Baird’s Sandpiper at Drift Res today (11th Oct) for its second day. Spotted Sand seems to have moved on.

Upland Sandpiper: Scilly and Cornwall birds look like the same bird. Both have the same damage in outer right primary. Scilly above. Lower two pics are Cornwall bird.

Now the 8th Nearctic wader this autumn in Cornwall.

Yet another American wader in Cornwall. Today’s special is the 8th record of Upland Sandpiper. Found by Raoul Humphries in the Chun Downs area (nr Pendeen). The distinctive flight call was heard several times. This is also the 7th Nearctic wader this Autumn.

Drift Reservoir: the gift that keeps giving. Two new arrivals today. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper circled the res, called a few times, but didn’t stay. A juv. Pectoral Sandpiper was found later when it “dropped in”. The Spotted Sandpiper makes an incredible trio of American waders at one site.

Gannet feeding frenzy with common dolphins and tuna off Pendeen Watch last week. Estimate c. 2000 in the wider flock. Quite a sight.

Porthgwarra 27th Sep 26 1 Cory’s Shearwater (vid) 3 Bonxie 62 Manx Shearwater 7 Sooty 1 Balearic 1 juv Long-tailed Skua 2 Puffin 13 Euro Stormy

Yet another rare American wader in the county! Today’s special is a juv Spotted Sandpiper found at Drift reservoir by Paul St. Pierre. This is the 17th record for Cornwall. The last was an adult with full breast spots in August 2020. That one was also at Drift and found by Dave Flumm.

Most locals only have one or two maximum on their list. Less than annual. Vast majority occur in October, so Aug and Sept birds make you wonder.

First decent picture Andy. Two males present yesterday (20th Sept) plus two other female or Juv types as well. Like you say, pretty rare in these parts.

Long-tailed Shrike at Eastleach Martin (7th Sept) in all its glory. Taken just a few days before departure. Thanks to the finder, refinder and farmer for the parking.

Thanks Mark. Definitely a challenge.

Four key pics of the moulting first summer Short-billed Dowitcher at Drift Res (14th Sept). Observed for a couple hours before a Peregrine spooked it and then flew off high. It was video’d and the Turnstone-like call recorded. First record for Cornwall.

Great video Paul. Glad you connected so quickly.

Thank you Chris.

Really not sure Paul. Fifth or sixth for the uk? Def first for Cornwall.

Short-billed Dowitcher, adult in moult at Drift Res this afternoon (14th Sept). Delighted to find it but will admit that was a difficult id in this plumage. Thanks to Killian Mullarney for confirming id.

Glad I twitched this beauty on the 7th Sept. Now hearing it’s moved on. Surely a candidate for bird of the year?

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Colliford Res (7th Sep). Third of the Autumn in Cornwall. Someone with a drone (not a birder) flushed the lot after I left. I haven’t heard reports of it being there today.