The 20th May 2024 was an exceptional raptor-fest in West Cornwall. In addition to four Black Kites, no less than 518 Red Kite were counted passing west at Pendeen (P Combridge) and at least 500 in the Polgigga area later in the morning (KAWilson).

These numbers are a county

Curlew Sandpiper at Hayle Estuary today (2nd day). A real Cornwall rarity in Spring.

#Ukbirding

ON Sunday 26th May, Frank Hawkins found a sub adult Little Bittern at Kenidjack valley, Cornwall. Several good flight shots were obtained but sadly the bird could not be relocated. (pics below).

This is the 18th record for Cornwall and second this year, following another single

Marazion Marsh has been eventful today. The local Muscovy duck took a fancy to the local single Mute Swan.

Two male Garganey appeared on the new scrape. Both are late migrants and probably non breeders. (Only one here prior to these two, this year).

Offshore, 13 Great

Today, something astonishing has occurred in Cornwall!

The Cornwall Birds has announced today that at Par, Spit beach, 6 Eider (2f 4m) including a female with three ducklings has been photographed.

This constitutes the first breeding record of this species in Cornwall. How amazing

Just can’t get the staff, Jeff!😉

Really looking forward to tonight’s Devs game, the final match for the season.

The remarkable raptor fest in Penwith that saw the arrival of the UK's third BOOTED EAGLE (a dark morph juvenile) and over 500 Red Kite also yielded a total of 4 different BLACK KITES

Quite a spectacle this morning in the Lands End area. A staggering 518 Red Kites were counted past Pendeen this morning ( per Pete Combridge). What seemed like every single one of them eventually funnelled down to Lands End. Never seen anything like it. Fairly sure this is a

Morvah Quoit. BOOTED Eagle EAST. Just had what I am sure is the Booted Eagle heading EAST but very high. Was mobbed by 2 Red Kites. Cornwall Birds Steve Rogers

Currently looking at a large group of c. 200 Red Kite over lands End (09:15). No doubt part of the 371+ counted moving west over Marazion yesterday (Sun 19th May).

Given the history over the last few years, end of May is the peak period. We should see even more arrive in west

Hi, Red Kite is a very rare and local breeding resident with just one pair breeding in 2021, (first ever). It’s also still regarded as an uncommon passage migrant and rare winter visitor.
Cornwall has a very low tree density <10% which probably accounts for limited breeding.

Hi Steve
From past colour wing-tagged sightings, Scotland, Tyneside, Herts. Pretty much anywhere in the U.K. where tagging studies occurred. Prob a few continental birds as well, as the odd Black Kite joins them.
All the birds seem to be second and third cal non breeders, most

The annual Spring Red Kite influx is well under way in West Cornwall. I saw around 40 today though a massive 188 were recorded over Penzance on the 8th May.

By the end of May, counts will top 300 easily. This strange phenomenon where young kites visit Cornwall in May, then

This first summer male Black Redstart, found by Dave Collins, was unexpected at Housel Bay, Lizard today. Black Reds are normally early Spring migrants through Cornwall.

Otherwise it’s been a very quiet and disappointing birding weekend in Cornwall.

#Ukbirding

Common Crane at Gwithian this morning. Present since end of April when Paul Freestone saw it fly over his house!

It’s also an unringed bird.