A title with a different slant...thankfully!!!
I spent Saturday ruminating over the possibility of an attempt, despite no news coming through either way because of Storm Betty that past through the Western Approaches on Thursday/Friday. A boat attempted to check the Bishop Rock Lighthouse on Saturday lunchtime but it had to turn back due to the 5m+ swell! So, it would be a gamble...in more ways than one...if you get my drift! Would the Storm have moved it on? I made some communications with Steve and Haydn and made arrangement for Bud. Also, I had FULL backing from "The Boss"...goes without saying...BUT I better say it!
I still wasn't sure as Saturday evening approached.
Further messages meant I would be on my own (Billy no mates) but Bud was sorted due to a kind neighbour...so...it was game ON!!! It was "possible".
I left around 9pm and thankfully had a clean, quiet run to Gloucester Services arriving at 1am where I grabbed a couple of hours (3 hour free parking and a superb stop off if you're ever passing). Again, no closures or hold ups allowing me to reach a lay-by on the A30 just West of Exeter around 4.30; again, I grabbed a couple of hours (I'm knocking on a bit). Despite road improvements (much appreciated in the long run) creating an interesting slalom course in West Cornwall, I reached Penzance (428 miles) in plenty of time around 8. A long pull but the V70 (2002 vintage) helps. After the obligatory McDonald's sausage muffins (no egg) to settle the stomach (?), I parked up a pre-planned side street (I didn't get where I am today..."CJ off Reginald Perrin"...for those of a certain age...by paying unnecessary parking charges) and headed the short distance to the Quay...glancing at the sea as I went?
There she was...my Nemesis!
 |
| 32 Years since my first "unforgettable" trip in a force 8! |
Obviously this was a gamble...I wondered how many more would "roll the dice"? Would there be at least 20 to fill the boat out to the Lighthouse?..
Answer...
We were well into 3 figures!
A Pelagic was leaving St Mary's at 8am so theoretically we should get news before we left at 9.15? We did...and in was in the affirmative!
*** THAT was the key moment for me...and we ALL deserved that feeling...for gambling ***
Jeopardy
Still no guarantees of course...but it was looking good due to its pattern of behaviour previously. I have to admit, I did have a moment of discreet self-congratulation for making the journey. Who dares...and other such cliches. I also wondered if any Birders would have disembarked if the Bird wasn't present? I would have stayed as it could have turned up later and besides, I might get my FEA'S-type PETREL...or something...else? With so many looking, there was a decent chance.
I recognized a few familiar faces and had a few chats as we sailed West in a thankfully moderate sea...
 |
| Fret over Land's End |
I'd done a couple of Pelagics on the Ship in the 90's during family holidays in Cornwall, to try and get my Wilson's Petrel. I succeeded on the latter but I never saw one large Shearwater on either trip. Today all that changed. We were accompanied almost constantly by Cory's, some quite close. We also had a few Greats, plenty of Manx and a distant Sabine's Gull "flock"!!!
 |
| SIX |
Obviously different birds were being picked up by different Birders at various spots around the Ship. Other Species I heard called were Balearic Shearwater, Storm Petrel and Grey Phalarope. No doubt there were others but nothing Rare...as far as I'm aware?!
We reached St Mary's Harbour around 11.45 where two boats organised by Joe Pender (thanks Joe) were waiting for us...
 |
| The troops |
It felt strange to be here in August? Once loaded up we turned West out of the Quay and headed for Bishop Rock, which according to Google Maps is c6 miles WSW. The sea was still lively as we headed out BUT because of the "anticipation factor" I somehow wasn't concerned and felt OK.
The target...
 |
| 160 feet |
As you can see the Weather was great but the Sea wasn't! Definitely some "lag" after the Storm! Birders started to scan and take pics with their long lenses...
Some said they could see it on the North side. I was sitting put till we got within range. Sure enough the RED-FOOTED BOOBY was on the netting...preening. Relief!
Definitely NOT an anti-climax BUT expected. I'm sure you can imagine that getting a photo was going to be a challenge as the boat bobbed around like a cork in a rough sea. I was still OK at this point...if anyone's interested? lol!
First Grab...
Both boats spent the next 30 minutes or so circling the Lighthouse allowing Birders to try and get better views and photos. It was hard work but good fun as we circled the Lighthouse...I think! As time passed I started to "feel it" somewhat. Looking around the boat I could see I wasn't alone. However, I was determined to make the most of the situation and I eventually got great views and a few decent pics. Unfortunately we didn't get a flight view.
We were unlucky in some respects because as well as the rough sea it was stood on top of the netting and was preening most of the time...
As we pulled away it became apparent we weren't heading directly back to St Mary's. The chap next to me said "we must be doing a Pelagic". I tried to look pleased and replied "great"? I then made a decision not to let my nausea spoil this opportunity as it may never happen again for me. Those who know...know! We were surrounded by rafts of Cory's Shearwaters (wonder if there was a Scopoli's among them?..more on that in a later post) and I was determined I was going to enjoy them. OK, I still struggled BUT I like to think I made the best of it. I even managed a few pics despite the crowded boat and the swell...
 |
| Western Rocks in the distance |
 |
| Click the pic |
Definitely a BIG bonus to the Twitch...I think you would agree. Further enhanced with a Wilson's Storm-Petrel to gain a Scilly Tick!
We eventually returned to the Harbour (thankfully), queued up and boarded the Scillonian again. Off one boat straight onto another!? Thankfully the deck felt solid as a rock after the trip to the Lighthouse and there were no issues as we returned to Penzance. The sea wasn't as busy but there was an increase in Great Shearwaters (c30) passing ...
The journey was concluded with a nice atmospheric view of Saint Michael's Mount...
I made the walk back to my car (enjoying the stability!) The journey home was a slow one (after c8 hours out on the Briny). I made a couple of stops and finally landed at 6am Monday.
Another Species from Latitudes further South reaches our shores...well nearly! IMHO there's no doubt Climate change is playing a part in these records.
So, there we are, another successful Twitch and a great Adventure to boot. Slightly late to the Party again (as I was with the BLACK-WINGED KITE) due to "unavoidable circumstances" but the Birding Gods smiled down on me...again. I like to think I deserved it...but then I would, wouldn't I! Nice to know I can still "manage it"...a Twitch that is! (Fawlty Towers reference). Another BIG bonus was that it took place at my favourite destination and I managed a forced Pelagic, which turned out to be Spectacular! Not a "Rush Bird" but yet another great memory to look back on. I'll be back on October 13th...if not before?
 |
| RED-FOOTED BOOBY - A Life Bird |
No comments:
Post a Comment