February 2026

19th: Seven red-throated and 2 great northern diver from The Island, and two bonxies. The usual firecrests and chiffchaffs at Boscathnoe in the morning. The two lesser scaup are still at Helston Boating Lake, and there was also an adult Mediterranean gull largely in summer plumage.

In the late afternoon I returned to Boscathnoe, reckoning that the dusky warbler may return to the north show to roost. At 17.43h in the half light I heard it, and then had a brief but decent view of it calling in the willows on the eastern shore. It took me 10 attempts to see it as it seems to go elsewhere to feed for much of the day.

17th. The Island: 2 great northern, 2 red-throated and a black-throated diver. Six purple sandpiper and a black redstart. Another fruitless trudge around the Boscathnoe quagmire was brightened up by firecrests in lichen-covered trees. At least 6 chiffchaffs and 2 little grebe present too.

16th. Ring-billed gull and a whimbrel at Lelant Old Station.

Little of yesterday's gull excitement from the Saltings, with only 3 argentatus herring gulls and 3 yellow-legged gulls spotted.

15th. No dusky warbler again - the usual firecrests, goldcrests and chiffchaffs at Boscathnoe. On the Hayle Estuary I saw 18 goosander, the adult ring-billed gull, and a presumed dark-mantled argentatus herring gull.

14th. The greater scaup is still at Longrock Pool. ca. 70 sanderling at Marazion, and a male black redstart and 5 chiffchaff at Little London Beach.

11th: Boscathnoe Reservoir: No sign of the dusky warbler. Two firecrest, goldcrest, bullfinch, ca. 5 chiffchaff and 2 blackcap.

Blackcap calling on Barnoon Hill.

200-300 gannets plunging around ca. 50 common dolphins from The Island. Two red-throated and 2 great northern diver too.

10th: There were 26 purple sandpipers on the Island today - the most I've seen there.

The tame rock pipit is always nice to see.

5th: Canada goose over Porthmeor from the walk to the Island. Three great northern diver. Harbour porpoise, and a few common dolphin. Bonxie and a purple sandpiper at lunchtime.

I saw the adult Iceland gull (left hand bird) and the adult ring-billed gull on the Hayle Estuary from Lelant Saltings.

4th: Boscathnoe: several chiffchaff and at lest 2 firecrest at the reservoir. A common pipistrelle flying in daylight. I heard the dusky warbler - or did I? I had the species on the Collins Bird App in my pocket and heard a series of calls. Could the phone have been triggered in my pocket (the icon is very small) , or did I really hear it?. Who knows! No sign of the little bunting on the surrounding farmland. Two bullfinch and 2 snipe there.

There's an eastern-type chiffchaff present too.

3rd. The Island: great northern diver, dunlin, harbour porpoise and a stranded grey seal on Porthmeor Beach.

1st. Bullfinch in Stoke Bishop.