WEEKEND ROUNDUP 06/12/09

Normally I like the winter months, for the clarity of light and the low sun creating long shadows which brings an extra dimension to photography. But this year its been a total washout so far with the wettest November on record, and so far December is not much better. At least we have had a relativly dry day today with just the odd heavy shower, so took the chance to go onto Stithians Res this morning. I was hoping a short cold spell in the north of the UK may have driven some wintering wildfowl, :ie Goosander or Goldeneye southwards,but nothing was seen although the Warden Simon Taylor said he had three female Goldeneye on the res yesterday morning. So it was back to photographing normal species. The Meadow Pipit was in the scrub in front of the main hide, and the Rook was taken through the window at home which is why the image is slightly soft.
The others were taken on the Res at Sththians.

STITHIANS RESERVOIR AND THE B.H.G.D.C.

Rather a dreary start to yesterday morning but at least it was dry and overcast , so decided to make an overdue visit to Stithians Res. Started off at the Golden Lion Cutoff and not a lot happening, just a few Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Teal and Grey Heron.
It was then on to the Southern Cutoff hide where there was plenty of activity around the feeders (The warden Simon Taylor keeps a superb feeding station), Species seen Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tit, Dunnock, Wren, Blackbird, Robin. On the water just a few Widgeon, Coot and a Grey Heron.
So then it was over to the Southern hide on the main Res, Opened the door, dropped the gear sat down and lifted one of the flaps.The place was full of Black Headed Gulls but why? Then it dawned on me the last Saturday in November is the Date for

THE BLACK HEADED GULL DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

ABOVE IS THE AJUDICATOR A RATHER STRICT NO NONSENSE FELLOW.

FIRST UP WERE THE NOVICES JUST SETTING OUT ON THE ROAD TO FAME.

THEN CAME THE INTERMEDIATES MAKING QUITE A SPLASH BUT NOT GETTING IT QUITE RIGHT.

THE SUPPORTERS WERE A ROWDY BUNCH VERY VOCAL IN SHOUTING FOR THEIR FAVOURITES.

FINALLY THE OVERALL CHAMPION WHO'S PERFORMANCE OF PRECISION AND SKILL LEFT EVERYONE SCREAMING AND FLAPPING THEIR WINGS IN A FRENZY OF APPRECIATION.

WADING THROUGH THE ARCHIVES

So here we are into the forth week of these storms that are sweeping in off the Atlantic, we are very lucky down here in the SW as the water drains away very quickly and we dont get the problems the poor folk have got up in the NW. We all feel for them and the situation they are in, and hope it improves very soon.
Not being able to get out with the camera I am running out of new material to post, so it was back to wading through the archives.
Now I enjoy seeing the Waders which turn up on our shores and Reservoirs from Autumn through to late Spring, So I dug into my Wader Folder and came up with todays selection, most of these are common birds albiet passage migrants or overwintering on our shores. I have posted a couple  of rare vagrants these are the Buff Breasted Sandpiper and the Spotted Sandpiper which have turned up over the last few years.

THINGS WE TAKE FORGRANTED

How often during the course of our daily routines do we take things forgranted, like the bird that flits onto a branch, "Oh its only a Blue Tit, or that butterfly that's only a Speckled Wood" and we just give them a cursory glance. Maybe just maybe we should slow down and take a longer look, for without them if we are searching for rarietes and less common species we would have very little to admire during  our days. I am just as guilty of this as everyone else, for I have had the inserted images in my web folder for months just waiting for an opportunity to use them.But this better bird or insect turns up and they are left for another day. Well that day has come and I am posting a set of Bird images which we will see most  days on our travels here in the UK. So next time you hear that bird singing in a tree, or that butterfly land on a bush pause for a moment and take a look, you could be rewarded with a thing of great beauty.

PACIFIC DIVER AT CARNSEW POOL

Sitting down after lunch today and I got a phone call from my Friend Mark to say that there was a rare Pacific Diver in Carnsew Pool on the Hayle Estuary. Needles to say as this is only 20mins away I grabed my camera and bins and was off  like a rocket. On arrival I parked the car and took the ten minute walk to where they were standing. It was still there but quite far out, anyway took a lot of pics over the next hour, then it decided to depart. It did a couple of circuits overhead and then head for the mouth of the Estuary. So below are a selection of shots of this fine bird, and some clearly show the black chinstrap whis is the main identifying point for this species. On the way back we stopped and took a few shots of Med Gulls in flight. I also throw in a Curlew for good measure.

TRURO A PLACE TO GET YOU IN- SPIRED

The City of Truro is very small by modern city standards, but as the old saying goes "They don't make Diamonds as big as Bricks" because what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in beauty and Character. The first thing you notice is the Cathedral with its Three Spires which dominates the skyline and can be seen from every part of the city.Add to this a mix of modern and traditional shops, Bars and Resturants which cater for every taste. There is also a museum and The Hall for Cornwall offers nightly entertainment from Comedy to Pop, Classical, Plays and Ballet from touring companies across the UK and the rest of the world. During the day stroll along some of the smaller streets and along the small river which runs through the city into the Truro river which in turn enters the River Fal that runs out into the English Channel. Or maybe walk past the museum a short distance and you will find the Emporium of SW Optics run by Steve and his assistant Kate where if they are not busy you can stick your head inside for a pleasant hello and admire all the bins and scopes and cameras on offer. If you walk on about 100m on the right you will find Victoria Gardens which is well worth a visit. So I hope I have given you a small insight into what this beautiful City has to offer, The following set of photo's were taken in early September, and show the main shopping area's during a shopping trip with my wife. In the future I hope to show more of the unique features this City has to offer.

AUTUMN'S STING IN THE TAIL

Well we did survive the biggest storm of the winter so far on Saturday,and boy it blew a hoolie with a good washing of rain for good measure. Anyway today was a big improvement Dry and sunny with a moderate Southerly wind. So this morning I went to the small Parish of Gwennap about a mile from home as there is a good diversity of habitat in this area. On pulling up in a layby  an adult Jay landed about 50ft in front of the car, good start but I could not get out with the camera as I would spook it. Took two shots through the front screen but they were rubbish.  So it was around to the back  to get the tripod,looked over the hedge and across the small field in some trees were two pairs of Bullfinch's feeding, but to far off for photo's. This was how it went for the rest of the morning, saw Ravens, Buzzards, Chiffchaffs Finch flocks, various Tits even a pair of Mallards in a small pool, but everthing was off before I could get shots.Went home about 10.30am as I promised the wife we would go out for a few hours,very frustrating morning but some good sightings for future reference.

On returning home this afternoon I went out to replenish my bird feeders and on the fencepost by the back gate was this very large Common Wasp which I took to be a Queen, so it was out with the Macro lens and ringflash, at least I would get a few pic's of something to end the day. So I leave you with these two images.