Moorland & Sea

13th January 2025

 

Half a days birding started today on a very breezy and cold piece of Moorland local to me. I haven't named this place due to schedule 1 birds on site and the risk of any possible disturbances especially in the breeding season.

There were lots of the more common bird's I've already seen this year including Carrion Crow, Robin, Blue Tit & Dunnock. At the peak of the hill a flock of finches came over giving a very distinctive call which were (37) Linnets and a new birds. This area is old Imerys (China Clay) land which has been left to be re-wilded.  

 

 

The next bird viewed from on top of the hill was a nice one for the area in (38) Great Black-backed Gull. This was seen on the body of water with the cross shaped island at the bottom of the picture. No ducks sadly but this was a great bird for the inland area.  

 

 

 

Then it was off to Pentewan Sands to look at the sea and try and get some Seagulls. I had to drive down through St.Austell Town so kept my eyes out for the local town pigeons which were abundant flying over the roofs. (39) Feral Pigeon is added to the 2025 list for the year.  

 

 

I got to Pentewan Sands but sadly the sea was very rough which meant sea watching would be very tricky. It was fine for gulls though and luckily the shore had good numbers on them. The St.Austell River empties into the sea here and the gulls love it to wash in to keep the feathers in good shape. Even for a seagull salt water isn't that great for you and birds can flock in quite good numbers.

 

New birds seen included (40) Lesser Black-backed Gull, (41) Common Gull and one of my favorite's the (42) Mediterranean Gull.

 

Mediterranean Gull (Centre) with Black-headed Gulls

Birds seen on the shoreline were (41) Oystercatcher and a couple of very noisy (42) Rock Pipit. Some other birds I was hoping to get were Blackcap, Stonechat, Goosander who has been seen on the river recently and Dipper but no luck

Then It was back to work the next day but I did get a great tick early morning on the 15th January when I had a (43) Woodcock come up and over the car at Lanjeth. This is within my circle on my drive to work.