You can't beat a good servicing

Nikon have just returned my camera after a sensor clean and service and I have to say, I am pleased to be reunited. Typicaly, the recent Subalpine Warbler, Gull-billed Tern and Woodchat(s) were begging to be photographed!  How things have changed; a few years ago I would have been delighted just to see those species in Cornwall, but now they have to be photographed as well.

Those three species have moved on but I did get a chance to photo some common birds, as shown below.  The male Stonechat was singing his heart out to a nearby female at Marazion today.  While he was thinking about services of a different kind, my camera's own service seems to have paid off and those dreaded dust spots have gone for now. 

Siberian Stonechat at Nanquidno

This first year male Siberian Stonechat was found yesterday (2nd Oct) by John Hawkey at the entrance to Gurland Farm, Nanquidno.  It favoured the bramble and gorse clumps to the left of the track.  It ranged widely over the area and its territory was surprisingly large.  In fact it disappeared in the afternoon meaning some birders actually dipped.

The upper image just shows the pale peach coloured rump without any streaking or spotting.

Various Chats

The lull in birding in the county has prompted me to browse my "library" of images. I found these photos of previously unpublished chats. I took them in Spring and thus they are all in pristine adult plumage. The adult Whinchat is a male whilst the Woodchat and Siberian Stonechat are females.

The Woodchat below can be sexed as a female by the extensive white feathering on the lores and behind the eye.

Siberian Stonechats are scarce passage migrants through Cyprus. They also winter here but perhaps surprisingly, this is the first record for me on the island. They are fairly straight forward to identify looking like a cross between Stonechat and Whinchat with an obvious pale rump.