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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Camel Estuary, Cornwall (2 Viewers)

This morning at high tide, Dinham Flats.Birds included 35+ Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 summer plumage Knot and 3 Whimbrel including one very dark indavidual showing a darkish rump and under-wing + very bold head markings, sadly I could only manage one poor shot as the birds flew off down the estuary and will have a good look for it later today. It could possibly be Hudsonian Whimbrel or a bird showing some melanism. (Shot below)
 

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While watching the high tide last night for any signs of the dark-rumped Whimbrel, Derek and I were struck by the fact that we were the only birders watching that part of the estuary at that time! if in Norfolk there would be fifty plus birders out looking on just a whisper, it's no wonder there are so few records from this large and difficult to watch estuary. There were five Whimbrel on the high tide roost, all crouched low in the scurvy grass and stubbornly refusing to show, with forty plus Curlew ( A good count at this time of year) plus two Bar-tailed Godwit. While we both enjoyed the song of a mixed singing Willow Warbler ( The song starting as a Chiff-chaff and finishing as a Willow Warbler) in the same area as one reported last year, we were treated to a fly-past and calling, Wood Sandpiper, closely followed by a 1st Summer male Wigeon and Gadwall.
 

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Yesterday afternoon walking The Camel, near the Allen confluence i found yet another oddly singing Phylloscopus Warbler! this time a Chiffchaff, the version rendered as ' charrue-charrue-charrue-charrue-chaff-chaff-chaff-chaff'; The first section being very thrush like in it's richness, this being the second time i have heard this version, at the same time of day (mid afternoon) and at the same location, singing at this time of day it could well be an unmated male.
Not much to report from Clapper marshes just 3 Mallard broods, 5 Mute Swan cygnets and a singing Blackcap.
 

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It's chucking it down outside this morning! time perhaps to reflect on a common bird that for some unknown reason ( to me at least ) appears to shun the estuary and surrounding area, despite suitable habitats i have only recorded one, for a single day, 'Cetti's Warbler' in five years. The pic's below were taken on the Somerset Levels.
 

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Not been birding over the weekend, family duties and a new computer have kept me in, (as well as the weather).

I did see a small male Peregrine over the town this afternoon though.

On your reflections, Colin, I have seen Cetti's at Harlyn pools this year, and they seem to occasional at the NRA Pools as well, but why don't they visit Walmsley, is it because there is not enough bushes.
 
I suppose one good reason why Chetti's don't visit Walmsley, could well be the fact that where they do tend to thrive in this country (Partly due to warmer winters) they prefer to be if not in, a large reed bed, close to one, the very thing Walmsley lacks.

A few waders at a very wet Walmsley this morning.
26 Dunlin.
2 Greenshank.
1 Black-tailed Godwit.
7 Ringed Plover.
1 Little Ringed Plover. Plus a Barnacle Goose with the Canada geese.
20+ Common Swift.
1 Male Wigeon.
1 Pair Gadwall.
 

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Barnacle Goose still this morning at Walmsley, plus 20+ Dunlin. 4+ Ringed Plover. 2 Greenshank. 1 Male Wigeon. 2 Gadwall. 20+ House Martin. 12 Swift.
Reed and Sedge Warbler

Below Reed Warbler pic's in the rain this morning.
 

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Dinham Flats from the Camel Trail; good numbers of waders on the high tide this morning, with 118 Dunlin. 5 Sanderling. 3 Summer plumage Grey Plover. 7 Ringed Plover. 26 Curlew. Plus brood of 8 Shelduck ducklings.
 

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Very quiet this morning at Walmsley, with no sign of any waders, but Wigeon and Gadwall still. Reed Warbler mimicking Water Rail near the Tower Hide!
 

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Dinham Flats today at high tide; a little misty but not much wind. Birds included 1 D.B Brent Goose with Canada Geese. 76 Dunlin. 3 Knot. 34 Ostercatcher. 20 Curlew. 1 Whimbrel. 4 Ringed Plover.
 

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Walmsley Sanctuary, misty at first this morning with 16+ Swift, 2 Sand Martin a Hobby and a ringed Cormorant, its small size and angle of the gular pouch suggesting the continental subspecies P.c sinensis.
 

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Hi Colin, once again great photographs.

The Cormorant from the photographs looks to me to be a carbo; the general build of the bird looks to bulky, (although we have had a few conversations about photo, making things look different than in the field), the gular patch is intermediate for me, being about 75 degrees-ish and the bill looks to large with a large hook on the tip, sinensis have much slighter bill.

Could be a hybrid, mixed pairs are breeding in this country.

Best wishes, Derek;)
 
Yes a difficult but interesting bird! the feathering towards the centre of the gular does not help. It's a pity i could not manage to read the ring number.
 
Hello Gentlemen, Just trying this out to see if I can get onto the thread.

Rumps this morning to looks for Puffins. still haven't seen any this year. Razorbills nesting on Mouls, c.10 Guillemots on water. Manx Shearwaters were passing pretty far out at a rough estimate of 1800 an hour. 3 singing Corn Buntings
 
Hi Mike and welcome,

Its sad about the Puffins, I have heard of only a single bird on one date so far this year. Is it just the Mouls or has the population crashed in the southwest.
 
Welcome to the thread Gonvena! 3 singing Corn Buntings is good for the Rumps, did you see if any were colour ringed?
Very quiet on the high tide at Dinham Flats today with 9 Dunlin, 45 Curlew, 39 adult Mute Swan. Pair and 8 cygnets still at Town Bridge.
 
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