Cornwall visit

[markgrubb]

I'm having a short break in Cornwall for a few days starting on Saturday. We're staying near Port Isaac. Does anyone know of any good sites in the area-not bothered about chasing rarities-info on any decent woodland or coastal areas would be welcome

[john-henry]

I'm having a short break in Cornwall for a few days starting on Saturday. We're staying near Port Isaac. Does anyone know of any good sites in the area-not bothered about chasing rarities-info on any decent woodland or coastal areas would be welcome

Hi Mark,
Don't get up that way very often but the Camel Estuary and area is always worth a look.
If you want to travel inland the St. Cleer valley off Bodmin Moor holds a good variety of birds - From the Jamacia Inn at Bolventor take the turning almost opposite for St. Cleer, carry on down the road for a mile or so and when it opens out start stopping, looking and listening, keep going and you come to a turning for Drayne's Bridge and Golitha Falls, park in the carpark, walk across the road and have a walk through the woods, Dipper, Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler etc can be seen if you're lucky, it's also a lovely area without the birds (if you have non-birders with you).

Here's a link worth looking at
http://www.cbwps.org.uk/

Regards

John

[devon.birder]

I'm having a short break in Cornwall for a few days starting on Saturday. We're staying near Port Isaac. Does anyone know of any good sites in the area-not bothered about chasing rarities-info on any decent woodland or coastal areas would be welcome

Hi Mark. In view of where you are staying then Pentire Point is worth a visit. Park by the farm (£1) and walk up the track and then take the track to your right which leads down to the cliff path. This is a good site for Corn Buntings and you may see Manx Shearwaters passing. Possibly a bit early for Puffins off The Moules which are just off shore.
If you park in Wadebridge then the Camel Trail to Padstow will offer you plenty of birds as well as a good walk. If you don't want to walk then park at Trewornan Bridge between Wadebridge and Rock-park in the layby opposite the traffic lights. Cross over the road and go through the gate on the left. Walk down across two fields and you will see a small hide at Burniere Point. Best to go there about two hours to an hour before high tide. Lookout for Red-legged Partridges on the way down.
If you look the other way from the layby you will see a large hide across the fields-this overlooks Chapel Amble Marsh but it is only accessed by key. There is a small hide which is open to the public to the left of the main hide. Cross over the bridge and go through the gate on your right, cross two fields and the hide is in the corner of the second field. Best of luck.
Roger

[markgrubb]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions- both look tempting-will get the OS map out and have a look

[devon.birder]

Re John's post, if you do go to Golitha Falls then it is worth stopping at Ninestones Bridge which is about a mile from the bottom of the hill you have to drive down opposite Jamaica Inn. You will see a large layby on your right across the road from an old bridge and a new bridge with a cattle grid. If you park in the layby then one of my favourite walks is across the bridge right up to the plantation you can see. This area is good for Willow Tit, Redpoll, Siskin, Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, Reed Bunting, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker and possibly Hobby. On your way back to Port Isaac give Davidstowe Airport a try, the runways are a bit rough on your car but you never know what you might see, the area around the ruined tower is best. Nearby, Crowdy Reservoir might be worth a look as well. Roger

[devon.birder]

Hi Mark. I went to Ninestones Bridge this afternoon and saw Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo, Dipper, Lesser Redpoll and Green Woodpecker. Plenty of Willow Warblers and a few Blackcaps but generally pretty quiet. Roger

[markgrubb]

Hi Mark. I went to Ninestones Bridge this afternoon and saw Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo, Dipper, Lesser Redpoll and Green Woodpecker. Plenty of Willow Warblers and a few Blackcaps but generally pretty quiet. Roger

Hi

As it turned out we did not get much birding done! Saturday was a beautiful warm day and my wife wanted to goto Heligan when we arrived so we spent several pleasant hours there-plenty of common migrants and species around. Sunday was also pleasant after and uncertain start so we walked a length of the North Cornish coastal path-plenty of ravens and we saw one pair on nest. Monday before our flight home we walked a length of the Camel trail-saw a couple of little egrets and picked up my first lesser whitethroat of the year. A beautiful part of the world and just sorry my trip was so short

Thanks
Mark

[devon.birder]

HI Mark. Glad you enjoyed your stay in Cornwall. You were lucky to see Lesser Whitethroat as they are scarce in Cornwall although one wintered near Hayle this year. Roger