Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust POLPIP seal survey 24th Jan 19.

Bit of a swell around Gulland island

 

 

 

Out of Padstow harbour this morning in somewhat "challenging" weather conditions for seal spotting! 

 

Very few seals hauled out and often too misty and drizzly to see the rocks or the beaches!

However lots of Auks on their ledges and lots of Gannets diving about 2 miles offshore. 

 

Cold, wet & tired but that's my kind of retirement!

 

Blow hole near Tregudda Gorge Padstow

Kittiwakes at Marble Cliffs, Porthmissen

Auks at Gulland

Auks at Gulland

Auks at Gulland

Gulland

Auks at the Mouls

Guillemots off the Mouls

Gannets

Homeward bound!

 

Temminck's Stint at Chapel Amble 8th Jan 19.

A few distant shots of this tiny wader that migrates between its High Arctic breeding range and Africa every year.

The bird is tiny and was dwarfed by a Pied Wagtail standing next to it at one time.

Common Crane at Walmsley 3rd Jan 2019 "A flying visit"!

A distant shot of this Common Crane that briefly dropped into our reserve at Walmsley sanctuary.

It may have been there overnight as it was first spotted by John Mitchell at first light but it was gone again by 11 o'clock.
Disturbed by the noisy squabblings of Canada geese it took off and soon gained height in a South-Easterly direction.

Short-eared Owl, North Cornwall. 27th Dec 2018.

After numerous visits to the North Cornwall coast I'm really pleased to get this Short-eared Owl in the late afternoon sunlight!

Xmas present to myself!

Short eared Owls... Round 3. 9th Dec 2018.

Very windy and only shots were of one of the Owls sheltering from the gales!!

Short eared Owls... Round 2. 4th Dec 2018.

I had another hour with these birds today but it was raining and the light was awful.

However they often came close and the photos are ok if you don't look too close!

2 birds were present and at one stage they did a bit of displaying together but only as the sun had set.

Hopefully they'll stay there till the sun comes back to Cornwall again!

Short eared Owls on North Cornish headland. 3rd Dec 2018.

Well, it was my turn to have a go at the Short eared Owls that have moved into the County.

Having drawn a blank a few days ago I saw the clouds part at lunchtime so decided to go again!

Not too disappointed with the results considering the fading light which forced me onto high ISO's.

There was a golden moment at about 3:30 pm when the light was perfect but no birds!

Also amazing to watch one of the birds going across the waves very low ... looked a bit odd for an owl!

Hopefully they'll stay around for a bit longer so I can get another chance.