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Description
Carnsew Pool should be included as part of your visit to the Hayle Estuary. It is a tidal pool that attracts Wildfowl, Divers and Waders depending on the tide (see link to the tides table below).
In winter, especially after storms, the pool can hold Divers. All six species of diver have been seen here. The most common is Great Northern Diver, then Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver and the rarer Pacific Loon and White-billed Diver on a couple of occasions. Little Grebe are also here with sometimes up to ten birds present. You will also find both Great Cormorant and European Shag using the pool. Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal often stray from the main estuary onto Carnsew and sea ducks like Common Eider, Long-tailed Duck and Common Scoter can occasionally be found. Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser are both winter visitors here. Mediterranean Gull often congregate on the exposed mud at low tide and the pool can be good for Sandwich Tern, Common Tern and Arctic Tern during migration. Occasionally a Little Tern or Black Tern will pass through.
In early Autumn Waders can be found around the edges of the pool. The tide pushes waders up into the western end and close views can often be obtained if they are not disturbed. The pool has always been famous for attracting American waders and Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper and White-rumped Sandpiper have all been seen here. Other waders seen regularly are Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Dunlin, Common Greenshank, Common Ringed Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Grey Plover and Eurasian Oystercatcher.
Grey Heron and Little Egret can be seen around the shoreline and Common Kingfisher is a regular sight here from late Autumn through the winter. The surrounding trees and bushes hold smaller birds like Greenfinch, Linnet, European Goldfinch and occasionally Goldcrest. The path towards the beach sometimes has Northern Wheatear on migration.
Details
Access
Carnsew Pool is located at the eastern end of the Hayle Estuary. You can either park at Asda superstore (for 2 hours, please see the signs for time allowed to park) or at Ryans Field RSPB. Click on the P in the map for directions to the Asda carpark. There is a circular route around the pool (1,5 mile, 2,5 km). The path also gives good views of the bottom half of the Hayle Estuary and out to the estuary mouth. The footpath is used by dog walkers, watch where you are treading! Not all are responsible!