Monday 23 September 2019

Buff Breasted Sandpipers.

6th & 18th September 2019.

Davidstow airfield in Cornwall seems to be coming up with the goodies again this year after last autumns disappointing showing with two ( or maybe three) Buff Breasted Sandpipers giving birders super views in the last week or so and a White Rumped Sandpiper turning up yesterday, (which I,ve yet to go and see ,hopefully it will stay around for a little longer). This must be THE best site to see Buff Breasted Sandpiper as at least one turns up most autumns, one of my favourite birds. Who knows what may turn up in the next few weeks.





Saturday 21 September 2019

Brown Booby

1st and 6th September 2019.

A potential first confirmed record in the U.K  the Brown Booby was found off St Ives and was just to much for me not to go and see, although I had to work and waited for the weekend to drive west to try. My first attempt to see it was with Joyce , the bird had been off Godrevy  (overlooking St Ives bay) on the previous evening but alas on this morning it was not relocated, and not seen all day, I tried to tell my self that oh well we tried, its just a bird ,Im sure get over it, that is until the next day when it ( or even a second individual) was relocated at Kynance. Again more frustration as I had to work but I put in an extra shift to finish a job on the Thursday so that I could make an early morning trip down to Kynance Cove on Friday. On arrival a crowd of birders were on the cliffs and I was told the bird was still present, a walk up and down the steep coastal path and eventually saw the bird ,only problem was even through a scope it was just a distant speck resting on a rock. So a wait ensued until finally the Booby took to the air and flew around the bays giving better views, a quick dash to a better viewpoint where we watched the bird making a few forays around the bay where I was sat, and a few fly pasts, but never lingering in one place for long. Well worth the trip, seeing a great new bird in a beautiful location and managing a few record shots.
Kynance Cove

Brown Booby

Brown Booby

Brown Booby

Brown Booby

Brown Booby

Saturday 14 September 2019

Painted Lady.

August - September 2019.

2019 has been a Painted Lady year with nearly half a million being recorded in the u.k,  so probably twice that many here. They arrive as migrants from N.Africa, the Middle East and Asia, (what an incredible journey for a Butterfly), they breed, with thistles being one of the favourite food plants for the caterpillars to feed on. They do not hibernate or over winter here , some making the return trip and others dying. Our garden has had its fair share of these beautiful Butterflies and I have spent a little time trying to get a few decent photos.
Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Thursday 12 September 2019

Hungary July 2019.

THE BEST OF THE REST.  The last from the trip to Hungary (promise).
Pygmy Cormorant

Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Tern

Great Crested Grebe

Hawfinch 

Hawfinch male

Hawfinch juvenile

Hawfinch juvenile

Turtle Dove

Two Turtle Doves

Turtle Dove drinking

Turtle Dove

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow

Black Redstart female

Black Redstart male

Roe Deer

Grasshopper

Tree Frog found in a damp meadow