Trip reports

Group Trip to Cornwall

Friday, 9 February 2007

Despite heavy snow in the days prior to our departure, we managed to get away. There was no sign of snow in the West Country and although cold, it was sunny as we reached Torpoint via the ferry affording us super views of Slavonian grebe, kingfisher and turnstone. The highlight of the trip was a walk along the Fal from St Clements to Tresillian: the tide was out and the mud, braided with creeks and inlets, hid greenshanks, redshanks, curlew, avocets, shelduck and black-tailed godwit. Later, at Pendower beach we added stonechat, common and surf scoter, red-necked grebe and black-throated diver to the list.
On and around a municipal park lake at Helston, hoping to find ring-billed gull, we found instead ring-necked duck, gooseander, goldcrest, grey wagtail and redwings - not a bad bag for a park.
Another highlight was the Hayle Estuary where there was reputed to be an American spotted sandpiper - and there it was - a perfect sighting with the sun shining on its bright yellow legs. The finale came on the way back when we watched, entranced, flocks of starlings gathering in smoky clouds to roost. A wonderful spectacle. A superb weekend and a total of 90 birds seen.