Good end to 2012

Well I paid my last visit of the year to Gates yesterday and had a great time. I got there about 1130 and kicked the visit off with a pasty and a flask of Earl Grey on the pillbox. I often sit on the pillbox as there are great views from there. Today I saw thousands of GPs on the airfield and a few flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare.

Post my pasty I conducted a circuit of the Farm. I spent 45 minutes in the hide at Ruan (and did not see a lot!). Just as I was contemplating leaving a Short Eared Owl jumped up out of the grass about 30ft in front of the hide. Before I could get a pic it went down again! It must of been there the whole time that I was. After 5 minutes it briefly popped up, flew about 15 ft and then went down again, I managed to get a couple of record shots. Great birds and I am glad one of them has chosen to have a kip at the Farm.

On my return walk I flushed a couple of Woodcock from the boardwalk (I find they are generally at the southern end of the boardwalk). A fantastic day all round.

Happy New Year to all.

Marsh Harrier

Had a few hours at the farm yesterday and today. Main item of interest was the male sub adult Marsh Harrier that I saw on both visits. I think this is the same bird that was around last autumn/winter and this spring. I have not managed to get a decent pic of him yet so I have posted a not so good one! This is him in April.  I think he roosts in the heath by the big pond at the bottom of the first field (the one with the pill box in it). If you go there first light or at dusk you stand a good chance of seeing him.

All for now. :)

Well here I am. Just taken over from Andy as the volunteer warden at Windmill Farm National Nature Reserve. Thanks to Andy for many years looking after the place and helping me become a very average naturalist. I love Windmill Farm (known to my family as "Gates") and have been visiting for 10 years. I am thrilled to be the warden and thank CBWPS and CWT for allowing me to be the warden.

Me - have been in Cornwall since 1984 and consider myself nearly Cornish! Am Scots by birth and have both Cornwall and Scotland in my heart.

Likes - finding something new or interesting at Gates!

Anyway enough for now - I will post some pics etc as I go.

:)