More from the weekend...

I really do like to see birds from different angles; with different expressions and going about the daily business that being a bird entails. This Songthrush kept me amused for a good while!


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It was a pleasure to spend time watching Oystercatchers preening and enjoying a little sunshine..

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We stayed local this morning. I wanted to walk to Spit Beach, but I didn’t think I would manage it, as my feet are not good again so we started off at Manoa and then to Par BP. I ended up walking all the way around the pool so I suppose I could have managed Spit! I am suffering for it now mind you. The highlights of PBP had to be close up views of Snipe in flight and male and female Bullfinch together. Yes, it really is that time of year again; love is in the air and the sound of the spring chorus is incredible. We had a quick look in the bay too, before heading up to Menabilly Barton and on to St Andrews Pool. This afternoon we went over to Colliford to look for the Black Duck. Located a Black Duck look-alike sleeping in some reeds. Only problem is it never woke! I watched and watched, but there was no movement. It appeared to be facing us, with its head tucked over its body and facing left. I convinced myself I could see the bill and the outline of the eye. I drew a sketch for a guy from Devon who was watching it with me. He then drew a sketch, which was completely the opposite of mine. (Later he rescinded and decided mine was more like it – he’s obviously well trained by his wife who was sitting in the car patiently waiting to get home!) It’s no good though… I just cannot tick it because it didn’t move. It could have been anything!

The day list was a very confident 68, including the Firecrest in the garden first thing, which gave me hope that it would be a good day. I took so many pictures, it was a struggle to decide which ones to put up!

Marsh Tit at St Andrews - Thanks to a nice lady for feeding them :-)

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Springtime blooms...

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Redwing (behind PBP)...

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Dunnock - PBP...

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Songthrush - PBP...

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Oystercatcher enjoying the sunshine at PBP...

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Wren at Manoa - I really struggled to get this shot!

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Trouble at PBP... I was watching the Adult Lesser Black-Backed Gull and the Juv. H Gull came from no-where... I have no idea what the LBB did to deserve what ensued. They were some distance away, so the images are not good, but I had to put them up - I don't get action shots very often!

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Victory!

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If looks could kill...

Happy New Year

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My first post since before Christmas. My PC (well the Society's PC) is out of action and I normally use that to put my posts up, as, if Trevor is in the house he is welded to the PC! I have special permission to use it this evening as I saw Roger today and he asked about my Dipper photos, so I thought I had better put them up. The PC should be back tomorrow (I hope) - if not my work is doomed and it's the busiest time of year for the membership.

Unfortunately the problems I've been having hit my feet just before Christmas, so as well as my loosing the use of my hands I was struggling to walk. Another visit to the hospital in a week or so to see what's happening!

A phone call from Sam and Derek on New Years Day morning stirred me and we were off to Par. Thank you both for getting me out (even though I could not stay out long enough for the life tick!).

So here's what I have for the last few days... Par, St Andrews Pool, Manoa Valley.

Happy New Year to you all and I hope to be able to catch up with everyone soon.


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I spent a good couple of hours at the back doorstep watching the garden today on a very needed head count. With the dark mornings and dark nights I don’t get accurate head counts in the winter so today was the ideal opportunity as I HAD to stay in. I was rewarded… My first sight of GS Woodpecker in the garden for months… Redwing in the trees. Bullfinch, Blackcap, Firecrest and Goldcrest all showed themselves!

I took some pictures, but the light was not good, as usual at the moment so I’ve put up the best of a bad bunch!

So, my garden day list today:-

1. Herring Gull
2. Woodpigeon
3. Collared Dove
4. Great Spotted Woodpecker (male)
5. Pied Wagtail
6. Wren (heard)
7. Dunnock
8. Robin
9. Redwing
10. Blackbird
11. Blackcap (M & F)
12. Goldcrest
13. Firecrest
14. Great Tit
15. Blue Tit
16. Coal Tit
17. Long Tailed Tit
18. Magpie
19. Jay
20. Carrion Crow
21. Starling
22. House Sparrow
23. Chaffinch
24. Bullfinch


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