BLACKCAP

Looking at my feeders this morning I saw a bird flit onto the Fatball feeder, I realized at once it was a scarce garden visitor a Male Blackcap.
As I did not have time for any photos because we were off to do the weekly shop I hoped it would stay around until after lunch.
So around 13.00 hrs I set the camera and tripod up with the wireless remote framed on the fatball feeder,but there were a small group of four Starlings who were very persistent on getting at the food.
After about an hour and quite a few attempts to scare the Starlings off the Blackcap suddenly put in an appearance for around four seconds  and I managed around eight frames at high speed.
I took these shots from the kitchen window inside the house as if I were anywhere outside the bird would not have come to the food as it was very nervous.
So another year tick, the list stands at 99 species for January and a couple of shots are below.

BLACKCAP.

BLACKCAP.

COMMON TERN.

Spent a couple of hours at Carnsew Pool Hayle yesterday as there has been a Common Tern there for a few days.
The weather was good for a change, and I located the tern quickly although it was distant.
Still given time it came much closer and allowed me to get a few record shots.

COMMON TERN.

COMMON TERN.

COMMON TERN.

A FEW FROM THE WEEK 20/01/2013.

Although the weather is still not brilliant did manage to get out a couple of times this week and managed a few more species for the year list, which now stands at 91.
First call was last Sunday to Marazion where we had 2 Bittern, then onto Newlyn for the Black-Necked Grebe which was still showing well in the harbour.
It was then across to Carbis Bay where we managed 2 Red-Throated Divers.
Yesterday I went to a relatives house in Redruth as they have been having 3 Siskin on their feeders.
So this weeks selection of images are below. 

BLACK-NECKED GREBE.

BLACK-NECKED GREBE.

GOLDFINCH.

SISKIN.

BLACK SWAN AT PAR POOLS.

So finally managed to get out with the camera yesterday, with a trip up to Par Pools at St Austell.
Plenty of ordinary species around, but no sign of the Ring Necked Duck I was looking for, still there was this very nice Black Swan which gave some very nice close photo opportunities.
I know this is not a recognized species and is probably an escapee but its still a lovely looking bird.

BLACK SWAN.

BLACK SWAN.

BLACK SWAN.

SOMETHING'S BRING YOU TO STARK REALITY.

Popped down to Falmouth this morning for a quick look along the seafront, checked out Castle Beach and had a Black Redstart and 2 Rock Pipits and good numbers of Oystercatchers and Shags.
On the way back I looked down onto the water where I saw this Guillemot, so I set the camera up and took a shot.
Checking it out in camera I realized all was not well with the bird, it was out of reach beyond the shoreline I could not do anything and as it happened within three minutes it died.
Its never nice to witness this type of thing and I can only hope the birding will get better.
So below are four images I took of its last few moments .RIP. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well here we are 4 days into 2013 and I do not have any new images to post, the reason for this being family commitments over the Christmas and New Year, and also the horrible weather we've been having.
Anyway have to look on the bright side, it cannot last forever can it?
So only thing to do at the moment is to wish each and everyone of you warmest greetings for 2013 and may it be good to you.
By the way if anyone anywhere can let me know if they have seen the sun as I am not sure its there any more.

                                                                        

WHEN HUNGER STRIKES.

Met up with John from JR & SUE'S blog this morning at Castle Beach Falmouth so he could get the Black Redstarts and then we were going on to Swanpool to look for the Dusky Warbler.
So managed to get the Black Redstarts and got  a couple more images, we then went to look for the warbler, a few other people were looking for it but after about an hour it had still not been found so decided to call it a day.
Anyway good morning out John so thanks for that, and when I got home and looked at my images from the morning I thought I would put these up with a different twist.

EARLY MAN CATCHES THE CRAB.

CORMORANT

( Looking for breakfast ).

UNLUCKY.

TURNSTONE'S

What do you fancy for breakfast ?. 

ROCK PIPIT.

I can't find any breakfast.

GREY HERON.

Brrrr its to bleeding cold for breakfast.

FALMOUTH & SWANPOOL.

 The weather Forecast was for a much better day this morning, so decided to take a look around Falmouth and Swanpool as some decent sightings were being reported.
So started off at Castle Beach which is on the seafront at Falmouth, hoping to see some of the four Black Redstarts reported there, got pretty lucky as I managed to see Three one of which posed very nicely.
Also out in the bay were Four Common Scoter and One Great Northern Diver, but to far out for photo's.
Having spent far more time than I wanted there I then went on to Swanpool to have a quick look for a Dusky Warbler that's been there for a few days.
Sadly I did not find it as I was a bit short of time for a good look, but did get some nice images of a Chiffchaff and a very seasonal iconic Robin.
So very enjoyable morning and I am going back again tomorrow to try and hunt out the Dusky Warbler.

BLACK REDSTART.

BLACK REDSTART.

CHIFFCHAFF.

ROBIN.

WAXWINGS AT FALMOUTH

Just a quick post tonight, went down to Falmouth this afternoon to get a look at the five Waxwings that have been there for a few days.
Shot quite a lot of images am I am still processing them, thought I would load a couple taken with the 20D

WAXWING.

WAXWING.

EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING.

Woke up this morning looked out of the window and low and behold it had stopped raining, this must mean the floods are subsiding.
So got dressed lowered the gangplank and walked away from the Ark (Did let a few animals out first of course).
So decided to go to St Gothian Sands and try to catch up with the  Long Tailed duck that has been there for about a week.
On reaching the reserve I walked to the main pool after navigating my way around or through all the other pools that had formed by the recent deluge.
Over on the far side of the main pool I spotted the LTD mingling with the Tufted ducks and Pochard, so once there I set up and spent the next hour taking quite a number of shots and at one point it came very close giving excellent views.
Below are a few images from the morning. 

LONG TAILED DUCK .

LONG TAILED DUCK .

LONG TAILED DUCK .

LONG TAILED DUCK .