Long Day in the field.....

Sunday started for me and Ash, before it got properly light with a woodcock over the A30 near Redruth. We soon reached Golia Falls, Bolventor in the hope of catching up with a few woodland specialities. Despite hearing Treecreeper on a few occasions we failed to see one! Nuthatches (118) were everywhere, as were Coal Tits (119). Jays (120) were also in abundance and we were lucky to see two Dippers (121), one of which was very obliging, singing from a rock under the bridge.
We then drove the short distance back to NineBridges to look for Willow Tit. No luck this time so a return trip will be on the cards. We did get great views of a pair of Green Woodpeckers (122) and a male Bullfinch (123). A Scan of Colliford Lake only produced a single Barnacle Goose (124) but we did have two White-fronted Geese flying over as we left Golia.
Par beach and Pool was our next destination. The Bittern (125) showed briefly in the reeds at the back of the pool and another Barnacle Goose was with the four Bar-headed Geese. The sea produced 8 Great-crested Grebes (126) but little else.
Ten or more Cirl Buntings (127) showed well on the Roseland Peninsular, including a very smart, un-ringed male.
En-route back to west Cornwall we called in at Tresillian to look for Avocets. Again our luck was out but a Black-tailed Godwit (128) on Tresemple Pool was a bonus. Finally, a cold hour at Men-an-Tol saw a single ringtailed Hen Harrier (129) drift into view.
A really good day, resulting in 79 species (not includuing Treecreeper and Greenfinch that we only heard!). We covered over 160 miles but didnt get a few of our target species. Maybe next time!

The BIG Garden birdwatch!

Having a new baby and now with the wife back at work I was considering my birding options this morning. With the little 'un down for a nap i stepped outside into the glorious sunshine, camera and bins at the ready and a cuppa in hand. I immediately noticed the amount of birds flying over. Skylarks, Chaffinches, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon and a Snipe, all within a couple of minutes. I decided to stick it out until the baby woke up (two hours she slept fortunately!) Four Golden Plover flew north, Meadow Pipit, more Skylark (flock of 22 was highest count), two Bullfinch and quite a few Blackbirds, one flock totalled eight birds! At about 1030hrs a 'honking' noise caught my attention and i raised my bins to see a juv WHOOPER SWAN flying west across the fields, my first garden tick of the day. By the time the baby had woken up i had totalled over 30 species seen!

Whooper Swan (juv) flying west. Two adults were at Gwithian the same morning.

Not long after, my neighbour, Mike popped round to tell me he had a Woodcock on his lawn. The photos shown here were taken by me through his front double glazed window! Amazing bird!

Woodcock on my neighbours' lawn.

At about 1330hrs, the missus came home and i tended to the washing up. I'd been at the sink for about 5 mins when a pale looking bird flew up the garden towards me. My expletives made the wife jump and i grabbed wildly for my camera shouting, "ROSE-COLOURED STARLING, Bloody Hell!" The juvenile bird then alighted briefly on wires next door before dropping down out of sight. I phoned Mark Halliday and text a few others to alert them of my good fortune. Before long Mark was waiting with compulsary 'fag and a brew' in my back yard waiting for another Rosy appearance.

Rose-coloured Starling, a surprise Garden Tick!

After about 30mins Mark picked up on a ring-tailed Harrier flying south being mobbed by a crow. HEN HARRIER was now my 3rd garden tick of the day!!Mark finally located the Rosy Starling on wires at the front of the cottage as he left.

Hen Harrier being mobbed by a Carrion Crow

What an amazing day! Three garden ticks (not sure what my list stands at at the moment?) and a total of 40 species altogether. Thank god i had my camera with me!

Sparrowhawk (below) and Raven (above)