Birding and other distractions

Finally made the effort to see the pale phase Booted Eagle in Cornwall, the bird having been present for several weeks near Marazion. We planned to spend the weekend in the area, so had a leisurely start, leaving Kent at 9 a.m. The journey down took about 6 hours and after getting my bearings parked up at 3:30 on the A30 layby near Marazion, from which the eagle had been mainly seen. The bird hadn't been reported for several hours though by good luck it flew in over the distant pines within 10 minutes of arrival. It was initially seen together with a Buzzard but then flew north attracting the attentions of corvids in doing so. After a while the eagle then flew back towards the pines with Jackdaws in close proximity much of the time. By 4:30 p.m. there were no further signs and presumably it had gone to roost in the  pines. View from the layby

Near Cooling Church a field of millet had been left to seed, attracting a large flock of buntings and finches. It was alongside the road so afforded a good opportunity to study the flock. Around 200 birds were present in total, the main species being Chaffinch and Reed Bunting. Also present were about 30 each of Goldfinch and Linnet, plus four Corn Bunting, one if which was heard to sing. Two Brambling had been seen in the flock a few days earlier though were not present during my visit. A confiding Buzzard was in the churchyard, with a smart Grey Wagtail in a nearby field. Field of millet  Chaffinches feeding on millet Reed Buntings and Chaffinches Buzzard  Buzzard Grey Wagtail