Pectoral Sandpiper, Truro. 22/9/2012

This juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was found feeding along the shoreline of the Truro River on the 19th September. There have been several records of this species at various sites in the county this autumn, This is the second to be seen in the Truro area, the first being an adult on the nearby Tresillian River in August.

Spotted Crake, Marazion Marsh, 8/9/2012

Spotted Crakes are secretive birds and are often very difficult to see when in their natural habitat of reed beds. This adult (one of three birds here at Marazion Marsh recently) showed quite well when it ventured into the open for a few minutes.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Marazion,1/9/2012

This adult Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found on Marazion beach. As is often the case with this species it was very approachable as it fed with a small group of turnstones on the tide line.

Alpine Swift. Newquay. 18/8/2012

 I caught up with this Alpine Swift at 8am after it had gone to roost the previous evening. It was the first autumn individual I had encountered, all the others I have seen have occurred in early spring (March/April). Arial birds like these are notoriously difficult to film as they are fast and very agile, making them tricky to keep in frame. I just about managed with this one

Monochromatic Odonata

A short film of Dragonflies and Damselflies in monochrome. Set to the music of Stefan Gustafsson - Clear Blue Skies

Duke of Burgundy Fritillary. Noar Hill, Hampshire.13/05/2012

The Duke of Burgundy Fritillary is Europe's only representative of the Riodinidae family. Having never seen one in Britain and with the weather forcast looking good, Kate and I went in search of the little gems at one of Britain's prime sites for the species Noar Hill in Hampshire, a fabulous Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve, a good three and a half hours from our home in Cornwall. We were not disappointed, finding three almost immediately and it just got better as the day went on, with a total of over thirty by the time we left at 3.30pm. The majority being males.......FANTASTIC!

Kentish Plovers. Marazion. 11/05/2012

It's been several years since I last saw a Kentish Plover, so when I heard that there was a pair on Marazion Beach I took the opportunity to see them early this morning. I was rewarded with superb views of both as they rested on the tideline. They were simply Stunning!