Sunday 22 September 2019

White-rumped Sandpiper, Davidstow, Cornwall. 22nd September 2019.






White-rumped Sandpiper, Davidstow airfield this afternoon. Another long distance migrant from this amazing place.

This tiny wader migrates from the Arctic of North America down to the very south of South America annually.





Sunday 15 September 2019

Migrant Hawker dragonfly at Walmsley sanctuary 14th September 2019.




August & September always produce a good show of Migrant Hawkers in the reserve.
They breed here in good numbers and as the days shorten and the mornings & evenings start to chill down these dragonflies always seem to be at their best.



Friday 6 September 2019

Brown Booby in Cornwall Sept 2019




Well it had to be done!

I'd got fed up with everyone asking me "I suppose you've been down to see the Brown Booby!"

Me answering "No" and then thinking perhaps I'll pop down at the end of the week if it's still there.

So went down with a couple of friends this morning to Kynance Cove on the Lizard, the most Southerly point in England and filled my boots with the sight of a magnificent bird taking regular feeding forays in the bay beneath the high cliffs above the cove.

This is one of the most beautiful places in the UK and to be graced by such a stunning bird was even better.

The light was poor with a forecast of rain by 11 am so it put on a good show in the time we were there. The light made auto focus difficult as there wasn't the contrast particularly when it was "brown side up" but better when the white on the breast and belly showed toward the camera.

All in all well worth the trip which was relatively short compared to that of most of the other birders that thronged the clifftops.

If it stays around I may even pop down again... who knows!

It's not everyday a first for the UK turns up even if this is a different one to the north coast bird a few days ago.




Tuesday 3 September 2019

A few of this week's waders in Cornwall. 3rd Sept. 2019.

Buff breasted Sandpiper

The Buff breasted Sandpiper was at Davidstow this afternoon and when most of the birders had departed it decided to take a wash and brush up. This was the time for photos when it had other things on it's mind.


Buff breasted Sandpiper

Buff breasted Sandpiper

Buff breasted Sandpiper 

Another from Davidstow was this juvenile Ringed Plover.


Juvenile Ringed Plover.  

Finally a few Turnstones in variable plumages from Trebetherick Point last evening on the high tide.


Turnstone

Turnstone

Turnstone