NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND

As a family we have a great affection for the north Cornish coast and recently spent a week in the sleepy hamlet of West Pentire, east of Newquay. The area is well known for the wildflower fields that are under the stewardship of the National Trust, full of Common Poppies (largely over when we arrived), Corn Marigolds and other assorted arable plants. The image above gives some flavour as to the colour-scapes that such flowering can create. Corn Marigold is a fast disappearing species in my part of Surrey so it was a joy to see thousands of flowers in their pomp (below). Although not a holiday that had natural history as a central theme I did wander off on a number of occasions, taking advantage of the warm, sunny and settled weather plus the coastal footpath that takes you on a journey through some of the most stunning scenery the UK has to offer. I ventured as far as Perranporth on foot, via Polly Joke, Kelsey Head and the imposing sand dunes of both Holy Well and Perran. Considering...

The 'insert image' tool is still disabled regardless of my efforts to correct it, so until the fault rectifies itself (which apparently it can do) my blog posts will have to do without images to brighten up an otherwise unbroken sea of words. To be honest that doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would, as this blogging lark has always been more about the words to me - just as well with the current situation. So, where was I?... Ah yes, there was going to be a post about my recent long holiday in Cornwall. What started as a two-week family holiday became one of three-and-a-half weeks, due to a happy set of circumstances that you needn't be bothered with. It was very much a family holiday, but as usual I took along the optics (and the camera, which is being made largely redundant as far as blogging is concerned, although if you follow me on X, WhatsApp or even that quiet place for the more elderly - Facebook - you will still see the results of my automatic point-and...

As I have already mentioned in the last post, on the morning of November 11th, while recording a strong movement of Chaffinches over Porth (just outside Newquay) in Cornwall, I observed five Great Northern Divers, seemingly flying on a similar line along with the finches. I think it is worth elaborating on these birds and try and understand what they were up to. I was looking almost due north, along a cliff-line that runs down from Trevose Head until it meets Porth (on a NNE-SSW axis), where the coast suddenly kinks away and heads WSW. Not quite a 90 degree turn, but abrupt all the same. The first bird appeared at approximately 09.00hrs, and was picked up coming in off of the sea, at a fair height. Obviously a heavy Diver, scope views were able to confirm it as a Great Northern. I was somewhat surprised when the bird carried on with its S or even SE bearing, shunning the coast and heading inland, gaining height as it did so. I was quite excited by this. My pulse quickened even further ...

Two weeks on the north Cornish coast in November? To me, that suggested plenty of wind, chilly temperatures, rain, wet clothing and plenty of reading indoors to escape the weather. Our ‘postponed’ family holiday could not have been any different - apart from the odd flurry of drizzle it was dry; the temperature was never anything other than remarkably mild (I even found myself dressed in a t-shirt whilst sitting on an exposed headland one balmy morning); and the wind did not get up above force 4, many days remaining in the 1-2 region. Although not a birding holiday, the bins, scope and tripod came along, and every day saw me wander off to do a bit - on a few occasions more than just a bit. 80 species were recorded in our 12 days, not bad for the time of year and all seen within walking distance from our base. I went everywhere on foot, exploring the coastal headlands, valleys, set-aside fields and winding lanes that characterise the Porth area, a small town east of Newquay. We were sta...

A last dip into my recent stay in Cornwall, via the medium of photography... Beautiful Demoiselle - the name says it all Little Egret - the Ganel Estuary played host to several Ravens were present in good numbers along the clifftops between Porth and Mawgan Porth Corn Buntings were breeding in the fields at Whipsiderry There is something of the 'art installation' about this group of Wild Carrot plants

After eight consecutive days of warmth, calm and sun, it had to happen - a wet day. In fact, the rain could have been described as biblical this evening (although the sun was briefly winning above). Tomorrow looks as if there might be a low pressure system quickly moving through with resulting NW winds pushing onto the north coast - exactly where I am currently. Outside chance of a few seabirds? Being a stubborn birder I will not be heading to one of the ‘named’ headlands, but watching from Porth Island, very close to where I am staying. With Pentire Head to the west of me, and Trevose Head to the north, it really is a poor relation as far as birding goes, but... on two mornings last week I recorded over 2,000 Manx Shearwaters passing SW within a couple of hours, with good numbers of Gannets and Fulmars. These may well have been feeding movements, but the small groups of waders also involved (including Whimbrels and Black-tailed Godwits) were certainly on the move. Maybe Porth cou...

The photographs say it all. A beautiful land and seascape on a gorgeous summer afternoon. A time to hide from global catastrophe, Brexit, our political incompetences and whether or not Tottenham are going to actually buy Lo Celso...

It’s always a pleasure to visit a new site. I had heard of Porth Reservoir via the CBWPS website and was aware that it is frequently covered albeit by a small number of birders. I decided to walk there from Porth (which took an hour) and was impressed with what I found. It is a long, narrow body of water, flanked by woodland on its southern and eastern flank. At the western end, where I entered the reservoir, I flushed a group of four Common Sandpipers from the dam, but apart from a single Kingfisher the birding did not improve. No doubt regular visits would pay dividends here. Botanically I was pleased to find so much Common Valerian, although it was a clump of the alien Pickerelweed that stole the show. Also of note was the number of Odonata on show - surely there lurks a Lesser Emperor or two...

Breakfast was taken to the accompaniment of c2,400 Manx Shearwaters heading SSW, with, a few hours later, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull through. The afternoon was spent on the cliff-tops between Porth and Bre-Pen, with the highlights being breeding Corn Buntings, more Corn Marigold in set-aside, both Wall Brown and Dark Green Fritillary, plus a dribble of Swifts and Swallows south, all set in spectacular scenery. I couldn’t resist taking the photo of this group of Wild Carrot, all flowering at different times and in subtle variations of colour.

My view for the next fortnight or so - Porth in Cornwall. Laid-back birding and sedate botanising with the outside chance of some memorable natural history moments. I’ll report back...

There are people that pay thousands of pounds and spend days of travel to see the wonders of the natural world. The truth is, such wonders are available right on our door step. I have been lucky enough to see a great deal of Britain's coast line and am regularly taken aback by its beauty and splendour. Our recent trip to North Cornwall only confirmed our love of its rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. Photographs give only the merest indication as to what is truly on show before the observer, as the sensation of height, the true depth of field and all of the aural stimulants are missing. One can but try and share in the glory that is out there. All the pictures accompanying this post were taken from the coastal path between Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay last Friday afternoon. It was an afternoon of sun, sheltered warmth and that blessed state of being aware that, what is being experienced, is one of those special times. The Spring Squill was a delight, with large but discrete co...

Fulmars were found along many cliff ledges Our brief spell in Cornwall is over, and although not a birding trip I did keep half an eye out. Migrant wise poor, with just a trickle of hirundines all week (mostly Swallows but with both House and Sand Martins recorded), a few Chiffchaffs and several Wheatears. Above the waves there was a constant showing of Fulmars, Gannets and Shags, with the cliff tops home to Stonechats, Ravens and the odd Peregrine. No doubt this coastal strip (from Porth to Trevose Head) has its moments, but it didn't happen while we were there. Jackdaws were always on hand for a photo-opportunity One of three Wheatears at Trevose Head, this one deciding to burst into song

Sunshine, warmth and spectacular scenery does compensate somewhat for a lack of birds. The cliff top walk from Porth to Watergate Bay was quiet, with just the constant companionship of Ravens of note. Not one hirundine, Wheatear or warbler. Plenty of Thrift and Sea Campion coming into flower. Descending down into Watergate Bay was a mistake though, with hotels, restaurants, cafes, surf schools and miscellaneous other buildings falling over themselves like a collapsed game of Jenga. Horrible.

The north Cornish coast abruptly changes from lying on a west-east axis to become largely one that heads south-north. And this is where I find myself, at Porth. Where Katrina and I are staying is on a cliff top, the house looking out directly along the cliffs towards Trevose Head in the distance. By turning our heads to the left it is open sea all the way to North America. I wouldn't mind living here. Sea watching from your armchair - literally. So far there has been little to quicken the ornithological pulse. Ravens are a constant, Rock Pipits displaying above the garden, Gannets and Fulmars gliding past, a single Swallow heading in off the sea eastward. But it looks good. I see clumps of bushes and imagine Yellow-browed Warblers at the very least each autumn. Every open area of grass must hold a Hoopoe each spring. But, of course, birding is not really like that. Doesn't hurt to dream though...

I was very pleased with managing to capture these images of Corn Buntings in the set-aside fields at Whipsiderry near Porth, Cornwall. No enlargement needed, just a bit of sideways crop.

Common Starling, basking in the predominant weather of our Cornish holiday - hot, dry and sunny Wall  - still extremely scarce in Surrey but easy enough to find north of Bude I was pleased to stumble across several plants of the declining 'arable weed' Field Woundwort Olearia solandri (Coastal daisy-bush), established in the sand dunes at Bude Never need an excuse to take a picture of a Wheatear - they presumably breed on the clifftops close to Bude It was good to see Bude birder Harvey Kendall (here on the right), who on this particular occasion joined me to watch a juvenile Marsh Harrier that was hunting over the lake and farmland behind the bungalow in which we were staying. I first met Harvey (and his son Ian) back in 1979 at Dungeness. We were able to reminisce and catch up over several cups of tea throughout our stay. The harrier was a Maer Lake tick for him, and one gripped back on his son!