Polzeath, Cornwall

[dav56]

I have just booked a weeks holiday in Polzeath (not far from Padstow) in Cornwall starting next Sat. Can you tell me if there are any good birding areas around there, at this time of year?

Thanks
Dave

[Jason Green]

Around Cornwall, try the Hayle Estuary or the RSPB reserve, Marazion Marsh. I'm not sure of the proximity of these to Polzeath, though. As a whole, Cornwall has a lot of wildlife.

[hobble]

Hayle estuary and the Lizard. The Lizard is beautiful. There have been a pair of breeding choughs on the Lizard since 2001 and successful offspring.
Peregrines, kestrels and buzzards on the north coast.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by dav56

I have just booked a weeks holiday in Polzeath (not far from Padstow) in Cornwall starting next Sat. Can you tell me if there are any good birding areas around there, at this time of year?

Thanks
Dave

Padstow is quite a way from Hale and the lizard but you could go for the day..This time of year your less likely to run into the bottle neck on A30..

[stephen p]

Hi Dave,

i go to this part of Cornwall every year.
The Camel estuary is great for Birds, about an hour after the tide is out go along to the Estuary by Padstow, you can go along the camel Trail, and you will see Little Egrets, Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Sandpipers, Grey Herons, Turnstones, Curlew, Snipe and more. But deffinetly get a tide time book to get there at the right time.
And if you are really lucky you might see the Gyr Falcon over at Stepper Point, (walk to far point of padstow harbour and follow the path to the monument at the top of hill).

Hope this helps as it's really close to where you are staying.

Cheers,

Stephen

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by stephen p

Hi Dave,

i go to this part of Cornwall every year.
The Camel estuary is great for Birds, about an hour after the tide is out go along to the Estuary by Padstow, you can go along the camel Trail, and you will see Little Egrets, Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Sandpipers, Grey Herons, Turnstones, Curlew, Snipe and more. But deffinetly get a tide time book to get there at the right time.
And if you are really lucky you might see the Gyr Falcon over at Stepper Point, (walk to far point of padstow harbour and follow the path to the monument at the top of hill).

Hope this helps as it's really close to where you are staying.

Cheers,

Stephen

Don't think the Gyr's been around this winter, but was certainly there last year, though elusive at times. I'm pretty sure John went down to see it!

[galanthus]

I saw my only eva spoonbill on the Hayle estuary............. fond memories

[Tursiops2]

Kepp your eyes open for Cattle Egrets, there have been quite a few wintering in the SW this winter, most of them in Cornwall
T2

[Bucknallbear]

Pop over the other side of the estuary and go to Trevone Light House and walk around the cliffs. Year before last we saw one Peregrine stoop on a pigeon while the male looked on from an off-shore rock. Another pair flew over while we were watching. That's right, four Peregrines in view at the same time and if you see one dive it is awesome!

Along the footpath you also get a lot of other birds such as stonechats, finches etc etc and you get very nice views of the aerial performances of the fulmars. They are worth just sitting down and watching for 20 minutes.

Peter

[dav56]

Thankyou for all of your replies. I am looking forward to going to Cornwall even more now.

Dave