Alecto's Nature

Sunday, 24 May 2009

Mission Accomplished...

Not long got back, so another rush job! I went out this morning with a species target of 50 for the day and as you will see from the heading… I made it with more to spare! However, I have two “dunnos”! Well, I think I know, but they may both be life ticks so I am playing my cards close until I get a definite ID!

I am having serious problems with my camera trigger finger! Reynaud’s; The finger has been frozen, completely numb and very painful all day. It has been a nightmare using the camera. Don’t know how I will type at work on Monday if it doesn’t improve, as I'm struggling now!

Covered many miles and many areas today. One place was Bossiney where we walked up the cliffs. The Abbot being some way behind, I settled near the edge of the cliff in the grass, amongst the wild flowers and Butterflies; I lay back and looked up at the House Martins flitting above me… it was heavenly! I am grateful to live in such a beautiful County, and I will try to remember this when I am sitting in my office on Tuesday!

My pics:-

Raptor in trouble... It was difficult to watch! Not good shots with the distance, heat haze and my minimal capabilities, but you can get the picture :- ) -

Not sure what this is yet... Not had time to ID!

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A thrill for me… I’ve seen one Wheatear before, and I’ve secretly been waiting desperately to see one again. There were two :- ) Took me ages to get my finger to work though!

Again, I still need to ID this one...

My day list:-

1. Little Grebe
2. Shag
3. Cormorant
4. Little Egret
5. Heron
6. Mute Swan
7. Canada Goose + Goslings
8. Mallard
9. Fulmar
10. Guillemot
11. Buzzard
12. Kestrel
13. Pheasant
14. Moorhen
15. Coot
16. Turnstone
17. First Dunno yet!
18. Herring Gull
19. Lesser Black Backed Gull
20. Greater Black Backed Gull
21. F Pigeon
22. Woodpigeon
23. Collared Dove
24. Cuckoo (heard & hunted for a glimpse, to no avail!)
25. Swift
26. Skylark
27. House Martin
28. Swallow
29. Second Dunno yet!
30. Pied Wagtail
31. Wheatear
32. Wren
33. Dunnock
34. Robin
35. Stonechat
36. Song Thrush
37. Blackbird
38. Whitethroat
39. Sedge Warbler (heard)
40. Chiffchaff
41. Coal Tit
42. Great Tit
43. Blue Tit
44. Magpie
45. Jackdaw
46. Rook
47. Carrion Crow
48. Raven
49. Starling
50. House Sparrow
51. Chaffinch
52. Goldfinch
53. Greenfinch
54. Linnet
　

Saturday, 23 May 2009

My day...

I’ve certainly made up for my lack of use of the camera this week! Over 500 shots taken today and I only left the house for a couple of hours to visit Par late this afternoon (after spending the day cleaning and tidying in the garden!) - No waffle (you will be pleased to learn) as we have visitors!

My day list:-

1. Cormorant
2. Little Egret
3. Heron
4. Mute Swan
5. Canada Goose + Goslings
6. Mallard
7. Sparrow Hawk
8. Moorhen
9. Turnstone
10. Sandwich Tern
11. Herring Gull
12. Lesser Black Backed Gull
13. Greater Black Backed Gull
14. Woodpigeon
15. Collared Dove
16. Swift
17. House Martin
18. Swallow
19. Pied Wagtail
20. Wren
21. Dunnock
22. Robin
23. Stonechat
24. Songthrush
25. Blackbird
26. Whitethroat
27. Sedge Warbler
28. Chiffchaff
29. Coal Tit
30. Great Tit
31. Blue Tit
32. Magpie
33. Jackdaw
34. Rook
35. Carrion Crow
36. Starling
37. House Sparrow
38. Chaffinch
39. Goldfinch
40. Greenfinch
41. Linnet
42. Reed Bunting

My pics:-

Oxeye Daisy, I believe...
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Speckled Wood, I believe...
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Out for the day tomorrow so I had better take a second memory card!!!!!

Sunday, 10 May 2009

Another Life Tick... Many Raptors...

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There was a definite lack of Swift action from the garden this morning and I was aware that I had little time as I had chores in the house… The Swifts were there, but I could not catch them on camera (even when I lay on the ground - this did not help my back either!!) Feeders full and into the house I went, feeling deflated. I got on with the cleaning “swiftly”, knowing I had to clean the garden up, and get back out there with the camera as soon as I could!
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First up are the Starlings… just to demonstrate the lengths they will go to when the feeding tables are void of pellets!
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I did get some shots of Swifts later, albeit not brilliant…
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RAPTOR surprise number 1...

A Buzzard. He flew over casually, surveying the land. .

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Then, number 2. Now this one foxed me… it flew over again casually, and I got a lot of shots of it, and I am pleased to say, not bad shots for me.

Red Kite

Sparrowhawk?…

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My day list…

1. Buzzard
2. Sparrowhawk
3. Red Kite

4. H Gull
5. Woodpigeon
6. C Dove
7. Swift
8. Swallow
9. Wren (heard)
10. Dunnock
11. Robin
12. Blackbird
13. Chiffchaff (heard)
14. Coal Tit
15. Great Tit
16. Blue Tit
17. LT Tit
18. Magpie
19. Jackdaw
20. Rook
21. Carrion Crow
22. Starling
23. House Sparrow
24. Chaffinch
25. Goldfinch
26. Greenfinch
　

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Yes, I know you all know, but I did see a Golden Eagle at Stithians

:-) Sorry, but I like this post at the top!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay - It has finally sunk in...
No more miming the birds name or typing "???"...

I SAW A GOLDEN EAGLE AT STITHIANS on Sunday 19th April 2009 at approximately 12.15pm, and I want to thank all those people who have helped to ID the bird from my photos. Thank you :-)

Thanks to Matt Sallis this picture has been improved...

Some shots from my dawn/morning at Stithians....

Southern Cut Off

Main Hide

Main hide

Tuesday, 21 April 2009

:-)

Okay - It has finally sunk in...

No more miming the birds name or typing "???"...

I SAW A GOLDEN EAGLE AT STITHIANS on Sunday 19th April 2009 at approximately 12.15pm, and I want to thank all those people who have helped to ID the bird from my photos. Thank you :-)

Thanks to Matt Sallis this picture has been improved...