Spotted Crake at Marazion Marsh

One of the two Spotted Crakes seen at Marazion Marsh yesterday morning.  This one has to be one of the most obliging Spotted Crakes I've seen for a while.  It ventured out in the open just ten yards from us! 

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.

X Rated Grey Heron Display

Stunningly bright, low sunlight over Marazion Marsh tonight probably tempted this pair of Grey Herons to perform in front of the cameras. I say cameras because Bob Sharples was also pointing his 600mm lens towards the marsh as well! The mating display lasted about a minute, enough time to catch all of the close up action. The male bird then flew off and circled round the marsh in a gesture of contentment. I used the 1.4x TC. Shutter speed was 800th second, Aperture F/7.1, EV -0.3 , White Balance Cloudy (forgot to change it in all the excitement) and I earlier set the Colour Tone a couple shades towards amber, hence the strong colouring of the reedbed.