Goosander

Female Goosander

Female Goosander

Female Goosander at Tavistock.

This female Goosander (Mergus merganser ) was showing really well on the river at Tavistock, Devon, today, I was able to get a few half decent shots from the path as it seemed to be used to people passing by but it was eventually flushed by someones dog going in for a swim.

Green Winged Teal

A drive over to Bude marshes to look for the drake Green Winged Teal ,( or out for a duck as the wife put it ).It was where it was supposed to be, feeding fairly close to the road alongside Common Teal & Mallards, allowing me to grab one or two record shots.

Drake Green Winged Teal

Green Winged Teal

The Green Winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) is a vagrant from North America with one or two usually turning up in Cornwall & Devon in most winters.Nice bird.

Par

Drake Shoveller at Par Beach Pool

Drake Shoveller

Drake Shoveller

Drake Teal at St Andrews Pool

Herring Gull at Par Beach Pool.

A day out with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Photo Group at Par .The sun shone for what seemed like the first time in ages. I'd been hoping for a Goosander and perhaps the Ring Necked Duck which had been at Par Beach Pool recently but no joy today, but some nice views of some commoner species, in particular a lovely drake Shoveller which showed really well, and made the day worthwhile.

Stonechat.

Female Stonechat.

I photographed this female Stonechat at Siblyback resevoir in Cornwall last week, a common enough bird but one that I always find frustrating as they always seem to be that little bit too far for my lens and as soon as I get in range off they go again only to perch the same distance away again.More stealth or a longer lens needed.
However this one was'nt at all concerned and although the weather was very dull I got a few shots with a nice clear background.

Around the Exe Estuary

Female Brambling at Darts Farm

Female Brambling feeding from the birdtable at Darts farm

Record shot of one of the four Waxwing at Exeter Services.

My first trip out of the new year,a day around the Exe Estuary, and although overcast and not great for photography , a few good birds were seen including the four Waxwings at Exeter services ,a couple of Bramblings at Darts farm and a nice Black necked Grebe at Dawlish Warren, although I failed to lacate the bird I'd hope to find here ,a male Bearded Tit.but a nice day out nevertheless.