Kingfishers. Cornwall May 30th 2016.

A few images of kingfishers at the nest that I've taken over the past 2 days.

I got fed up with photographing them on a perch so these are a few that I've tried to capture in flight both alighting on the perch or leaving it.

Dalmatian Pelican in Cornwall 28th May 2016.

Well I finally caught up with the elusive Pelican very early this morning at the 3rd attempt.

I left home just after 04:30 and drove down to Penzance in the fog but luckily was greeted by a beautiful day down in Mounts Bay.

The bird had roosted at Drift and put on a bit of a show for me!

Swifts 23rd May 2016

Over 30 swifts hunting over the edge of Walmsley Bird Sanctuary this evening.

Fantastic to watch but a major test of my focusing ability!

My arms and neck aching as they darted in every direction over my head.

It was however easy to see why they were having a feeding frenzy because the air was thick with flying insects.

Brown Hare at Walmsley Bird Sanctuary this evening ..3rd May 2016

This Brown Hare thought it had seen something... namely Me!.... so it stood on it's hind legs to get a better view and thankfully posed better for the photograph!

The reserve is as good a place as I know in Cornwall for Brown Hares.

A good day of birding over the border in Devon...28th April 2016

Dartford Warbler

Spent the day in East Devon today with visits to Aylesbeare Common, Woodbury Common & Stover Lake.

Found some Dartford warblers that weren't on territory and managed to grab a couple of shots.

At Stover there were 3 Common Sandpipers right in front of the hide and spent a lot of time with them.

Also Great crested Grebes, Mandarin Duck, Coots with young and GS Woodpecker.

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

 

 

 

 

Mallard duckling

A Robin with half of his head feathers missing!

Coot family

Coot chick

Mandarin drake

Great crested Grebes

Great crested Grebes

Great crested Grebe

 

Great spotted Woodpecker

Adders on the Cornish coast 26th April 2016

Despite the very strong and bitterly cold North westerly gale blowing today there were a few adders sunning themselves on the south facing slopes in the sunshine.

Most of these pics are of a small juvenile about 10 inches long.

Adult female

Adult male

Harbour porpoise off North Cornish coast 22nd April 2016

We came across a small group of Harbour Porpoise whilst counting seals on yesterday's survey near The Quies off Trevose Head.

Always good to see despite the thick drizzle that hung around for all of the day.

They aren't the most glamorous of the cetaceans and rarely spend much time being visible above water but good to know they're there!

Photos were taken in colour but it was such poor weather they look black & white!