Friday 21 October 2016

Larking about

Short Toed Lark-18th October.
The second attempt to see this bird after Joyce and I went down on the Sunday before only to be told it had been flushed by a dog 45 minutes before we arrived and it didn't reappear. So on Tuesday with no work, I tried again and it was in its favoured spot feeding in the car park, I did'nt even need to walk anywhere and had it to myself for  a while before a few other birders turned up. I have to admit though, a fairly non descript little bird ,and only so many photos I could take of it as it fed unconcerned within feet of me. Only the second I've seen after one on the Scillies a few years ago.
Short Toed Lark

Short Toed Lark

Short Toed Lark
Short Toed Lark

Short Toed Lark


Wednesday 5 October 2016

Turnstone, a real Davidstow rareity

I've seen quite a lot of rare waders on Davidstow airfield, but this is only the second Turnstone I,ve ever come across there, strange when you could just pop over to Padstow and feed loads of them your chips right at your feet., and this is also quite normal weather as well-fog.
Turnstone in the fog.

Baird's Sandpiper

3rd October
After work, as I was half way to Davidstow and I knew the light would be really good, decided to go and see if the Baird's Sandpiper was still on the airfield, on arrival only one other person there (JC) who had filmed the bird and kindly showed me where it was feeding alongside a few Dunlin .I then had it all to myself and spent a good hour watching and photographing it at close quarters. This is my fourth Baird's and all at this site over the last few years .I do like waders.
Baird's Sandpiper clearly showing the long primary projection.

Baird's Sandpiper

Baird's Sandpiper with Dunlin

Baird's Sandpiper feeding

Baird's Sandpiper

Baird's Sandpiper