Rowena's Rarity Sightings of the Decade

I have seen and photographed all these rare species in Cornwall. For talks and presentation on my "TOP 20 RARITY SIGHTINGS of the DECADE", please contact me via email at ilovecornwall8@yahoo.com.

Top 20 Rarity Sightings of the Decade

20. Sandhill Rustic Moth
19. Silver-washed Valesina
18. Heath Fritillary Aberration
17. Grizzled Skipper Aberration
16. Silver-studded Blue Aberration
15. Long-tailed Blue 
14. Family of Choughs on the North Cornwall Coast
13. Brambling
12. Leucistic Starling
11. Snow Bunting 
10. Hawfinch
9. Purple Heron
8. Glossy Ibis
7. Grey Phalarope
6. White-rumped Sandpiper
5. Buff-breasted Sandpiper
4. Grey Cat Bird
3. Brown Booby
2. Dalmatian Pelican
1. Lammergeier, the Bearded Vulture 

Species: Grey Cat Bird
Date: 17th and 23rd October 2018
Location: Treeve Moor near Land’s End, Cornwall, UK
​Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls

Species: Brown Booby
Date: 4th September 2019
Location: Kynance Cove, Cornwall, UK
​Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls

Species: Dalmatian Pelican
Date: 16th May 2016
Location: Drift Reservoir, Cornwall, UK
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls

Species: Lammergeier, the Bearded Vulture
Date: 23rd May 2016
Location: Breney Common Nature Reserve, Cornwall, UK
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls

Sooo lucky to be the "FIRST" one to have seen and photographed the Bearded Vulture, also known as the LAMMERGEIER or OSSIFRAGE in Cornwall. Me and my husband Rob Nicholls cannot believe our luck. 

We were actually in Breney Common doing a butterfly survey in preparation for our fieldtrip on Monday, 30th May for the Cornwall Butterfly & Moth Society Fieldtrip and to see the rare Marsh Fritillary.

It was a sunny afternoon, about 2:30pm. We were looking up towards Helman Tor when a large bird, soaring high, came into sight over the ridgeline, heading in a south westerly direction. It’s just gliding gracefully in the sky. The wingspan was probably 9 feet or more, 3 metres.

It was very high, maybe up to 2,000 feet and had a small bird in tow - which was not getting too close. The small bird turned out to be a buzzard!

The Lammageier did not flap its wings. It was just gliding gracefully across the sky. It was huge and unlike anything usually seen in the skies over Cornwall.

Luckily, I was already prepared with my camera and was able to take some pictures.

We were able to watch it for about 12 minutes, before it went out of sight.

Perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime sighting.

It's nice to sometimes be in the right place, at the right time!

Other species seen in Breney Common:
Marsh Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Copper, Common Blue, Small Heath, Read Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and a lot more...

I moved to Cornwall in 2009. More or less, I've been here for a decade. I was born and raised in the Philippines. I finished a Bachelor’s Degree in Doctor of Dental Medicine at the Manila Central University. I am a Dentist by profession. But since moving to Cornwall, I had a huge career change. I have worked as a Butterfly Keeper in Eden Project and Office Administrator for Town and Country Markets. And now, I'm a Blogger and Wildlife Photographer. I'm also a Published Author of "Paloresow Kernewek, The Cornish Choughs on the North Cornwall Coast" published in 2013. I'm currently working on my next book.

My husband Rob Nicholls is a keen birdwatcher. He always takes me out walking along the scenic and picturesque Cornish coast. That's what got me into photography and my passion for bird-watching and butterfly-watching. I love taking photographs of the Cornish Choughs and Butterflies in Cornwall.

I'm a "Wildlife Advocate". I have been raising awareness on the importance of wildlife recording through my "Wildlife Matters". I have also been promoting the beauty and wonder of Cornwall with my photographs through my "Cornwall Matters".

I'm the Founder of Ladock Parish Wildlife Group. I'm also the Event Organiser, Social Media and Website Administrator.

I'm a Founder Member, Trustee and Website Administrator of Cornwall Butterfly and Moth Society.

I'm on the Committee of Campaign to Protect Rural Cornwall.

I love bird-watching and butterfly-watching. I love taking photographs of the Cornish Choughs and Butterflies in Cornwall. I'm a Volunteer Chough Watcher for the National Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

I'm a Member of the Soroptimist International St Austell and District, Ladock Women’s Institute and Probus Ladies Group. 

I feel lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to see these gorgeous rare migrant species. Being a migrant myself, I really find it fascinating to see these rare migrant species. It's really amazing that I have seen a few RARITIES, a once in a lifetime sighting.