Cornwall + Somerset 23-24/7/12

Day 1
I left home at midnight on Sunday night and arrrived at Porthgwarra around 5am. I seawatched on Gwennap Head for 9 hours. There was always a steady stream of Manx Shearwaters passing by. Other totals included:

Balearic Shearwater - 3
Strom-Petrel - 24
Pomarine Skua - 2
Arctic Skua - 1
Great Skua - 1
Puffin - 1

Common Dolphin - 15

I then visited Cape Cornwall and walked round the area. I managed to see 7 Chough all in one flock.

Later on I went to Land's End for the sunset and an Oceon Sunfish was offshore.

Day 2
Up early again but the wind was non-existent, however I still went to Gwennap Head and apart from hundreds of Manx Shearwaters, there wasn't much else so I left for Somerset.

Porlock, Somerset - IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF 1 male
Blagdon Lake, Somerset - FERRUGINOUS DUCK 1 drk in moult

Quail 17/7/12

Saw and heard a Quail on the path heading towards Bo-Peep in the evening whilst out running.

Weekend in The New Forest 14-16/8/12

This weekend was spent the with the girlfriend in the New Forest, mainly just chilling and doing activities such as Go-Ape and bike riding etc. However on the 16th I got told a site (many thanks James) for Bog Orchids and I saw 28 of these very small orchids.

Other bits included a Dartford Warbler, Silver-washed Fritillaries and a Glow Worm.

Bog Orchids in The New Forest

Burnt Orchids 8/7/12

Counted bang on 100 Burnt Orchids around the Frog Firle/High and Over complex this morning.

Hawk Moths of the week

Sabine's Gull - Herts/Bucks

1st Summer Sabine's Gull at Startop's End Reservoir, Herts/Bucks