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 species.

The bird’s origin was uncertain. It had previously been present in continental Europe, and debate quickly arose over whether it was a genuine wild bird or an escapee. 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.

WHISKERED TERNS-SANDBACH FLASHES

I woke this morning to messages reporting two Whiskered Terns at Sandbach Flashes — a first record for the site. With the birds still present, I made my way over without delay.

On arrival, I met up with Phil Locker, who quickly put me onto the birds. Both terns were showing well at Elton Hall Flash, spending time preening on fence posts at the end of the spit before taking short flights around the flash, allowing excellent comparison with nearby Common Terns.

The two Whiskered Terns

 Common Tern and Whiskered Tern 

 Whiskered tern in flight 

The pair had been present in Nottinghamshire the previous day before moving on to Cheshire, and they remained on site for just a single day. They have since continued their journey north and are now reported in Cleveland.

Other notable species during the visit included Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, and Common Tern, adding further interest to an already productive morning.

Birders on site

A thoroughly enjoyable visit, made all the better by good views of a quality rarity and the chance to catch up with many familiar faces on site.

KENTISH PLOVER RETURNS FOR A DAY AND AN EVENING IN THE EASTERN HILLS

Having missed a very showy adult male Kentish Plover at Audenshaw Reservoir, Greater Manchester, the previous week due to work commitments — and being thoroughly annoyed about it — I was delighted when news broke that the bird had reappeared. With the day free, I rang Malc Curtin, who was keen to join me, and we headed over together.

On arrival, we walked the reservoir margins, enduring a constant assault from midges, before eventually locating the bird. The Kentish Plover showed exceptionally well and appeared completely unfazed by our presence, allowing prolonged views.

Kentish Plover

This record represents the first Kentish Plover for Greater Manchester since 1980, and with the species becoming increasingly scarce inland, it was a remarkable occurrence — made all the better by the bird’s return a week after initially being missed.

 Teggs Nose Country Park-Eastern Hills

Bullfinch

After dropping Malc back in Northwich, I continued on to Teggs Nose Country Park, spending over an hour searching unsuccessfully for Pied Flycatchers. Somewhat worryingly, there was also no sign of Redstart. The area felt notably quiet, though Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were present in good numbers, and a pair of Bullfinches was seen near the stream.

 Mandarin Duck

 Pied Flycatcher

 Trentabank Reservoir

I then moved on to Trentabank Reservoir, where I connected with the resident Mandarin Duck and soon heard a Pied Flycatcher calling. After a short search, I located a singing male in the trees around the picnic area, which showed superbly and sang almost continuously — a very welcome turnaround after earlier frustration.

The final stop was Wildboarclough, where a walk along the river again failed to produce Redstart, but did yield Dipper, Stock Dove, and Grey Wagtail, rounding off a satisfying afternoon.

 Dipper

 Stock Dove

 Grey Wagtail

Wildboarclough

Another excellent day in the field, and with easterly winds forecast for the weekend, expectations are already rising. Bring on the next mega.

ACRE NOOK AND LAPWING POOL BIRD SIGHTINGS

Acre Nook Sightings:

On the 26th, a Reed warbler was calling from the reeds along with a Cuckoo calling from the other side of the quarry. Shelduck numbers have now dwindled down to 6, along with only 2 Teal. Goldfinches, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow warblers are now in good numbers. The Sandwich tern is still present on the 3rd May, it has now been in the area for the last 15 days, also 4 Dunlin were present along with another Little ringed plover. 26 Lapwing and 4 Oystercatcher, 9 Shelduck were also present. A male and female Goosander were seen on the 5th. A Green woodpecker was present on the 6th in its usual tree and is still calling for a mate. 2 Grey lag geese and 4 Canada's remain on each visit.

 Goldfinch

 Green Woodpecker

 Grey Lag Goose

  The Sandwich Tern has now been in the area for the last 15 days

 Swallows are back in good numbers

 Oystercatchers

Two Goosander showed on the 5th 

Four Dunlin and a Little Ringed Plover flew in on the 3rd May 

Lapwing Pool sightings:

Well over 300 Sand martins were present on the 26th, along with good numbers of  Swallows and House Martins. Numbers have now dwindled over the pool, and the Swallows have taken up residence at the local farm. Tufted ducks remain in good numbers on each visit, along with 3 Little Grebe and 17 Coot. 2 Jays were seen flying across to Acre Nook on the 5th. A Mistle Thrush and Grey Wagtail were seen on the 9th May.

Mistle Thrush

 Grey Wagtail

Another good couple of weeks on the patch, and thankfully, due to longer days. I'm trying to visit after work as well.

 Sunset over Lapwing Pool