The MEGA went off on the pager monday morning saying that a Dalmatian Pelican was in Cornwall.The bird had been present in Cornwall since the 7th of May when it was seen in Gwithian and was initally reported as a Great White Pelican.After photographs being viewed online the bird was reidentified as a Dalmatian. Malc Curtin and Fred Ferne were up for an early start tomorrow morning to try and connect with this mega bird so I arranged to meet them at four in the morning.The bird had originally been in Europe and it wasen't known if the bird was an escape or a true wild bird.Well as I say thats up to the powers that be to decide and discuss,whatever the outcome I was off to see it.
The drive on the way down was constant rain but we reached Exeter services by 8.30 and had a coffee and a toilet stop.Whilst in the services carpark we had a fly over Hobby which was a year tick for me.Carrying on down the A30 we had Cuckoo on Bodmin moor fly by the side of the car.
Just as we were arriving in Penzance the Pelican came out on the pager that it had flown over the Scillionian and flew past Marazion and gone east.BUGGER!
We arrived at Marazion and got out of the car and met up with Josh jones and Richard bonser who had been around since first light and had also missed the bird.Where we pulled up in the car though we jammed in on a Woodchat shrike and two flyover Whimbrel.
WOODCHAT SHRIKE
TWO WHIMBREL FLEW OVER MARAZION RESERVE
ST MICHEALS MOUNT
Having watched the Shrike we decided to head east towards Helston boating lake and Loe pool to see if the Pelican had dropped in there.There was no sign at Helston and we walked down through the wooded valley to Loe pool but there was no sign of it there either.
THE WOODED VALLEY FULL OF SPRING BLUEBELLS
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER
BUZZARD
Just has we arrived back in Helston the pager went off saying the Pelican was back at Lands end circling the area.SHIT!we were half an hour away from the bird.Malc drove us there as you do nice and slowly!NOT!
Thankfully Paul freestone on @cornwallbirding on twitter gave us updates on are way there to the birds movements which was much appreciated by the way,where would be without social media these days!Anyway when we arrived on site the Pelican had gone down in a wooded area.This bird had really gave us the run around dreading it would fly towards my beloved Scilly isles but not today PLEASE!A few minutes later shouts came out that the bird was showing and flying.I soon got on to the beast as it flew high and started to circle over us.What a bird and what ever the decision it was whapped on my list!
DALMATIAN PELICAN
FRED AND MALC WATCHING THE PELICAN
After good views and the usual meets and greets of people you havent seen since the last twitch you were on we headed back towards Lands end in search of a Serin which was around Swingates house in the horse paddocks.On arrival the Serin could be heard singing but pinning it down was another story as it was in the garden.
LANDS END
SWINGATES HOUSE WHERE WE HEARD THE SERIN
After a good hour and no sign of the Serin we headed towards back towards Lizard Point to look for a female Subalpine warbler.Again after a good search there was no sign of the bird but Whitethroats were seen in good numbers.
STUNNING VIEWS OF LIZARD POINT
WHITETHROAT
After this we made the long journey north after a great days birding and I arrived home just after 10.30pm.Waking up this morning and reading Birdforum and what ever the birding committees decide on the Dalmatian Pelican is it an escape or is it wild so what!Get out there and get the bird seen!IT'S A GREAT BIRD!
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