Day with Dan (13th October)

A near full days birding with Dan doing the WeBS count as well as some general/enjoyable birding.  Nothing spectacular of note but still a fun day.

Helston Boating Lake was our usual first stop where a good scan of the lake produced the numerous Mallard we had been expecting along with the long-staying Whooper Swan.  The sewage far held Goldcrest and Grey Wagtail as it still wasn't cold enough to draw in many other warblers.

Moving on to Loe Pool, we clocked up a min total of 16+ Snipe, 3 Dunlin, 1 Water Rail, 2 Grey Wagtails and the usual selection of other wildfowl.  We were making our way round toward Carminowe Creek, stopping regularly on the way, when I picked up on a high pitched "tseee" call.  Coming closer, the call became much more audible.  It was in fact a very clear grating "tsreee", that of a TREE PIPIT!  It was unmistakable but still a bizarre record as it seems rather late for this summer migrant still to be in the area.  It continued strongly westwards directly overhead calling a further 3-4 times before being lost out of earshot as it went over the back of Bar Walk Plantation.  We compared the call to both Olive-backed and Red-throated Pipit directly afterwards but it did not fit either as it was more of a monotonous and drawn-out scratchy/grating flight call.  From Loe Bar, I picked up on a lifer, a pod of c.10 COMMON DOLPHINS!  They came closer into the bay, occasionally clearing the water entirely before moving closer inshore and towards the bar affording adequate views.  We continued wandering back after getting our fair share of views adding Peregrine, 3 Wheatear and Stonechats to our day list before reaching the car park where we chanced upon a mixed group of White Wagtails and Pied Wagtails.

Next stop was Croft Pascoe and Hayle Kimbro where the combined total came to 2 Mallard, hardly the reward we were hoping for in our diversion down to the Lizard!

A brief check at Stithians on route back to Falmouth was a little more productive as we found 1 Ruff and a Dunlin on the muddy margins of the southern end of the reservoir.  A Ringed Plover also flew in and a Wheatear was also skirting the muddy banks.

Once back in Falmouth, we made a brief check of Gorrangorras, noting a single Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 3 Dunlin and 4 Bar-tailed Godwit.

Rather frustratingly, my camera did not store the photos I took of the dolphins despite taking about 20 odd pics!  It did decide to keep the photos I took of the Wheatear though, bizarre!  In fact my memory card even refuses to be forcefully pushed into my camera.  About time I smashed it against my desk like I did with my previous one...