Pond visitors

25th February 2019.

Its nice sometimes to just stay at home in the backyard and see what birds turn up at my small reflection pool. On this occasion one of the Long Tailed Tits that visit the feeders came down briefly for a drink, as well as the more usual Collared Dove, Goldfinch, House Sparrows, Great Tit and Wren.

Goldfinch

Collared Dove

Collared Dove

House Sparrow female

House Sparrow male

Great Tit

Wren

Long Tailed TIt

Lesser Yellowlegs and Ruff in Dorset.

22nd February 2019.

A trip with friends to Weymouth in Dorset, to visit Radipole Lake and Lodmoor RSPB reserves. the forecast was for warmth and sun but the sea mist didn't clear all day and it was pretty cold, but good birds were seen including the expected Bearded Tit  (though only the one male). Marsh Harrier ( I will get a decent photo one day) and Cetti's Warbler. But the stars of the day were a Lesser Yellowlegs which had been at Lodmoor for a while and a rather splendid Ruff, both were very obliging feeding at close range. Also caught up with a nice male Ring Necked Duck at Radipole but this one stayed just a little out of view for any decent photos.

Lesser Yellowlegs- A scarce visitor from N. America

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellolegs

Ruff-probably a non breeding adult male.

Ruff

Ruff

Ruff

Ruff

Barn Owl

22nd February 2019.

Thrilled to watch this beautiful Barn Owl hunting in the early evening light. North Cornwall.

Barn Owl hunting

Cattle Egrets

22n February 209.

A big influx of Cattle Egrets in Cornwall & Devon at the moment with birds turning up at various sites across the two counties, the largest flock had to be at Walmsley in Cornwall where probably seventy birds or more were busy gorging on Frogs. Quite a sight.

Cattle Egret preening

Just some of the Egrets

On the lookout for Ffogs

Take off

Lunch

Nice meal.

Cattle Egret

Another Egret with Frog

Cattle Egret landing