tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62699602346599498982024-03-13T21:41:55.030+00:00Windmill Farm Nature ReserveThe ramblings of the warden of this reserve on the Lizard peninsula in west Cornwall, UK, comprising 205 acres of grassland, heathland, arable fields, willow scrub and ponds. It is jointly owned by Cornwall Bird-Watching and Preservation Society and Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Interspersed with the latest news and sightings you will find my retrospective blog outlining the development of the reserve. Please note this is a personal, unofficial account and is not necessarily endorsed by the owners.Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-21579420320927994972012-12-08T20:22:00.002+00:002012-12-08T20:22:24.217+00:00New Windmill Farm blog.Here's the new blog, created by Dougy, the warden:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://windmillfarmgates.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/well-here-i-am.html?showComment=1354997572652#c5407549418597226459">http://windmillfarmgates.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/well-here-i-am.html?showComment=1354997572652#c5407549418597226459</a>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-86757128883063408002012-11-16T14:14:00.000+00:002012-11-16T14:14:03.519+00:00A new broomAfter 11 years as voluntary warden of the reserve, I've decided to stand down and let my natural successor, Dougy Wright, take over. Dougy loves the place as much as I do and I've no doubt it will be in good hands.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXaxh--hYGs/UKLDJN-KBYI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/l2XxRXxrBEc/s1600/Dougy1+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXaxh--hYGs/UKLDJN-KBYI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/l2XxRXxrBEc/s320/Dougy1+-+Copy.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"> Dougy birding in Hungary back in 2008</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-82389333762212315842012-08-05T16:02:00.001+01:002012-08-05T18:18:42.236+01:00HoverflyingThere was a noticeable influx of the large hoverfly <i>Helophilus trivittatu</i>s evident at the farm yesterday. I counted 30+ and they far outnumbered the resident <i>Helophilus pendulus</i>. These are almost certainly immigramts from the Continent. They are larger and paler than <i>pendulus</i> and their face is entirely yellow. <i>Pendulus </i>have a dark stripe down the centre of the face.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_aAS9k7lVs/UB6KL6RzRNI/AAAAAAAAAzI/N_GDsYHO7v8/s1600/H.trivittatus3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_aAS9k7lVs/UB6KL6RzRNI/AAAAAAAAAzI/N_GDsYHO7v8/s320/H.trivittatus3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: start;">Helophilus trivittatu</i><span style="text-align: start;">s</span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asM5dTj8Yts/UB6KRDnKTEI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/j4OeGvjf3HA/s1600/H.trivittatus7+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asM5dTj8Yts/UB6KRDnKTEI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/j4OeGvjf3HA/s320/H.trivittatus7+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: start;">Helophilus trivittatu</i><span style="text-align: start;">s</span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vf0lz0Or0ew/UB6qVKqscDI/AAAAAAAAAzw/De6ECjOukSA/s1600/H.trivittatus6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vf0lz0Or0ew/UB6qVKqscDI/AAAAAAAAAzw/De6ECjOukSA/s320/H.trivittatus6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><i>Helophilus trivittatu</i>s
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EaD3oBzKZg/UB6KXdQe2sI/AAAAAAAAAzY/2tCtl4eiyEQ/s1600/Helophilus+pendulus2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5EaD3oBzKZg/UB6KXdQe2sI/AAAAAAAAAzY/2tCtl4eiyEQ/s320/Helophilus+pendulus2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: start;">Helophilus pendulus</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: start;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmoBR8anIoU/UB6qh8XhHHI/AAAAAAAAAz4/tRgjeNBnyNc/s1600/Helophilus+pendulus+250705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmoBR8anIoU/UB6qh8XhHHI/AAAAAAAAAz4/tRgjeNBnyNc/s320/Helophilus+pendulus+250705.JPG" width="305" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: start;">Helophilus pendulus</i>
</div>
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-32355493177598536642012-08-03T15:48:00.004+01:002012-08-03T16:37:00.783+01:00Have you seen Erica?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-acNJocM0Ueo/UBvnZ94v0XI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Qd0hRETw9u4/s1600/CornishHeath2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-acNJocM0Ueo/UBvnZ94v0XI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Qd0hRETw9u4/s320/CornishHeath2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cornish Heath <i>(Erica vagans) </i>grows only on the Lizard peninsula</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R5iSr0EhxpY/UBvjj5Q8itI/AAAAAAAAAxk/lPgGBTmM1eg/s1600/BellHeather+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R5iSr0EhxpY/UBvjj5Q8itI/AAAAAAAAAxk/lPgGBTmM1eg/s320/BellHeather+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bell Heather <i>(Erica cinerea)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hokxFS-4ZRA/UBvjqDiSy4I/AAAAAAAAAxs/7QTTUcGTbwM/s1600/CrossLeavedHeathandBellHeather+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hokxFS-4ZRA/UBvjqDiSy4I/AAAAAAAAAxs/7QTTUcGTbwM/s320/CrossLeavedHeathandBellHeather+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mixture of Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath <i>(Erica tetralix)</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlAlMYKDQ1I/UBvjvuNzpsI/AAAAAAAAAx0/dAV7AT-WRMs/s1600/WesternGorse+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlAlMYKDQ1I/UBvjvuNzpsI/AAAAAAAAAx0/dAV7AT-WRMs/s320/WesternGorse+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mixture of Western Gorse <i>(Ulex gallii) </i>and Cornish Heath</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-80310702498622460672012-07-31T19:23:00.001+01:002012-07-31T21:55:46.077+01:00BioBlitzed!Well the weekend's BioBlitz was a great success, with twenty or so attendees (some of whom stayed all night, studying moths etc in between short bouts of sleep), plenty of sunshine and only a little rain. The final species count is yet to be tallied as there are some that remain to be identified from photographs or descriptions, but there's no doubt that a number of new species have been added to the reserve list.<br />
<br />
I want to thank everyone who came along, and in particular Sally Luker for helping to get it organised (and baking cakes) and Sue Scott, who brought along masses of equipment (including the mobile tea-shop) and lots of identification guides and took on the recording. Special thanks too to the group who came all the way from Reading. One of those intrepid travellers, Christopher Foster, has written his own take on the weekend <a href="http://consideringbirds.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
<br />
Here are some photos from the event (thanks to all concerned for permission to use them):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmpJIE6G7WE/UBggMJVA1rI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Gse0hxpnOSU/s1600/Forest+Bug+(SL).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmpJIE6G7WE/UBggMJVA1rI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Gse0hxpnOSU/s320/Forest+Bug+(SL).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Forest Bug (Sally Luker <a href="http://thenarcolpeticnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thenarcolpeticnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/</a>)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iwzM3_Miuik/UBggQQYjEqI/AAAAAAAAAv8/rFf6NpUKaQ4/s1600/Sneezewort+(SL).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iwzM3_Miuik/UBggQQYjEqI/AAAAAAAAAv8/rFf6NpUKaQ4/s320/Sneezewort+(SL).jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sneezewort (Sally Luker <a href="http://thenarcolpeticnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thenarcolpeticnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/</a>)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3320a44N9cs/UBggUfd0VOI/AAAAAAAAAwE/-lzfaFs61QI/s1600/Adders+(SL).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3320a44N9cs/UBggUfd0VOI/AAAAAAAAAwE/-lzfaFs61QI/s320/Adders+(SL).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Female Adders (Sally Luker <a href="http://thenarcolpeticnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thenarcolpeticnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/</a>)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dfnTFIZTnT0/UBggYQecj-I/AAAAAAAAAwM/GX7JVs0QHNA/s1600/Meadow+Grasshopper+(SL).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dfnTFIZTnT0/UBggYQecj-I/AAAAAAAAAwM/GX7JVs0QHNA/s320/Meadow+Grasshopper+(SL).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Meadow Grasshopper (Sally Luker <a href="http://thenarcolpeticnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/">http://thenarcolpeticnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/</a>)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-opQEPv1o9iQ/UBggcJqPKHI/AAAAAAAAAwU/qmb2MRJS7Jc/s1600/Minor+Shoulder-knot+(DF).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-opQEPv1o9iQ/UBggcJqPKHI/AAAAAAAAAwU/qmb2MRJS7Jc/s320/Minor+Shoulder-knot+(DF).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Minor Shoulder-knot (David Fenwick)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyFYbqIJNn8/UBggfrFaUvI/AAAAAAAAAwc/UcT6Y04fE_E/s1600/Campion+Moth+(DF).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyFYbqIJNn8/UBggfrFaUvI/AAAAAAAAAwc/UcT6Y04fE_E/s320/Campion+Moth+(DF).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Campion moth (David Fenwick)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pwe3NsAbMs/UBggkRQfU3I/AAAAAAAAAwk/mq_fYpYJkJs/s1600/Eristalis+horticola+(CF).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pwe3NsAbMs/UBggkRQfU3I/AAAAAAAAAwk/mq_fYpYJkJs/s320/Eristalis+horticola+(CF).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Eristalis hortocola (Christopher Foster <a href="http://consideringbirds.wordpress.com/">http://consideringbirds.wordpress.com/</a>) </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQfkHOfgK3E/UBggoEEQSeI/AAAAAAAAAws/vhowMIZkXHM/s1600/Ichneumoid+fly+(CF).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQfkHOfgK3E/UBggoEEQSeI/AAAAAAAAAws/vhowMIZkXHM/s320/Ichneumoid+fly+(CF).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ichneumoid fly (Christopher Foster <a href="http://consideringbirds.wordpress.com/">http://consideringbirds.wordpress.com/</a>)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUExFMRYLuA/UBggtI9e9iI/AAAAAAAAAw0/zayyTw6BoeA/s1600/Wood+Sandpiper+(CF).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUExFMRYLuA/UBggtI9e9iI/AAAAAAAAAw0/zayyTw6BoeA/s320/Wood+Sandpiper+(CF).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wood Sandpiper (Christopher Foster <a href="http://consideringbirds.wordpress.com/">http://consideringbirds.wordpress.com/</a>)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Xjq-U5h3PU/UBggy_a2OrI/AAAAAAAAAw8/i9wr2kDmOOo/s1600/Scaeva+pyrastri+(ARP).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Xjq-U5h3PU/UBggy_a2OrI/AAAAAAAAAw8/i9wr2kDmOOo/s320/Scaeva+pyrastri+(ARP).jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Scaeva pyrastri (Andy Pay <a href="http://consideringbirds.wordpress.com/">http://consideringbirds.wordpress.com/</a>)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ScErBbs04Js/UBghFx6COuI/AAAAAAAAAxE/Qpmor7GzW98/s1600/BioBlitz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ScErBbs04Js/UBghFx6COuI/AAAAAAAAAxE/Qpmor7GzW98/s320/BioBlitz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
BioBlitzers (Christopher Foster)</div>
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-87297465489808001662012-07-17T19:41:00.001+01:002012-07-17T19:50:23.107+01:00BioBlitzWe'r<span style="font-family: inherit;">e holding a BioBlitz at the farm on 28th/29th July, starting at 2.00pm on the Saturday and ending 2.00pm Sunday. A BioBlitz is to wildlif</span>e recording what the Le Mans 24hr is to motor racing and involves finding and identifying as many species as possible. We have invited local (and not so local) experts in various fields and hope they will help us to build on the reserve's species lists.<br />
<br />
There will be moth-trapping, small mammal trapping, pond-dipping, birding, invertebrate hunting, botanising, hopefully bat-detecting and much more. The information centre on site will serve as a laboratory and tearoom. The Lizard is pretty special when it comes to hosting rare species of all sorts of things and there are sure to be some goodies on the farm that haven't yet been discovered (as well as lots that have!). Everybody is welcome and for those who want to make a weekend of it, there is a <a href="http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=9991" target="_blank">campsite</a> just down the lane. <br />
<br />
Here are some examples of what we should find, photos taken on a rare sunny day on Sunday. The first two are hoverflies - the top one is <i>Sericomyia silentis</i> but the second is at yet unidentified. Below them is a Scorpion Fly (<i>Panorpa communis</i>) photographed by Dougy Wright.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JMj-s3TWGog/UAWwWfZvcPI/AAAAAAAAAvY/xA4XjjRPI4s/s1600/Sericomyia+silentis+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JMj-s3TWGog/UAWwWfZvcPI/AAAAAAAAAvY/xA4XjjRPI4s/s320/Sericomyia+silentis+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hRQgIu4cCvc/UAWwfjvYnrI/AAAAAAAAAvg/TAuEs4EuNPY/s1600/Hover150712.2+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hRQgIu4cCvc/UAWwfjvYnrI/AAAAAAAAAvg/TAuEs4EuNPY/s320/Hover150712.2+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1M1QWiR-r8/UAWwjhkjnsI/AAAAAAAAAvo/f2ECkg_TKgw/s1600/scorpion_fly_fit+-+Copy.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1M1QWiR-r8/UAWwjhkjnsI/AAAAAAAAAvo/f2ECkg_TKgw/s320/scorpion_fly_fit+-+Copy.tif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-27929396672977471192012-06-24T15:41:00.002+01:002012-06-24T15:47:12.169+01:00Thin pickingsUsually when I'm away something good turns up at the farm, e.g. Buff-breasted Sandpiper or Woodchat Shrike. This year I was abroad from mid May to mid June and it appears that I've missed precisely nothing, except a lot of wind and rain.<br />
<br />
Here are some shots from yesterday of a Clouded Buff moth, a young Slow Worm and patch of Ragged Robin, of which we have plenty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWNItcjoB4s/T-cmaS3Xo6I/AAAAAAAAAu4/iJsWRyAyMK8/s1600/CloudedBuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWNItcjoB4s/T-cmaS3Xo6I/AAAAAAAAAu4/iJsWRyAyMK8/s320/CloudedBuff.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5fkYuDcPFU/T-cmgz6NCKI/AAAAAAAAAvA/LErNrkhomcc/s1600/SlowWorm6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5fkYuDcPFU/T-cmgz6NCKI/AAAAAAAAAvA/LErNrkhomcc/s320/SlowWorm6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vhjzZuD6dI/T-cmtjAPSVI/AAAAAAAAAvM/fcgd8eNPyGk/s1600/RaggedRobin4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vhjzZuD6dI/T-cmtjAPSVI/AAAAAAAAAvM/fcgd8eNPyGk/s320/RaggedRobin4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-90638478039754899472012-05-05T20:47:00.000+01:002012-05-06T16:35:29.315+01:00May birdsA few nice birds have called in over the last few days. Not for the first time, some of them were seen along the approach road. On Thursday Ian Griffiths saw a Turtle Dove on the wires just by the gate, then later that day he was driving back out when a male Golden Oriole flew down the road ahead of him. Yesterday Dougy Wright was watching one of three Dunlin which dropped in on the Plantlife pool when it was dive-bombed by a Short-eared Owl! And today I saw an immature male Marsh Harrier, probably the one which has been around since last November, along with the three Black-tailed Godwits and a Little Egret. The two godwits which were in winter plumage last week are now rapidly gaining their breeding colours.<br />
<br />
A few odonata are finally beginning to emerge - Broad-bodied Chaser and Emerald Damselfly both made their first appearance yesterday.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Griff for the photos of Garden Warbler and Turtle Dove (taken through the car windscreen!), and Dougy for the Dunlin and Short-eared Owl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bYb6WQPQMEc/T6WCifIEXEI/AAAAAAAAAuE/AvkYSZ5cl9A/s1600/GW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bYb6WQPQMEc/T6WCifIEXEI/AAAAAAAAAuE/AvkYSZ5cl9A/s320/GW.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOfdrT1g7bQ/T6WCv2A5YqI/AAAAAAAAAuM/Mqrfuz51ku4/s1600/turtle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOfdrT1g7bQ/T6WCv2A5YqI/AAAAAAAAAuM/Mqrfuz51ku4/s320/turtle3.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMcxCvWZknU/T6WC50vnuzI/AAAAAAAAAuU/YlNbC65jCyI/s1600/Dunlin.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMcxCvWZknU/T6WC50vnuzI/AAAAAAAAAuU/YlNbC65jCyI/s320/Dunlin.tif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw_qmr4LHF0/T6WDS9qDxjI/AAAAAAAAAuc/UYI1z3xtcLE/s1600/SEO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw_qmr4LHF0/T6WDS9qDxjI/AAAAAAAAAuc/UYI1z3xtcLE/s320/SEO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQagwqI_Uqo/T6WDdF2986I/AAAAAAAAAuk/ER8xC646P7c/s1600/Godwits+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQagwqI_Uqo/T6WDdF2986I/AAAAAAAAAuk/ER8xC646P7c/s320/Godwits+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fi2LrTiXweQ/T6WDn97No_I/AAAAAAAAAus/OGJuDfY9Z4k/s1600/LEgret+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fi2LrTiXweQ/T6WDn97No_I/AAAAAAAAAus/OGJuDfY9Z4k/s320/LEgret+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-63981586377145936842012-05-02T19:11:00.000+01:002012-05-02T20:47:22.719+01:00At last, a touch of Spring.With blue skies and a hint of warmth in the easterly breeze, it felt like Spring today (for the first time since the end of March). It was a nine warbler day at the farm: Grasshopper, Reed, seven Sedge, three Blackcap, Garden Warbler, three Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Willow Warblers and two Chiffchaffs - all singing. There was a steady passage of Swallows flying north: I counted 35. Amongst the supporting cast were two Swifts, two Cuckoos, male and female Peregrine, two Whimbrel, six Skylarks, seven Wheatears, three Song Thrushes and six Linnets.<br />
<br />
There were very few butterflies around so I was pleasantly surprised when a Painted Lady flew by.Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-29505851659734283462012-05-01T13:09:00.001+01:002012-05-02T19:45:49.947+01:00April showers - and the rest!I'm rather glad that month's over. April is one of my favourites - normally - but that was the worst I can remember. The legacy is as much standing water and mud on the reserve as I have ever seen, at any time of year, and probably more than a few inbound summer migrants which didn't survive the truly awful weather of the last couple of days. That's a pessimistic view. Maybe they're hardier than I give them credit for.<br />
<br />
Today it was dry, sunny and with a more gentle breeze from the south-east. In the warbler line there were plenty of Willow Warblers singing, along with a few Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Sedge Warblers and a couple of Whitethroats. Skylarks are on their soggy territories and about a dozen Swallows zipped through. I counted eight Wheatears but the birds of the day were the three Black-tailed Godwits which have been present for a few days now. One is in glorious summer plumage. There were also two Whimbrel and a Cuckoo calling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RX8pnj3fSAY/T5_Ms4eV7BI/AAAAAAAAAtc/5aDtHpg4Em4/s1600/BTGodwitAndWhimbrel+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RX8pnj3fSAY/T5_Ms4eV7BI/AAAAAAAAAtc/5aDtHpg4Em4/s320/BTGodwitAndWhimbrel+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8RI7CGJO1k/T5_SaD-bXuI/AAAAAAAAAto/VAlEPnZgNr0/s1600/Wheatear5+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8RI7CGJO1k/T5_SaD-bXuI/AAAAAAAAAto/VAlEPnZgNr0/s320/Wheatear5+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-12253033306953343392012-04-01T17:55:00.002+01:002012-04-01T17:56:06.135+01:00Catching some raysThe warm sunshine of the last week has brought lots of adders out to bask.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1NDUwMWYX6U/T3iHMfZiHlI/AAAAAAAAAtM/mqTdyOm6HOQ/s1600/Adder9+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1NDUwMWYX6U/T3iHMfZiHlI/AAAAAAAAAtM/mqTdyOm6HOQ/s320/Adder9+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CwuxUq6Bzfg/T3iHkIHZYHI/AAAAAAAAAtU/Uuu8nnMNTWU/s1600/Adder7+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CwuxUq6Bzfg/T3iHkIHZYHI/AAAAAAAAAtU/Uuu8nnMNTWU/s320/Adder7+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers have arrived in numbers, but further migration is likely to be suspended as the weather cools down. The male Marsh Harrier is still around and a Water Pipit has been around Ruan Pool for a few days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-35838587663443588862012-03-25T17:44:00.000+01:002012-03-27T16:10:03.384+01:00Hoop hoop!The last few days of warm south-easterly winds have seen an exceptional number of early Spring migrants arriving at the farm, culminating in our fifth Hoopoe in as many years this morning. This one was found by Dougy Wright ("Senior Assistant" to the Warden!) but it hung around long enough for me to catch up with it. Thanks to Dougy for the photo below. The supporting cast so far has included Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Ring Ouzel, six Black Redstarts, a Willow Warbler and 10+ Chiffchaffs. Speckled Woods, Peacocks, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshells are already on the wing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sx3miZPs08U/T29LQylQt1I/AAAAAAAAAtE/ib9Kxvfs310/s1600/Hoopoe12dw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sx3miZPs08U/T29LQylQt1I/AAAAAAAAAtE/ib9Kxvfs310/s320/Hoopoe12dw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On Sunday April 8th there will be a guided walk around the reserve from 10.00-13.00. All are welcome.</div>
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-42492622675269072842012-03-20T17:17:00.002+00:002012-03-26T20:35:26.244+01:00Biffa PondsHere's a photo (courtesy of Cornwall Wildlife Trust) of the nine new ponds at the farm. They were created in conjunction with <a href="http://www.pondconservation.org.uk/" target="_blank">Pond Conservation</a> and also funding by Biffa Waste Services through their <a href="http://www.biffaward.org/" target="_blank">Biffawards</a> scheme. They should provide great habitat for some some of our rare plants, birds and hordes of invertebrates.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dSFSqYmutcQ/T2i7eFCy2vI/AAAAAAAAAs8/FxsRKd77xJI/s1600/BiffaPondsAfter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dSFSqYmutcQ/T2i7eFCy2vI/AAAAAAAAAs8/FxsRKd77xJI/s400/BiffaPondsAfter.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-73268762087125389392012-02-18T16:40:00.002+00:002012-02-21T12:02:52.660+00:00Review of 2011At last - a new blog entry!! I've been entering the records for the farm for 2011 onto my MapMate program and have set out below some highlights. It was a very good year indeed. Firstly the birds. Those in <b>bold</b> are the first records of those species for the reserve:<br />
<br />
Golden Plover 248 on 1st Jan<br />
Snipe 49 on 1st Jan<br />
Mediterranean Gull 9 sightings during the year<br />
Fieldfare 200 on 14th Jan<br />
Wigeon 51 on 14th Jan<br />
Shoveler 13 on 14th Jan<br />
Hen Harrier 9 sightings during the year<br />
<b>Bewick's Swan</b> 7 on 30th Jan<br />
Gadwall 5 on 3rd Feb<br />
Teal 23 on 14th Jan<br />
Black Redstart 5 on 25th Mar<br />
Ring Ouzel 7 sightings during the year<br />
<b>Bee-eater</b> 1 on 3rd Apr (added retrospectively - see comment below)<br />
Marsh Harrier 1 on 9th Apr, 1 on 22nd Nov<br />
Merlin 6 sightings during the year<br />
Peregrine 3 sightings during the year<br />
Hoopoe 1 from 19th-24th Apr<br />
Short-eared Owl 1 on 19th Apr<br />
Black-tailed Godwit 3 on 24th Apr<br />
Whimbrel 14 on 7th May<br />
<b>Tawny Ow</b>l 1 on 28th Apr<br />
Red Kite 1 on 15th May<br />
Golden Oriole 1 on 19th May<br />
Wryneck 1 on 19th Aug<br />
Green Sandpiper 20 on 23rd Aug<br />
Black Kite 1 on 29th Aug<br />
<b>Spotted Redshank</b> 2 on 29th Aug<br />
Yellow Wagtail 6 on 2nd Sep<br />
Wheatear 20 on 4th Sep<br />
Whinchat 10 on 4th Sep<br />
Redstart 1 on 30th Sep<br />
Meadow Pipit 80 on 1st Oct<br />
Hobby 1 on 1st Oct<br />
Tree Pipit 1 on 2nd Oct<br />
Pectoral Sandpiper 2 on 4th Oct<br />
Linnet 300 on 11th Oct<br />
Yellow-browed Warbler 1 on 17th Oct, 1 on 19th Oct<br />
Firecrest 1 on 17th Oct<br />
Siskin 5 on 25th Oct<br />
Bullfinch 8 on 25th Oct<br />
Lapwing 103 on 20th Nov<br />
Redwing 120 on 12th Nov<br />
<b>Little Gull</b> 1 on 12th Nov<br />
Pintail 3 on 22nd Nov<br />
<b>Greylag Goos</b>e 6 on 20th Dec<br />
Black-headed Gull 82 on 21st Dec<br />
<b>Brent Goose</b> 1 on 26th Dec<br />
Jack Snipe 1 on 28th Dec<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qj_a0d2eTC4/T0Ansa1aM8I/AAAAAAAAAsI/RCCB4gzGeq0/s1600/RKite2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qj_a0d2eTC4/T0Ansa1aM8I/AAAAAAAAAsI/RCCB4gzGeq0/s400/RKite2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Red Kite</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EqQuyY_52IA/Tz_XAvKxlII/AAAAAAAAArA/nzTUapw_e0I/s1600/SpotShank2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EqQuyY_52IA/Tz_XAvKxlII/AAAAAAAAArA/nzTUapw_e0I/s400/SpotShank2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spotted Redshank</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gk926x0zR8A/T0AnA-Rs_JI/AAAAAAAAAsA/FB9h7zoBNZk/s1600/SeOwl3+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gk926x0zR8A/T0AnA-Rs_JI/AAAAAAAAAsA/FB9h7zoBNZk/s400/SeOwl3+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Short-eared Owl</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Best counts of singing warblers during the Spring were as follows:</div>
<br />
Grasshopper Warbler 9<br />
Whitethroat 12<br />
Lesser Whitethroat 2<br />
Blackcap 5<br />
Garden Warbler 1<br />
Sedge Warbler 9<br />
Reed Warbler 4<br />
Willow Warbler 24<br />
Chiffchaff 6<br />
<br />
And now, some other notable records:<br />
<br />
<b>Vagrant Emperor</b> 1 on 24th Apr, 2 on 25th Apr<br />
Lesser Emperor 1 from 28th Jul to 4th Aug<br />
Red-veined Darter 6 on 25th Apr and many sightings of up to 3 throughout the summer<br />
Marsh Fritillary 6 on 6th June<br />
<b>Roe Deer</b> 1 on 21st Apr<br />
Pigmy Rush 142 plants<br />
Yellow Centaury 1440 plants<br />
Green-winged Orchid 17 plants<br />
<br />
We were probably the only site in the whole country to record all three species of Emperor dragonfly during the year. We had the highest count of Pigmy Rush too - not difficult as it occurs only on the Lizard!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMXZuSp0alQ/T0AhartnNoI/AAAAAAAAArY/Fi0LJ_iS6X0/s1600/MarshFrit3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMXZuSp0alQ/T0AhartnNoI/AAAAAAAAArY/Fi0LJ_iS6X0/s320/MarshFrit3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Marsh Fritillary</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIVWQEMbeDk/Tz_Uek5IuvI/AAAAAAAAAq4/SbunRmp-T8E/s1600/GwOrchid1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIVWQEMbeDk/Tz_Uek5IuvI/AAAAAAAAAq4/SbunRmp-T8E/s400/GwOrchid1.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Green-winged Orchid</div>
<br />
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-74183702967206882132011-11-13T13:59:00.001+00:002011-11-13T15:44:08.758+00:00Thank heaven for Little Gulls!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was plenty of activity at the farm yesterday. As I arrived in the car-park, a large flock of Redwings, which I estimated at 120, were flying low towards the Lizard village. Following on behind were 40 or so Fieldfares. A few individuals from both groups dropped down to feast on our bountiful hawthorn berries. Meanwhile, this Black Redstart was catching flies from the roof of the outbuildings.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i651KeJxdn4/Tr_PGew2VxI/AAAAAAAAAqY/Zcv0JqIeakg/s1600/BlackRed+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i651KeJxdn4/Tr_PGew2VxI/AAAAAAAAAqY/Zcv0JqIeakg/s400/BlackRed+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On towards Ruan Pool and some 350 Lapwings were flapping around, with at least 500 Golden Plover doing aerobatics above them. I settled down in the hide with my telescope to scan through the gulls. This may be hard to believe, but in the first few years of the reserve's existence, Black-headed Gulls were very rare visitors. In fact, despite hundreds of hours of observer coverage, it was four years before the first record! That may have been because until then we didn't have a suitable body of water to attract them. But it's only in the last two years that they've become much more regular, both in the spring and the winter. As far as I'm aware, local farming practices haven't changed recently, so that wouldn't account for them appearing in greater numbers at the southern end of the peninsula. Yesterday there were about 60 of them splashing about in the water and in the midst of them was the reserve's first ever Little Gull! This is a scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to Cornwall and was a very nice surprise. There were also two Common Gulls amongst the group, another bird we rather surprisingly rarely see on the farm.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Padf_bFC5fM/Tr_kcABQrEI/AAAAAAAAAqg/NWB1TnMhNYk/s1600/RuanPoolNov11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Padf_bFC5fM/Tr_kcABQrEI/AAAAAAAAAqg/NWB1TnMhNYk/s400/RuanPoolNov11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little Gull on Ruan Pool (okay, it's not a frame-filler........)</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-9517576942412900512011-10-04T21:40:00.002+01:002011-10-04T21:42:30.302+01:00Finally - a piece of the action.The last few weeks have seen an unprecedented influx of American waders into the county. For this we can thank Irene and Katia for creating havoc in the north Atlantic weather systems. Almost every patch of mud in Cornwall has hosted some leggy shorebird or other from across the pond - but not our patches of mud at Windmill Farm.<br />
<br />
Today<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> was misty and
eerily quiet. Having decided </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">there was nothing about</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">, I was idly and, it has to be said, carelessly
trudging along the edge of our little scrape, which is almost dry,
musing that I have seen Pectoral Sandpipers in the most unlikely of places. Not five seconds later, I heard a distinct call - "prrrt". I looked
around in search of the culprit and there it was - a Pectoral Sandpiper, not 10
yards away. Three feet from it was another! We all froze. I ever so slowly down
sat down. After an age, they decided I wasn't a threat and much to my relief carried on feeding. After admiring them for a few minutes I slowly withdrew back into the mist and left them to it. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">The light was hopeless for photography today, so here are a couple of shots I got over the weekend of adders enjoying the warmth of the brief Indian summer. The top one is a youngster, about eight inches long, and below is an adult male.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmxAHzRujd4/TotumTnTGpI/AAAAAAAAAp0/9xFELkbpOBo/s1600/Adder4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmxAHzRujd4/TotumTnTGpI/AAAAAAAAAp0/9xFELkbpOBo/s320/Adder4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bozI9HUVOs/Totu4iuzsJI/AAAAAAAAAp4/HD1HsisW_Vo/s1600/Adder6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bozI9HUVOs/Totu4iuzsJI/AAAAAAAAAp4/HD1HsisW_Vo/s320/Adder6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-18938232873802290922011-09-03T17:00:00.003+01:002011-09-03T17:03:46.318+01:00Poser<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktKMU1xSSkg/TmJPqzd_30I/AAAAAAAAApo/qmMYgSSbUdg/s1600/SpotShank3%2B-%2BCopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktKMU1xSSkg/TmJPqzd_30I/AAAAAAAAApo/qmMYgSSbUdg/s400/SpotShank3%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648164479465152322" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Spotted Redshank on the Plantlife pond this morning.
<br /></div>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-7983479442994433282011-08-31T18:02:00.004+01:002012-02-18T22:05:49.356+00:00Bring your own snacks....Participants in a recent dragonfly workshop at the farm collected lots of dragonfly exuviae from around the ponds and brought them up to the information centre for examination. In case you're not aware, exuviae are the external shells of the aquatic larvae. When they're ready to fly, the larvae climb out of the water, usually up a rush-stem or similar, and slowly emerge as adult dragonflies, leaving these shells behind. The species and even the sex of the dragonfly can be established from studying them. Most of these are Emperors.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugnW54Q38dg/Tl5pl3MzG8I/AAAAAAAAApI/81gYkWV_jXk/s1600/Exuvia2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647067081962888130" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugnW54Q38dg/Tl5pl3MzG8I/AAAAAAAAApI/81gYkWV_jXk/s400/Exuvia2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 274px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPTDZTxhdCI/Tl5pdtbYzcI/AAAAAAAAApA/V-i1nipsUJE/s1600/Exuvia1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647066941900770754" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPTDZTxhdCI/Tl5pdtbYzcI/AAAAAAAAApA/V-i1nipsUJE/s400/Exuvia1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 303px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>
<br />
This box of exuviae has drawn a few wry comments in the visitors' book, of which my favourite is:
<br />
<br />
"Great place, don't think much of the crisps tho!"
<br />
<br />
We've had a few birdy highlights in recent days, including a Wryneck along the access road just 30 yards from the gate - it scraped on to my personal reserve bird-list by kindly perching in the hedge between the track and one of our fields. Nineteen Green Sandpipers feeding together around the edge of the Plantlife pond was a huge surprise. They are regular migrants at this time of year but generally in ones or twos. A flock of this size is very unusual anywhere.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KDwN5y0Ynvg/Tl5uWwFIjMI/AAAAAAAAApY/ov38jI_WyLw/s1600/GreenSand3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647072319911791810" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KDwN5y0Ynvg/Tl5uWwFIjMI/AAAAAAAAApY/ov38jI_WyLw/s400/GreenSand3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 244px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>
<br />
The Black Kite that was hanging around down at The Lizard village made a couple of flyovers and, finally, we had a new species for the farm in the form of two Spotted Redshanks.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-41516245475276615952011-07-30T18:38:00.013+01:002011-07-30T21:22:26.105+01:00The third EmperorFollowing the extremely rare Vagrant Emperor dragonflies that turned up at the farm in late April, and with the "bog-standard" Emperor a common resident species, we completed a 2011 hat-trick this week when a male Lesser Emperor was found. Although it's a rare migrant to Britain, recorded for the first time as recently as 1996, this is our second record following one in 2004. Lesser Emperors occur throughout southern Europe.<br /><br />After I'd waited for about 15 minutes today, it duly appeared over the northern-most of our two specially-designed dragonfly ponds. It gave great views down to 10 feet as it cruised up and down, doing its best to evade aerial attacks by the Emperors. It failed to land whilst I was there but it was more obliging for Dougy and he got this rather good photo:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LDyptw40_D8/TjRFFhcl-4I/AAAAAAAAAoI/UDStOz9l6Rs/s1600/Lesser%2BEmperorDougy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LDyptw40_D8/TjRFFhcl-4I/AAAAAAAAAoI/UDStOz9l6Rs/s400/Lesser%2BEmperorDougy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635204994927295362" border="0" /></a><br />Later, he found two or three Migrant Hawkers along the boardwalk:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZ8pq15fFVo/TjRFvY0FciI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/FFPUc9R99Xk/s1600/MigHawkerDougy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZ8pq15fFVo/TjRFvY0FciI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/FFPUc9R99Xk/s400/MigHawkerDougy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635205714164412962" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to Dougy for those photos. I had to make do with shots of a pair of Common Darters mating in flight, one of the scarce Red-veined Darters (at least two present today) and a female Emperor laying eggs in the pond:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1KU4x9aNoMI/TjRZME1Tg4I/AAAAAAAAAow/hZAwwjwjguY/s1600/CommonDarter2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1KU4x9aNoMI/TjRZME1Tg4I/AAAAAAAAAow/hZAwwjwjguY/s400/CommonDarter2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635227097737954178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hH5o3NVCq9E/TjRGncIe3kI/AAAAAAAAAoo/01eibvejdL4/s1600/RedVDarter5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hH5o3NVCq9E/TjRGncIe3kI/AAAAAAAAAoo/01eibvejdL4/s400/RedVDarter5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635206677127945794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CC1dwnkkylw/TjRF9SbQn6I/AAAAAAAAAoY/Ubn5bGuDyW0/s1600/Emperor2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CC1dwnkkylw/TjRF9SbQn6I/AAAAAAAAAoY/Ubn5bGuDyW0/s400/Emperor2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635205952967843746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZhA_XHShgg/TjRGNW_5XxI/AAAAAAAAAog/jJ0kFOjtrnY/s1600/CommonDarter2.jpg"><br /></a>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-6514010842571464862011-07-27T13:37:00.014+01:002011-07-27T17:53:18.230+01:00Farming for finches and warblers....and why it's not possible to please everybody!Here are a few photos of our 12 acres of arable fields, where we have the best show of wild and cultivated seed-bearing plants that we've had for several years. These will become a gigantic bird-table over next winter. Meanwhile, they are full of bees and other insects, and there are always a few Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats foraging in them at this time of year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZEM_LvFYto/TjA_MN7KixI/AAAAAAAAAn4/DH59kFOPo5E/s1600/Arable2Jul11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZEM_LvFYto/TjA_MN7KixI/AAAAAAAAAn4/DH59kFOPo5E/s400/Arable2Jul11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634072612969286418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HNICB-7lSEw/TjA9r1Bt6cI/AAAAAAAAAnY/KubYuxama9Q/s1600/Arable3Jul11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HNICB-7lSEw/TjA9r1Bt6cI/AAAAAAAAAnY/KubYuxama9Q/s400/Arable3Jul11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634070957018442178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oV5HLxwErr4/TjA9UYkiU4I/AAAAAAAAAnI/5lFv-ulB2IE/s1600/Arable1Jul11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oV5HLxwErr4/TjA9UYkiU4I/AAAAAAAAAnI/5lFv-ulB2IE/s400/Arable1Jul11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634070554242864002" border="0" /></a><br />There have been plenty of entries recently in the visitors' feedback book in the reserve's information centre. On the whole, it seems that we're getting things right and most people comment favourably on such things as the tranquillity, landscape, bird-song, flowers and butterflies. Of course, opinions vary on some things, as the following extracts prove!<br /><br />"What a shame you do not allow dogs"<br /><br />"Dog-free - what a joy!"<br /><br />"No dogs - bliss!"<br /><br />".....dismayed to see a no dogs sign"<br /><br />"Some of us think no dogs is bliss"<br /><br />"Well done on an excellent trail"<br /><br />"I tried to follow the trail guide....after walking up and down the fields fruitlessly for an hour I came back"<br /><br />"It was easy to find our way round and it wasn't suitable for dogs"<br /><br />"....well sign-posted walk around"<br /><br />"Thank goodness no dogs"Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-58512251529100824092011-07-17T14:14:00.005+01:002011-07-17T14:25:22.626+01:00Strange crittersHere are a couple of the strange creatures that inhabit our ponds. The first is a Water Stick Insect, shown with the remains of the beetle it was eating before it was rudely interrupted. They apparently "lurk in dense vegetation, motionless and mantis-like, waiting to seize their prey." <span style="font-style: italic;">(Collins Field Guide to Freshwater Life)</span>. <br /><br />Below is the closely-related Water Scorpion. Both of them have breathing tubes extending from their tails. The front legs are used like a powerful pair of pincers.<br /><br />Many thanks to David Wheeler for the photos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wl6iaQtSrTs/TiLgXlmZA5I/AAAAAAAAAm4/Wm2PVGaInxE/s1600/WStickInsect2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wl6iaQtSrTs/TiLgXlmZA5I/AAAAAAAAAm4/Wm2PVGaInxE/s400/WStickInsect2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630309180001289106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDExnrc66BY/TiLgghN7RGI/AAAAAAAAAnA/Vxl5Yl-z5Eg/s1600/WaterScorpion.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDExnrc66BY/TiLgghN7RGI/AAAAAAAAAnA/Vxl5Yl-z5Eg/s400/WaterScorpion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630309333443757154" border="0" /></a>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-2486185632457433572011-07-11T17:42:00.008+01:002011-07-11T21:11:35.945+01:00A busy weekendOn Saturday, ERCCIS (Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) held a Surveying for Dragonflies Workshop on the reserve. The emphasis was on identifying dragonflies by their exuviae. When a nymph is fully grown it crawls out of the pond up the stem of a plant. It then sheds its skin and the adult dragonfly emerges. The skin that the nymph left behind is called the exuvia and each one has its own characteristics.<br /><br />The group collected all the exuviae they could find and identified 268 Emperors (150 females, 118 males), 45 Common Darters, 14 Four-spotted Chasers (8 females, 6 males), 6 Black-tailed Skimmers (5 females, 1 male) and 14 Emerald Damselflies! Many thanks to Steve Jones for these figures.<br /><br />The following day Dougy Wright and Steve led a very enjoyable three hour walk, concentrating mostly on wildlife in and around the ponds. Seventeen people attended and despite the lack of sunshine, we did really well - thanks guys. The highlight for me were the Water Stick-insects.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ug-3h_FDp8o/ThszEyxCcHI/AAAAAAAAAmw/N6oJ3l2yG60/s1600/DragDay.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ug-3h_FDp8o/ThszEyxCcHI/AAAAAAAAAmw/N6oJ3l2yG60/s400/DragDay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628148316769513586" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to Dougy for this species list:<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Butterflies</b>: Clouded Yellow, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Small White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Grayling, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Holly Blue<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Moths</b>: Silver Y, Straw Dot, <span style="font-style: italic;">Pyrausta despicata</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Odonata</b>: Emperor, Golden-ringed, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Emerald Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Beautiful Demoiselle</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Other Insects</b>: Water Stick-insect, Water Scorpion, Great Green Bush-cricket, Long-winged Conehead, Meadow Grasshopper</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Reptiles</b>: Slow Worm, Common Lizard, Adder skin</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Amphibians</b>: Common Toad, Common Frog</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Mammals</b>: Fox, Common Shrew, Wood-mouse</p><p class="MsoNormal">I forgot to take my camera, but you'll find some quality photos on Steve Rogers' blog:</p><a href="http://www.swopticsphoto.com/2011/07/field-trip-to-windmill-farm-lizard.html">http://www.swopticsphoto.com/2011/07/field-trip-to-windmill-farm-lizard.html</a>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-60432097829927610422011-06-23T19:08:00.002+01:002011-06-23T19:15:16.802+01:00Date for your diaryOn Sunday 10th July, there will be a guided, leisurely walk around the reserve, starting at 1.00pm and finishing around 4.00pm and led by Dougy Wright. He'll be on hand to show you dragonflies, butterflies, slow worms and anything else which happens to cross your path. Bring binoculars and cameras, wear wellies or stout boots. If the weather is unfavourable, i.e. cool/wet, the event will be cancelled. If in doubt, call Dougy on 07886 310509 before setting out.<br /><br />Meet in the car-park, grid ref SW 694 152. To get there follow the A3083 Helston to Lizard road. Three kms after the turn-off to Mullion Cove, look for a sign for "Wild Camping". Turn right here and follow the lane straight on, past the smallholding, and keep going until you arrive in the farmyard. Please drive slowly along the lane.Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-54309260623797399182011-06-12T17:53:00.007+01:002011-06-12T18:08:06.218+01:00Guest photographerSteve Rogers paid a visit to the reserve last week and has kindly sent me these photos. Those of you who follow Steve's blog (<a href="http://www.swopticsphoto.com/">here</a>) will be aware of the very high standard he maintains and I've very grateful to him for allowing me to share these with you.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4zNIK4BTrM4/TfTvhEpYI_I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/l-Q2I8qnHbU/s1600/keeledskimmer-windmill-jun11%2B003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4zNIK4BTrM4/TfTvhEpYI_I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/l-Q2I8qnHbU/s400/keeledskimmer-windmill-jun11%2B003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617377986699863026" border="0" /></a><br />Female Keeled Skimmer<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dVluvbp168/TfTvXLbSf0I/AAAAAAAAAmI/pRaZ_US24cs/s1600/keeledskimmer-windmill-jun11%2B009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dVluvbp168/TfTvXLbSf0I/AAAAAAAAAmI/pRaZ_US24cs/s400/keeledskimmer-windmill-jun11%2B009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617377816721129282" border="0" /></a><br />Immature male Keeled Skimmer<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVT0e7FB204/TfTyM4WZcjI/AAAAAAAAAmg/PwiC4hgC1Jk/s1600/frog-lizard-jun11%2B023.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVT0e7FB204/TfTyM4WZcjI/AAAAAAAAAmg/PwiC4hgC1Jk/s400/frog-lizard-jun11%2B023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617380938336530994" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Common Frog</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSuDcDqNlyo/TfTvpR5vuYI/AAAAAAAAAmY/v7pg3jPLhms/s1600/orchids-windmill-jun11%2B038.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSuDcDqNlyo/TfTvpR5vuYI/AAAAAAAAAmY/v7pg3jPLhms/s400/orchids-windmill-jun11%2B038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617378127697131906" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSuDcDqNlyo/TfTvpR5vuYI/AAAAAAAAAmY/v7pg3jPLhms/s1600/orchids-windmill-jun11%2B038.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSuDcDqNlyo/TfTvpR5vuYI/AAAAAAAAAmY/v7pg3jPLhms/s1600/orchids-windmill-jun11%2B038.jpg"> </a>Fragrant and Heath Spotted Orchids<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkZATf_-9U4/TfTvGsSojuI/AAAAAAAAAl4/mAcWhWjuVNc/s1600/slender-stjohns-wort-windmill-jun11%2B040.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkZATf_-9U4/TfTvGsSojuI/AAAAAAAAAl4/mAcWhWjuVNc/s400/slender-stjohns-wort-windmill-jun11%2B040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617377533485420258" border="0" /></a><br />Slender St John's Wort<br /></div>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6269960234659949898.post-77559215241028196882011-06-12T10:06:00.011+01:002011-06-12T13:20:02.231+01:00Yesterday's posers<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday's warm sunshine persuaded a few insects to wait patiently whilst I took their pictures:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83Nogv0t46k/TfSDFkUBm6I/AAAAAAAAAlw/81ecgLUx6cM/s1600/CloudedBuff5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83Nogv0t46k/TfSDFkUBm6I/AAAAAAAAAlw/81ecgLUx6cM/s400/CloudedBuff5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617258766908103586" border="0" /></a>Male Clouded Buff moth. Most of the recent Cornish records have come from the Lizard peninsula.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_oYVygA6sc/TfSC1Mk1-gI/AAAAAAAAAlo/WaG6Jc2uW30/s1600/CloudedBuff4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D_oYVygA6sc/TfSC1Mk1-gI/AAAAAAAAAlo/WaG6Jc2uW30/s400/CloudedBuff4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617258485658286594" border="0" /></a>Female Clouded Buff, not often seen<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6NhXlIRU7w/TfSCmd_-AkI/AAAAAAAAAlg/2iDycX_31eE/s1600/MarshFrit3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6NhXlIRU7w/TfSCmd_-AkI/AAAAAAAAAlg/2iDycX_31eE/s400/MarshFrit3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617258232637424194" border="0" /></a> Marsh Fritillary<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-63YPnHQtLK8/TfSCK2pOhKI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/IzpXI6RcvDY/s1600/CommonDarter.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-63YPnHQtLK8/TfSCK2pOhKI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/IzpXI6RcvDY/s400/CommonDarter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617257758216586402" border="0" /></a> Female Common Darter dragonfly<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2KaFybvl1g/TfSB63GcVCI/AAAAAAAAAlI/uOc3WB7RDyY/s1600/BeautDem2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2KaFybvl1g/TfSB63GcVCI/AAAAAAAAAlI/uOc3WB7RDyY/s400/BeautDem2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617257483461219362" border="0" /></a>Male Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly<br /></div>Andy Payhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643742714247529495noreply@blogger.com2