Landsend

Paid a short visit to Land's End this afternoon hoping for the odd rarity but all was
quiet on the Western Front. There were plenty of Whitethroats though and this handsome Pheasant showing off, which we wouldn't usually bother with but beggars can't be choosers.

This poor Rabbit has just managed to shake free from a Stoat.They were disturbed by a walker and the Stoat ran off, too quick for me to get a photo. Unfortunatly he has a big bite to the back of his neck and when he tried to run he kept falling over sideways. He did eventually get into the undergrowth so he may survive.

Kynance - Down amongst the tourists!

Paid a visit to Kynance Cove today, It was absolutely buzzing, Unfortunately with tourists not birds! The usual Wheatear, Kestrel, Chats and Cuckoo, were nowhere to be seen or heard and we only saw one pair of distant Choughs. Butterflies however, were in abundance and the footpath from the beginning of Kynance to Lizard Village produced hundreds of Painted Ladies.(no exaggeration). Sue took the Butterflies and I took the rest.




The female Common Blue looks like she's had a rough time.



These Moths were taken by John at work, with the exception of the White Ermine which
he took today at Kynance Cove. Up to now none of our Moths have been trapped but today John's new Moth Trap arrived so should be up and running by next week. We can't wait for
the results.

A wet and windy Porthgwarra

Spent four hours walking around Porthgwarra and saw very little. Everything seemed to be sheltering from the rain. The only thing we saw a lot of were Painted Lady Butterflies but because of the rain they mostly kept their wings closed.

The Golden Oriole that never was!

While out with the dog yesterday, someone told John about a big yellow bird that has been in his trees for the last 3 mornings. We got up early, excitedly hoping for Golden Oriole but instead found this handsome fellow. We are reliably informed that it's called a Red-fronted Kakariki from New Zealand. We don't think for one minute that it flew all the way here so if anyone has lost one, we know where it is.

While waiting for the 'Golden Oriole' we did see at least 3 Spotted Fly-Catchers, 2 Swifts, Bullfinches and Swallows. So it wasn't a complete waste of time.

Helston and Stithians

Paid a visit this afternoon to Helston sewage works, hoping for a Firecrest but settled for the Wren and a Speckled Wood Butterfly. Over on the boating lake was a lone Gadwall and a pair of Mute Swans with only one Cygnet.

Called into Stithians Reservoir on the way home and managed a distant shot through the branches, of the Great-crested Grebes with their chick.