Saturday 2nd November 2013

   Another trip to Cornwall today, hoping the Hermit Thrush is still there.

   We arrived at Porthgwarra car park at 9.45am. There were quite a few birders there, but no-one had seen it. I was told there were at least 100 birders there before the last rain storm went through, but they had mainly gone after that. It was also really windy in the valley, which won't help either…..We stayed for hours, nothing, in fact there were very few birds at all there. We gave up, and the bad day got worse, we went to St Levan, the lady parking attendant told us, "everyone who have gone looking have seen it today". So, confident we set off for the Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler that had been seen there. NOTHING!!!!!!

Common Darter

   All we got was a very late Common Darter….had to photograph it and check it for Vagrant Darter, being so late, but as my day had gone, it wasn't!!!!!!!!

Common Darter

   We moved on to the Hayle Estuary, to see if we could find the White-rumped Sandpipers that had been around. We parked at Ryans Field and walked to the hide there. They were there, at last a decent bird. Only 2 were being seen, an adult and a 1st Winter bird, there had been 3 before. They were at the far side of the flood, behind an island, but we could see them. I walked around to the road, it was a lot closer, but the light was now from the wrong direction, typical of the day i suppose! The one thing to my advantage was the tide was still coming in, and was covering the little island they were hiding behind. Gradually, it pushed them off the island, and they showed quite well, for once the clouds played a good part, they stopped the suns glare on the water, and i managed some half decent shots. Oh well, something i suppose.. Gonna stay tonight, and try again tomorrow for the Thrush! Hope my luck changes…….

White-rumped Sandpiper (Adult & 1st Winter)

White-rumped Sandpiper (Adult & 1st Winter)

White-rumped Sandpiper (Adult)

White-rumped Sandpiper (1st Winter)