Newquay Birdwatching Group Spots 22 Species at Towan Head

Twenty-two bird species, eight butterflies, and one rare moth. Not bad for a sunny morning in Newquay.

Nine nature and wildlife enthusiasts gathered at Towan Head in Newquay for a birdwatching outing, and despite a few hiccups getting there, the group came away with an impressive tally of sightings.

📷Rock Pipit

A Sunny Day With a Parking Problem

The weather was on the group’s side. Sunshine and warmth brought hundreds of people down to the beach, which turned out to be a mixed blessing. With Towan Head’s car parks rammed, attendees struggled to find anywhere to leave their cars.

Some gave up and headed home. Others ended up paying a hefty sum to park at a nearby hotel just to make it to the meet-up.

📷Painted Lady

A Young Birder Joins the Group

Among those who made it was Rex, a keen budding ornithologist who came along with his mother. His enthusiasm was a highlight of the morning.

📷Small Copper

What They Spotted

Once the group got going, the sightings came thick and fast. Twenty-two species of birds were recorded over the course of the outing.

Butterflies put on a strong show too, with eight species spotted: Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady, Small Copper, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, and Common Blue.

A single moth also made an appearance, the Hummingbird Hawk Moth, a day-flying species that hovers like its namesake while feeding from flowers.

📷Humingbird Hawk Moth

Coffee and Biscuits to Finish

The morning wrapped up with a chat over coffee, tea, and biscuits. Parking woes aside, everyone who made it had a great time.

📷Overlooking the Crowded Fistral Beach

📷Group photo: Charlie Holden, David Roper, Andrea Roper, Jacqui Callcut, Lee Callcut, Rowena Castillo-Nicholls, Rob Nicholls, Rex Keen, and Lydia Keen