West Cornwall with Reuben

Yesterday I was keen to get down west to see the White Rumped Sandpiper at Gwithian for my year list . I got up extra early and arrived on site at dawn in case the dog walkers flushed the bird, happily for me this little stunner was very showy and very tame so I left it feeding away on the little puddle keen to go back in the afternoon and get some photographs in better light. Next stop was Porthgwarra and on the way I picked up Reuben who was keenly waiting by the roadside. We had a nice walk around Porthgwarra without turning up anything rare. Several Bramblings overhead were also new to my year list whilst on the ground some Firecrest's and 3 Black Redstarts added a bit of quality. The Vis Mig never really got going but we enjoyed seeing some Stock Doves, Reed Buntings, Siskins and Golden Plover.

An obliging Kestrel at Porthgwarra

Stock Doves migrating at Porthgwarra

Firecrest Porthgwarra

White Rumped Sandpiper

What a stunning bird this White Rumped Sandpiper is

Next stop was Sennen and we took our time checking the fields for Richards Pipit but we only flushed a few Snipe, ( Reuben beat me 8 Snipe - 4 Snipe!) . A Merlin put in a brief appearance and on a recently ploughed field we saw several Med Gulls, a single Common Gull and some Lapwings.


Time was ticking and we made our way up to Reubens local patch , the Hayle Estuary. Plenty of common waders were on show as well as 2 Spoonbills feeding at close quarters in the main channel. Finally it was back to Gwithian and we enjoyed crippling views and great photographs of the White Rumped, Pete also came down after work to enjoy this cracking yankee ( and to make sure I didn't get too far ahead in the yearlisting!). Despite missing the Richards Pipits it was a great day out in not so great birding conditions. Monday is going to be the big day!