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Description
St John's Lake is part of the tidal estuary of the River Tamar. It is an outstanding wintering spot for waders and wildfowl as well as being a stopover for migrating gulls and terns. Virtually anything can turn up here, including nationally rare birds. The mudflats exposed at low tide are rich in bivalves and other invertebrates and therefore provide important feeding habitat for wintering wildfowl and waders. Check local tide times, for birding it is really good here 3 hours either side of high tide. This tidal walk from St John to Penhale Point gives some close up views of birds before the main part of St John's Lake widens eastward.
Details
Access
Near the village of St John west of Torpoint Cornwall. There is a tidal road and ford, with a smallish car park (can flood on highest spring tides) on the south side, park here and head due east along a sandy beach that starts off really muddy. WARNING the Royal Navy training school at HMS Raleigh has a LIVE firing range that could impact on this walk, look out for RED WARNING FLAGS, in saying this I have never found this to be a problem.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Beach , Mud flats , River , Scattered trees and bushesConditions
Flat , Sandy , Wet , High water possibleCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
WinterRoute
Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
*NOTE* the Penhale point mentioned at this site is not to be confused with the seawatching site of the same name near Newquay in Cornwall.