European Otters

These photo's were taken at the Tamar otter and wildlife sanctuary near Launceston, Cornwall. It was interesting to learn about the successful breeding programmes that are ongoing to release these creatures back to our rivers.

In the garden today

Having introduced a niger seed feeder this morning the results were immediate, with both Goldfinch (x5) and Siskin (x6) adding to our garden bird list of 2009. This could prove costly though with over a third of the feeder emptied in 4 hours.

The Long-tailed Tit "Aegithalos caudatus"

The Long-tailed Tit is a small and delicate looking bird, with subtle plumage and as the name suggests, a long tail. They will very often be seen in small flocks, these birds are delightful visitors to gardens as well as woodlands.

Exmoor pony at sunset.

Ponies
The Exmoor pony has inhabited Exmoor's moorland since ancient times and is the oldest British pony. These Exmoor ponies are wild in the sense that they live on the moor throughout the year, find their own food, care for their young and wander free over this beautiful, yet rugged moorland landscape.















Sunset
This is favourite capture of a Firery Sky over the Exmoor Landscape.

Nuthatch "Sitta europaea"

Liked the composition of this shot of a Nuthatch foraging in the Woods. He was comical to watch, in his selection of the finest sunflower seed before retreating to his woodland hideaway. This was repeated many times, luckily for the photographer to get this picture!

Great Spotted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos major"

Another bird captured on an outing to Stover Country Park. Great Spotted Woodpeckers probe the tree trunks for insects and larvae, but will also feed on nuts and berries (especially in the winter months). It is much larger than the Lesser Spotted and the male is distinguished by the red nape on the back of his head.

Common Buzzard "Buteo buteo"

This Bird was watched trying to hunt grey squirrels in a wooded glade at Stover Country Park. This allowed some reasonable photographs to be taken whilst he was pre-occupied.

Great Spotted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos major"

The Great Spotted Woodpecker seen here feeding young in 2008 at Yarner Woods, Devon. This place is great to see all 3 Types of English Woodpecker, as well as Pied Flycatcher and the Tree Creeper.
Note, that the hole has its very own natural porch to keep out the rain. Was this luck or a clever choice?

Peregrine Falcon "Falco Peregrinus"

Peregrine Falcon "Falco Peregrinus" on the South Devon coast. This bird is the male or 'Tiercel', so called,according to some, because every third bird in the nest is a male,or according to others, because the male is a third part less than the female 'Falcon'.

The Blue Tit "Cyanistes caeruleus"

Captured in the Garden. Happy to feed even in my presence.








This second image was taken at Yarner Wood in Devon.