Spot the bird…

Im always amazed by how well birds are able to disappear into their surroundings. Only when you see them in their natural environment can you really appreciate the usefulness of their particular camouflage.

Ive chosen these particular photos as they show a little more of the environment and show how each bird really blends with its surroundings. There is a strong link with the shoreline in these photos as not only do the waders thrive in this area, so do passerines such as the snow bunting and rock pipit.

Davidstow Airfield

So, there I am, driving my car at 5mph around a disused airfield in the middle of bodmin moor. Thats how most interesting stories start right?

I had visited Davidstow airfield before and seen a total of zero birds. This day turned out to be different. My aim was to photograph a buff-breasted sandpiper that had been seen there the day before. Driving around you had to be careful not to drive too close or run over any birds as they dont take any notice of you whilst inside a vehicle. The pictures here were taken out of the open car window with a beanbag resting across the ledge.

I’ve always thought an airfield was an unlikely place to find waders but it proved to be a good place to see them, especially with the car allowing a close approach. There were a large number of ringed plover and dunlin present, but I finally found the buff-breasted sandpiper at the far end of the airfield also. This was definitely mission accomplished, if only all trips ended that way!