Long-Tailed Tits

Whilst filling up the feeders this morning, at least ten Long-Tailed Tits flew in. I quickly grabbed my camera, casually walked towards the tree they were on, and took photos from less than 2m from the fat-ball feeder.

Thomson Habitats Photography Competition

I woke up this morning to find out that I have won a photography competition and £250. I'm so pleased! I might put the money towards buying a new camera. My photo of the Puffin with Sand Eels won "unanimously".

http://www.thomsonhabitats.com/page/photography-competition

Rutland Water

Trip to the Egleton Reserve with the Hitchin & Letchworth Local RSPB Group.

Best Species:
Osprey
Marsh Harrier
Hobby
Greenshank (first for this year)
Stock Dove
Ruff
Black-Tailed Godwit
Green Sandpiper
Egyptian Goose
Curlew

Marsh Harrier and Lapwing

Marsh Harrier and Lapwing

Marsh Harrier and Lapwings

Southern Hawker

Greenshank

Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Ruff

Ospreys at Lyndon Reserve

Ospreys at Lyndon Reserve

RSPB Labrador Bay

We had an excellent guided walk at the reserve and saw a number of species (whitethroat, blackcap, jay, kestrel), as well as at least 10 Cirl Buntings - a bird that is only seen in Devon and a part of Cornwall.

Male Cirl Bunting

Cirl Bunting

Female Cirl Bunting

Juvenile Kestrel

Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve

A great afternoon of waders and wheatears:

About 500 Oystercatchers
About 100 Ringed Plovers
About 50 Sandlerings
About 20 Sandwich Tterns
6 Wheatears
Dunlins
Knots
Common Terns
Cormorants
Great Black-Backed Gulls

Wheatear

Wheatear

Sanderlings

Sanderling

Sanderling

Ringed Plover

Oystercatchers

UK's Longest Zip Wire

Well...not really wildlife but absolutely stunning views flying through the air with my sister on the longest zipwire in Britain.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

Jungle

Swallow

Swallow taking off

Walk from Predannack to Mullion Cove

We had been to this picturesque area of the Cornish Coast about five years ago, so decided to return during our stay in Cornwall. We were treated to incredible weather and stunning views out to sea along the National Trust Coastal Path.

Small Tortoiseshell

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Common Blue

Common Blue

Common Blue

Raven

Ravens

Male Stonechat

Juvenile Stonechat

Female Stonechat

Juvenile Stonechat and Juvenile Whitethroat

Kestrel

Caterpillar