Gannel Estuary to Crantock Beach

Here are a few snaps taken while taking the dog for a walk along the Gannel Estuary to Crantock Beach in Newquay situated on the South West coast of the UK. The tidal estuary is predominantly sandy downstream with saltmarsh dominating upstream. It is an easy 4 miles round trip which is popular with walkers and tourists throughout the year. It may be winter at present but there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen principaly seabirds, wading birds and a few raptors if your lucky. 

                                  Crantock Beach and estuary mouth

                                             Gannel estuary

                                         Gannel estuary upstream

                                          View of Pentire headland

                                          View of Crantock headland

   Gannel ferry station, where you catch the ferry from when the tides in, or swim from.

                                       Shifting sands

                                  One of the ever changing meanders of the river

                                 Tikka looking for any wildlife to terrorise

                                  Black-Headed Gull   (Larus ridibundus)

                                          Sanderling   (Calidris alba)

                                          Little Egret   (Egretta garzetta)

                                  Oystercatcher   (Haematopus ostralegus)

                                    Mallard   (Anas platyrhynchos)

                                        Curlew   (Numenius arquata)

                                    
                                   Bar Tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

                                          Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

                                    Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

                                      Redshank (Tringa totanus)

                                    A flock of Widgeon   (Anas Penelope)                                  

                                      Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

                                     Common Gull (Larus canus)



A frosty Morning

An early morning walk around the lakes at work this morning didn't produce much out of the ordinary, but my disturbance of 2 snipe ensured it wasn't completely peacefull either, also saw Greater Spotted Woodpecker, mallards, mute Swan, Grey Heron, 2 Cormorants circling, flocks of Lapwings and Curlews overhead. Still not seen the Otter in the last couple of weeks, but i don't think it will be too long before he/she resurfaces, given our fish stocks.  Did see a fox but not sure if it is the same one i have seen on several previous occaisions.

Wet and Windy

A busy day at the eden project yesterday meant today was my best bet for getting out and about, but unfortunatly mother nature had other ideas, so i opted to have a wonder around the lakes where i work.  The wind and rain didn't provide the best viewing conditions but there were plenty of birds around including large mixed flocks of Redwing/ Fielfare and Starlings feeding.  These are the largest flocks we have had in years, a kingfisher, 4 widgeon, a Water Rail and a Goldcrest were the highlights around the lakes while a large flock of Curlew, 2 buzzards and a Sparrowhawk all put in a show.

new blogger

Can't believe its taken me so long to get a blog up and running but now i am here i would like to share some of my wildlife sightings with anyone interested. tomorrow is the weekend, so hopefully i will be able to get out and get some nice sightings and pics.