American Robin in Cornwall (1 Viewer)

[Cuckoo-shrike]

Here is the current situation on this.
A friend of mine, all-round naturalist Paul Gainey, found an unusual thrush yesterday, which he identified as an American Robin when he got home. He phoned a few associates, including me. It was on private land, but apparently the landowner seems tolerant of the occasional visitor.
I refound the bird at 8.30 this morning - a juvenile, and it showed itself very well. Another friend arrived and we eventually refound it after a long search. By this time a few locals had turned up and it soon became clear that the news had been leaked and was on the national bird-lines. The owner had by now been contacted by the National Trust warden, whose tenant runs some cattle on the land. The last I heard, he wanted everyone off forthwith!
The warden is going to try and persuade the owner to allow access in exchange for financial incentives.
I'm lucky to have seen it, but I'm afraid the gun has been jumped yet again by the bird-lines.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Hi Aquila,

Great stuff although a shame about the problems with the birdlines. I think on Birdguides they were at least saying that there wasn't any access at present but that's not going to stop a big crowd turning up regardless.

I get the impression that there are also privacy issues of a different kind with the Northern Oriole that's turned up in Oxford (!), with birders parking in the wrong places etc.

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

Hi Fifebirder, yes it's unfortunate. If there's no access, why put the news out? The bird is on a grazed dune system, so there may be botanical interests which could possibly be jeopardised by trampling, but I doubt it, bearing in mind that there are plenty of heifers already charging around. The bird seems healthy and is feeding well, with plenty of patches of scrub to dive behind, so I don't think the bird's welfare is an issue either.
But at the end of the day, it's up to the landowner. Let's hope the prospect of a few hundred quid towards his favourite local charity will swing it for him.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Latest message from Birdguides: "the bird is on private land, but can be seen from the gateway occasionaly - DO NOT ENTER PRIVATE LAND." Hope things get sorted out.

 

[seb salas]

Access has now been granted. I'm off now!!!

 

[Reader]

good luck to all those going down to see it but spare a thought for poor old Andrew who was right by there over the weekend.

 

[postcardcv]

A bird I can only dream of...

I have an idea that my wife and daughter may not feel that an 800 mile round trip to see one is there idea of a fun weekend.

 

[Edward woodwood]

if you do go, don't do anything naughty.......

 

[Pie Face]

if you do go, don't do anything naughty.......

I'll be on my bestest behaviour, I'm off tonight. Looks like I owe you another one Aquila, assuming that it's still there in the morning. :t:

Mark

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

Mine's a Guinness Mark, but I think the National Trust warden deserves the credit for arranging access. Good luck!

 

[Pie Face]

Mine's a Guinness Mark, but I think the National Trust warden deserves the credit for arranging access. Good luck!

Agreed. I must admit my heart sank after reading, on the pager, that there was no access. Godrevy is one of my favourite places in Cornwall. Is the cliff top car park still open?

Mark

B Oye get your hands off Aquila's pint.

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

Mark, do you mean the car-park by the cafe and National Trust hut? Yes, it is open and it's only a short walk up the road to the bird from there. It certainly is a beautiful spot. I also had a Lap bunting up there this morning and 3 Eider on the sea just off the beach. AND I still had time for a winter atlas survey tetrad this afto'!
A spot of Guinness this evening will be the perfect end to a super day. Good luck to everyone who makes the trip.

 

[Ashley beolens]

From what I heard the Northern Oriole in Oxford was the same, news was not meant to be put out (the bird had been there 3 days including today) as the person whos garden it was seen in did not want people going there (the small street is cramped). But as with most things, information will always leak out, so it is often best to just put out news and not give locations as no access is available. It stops the rumours (Ovenbird anyone!!).

 

[Jasonbirder]

But surely putting the news out and the consequent likelihood of a mass arrival is what prompted the negotiations and granting of access....if the bird had been supressed access would never have been negotiated and people would have missed the opportunity to com and see the bird.

I`m conducting a big presentation at work tomorrow, so lets hope it stays around till wednesday?!?

In some ways i`m suprised access was granted as it has been my experience over a number of years that the people in South-West Cornwall can be some of the rudest and most unhelpful I have encountered in the whole of the country...I have been staying in the area for at least two, usually three weeks per year for the last ten years on family holidays (that doesn`t include birding trips - I can understand people being rude with scruffy looking birders!) and in the process have had my car blocked in by a 4x4 because someone objected to me parking outside their house (on a road where parking is allowed), been accused of stealing a "private drive" sign (why on earth would you?), been greeted with clenched fist and some of the most colourful language I have ever encountered at Porthgwarra whilst asking for directions to our holiday cottage and most recently been shifted on by a garage owner while standing under his garage canopy sheltering from a heavy downpour.

Bearing in mind this is a region absolutely, completely dependent on tourism for its economic survival, I would estimate I have probably spent about £30 - 40,000 in the region by the time you include accomadation over the last ten years but this year we decided we`d had enough - the CRA "Cornish Resistance Army" graffitti we encountered on roadside signs finally convincing us we weren`t welcome....this year we are booked for a fortnight in Southern Ireland - lets hope the locals are friendlier!!

 

[Darrell Clegg]

I got there at about 1.00pm The Landowner requires a donation for the local Methodist Church - please give generously. The bird is settled and feeding well on open ground, thought it occasionally goes in amongst the brambles. THERE IS NO NEED TO FLUSH THE BIRD AT ALL!!!!!!!! Wait patiently (by the dead cow!!) and you will be rewarded with stunning views.

Here is a quick video grab - I've just got in. No doubt better pictures will appear soon.

Darrell

 

[Andrew]

Ooh I feel faint, I was near the bird (if it was there) on Saturday.

Anyone going past Junction 27 of the M5?

 

[pauco]

Jason, you could not meet friendlier people in
north or southern Ireland, the whole south coast is sheer beauty, plus the bays and beaches, and
not forgetting the birding.

 

[Pie Face]

I got there at about 1.00pm The Landowner requires a donation for the local Methodist Church - please give generously. The bird is settled and feeding well on open ground, thought it occasionally goes in amongst the brambles. THERE IS NO NEED TO FLUSH THE BIRD AT ALL!!!!!!!! Wait patiently (by the dead cow!!) and you will be rewarded with stunning views.

Here is a quick video grab - I've just got in. No doubt better pictures will appear soon.

Darrell

Thanks for the tip Darrell not rude or unhelpful at all.

Mark

 

[Michael Frankis]

I got there at about 1.00pm The Landowner requires a donation for the local Methodist Church - please give generously. The bird is settled and feeding well on open ground, thought it occasionally goes in amongst the brambles. THERE IS NO NEED TO FLUSH THE BIRD AT ALL!!!!!!!! Wait patiently (by the dead cow!!) and you will be rewarded with stunning views.

Hi Darrell,

Just a small 'correction' - the landowner can request a donation, but he can't require it - that would be illegal

Michael

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

So we disagree again Jason!

You think the stick rather than the carrot is the best approach then? The landowner is threatened with the prospect of mass trespass because the news is out and they're on their way. Why is that preferable to keeping it quiet until the landowner has had the situation explained to him, and that he can expect donations IF he agrees to grant access?

In the first instance, if he decides to be unco-operative and call in the police, many birders waste a journey, don't see the bird and mayhem ensues. If the carrot approach is adopted and he's unco-operative, you get the same result without the wasted journey and the mayhem.

Anyhow, the owner has agreed to access, thanks to the stirling efforts of the National trust warden, who was actually under no obligation to get involved at all.

Clearly the owner can't be Cornish, right Jason? I'm so offended by your remarks I'm going cancel my holiday in Notts next year.......