Today at Newquay...
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Grey Seal
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Pochard

Tufted Duck

Muscovy Duck

(thanks Mark)
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Mallard Hybrid!

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Sometimes, when you are out and about you can stumble upon something that is not necessarily new or interesting to everyone, but it may be to you. I have watched Mallards for hours. I used to spend at least two hours every evening after work for seven years at Chasewater, near Cannock watching Mallards, Coots, Mute Swans etc, and I have said it before that I wish I had taken it more seriously. They fascinated me, but I have never seen this before. A female Mallard showing off her best bits! I think it is safe to say she's looking good :-)

Mission Accomplished...

Not long got back, so another rush job! I went out this morning with a species target of 50 for the day and as you will see from the heading… I made it with more to spare! However, I have two “dunnos”! Well, I think I know, but they may both be life ticks so I am playing my cards close until I get a definite ID!

I am having serious problems with my camera trigger finger! Reynaud’s; The finger has been frozen, completely numb and very painful all day. It has been a nightmare using the camera. Don’t know how I will type at work on Monday if it doesn’t improve, as I'm struggling now!

Covered many miles and many areas today. One place was Bossiney where we walked up the cliffs. The Abbot being some way behind, I settled near the edge of the cliff in the grass, amongst the wild flowers and Butterflies; I lay back and looked up at the House Martins flitting above me… it was heavenly! I am grateful to live in such a beautiful County, and I will try to remember this when I am sitting in my office on Tuesday!

My pics:-

Raptor in trouble... It was difficult to watch! Not good shots with the distance, heat haze and my minimal capabilities, but you can get the picture :- ) -


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Not sure what this is yet... Not had time to ID!

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A thrill for me… I’ve seen one Wheatear before, and I’ve secretly been waiting desperately to see one again. There were two :- ) Took me ages to get my finger to work though!
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Again, I still need to ID this one...

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My day list:-

1. Little Grebe
2. Shag
3. Cormorant
4. Little Egret
5. Heron
6. Mute Swan
7. Canada Goose + Goslings
8. Mallard
9. Fulmar
10. Guillemot
11. Buzzard
12. Kestrel
13. Pheasant
14. Moorhen
15. Coot
16. Turnstone
17. First Dunno yet!
18. Herring Gull
19. Lesser Black Backed Gull
20. Greater Black Backed Gull
21. F Pigeon
22. Woodpigeon
23. Collared Dove
24. Cuckoo (heard & hunted for a glimpse, to no avail!)
25. Swift
26. Skylark
27. House Martin
28. Swallow
29. Second Dunno yet!
30. Pied Wagtail
31. Wheatear
32. Wren
33. Dunnock
34. Robin
35. Stonechat
36. Song Thrush
37. Blackbird
38. Whitethroat
39. Sedge Warbler (heard)
40. Chiffchaff
41. Coal Tit
42. Great Tit
43. Blue Tit
44. Magpie
45. Jackdaw
46. Rook
47. Carrion Crow
48. Raven
49. Starling
50. House Sparrow
51. Chaffinch
52. Goldfinch
53. Greenfinch
54. Linnet