Photonaturalists Journal

So that was some week we had a taste of everything weather wise but at least we managed to launch the boat from Gweek on thursday and have a few hours out on the river…  Just down past the first creek we came across the first Redshanks I’ve seen in a while.. most of the waders have moved off the beaches these days for the tourist invasion.. these 2 were no exception.

 

2 Redshanks on the bank

We trundled on down the river to Polwheveral Creek.. there was a wind blowing up the creek which soon chilled the air a little but we headed down the creek to check out the wildlife… there were Redshanks whimbrel sandpipers and curlew to name but a few along with many sea birds such as black headed gulls and little gulls.

The variety of Birds in the creek all gathered together

We moved quickly back up the creek to get out of the wind past  Bishops Quay and a little further up the river where we again found the Redshanks… hardly surprising there were so few around our usual haunts.. there were in excess of 50 here in the one spot.. lining the branches of the fallen trees..

We pulled ourselves in and anchored by the tree to watch a couple trying to waterski on the river.. which amused us for a while.. I’ve heard it described as the fastest way to drink salt water and this was definately proving that theory right.. eventually one did manage a couple of short rides which was betterthan i would have done with the pilot of that boat lol.. at one point the skier tried to rapidly gather up the loose rope as the driver let it go slack…

Not the best shot of the skier but it does also show the lovely old Dutch Barge that was moored in the river awaiting its new berth up the river somewhere.. it will no doubt become someones houseboat in gweek before long.

Aidan Joined us on his kayak as we sat there enjoying the evening sun and the Egrets gliding overhead..

We suddenly became aware that the sky was turning from Blue to grey and decided a quick return up the river to gweek was in order and off we went.. watching the skies slowly darken..

We caught sight of the shelducks on our way back and I was a bit disturbed that the small flock of chicks that were there the last time we saw them had dwindled to just the one who set off and flew past us… maybe the rest already fledged but nontheless it upset me a bit…

The remaining Shelduck chick (Juvenile)

We soared past 4 kayakers who were sitting in the middle of the river chatting and finally arrived back at Gweek…
We’d just finished unloading and loading the van when the first drops of rain came… then it got heavier and heavier and it simp[ly poured as we sat drinking tea under the big Splashography brollies at the van.

Then the kayakers finally got back to shore… and Mother was hauled out..

Eventually the rain subsided.. the ducks came out and the sun came back out to make a great afternoon a perfect evening…..

We finished off the evening as darkness began to fall with Duck races ..
and the Ships cat got stalked by the Local Tom but saw him on his way and sent him off with his tail between his legs…

well that was thursday folks.. how was yours

Byeeeeeee

Its always a dilemna what to do on days like this, but with my illness fast catching up on me and already debilitating me I try to make sure i get out for a few hours every day regardless.
In search of the Med Gulls which had been spotted around the Estuary at Hayle I set off to see what we could see.
Up until now they’d eluded me and I only managed to spot them as the flew overhead, but today there he was sitting amongst the grass on the side of the river in all his glory..

had a quick drive down the saltings to have a look and see if there were any more Med gulls around but all I saw were blackheads I’m afraid, still I was satisfied I’d at least got a couple of shots of one.
Nothing much down the saltings with the wind as it was and the rain looked to be fast approaching again, just time to grab the whimbrel and Oystercatcher before returning to the van…

From there we headed back over to the hide on Ryans Field before heading back to Marazion, Not an awful lot about, just the usual Herons and Cormorant a small wren flitting backwards and forwards and a couple more whimbrel and blackhead gulls.

and so finally back across to Marazion to finish off the day with a walk on the marsh..
I tucked myself in by the reed beds as I’d seen a few warblers flitting about, and it wasn’t long that I had to wait before lo and behold up popped a sedge warbler and stayed put for quite a while giving me a fine opportunity to photograph him perfectly.. a good end to an inclement day.