Many thanks to Adrian Lea for his summary of this weeks’ photos. An excellent choice in the week DEFRA published proposed changes to the Wildlife and Countryside Act, to quite rightly remove White-fronted Goose from the quarry list.
“The week certainly began well for Jon Irvine who kindly provided an excellent record shot of two summer plumage Red-necked Grebe feeding in Falmouth Bay, what a sight that must have been. I also loved the plumage detail in the Little Egret photograph taken by Martin Webb at the Camel Trail, Wadebridge.
Tuesday saw Martin Webb at Copperhouse Creek, Hayle and I particularly liked his Greenshank and Mediterranean Gull photographs.
Improving weather conditions on Wednesday inspired Gus Horsley and Jim Eames to visit Treraven, allowing them both to provide some great photos of a White-fronted Goose and a Bar-headed Goose, while John St Ledger was clearly also enjoying the sunshine at Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth where he was fortunate to photograph a near-shore Great Northern Diver.
The longer, drier and warmer days are clearly beginning to have an impact on our wildlife, the dawn chorus is becoming quite vocal and many of our birds are becoming territorial. This is exemplified by the lovely singing Dunnock photographed in the spring sunshine at Kennall Vale by W Hutchins on Thursday, a great photograph of an often underrated ‘little brown bird’ which is such a beautiful songster.
Paul Bullen was clearly enjoying some garden-birding at Par on Friday, what a thrill to see Siskin in a garden, and always great to see House Sparrows prospecting for nesting cavities. I also loved the Kingfisher and Marsh Harrier photographed at Middle Amble by Gavin Williams.
Saturday brought Tony Wilson to Truro where he clearly took the opportunity to see the over-wintering Lesser Yellowlegs before it hopefully continues its journey safely while Martin Webb captured a great photograph of a Magpie at Marazion Marsh RSPB, I love the mischievous glint in the eye and the iridescent tail plumage of a bird that is so often overlooked. The week ended with Steve Cox providing a photograph of a delicately balanced Kestrel at Crowlas.
My choice for photo of the week this week is between the White-fronted Goose by Jim Eames, the Dunnock by W Hutchins and the Magpie by Martin Webb. On balance I think that the White-fronted Goose takes the prize, a great photograph of a relatively uncommon Cornish visitor which will shortly be returning northwards.
Many thanks once again to everyone who has taken the time to submit sighting reports and photographs to our sightings team, it really is greatly appreciated.”
