Cory’s Shearwater at Porthgwarra, Cornwall

Thursday 1 September was a long day. Mum and I still needed to see Cory’s Shearwater. They are annual from Cornwall but during late July and August when we are away birding abroad. This year, we were home a week earlier than usual, with a week left in August. This was the week we had to try for one.

We got up at 3 am, travelled down to Porthgwarra, Cornwall to Seawatch. We were hoping to see Cory’s Shearwater, one of 4 birds that occur in Britain, that are non-rarities and which I haven’t seen. However, no luck and after a bit of birding in the area, we headed home only to be stuck in post-holiday traffic on the motorway. We arrived home 14 hours after leaving, exhausted. We’re decided to try again the next day as the winds are looking good if Dad could face the traffic again.

It was lovely to be back at Porthgwarra, where in 2009 we saw a very rare Black-browed Albatross come in from the sea and fly around in a circle and then on past us.

Chris Craig and Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

We were back down to Porthgwarra in Cornwall this morning, leaving at 3 am. We arrived at the same time as our good friends John Pegdon and Dan Pointon. By the time we got to the sea watching spot, they had already seen a Cory’s Shearwater! Luckily Dan called another one and got us into it, so big thanks to him. That was the first of 12 Cory’s Shearwater that I saw as well as a couple of Great Shearwater, Manx, Balearic and Sooty Shearwater. Cory’s Shearwater was Mum’s last British non-rarity, so we’ll be done. Thanks, Dad for driving us down there, especially with all the post-school holiday traffic.