DALMATIAN PELICAN-WEST CORNWALL

The MEGA alert sounded early on Monday morning, reporting a Dalmatian Pelican in Cornwall. The bird had first been noted on 7 May at Gwithian, where it was initially identified as a Great White Pelican. However, once photographs began circulating online, it became clear that the bird was in fact a Dalmatian Pelican — a much rarer proposition.

The bird’s origin was uncertain. It had previously been present in continental Europe, and debate quickly arose as to whether it represented a genuine wild bird or an escape. That question would be left to the relevant committees. Regardless of the outcome, it was far too good a bird to ignore.

With Malc Curtin and Fred Fearn also keen to make the trip, we arranged to meet at 4am and headed south in persistent rain. We reached Exeter Services around 8.30am for a brief stop, during which a Hobby flew over the car park — a welcome year tick for me. Continuing down the A30, a Cuckoo flew alongside the car across Bodmin Moor, adding to the sense that the day was shaping up well.

Just as we approached Penzance, the pager sounded again: the pelican had flown over the Scillonian, passed Marazion, and headed east. We stopped at Marazion, where we met Josh Jones and Richard Bonser, who had been on site since first light but had also missed the bird. However, our luck briefly turned when we “jammed in” on a Woodchat Shrike, followed shortly afterwards by two Whimbrel flying over the reserve — quality compensation while we waited.

Woodchat shrike

Two Whimbrel flew over Marazion reserve

St Michael's Mount

With no further news, we decided to head east to Helston Boating Lake and Loe Pool in the hope that the pelican had dropped in. Despite a thorough search, there was no sign of it. The walk down through the wooded valley to Loe Pool was nonetheless beautiful, carpeted with spring Bluebells, and produced a good supporting cast including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Buzzard, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard and Herring Gull.

The wooded valley was full of spring Bluebells 

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Buzzard

Just as we returned to Helston, the pager went again: the pelican was back at Land’s End, circling the area. We were now around half an hour away — not what you want to hear when dealing with a bird capable of disappearing towards the Scilly Isles at any moment. Malc drove us back west at what might best be described as a measured pace.

Thankfully, constant updates from Paul Freestone via @cornwallbirding on Twitter kept us informed — a reminder of how invaluable social media has become for modern birding. On arrival, the bird had gone down in a wooded area, heightening the tension yet further. Then came the shout: the pelican was airborne again.

I soon got onto it as it flew high overhead, circling gracefully above us. What a bird. Massive, pale, and unmistakable — the Dalmatian Pelican put on a superb aerial display, giving prolonged views and fully justifying the effort.

Dalmatian Pelican

Fred and Malc watching the Pelican 

After the usual post-twitch catching up with familiar faces, we stayed in the area to look for a Serin around Swingate’s House near Land’s End. The bird could be heard singing from the horse paddocks, but despite a good hour’s effort, it refused to show.

Lands End

Swingate's house, where we heard the Serin 

We then headed down to Lizard Point to search for a reported female Subalpine Warbler. Again, despite extensive searching, the bird remained elusive, though Whitethroats were present in good numbers and the scenery was spectacular.

Stunning views of Lizard Point

Whitethroat

With that, we began the long drive home, arriving back just after 10.30pm after a thoroughly absorbing day in the field.

By the following morning, discussion was already raging on BirdForum about the pelican’s status — escape or wild. My view? Whatever the committees eventually decide, this was an extraordinary bird to watch, and anyone who made the effort will remember it for years to come.