Saturday 29 September 2007

Another day at Agnes


Initially, the plan was to spend this 4 hour jaunt roaming around the footpaths which cut through the 'gorsey, grassy, woody, greeny' section which runs almost parallel with the coastal path. It was here, one fateful afternoon, that I found my first Stock Dove. Buggered if I was going to see that again...

I sat, waited, and other than Robins and Wrens filling the air with their tweeping, it seemed a lost cause straying from the coastal path. So, after bagging a few Chaffchiffs, finding two rather large swarms of wasps (which I walked straight into), eying up a troupe of Long Tailed Tits and watching a Fox scratch its neck, I dragged my carcass back to the cliffs.

No wind = no kestrel, but luckily I caught him perching on a rock before he took off in search of some windy action. Actually, it was very still and in tern this meant very little action from the seabird populous of Agnes. Only some Herring Gulls, an Oystercatcher and Shags could be seen. A Grey Seal was swimming around, probably enjoying the calm sea. Other than that, rather a disappointment in sea birding terms, not that I would have seen anything of any interest anyway, but still, it was rubbish, so sod off.

I decided, due to my legs seizing up and going into spasm, to park my big old booty on a plank of wood fashioned into a seat and play the waiting game. The first sighting came from a Robin and, just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, a Wren appeared. Then, thankfully, two Stonechats popped up. This didn't please the Robin, who made a swift beeline for the Chat and chased him off his perch onto another. The recovering Stonechat then had to deal with a Wren deciding to take a pop at him, but the chat didn't budge, so the Wren flew off to a bush and got slightly annoyed with himself for being so small (I assume).

On the way back a Wheatear appeared in the field next door and another appeared in the heathery spot to my left. A Buzzard flew over, a few Collared Doves pottered around and the usual crow family (Jacks, Rooks and dead rockstars seeking revenge) just, sorta, flew about, not really doing much.

Next time: Last St Agnes for a week where I find a blackbird and some soil...

Thursday 27 September 2007

Newdowns Head, St. Agnes

Well, it was with great anticipation that I begin this 'reinvented, rejuvenated and mildly pointless' blog with a rather smashing trip report from St Agnes.

The day kicked off on with a whistle stop tour of Morrisons car park, where we popped into the 'cafe ala crud' for a instant black coffee and to steal some sugar. A Black Headed Gull was parked on top of a lamppost and some other dreary things pottered around. Not the greatest of birding spots, but their donuts are excellent. Anyway, on to Agnes.

This trip included St Agnes Head and Newdowns Head and the walk began with a Kestrel showing well; 'will hover for food'. More walking was done, but nothing much appeared. Plenty of Robins, Wrens and a gaggle of crows. The only Gannet in the ocean was seen flying off and Black Backed Gulls (mostly 1st's and the odd 2nd's) flew this way and a that way.

A solitary Stonechat appeared, flitting from one perch to another before buggering off and a pair of Grey Seals floated around in a calm of the watery section before heading out of view.

I was also licked and pounced to death by a young, white boxer (dog!) called Patch. If you are the dogs owner, is he available for early evening sessions?

Fin.