Bearah Tor on Bodmin Moor. The moor is great at any time (apart from when the rain is horizontal). Today it was grey with a light but biting wind from the north. A trek up to the Tor and then across Twelve Mens Moor to Kilmar Tor. Birds were scarce but some of those seen were  Mistle Thrushes, an early migrant Wheatear , Golden Plover and Raven.

Kilmar Tor looking South

Aren't the hedgerows blooming marvellous at the moment. This one is on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall.

Some images from the last three days both from the far west of Cornwall and my local area.

Dippers at Lostwithiel

Holly Blue on the Gribbin

Choughs in the far west of Cornwall

In the wide expanse of Par Beach today there was just one bird, this Ruff, on the shoreline

A walk today, in good company, along the Fowey River from Respryn Bridge and then up through the woods to Lanhydroc. Along this short stretch of river we saw four Dippers and six Grey Wagtails.
In the woods we came across this magnificent rhododendron.

A short break in the grey gloom and a couple  images of Dippers that are nesting on the Fowey River. I am hoping for some great photographic opportunities when the weather picks up. Two hours waiting for these pictures but the previous day when it was too dark for photography I could see them 'flying' underwater as they 'fished'  less than 10metres from me. I think a polarising filter might be in order.

(Picture left, Lostwithiel on a sunny day)

No apologies for more postings of Cirl Buntings. I find them very engaging birds and at this time of year, when they are coming into full breeding plumage, very colourful. These pictures come from a small but growing population in Cornwall.

I don't know how many crabs a Herring Gull can eat in one sitting, but this one had six in about 10 minutes. The bird had a favourite fishing perch from where it could obviously see the crabs and it would drop down on them.If they were small they went down whole but larger ones hadd the legs pecked off before being dispatched.

And finally.... I am sure I have posted enough images from the West Country Wildlife Photography Centre in this blog, but I particularly liked these; so one last time.

Following on from yesterday's post here are four more images from my visit to the West Country Wildlife Photograpic Centre. A rather cheeky Polecat, a Water Vole of which there are about 1000 at the centre, a very shy Pine Marten and a Scottish Wildcat.

Too much fun in one day! The Cornwall Wildlife Trust Photographic Group spent the day at a wildlife centre which specialise in  British  species and exhibits them in natural habitats for photography purposes.
Perhaps not true natural history photography but a chance to get up close and personal with some species which would be difficult to photograph in the wild.
I shall be adding some images over the next few posts but today I will start of with absolutely adorable Harvest Mice, really revved up Water Shrews which were a nightmare to photograh, a very confiding fox and some charming European Otters.

The site is in Devon (just) but don't hold that against it. If you want to give it a try the address is:-
West Country Wildlife Photography Centre. Upcott Grange Farm, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton, Devon PL16 0JS

There are always some good photo opportunities to be had at Par Beach even if the Goosanders wouldn't come close enough. The picture of the Mallard harks back to the pottery flying ducks which used to adorn living room walls. It is not ofen that one can get a close up flight shot of a Shelduck and the Canada Goose looks plain guilty after being found out pulling up the newly laid turves