Many thanks to Adrian Langdon for providing us with another comprehensive round up of this week’s photo journal.
“Another excellent week of photography, helped along by fine weather and a noticeable influx of spring migrants across Cornwall, resulting in a wide range of high-quality images from many contributors.

Monday started strongly with Geoff Rogers posting a cracking image of a Whimbrel amongst spring squill at the Knavocks, a lovely seasonal combination. Alastair Swanson followed with a superb Ruddy Turnstone at Hannafore, while Mullion Cliffs produced a real highlight in the form of a Woodchat Shrike, captured nicely by Steve Ford. Steve Rogers added a good image of a Sanderling from Marazion Beach, and Dean Pollard contributed a pleasing Willow Warbler from Tregonetha Downs. Continuing the theme of incoming migrants, Bob Bosisto produced a top-class image of a singing Grasshopper Warbler taken near Roche in mid-Cornwall.

By Wednesday, the quality of migrant images remained high. A Grey Plover featured in two excellent photographs—one by Steve Wood at Kennack Sands and another in the surf at the water’s edge at Loe Bar by David Collins. Adrian Lea also had a productive spell, capturing a fine Whimbrel among bluebells on the cliff tops at Kennack Sands, followed by a Whitethroat in full song at Kynance Cove and a Willow Warbler at Croft Pascoe, both on the Lizard.

Grasshopper Warblers continued to feature on Thursday, with another excellent image from Aadil Khan at Bartinney Nature Reserve near Land’s End. Steve Wood also produced a cracking Lesser Whitethroat at Mullion, adding to the growing list of migrant highlights.

Friday saw several photographers focusing on a Kentish Plover that showed well on Longrock Beach. Alan Lobb and Nigel Rogers both secured strong images, but it was Phil Taylor who stood out with a truly stunning photograph that went on to be selected as Photo of the Day. In the same general area, Martin Webb captured a pair of Garganey at Marazion Marsh, while Paul Freestone added a very nice Little Tern taken at Carnsew Pool, Hayle.

Saturday continued the high standard, with Dean Pollard producing a superb image of a Cuckoo holding a caterpillar in its bill at Tregoss in mid-Cornwall—an excellent behavioural shot. Lynn Colliver added a good Grasshopper Warbler from East Pentire, Newquay, while Jane Leigh captured an impressive close-up of a male Stonechat at Castle Beach, Falmouth.

A boat trip out of Padstow or Rock on the Camel Estuary clearly paid off for Andy Tomkins, who returned with good images of Puffin, Manx Shearwater and Guillemot. Rupert Kirkwood added a Puffin from Boscastle and Darren Rundle followed with another Grasshopper Warbler from Tregonetha Downs.

Adam Holmes spent time on Bodmin Moor and produced a fine image of a Yellowhammer along with two very good flight shots of a Cuckoo, rounding off the week nicely.

Overall, the combination of settled weather and migrating birds resulted in many high-quality photographs. After careful consideration, the standout images were narrowed down to Dean Pollard’s Cuckoo with caterpillar and Phil Taylor’s Kentish Plover. In the end, the decision went to Phil Taylor’s image—a masterclass in photography of an unusual species for Cornwall, and a thoroughly deserving winner. Congratulations to Phil, and commiserations to Dean for an outstanding runner-up image.

Thank you to everyone who contributed this week. Please keep your photographs coming—whether migrants, resident species, or moments from your local patch, every image helps build a rich and valuable weekly record for all to enjoy.”