The Steppe Grey Shrike at Mullion, Cornwall earlier this week
David Collins
@lizardbirder.bsky.social
Birder spending most of my time on and around the Lizard area in Cornwall.
This Subalpine Warbler that I found at Kynance Garm, Lizard on Friday seems most likely to be nominate Eastern Subalpine, although the submission is going to be challenging! @CBWPS1
Green Woodpecker taken through the window during breakfast yesterday. Constantine, Cornwall. @cbwps.org.uk
The first bird this morning was the handsome male Kentish Plover at Loe Bar, Lizard, Cornwall. Joe Jones and I then twitched the Alpine Accentor near Sennan. Quite a morning. @cbwps.org.uk
This Northern Wheatear that I saw on the Lizard a few days back reminded me of the southern European race, although I think DNA would be needed for a claim. That big black patch on the side of the head...@CBWPS1.
Common Toads emit toxins from their skin, but that wasn't enough to prevent this Carrion Crown from killing and eating this one at Gunwalloe on Lizard this morning. @cbwps.org.uk
The very localised endemic Androcymbium psamophilum is in full bloom at Corralejo at the moment. Found only on consolidated sand in northern Fuerteventura and central Lanzarote
Banded Garden Spider at Los Alares in Fuerteventura. An introduction from the Americas. I don't remember seeing these on the island before. Not to be confused with the related Wasp Spider that occurs in much of Europe.
First winter Yellow-legged Gulls in Fuerteventura. The taxonomic status of birds in the Canary Islands still doesn't seem to be clear, but they seem more like Iberian birds than Azores ones.
I caught this juvenile Spoonbill at Corralejo in Fuerteventura earlier this week in the act of swallowing something.
In Fuerteventura African Blue Tit is commoner in the more mountainous areas such as in Pajara. This race has very bold black, white, yellow and deep blue colours
This young Spoonbill was on the beach at Corralejo in Fuerteventura yesterday.
Male Houbara at Tindaya on Fuerteventura a couple of days ago. Its now 46 years since I was studying them here for my masters degree. Still get a buzz ever time I see them.
This 2nd winter male Hen Harrier has been around since November but hard to catch up with as there are many square miles of heath on Lizard
Great Northern Diver in Porthleven Harbour yesterday.
Cormorants doing what they do at Loe Pool - fishing in a tight pack. There were 44 in this group.
Pied Wagtail and Lapwings on Lizard today. Black and white magic
After the excitement of the Eagle down the road at Marazion, it was back to good honest patch work on the Lizard today. Good selection included Dartford Warbler and a few Fieldfares. Quite pleased with these images of Pied Wagtail and Lapwing
Sometimes you have to wander off patch. Booted Eagle from Marazion bypass this afternoon. Hoping it makes it down to the Lizard soon.
Marsh Tit in Helford Woodlands. Not an easy bird to catch up with on the Lizard any more, but we still have a few pairs in the ancient woodlands.
Just arrived on Bluesky having got rid of X. Hoping for good birding on the Lizard in 2025 once I manage to get out there!
