Out today on the first trip of the year to the coast proper. Decided to be a bit sensible and walk, rather than run (although admittedly my running pace isn't much different to my walking pace ;-) ). Not sure, but it felt harder work (and you don't get any benefits of time gained on the downhills either). Anyway ...
Out by 9, a little later than intended, didn't go via the reservoir to make sure I had more time elsewhere, but did follow the stream down into Penryn which paid off with first Dipper for the year, seen twice briefly and also heard singing, but I didn't hang around. It 'only' took me an hour and three quarters to reach Pendennis Point (actual moving time minus stops), with a quick scan of Gorrangorras on the Penryn River on the way - 21 Redshank roosting, 6 Oystercatchers, Curlew and Teal, and 8 or 9 Blackcap in town. Unfortunately the sea was pretty much quiet, with 1 Great Northern Diver in the Carrick Roads and a few Razorbill. I did manage to scope a Whimbrel on the rocks (second target species of the day). Had hoped for Purple Sandpiper, but they aren't really regular, and there were a few fishermen on the rocks of the point ...
Around to Castle Beach and 10 roosting Turnstone, 9 Oystercatchers and ... female type Black Redstart also a target species new for the year. Half a dozen Rock Pipits too (and Grey Wagtail and a pair of flycatching Stonechat). Swanpool area held 18 Fulmar on their nesting cliffs already, but nothing new around Swanpool, although it was interesting to see it nearly frozen over and 13 Little Grebe sharing the space with the Herring Gulls and ducks. No rats at the feeding spot! Chiffchaff on the benches by the Hooked Cafe, but no Ringed Plover in their usual spot, and no sign of the Black Guillemot reported off Pennance Point in the week. Off for another quick seawatch from Pennance Point, very quiet (not even any Gannet) only a couple more Razorbill and a single 1stw Med Gull, I then headed along the coast path towards Maenporth and then the Roseland Peninsula. This was pretty much a 6-7 mile bust on slippery mud underfoot (the top layer of mud had thawed but still frozen underneath for a good chunk of the way - a bit of a nightmare in my thus unsuitable trainers). Greenshank at Maenporth, and an imm GNDiver too the highlights. Back to Swanpool where the second half of the day was kind of rescued by a couple of pods of Common Dolphin making their way east across the bay, maybe 30-40 in all and a Sparrowhawk also across the bay before diving into the woods on Pennance, and then finally a Water Rail at Swanpool alongside the stream (both finally, as in final reasonable bird of the day, and on my third time walking that side of the road).
Bit shocked at how many people were out (innumerable walkers, dog walkers, proper runners etc etc). 21 or so miles c60 bird species, 7 new for the year, although I had 10-15 targetted in my head. Don't think I'll be making that same trip in that format in a hurry (felt like hard work), although still some good birds to get along the coast and a reminder that I should get there more often now we have moved away from the coast ...
