Roadford Lake

12th Febuary.
Roadford resevior is only a mile from home but can be very frustrating for seeing and photographing birds, as usually there just arn't to many present and the ones that are stay fairly distant or I,ve photographed them many times and I have to wait and watch for some kind of behaviour or interaction to get something a little different, but occasionally a scarce or rare bird does turn up so just have to keep hoping, this day was again quiet with just a couple of distant Great Crested Grebes and a close in Little Grebe  and a few of the usual Duck, and this Cormorant which was diving in front of the hide ( and just caught a stick)

Cormorant

Cormorant with stick!

Cormorant

He's off

Little Grebe

A Pochard swims by

Starlings

10th Febuary. The Starling roost at Roughtor is always a good way to round off a day, no dancing but still a treat to witness . ( And no one else there today-just me and Joyce)

Starlings coming in to roost

Sky full of Starlings

Lower Tamar Lake

4th Febuary
A very foggy three hours sat in the hide at Lower Tamar Lake on the Cornwall/Devon border, no one else about, a few birds to see including eight pairs of Goosander ( this is always a reliable site for these) but all a bit distant for photography , which was a shame as two males were fighting over a big  fish which would have made for some good shots, but there were some close Common Snipe and a Water Rail came very close as well as a Kingfisher putting in an appearance.

Common Snipe-not sure if its swimming or paddling

Common Snipe

Common Snipe preening

Common Snipe bathing

Common Snipe-Many birds take a little jump out of the water after bathing to dry off, I try to be ready for this.

Goosander in the mist

Kingfisher

Water Rail

Walmsley

28th January
Spent a few hours at Walmsley CBWPS near Wadebridge , the weather was not to bad for a change with some long periods of sunshine, Many of the birds were  fairly distant but still always something to look at , and the best bird here was a Spoonbill which was easy to pick out. Lots of wildfowl present including Gadwall.Shoveller,Wigeon,Mallard Tufted Duck, Pintail and Teal ( but no sign of the Green Winged Teal which has been around recently). Also a few waders, Curlew, Lapwing and a Ruff dropped in. I was able to get a few  record shots.

A gathering of Gadwall

Gadwall getting a bit frisky

Teal

Shoveller

Pintail

Pair of Mute Swans

Mute Swan take off

Spoonbill, pity it wasn't a bit closer though

Spoonbill with Little Egrets

Spoonbill landing

Little Grebe with snack 1

Little Grebe with snack 2

Buzzard over

Little Egret incoming

Little Egret

Little Egret with Stickleback

Curlew, One of many

Ruff

Slimbridge

21st January.Having relations at Dursley in Gloucestershire is handy for me to go to nearby Slimbridge WWT for a day while Joyce and her sister go shopping somewhere. So on a cloudy with some sunny spells Thursday I headed off for the reserve, largely ignoring the collections of wildfowl and heading out for the hides to look to see what wild birds were around. Good numbers of Bewick's Swans were in and I got some nice shots of some standing on the ice with reflections. Also a pair of Scaup and a few White Fronted Geese (with five of the Greenland race alongside them). On the South Lake a free flying Ruddy Shelduck was present. apparently not from the collection but these are always considered an escapee.I always enjoy a day here and if I get a few decent shots than that's a bonus.

Adult and two young Bewick's Swans on the ice

Bewick's Swan preening

Bewick's Swan

Bewick's Swan

Bewick's in flight

Female Pintail

Sparring Moorhens

Ruddy Shelduck

Ruddy Shelduck

White Fronted Geese( and I think the two back Geese may be of the Greenland race?)

The classic Goldfinch on Teasel shot

Long Tailed Tit

Willow Tit

16th January
Found  what may hopefully will be a reliable site for Willow Tit at Roadford Lake, and a delightful little bird, calling and showing well at times As its so close to home will visit regularly and add more photos.

Willow Tit

Penzance & Marazion

13th January
Arrived in Marazion early morning in the hope of finding the Hudsonian Whimbrel which has been around the local area in recent weeks and then to look for the returning Pacific Diver, both these birds would be lifers for me although I did think I found a possible Hudsonian Whimbrel a few years ago down near Treen, and I try to locate the Diver every winter but with no luck as yet ,and no different this year no sign of either bird, just got soaked through when caught in a very heavy rain/hail downpour with only a rock to shelter behind and more concerned about keeping my camera and lens dry than myself. However I did have a good day out and got a few photos as well.

Oystercatcher at Marazion

Ringed Plover and Purple Sandpiper at Penzance

Purple Sandpiper-Penzance

Purple Sandpiper bathing at Penzance

Great Northern Diver in Newlyn Harbour

St Michaels Mount from Sandy Cove