Photos from last Sunday (31st Jan)

A few record shots from Bodmin Moor last sunday. Not sure about the Deer? It was pacing the fence having got itself stuck in a cattle field. I think it's a Red Deer? I have shots of it from behind and it doesn't have the cream/white arse like a Roe Deer. Any thoughts?

Finally caught up with a rarity!

After night shifts is getting to be the only time i get to go birding these days! I could have got out this morning but Im now waiting in for the Tesco's delivery! Anyway, the Squacco Heron on Sunday morning was a stunner. Ive not seen one in Britain since the one at Thorpe Marsh, Doncaster in 1994? I think it was then? Might have been 1993? Anyway, the Par bird was even more obliging than the ones I've seen abroad. Also year ticked Mistle Thrush and Siskin whilst there. Lovely setting too. Met one or two birders who I have conversed with via Cornwall Birding but never seen face to face, Angie and Trevor and Nigel, nice to meet you!

Weather Balloons and another tick!

Or should that be another tick thanks to a weather balloon? The balloon went over mid-afternoon trailing a long wire with what i presume was recording equipment, putting up every bird for a mile radius, including two MISTLE THRUSHES that flew NW towards the towans. Species number 93! Not a great deal else of note but there is a large flock of pipits and finches in the distant fields that will be worth a look with the scope tomorrow, too far away for the bins today. A Grey Heron flew west early this afternoon and a distant Peregrine was to the north.

Ive decided Im going to keep a garden Yearlist in 2010 and record everything on this blog. I'll count all species seen from the perimeters of my house and garden. I must total up the species that have actually occured IN my garden i.e. not flyovers.