There are several, often used cliches that could be used to describe the feeble weather forecast that both the BBC and National Met Office gave out for today. I mean, I ask you, we can put new hearts in to people and we can send space craft in to deepest space, but the Met Office are unable to come up with a weather forecast, even in the county that they are located. I made the mistake of assuming they were not lying when they said that it was going to be fine and sunny and before 9, I was on my way to South Devon. The weather got worse and worse and before the clock had struck 9 it was pouring down……. no it wasn't a little shower, it was a rain storm of unseasonal winter-like proportions. It didn't clear up until almost lunchtime and by then I had given up the hope of finding the Grey Phalarope that I had travelled 60 mies or so to try and photograph. I hung around until late in the afternoon, after making so much effort to get there, it seemed sensible to wait until the bird put in an appearance. Sadly, it never did, which was a big disappointment. However, there was still so much to keep me entertained, it was easy to spend the day around the beach. I had hooked up with a birder from Plymouth, Brian, an affable and friendly chap who was also as keen as I to get a shot of a Grey Phalarope. Looking out to the bay he saw a Guilimot and we quickly made our way to the surf line as the bird got coder and closer. In the end, I was lying on the wet seaweed covered rocks with the camera trained on to the bird (pictured above) as it got even closer and closer to us. This is the nearest that I have ever been to this species and I took some really nice shots, and suddenly the day was worth it!

But the real highlight was the great close up shots that I managed to get of a Kestrel hunting on the side of the track and steepbank down to the beach.  It was a windy day and this bird at one time was hovering right in front of me only 10 feet or so away.  The ligt was really good and consequently the photographs are also the best that I have ever taken of this great bird.