Images from west Cornwall this weekend

Dotterel at Porthgwarra

Dotterel at Porthgwarra, seen just past the stone wall.

 

Sanderlings feeding at Marazion beach

 

Juv Red-backed Shrike by the sunken garden at Nanquidno.(heavy 50% crop).

 

Juv Lapland Bunting on the footpath leading to the first pool at Porthgwarra.

All images taken with the Nikon D500, 500mm F4 and 1.4x Teleconverter, Tripod mounted.

 

 

Summer plumage Snow and Lapland Buntings

Below are four images of some stunning summer plumage Lapland Buntings and female Snow Bunting.  This is the first time I've seen these species in this plumage.  The male Lapland Bunting is handsome for sure, but the Snow Bunts take some beating as well.  These were taken at Nesseby, Varanger.  I've also put a link to Martin Garner's blog, who was also on the same trip as me to Arctic Norway.  Martin was live-updating his blog via iPhone. Link is HERE 

Lapland Bunting at Sennen

This very obliging first year Lapland Bunting has been present for a week in the field between the coastguard houses and Treeve Common, Cornwall.  It was so tame and obliging that I had to stand back as it ventured towards my out of focus area!

Autumn 2010 has witnessed unprecedented numbers of Lapland Buntings, especially in the Northern Isles.  Cornwall has also recorded higher than average numbers.  It is believed that our birds originate from Greenland rather than Scandinavia, this being one of few passerines which regularly make a crossing of the North Atlantic.