Ravens

These were particularly conspicuous this time. Other highlights of a week in West Penwith were Peregrines, Med Gulls, Black Redstarts and my first Radde's Warbler.

Raven Corvus corax

Digiscoped with Canon Powershot A640 and Leica APO77 x20

Eden Project Birds

When we first visited the Eden Project years ago I was surprised to find quite a few native birds inside the dome, including a Firecrest. There were if anything more birds this time.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea




Dunnock Prunella modularis


Canon Powershot SX10

Common Scoter, Ferry Meadows

Found today by Paul Taylor.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra, male


Digiscoped with Canon Powershot A640 and Leica APO77 x20

Wheatear, Maxey GP

This rather bright male still at Maxey GP unfortunately has an injured left leg.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe, male

Digiscoped with Canon Powershot A640 and Leica APO77 x20

Glossy Ibis

Tempted to say about time but that might sound churlish. A good number of these rather splendid birds have made their way to the UK from their breeding areas in Southern Spain this autumn, including a few in southern Cambs. Leon found this one at Maxey GP on Thursday but it seems to only visit between about 3 and 5pm before flying off south. Where it goes at other times is a mystery for now.

Species number 235 for me in the PBC area. The only other record was of one shot in the Whittlesey Mere area in 1825!

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Digiscoped with Canon Powershot A640 and Leica APO77 x20

Red-crested Pochard

On Lynch Lake at Ferry Meadows this morning with 36 Wigeon.

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, first-winter male

Digiscoped with Canon Powershot A640 and Leica APO77 x20

Flying Fox

This is the exceptionally tame animal hanging around the Ferry Meadows area at the moment. On this occasion it was trotting nonchalently along the path near Goldie Bridge passing hust inches from people.

Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Canon Powershot A640

Magnificent Pie

Always think this is one of those species that birders would rave about if it were rare enough. This one was finding such good feeding among the cow pats in the dry fields next to Bedford Purlieus that it approached very closely.

Magpie Pica pica


Canon Powershot SX10

Pintail

This bird was rather tame on the north shore of Gunwade Lake at Ferry Meadows.

Pintail (first winter female I think) Anas acuta


Pinhead


Digiscoped with Canon Powershot A640 and Leica APO77 x20