Land's End Grey Catbird

Grey Catbird (Dave Soons)

First view of Grey Catbird

Fancy seeing your here. Chris Lane has arrived.

Grey Catbird

Plenty of interested parties including locals

Growing crowd

Catbird habitat

Porthgwarra

Only one snack to have in Cornwall

Black Redstart

Cliff top scenes

Chris looking for evening boozers

Porthgwarra cliffs

After being found on the 15^th October would the UK’s second recorded Grey Catbird stick until we headed down on the Friday before our pilgrimage to Scilly ? Every morning I checked the news and how often it was seen. We were 2 hours of traffic free M5 cruising then it was confirmed the bird was still present on Treeve Moor, just a stones throw from Lands end.

We arrived just after 10.30am and there were around thirty cars and fifty birders present.  There were several Stonechats and a Whinchat present as we waited for the star act. Fellow pitter, Chris Lane, popped up out of no where having travelled down the day before on public transport, so spent the rest of the day with us.

Chris recommended we switch sides which proved to be a great decision as we had only heard the call since arriving. Setting ourselves up again in this new position gave us an instant return as the Catbird popped up above the willows. Identification was instant as the views were excellent. We even managed to the see the birds dark red vent when perched above nettles on the far side.

The only other previous validated observation of a Grey Catbird was on Anglesey in October 2001 which spent most it's time hiding in thick gorse. 

After we all agreed we were happy with the Catbird sightings we wandered down to Lands End as had not actually been to the site before.

We then headed to Porthgwarra & following a traditional pasty & tea we headed up to the cliffs. The sea was quiet but Gannets, a Mediterranean Gull, Great Black-backed , 2 Common Scoter, a Kittiwake, Common & Bottle-nose Dolphins & Harbour Porpoises.

The cliffs had a Black Redstart, (another two at the Doctors house), Wheatear, Rock & Meadow Pipits and a fantastic Chough which we were all pleased with.

A final stop was Drift Reservoir where we added a single Ring-necked Duck to the trip list before retreating to the hotel for a cheeky pint to celebrate the days successes.