JRandSue

Week-end Birding.

2012-01-08T10:38:00.004Z

I finally got around to doing some birding and went to Loe Pool for the Bufflehead. For the most part it stayed a long way out and just as it looked like coming closer the Swans came in and off it went. So only distant shots but nice to add to my British list.

The Bittern was on the far bank at College Reservoir on Friday, skulking in the reeds.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-24T15:26:00.004Z

TO ALL OUR FOLLOWERS AND FELLOW BIRDERS.

WE'LL SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR.

LET'S HOPE IT'S A HAPPY ONE.

JOHN AND SUE. X

Ethiopian Mammals.

2011-12-18T19:30:00.003Z

Here are some of the animals we saw in Ethiopia. There is not a lot of big game left and big cats are few and far between, but they are there so in some areas we had an armed guard.
The Ethiopian Wolf was what everyone wanted and we saw 3 or 4, they are beautiful.

Ethiopia, Part 3.

2011-12-11T19:08:00.006Z

This is the last of the birds from Ethiopia but I may get around to doing some mammals later in the week. There are a lot of endemics in Ethiopia and we were lucky enough to see some of them although sometimes they were difficult and not easy to photograph. The Turaco in particular stayed well hidden for most of the time. The Stresmann's though posed very well and they were very loved up. Lastly, the Sidamo Lark just would not stay still so it's not a great shot but as it's one of the rarest birds in the world we were pleased just to see it. Sue

Ethiopia, Part 2.

2011-12-05T14:08:00.009Z

More photos from Ethiopia. I am slowly working through them. Hope you like them. Sue

Ethiopia, part one.

2011-12-03T14:26:00.011Z

We have just come back from 2 weeks in Ethiopia and it's quite a job going through over 2,000 photos. Ethiopia was brilliant for birds of prey so I have done some of them first along with Bustards and Hornbills. We had a great time and although parts were really quite rough, especially the nearer you got to the Somali border, It was not as bad as we expected.

Halloween Invaders.

2011-10-31T08:38:00.003Z

I believe this is a Harlequin Ladybird, which is an invasive species in the UK. They are called Halloween Ladybugs in some parts (I guess because they are most numerous around now).
As it is Halloween, I thought I would post them today. John

A Quiet Week-End.

2011-10-24T10:55:00.002+01:00

Didn't get to see much over the weekend, like most of the birders in Cornwall we did try for the Scarlet Tanager on Friday but didn't see it and I was working on Sunday. The Black Redstart was taken at Kynance Cove on Saturday.

Not sure what's going on here. A lot of the trees at Croft Pascoe were covered in flies and they were occasionally joined by Butterflies. Are they feeding on sap? It was surprising how many Dragonflies we saw out and some even mating. Think the Caterpillar is a Pale Tussock.

Glossy Ibis

2011-10-17T15:50:00.002+01:00

I finally managed some shots of the Glossy Ibis on Saturday. Whenever I've been to Stithians for it previously it has kept its distance.

Clouded Yellow

2011-10-12T20:05:00.003+01:00

We don't usually post only one picture but it has been a quiet week for us, birding wise.

This Clouded Yellow is the highlight of the week. I took it while working at Penzance. John

Weekend Birding.

2011-10-03T11:42:00.003+01:00

We did see a few birds over the week-end. Thanks go to Daniel Eva for pointing out the Wryneck at Kynance. The Pied Flycatcher was taken at Nanquidno Valley on Friday while looking for the elusive Hawfinch.

There are a lot of Juvenile Buzzards around at the moment, all in different plumages .

The Wonders of Stithians.

2011-09-26T19:05:00.004+01:00

I managed to fit in a bit of birdwatching while doing some voluntary work at Stithians NR.

Lesser Yellow-Legs

2011-09-23T18:40:00.006+01:00

Have not done a lot of birding this week but did get down to the very obliging Lesser Yellow-Legs at St. Clements this afternoon. Although mobile it came in quite close, the different angles making the water appear grey in some shots and blue or green in others. Earlier this week we also saw our only Painted Lady Butterfly for the year.

Painted Lady Butterfly looking very fresh so late in the season.

A Day Out at Cornish Birds of Prey Centre.

2011-09-12T19:01:00.009+01:00

I gave John a Falconry experience for his birthday earlier in the year and he finally got around to doing it on Saturday. It was a brilliant afternoon and he got to handle a lot of Owls and Falcons and even fly several of them. I went along to do my David Bailey bit and would highly recommend it. Although the bigger birds are very impressive, for John the bird of the day was the American Kestrel, which we have seen in the wild but didn't realise just how small it is.

In search of Dragons

2011-09-04T15:37:00.006+01:00

We went to Ventongimps NR for the first time on Friday and were not disappointed. It is a great place for Dragonflies etc, with a couple of great ponds and heathland. One of the ponds was created when a WW2 Bomber was discovered and excavated.

The Grayling were taken in the woods at Croft Pascoe, on The Lizard, as was the Wall Brown.

We have never seen them there before and they kept landing on us and the 'scope. In the first picture the wings are open slightly showing the rarely seen splash of colour.

Catching Up.

2011-08-26T19:28:00.006+01:00

Here are some pictures from the last few days. Nice to see some decent butterflies, they are not as numerous as last year. Hoping to catch up with some Dragonflies over the week-end.

This shot shows where the Elephant Hawk-Moth gets it's name. It's the first one we've seen.

Our Daughter found it in her garden and brought it to us to identify.

Wasp Spiders

2011-08-17T17:38:00.005+01:00

Well, John's happy. The Wasp Spiders are back. A small colony of around 10 so far.
I'm sorry, but I can't find anything endearing about them. Sue

Buckfastleigh Butterfly Farm.

2011-08-12T09:40:00.007+01:00

Here are some more photos from the Butterfly farm, which also houses Otters from Asia, Europe and North America. Spring was in the air and this pair were particularly frisky.

Most of these Caterpillars were huge, you wouldn't want them in your veg. patch!

Although similar these 2 Butterflies are different. The Butterfly farm is in Buckfastleigh, Devon.

Butterflies from around the world.

2011-08-08T20:17:00.007+01:00

We took 2 of our grand-daughters to a Butterfly farm in the week and had a great time. It's the first time we've been to one and it was just amazing. The girls were not at all worried by the great big ones and in our next post will be some shots of them holding them. The first picture gives an idea of the size of some of them, the orange butterfly is about the size of a Red Admiral.

These large blue Butterflies always shut their wings when they landed, this one had to maneuver its wing from behind the bar to shut it which gave us time to take a shot.

Norfolk - part 2

2011-07-28T20:51:00.004+01:00

Here are some of the bird shots from Norfolk,taken mostly in the rain. You can see 3 extra pairs of legs underneath the female Avocet. These Spoonbills were breeding in Norfolk.

Norfolk-part one

2011-07-23T15:31:00.009+01:00

We had a really good trip to Norfolk, which we had planned over 6mths ago. We were just passing the shop at Titchwell NR when this Purple Hairstreak landed on one of the feeders.
When it rained we retreated to bird hides and did some birding. (Pictures in next post)
We managed to Photograph Banded Damoiselle, Purple Hairstreak, Marbled White and White Admiral, which were all lifers. We also saw but could not get shots of, Red-eyed Damselfly and Brown Hawker which were also lifers.

We were watching this Robber Fly when it suddenly jumped up and caught this Damselfly.
The Spider was also seen taking the Grasshopper.

A Flower - by any other name.

2011-07-13T23:46:00.005+01:00

We went to the Eden Project last night to see The Killers front man Brandon Flowers in concert.
He was absolutely brilliant. His band were brilliant and so were his vocals.
It was very loud and very rock with just the occasional trace of country. He did a brilliant version of Kim Carnes 'Bettie Davis Eyes' and finished with The Killers 'Mr. Brightside',which was even better than the original. We had a great but tiring night, must be getting too old for all this!!

Moths

2011-07-10T15:48:00.010+01:00

I have taken quite a few Moths over the last few weeks but never have the time to post them.
Here is a selection, some of which were taken at work and some caught in the Moth trap.
There are a few lifers such as the Buff Tip and Barred Straw.
Hope they are all named correctly but please let me know if any are wrong. John

The Lizard and Gwithian.

2011-07-05T18:52:00.008+01:00

Had another great weekend on the Lizard. Emperor Dragonflies were everywhere, the females laying and the very aggressive males patroling and attacking everything that moved. The males tended to keep their distance from us and most had very damaged wings.
Not sure what's going on in the first picture!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over at Gwithian we were surprised by a sudden appearance of at least 30 Scarlet Tiger moths that seem to come from nowhere. Never seen anything like it but they put on a lovely show.

Brilliant Week-End

2011-06-28T19:02:00.008+01:00

We went out to Bissoe on Sunday (brilliant sunshine) and saw our first ever Poplar Hawk-Moth hanging in the reeds. We were surprised how big it was. Also a newly emerged Broad-bodied Chaser which clumsily flew onto John as he took a picture. I eventually took it off the top of his head and it was still shiny and slightly damp. (the Chaser not his head).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Saturday we went to Goss Moor and found this fantastic Emperor Dragonfly as well as a Golden-ringed. Also of interest was a single Green Hairstreak as we have never seen any there.

This gives me the creeps. Sue

Up Close.

2011-06-24T22:10:00.006+01:00

I have been working in Devon and Cornwall over the last 2 weeks and have taken most of these Macro shots around the outbuilders and Station yards. John

Catching Up.

2011-06-20T22:23:00.006+01:00

These are a few birds from the past week, including our first Siskin in the wild instead of on a red peanut bag in the garden. We also had our first Spotted Flycatchers for this year.
The Butterflies and Moths have been taken over the last couple of weeks.

Home Grown Chicks.

2011-06-15T19:25:00.004+01:00

This pair of Sparrows bred in our garden nest box. I say they, but he fled the scene and left her to raise 4 chicks on her own, which she did successfully.

A week after they had all fledged he returned and starting rebuilding the nest and sits on top of the nest box most days singing. So far he has had no takers.

The last from Canada.

2011-06-07T20:11:00.016+01:00

The Black Squirrels are very attractive and a lot larger than the Red or the Grey and
considered something of a pest. To us though they were a novelty.

As you can see this Sora did not want to be photographed.

More from Canada and Michigan.

2011-06-01T19:59:00.016+01:00

Don't know what is causing all the big gaps between rows of pictures. It looks messy but it is not intentional.

The American Woodcock was taken at its Lekking ground at dusk with the occasional torchlight.

The only Dragonfly we saw was being eaten by this Kingbird!

The Bald Eagle was miles away, but for John was bird of the trip.

Canadian Warblers

2011-05-28T16:48:00.010+01:00

These are some of the Warblers we saw in our recent trip to Canada and Michigan. Most were taken at Point Pelee. We saw 34 species of Warbler, most very well but they are real skulkers or stay very high up in the canopy. We also went to an observatory, hence the bird in the hand waiting to be rung. It was amazing just how many people put feeders out and more than once we were invited into peoples gardens, very friendly people the Canadians.

A Mixed Bag.

2011-05-01T20:09:00.006+01:00

Just a few things from over the week-end. All the birds were taken at Windmill Farm, including the Whinchat which was distant but nice to see.

There are a few colonies of Stick Insect around our way, this juvenile was taken in our

daughter's garden.

These Dragonfly Nymphs were taken in a Goldfish Pond at Heligan Gardens.

A visit to Windmill Farm

2011-04-22T17:08:00.003+01:00

We paid a short visit to Windmill Farm today and got the very obliging Hoopoe, Thanks Andy.
The whole time we were there a Cuckoo was calling but we could not locate it.
Also saw our first Dragonfly of the year, it was one of the Chasers, but too fast for us.

Small can be Beautiful.

2011-04-20T20:38:00.007+01:00

No birds this post but lots of insects. The first picture is a Bee-Fly, a new one for me. John

Week-ends Birding

2011-04-11T20:49:00.005+01:00

This image is not as sharp as I would have liked but I have included it because it is a bit different (for a Dipper). It was seeing off a rival.

Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow.

2011-04-01T17:59:00.003+01:00

Went birding with my brother Chris today and finally caught up with the Diver at St. Andrew's pool. Chris took me to a secret location for the Hares. I think he would have blind-folded me but I had to drive.

Spring is in the air.

2011-03-21T18:41:00.004Z

These are a few images taken over the last few days. Not much about, thank God for the flies!!
I did put the Moth-trap out and got not one Moth.

A post at Last

2011-03-06T17:29:00.005Z

Finally managed to get some birding done. Still, without Sue as she has been quite unwell but
is finally picking up. These are some shots from around Stithians, Marazion and Hell's Mouth.

Dragonflies

2011-02-07T20:33:00.015Z

In all the years that we have been birding, we have only taken the odd Dragonfly when it just happened to be there, we have not, until the last 2 years gone looking for them. Recently, Sue in particular has developed a passion for them, and can't wait for the summer. When we think of all the shots we could have had in past years, espescially abroad, we could kick ourselves.
We thought some of our shots from here and abroad might brighten up the page.

Avocets

2011-01-31T19:20:00.003Z

As you may have noticed we have put nothing up for a couple of weeks. Sue's been working overtime and I've been having camera trouble. We did go to Exminster at the week-end and the Marshes were frozen as was most of the land around Powderham. The Avocets were taken at Topsham but most of the mudflats were frozen, keeping everything at a distant.

Second week-end of 2011.

2011-01-09T20:48:00.007Z

These are just a few images from the last few days, taken at Stithians, Gothian Sands, Marazion, and Penzance.

These Geese look all loved-up.

1st Day of a New Year.

2011-01-02T16:49:00.003Z

We were delighted to finally get the Grey Phalarope and add it to our British list, we have only ever seen them in California. The Eiders were way out but still nice to see.

End of 2010.

2010-12-31T19:21:00.005Z

These are just a few shots from the last few days.Thought we had better get something up before the end of the year. I'm sure all the Birders will be out in force tomorrow so we look forward to bumping into some of you. Happy New Year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-22T21:31:00.008Z

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO ALL OUR FELLOW BIRDERS AND BLOGGERS

Waxwing

2010-12-13T19:42:00.005Z

After working Saturday night, I had a couple of hours sleep, walked Rosie our Boxer and then we drove up to Wadebridge for the lone Waxwing.

Nice to bump into Trevor and Angie, we haven't seen them for ages.

Although Waxwings are always lovely to see, I think everyone there will agree that the light

was very poor for photography. Still, we did our best.

Odds and Ends

2010-12-11T17:21:00.003Z

Just a few images from the past few days, haven't really done much birding.
This Robin kept me company when I was waiting for a Kingfisher. It didn't show.

I've never seen a Duck trying to swallow a Frog, which he did after a struggle.

Marazion Marsh and Hayle Estuary

2010-11-29T17:02:00.005Z

Went out with my brother Chris on Friday to Hayle Estuary and Marazion Marsh.
The White-fronted Goose was a lifer for Chris although we would have liked closer shots.
We had to work over the week-end so didn't catch up with the Bittern out on the ice at Marazion. (thanks Monty)

Last from Israel

2010-11-21T16:48:00.007Z

I took this shot of the Moon while waiting to see the rare Hume's Owl, which we saw eventually with a spotlight, too dark for any pictures. Most of the rest were taken by Sue.

We have tried to name these Butterflies but please let us know if any are wrong.

Can anyone name the 2 above? Have searched the web and all our books.

It came as a surprise to find there are a lot of minefields in Israel!! but it was a very safe and well organised trip and we were never in any danger.

Israel Trip

2010-11-19T20:27:00.011Z

Just got back from a week in Israel. We saw 172 species, with 15 lifers. The company was great, Sue being the only female in a group of 16. It was hard going at times, especially the climb up to see Sinai Rosefinch and it was a lot hotter than expected. It has to be said that the birds were quite often at a distance. Sue's theory is that as there is little cover in the desert, the birds see you coming before you see them. These are some of the birds we saw and over the weekend we will try to post other non-avian images.

This Brown Booby was obviously a long way out, but was a great lifer for us.

Hayle Estuary

2010-10-31T16:26:00.006Z

We have been twice to try to see the American Bittern and today was our lucky day (no photos), probably due to the fact that Monty was there and he seems to be making a habit of seeing rarities on his birthday. Last year it was a Raddes. So thank you Monty and happy 90th!

Here are some pictures from Hayle Estuary over the weekend.

Think this is an Adult Med. Gull and this one probably a 2nd Winter Med Gull.

Thought this was interesting as one of the Greylags has a collar on.

Newlyn and Porthgwarra

2010-10-17T15:22:00.003+01:00

We went to Newlyn at the weekend for the Snowbunting. Sue took the Snowbunting as it
was so obliging, I was too close for digiscoping. Thanks to John and Kate for their info.
The rest are odds and ends from Porthgwarra and Gothian Sands.

This Dung Fly appears to be killing the House Fly. The Diving Beetle is a first for us.

To Heligan and Back.

2010-10-15T18:50:00.005+01:00

I finally got a day off and went to Heligan on my own as Sue has not been well.
Worried all the way there that it would be gone but it was showing quite well, at times.
Amazingly, I met the father of the little girl shown on last nights 'Autumn Watch', he had filmed her feeding Badgers. Watch out Kate Humble. Also met an old friend, Peter Basterfield (and son ). He is a superb wildlife photographer and I have learnt a lot from him. Great day.

Unknown

2010-10-15T10:40:00.002+01:00

A friend sent me this distant shot to see if I knew what it was.
Any ideas, anyone? John

Peregrine on Truro Cathedral

2010-10-04T19:40:00.008+01:00

Was in town with Sue today when I noticed the Peregrine on the Cathedral Spire. I took Sue home then rushed back with the scope (more car park fees) and was surprised that it was still there. Worst of all was the realisation that setting a scope up in the middle of town attracts a lot of attention.

Looking at the blood on his feet I guess Truro is short of a Pigeon.

Interesting to note that when the wind blew he shut his right eye (last picture).

Stithians

2010-10-04T19:24:00.004+01:00

Had an enjoyable afternoon at Stithians on Sunday. Nice to see the water levels have improved, which should bode well for Waders at this time of year. Thanks to Simon and some anonymous donations the feeding stations are looking good. I also took some pictures of a couple of dog walkers going straight through the reserve which scattered all the birds.

Black Darters

2010-09-19T15:37:00.003+01:00

These Black Darters are a first for us. We were surprised at how many there were and
how they seemed to like landing on all things human.

This one is on my arm. I was extremely nervous, even though they are harmless.
All I could hear was John telling me to keep still. Sue

Ryan's Field and Land's End.

2010-09-13T20:41:00.006+01:00

Nice to see some birds for a change, although we didn't get the Wryneck we hoped for.
These Sandwich Terns were taken at Ryan's Field, as was the Common Sandpiper.
The Ruff and Wheatear were taken at St. Gothian Sands.

This Common Darter took a fancy to John.

Brown Hairstreak

2010-09-08T22:04:00.009+01:00

Not quite sure about this Blue Butterfly. It's very grey looking with no hint of brown or any orange spots.

I took it at Foxhole clay pits near St. Austell. John

We went to Bristol at the week-end to see our son run in the half-marathon and on the way we stopped at a reserve in Somerset and saw our first ever Brown Hairstreaks, only 2 and one of them was damaged.
Also this badly damaged Silver-Washed Fritillary.

This Canary Shouldered Thorn is also a first for us.

Week-end at Goonhilly, (mostly)

2010-09-01T20:58:00.012+01:00

I Noticed this Sparrowhawk while at work and all I had was a small camera and an old pair of binoculars that I keep in the van so I took these shots through the binoculars.
Not perfect by any means, but needs must, as they say.

No other birds but we have amassed a lot of Dragonflies and Butterflies over the weekend.

This Keeled Skimmer was trapped in a web and fighting desparately to escape.

John's brother Chris set it free but It's wings were stuck together and it could hardly fly.

I suppose it came to a sticky end. Sue

Can anyone name these 2 Damselflies?

We think they are one of the Emeralds. (Scarce would be nice)

Birds for a change.

2010-08-29T18:19:00.004+01:00

We went to Nanjizal Valley for the Juvenile Red-Backed Shrike yesterday, (thanks Monty).
Couldn't get very close, so these are a bit distant.

Not much else around but I did have a go at digi-scoping these Kestrels in flight.

One was over fields and one over the sea. John

To Heligan and back.

2010-08-26T20:51:00.006+01:00

Last weekend we took our 2 grand-daughters to Heligan Gardens and although it was a bit damp, we all really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. Here are a few shots from the day. As we pulled up in the car-park we noticed the juv. Wrens on the side of the tree, the parent scarpered as soon as it saw us. Not a particularly good shot, but it was taken in haste.
The caravan doubles as a hide down by the Otter lake. We didn't see the Otters.

Chased some moths into the station waiting-room and found this Pipistrelle on the wall.
It must have had the same idea as me. John

This Hoverfly was enormous and apparently is often mistaken for a Hornet, which is

what I thought it was at first.

I attended a Stag do at Stithians Reservoir (northern cut-off), on Saturday. John

Visit to Kynance

2010-08-16T20:48:00.013+01:00

I took this Dragonfly at Kynance cove and looking at the pale stripe on top of the thorax,
I think it's a Keeled Skimmer, a first for us if I'm right. Sue

This Burnet Has recently emerged and it's
wings have not yet opened.

We took this on the windows of St. Allen Church

and think it's a Small Pheonix.

I know nothing about Toads but surely his nose shouldn't look like that. I think something

has bitten the end off and exposed the nasal cavity. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Sue

Wasp Spider action.( no, not that kind)

2010-08-12T14:19:00.012+01:00

I thought these made a good series, even though the first
couple are blurry! I went back to the site yesterday and she
was there with 1 item of prey (at the back), which she left at
speed when a grasshopper jumped into her web.

Note the look of horror in the Grasshopper's eyes.

You can see her shooting web at it. Brilliant gorey detail.

Same here. Fascinating, but I do feel for the prey, honest.

Both their faces can be seen here.
She looks a nasty piece of work.

Grasshopper properly secured, she goes
back to her original prey.

Lunch is served.

This much smaller Spider was near her and I assume it
is the male. I couldn't get a front view.
Poor chap doesn't stand a chance.