The most visually obvious and vocal bird is the red-billed chough - the iconic emblem of Cornwall -  a bird that has made a remarkable comeback to these cliffs over the last decade. Crow-like in size and colour, it has a curved red bill and red legs. It is most often seen in wheeling, acrobatic flight - with its raucous ‘cheeeow’ call. In autumn it is not unusual to see flocks of up to 60 over the reserve - probably the largest gathering in the country.

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Another notable species is the secretive grasshopper warbler - a wonderful little bird that is rarely seen.  It arrives from its overwintering grounds in Africa in spring, but its trilling grasshopper-like call can be heard throughout late spring and summer. The best time to hear it is on a warm spring morning on the more open ground around the ponds and coastal slope. It sings well into dusk and is often the last bird to be heard.

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Rose-an-Hale cove itself is much less accessible than neighbouring Treen cove and, as such, is a refuge for choughs, seals, fulmars and shags.

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Look out from Lean point. Seals are common, especially in rough weather. Basking sharks and sunfish are occasionally seen and the tidal race off Gurnards Head attracts common dolphins and the rare Risso’s dolphins to feed - even an occasional bluefin tuna.

 

Much of the wildlife though is to be found closer to home - the ponds’ dragonflies, newts and sticklebacks are easy to see. Oil beetles burrow into the paths, warblers sing from the blackthorn.

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All you need do is sit quietly - watch and listen.