Birds

As well as resident birds, Cornwall with its milder climate and location attracts many migratory species, whether as a final destination or while on passage.

     Gulls

 Guillemot Uria aalge

     Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

 Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegu

     Common Sandpiper Actitus hypoleucos

 Black Tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

A large dark bird with white plumage around the throat. This is fish hunter with a yellow hooked bill and webbed feet.

Often seen on rocky perches standing upright and holding their wings out to dry after a dive.

Common Sandpiper Actitus hypoleucos

A tiny bird with thin brown legs and bill. It has a grey brown upper body and a white underbelly. It feeds at the sea’s edge on stranded small marine creatures.

Common sandpipers constantly rock their tails when looking for food.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

An average sized bird; body coloured black and white with coral pink legs. It has a long red bill that is strong enough to allow them to eat large shellfish.

They are often seen at the sea’s edge, in groups hunting for shellfish with their beaks.

Guillemot Uria aalge

This is the most common auk to be found on Cornish shores. Guillemots are expert swimmers and divers.

They have a long straight beak. Unlike the bird shown here they are typically dark black. There is a southern variety found in Cornwall, this is chocolate brown in summer changing to to grey in winter. Additionally there is a bridled variety, which has a white ring around the eye with a line running back from the eyes.

Guillemots nest on cliff ridges. They produce elongated pear shaped eggs, which will on only roll in a tight circle. Thus  limiting the risk of the eggs rolling off the narrow cliff ridges.

Black Tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

This godwit is a long-legged, wading bird. It has a straight long-bill. The combination of both these characteristics eases its identification, as there are there are only two UK bird species with a straight bill this long, plus very long legs.

Information thanks to Colin of Banbury.