The Wonder Of Niger Seed

Summer Plumaged Black-Tailed Godwit ( Limosa limosa )

Another staggering species from Hayle Estuary, a once common species and now under threat, classified as a red Status species. Follow this link to understand Red status http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/status_explained.aspx

Ruff Enough, At Hayle

A good five hours out today with a walking encyclopedia on birds, the first stop was at Penzance to see the Rosy Starling , unfortunately no luck and we gave up within half an hour . Although the residents we met were friendly it was not the best place to bird watch. We then had news that a Waxwing was still at Treneere so it was onto Treneere, and we got some obscured views of it feeding on a Cotoneaster. How amazing is that, a Waxwing still in Cornwall at the end of March. We pessimistically went on to Kenneggy Cove hoping to see the Velvet Scoter, and after a few wrong turns we found the cove and the Velvet Scoter, what a bonus, another tick for the day. Decisions, decisions where next, we decided to go to Hayle Estuary and was I glad we did. We found six Ruff ( Philomachus pugnax) on the estuary, a species, I was yet to photograph in Cornwall. We also found a staggering Black Tailed Godwit in full summer plumage, a great day and a blog to follow with the Blackwit.

Greenland White-fronted Goose

Here are a couple of images of the Ist Winter Greenland White-fronted Goose at Drift Dam (CBWPS Reserve). This individual has overwintered mainly at Drift Dam, and if you saw it when it first appeared you will note the significant development of its white facial blaze.These images were brilliantly digiscoped by John Swann. Please note these images do not belong to me ,so if you want to use them please contact John through the comments section of this blog.

Whooper Swan At Drift Dam

I photographed this Whooper at Drift Reservoir today residing with Mute Swans, it reminds me of the Whooper I photographed at Drift last year, in all probability it is the same swan.

Woodland Birds

Lisa and I had a midweek break to Dartmoor, we took a walk around Yarner Wood and come across a couple of Siskin on feeders around a bird hide. I only took the compact camera, and sorely wished that I had taken the DSLR when presented with the opportunity to photograph woodland birds so close. There were Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was also being tracked around the woods, the Lesser Spotted had been on the feeders earlier. As usual I missed the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

Spring Is In The Air

A trip to Walmsley today in bright sunshine. My aim was to photograph the three Spoonbill and Tundra Peregrine, no luck with the peregrine and only just managed a flight shot of the Spoonbill. Plenty of Reed Bunting around and we had a reasonable views of the Pink Foot geese and the Tundra Bean Goose, we also viewed a Green Sandpiper, Black tail Godwit along with the Pochard, Gadwell, Shoveler Duck, Bullfinch etc. I had a great day with good company, namely Adrian Davey, a highly experienced wildlife photographer and known as the Andy Rouse of Launceston (lanson)http://www.adriandaveybirdphotography.co.uk/index.html have a look at his web site .

Spoonbill


Reed Bunting
Grey Heron

Three Pink Foot and One Bean

Red Legged Partridge