Situated just one mile to the north-east of
Land`s End , Sennen Cove is ideally situated to receive regular visits from
migrating birds - which inevitably will include the occasional scarce or rare
species.
Though only a small area, the Cove boasts a wide variation in
habitat - from rocky shoreline through lush vegitation to short-grass and
heather clifftop. |
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The
large expanse of Sennen Beach hosts quite large numbers of gulls , with
regular flocks of up to 100 Lesser black-backed during early autumn on migration
; and similar numbers of Black-headed Gulls which are absent only during
the breeding period between April and July. Flocks of up to 40 Sandwich
Terns can be seen in spring and autumn , with a sprinkling of Common Terns
. Small numbers of Sanderling and Ringed Plover also occur.
|
 2 |
Cowloe
Reef lies just to the west of Sennen Cove and is a much-used roosting site
for Gulls, Oystercatchers, Curlew, Whimbrel , Terns (mainly Sandwich) ,
Shag - and flocks of Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper.
Cowloe can be easily viewed with a telescope from the Harbour Car Park at
the Cove.
The reef covers at high water- spring tides , and this is often a good time
to explore the breakwater and Polpesa areas . |
 3 |
The
rocks to the west of the breakwater at Sennen Harbour, known locally as
Polpesa, provide a regular high-water roost for waders and gulls displaced
from Cowloe Reef. Flocks of around a dozen Turnstones and Purple Sandpipers
are present from early autumn through to late spring. A few Knot and Dunlin
pass through in autumn, as does the odd Redshank and Ringed Plover. Grey
Plover can occur in winter ; and up to 40 Oystercatchers are present for
most of the year. |
 4 |
A
large area of Privet and other trees and shrubs border the Sennen Beach
Car Park.
Looking straight out onto the Atlantic Ocean , surely one day this `patch`
will host an American warbler.
The footpath from here skirts the sand-dunes on its way to Vellandreath
- a few hundred yards to the east. |
 5 |
Just
a short walk up the cliff path at the western end of the Cove to reach the
headland at Pedn-Men-Du . Superb views here to Land`s End and beyond.
The clifftop terrain is mainly short-cropped grass - this is a very good
spot for Wheatear in both srping and autumn. Small flocks of Whimbrel also
frequent the area in spring.
In autumn quite large numbers of Meadow Pipit mix with the resident Linnet
and Stonechat ; and one autumn a few years ago a superb flock of 25 Snow
Bunting were present here for a couple of weeks. |
 6 |
A
recently-established cycle path runs from Sennen to Land`s End , with fields
on its eastern side and cliff scrubland to the west. Part way along the
path, a large overgrown fowling pool provides a special habitat with good
potential for rare species.Common Whitethroat are plentiful in the summer,
with the occasional Grasshopper Warbler and a few Sedge Warblers.
The cycle path might not look very nice, but it does provide easy access
to this lovely place. |
