The north coast has several valleys that are a haven for migrating passerines, particularly Lundy bay (OS SW 954 798), April and May on a warm sunny morning is best.
Port Isaac (SW 995 810) has gull and auk colonies which provide good viewing. Bounds Cliff (SX 018 813), just north of Port Isaac being the biggest colony but viewing requires a ‘scope.
The rock pools at Trebetherick (SW 925 780) are rich in marine life and has been extensively studied by North Cornwall Heritage Coast Service who run regular field days for visitors each summer out on the rock pools. Write to, Charlie David at NCDC, 3/5 Barn Lane, Bodmin, for details. In winter, Dec and Jan., is the one place within the estuary where you may be able to find Purple Sands. amid the flocks of Dunlin.
Outer Estuary : Padstow (SW 920 754) to Trebetherick
In Dec. & Jan. Slavonian Grebes can be found here at low water along with divers and other grebes. Sanderling favour the Daymer Bay side of the river, these waders are not that common on the estuary.Recent years have seen increased numbers of autumnal Med Gulls around Tregirls beach. For years there have been reports of Gyr Falcon along this section of the North Coast. Until recently they have always been disregarded. Finally it has been proved that they do appear almost annually. Stepper Point quarry has been used as roost site.
Rock (SW 929 760) to Daymer Bay (SW 928 768) - Sand Dunes
Good area for migrants in spring, seen (or heard) annually Cetti's Warbler. Brown Argus butterfly recorded here. Behind the big hill, Brea Hill, can be found an excellent site for Corn Buntings in the winter and is a notable area for dragonflies and several species of ladybirds.
Padstow
Is a working harbour where you can have close encounters with Turnstone. There is usually a Little Egret or two and if the fishing boats have just returned unusual gulls may appear. Glaucous, Iceland and Yellow–legged Herring in January or February. Med Gulls are frequent visitors and could always be found at the sewage works before it was closed. The area in front of the harbour hold large flocks of gulls in the winter, terns in the autumn, mainly Sandwich. Porthilly Bay, at Rock, has a history of sightings of other terns during the summer evenings and for sea duck, divers and grebes in winter. Porthilly point is also a roost site for waders; don’t try to go and look for them, they will see you first and be gone to the other side.
Iron Bridge and Little Petherick Creek (SW 925 740)
The best way to view this creek is by parking at Little Petherick village (SW 918 722) and walking down the Wadebridge side of the creek. It is a superb walk along this mini-estuary which holds several Greenshank in winter and about 80 Redshank. Little Egrets roost here up to about 12 birds and the hamlet of Sea Mills (SW 922 736) opposite the Iron Bridge provides an ideal setting for just sitting and enjoying the birds.
Tregonce mudflats (SW 927 743) can be scoured with a ‘scope for waders at low tide and wintering Slavonian grebes on the tide. The shoreline (SW 933 743) is ideal for Turnstone and Wigeon etc., the sandbanks hold loafing gulls, terns (autumn) and waders. In the river channel wintering Goldeneye, Red-breasted Mergansers, grebes and divers were once common, but are only occasional these days.
Pinkson Creek (SW 946 733) : Penquean quarry (SW 952 738)
Has for 40 odd years held a heronry and is a favoured roost of the Little Egrets. Little Grebes are found in the pool. Redshank and Dunlin feed around it. Good place to look for any rarities that may appear on the river. The adjacent quarry is well worth a look for migrant passerines.
Tregunna (SW 966 739)
A road leading down from Edmundton and the Quarryman pub (SW 964 727) leads to the White House on the river. There is just enough room to park two cars on the bridge that crosses over the Camel Trail. The sand bank off the White House has a large gull roost which is well worth looking at for unusual gulls, Hen Harriers have been noted in the garden during winter. There is a public hide on the Wadebridge side which looks out over the mud flats, this being the main feeding area on the estuary for waders. Note: The White House is available for holidays.
Amble salt marsh (SW 977 743)
The Camel Estuary is the only one in Cornwall on which shooting still occurs and this salt marsh is main shooting area. It is owned in part by the Duchy and the Burniere estate (SW 980 738). Several species of duck feed here including up to 300 Wigeon which is the main quarry. There is a large flock of Canadas that move around a lot and do pickup other species of geese, worthwhile checking, watch out for hybrids. Occasional Whoopers and Tundra swans in winter.
Amble marshes
An area of wet-land/farmland stretching from Chapel Amble (SW 999 752) to the Camel River includes a 40 acre reserve (SW 990 746) which can viewed from the various footpaths crossing the area. Common Snipe in winter, Green Sandpiper in Autumn, occasional Marsh Harrier and Bittern.
Wadebridge (SW 991 725)
A small market town that was the first crossing point across the river. From the bridge, Redshank and Little Grebe are regular in winter and there is a gull flock that is well worth checking. There has been an Egyptian Goose (fem.) present since 1987. Lidl supermarket’s roof (SW 988 727) has turned up Ring-billed Gulls on several occasions. Three species of woodpecker are annually noted in Wadebridge.
Sladesbridge (SX 010 714
The confluence of the rivers Camel and Allen (SX 003 715) is good for ducks and Green Sandpiper. It has also been the site where in 1908 and 1981 a Belted Kingfisher appeared. This area regularly floods during high tides and periods of heavy rain. During the autumn of 2003 the Environment Agency undertook the Sladesbridge flood relief scheme. Part of the scheme involved the restoration of a large area of wetland adjacent to the road. This area known as Clapper ponds is easily viewed from the road and there is an interchange of birds with Walmsley Sanctuary. The site is developing rapidily and with the addition of Treraven Meadow on the other side of the river it is producing some excellent birding.
Camel Trail –Shooting Platform (SX 005 997)
Old wartime shooting range, now wet meadows. Sedge & Garden Warblers breed.
Camel Trail - Grogley Halt (SX 015 685)
Kingfisher breed here, Dipper; otters.
Great Hustyn Downs (SX 007 680)
Coniferous woodland, regularly cut, has had a good birding history. Montagus Harriers used to nest here as did European Nightjars. Red deer are found here as in other surrounding woods. Long-eared owl last bred here about 14 years ago. The odd pair of Common Redpoll are recorded each year. Recommended for an evening walk in mid June, up to the top and back again. Nearest pub, Sladesbridge.
Camel Trail – Dunmere (SX 048 677)
Up river of the A389 Bodmin to Wadebridge road is the main breeding area for Kingfisher, Dipper and Grey Wags. Loads of free parking and a good pub for when you get back. The paths along the river have been provided by Bodmin Anglers. Stick to the Camel Trail unless it is clear no-one is fishing. On the other side of the river is Pencarrow woods where Wood Warblers used to nest. Next to it is the large Colquite estate which have a large shoot run by a Belgium family who are very possessive about their land, it’s not a good idea to upset them. The estate is stuffed full of pheasants, lots of Red deer and game keepers. The woodland is very old and looks very good for birdlife, but as I said, they are very possessive.
Merry Meeting (SX 090 732)
Willow tits which are far from common in Cornwall and can be found in places like this. Coomb near St. Breward (OS SX 090 764) is another good place for them. While you are there, call in at North Cornwall Aviaries where you will be able to tick off 200 or so new species.
Summary
The whole area surrounding the River Camel is a haven for birds. As a immigrant from Bolton who was used to having to travel miles to see a different
habitat. All the species associated with the various habitats are present and can be easily seen
In January there are 103 resident species present and if your luck's in you may find another 33. The worst month of the year
on the estuary is June when there are very few birds present, mainly non-breeders.