Sunday, 9 August 2009

Deadman's Hill

Me and dad spent several hours on Deadman's Hill near Sandon to try and see the elusive male Montaugu's Harrier. We didn't but had an excellent time seeing a total of six or seven species of Raptor:
Marsh Harrier - difficult to tell numbers but at least five juveniles.
Red Kite - three.
Peregrine - one briefly.
Hen Harrier - possible ringtail but too distant to be sure.
Kestrel - several.
Sparrowhawk - one.
Buzzard - up to ten.

We also heard Quail and Yellow Wagtail and saw a pair of Grey Partridges with a number of chicks. I also caught (and lost!) a rodent, probably a Field Vole, and found and photographed (on my dad's phone) this Four Spot Orb Weaver spider.

Monday, 1 June 2009

Long-tailed Tit

Painted for my Mum's 40th birthday card...

Wednesday, 27 May 2009

Portgwara

Went sea-watching in the aftrernoon after a wet and windy morning. We saw...

Gannet x about 100.
Manx Shearwater x hundreds all flying west.
Rock Pipit
Razorbill
Oystercatcher x 3
Shag x c.10

And then pretended to fall over a cliff!

Friday, 22 May 2009

Dartmouth

Holiday in Cornwall but stopped off in Dartmouth on the way.

Went to Yarner wood and saw Pied Flycatchers and Wood Warblers. Nearby we saw Tree Pipits, Peregrines, Ravens, and Stonechats. I also spotted these funny clouds...

Saturday, 16 May 2009

Black Grouse


I went to Langdon Beck to watch Black Grouse leking (their display.) We saw them early morning in the fog but it cleared and we had a better view. Also breeding in the uplands were Meadow Pipit, Curlew, Snipe, Lapwing and Redshank.

Saturday, 2 May 2009

Collared Flycatcher

Saw a Collared Flycatcher at Portland in Dorset. Someone daddy knows took this picture next to me...

Sunday, 12 April 2009

Buzzards, Merlin, and Amwell

I went to Amwell and on the way saw six Buzzards near Barley. Best of all however was a Merlin that I saw when we got to Barley.

At Amwell I saw a pair of Ringed Plovers, a Little Ringed Plover, a pair of Redshank, Grey Wagtail, and a Cuckoo. Sedge Warblers and Cetti's Warblers were also heard.

I took this photo of Lapwings flying...