Lizard Point: birds to see in every season Linking the Countryside

The southern-most extremity of BIRD is well known for the natural beauty of Kynance Cove, the rugged WATCHING cliffs of Old Lizard Head and the opportunity to see our own Palores (the Chough). It is also the place I am AT THE lucky enough to explore as part of my local patch. One of the best features of Chough (© Tony Blunden) SOUTHERN birding around village is the excellent network of footpaths and TIP OF THE bridleways which centre on the village and lead out in every direction; they Local Naturalist Tony Blunden lives on UK provide a great opportunity to explore The Lizard. He is an Ecological a broad range of habitats within a two Consultant and volunteer for a range to three mile radius. The National Trust of organisations: the Conservation with Tony Lizard Point car park [SW703117] just Officer for the Cornwall Bird south of the village is a good place to Watching and Preservation Society Blunden start the day. There is good access and (CBWPS), National Trust Lizard plentiful refreshments available for Watchpoint Volunteer, British Trust for those who need coffee and cake! Ornithology and Natural . Lizard Point

If you visit in spring or summer, make sure to visit the Wildlife Watchpoint, where the friendly and knowledgeable volunteers have lots of information on local wildlife, including the popular Choughs and Grey Seals, the ever changing seabird spectacle, the range of Cetaceans (three regular species of Dolphins, Porpoise and occasional Minke Tawny Owl (© Tony Blunden) Firecrest (© Tony Blunden) Whale), and other local wildlife.

Lizard Point: This is a great spot to The Lizard Point area is also, of course, : If you head east from see in-coming migrants in spring and a good and reliable place to see Lizard Point, Church Cove [grid reference: the more impressive and protracted Choughs, while later in the summer a SW715127], with the largest concentration exiting of migrants in autumn. What walk north along the coast path to of tree cover in the area, draws woodland you see is very weather-dependent. The Kynance Cove and just beyond will breeding birds and migrants. It is here that best winds for birds are often those usually locate them. the resident "most southerly" Tawny Owls blowing south round to southwest. But and Great Spotted Woodpeckers can be with so many other factors involved, Pistol Meadow: Walking west from found. Spring birdwatching visits are often such as migration patterns and food the Point along the coast path, you enter dominated by the sights and sounds of the availability, it is always worth a look the Tamarisk clumps and valley at Pistol rookeries. The lower tree canopy any time and in any weather. Meadow [SW698116], believed to be rookeries near the church offer an the burial site of over 200 people who intriguing insight into the fascinating Determined sea watchers should head drowned when the Royal Anne troop interaction between these very intelligent east to or west towards Old ship went down on the off-lying reefs in and complex birds. Lizard Head. Both sites can provide 1720. The rocks just offshore are a reasonably close views of more pelagic good place to look for Purple Sandpiper Church Cove has built up quite a selection species. Highlights include the in winter and early spring, but don't of scarce and rare migrants; these include opportunity to spot the black belly of expect them to be as easy to see here as Black and White Warbler, Red Eyed Vireo Great Shearwater and yellow bill of at Jubilee Pool in . Here they and Night Hawk from the west, and Olive- Corys Shearwater without binoculars. have a large area of natural reef and backed Pipits, Greenish, Raddes and cliff habitat in which to make use of their Paddyfield, along with Pallas and regular The best conditions are often, although rather effective "purple" camouflage. Yellow-browed Warblers. From the south, not always, associated with windy The Tamarisks are worth a look in Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrike, and conditions and multiple, fast-moving migration season as warblers often make Melodious and Subalpine Warblers have rain fronts so take care on paths and for them when they first hit land. Yellow - been temporary residents of the valley go prepared to get wet, or just enjoy browed Warbler, Redstart and Firecrest and the pond opposite the church car what you see from the comfort of the have all been recorded here on my park has even hosted Cattle Egret! Café at the Point. walks in autumn. http://www.the-lizard.org