Cornwall and back...to Pagham

Its been a little while since my last blog as we have been on holiday in Cornwall...Porthcothan Bay to be precise near Padstow in the  north of the county. Birding was quiet with very little of interest during the week. We just missed the Red Eyed Vireo at Porthgwarra which was seen both before and after the week we were there! Typical!
The bay itself has very limited birdlife save for Rock Pipits and Pied Wagtail so I had to satisfy myself with these species....

...but there were lots of Portuguese Man 'o War 'jellyfish' on the beaches!! (these are actually a species of siphonophore,a group of animals that are closely related to jellyfish).

However the birds...

Rock Pipits

A small stream ran into the rocky bay which proved particularly popular with the Wagtails as a washing and preening area.

Pied Wagtail

A Pheasant in a tree one morning created some novelty value ...

...and there was a resident Robin.

On the hillside Stonechats were noted in the gorse but they  were generally unapproachable hence this flight (blur) photo..

Once back at Pagham a quick recce of the Spit produced an interesting list of birds with a lot of the winter geese and ducks now present including a pair of Pochards on the Lagoon. Pick of the few photos taken herewith!...

Reed Bunting

Greenfinch

Wren

Goldfinches enjoying the plentiful teazles

Thats it for now....but I did see a Kingfisher this morning and a local dog walker told me of an owl that flew up a few feet in front of her...presumably a Short Eared Owl from the description...so worth keeping an eye out for!