Black-winged Stilts at Walmsley sanctuary, Wadebridge 8th April 2023.

 

Well who'd have thought we'd have a group of 6 Black-winged Stilts turn up at Walmsley this spring. Having raced off to Bude to see one on Tuesday it was a bit of a shock for 6 of them to turn up at our reserve, Walmsley sanctuary, on the Wednesday.

It's now Saturday and they're still there, feeding well and spreading across the site. Marsh Harrier is annoying them at times but I'm sure they will be used to these birds where they've come from.

A remote possibility they may try to breed but after last summer with 18 Glossy Ibis I've lost that hope factor! 

Here are a few images from the past few days.

 

4 of the 6 birds present

 

 

Glossy Ibis feeding on the Amble marshes, Wadebridge. 21.2.2022.

 

There were 9 Glossy Ibis feeding on the marshes today and when I first spotted them they were in bright sunshine but it was harsh & in my face so I knew that silhouettes were going to be the name of the game.

Fortunately as I was setting up my tripod they took flight and landed in a flooded field amongst a dozen Canada geese. This time the light was behind me so I gradually edged into the field and took the decision to lie flat in the wet & muddy grass and try to get some photos at ground level.

It worked and once I got settled they slowly edged toward me, so close that at times I couldn't get them in the frame.

They were very comfortable with my presence and I was wearing camouflage clothes and staying motionless except for my shutter finger....so I just let them do the stalking toward me!

Eventually I had to leave as I had an appointment so I sneaked away from them and they didn't flinch, just carried on probing the wet pasture for food.

Here are a few images.....

More Spoonbills at Walmsley sanctuary Feb/March 2021.

 

 

Well it started off with a single adult Spoonbill in at Walmsley sanctuary back in January which was joined by a second bird in the 2nd week of February.

These birds have now been joined by a third Spoonbill at the end of February.

They seem to be dividing their time between roosting in the reserve and out feeding on the Camel estuary.

These birds aren't ringed but I'm guessing are probably from Western Europe, maybe Holland, France, Spain or Portugal and will soon move on to get back there to breed. All seem to be adult birds with one in particular showing the yellowish / gold blush on the breast which is an indicator of breeding potential.

It's always exciting to watch these birds although they are possibly the most boring birds I know....they usually spend most of their daylight hours with their heads under their wings, occasionally popping out for a quick stretch or a preen. 

But...when they do put on a show they are magnificent!

Redshank displaying today on the River Camel .... 29th Jan 2020

I watched these Redshank having a bit of a tussle from a distance today.

I'm not sure if it was true aggression or even courtship.

Whatever it was they put on quite a show... I only wish they'd been a tad closer for photography.

Oystercatchers on Looe island 14th June 2018.

Oystercatcher nest with eggs partly chipped by emergent young.

Had a good day on Looe island, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust reserve in East Cornwall.

The seabirds all had either young, eggs or nests around the island with Oystercatchers in good numbers.

Some were still sitting on eggs although the fine weather had often allowed them to sit nearby and guard them from the ever present gulls.

Amazingly the Great Black-backs and the Herring Gulls were all within a few feet of the Oyks but their incredible camouflage both of the nests and the young offered some protection as these gulls all sought to feed their own growing broods.

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