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 initially reported as a Great White Pelican. After the photographs were 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 the bird, so I arranged to meet them at four in the morning. The bird had originally been in Europe, and it wasn't known if the bird was an escape or a true wild bird. Well, as I say, that's 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 in constant rain, but we reached Exeter services by 8.30 and had a coffee and a toilet stop. Whilst in the services car park, we had a flyover Hobby, which was a year tick for me. Carrying on down the A30, we had a 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 Scillonian and flew past Marazion and went east.
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 Michael's 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 was full of spring Bluebells
Birds of note at Loe pool were Great Spotted woodpecker, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Buzzard, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard and Herring gull.
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Buzzard
Just as we arrived back in Helston, the pager went off; the Pelican was back at Land's End, circling the area. SHIT! We were half an hour away from the bird. Malc drove us there as you do nicely and slowly!
Thankfully, Paul Freestone on @cornwallbirding on Twitter gave us updates on the bird's movements, which was much appreciated by the way, where would we 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 given us the run around, dreading that it would fly towards the Scilly Isles. A few minutes later, our shout came out that the bird was showing and flying. I soon got onto the Pelican, it flew high and started to circle over us. What a bird.
Dalmatian Pelican
Fred and Malc watching the Pelican
After good views and the usual meet and greet of people you haven't 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
Swingate's house, where we heard the Serin
After a good hour and no sign of the Serin, we headed 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 day's birding, and I arrived home just after 10.30pm. Waking up this morning and reading Birdforum and whatever 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.
. 
