ST MICHEAL MOUNT ( MONOCHROME )

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Just thought I would throw a Monochrome image into the mix tonight, just to ring the changes. Its of St Micheals Mount at Marazion, and I've pulled it from the Archive.



ST MICHEALS MOUNT



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TURTLE DOVE

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The morning started dull and wet when I first looked out this morning,but decided to take a drive down to Drift Res which is the on the West side of Penzance.

The reason was there has been a Turtle Dove staying around for the past three or four days,though this is not a new bird for me I do not have any decent images of one, so was hoping I could put this right.

Upon arrival there were a couple of other birders there, but the bird had not shown, I then spoke to the chap who lives in the house and he told me it had been there earlier.

After a wait of about 30mins it flew onto the telegraph pole and wires where it would stay for a few minutes and then disappear back into the garden.

I spent the next 11/2 hours with it coming up and then flying down again for about 20 minutes, still I did manage to get a good few shots of it.

So another year tick in the bag and a few good images to boot, it don't get much better than this.

TURTLE DOVE.

TURTLE DOVE.

TURTLE DOVE.

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CANADA GOOSE, HERRING & BLACK HEADED GULL.

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Not had the chance to get out much this week, just a quick visit to Stithians Res on Wednesday Morning when I managed to see a Wood Sandpiper from the main hide.
The rest of the week has been looking after the two eldest Grandchildren and we have not had the best of weather just the odd couple of bright spells here and there.
So for tonight's pics I have dug into last Sundays outing to Drift Res, Marazion and Ryans Field at Hayle, and came up with three  common species namely Canada Goose a Herring Gull and a Black Headed Gull.
So hopefully next week will get back to normal and if the weather improves would like to get out and do some birding.

Black-Headed Gull.

Canada Goose.

Herring Gull.

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THE FRUITS OF SUMMER.

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 These images have been taken at various places over the last few weeks.

Common Toadflax.

Opposite-Leaved Golden Saxifrage.

Sheeps Bit.

Sloe Berries

With these you can make tasty Sloe Gin.

Spear Thistle.

Wild Honeysuckle.

Wild Teasel.

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DRIFT BLACK KITE

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Well it turned out to be a good Sunday Morning, after checking the St Just area near Lands End for the Black Kite that has been hanging around for nearly two weeks. Having seen no sign of it we came back to Drift Res near Penzance, and took a walk out to the hide when we were almost there Paul called out Got it and there it was over the fields at the back of the Res.

It stayed around for 50 mins though distant and at one point was being mobbed by a Buzzard and a Peregrine Falcon. It was also harried most of the time by Ravens.

Anyway it was really great to stand and watch this Lifer glide beautifully around the sky, it was just a pity I could only manage a few record shots.

So here it is..............................................

THE BLACK KITE

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STITHIANS RES

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Decided to make a long overdue visit to Stithians Reservoir yesterday morning, the forecast was good and it certainly was a lovely still Summers morning.

Started at the Golden Lion Cutoff ( for anyone who does not know the Golden Lion is an old country Inn and having just thought I will try to include a Photo at a later date) where it was very quite with only a few Coot, Little Grebes, Herons and Mallards.

So I had a quick look and drove on to the Southern Causeway Hide, water levels at the moment are beginning to get a bit low which is normal for this time of year as it exposes muddy margins.

So having a good scan I only picked up a Green Sandpiper which was to far away for pics,although I had good views in the scope.

I could make out some waders along the distant shoreline, so decided to have a walk along the East side towards the Dam. It was this walk that produced the best birding With the following species sighted.

14 Common Sandpiper.

3 Green Sandpiper.

4 Redshank.

12 Cormorants.

8 Tufted Ducks

17 Little Grebes.

1 Great Crested Grebe.

5 Grey Herons

Plus good numbers of Coot, Herring Gulls and Lesser Black Back Gulls.

Sadly the Green Sands were all to far away for photo's,.

On the walk I also noticed a few butterflies, so for the walk back I put the 100-300mm Lens on the camera to try and get a few shots.

So below is a selection of the mornings images.

Common Sandpiper at the Dam

Common Blue Damselfly.

Hedge Bindweed.

Green-Veined White.

Above and below a Cormorant at the Dam which was a real poser.

Peacock Butterfly.

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