Mute Swans courtship & mating. Wadebridge, Cornwall 23rd March 2020

 When I first saw this pair of swans they were well into their courtship so I didn't have time to change the big 500mm lens and just had to go with it and get some close ups.

It all started quite romantically & ended the same with just the actual mating process looking a bit violent but anyone who has seen a female mallard being seduced by about 10 drakes then this was quite placid!

They do seem to have very discoloured heads and necks possibly due to iron ore in the water, not sure, but we do see it commonly on swans and they seem to suffer no ill effects.

Little Egret on the marshes this afternoon. 16th March 2020

After several fruitless hours sitting in the marsh I finally got lucky when I spotted this Little Egret flying toward me.

I managed to lock the focus onto him and he then spent a few minutes hunting unsuccessfully in front of my camera.

I'm thinking this might be my favoured "self-isolation" place for the next few months if this virus panic continues.

Hen Harrier "ringtail" at Walmsley sanctuary, Wadebridge 3rd March 2020.

This cracking "ringtail" Hen Harrier was quartering the marshes this afternoon, often in good light.

It put all the birds to flight other than the Canada Geese & the Spoonbill who all treated it with indifference.

There was one at the reserve a few days ago but this one looks to be a different bird but maybeI'm just seeing it in the sunshine for a change!

Anyway here are a few more photos of it hunting at the sanctuary today.