 They are also home to a variety of wildlife including a colony of rare purple sandpiper ("Calidris maritima") which shows a preference for rocky shores.Most of the sandpipers wintering in Cornwall are probably from the Canadian arctic and the rejection of the proposed development of Penzance harbour (see below), reduced the threat to the local flock.In June 1739 war seemed imminent with France, and a "Petition for great guns" was sent to the Government by the Corporation of Penzance, which was answered on the condition that a battery was built to house them.