Spring is in the air... My favourite time...
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Little Gems at Powderham Castle...

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Taken at Saltash. I think the one on the right is the female and quite young, as she still has juv. feathers on her wings...

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Dunnock at Dawlish Warren...

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"Swan Sanctuary"

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Today I've been busy, but I made time this afternoon, in the rain to get to Par with Trevor for an hour. We left the car for a short walk, but the rain drove us back. We parked up to watch the Canada Geese, Ducks (all Mallards as far as I could see), Gulls - Black Headed and Juv Herring (very few adults), Grey Heron, Little Egret, Coots, Moorhens, Pied Wagtails, Dunnocks, Robins, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, Chaffinches, Buzzard, Rabbits. The Swans came up to the car. Obviously less people had been out to feed them today. They settled near us, but too near for my lens really. I took a LOT of shots. I love Swans. Since I rescued a Swan with lead poisoning in my dilapidated old Mini when I was 21, I've always had a little dream that if I had a windfall I would buy some land and create a sanctuary for injured Swans. Mind you, knowing me I wouldn't be able to resist and I'd end up with all sorts!
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What a day...

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The Abbot decided he wanted to try to find the Baird’s Sandpiper and Citrine Wagtail at Marazion this morning and I really didn’t want to go. Having just started to clear the third infection in my finger tips and the nightmare it was to do the shopping in Tesco yesterday (my hands froze the minute I walked in and the pain was indescribable) so I was not looking forward to Marazion. I only took my bins as I have to expose my hands if I carry the scope. Having checked out the reserve we headed to the beach. We watched numerous Wagtails up and down the beach, but none of them delivered a Citrine. Just as we were positioned to look for the Baird’s someone rode down the beach at who knows how many miles an hour on the biggest quad bike I’ve ever seen. Needless to say the birds were flushed and way too far away to distinguish a Turnstone from a Dunlin for me let alone a Baird’s Sandpiper from a Common one! He proceeded to head towards them again at speed and they moved slightly further away. I was not amused. The other bird watchers looked non-too pleased either and they had scopes! Hands freezing and the Abbot said “let’s walk down the beach towards them”. Not likely… despite the pain in my hands it was sure to flush them further away and make every bird watcher there want to shove their scopes somewhere very uncomfortable! No, I had to go back to the car. We decided to head to Pendeen and having spoken to someone who was just leaving there when we arrived; I knew it was not looking good. They’d not had the best of mornings. He asked if we had seen the Baird’s and I explained. He said it was showing well and he was off down there and convinced me to have another go. So, after watching Gannets diving for a while, off we went back to Marazion! The conversation with the chap at Pendeen had put a bit of sparkle back and I put some effort in. The camera had been redundant all morning anyway so I grabbed my bins and the scope and with the Abbot in tow with his camera and bins off we went. A couple told me “it’s in that flock there”… Another chap had his scope on it. Then, a DOG! Flushed! We proceeded to follow them up and down the beach about five times when finally I was settled on what looked to me like the Baird’s. I asked the couple who were still next to me, explaining where I was and the chap said “YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS – that’s it… you got it! Phewwwww. My day list hit 54 surprisingly. We finished off with a scout around Par and I took my camera this time.
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Swans at Walmsley on Sunday...

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My day list:-
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1. Cormorant
2. Little Egret
3. Grey Heron
4. Mute Swan
5. Canada Goose
6. Mallard
7. Buzzard
8. Moorhen
9. Herring Gull
10. Greater Black Backed Gull
11. Woodpigeon
12. Collared Dove
13. Swift
14. Swallow
15. Pied Wagtail
16. Wren
17. Dunnock
18. Robin
19. Stonechat
20. Blackbird
21. Reed Warbler
22. Chiffchaff
23. Great Tit
24. Blue Tit
25. Coal Tit
26. Magpie
27. Jackdaw
28. Carrion Crow
29. Starling
30. House Sparrow
31. Chaffinch
32. Goldfinch
33. Greenfinch
34. Reed Bunting

I managed to get some (poor quality) shots of the Goldcrest family at Par this evening. I could hear them more than I could see them. Hopefully the Abbott got some better shots!
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My day list:-

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1. Cormorant
2. Grey Heron
3. Mute Swan
4. Canada Goose
5. Mallard
6. Moorhen
7. Herring Gull
8. Lesser Black Backed Gull
9. Greater Black Backed Gull
10. Woodpigeon
11. Collared Dove
12. Swift
13. Swallow
14. Pied Wagtail
15. Wren
16. Dunnock
17. Robin
18. Blackbird
19. Willow Warbler (heard)
20. Reed Warbler (a glimpse)
21. Chiffchaff
22. Goldcrest
23. Great Tit
24. Blue Tit
25. Coal Tit
26. Magpie
27. Jackdaw
28. Rook
29. Carrion Crow
30. Starling
31. House Sparrow
32. Chaffinch
33. Greenfinch
34. Reed Bunting
35. Linnet

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Plus:-

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Fox
Large White Butterfly (I think!)
　

Late night… but worth it and I have an easy day tomorrow!

Had a great evening; Its late, but I had to do my post! I have realised more than ever that my learning curve is only just beginning.

I met up with Derek Julian this evening (Chairman of the CBWPS) (after fighting my way through traffic!). I instantly realised he was a very hard act to follow. Thank you Derek… very much appreciated and I think we may have recruited a new member so a good evening‘s work!

I had two life ticks… Red Legged Partridge and a Grey Plover. I would never have spotted either on my own!

I have seen Hares for the first time in my life, and boxing!… A Fox that I am sure if Derek had a camera to hand he would have captured. I didn’t of course! The camera was to hand, but I was not on the ball. In fact, I have not been very dedicated to the camera at all, as can be seen from my shots.
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Okay... I get the picture, but let me have a bit of yours!
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My day list:-

1. Little Grebe
2. Little Egret (in flight)
3. Heron
4. Swan + Cygnets
5. Canada Goose
6. Mallard
7. Gadwall
8. Teal
9. Moorhen + Chicks
10. Coot
11. Black Tailed Godwit
12. Grey Plover
13. Snipe (a glimpse in mid-flight)
14. Red Legged Partridge
15. Pheasant (M & F)
16. Herring Gull
17. Woodpigeon
18. F Pigeon
19. Collared Dove
20. Swift
21. Swallow
22. Pied Wagtail
23. Wren (heard)
24. Dunnock
25. Robin
26. Blackbird
27. Chiffchaff (heard)
28. Sedge Warbler (many seen)
29. Great Tit
30. Blue Tit
31. Coal Tit
32. Magpie
33. Jackdaw
34. Carrion Crow
35. Starling
36. House Sparrow
37. Chaffinch
38. Greenfinch
39. Goldfinch
40. Reed Bunting

Also seen:-

1. Fox
2. Hares

3. Rabbits
4. Horses!
5. Sheep!

Early morning.... Late night...

I was up early stocking the feeders. The Abbot has collected some old rotting wood, and created an insect dwelling pile in the garden... already in use by the birds collecting breakfast, but soon forgotten when I turned up with goodies!!

Went out this evening and came back very late. Everyone seems to want to speak to you when you are carrying a camera... "what's about then?"... As if I'm the best person to ask !!! :-)

There are a lot of Flutterbys... That is what I was saying tonight anyway!


Newby at Par Beach - Sanderling (and I had help from the guys on Birdforum with ID!)

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