Joe Pender Wildlife Photography

Blue Shark Recapture

2012-02-11T11:48:00.003Z

Blue Shark

Position of Recapture

Map of Blue Shark's Migratory Route

We tagged a Blue Shark on the 02.08.2010, 6 miles south of St Mary's. It has been recaptured on the 07.02.2012, 250 miles West of Sierra Leone and 200 miles North of the Equator 3,300 miles from were we tagged it.

Blue sharks are highly migratory and travel further distances than any other shark, migrations of 1,300 to 1,800 miles are common and journeys of 3,700 miles have been recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. In the Pacific Ocean, Blue Sharks have been found to travel even longer distances of up to 5,700 miles. The Blue Sharks’ complex migratory patterns are believed to be linked to reproduction, populations of mature males and females meet to mate and pregnant females migrate huge distances to give birth well away from other mature sharks and the distribution of their prey. Different sexes and ages undergo different patterns of movement, young male and female sharks are usually found in different areas, and mature adults are also separated for most of the year.

Genetic analysis indicates that the Blue Sharks of the western and eastern North Atlantic represent a single breeding stock. Mating takes place in the western North Atlantic during spring and early summer (May through to July). Incredibly many of the recently-mated female Blue Sharks in the western North Atlantic are not yet sexually mature; they store the sperm packets in special sacs (shell glands) within their reproductive tract. As they migrate on their transatlantic journey eastward across the North Atlantic the adolescent female Blues mature and begin passing ripe ova through their shell glands where the sperm packets are stored and fertilization takes place. Roughly a year after a female Blue Shark was inseminated in the western North Atlantic, she self-fertilizes during her epic eastward migration. Most of the male blue sharks will remain in the western North Atlantic. The gestation period is 9-12 months, resulting in a large litter of between 4-135 pups at a length of 35-50 cm born in the spring or summer months. The number of pups varies among females and is thought to be related to the size of the female. Pups are live born (known as vivipary) in nursery areas. They will remain here until they reach a length of about 130 cm at which time they will begin to migrate. By the age of maturity, their migration patterns will resemble those of other Blue Sharks.

Blue Winged Teal

2012-02-08T18:43:00.000Z

A couple more shots from this afternoon of this long staying Blue Winged Teal .

Blue Winged Teal

2012-02-05T17:23:00.000Z

A couple more shots of the Blue Winged Teal which was still at the moors this morning and seems to spend most of its time with a pair of Gadwall.

Blue Winged Teal

2012-02-03T14:36:00.000Z

Blue Winged Teal

Common Teal

I popped down to the Lower moors and the Blue Winged Teal was on the pool with the Common Teal.

Greenshank & Iceland Gull

2012-02-02T18:45:00.000Z

I popped down the lower moors at lunch time I just missed the long staying Northern Water Thrush . This Greenshank was on the pool and the Iceland was fly over Porth-Mellon beach.

Spoonbill's

2012-01-23T17:58:00.000Z

Three Spoonbills Green Island

Adult Spoonbill

This Adult Spoonbill was on Green Island near Samson with 2 1st winter Spoonbill's were they have been spending most of the time since November.

Drake Scaup

2012-01-21T18:25:00.002Z

Drake Scaup

Long-Tailed Duck

This Drake Scaup was near Tresco on Monday as well as this Long-Tailed Duck .

Long-Tailed Ducks

2012-01-16T16:54:00.000Z

These Long-Tailed Ducks were in Pentle bay Tresco this afternoon .

1st Winter Drake

2012-01-16T16:50:00.000Z

This 1st winter drake Eider was with 1 other near Tresco this afternoon.

Kingfisher

2012-01-13T17:42:00.000Z

When I went for a walk this afternoon this Kingfisher flew past me at Old Town beach .

Female Blackcap

2012-01-12T16:30:00.000Z

This Female Blackcap was in my Garden yesterday afternoon.

Firecrest+ Samson Trip

2012-01-11T15:05:00.000Z

This Firecrest was 1 of about 4 in Holy-Vale

Late yesterday afternoon

Purple Sandpipers

Spoonbill

Great Northern Diver

I had a quick trip to Samson in the punt this morning and saw the Purple Sandpipers on Green Island with the Spoonbill there were 14 Grey Plovers on Stony Island and the hybrid shellduck was still with the other Shellduck and the Great Northern Diver was in Pentle bay.

Adult Iceland Gull

2012-01-08T17:38:00.000Z

The Adult Iceland Gull i found a couple of day's ago seems to be spending most of its time at Morning Point at the sewerage outlet.

More Iceland Gull's

2012-01-06T18:07:00.002Z

Juv Iceland Gull

Juv Iceland

2nd Winter Iceland Gull

I popped down to Porthlow this afternoon and the Juv Iceland was with the herring gulls on the beach and after about half an hour the 2nd winter Iceland flew in and joined him .

Iceland Gulls

2012-01-05T18:59:00.001Z

2nd Winter Iceland Gull

Adult Iceland Gull

Med Gull

2nd Winter Iceland Gull

I went to Porthlow to check out the gulls there at lunch time the 2nd winter Iceland Gull was sat on the water with the Herring Gulls at the other end of the beach was a Med Gull with the Black headed Gulls then they all took off and I noticed a adult Iceland Gull flying off and landed on the end of Taylors Island .

This week there has been up to 4 Iceland Gulls around the Island but this is the 1st Adult.

Glossy Ibis

2011-12-28T17:42:00.000Z

This Glossy Ibis turned up on Tresco yesterday afternoon but was very mobile and was seen in flight several times today around St Mary's at about 3.30pm I found it feeding at shooters pool at the lower moors it is the 1st record since 1996.

Happy Christmas

2011-12-25T11:24:00.001Z

Happy Christmas 2011 and thanks for all the comments over the last year from all my followers .

Falmouth Trip

2011-12-24T16:04:00.000Z

Wolf Rock Lighthouse

Balearic Shearwater

Common Dolphin

Lizard Lighthouse

Lizard Lifeboat House

Tamar Class Lifeboat

Sapphire Being lifted out of the water

Sapphire being lifted out of the water till 2012

A few photos from Thursday when I took the Sapphire to Falmouth for the rest of winter.

Grey Plover

2011-12-21T19:12:00.001Z

Grey Plover

Hybrid Cape Shell Duck

Spoonbills Green Island

Pale Bellied Brent Goose

Common Scoter

I had a quick trip around yesterday before I take the boat to falmouth tomorrow and we saw 8 Grey Plover 6 Purple Sandpipers 3 Spoonbills the Hybrid Shellduck was still near Samson 2 1st winter drake Eiders 1 Brent Goose and 7 Common Scoter.

Storm Petrel's

2011-12-18T17:48:00.000Z

European Storm Petrel

Wilsons Storm Petrel

Wilson Storm Petrel

A selection of Wilsons Petrels plus a European Storm Petrel . The 3rd Wilsons Showing the yellow webbing that you hardly ever see with the naked eye.

Skua's Part 3

2011-12-15T17:37:00.001Z

Great Skua 2011

Great Skua 2010

Adult Pomarine Skua 2011

Adult Pomarine 2011

Skua's Part 2

2011-12-13T12:57:00.000Z

Arctic Skua

Long- Tailed Skua

Pomarine Skua

Long-Tailed Skua

Arctic Skua

A few more of some of the Skua's we have seen on the Pelagic trips.

Skua's

2011-12-10T17:46:00.000Z

Juvenile Long-Tailed Skua

Juvenile Pomarine Skua

Adult Dark Phase Arctic Skua

While things are still quiet over the next couple of days I thought like the Shearwaters it would be nice to show some of the different Skua's of different ages and types we have seen on are Pelagic's.

1st Winter Drake Eider

2011-12-02T20:18:00.002Z

This 1st Winter Drake Eider was 1 of 3 I saw this morning 2 near Tresco 1 in the harbour.

Spoonbill's

2011-12-02T20:16:00.002Z

The 3 Spoonbills were still on green island near Samson this morning.

Cape Shelduck hybrid

2011-12-02T20:14:00.000Z

This Hybrid Cape Shelduck was on Samson with the other Shelduck this morning.

Shear Delight ( Great Shearwater)

2011-11-28T14:41:00.004Z

I thought it would be quiet nice to put together all the Shearwaters we get around the island during the summer.

This Great Shearwater breeds on Nightingale Island, Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha, and Gough Island. It is one of only a few bird species to migrate from breeding grounds in the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere, the normal pattern being the other way round.

Cory's Shearwater

2011-11-28T14:40:00.003Z

This species breeds on islands and cliffs in the Mediterranean, with the odd outpost on the Atlantic coast of Iberia. In late summer and autumn, most birds migrate into the Atlantic as far north as the south-western coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. They return to the Mediterranean in February. The biggest colony is located in Savage Islands, Madeira.

Sooty Shearwater

2011-11-28T14:39:00.002Z

Sooty Shearwaters breed on small islands in the south Pacific and south Atlantic Oceans, mainly around New Zealand, theFalkland Islands, Tierra del Fuego and also in the Auckland Islands and Phillip Island off Norfolk Island.

They are spectacular long-distance migrants, following a circular route, travelling north up the western side of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans at the end of the nesting season in March–May, reaching sub Arctic waters in June–July where they cross from west to east, then returning south down the eastern side of the oceans in September–October, reaching to the breeding colonies in November.

Balearic Shearwater

2011-11-28T14:38:00.010Z

The Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) is a medium-sized shearwater.It was long regarded a subspecies of the Manx Shearwater; following an initial split it was held to be a subspecies of the "Mediterranean Shearwater for nearly ten more years, until it was resolved to be a distinct species, separate from the Yelkouan Shearwater as a separate entity.

This species breeds on islands and coastal cliffs in the Balearic islands. Most winter in that sea, but some enter the Atlantic in late summer, reaching north to Great Britainand Ireland.

It is under severe threat from the development of holiday resorts near its breeding sites, and also from animals such as cats and rats The Balearic Shearwater is considered critically endangered .

Manx Shearwater

2011-11-28T14:37:00.002Z

The Manx Shearwater leave their nest sites in July, to migrate to the coast of South America, where they spend the winter, returning in late February and March.

They Breed on a few islands off the west coast of the UK, such as Skomer in Wales and Rum in Scotland and the Isles Of Scilly. Otherwise can be seen from seawatching points in spring and autumn while on migration. Western coasts might be more productive that eastern coasts.

Back Necked Grebe's

2011-11-20T18:03:00.000Z

These Black Necked grebes were the surprise birds of the trip we normally get one wintering here but four together was quite unusual . All together we saw three 1st winter drake Eider's, three Spoonbills . four Black Necked Grebes . Seven Grey Plovers & Three Great Northern Divers.

Spoonbills

2011-11-20T17:57:00.002Z

These 3 Spoonbills were on Green Island near samson .

Ruddy Shell Duck hybrid

2011-11-20T17:56:00.000Z

This Ruddy Shell Duck Hybrid was with the other Shell Duck this morning on a trip around i did with the local birders.

Dusky Warbler

2011-11-19T17:49:00.002Z

This Rare Dusky Warbler was trapped and ringed at Porth-Hellick this morning.

Black Redstart

2011-11-19T17:47:00.000Z

This Stunning Male Black Redstart has been behind the quay wall the last few day's.

Ist Winter Drake Eider

2011-11-19T17:45:00.000Z

This Drake Eider has been in the harbour the past week.

Rock Dove

2011-11-18T17:09:00.003Z

The rock dove is the wild ancestor of domestic pigeons the world over, domesticated originally to provide food. Feral pigeons come in all shades, some bluer, others blacker - some are pale grey with darker chequered markings, others an unusual shade of dull brick-red or cinnamon-brown, and still others can be or less white while others look exactly like wild rock doves.

Adult Yellow-Legged Gull

2011-11-17T16:59:00.003Z

The yellow-legged gull has only recently been recognised as a species in its own right, having previously been considered to be a race of herring gull. Adults have darker grey backs and wings than herring gulls, but are paler than lesser black-backed gulls. They have more black in the wing tips than herring gulls and smaller white 'mirrors'. The legs are bright yellow, there is a red ring around the eye and the bill is yellow with a large red spot. In non-breeding plumage, the head is less streaked and whiter than herring gulls.I saw these all over Lanzarote.

Berthelot's Pipit

2011-11-16T14:26:00.001Z

The Berthelot’s Pipit (Anthus berthelotii) is a small passerine bird which breeds in Madeira and the Canary Islands. It is a common resident in both archipelagos. I saw them all over Lanzarote.

Kentish Plover

2011-11-15T13:12:00.001Z

This Kentish Plover was on a nearby beach despite its name, this species no longer breeds in Kent, or even Great Britain. It breeds in a wide range, from southern Europe to Japan and in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, the southern United States and the Caribbean.^[1]

2011-11-14T14:45:00.009Z

The Trumpeter Finch (Rhodopechys githaginea) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.

This bird breeds in the Canary Islands, across north Africa, and in the Middle East and into central Asia. There is a small European population in southern Spain. Many birds are largely resident, but there is post-breeding dispersal, and some Asian breeders migrate into Pakistan for the winter.

In the summer of 2005 there was a notable eruption of this species into northwestern Europe, with several birds reaching as far as England. I found this small flock in the hill behind Cost Teguise.

Cattle Egret

2011-11-13T10:33:00.000Z

These Cattle Egret were all around Costa-Teguise there seemed to be a lot more around than in the spring.

Hoopoe

2011-11-11T18:55:00.000Z

I saw at least 10 Hoopoe around the resort we were staying in and one group of 7 feeding on a nearby hotels lawn .

Southern Grey Shrike

2011-11-10T18:40:00.000Z

I have just returned from a weeks family holiday in Lanzarote but I managed to see a few birds while I was there . I saw about 8 of these Southern Grey Shrike's . They seemed to be fairly territorial and preferred the outskirts of the built up area's.

Upland Sandpiper

2011-10-26T12:24:00.000+01:00

I popped up this morning to see the Upland Sandpiper that has been in the bulb fields at Borough farm for about 3 weeks .

Adult Spoonbill + Juv Spoonbill

2011-10-23T21:16:00.000+01:00

This Juv Spoonbill joined the adult that turned up last week on Green Island.

Kestrel

2011-10-23T21:13:00.000+01:00

This Kestrel was hovering over Carn-Morval yesterday afternoon.

Minkie Whales

2011-10-20T19:13:00.004+01:00

On todays Pelagic it was better for Cetaceans than birds with 30 Bottlenose Dolphins at least 6 Harbour Porpoise and these 2 Minkie Whales

Bottlenose Dolphins

2011-10-20T19:11:00.001+01:00

We saw about 30 of these Bottlenose Dolphins near the Seven-Stones reef this afternoon. They are a lot larger than the Common Dolphins we normally see around the Islands

Dark Bellied Brent Goose

2011-10-16T20:03:00.000+01:00

This Dark Bellied Brent Goose was on the Sea near White Island near Samson.

Grey Plover

2011-10-16T20:01:00.001+01:00

This Grey Plover was on South beach on Tresco with 1 other.

Spoonbill

2011-10-16T19:59:00.000+01:00

This Spoonbill was still on Green Island this morning.

Great Shearwater's (Puffinus Gravis)

2011-10-14T17:58:00.001+01:00

A few more pics of the Great Shearwaters we saw on Tuesday.

Sooty Shearwater

2011-10-12T19:41:00.000+01:00

A few more pics from yesterdays trip.

Blue Fulmar

2011-10-12T19:40:00.000+01:00

We saw 2 of these Blue Fulmars on the Pelagic yesterday.

Common Dolphin

2011-10-12T19:37:00.002+01:00

Great Shearwater (Puffinus Gravis)

2011-10-11T19:29:00.001+01:00

A couple of pics from todays Pelagic .We saw 4 Great Shearwaters 1 Sooty Shearwater 15 Great Skuas 150 Common Dolphins.

Juvenile Upland Sandpiper

2011-10-10T18:40:00.000+01:00

This Juvenile Upland Sandpiper was found on Saturday afternoon near Maypole and is the 1st one since 1999.

Juvenile Pomarine Skua

2011-10-09T17:37:00.000+01:00

This Juv Pom landing on the water in front of the boat when I was on the way back from Tresco at first I thought it was a Dark Morph Arctic Skua but after a close look I had my doubts as it had a lot of barring on the under wing and breast and rump so i sent some Photos to Bob Flood who Id it as a Juvenile Pom Skua .

Adult Spoonbill

2011-10-08T17:25:00.000+01:00

This Spoonbill turned up yesterday on Green Island near Samson presumably one of the birds that wintered here last year on Green Island.

Black Kite

2011-10-06T19:11:00.000+01:00

This is at least the 2nd Black Kite we have had this year it was circling over Holy-Vale this afternoon.

Juvenile Pallid Harrier

2011-10-03T20:01:00.000+01:00

This Juvenile Pallid Harrier turned up on Thursday, the 2nd this year with only 2 previous records here . We caught up with it on a Seabird trip and I managed to get these photos from the wheel house window as it flew past.

Female Red Veined Darter

2011-10-03T19:57:00.001+01:00

I saw this Red Veined Darter Dragonfly near Old Town yesterday they occur in much of central and southern Europe including most Mediterranean Islands.

Northern Waterthrush

2011-10-02T07:31:00.001+01:00

This Northern Waterthrush which been on the Islands for over 2 weeks and is the rarest bird in the UK at the moment was trapped and ringed yesterday by Jim Askins and Jacklyn Pearson at Porth-Hellick.

More Photos from Thursdays Pelagic

2011-09-30T14:26:00.000+01:00

Pom Skua

Balearic Shearwater

Juv Sabines Gull

A few more Photos from yesterdays Pelagic.

Adult Pomarine Skua on todays Pelagic trip.

2011-09-29T21:25:00.000+01:00

We saw 2 of these Pom Skuas today.

Black Tern

2011-09-29T21:20:00.000+01:00

1 of 4 Black terns we saw on todays trip.

Grey Phalaropes

2011-09-29T21:18:00.002+01:00

We saw 10 Grey Phalaropes on todays trip.

Common Dolphins

2011-09-29T21:16:00.000+01:00

A couple of shots of the common Dolphins we saw on todays Pelagic.

Lesser Yellow Legs

2011-09-25T21:11:00.000+01:00

This Lesser Yellow-Legs turned up this afternoon at the Porth-Loo duck pond the 2nd one this Autumn and having a deserved rest after its transatlantic flight.

Sooty Shearwater

2011-09-24T20:50:00.000+01:00

A few more photos from Thursdays Pelagic unfortunately I chopped the wing of this Sooty Shearwater.

Sabines Gull's 2 Juvs 1 Adult

2011-09-24T20:47:00.002+01:00

Bonxie

2011-09-24T20:46:00.001+01:00

Sabines Gull's

2011-09-22T22:31:00.000+01:00

A selection of some of the 20+ sabines Gull's we found behind the French trawler 10 miles north of the Islands .

Sooty Shearwater

2011-09-22T22:28:00.001+01:00

We Saw 8 of these Shearwaters behind the French trawler we followed today.

Common Dolphins

2011-09-22T22:25:00.000+01:00

These Common Dolphins were in a pod of about 150 we saw this morning on the way out on our Pelagic trip.

Blue Winged Teal & Solitary Sandpiper

2011-09-18T20:52:00.000+01:00

This Blue Winged Teal crossed the Atlantic to join the Solitary Sandpiper on Newford duck pond .

Dark Phase Adult Arctic Skua

2011-09-16T07:06:00.001+01:00

We saw 2 of these Dark phase Arctic Skuas on yesterdays Pelagic 12 miles NE of St Mary's .

Light Phase Sub Adult Arctic Skua

2011-09-16T07:03:00.002+01:00

Bonxie Plus Arctic Skua & Bonxie

2011-09-16T07:01:00.000+01:00

We saw 12 Boxies on yesterdays Pelagic as well as 2x Dark morph Arctic Skuas and 1xlight phase Arctic in this shot the Arctic was having a go at the Bonxie.

Balearic Shearwater

2011-09-16T06:57:00.000+01:00

Adult Sabines Gull's

2011-09-16T06:56:00.000+01:00

We saw another 2 Sabine's Gulls this afternoon which are turning up all over the country at the moment after leaving there breeding grounds.

Solitary Sandpiper

2011-09-14T18:02:00.000+01:00

Solitary Sandpiper

2011-09-14T15:46:00.000+01:00

This Solitary Sandpiper turned up at lunch time another rare wader from north America.

Red-eyed Vireo

2011-09-13T14:31:00.002+01:00

Another pic of todays Red-eyed Vireo.

Red-eyed Vireo

2011-09-13T11:20:00.000+01:00

This North American Vireo turned up this morning in the back garden of one of the local bird watchers.

Pectoral Sandpiper Juv

2011-09-11T17:53:00.000+01:00

This Pec Sand from North America was at Porth-Hellick and there is also 1 on Tresco.

Spotted Flycatcher

2011-09-11T17:45:00.000+01:00

I saw this Spot fly was in the woods at Holy-vale I also saw a Pied Flycatcher and a Common White Throat on the way around.

Adult Sabines Gull's

2011-09-09T11:30:00.000+01:00

We saw these 2 Sabines Gulls on last nights trip as well as 5 Wilson's petrels 3 Sooty Shearwaters 3 Bonxie's also 20 European Storm Petrels 2 Med Gulls and some common Dolphins and 2 Blue Sharks.

Wilsons Storm Petrel

2011-09-09T11:24:00.000+01:00

One of five Wilson's from last nights Pelagic trip

Lapland Bunting

2011-09-07T18:48:00.000+01:00

A had a walk around Penninis after work and found a little group of Lapland Buntings at least 5 up there on the rocks the first of the year .

Buff Breasted Sandpiper

2011-09-04T18:34:00.000+01:00

This Buff Breasted Sandpiper the 1st for the year turned up this afternoon on the airfield.

Bee Eaters

2011-09-02T14:25:00.001+01:00

This long staying Bee Eater has been around the Islands for at least a couple of months and was near Maypole farm yesterday afternoon.

Madeiran Petrel 1st for Britain.

2011-08-31T14:40:00.002+01:00

On the 28.07.07 on a Pelagic trip 6 miles SE of St Mary's with the wind blowing from the SW force 6/7 and light rain a large Storm Petrel came in to the boat on our port quarter and made its way down the port side until heading of to the NE down wind. Three local birders were on board, Bob Flood and John Higginson & Alan Hannington, they realised fairly quickly that this was a Madeiran Storm Petrel so with a lot of excitement I grabbed my camera which at the time was a Fuji film finepix and managed to get this photo , 4 years later it has now been through all the various rarity committees and has been accepted as the 1st ever British record of a Madeiran Storm Petrel with the help of this photo.

Record shot of a Juvenile Pallid Harrier

2011-08-31T14:25:00.000+01:00

This Juvenile Pallid Harrier turned up on Monday afternoon and is only the 3rd record on scilly . Unfortunately I couldn't get any closer than 2 fields away so only record shots.

Sooty Shearwater

2011-08-30T20:35:00.000+01:00

I was pleased that this photo won photo of the week on bird guides.

http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?mode=potw&v=1&q=&album=&comments=

2011-08-29T08:12:00.000+01:00

Juvenile Dunlin

Juvenile Water Rail

I spent an hour at Porth-Hellick pool yesterday evening were this Water Rail came out and also this Dunlin was in front of the hide and on the other side of the pool was 1 Green Sandpiper with the Green Shanks.

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull

2011-08-28T09:25:00.002+01:00

We have quite a few of these Juvenile Med Gulls around the Islands this one was near St Martins .

Cory's Shearwater

2011-08-26T13:14:00.000+01:00

We saw 6 of these cory shearwaters last night which breed in the the Canary Islands as well as 70 great shearwaters 20 Manx Shearwaters 3 Wilson's Petrels 2 Bonxies 20 European Storm Petrels and about 30 Common Dolphins.