nanjizal Bay - a beautiful little cove with a small, sandy beach.

The second time (that afternoon), we walked along the clifftop from Porthgwarra after a tip-off about the Wryneck that we'd missed in the morning. Sure enough, there it was in the garden of the clifftop house, poking about in the drystone wall.


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photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995

Butterflies

Wall Brown (living up to its name)

Small Tortoiseshell

Small Copper

Red Admiral

Peacock

These were all taken on our way to the mythical Nanjizal valley (with the exception of the Small Copper which was at Nanjizal Bay). It's amazing what a south-facing granite wall, covered in flowering ivy, can do...

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995

Hayle

the River Hayle estuary

This Curlew was the bird that came closest

We made a couple of visits to Hayle; it's always a good place to watch birds going about their business on the estuary. There was a good assortment of waders and gulls, with a scattering of Wigeon and Teal.

The best entertainment was provided by the Peregrines which seemed to be overhead almost constantly. We didn't see them catch anything, though one Black-tailed Godwit had a close call, before the falcon was escorted off the premises by a very determined Carrion Crow. I wished I had my DSLR with me when they flew right over our heads...

digiscoped photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995 + Leica Apo Televid 77 with 20x eyepiece

Porthgwarra

Cliffs at Porthgwarra

Wheatears

Heather

Something weird growing over the Gorse

We paid more visits to Porthgwarra than any other site. The birds were good (including Choughs and Yellow-browed Warbler, plus lots of Wheatears on the moor top) but the cafe was very handy, too...

digiscoped photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995 + Leica Apo Televid 77 with 20x eyepiece

Cornwall/Kernow

Got back from Cornwall today... this was the view from the window of the flat where we stayed

Cape Cornwall at sunset

Looking down the Nanquidno valley

The Brisons, viewed from Nanquidno

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995 + Leica Apo Televid 77 with 20x eyepiece

Cornwall

Just got back from a week in Cornwall. Here is an assortment of landscapes, flowers, insects and duff bird photos. More notes to be added later...

Cot Valley


Maritime heath, Porthgwarra



View from Nanquidno

'Ciao!' said the Choughs. Two seen at Nanquidno, then Cot (where these record shots were taken)



Stonechat, Nanquidno


'Fall' of Meadow Pipits after torrential rain at Beachside

Butterflies:
Comma, Polgigga

Red Admiral, Polgigga

(click on this one for extra detail)


The ubiquitous Clouded Yellow - dozens seen during the week (this one at Nanquidno)

Speckled Wood, Polgigga

Flowers on set-aside at Nanjizal:
Corn Cockle

Cornflower

Poppy

The Firecrest tree, Cot Valley

Wryneck record shot, Porthgwarra


Juvenile Herring Gull

Adult Herring Gull

The ubiquitous Buzzard

Longhorn cow having a scratch, Nanquidno

digiscoped photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995 + Leica Apo Televid 77 with 20x fixed or 20-60x zoom eyepieces