Monday 25 February 2013

KNOT A BAD DAY OUT.


Sunday 24/02/2013
Wx Clear start then High cloud
Temp + 4/5c

So a very good morning to be out and about, we started of at Marazion Marsh where it was just the usual common species, although there were a couple of Gadwall but to far back for photo's, still did see the first signs of Grey Heron nesting  (see image).
We were told that there were a couple of Dark Bellied Brent Geese on the Eastern side of Marazion at Little London Beach and we decided to call back later.
We then drove into Penzance and checked out the bay from the Bus Station area and Jubilee Pool,
all we managed were a Great Northern Diver and Three Common Scoter in the bay and Three Purple Sandpipers around the pool.
We then drove through Newlyn and out towards Mousehole checking the bay as we went but it was very quiet.
So it was then back to Little London at Marazion,we walked from the car park along the beach, and were surprised to find a solitary Knot feeding among the seed weed below the sea wall. Although quite flighty did managed to get very close for some good images, then it was around the corner to Little London where we found the Brent Geese, again these were very wary and distant but still managed to get a few flight shots.  

Anyone wishing to check out local sightings in Cornwall can do so at

 http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk






KNOT.


KNOT.






GREY HERONS.





BRENT GEESE (Dark Bellied Form ).




MIXED WADER FLOCK MAINLY SANDERLING AT LITTLE LONDON BEACH.


Sunday 17 February 2013

BIRDS AT LAST.




Been having a real bird photo famine for the past few weeks, yes I have been out and seen a few things but the results have been awful and not good enough for posting.
I have visited Gwennap looking for the Yellow Browed Warbler a few times but no luck, did see plenty of Goldcrests & Firecrests but no good shots, also managed a distant Green Sandpiper.
So this morning went down to Marazion with Brian & Mark, but it was completely blown out with a real East / South Easterly blowing in.
Then we headed up over the moors looking for some Lapland & Snow Buntings that have been in the area, again no sign.
So it was back home a bit disappointed  and cold,anyway got into the house and looked at the feeders in the back garden and would you believe it there was a Brambling on the Niger Seeds.
This bird is a different one from before Christmas so good to see they are finding the feeders, well got the camera set up and grabbed a few shots a couple of which are below.
Also there is a Chiffchaff from a visit to Gwennap earlier in the week, and the Jackdaw and Starling were taken this afternoon.
So hope to be back out looking for the buntings again tomorrow !! Wish me luck.





BRAMBLING.




BRAMBLING.





CHIFFCHAFF.



JACKDAW.




STARLING.



Sunday 3 February 2013

TEHIDY COUNTRY PARK.



Well here we are another Sunday morning sitting at the PC and looking out of the window at the rain coming down.
Its a good job I managed to get out yesterday morning, even though it was blowing a gale and very cold, still wrapped up to the nines and feeling as snug as a bug in a rug.
So went down to have a look at St Gothian Sands at Godrevy, nothing unusual on the pools and most of the birds were under cover out of the wind.
Next I went up to Hells Mouth and walked along the cliffs, the wind was so strong here it nearly blew me off my feet a couple of times, still did manage to count around 33 Fulmars soaring around.
I then decided to have a change and went to Tehidy Country Park on the way home, and this was much calmer with good numbers of woodland birds on show.
Saw 3 Jays 2 Nuthatch (pity no photos) plenty of Blue and Great Tits, Finches and quite a few Ducks and Gulls on the lake.
Hope the weather gets a bit better this week as I want to get down to Gwennap  as there have been a couple of Yellow-Browed Warblers seen, have been twice but not managed to hook up with them.




JAY.




JAY.




ROBIN.




ROOK.