Our Cornwall birdwatching tours are a brilliant way to see the birds which nest, feed and thrive along our coastline. From seabirds soaring above dramatic cliffs to delicate waders tiptoeing through protected estuaries, Cornwall’s unique geography and mild climate create a natural bird sanctuary quite unlike any other in Britain. Whilst there are several spots in other parts of Cornwall rich with birdlife (such as the Marazion Marsh and the Hayle estuary), today, our focus is on the North Cornish coast.
Our Feathered Friends: Why Cornwall is a Birdwatching Paradise
Cornwall is a haven for birdwatchers. The dramatic cliffs near Padstow provide ideal nesting and hunting grounds for peregrine falcons and kestrels, while places like the Camel Estuary become seasonal fishing spots for migratory ospreys in spring and autumn.
Our waters are a rich source of food for many beautiful seabirds, including large colonies of kittiwakes that spend winter months at sea and then nest on the Cornish cliffs. We’re also lucky to welcome a variety of breeding birds that journey to the UK each spring, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and Manx shearwaters.
Unique Coastal Ecosystems and Diverse Bird Species
Just off the coast near Padstow lies a small island that’s home to a rare and special sight—a small population of Atlantic puffins that return each year to breed from mid-April to mid-July.
During these months, our puffin spotting boat trips draw crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of these striking birds. But spotting them isn’t always easy—puffins are smaller than most people expect and incredibly quick, so a good pair of binoculars and a bit of patience will go a long way.
We are also very lucky to see Manx shearwater offshore from Padstow. Their presence along the Cornish coast is a reminder of the incredible journeys many seabirds make each year, and spotting their distinctive flight pattern is always a highlight for keen observers.
Manx shearwaters are true masters of the air, spending most of their lives at sea and only coming to land to breed. These elegant seabirds are most often seen gliding low over the waves in groups, using the wind to their advantage as they travel vast distances across the ocean. In spring and summer, they return to the UK’s coastal islands to nest in burrows, often under cover of darkness to avoid predators.
Around the cliffs near Padstow, you might also spot the delicate-looking but hardy kittiwake, a type of gull known for its distinctive, high-pitched call that gives it its name. Unlike other gulls, kittiwakes prefer sheer cliff faces for nesting, where they build their nests on the narrowest of ledges, often in noisy, bustling colonies.
These seabirds have striking white plumage, a pale grey back, and black-tipped wings, and they’re a familiar sight during the breeding season as they soar gracefully along the coast or return to their nests with food. Their presence is a sure sign that spring has arrived, and the cliffs are once again alive with the rhythm of nesting seabirds.
Year-Round Birdwatching Opportunities
Birdwatching is a rewarding experience no matter the season! Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just starting out, Padstow’s varied habitats offer constant opportunities to enjoy the rich diversity of birdlife throughout the year.
- Spring and Summer – This is when the cliffs and coastal paths come alive with breeding seabirds like puffins, razorbills, and kittiwakes, while estuaries and wetlands host waders and migratory visitors.
- Autumn and Winter – The county’s sheltered valleys and estuaries provide vital resting grounds for tired travellers, such as the osprey passing through on their journey south. The headlands offer strategic vantage points to witness the breathtaking spectacle of birds moving across the sea in impressive numbers. Even in winter, the birdlife doesn’t disappear—diving ducks, grebes, and overwintering waders can be spotted along the shoreline and in the Camel Estuary.
Birdwatching Tours on Our Coastal Boat Trips
Though we search for birds on all of our boat trips, we offer a specific one-hour Puffin Safari during the puffin breeding season (May to June).
This trip takes you out along the stunning Cornish coastline to nearby “Puffin Island”- a fantastic opportunity to observe these iconic seabirds in their natural habitat alongside other seabirds and, occasionally, even seals or dolphins.
With experienced guides on board to help you spot and learn about the wildlife, this short but memorable birdwatching tour in Cornwall is perfect for nature lovers of all ages.
What to Expect on Our Cornwall Birdwatching Tours
A trip with Padstow Sealife Safaris is an exciting adventure, offering the chance to encounter a wide variety of marine and birdlife. Whether you’re joining us for a shorter or a longer trip, you can expect stunning views, fascinating commentary from knowledgeable guides, and the thrill of spotting species like seals, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds in their natural environment.
Each trip is a little different, making every outing a unique experience. Our custom RIBs provide both comfort and a bit of fun, getting you close to the action while exploring caves, cliffs, and hidden coves.
Our Knowledgeable Guides and Commitment to Conservation
At Padstow Sealife Safaris, our passionate wildlife guides are at the heart of every trip, bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to help you connect with the incredible marine life and seabirds of the Cornish coast. All of our guides have backgrounds in marine biology, conservation, and ecology and are always eager to share fascinating insights about the species we encounter.
As a company, we’re deeply committed to responsible wildlife watching and marine conservation. We follow strict codes of conduct to minimise our impact on wildlife and their habitats, and we actively support local and national conservation efforts such as RSPB and the Wildlife Trust to protect Cornwall’s unique marine environment for future generations.
Resident Bird Species You Might Encounter
European Shag
The European shag is a sleek, dark-feathered seabird commonly seen along the Cornish coast, often perched on rocky outcrops with its wings outstretched to dry. Smaller and more slender than the cormorant, it has a distinctive greenish-black sheen, a narrow beak, and a telltale crest during the breeding season. Shags are expert divers and can plunge deep underwater in search of fish. They’re often spotted close to cliffs and coastal waters around Padstow, particularly during the breeding months.
Cormorant
The cormorant is a large, striking seabird often seen perched on rocks. With its long, slender neck, dark plumage, and sharp, hooked beak, the cormorant is an expert fisherman, diving deep underwater to catch its prey. Unlike many seabirds, cormorants often hunt alone, using their agility and speed to chase fish beneath the surface. They’re a common sight around Padstow, where they can frequently be seen diving or drying their wings in the sun after a successful catch.
Northern Gannet
The Northern Gannet is an impressive seabird known for its bright white plumage and black-tipped wings, along with its sharp, yellowish head. With a wingspan of up to 2 metres, it’s one of the largest seabirds in the UK. These birds are famous for their dramatic, high-speed dives into the sea, often from great heights, to catch fish.
Oystercatcher
Known for their loud, piping calls, the oystercatcher is a bird species easily recognisable by its long, bright orange beak, which it uses to forage for shellfish along the coastline. With its black and white plumage, red legs, and distinctive call, the Oystercatcher is a common sight around the Cornish shores. These birds are often seen probing the mudflats and rocky shorelines for molluscs, especially in the quieter months.
Kestrel
The kestrel is a small, agile falcon commonly seen hovering in mid-air as it searches for prey along the coastline and in the countryside. With its distinctive plumage—reddish-brown back, spotted chest, and striking black markings on the wings—it’s one of the easiest birds of prey to spot. Kestrels mainly hunt small mammals, insects, and even small birds, using their keen eyesight to locate food from a high vantage point. Their hovering flight is a signature characteristic, making them a fascinating sight for birdwatchers in Cornwall.
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine falcon is one of the world’s fastest birds, capable of reaching speeds over 200 miles per hour during its high-speed hunting dives. With its striking blue-grey feathers, white underbelly, and dark “moustache” markings, the Peregrine is a formidable predator. Often seen on cliffs and tall buildings around Cornwall, these falcons hunt primarily by swooping down on birds in mid-flight. Their remarkable speed and precision make them a thrilling sight for birdwatchers, symbolising both power and grace in the wild.
Best Times of Year for Birdwatching in Cornwall
The best time for birdwatching in Cornwall is during the spring and autumn months, when migratory species pass through on their way to and from their breeding grounds.
Spring, from March to May, offers the chance to see seabirds like puffins, razorbills, and Manx shearwaters returning to the cliffs, while autumn, from September to November, brings a wealth of migrating waders, raptors, and the possibility of spotting rarer species. However, Cornwall offers year-round birdwatching opportunities, with winter bringing sightings of overwintering ducks and seabirds, making it a great destination for bird enthusiasts no matter the season.
Book Your Cornwall Birdwatching Tour with Padstow Sealife Safaris
At Padstow Sealife Safaris, we offer a range of exciting trips throughout the season. Our 1-hour Seal Safari and 2-hour Sealife Safari run daily, with each tour providing plenty of opportunities to spot a wide variety of birdlife.
In the spring, we also offer a special 1-hour Puffin Safari, which takes you to an offshore island to experience the incredible sights and sounds of breeding seabirds. During all of our tours, we gather valuable citizen science data and contribute to our ongoing research project on Atlantic puffins, helping to monitor and protect these remarkable birds.
You can easily book any of our trips online through our website. If you have any questions or need more information before booking, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Remember to bring along a pair of binoculars so you’re all set to spot the stunning birds that grace our coastline during the tour.
