Wilson's Storm-petrel
This unique birding tour to the Southwest Peninsula in early autumn offers truly magnificent birding, spectacular scenery and a sense of adventure as we endeavour to savour some of the very best birding the UK has to offer. Visiting the Cornish valleys and headlands famed for attracting migrating birds, we will also be based close to the RSPB reserves of Marazion and Hayle where a wealth of shorebirds, wildfowl and warblers may occur on passage. Our experience in this region is unrivalled and we will be assisted throughout the Cornish leg of our visit by local guide John Swann. Heading out to the Isles of Scilly onboard the Scillonian MV, an odyssey of pelagic birding awaits, as we have one full and two half day trips arranged to search for some of the most sought after seabirds occurring in British waters. Onboard the Sapphire, skippered by Joe Pender and assisted by renowned seabird expert Bob Flood, we will be searching for the enigmatic Wilson’s Storm Petrel among other species. The Sapphire has been involved for several years in the pioneering pelagic trips for which the islands have become famous, and has recorded several Fea’s Petrel, Swinhoe’s Petrel and Scopoli’s Shearwater as well as regular Cory’s, Sooty and Great Shearwaters among the commoner seabirds. Crucially, we will have the opportunity to study these seabirds at extremely close quarters, something which is not possible from the larger cross-channel ferries that seem to dominate the pelagic scene at the moment. On occasions European Storm Petrels can be seen in their hundreds, and scarcer species such as Pomarine and Long-tailed Skuas and Sabine’s Gull might also be encountered. The catching and tagging of Bue Sharks by our skipper is always an interesting experience! Our base on Scilly will be the Mincarlo Guest House on the largest island, St Mary’s, and in Cornwall, we will stay at Medwidden Farm which is within easy reach of all the best birding locations of the Penwith District. With free time on the islands themselves, we will also have the opportunity to search for migrants and catch up with anything unusual that might be around. This may see us venture to Tresco or one of the other islands (ferry costs not included). This is a good time for a Melodious Warbler or other vagrant from the continent to appear, and shorebirds can include Buff-breasted or Pectoral Sandpipers. The return crossing on the Scillonian gives us a chance to hone our seabird ID skills once more, and we arrive back in Penzance in the evening. Birding in West Cornwall during mid August can produce some interesting species as the passerine migration is just getting underway. Traditionally, this is a great time for Aquatic Warbler to put in an appearance at Marazion, although the species has become rare in recent years. A Spotted Crake is sometimes feeding around the muddy margins with the numerous Water Rail and perhaps a Garganey or Wood Sandpiper will be found among the reedy pools. Hayle Estuary can always turn up a surprise though Mediterranean Gull, Common Greenshank, Common Kingfisher and Sandpipers are likely. The valleys can be quiet if the winds are from the west but Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Beautiful Demoiselle add non-birding interest and of course the Red-billed Choughs are in the area. Perhaps a migrant Pied Flycatcher or Whinchat will round off what will have been an excellent few days birding.
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