Waders on the Hayle Estuary

Last month I visited the Hayle estuary( Cornwall) on a lovely sunny day to try to see the two Lesser Yellowlegs that had taken up residence here for a few days. They were pretty easy to find as I met one or two other birder/photographers that I knew and was pointed in the right direction. One was feeding in the mud close to the main road accompanied by a Greenshank and photographing them was relativly straightforward. This was the second time I'd seen Lesser Yellowlegs at this site. Later in the afternoon Bar Tailed Godwits and a Curlew were feeding very close to the road and I spent an hour in the wonderfull light watching and photographing these super birds which were unconcerned by me sitting quietly on the grass just a few feet away.I think they are quite used to people walking past. I do like waders.

Windmill Farm

Back in the summer I spent a nice day in good company at Windmill Farm, a Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserve on the Lizard, an area of heathland habitat which supports an array of rare plants and wildlife. My main target species was the Wasp Spider and the Red Veined Darter, two species that had so far eluded me, and this was a site to see both. Wasp spiders were found fairly quickly and I spent a fair amount of time photographing these fantastic yellow and black striped beauties. Moving on to the pools the bright Red Veined Darters were on the wing giving the chance to see them close up and again get a few photos. Also found were lots of Long Winged Coneheads,Black Tailed Skimmers and a Magpie Moth among many other species.

Brimstones

Back in late summer I spent a little time with these beautiful Brimstone butterflies which were nectering on Thistles not far from home. Trying to photograph them either approaching or leaving a flower took a little patience but I managed a few o.k pictures.

Beaver fever.

I never thought I would see the day when I would be able to see wild Eurasian Beavers in the U.K. and close to home as well. Back in July I had the chance to go with friends to visit the river Otter in Devon where Beavers have set up home for the last few years. Where they originated from seems to be a bit of a mystery but I for one am glad they came , and think they are a great addition to our native fauna after an absence of four hundred years.The locals seem to have taken to them and hopefully will see the benefits of flood prevention and habitat creation. We were lucky when this female stopped and grabbed a handfull of leaves right in front of us. Super animals.