Lesser Yellowlegs. St Clements.Truro. Cornwall 23/9/2011

Another juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs. This time at the picturesque village of St Clement near Truro. Two individuals of this elegant North American wader now reside in Cornwall. This one and another still at Drift Reservoir. Quite a turn up for the county.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Marazion.Cornwall. 22/9/2011

An unusually close encounter with a very tiered looking juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the fresh water river outlet at Marazion Beach in Cornwall, despite initial concerns about it's condition it was later seen feeding along the tideline and appeared to be in good health. Hopefully it recuperated enough to carry on it's journey as it was not seen the next day.

Long-billed Dowitcher. Stithians Reservoir. 14/9/2011

This Long-billed Dowitcher represents the eighth species of North American wader to be found in Cornwall in under two weeks. I can't remember a year as good as this. it seems Yank waders are coming out of our ears. Long may it last!

Lesser Yellowlegs. Drift Reservoir 15/9/2011

The Americans have landed in no uncertain terms, another "Tringa" to add to the list, this time a juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs.

Semi-palmated Sandpiper. Drift Reservoir

Yet another American wader species to add to the ever increasing list, this time a juvenile Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Drift Reservoir on 13th September. What a week! This is fast turning out to be one of the best autumns ever for these trans-atlantic gems.

Greater Yellowlegs, Wadebridge, 12/9/2011

An adult Greater Yellowlegs,a real "MEGA" and only Cornwall's second record was found at Treraven Meadows in Wadebridge. This was the first sighting of this elegant American Tringa species since 11th October 1955. It certainly got the old pulse racing and my foot to the floor when the news broke!

Black Kite. Polgigga

It took weeks, but we eventually caught up with the Black Kite over Polgigga as it fed in mid air on a Rat it had picked up from a nearby ploughed field.

Baird's Sandpiper

After several attempts Kate and I eventually caught up with the Baird's Sandpiper at hayle Estuary on the incomming tide. It treated us to superb views despite the gathered birders ant the constant traffic noise.

Pectoral Sandpiper (Drift Reservoir)

Kate and I were excited to find this Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper roosting on rocks in front of the hide. It gave superb views while we were there.
Pectoral Sandpipers are annual vagrants to Cornwall, normally during the autumn months, September being the optimum period. Over the years Drift Reservoir in West Cornwall boasts the Lions share of records, This juvenile is the first record so far this autumn.

Waders at Drift Reservoir

The Pec had a supporting cast, Curlew Sand, Little Stint, Knot, Dunlin and Ringed Plovers

Wasp Spiders

Wasp Spiders are one of our most strikingly colourful spiders. Originally from mainland Europe they have colonised large parts of southern England and are believed to be spreading further north, this is thought to be due to climate change. Their colours resemble wasps and bees on which they prey along with other insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, flies etc.
Their webs can be found low down in long un-grazed grassland and have a prominent zig zag pattern,spun in silk below the centre of the web know as a stabilimentum. They are harmless to humans though have been known to occasionally bite.
This colony was discovered just outside of Truro in Cornwall