Ison and Daurian

Title of the blog sounds like a firm of solicitors but in fact relates to two different hobbies of mine that are literally light years apart - birding and astronomy. After yesterdays chuffers I had debated going to Shetland for a few days tempted by the discovery of a Thick-billed Warbler but eventually accepted a lift to Cornwall so up and away by the ungodly hour of 2am.

A comfy break at Exeter coincided with clear sky’s so once we were on the A30 in complete darkness we pulled over and searched for Comet ISON as it heads towards the sun and passing Mars so not to hard to find in a scope. This comet was only discovered last September when it was 584 million miles away. The night sky was brilliant but we needed to push on.

First port of call was around the Pendeen area with a trio of goodies in the shape of Daurian Shrike, Yellow-browed Warbler and 3 Wryneck plus a supporting cast of Snow Bunting, Whinchat, Raven and Peregrine before it was time for a proper birders breakfast. Stomach satisfied we pushed on to Treen for a Richards Pipit where I rested while the remaining crew checked out Porthgwarra, Kenidjack Valley and St Levan managing 2 more Yellow-browed’s, Balerics Shearwater, and Lapland Bunting. Final stop was the Hayle estuary where we had Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-winged Stilt, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint and an Osprey perched. Bit far for a day out but well worth it if you can cope with bum ache.