Black-tailed Godwit at St Clement

Another side shot of a first year Black-tailed Godwit.  I quite like this one with the water drip on the bill as well as the drip shown in the reflection.  This individual seems to be spending some time near the Tresemple Pool area and be very confiding on a rising tide. 

Adult Black-tailed Godwit at Marazion today

I found this adult Black-tailed Godwit in full summer plumage today feeding on the grass bank and very close to the road.  Normally this species stays close to the water but for some reason was happy to feed with the Whimbrels today.

Summer plumage Black-tailed Godwit at St Clement

This summer plumage Black-tailed Godwit has been showing well on the estuary opposite Tresemple Pool for several evenings recently.  I took these shots last night with a demonstrator D800.  The mammoth 36 megapixel camera allows the incredulous, beyond belief, ability to crop as tight as you want.  This bird was at least 70 yards away and has been cropped just 33%.  Furthermore, the light was poor and overcast.

Migrant Black-tailed Godwit

This adult Black-tailed Godwit has been present at Marazion Marsh for the last few days.  The species is not normally seen at this site.  This individual is presumably tracking north towards Iceland, where the majority of Cornish wintering birds breed.  This bird is not quite in full summer plumage but nonetheless, a smart looker.  The best places to see good numbers of wintering Black-tailed Godwits in Cornwall are the Camel Estuary, Tresillian and Truro Rivers.

Walmsley Sanctuary waderfest

This post includes 12 images of a variety of waders from the CBWPS reserve at Wadebridge on Thursday evening.  A rising high tide is the key to success here.  On our visit, no less than 41 Greenshank, 114 Black-tailed Godwit, two Bar-tailed Godwit, three Little Stint, two Curlew Sandpiper (though 21 present tonight Sat 11th), Green Sandpiper, several Common Snipe and Dunlin. 

Bar-tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwit

Four species of wader above inc Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin and two godwits.

Little Stint

Part of a flock of 41 Greenshank, though up to 50 have been counted this week.  The colour ringed bird is the returning, annual Ythan Estuary bird.

Walmsley attracts the birds and birders

A warm Spring day filled both the Tower Hide and mini hide with birders today at this stunning CBWPS reserve. Following a bitterly cold Saturday, today was the opposite. And the birders present could not have been disappointed. A pair of Merlins, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, several Little Egrets, Water Rail, Snipe, Barn Owl, Shovelers, Gadwalls, Teals, Pochard, migrant Swallows and Sand Martins and aggressive swans and geese all added to the entertainment. Below are a selection of shots taken today.

Male Merlin photographed at about 150 metres. This was the best I could get given the distance and heat haze. The visisble spots around this tiny raptor are midges !

About 30 Black-tailed Godwits were flying round the reserve. The middle bird was well advanced into breeding dress.

A morning at Bowling Green Marsh

I spent three hours at Bowling Green Marsh near Topsham while my wife went Christmas shopping in Exeter! What a place, Bowling Green that is - sheer numbers of Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit and various duck is staggering. Some gave reasonably close views. The godwits took some patience but I managed to get a few shots. Weather and light was very bright and clear. High shutter speed allowed me to raise the aperture up to f/8 and even f/10 !