Lesser Kestrel

5th May 2026. After recently watching Lesser Kestrels in Spain I certainly did'nt expect to be seeing one in Cornwall a couple of weeks later. This male had been around for a few days at Goonhilly on the Lizard. On arrival a few people were watching it,although fairly distantly, after a while I tagged along with some young birders from Falmouth uni who seemed to know its favoured spot in some pine trees , and there it was, sitting low down in a pine in the drizzle, a good view and managed a few nice photos. After lunch the bird was on the opposite side of the road in the top of some tall pines where a small crowd were gathered. I stayed here for some time before heading back to the car and leaving them to it.Back on the road I turned back and realised the bird had taken off and was hovering,and then I could'nt believe it,the Kestrel landed in a small roadside tree right beside me giving brilliant views, I looked back to see the crowd all looking my way and probably wishing they had left with me! I did a little dance to celebrate and left for home a happy bunny. A lifer for me in the U.K.

Whiskered Tern

1st May 2026 .A pleasure to watch this Whiskered Tern hunting around the marshes at Walmsley CBWPS reserve in Cornwall, I think only the third I've seen in the U.K., it certainly put on a good show.

Extremadura-Part three. More birds and other wildlife.

Lots of other species encountered on our week in Extremadura including one more lifer,the Black Wheatear. Also the best of the rest of other wildlife including a beautiful Red Fox and a Mantis, the first one of these I've seen, what a strange looking creature!.