Scilly 22 - Reflections

So, another Scilly season comes to a close...for me! A full on fortnight of Birding, exercise, scenery and memories. The highlight was obviously the BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. The PALLID SWIFT day was also memorable. Seeing the WILSON'S SNIPE...less so.

Hits...

WILSON'S SNIPE 

PALLID SWIFT 

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER 
Great Shearwater - an unprecedented arrival?

Sooty Shearwater - Scilly tick.

Jack Snipe

Golden Plover - scarce here

Lapwing - scarce here

Great Skua

Arctic Skua - Scilly tick

Sandwich Tern - 2 late birds

Wryneck

Woodlark

Red-rumped Swallow

Tree Pipit

Ring Ouzel - two top encounters

Firecrest - great views and always special

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Common Rosefinch

and Misses...
Spoonbill

Osprey

Marsh Harrier

Kingfisher

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Booted Warbler
No Tresco visit...Wildfowl
BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT

Richard's Pipit

Yellow-browed Warbler

Raven

Brambling

Snow Bunting

Present but not tried for

Pink-footed Goose

Long-tailed Duck

Cattle Egret

Turtle Dove

Short-toed Lark

Olive-backed Pipit

Barred Warbler

Little Bunting

Trip List 84

Scilly List 238

Not a bad selection on a small group of closely linked Islands, 22 miles SW of Lands End...and no car required! Where else in Britain could you see a selection like that within such a short distance?

Great weather also. We had one dodgy afternoon! Maximizing a Trip List wasn't the target this Year, for example we didn't visit Tresco where some "easy" Wildfowl additions could be added. I did spend quite a bit of time on Bryher!

Here's a hopefully brief summary of the Trip, the details are in the daily posts...

I like to think I appreciate the Islands more with every visit. It's a magical place for us. The endless changing views as you walk or sail the Islands is incredible. We clocked up 100 plus miles during the fortnight...and it's not flat! Our memories build with each visit, personally supplemented by the great birds I see there. This year my luck was in, as the BW was found as we travelled down, a timely stop at a lay-by near Exeter informed me of the monumental news! I just had a one night sweat. Other highlights being the appearance of hundreds of Fieldfares at dawn on the 20th was a spectacular sight. A lingering Red-rumped Swallow which toured St Mary's for several days. The Great Shearwater movement was amazing!

Missing the Osprey and Richard's Pipit was disappointing and of course...the ABBP. That's the way it goes. So that'sit for another Year, I've still got to sort my Stats out but that can wait for the long Winter nights...Oh, they're here!