The great Cornish sardine mystery! Marazion 22.12.2016.

Rumours are rife about the cause of all these fish being washed ashore in Cornwall this winter.

Whatever the cause it's an awful waste of both life and food. Whether they ended up on plates, in tins, in the stomachs of dolphins, tuna or whales, or even better swimming free in the Atlantic ocean anything would have been better than this!

I'm not sure whether the gulls were sated or are waiting for the storms to break the fish down into more palatable pieces but they weren't eating very many despite the high numbers of both dead fish and live gulls!

I doubt we'll ever know the real reason!

Nevertheless it is an interesting event and one I've not come across before.

If it's Penzance it must be Purple Sandpipers! 22.12.2016.

Purple Sandpipers... one of the "must see birds" if you're in Penzance in the winter!

Super birds!

Eastern Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides) at Mousehole, Cornwall 22.12.2016

I had a day "down West" yesterday when I caught up with the beautiful Eastern Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides) that has been spending its days looking at the famous Mousehole Christmas Lights!

Instantly recognisable as a member of the Robin / Chat family but very different from our usual over-wintering Black Redstarts.

Well worth a visit for those with time to spare over the Xmas break!

Bearded Tits on the Somerset Levels 25th October 2016

Male Bearded Tit

I had a great day yesterday tracking down these beautiful birds on the Somerset Levels.

There were quite a few pairs and they were coming down to grit and seed that had been put out in different areas of the Avalon Marshes.

Such a treat to see despite having to lie flat out on the ground to get my best images!

Male Bearded Tit

Female Bearded Tit

Female Bearded Tit

Female Bearded Tit

Male Bearded Tit

Dalmatian Pelican on the River Camel 24th Sept 2016.

The much travelled Dalmatian Pelican turned up on our river yesterday when it was spotted off Porthilley.

This morning I photographed it on the Dinham flats from the Camel trail opposite Whitehouse, Tregunna.

I saw it in Penzance a few months back but it's always great to see it on the Camel.

With a wingspan of between 9 and a half and 11 feet it's an impressive sight!

Common or European Starlings

I spent this morning trawling the runways and old broken down buildings of Davidstow airfield in an unsuccessful attempt to find rare waders and an elusive Rose-coloured Starling.

What I did find were a few common starlings but in the beautiful sunlight they looked anything but common!
Stunning glossy colours and super spotty plumage.

They were feeding on leatherjackets and doing it quite well so the predicted influx of craneflies should benefit them if it ever happens!

Catching a leatherjacket

Juvenile starling

Waders at Davidstow this afternoon 14th September 2016

American Golden Plover

Managed to catch up with the American Golden Plover this afternoon and good to see it with our regular Eurasian Golden Plover for comparison.

Also several Curlew Sandpipers, a Ruff, Dunlin & Ringed Plover.

Unfortunately couldn't find the Buff-breasted Sandpiper !

Popular place for birdwatchers today!

American Golden Plover with Eurasian Golden Plover and Curlew Sandpiper

Ruff

Ruff

Curlew Sandpiper

Juvenile Ringed Plover

Dunlin

Cornwall Wildlife Trust Photo Group field trip to Breney Common reserve 4th September 2016.

Common frog

 

 

An overcast day with a few bright intervals gave us ideal lighting for a variety of subjects today at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust reserve at Breney Common near Bodmin.

Common Blue Damselfly

 

Bee in Bindweed flower

Fungi on a fungi

Boletus

Boletus

Common Darter

Common Darter

Orb Spider spp.

Bee fly?

Emerald Damselflies in cop.