Waders at Walmsley sanctuary this morning. 19th Dec 2017.

Redshank

Good numbers of waders at our local reserve this morning.

I spent 5 hours in frosty conditions in my canvas hide in the marsh (one of the privileges of being the warden!).

Lots of Black tailed Godwit (counted at 190 yesterday), Lapwing, Dunlin, also Green Sandpiper, Ruff and numerous wildfowl.


Here are a few.........

Lapwing

Lapwing

Lapwing

Lapwing

 

Black tailed Godwit

Black tailed Godwit

Black tailed Godwit

Black tailed Godwit

Black tailed Godwit

Black tailed Godwit

 

Ruff

Redshank

Grey Heron

Blackbird feeding on Pyracantha berries 20th Nov 2017.

Photographed this female Blackbird feeding on Pyracantha berries today.

Was really hoping for Fieldfare and Redwing but this practice will set me in good stead for the Waxwing invasion later in the winter!

Common Dolphins, North Cornwall 2nd & 3rd Nov 2017

2 days of being at sea with these beauties!

Lots of dolphins off our coast at the moment as the herring shoals are big and in the mouth of our estuary.

Just love being out in a boat surrounded by dolphins and diving gannets!

Glossy Ibis at Chapel Amble 29th Oct 2017

I had a tip off that there was a single Glossy Ibis in a field at Chapel Amble and sure enough there it was when I popped out there this afternoon.

This is exactly the same field that I photographed one in back in January 2012 so I reckon we must be doing something right with the water levels in the valley despite what some people say!

Great bird although a bit skittish so I may try again tomorrow if there's some good light in the morning.

Crossbills at Parc Natural Serra de Mariola in Spain

Crossbills coming to the water to drink.

Golden Eagle, Spain 2017

Main target species of the International Federation of Wildlife Photography 2017 annual congress achieved!

Thanks to my Spanish friends Jose & Vicente I was able to get this shot of a female Golden Eagle coming for prey at a site in the mountains in the nature reserve of the Victoria Laporta Carbonell Foundation near Bocairent and Alicante.

 

 

Hopefull

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Davidstow 18th Sept 2017.

This North American wader dropped in to Davidstow airfield along with a flock of Dunlin.

This site is a regular for this species which seems to get whipped across the North Atlantic regularly each year.

Very noticeable how the colours change with the different light temperature, the first ones were in good evening sunlight but the last one was later when the sun had gone!

Grey Phalarope at Helston boating lake 17th September 2017

I went down to Helston today to take a look at the Grey Phalarope which has been at the boating lake for a couple of days.

Cracking little bird and one of many that seem to be "off-course" at the moment after the storms.

Didn't have to look very hard for it as it was in the small pool near the path from the car park.

Always nice to see these little waders!

9 Cattle Egrets at Walmsley sanctuary today 4th Sept 2017

There were 9 Cattle Egrets including 2 juveniles perched on this metal bridge in our reserve at Walmsley Sanctuary near Wadebridge this afternoon.

The meadows are in flood and the farmer is also topping the grass and juncus (on the high ground) so the birds are having a feeding bonanza!

Glossy Ibis and Cattle Egrets at Walmsley. 24th Aug 2017.

Some of the 7 Glossy Ibis that were in at Walmsly sanctuary this evening and a shot of 3 of the Cattle Egrets leaving the reserve.