Postcard from SCILLY

View of Penninis Head and St Agnes from Morning Point

Landed and connected, after an up and down start to the day. 

We arrived at Land's End around 10.30pm and checked into our B&B. The weather was foul most of the way down...strong wind and driving rain. We'd checked on-line to discover that flights and sailings had been cancelled on Friday so we feared the worst as we ate breakfast. A 5 minute drive had us at the airport for 7.45am. It was uncomfortably quiet as I parked the car. No sign of any planes but there was a minibus?  

I entered the reception area to join Louise and spotted some familiar faces from previous years. After a short chat it became obvious that we were "on hold". Strong cross winds on St Mary! The Spewllonian was sailing at 10, this wasn't an option for us. Many fellow travellers disagreed and off they went...all the best!

A further chat with the girl on the desk revealed that the chances of flying today were "slim" and there would be no flights on Sunday! Therefore 2 DAYS down the drain. Miraculously shortly after the minibus had dis-appeared we were asked to check our luggage in. Next news we were in the departure lounge...and away!

A strange sequence of events with many theories being aired. I couldn't have cared less...we were GOING!!

We landed around 11 and checked in the flat.

That's that. The birds? Nothing to report I'm afraid. I had a go for the Barred Warbler near the Health Centre and the R.B.
Fly on the Garrison. No joy.

To be honest I'm just glad we're here! The real stuff starts tomorrow...hopefully?

Rough-legged Buzzard

Following on from my futile attempt to relocate the RLB late on Tuesday, I received a text from Phil Jones informing me he'd seen a/the RLB at Skeffling this afternoon...and boy...did he see it!!!

I've a couple of hours to look for it in the morning.

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Well, the time has finally arrived. I've harped on about it long enough. Weather looks promising...time will tell. I'll try and post updates during the week, hopefully telling you about all the American Warblers I've seen.  Well, you can dream...can't you?

They will always be Dendroica to me...simply my favourite genus!

ISABELLINE SHRIKE!

Convenience store or Hypermarket? I'm afraid I weakened and by 2 I was heading for Spurn. What swung it was the Hoopoe which was seen again late yesterday. As I approached Long Bank I could see a few birders running around like headless chickens...somethings afoot I thought! Turns out they'd found an ISABELLINE SHRIKE! (P.156, S.116)

Being in situ before the throng arrived allowed me to position myself on the bank to obtain a few pics...

An excellent find by Steve Lawton and his pal. I'd seen him at various sites over the years but this was the first time I'd spoke to him. We had a good chat and he told me he'd been on the same ferry as me returning from the RUBYTHROAT twitch. He'd also shared a car with Simon Slade who I twitched the CAPE MAY with! This twitching world is a small one. Steve must be OK...he's got a German Shepherd!

A couple more...

Not great this one BUT it does show the russet forehead and tail...

Still plenty of tired migrants around. Goldcrests seen in every conceivable habitat including lawns!

On the Beach edge...

Great birds...full of character.

Oh Dear...

SIBERIAN THRUSH, SHETLAND!!!

Not again...and definitely NOT for me. I must admit my Scilly defence is looking decidedly brittle at the moment. It's not surprising however that with more observer coverage and netting that Siberian birds are being discovered at this high latitude. Just got a text of young gun Chris Bromley asking me if I want a place on a charter from York tomorrow. Really appreciate him giving me the heads up...which I unfortunately can't take this time. I told them...don't gobble 'em all up to quickly...you'll have to take up fishing/golf/tiddlywinks by the time you're 30 chaps! I'll add this one to my retirement list...if I get there...

Massive rarity BUT I have to admit, it's a pretty dull uninspiring individual. I'm only jealous!

A decent last couple of hours

Earlies caught up with me as the pager woke me up mid-afternoon with the news of a Rough-legged Buzzard on Beacon lane.  I decided to park on Long Bank so I could scan the area (and give Bud a stretch) as I wasn't sure where the bird or birders were. I gave it 30 minutes, nothing came over the radio, so I decided to have a look in the Crown and Anchor car park.

It was obvious there had been "a fall". Siskins were feeding like mice around my feet...

Goldcrests (P.155) were everywhere, constantly moving through the vegetation...

It seemed like a good decision especially when this gem came briefly into view....

Yellow-browed Warbler

The shine was taken off the decision slightly when I heard Mick Turton announce the RLB had just flown over his head at Easington Cemetry. If I'd remained on Long Bank...I'd have seen it! Still, I'd seen some good stuff. There was also a Hoopoe seen after I left!

I shop at the convenience store (Holmpton). The Hypermarket is down the road!

Finish at 1 tomorrow so I'm hoping for a last good thrash before heading for the South West...

Scilly me

You've heard enough of my loyalty to Scilly. All the young guns (and some older ones) understandably favouring the Northern Isles...I've succumbed twice. Good choices though, I feel!

When you've been blogging a while there's a danger of inevitable repetition. Maybe things have changed but one thing I DO know...Scilly will strike again...hopefully next week.

A few reasons I go...it pasted in a strange order but you get the idea!

European Penduline Tit

Hawfinch

Eurasian Serin

Red-eyed Vireo

Rose-coloured Starling

Radde's Warbler

Dusky Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Pallas's Warbler

Spectacled Warbler

Booted Warbler

Melodious Warbler

Blyth's Reed Warbler

American Robin

Aquatic Warbler

Grey-cheeked Thrush

Isabelline Wheatear

Bluethroat (red-spotted)

Citrine Wagtail

Buff-bellied Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Blyth's Pipit

Tawny Pipit

Olive-backed Pipit

Red-rumped Swallow

Short-toed Lark

Common Nighthawk

Chimney Swift

Snowy Owl

Sabine's Gull

Spotted Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper

Lesser Yellowlegs

Upland Sandpiper

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

White-rumped Sandpiper

American Golden Plover

Cream-coloured Courser

Sora

Spotted Crake

American Black Duck

Blue-winged Teal

Lesser Scaup

Wilson's Snipe

Black-and-white Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush

Common Yellowthroat 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

...and that's just what I've seen...still plenty I haven't.

Cuckoo please!

Grey Phalarope

Got home around 3 after the delights of the first buz! I decided to go up to Out Newton for a while to see what was passing...maybe some Whooper Swans? I'd been there around 20 minutes when a message came through..."Grey Phalarope off Easington boat yard". A bird always worth seeing, especially if it was close in.

I arrived at the boat yard and had a scan. No sign of the bird...granted, it's not the biggest! I then got a shout from Ian Smith who'd just arrived to say it was showing further North opposite the Gas terminal We walked up the beach and I noticed John Hewitt and Steve Exley on the clifftop. They were looking at it feeding on the tideline...nice. I had great views through the 'scope and managed a few pics...

P.154, S.115

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More weather theories abound on-line. BIG low to the west stretching from way out west...Newfoundland to be precise. This combined with easterlies hitting these hear parts COULD make it a VERY interesting week...PLEASE!!!

• 

Pied Fly!

No big deal in the grand scheme of things BUT a BIG deal to me! It was obvious from the off that birds were present from dawn. Any bird is encouraging. Amongst the common migrants I managed to dig out my first Pied Flycatcher (H.106). It CAN happen here!

A few reports of Whooper Swans moving South but no luck here...yet.

A few bits

Managed a couple of village ticks the last few days. First 8 Brent Geese flew south along the beach. I know..well overdue! This was quickly followed by at least 4 Brambling in the garden of the last house on School lane. This brings my Village life list to a modest 135. Plenty to go at.

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A few more thoughts from the weekend. So, I actually saw Shetland in daylight on my second visit. Impressions? Big, very big. Wet, windy and dull! Don't think I'll be selling a holiday to Louise. Obviously it gets great birds. Not much better than the RUBYTHROAT. It does however involve a lot of driving from one site to another, unless you stay faithful to one area/island of course.

Talking to the young uns in the car they are firm advocates of the far north. They feel Scilly has "had it's day". Weather patterns, shipping lanes...who knows? Nobody. You pays ya money, you takes ya choice. Mine will continue to be the (un)Fortunate Isles. Too many memories, too many great birds seen. It will strike again...hopefully between the 18th - 25th. Besides Louise loves it...thankfully!

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I received an e-mail yesterday from Simon Slade, a birder I met on Scilly last year and who stays in the same flats as we do. Last year when I came off I bumped into him again almost immediately at Full Sutton airfield as we twitched the CAPE MAY together. His e-mail informed me he was on the same ferry as we were on Sunday night! He managed to capture a great image of the RUBYTHROAT. Believe me, this wasn't easy! It was hard enough to get a decent view through the bins.

Anyway, here it is...

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Got a phone call from Andrew (Kinghorn) to say he'd connected with the SCARLET TANAGER on Barra on Wednesday. Quite a trip as he's also twitched the LITTLE CRAKE at Minsmere on Tuesday. These youngsters have so much energy...and time! He went with Dan Pointon via Skye and the Uists, returning to Oban. Something to bear in mind for the future...retirement...if I get there!

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Dawn at 7.22 tomorrow. I'll be down the clifftop till 10...

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT - the full story

It was 3.44pm on Friday afternoon. I was faithfully patrolling my all to familiar empty clifftop bushes when the slow drip started up...

MEGA Shetland SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT 1w male Mainland at Levenwick

Well blow me down!

Initial thoughts - Now what did I promise myself? Which species qualify for the expensive and time consuming long haul North? Anything American? Top Sibe? Arctic Sp? Surely this was one of them.

Being honest it took me a surprising three hours plus to decide to try and put a plan together. I'd managed to arrange another six day window off work and this was only day 2...very lucky indeed. So, I had the time, no problem. With my wonderful partners approval...of course!

Next problem...cost! I'd chartered to Shetland last year for the CAPE MAY WARBLER because it was probably my "most wanted" bird to see in Britain. This species has also always been very special to me, as an almost mythical bird from the East...the Holy Grail? Yes, there have been a few records of late but that's no guarantee for the future...and it's a MALE (it turned out to be the first ever ADULT!).

Are there any Charters available? Is there another/cheaper way?

Believe me I'm not made of money and the fact I had until next Wednesday, the cheaper albeit longer option seemed more attractive! I had a fish around on the online forums for latest info' and made a few phone calls. I also called the charter company I'd used previously.

Anyway, the plan came together when I saw a post from Andrew Kinghorn on Facebook saying he was going and he'd booked a flight? I'd twitched with him before a couple of times so I contacted him and he told me he'd booked with Fly-be from Aberdeen, flying at 7am Saturday morning. He was leaving at 11pm tonight from his house in Durham and he had a spare seat.

OK, I'm in! After what seemed an eternity booking a place on the plane I set off from home around 8.30.

The journey up was interesting as it involved FOUR road closures! Don't you just love the British road system. Oh, and don't forget the 50 mph average speed check areas! Anyway I arrived at 11.15. Shortly afterwards two other intrepid twitchers arrived Chris Bromley (16) and James Shergold (20). I was the "old man".

The journey was uneventful and we arrived at Aberdeen around 5.30am. We took off on time and landed at Sumburgh at 8...

...we picked up the hire car and were heading for Levenwick at 8.20. We arrived and joined the expectant crowd huddled together peering into the chosen garden. The weather was grim, very grim. Heavy, persistent rain. I'll make this bit brief. We spent four hours stood waiting without a sniff of the bird. Various claims were made but none of us saw anything. By noon I'd had enough. Soaked to the skin doesn't cover it. My "waterproof" coat had failed the Shetland test. We reached a local shop were I took my coat off. I might as well have never had it on! I can honestly say it was the worst morning I've had twitching in 28 years.

Things were not great at this moment.

We needed to use the car heater to get dry(er) and warm up (I had a heavy cold before I left home). I was seriously asking myself at this juncture if I was getting to old for this lark!

It was till persisting it down so we decided to try for the juv PALLID HARRIER that had been reported at Tingwall Airport. On the way we came across a family of Whooper Swans. Andrew informed us that they breed here...

When we arrived a group of around 50 birders were looking at the bird which was showing distantly over the airport runway...

I said it was distant!

As it drifted off over the hills we followed it and I managed a closer image through the gloom...

We were now warmer and definitely drier now so we returned to the original site. Numbers had thinned by now but we started a second stint. Thankfully the rain had eased which lifted spirits somewhat.

Around half 4 a shout went out. "They've found it in the Pechora garden". I didn't have a clue where this was but it obviously didn't matter as we just went with the flow! That was after I'd picked myself up out of the ditch I'd fell into whilst grabbing my camera from the car.

The new site wasn't any better for viewing as it was a narrow driveway with thick cover either side. Still, we had hope again.

At 5.15pm I saw an ADULT MALE SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT in Britain!!!

Oh happy day indeed! No photos unfortunately, as it was far to quick for me! I wasn't going to beat THIS cracker anyway!

To try to keep costs down we'd booked on the ferry back on Sunday evening (something I definitely wasn't looking forward too). The youngsters, well two of them at least, were going to sleep in the (very small) car...I wasn't...so I sorted out a B&B in Lerwick...

View from my room

We had another hour or so Sunday morning but the bird remained very elusive so we decided to have a drive onto Yell as James wanted to add the female KING EIDER to his British list. Unfortunately we couldn't locate the bird amongst it's commoner cousins but we enjoyed tremendous views of a Bonxie over the moorland...

Back to Levenwick. Around 4.30 I obtained my best view of the RUBYTHROAT as it came out albeit briefly onto the path, no more than 20 feet away. I got a great view of the all important throat. Brilliant stuff!

Thoughts were now turning to the journey home. Mine were particularly turning to the sea conditions! A few wags commented on how bad the weather was going to turn. I tried to dismiss this as I looked for my trusty Stugeron tablets. I don't get on with the sea. Another advantage of flying!!

We boarded at 5pm, two hours early due to the tides. As I booked my ticket the lady informed me that we still wouldn't be able to dis-embark until 7am Monday as the staff wouldn't be there at 5. Great!

Within half an hour I'd had enough of the oil rig drunks and so had the young 'uns, so we got a cabin.
What a decision! We were all well down on sleep. Next thing I heard was an announcement for breakfast at 6am!! Considering the horrendous sea conditions (the Ferry was cancelled Sunday morning) we'd all managed a great nights sleep.

We left the Ferry at 7 and made our way home.

That's it then. A successful and very enjoyable, if prolonged Birding adventure. I met a few friends from the past and the atmosphere on the island amongst the twitching community was friendly and helpful. I'd like to shake the hand of the Birder who re-found it! Oh and thanks for putting up with the "old fart" chaps.

They get some great birds "up North". I still prefer Scilly though!

Postscript - Twitching never sleeps. SCARLET TANAGER on Barra.

This brings back painful memories. I'd booked the first flight over to Scilly (as I always do) on Saturday 22nd October 2011. On Friday news broke that this species was present at St Leven, Cornwall. Could I get a later flight enabling me to try for it first thing on Saturday?

I managed it and was full of hope as I arrived at dawn. No sign and time was running out as my late morning flight was approaching! MEGA alert SCARLET TANAGER St Mary's, Isles of Scilly!!! By the time I got there it had disappeared...

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT

It didn't take long for the

  BIG ONE 

to break. Just got back. Full story tomorrow. 

Bright and breezy

Spent the morning on the beach with Bud trying to blow a cold away. A kind passenger decided to share it with me! Glorious day with a warm southerly. Not great for finding migrants but there's plenty of time yet. It soon became noticeable that waders and ducks were moving South at varying distances.

c200 Scoter in small groups...

I accidentally caught the zoom lever which advanced the camera to digital. Not great but better than I thought it would be at 48x hand held in strong wind..

plus a couple of Teal!

These birds were a fair way out.

It even picked a Sanderling out...

A few groups of juvenile Dunlin passed closer...

buff heads

Distant Wigeon brought into focus, again with digital zoom...

I got a text this morning from Gavin..."Great kingfisher record for Skeffling. I lived there over 25 years and must have walked that drain hundreds of times with no luck". Seems I was VERY lucky. I guess every sighting has to be taken in context. It's not necessarily what you see...but where you see it. I tell myself this every time I'm on the clifftop!!

Well, the magic month is upon us. What delights will it bestow on us? Time will tell. On-line forums have gone into melt down with many ABA species mentioned (every Wood Warbler?) amongst bragging rights. Correct strategy and luck are needed to connect with the inevitable BIG ONE. As already mentioned I'll be marooned on Scilly from the 18th BUT I could be in the right place?

Good Hunting to you all...that's if you're a twitcher of course!

A few bits...

Spent some time on the Humber these past few evenings. First at Skeffling. Only had the last knockings of light and wasn't optimistic about seeing anything of note...but there's a dog that needs exercising! He was just hopping in the car when I noticed a couple of Little Egrets making there way West. Then at 6.46 I heard a high pitched peep and a Kingfisher popped over the floodbank and landed in the drain. Nice surprise! A total of 10 Little Egrets counted.

Seeing these Egrets obviously going to roost yesterday evening, I tried Patrington Haven tonight. Maybe I could improve my count? I arrived about 6.15, set my scope up...and waited.

A group of 11 at 6.35pm

TWENTY SEVEN counted altogether...and I could have missed a few in the fading light. A fine sight indeed and a great success story for the County.

EYEBROWED THRUSH

I'm forced to post again this evening as I've just seen a photo of the EYEBROWED THRUSH that was present on North Ronaldsay yesterday. No sign today unfortunately.

You might want to take a deep breathe before viewing it!

WOW!!!

Armchair tick?

Looks like I've got another British TICK? We all deserve it for the walk!!!

Surprise view

One of my favourite early shifts this morning! Sometimes I have to bite the bullet. The good news was I finished at 1 albeit not in tip-top condition. After a bite to eat I took Bud down to Skeffling. The tactic was to set my stall up and basically recover!

I keep Louise's Panasonic TZ7 in my bag as I like to Digiscope (badly) on occasions. This seemed a good time to have a play. The tide was out, way out, so I trained the 'scope on the drainage channel and took some shots. It was a dismal afternoon and the light was poor. A decent number of Shelduck were present...

80 yds

I played with different settings without much success. All taken by just placing the camera over the eyepiece hand-held. I was about to call it a day when I noticed a group of Black-headed Gulls coming in to join the Shelducks.

In the interests of realism here's my initial vignetted attempt...

A wader?

Initial thoughts always turn to default species..."it's just a Redshank". Let's take a closer look...

A Ruff! (P.152)

A surprise year bird in poor conditions. It was only present for 30 seconds.

Worth getting up early for!

Seconds!

Spent the whole morning mooching around the village for little reward. Highlight was a large mixed tit flock on the clifftop c50 birds which included a Chiffchaff and double figure Long-tailed Tits.

I checked the cliffs...

perfect for a Lancy?

...and the bushes...

What about those isolated sycamores?

ala South Gare!

Alas not today.

Granted, not classic conditions.

A distant sparrowhawk shot through...

I managed to pick a couple of Sandwich Terns out of the Gulls on the beach...

After lunch I decided to take another look at the Star down the road. It had been reported as showing closer today. I parked in the Bluebell car park and made the short walk up Beacon lane. I joined the small crowd of admirers and it showed well at about 50 yds...

A bit closer...

SWAINSON'S THRUSH on Unst, Shetland. I need that...as they say BUT I won't be going. Working the next three days and even then I won't be tempted. It's one of those species that will come eventually and at a more accessible location...hopefully Scilly next month! It would have to be something very special to tempt me to make my second visit. Probably another American Wood Warbler although the CAPE MAY will take some beating. On reflection, I'm so glad I decided to go for this bird last Autumn.

Playtime!

4 long shifts as penance for my six day break! Had to be done. Sunday off...so let's get out there.

A couple of Yanks have already landed further North...OVENBIRD and RED-EYED VIREO

ALL Birders interested in rare birds are filled with anticipation at this time of year. Plans and strategies are formed. Where to be...when? How much time have you got. Some have limitless, some limited. I fall into the latter category...unfortunately! Still, I can try and maximise my opportunities and that's what I intend to do. Help with shifts at work from my Boss and colleagues has cleared more daylight time...and of course I've got our week on the Scillies (Oct 18th - 25th). Yes, I'm marooned I know BUT I couldn't think of anywhere better to be stuck! That includes Shetland.

Lets hope it's a classic Autumn. I say that every year!

A couple of good village sightings today. First a Buzzard at first light. Then, another sighting of the pair of Blackcaps from the lounge window mid-afternoon during a meal break...

Day 6

Brief report today as most of it was travelling to Teeside and back for an appointment with my hip specialist...ongoing!

I got back to the Patch around 4 and decided to visit Canal Scrape hide, hopefully for a peep at a Jack Snipe...or 2.

There were a few people in the hide when I opened the door and I could see one of them pointing down to the waters edge? I'll be honest, it took me a good 5 minutes before I picked up the diagnostic bobbing action of a Jack Snipe (P.151, S.114).

There it is!

Striking back pattern

Neither bird fully left the cover of the reeds but they're always great entertainment...

That's it!

Day 5

A quality encounter this morning, arguably my best of the year.

After a disappointing seawatch I decided to try for the juvenile Hen Harrier that was lingering around Kilnsea Wetlands. I parked in the car park (made sense) and walked up onto Long Bank for a scan. I gave it 30 minutes but nothing doing, so I had a walk towards Sammy's. Quite a few Birders about due to "the Shrike". I kept scanning but still no joy. As I neared Sammy's I turned around...and there it was!!

A superb juvenile Hen Harrier hunting the drain, This pic was taken at about 100yds and not quite nailed BUT what an agile bird...

It moved along...

Eventually making it's way across the field towards Sammy's car park...

Stunning bird

Marvelous.

A fitting 150th for the Patch year list.

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Had a couple of hours seawatching with Phil this afternoon. Undoubted highlight was a group of SEVEN Pomarine Skuas in a tight group heading South. A lifer for Phil.

Day 4

Sloooow start today. Feeling the pace! Arrived at Out Newton at 10.30 for a seawatch. Sooty Shearwaters streaming up the coast at other watchpoints. 2 hours...none! The highlight was a stream of Red-throated Divers (c70) south.

A MEGA alert had already broke! FEA'S PETREL north past Flamborough Head. Maybe one day? My pal Haydn was "up North" at his Fiance's. So he shot to Whitburn...great strategy. The bird was seen N past Filey. Cleveland 11.30...then things went quiet. He then had to head South for the Shrike.
Petrel passes Whitburn at 2.23...and lingers. His quote was..."PAINFUL"!!!

A definite hindsight scenario. He deserved better. Many NE Birders must have added a lifer today. Something to consider next time...maybe. At least I'm on the coast. North past Spurn...South past Flamborough? Haydn reckons he could reach Whitburn in 70 minutes from York. Extreme BUT...worth a try!

After lunch I tried for the Stonechat that Gavin had texted me about. He'd seen it along the "runnel". This is a stream/ditch at the north end of the village that runs to the sea. Has definite potential...like many other areas!?

In no time at all I was looking at not just one but two Stonechats (H.96)...

Always good value. I like them because they're easy to see!

I gave Haydn a ring to see how he was going on at Spurn. He'd connected with the Shrike but no luck with the OBP (Olive-backed Pipit). Unfortunately..and not surprisingly the bird had been constantly disturbed and had basically cleared off!

He joined me at the runnel and we decided to have a seawatch. Maybe he could find me a Shearwater...he's younger than me! Our vantage point was quite low and the waves were quite high which made viewing difficult...exhilarating though. Large amounts of Little Gulls (H.97) present, seeming to be almost playing in the surf. Dark underwings very obvious despite the spray. We must have seen at least 200. We fixed our gaze on the distant large buoy as a reference point.

Eventually...we managed 2 Sooty Shearwaters (P.148, H.98) and 6 Manx (P.149, H.99). Great to see him, if only for a short time. We agreed to meet again soon...hopefully very soon...at the next BIG ONE!