essex buzzard

[David M]

Love the Twany Owl shot, Mark, as well as the Hawfinch update.

You seem to be able to make the most of all seasons.

Here's hoping it continues in 2018.

Happy New Year.

[essexbuzzard]

Happy New Year to you Dave,Wurzel, and to one and all. For us, 2018 started with a trip to the excellent Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Slimbridge on New Year’s Day. Lots of people were enjoying the collection of wildfowl from around the world, and we even had Hawaiian and red breasted geese feeding from the hand! In the wild, the star attraction is the Bewick’s swans. Numbers of these swans, from the Russian tundra, have declined in recent years, so seeing them so close is very special.

Heavy rain in recent weeks has flooded parts of the site,resulting in staggering numbers of birds, especially lapwings and golden plovers, but including many others.

These coots were having a set-to on rushy pen.

While this handsome adult buzzard looked on.

[Andrew555]

Happy New Year essex, and all. A great selection, beautiful Tawney.

[Wurzel]

Great report Essex I'm quite envious as I've only been to Slimbridge twice now (though the first time I saw Tree Sparrows, Greenland Whitefronts and a wild American Wigeon there ). looks like there are a couple of grey geese in amongst the Canadas and some Dunlin too That was a great way to start the New Year

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Nice to see such an array of birds, Mark. That's one thing the UK is blessed with!

[essexbuzzard]

Hi Wurzel, Greenland white-fronts still occur, indeed I think there is one in the picture. But the tree sparrows have gone, as indeed they have from Essex. You’re right, David, although some species of birds have declined, others have increased and there is still plenty around.

In Essex, the hawfinches have been present since the autumn, and they continue to be seen. This is a bonus, as there have been a lot of grey days since then. But last Sunday, I at last got to see them in sunshine!

[Goldie M]

Hi! essex, i've not seen any Hawk Finches around here, lovely shots of the Finch . Goldie

[Wurzel]

Absolutely cracking shots of the Hawfinch Essex

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Great images, Mark. They're like little kookaburras. Beautiful birds.

[Andrew555]

Great shots Essex, that's a hell of a beak the Hawfinch has!

[essexbuzzard]

Just back from a cracking few days in Cornwall, where, in contrast to snowy Essex,spring has sprung!

[essexbuzzard]

My aim for the next few days was to do some walking on the coast path, and also to do some of the scarcer birds down here too. Although very windy at times, the weather was generally pretty good, with sunny spells and showers, and the north-west winds brought wonderfully clear air and visibility. My first day was doing the coast path from the Gannel, around Newquay and onto Porth and back. The recent storms and very high tides here were obvious, with sand pushed up onto the roads, and up to the windows on one of the seaside pubs, while their patios tables and chairs were almost buried by several feet of sand! The ravens were displaying, as they will soon be nesting, and stonechats were seen.

[essexbuzzard]

The next day, I was hoping to walk the Southwest coast path near Bude. However, the wind was blowing a storm on the north coast, so revert to plan B: walking on the south coast. My medium term aim is to walk the whole of the Cornish section of the coast path, and there is still plenty on the south coast I’ve not done, I opted for the section between Looe and Polperro, and back. Starting at Looe, the path left the road and entered several very muddy fields- they clearly have had a wet winter down here so far, and it was very slippery and progress was slow. But things improved as the path became more rocky and solid as I approached Talland Bay, where there was a short shower, then follows a small road, before it forks left. It now followed the cliffs for a while,and descended into the impossibly picturesque harbour village of Polperro, where, after another short shower, the sun was shining and the sky was blue.

After pausing to enjoy the scenery, and to take pictures, I started to head back, enjoying a few spring flowers on the way.

With the sun shining in blue skies, the scenery was spectacular. Eventually, I rounded a corner, and Looe Island came into view.

Heading on,I crossed the muddy fields again, then headed into Hannafore, on the outskirts of Looe, where lots of gannets were fishing offshore. Time for a well earned Cornish pasty!

[essexbuzzard]

The next day, the wind had eased a little, so I did my walk on the north coast, the coast path from Bude to Crackington Haven. Leaving the historic Bude canal, the path rises up to Compass Point and Efford Beacon, where there are commanding views over the town.

Then, the path drops down to the wide, sandy expanse of Widemouth Bay, and up to Millook Haven.

The path then joins the road, briefly, then leaves again to reach the cliff top at Ravens Beak. A hovering buzzard and kestrel were seen, and raven and peregrine were added by time I got to Dizzard Point, with it’s stunted windswept covering of sessile oaks.

The SW coast path then crosses some deep,steep strenuous valleys,and a ridge leads to Castle Point.

Shortly after,the path leads to Pencannow Point,then descends to Crackington Haven, where this section ends. Good timing, as the light was beginning to fade, and the morning sunshine had given was to the first spots of rain on an increasing wind.

[millerd]

That view of Crackington Haven takes me back, Essex. I spent a great (cracking, even...) family holiday there back in 1969 at the time of the Apollo 11 moon landing. What I didn't realise at the time was that Large Blues were still hanging on along this bit of coast.

Thanks for that bit of nostalgia!

Dave

[bugboy]

That view of Crackington Haven takes me back, Essex. I spent a great (cracking, even...) family holiday there back in 1969 at the time of the Apollo 11 moon landing. What I didn't realise at the time was that Large Blues were still hanging on along this bit of coast.

Thanks for that bit of nostalgia!

Dave

Ahhh 1969, two years before I was born

Some wonderful scenic views there Mark

[essexbuzzard]

Wow, if only you had known, Dave? You could have been one of the last to see native Large Blues in Cornwall!

Thanks for your comments, Bugboy!

[essexbuzzard]

Overnight rain and gales had cleared by morning, and the new day dawned bright and clear. Here is a mine, near Falmouth:

[essexbuzzard]

After an excellent few days walking the coast path, priorities changed for the last couple of days. Trebah garden are one of the few that are open in January, and I had a most enjoyable morning in this sub-tropical paradise.

Here, some more spring flowers were getting going.

This is a very pretty setting.

[Andrew555]

Sounds and looks like a fantastic time Essex. Some lovely scenes.