Scilly review (6)

24/10/2013

Today we tried for the Short-toed Lark on St Agnes...we failed, as did everyone else. We did however find a couple of Skylarks...and a couple of Cornish Pasties!

A few Chiffchaffs were hanging around the Parsonage in the pouring rain...

...we couldn't find anything "better". Unbeknown to us a WHITE'S THRUSH was lurking in the back garden!!!

25/10/2013

We stayed on St Mary's today. Luckily news of a Sub-alpine Warbler broke. Within 30 minutes we were enjoying great views . My second record for Scilly having seen one in 2001...

Late afternoon we returned to Lower Moors to see if the Spotted Crake was showing...it was...

Our trip was coming to an end. We'll be back next year on the 18th...

Scilly review (5)

24/10/2013

The morning Porthcressa walk produced a few Shags close in...

Things were still quiet so when news broke of a Red-backed Shrike on Bryher we decided to pay a visit.

A nice rainbow appeared as we left the quay...

Despite extensive searching by a decent number of birders the Shrike couldn't be re-located. It WAS seen the next day however!

The weather was kind to us and we had a nice relaxing day...

While having our lunch we noticed this...

As we were waiting for the boat a Little Egret flew in and started feeding in the bay...

Time to leave...

Stunning scenery...

Back on St Mary's we decided to try for the juv Rose-coloured Starling that had been seen around the allotments on Peninnis. We found ourselves up on Buzza Hill were we bumped into Pete Greaves. Within 5 minutes we were looking at the bird perched on a wire over the allotments...

While chatting to Pete he reminisced back to 2001 when he watched a CLIFF SWALLOW and a CHIMNEY SWIFT...TOGETHER at this very spot!!! I kept checking the House Martins (noteworthy in themselves at this late date) but no luck!

Locally - had great views of a Tawny Owl in the car headlights along Snakey lane last night, on the way to the Indian.

Scilly review (4)

22/10\2013

The day started with a solo walk along Porthcressa beach while Louise "prepared herself". The sea was still very rough, whipped up by the strong westerly winds. I was hoping that something pelagic might have been driven into the bay. Nothing rare but there was an unfortunate Gannet that was obviously in some difficulty...

It eventually made it onto the seaweed at the far corner of the beach.

There were no obvious signs of damage and maybe it was just exhausted? Anyway, after talking to a few other birders one chap said he knew some of the locals and he would contact them. Hopefully the outcome was a happy one.

A Peregrine flew over as I was leaving to go back to our flat...

We'd decided to have a trip over to Tresco. The SORA was still present and was apparently showing best in the morning. So, that was obviously going to be our first stop. On the way over I managed to pick out a couple of Spoonbills amongst the rocks...

We soon reached the Swarovski hide and fortunately there were only a few birders with the same idea, so it wasn't going to be a bun fight in the hide. In fact it was possible to see the "area" concerned from the ramp. A chap who was staying on the island informed us that it could be very erratic in it's appearances but late morning WAS the best time. It was now around 11.30.

Then...there it was! Feeding along the edge of the reeds around 80 yds away...

This was my second record for Scilly (and Britain for that matter!) having seen the 1991 bird on St Mary's.

Today also produced my only Scilly tick...a Garganey (S.201) on the Great Pool!

The rest of our visit was fairly uneventful apart from the Cornish pasties from the shop at lunchtime that were simply outstanding! Better than the ones we had in the Turks Head, St Agnes... although at least we got some there this year!

Great entertainment on the return was provided by numerous Gannets that had been blown in by the storm. The spray was spectacular as the birds darted continuously around the boat...

Back on St Mary's we enjoyed the sunset over the Garrison from our favourite bench...

Locally - I had the right idea chasing the Iceland Gull...just got my timing wrong! It WAS seen at Out Newton...just not by me when I had a peep...

Scilly review (3)

21/10/2013

Regular readers will know I'd not had much luck with Yellow-browed Warblers this autumn. So I was particularly keen to see one on Scilly. There'd been a few reported. I tried for one at the "dump clump". After around 30 minutes I finally found one. The images I got were diabolical but at least they prove I saw one...I think!

wingbar

brow

fast moving (and blurred) bird

A Spotted Crake had been reported at Lower Moors near the hides. It turned out to be showing near the path but there were quite a few there on my first visit. It was very dark and the bird was active but I managed a few shots...this was the best...

We had a look on the pools again but no Jack Snipe or Kingfishers today. There was a smart Greenshank however...

Locally....I finished at 1 today so I had a couple of hours out. News broke of an Iceland Gull at Kilnsea Wetlands....then flying north at Easington. I wasn't far away and when I reached the north side of the Gas Terminal I saw Steve Exley pointing to the north along the beach. I just couldn't pick it up. I thought (hoped) it might reach Holmpton but despite lots of scanning I didn't see it.

Scilly review (2)

20/10/2013

The day started with us back at Lower Moors as a SORA had been reported at Shooters pool. Amazing really as there was  also one on Tresco! This reminded of my 1991 visit when a Spotted Crake turned into this species and became a BIG bonus British tick for yours truly. It also reminded me of the force 9 storm during my Scillonian crossing (violently sea-sick...never again). Also, this was my one and only "camping Scilly" experience!! Which included several nights on the Garrison in a sub-standard tent, complete with heavy condensation and involved sleeping in my clothes to keep warm. This was enhanced by picking up a stomach bug which introduced me to Pepto- bismol. I was younger (dafter) then.

Anyway, the SORA was never seen again, but a smart Grey Wagtail was present...

We checked out a couple of beaches nearby and found a good number of Rock Pipits on Porthloo...

A Wheatear was also present...

We returned to Morning Point late afternoon to enjoy the rough sea and spectacular scenery (it was pretty quiet bird-wise).

The Black Redstart was still present however...

Locally, I bumped into a nice Redwing in the late afternoon sun at Out Newton...

The moon was out early...

Scilly review (1)

19/10/2013

Spent the first morning on the Garrison (my favourite area) bursting with enthusiasm. We were shown this particularly dapper Black Redstart near Morning Point...

The lads who showed us this little gem included Joe Dobinson a mate of my pal Tony Dixon. They were feeling a tad disappointed after an unusually quiet week. I was hoping (as always) for better.

Later in the day we had a walk down Peninnis to have a look at the resident (just kidding) Snow Bunting...there does seem to be one down there every autumn?

Finished off at Lower Moors hoping to see a Jack Snipe. As we settled in the hide we noticed a Kingfisher...then 2!

I popped out the back of the hide and managed to grab this backlit shot...which I love...

After a fair while a Jack Snipe finally came into view, eventually showing extremely well...

More tomorrow...