TAIGA FLYCATCHER - Yorkshire 398

Our first Saturday on Scilly...October 16th. News finally broke on a probable from back in Yorkshire...

2.35pm MEGA E.Yorks TAIGA FLYCATCHER Flamborough Head on cliff below Fog Horn Station

My mind was taken back to late April 2003...yes, I can still remember that far back! I'd just returned from another fabulous Texas experience when this species was mooted. I (and many others) had never heard of this species? I was shattered after my return journey so a combination of fatigue and uncertainty about the record meant I missed it. I've regretted it ever since. So news of this bird made me smile in a slightly resigned manner. I certainly wouldn't be going for it! It wasn't seen the next day.

That was that then...or so I thought.

Fast forward to November 4th...

2.28pm MEGA E.Yorks TAIGA FLYCATCHER Flamborough Head at South Landing on east side of wood

Blimey!!! Unbelievably I had another chance! It was a poor afternoon weather-wise and I'd have been trying to negotiate the joys of traffic through Bridlington. I reluctantly declined the attempt from Withernsea Tesco! It was going dark by 4pm which made me slightly more relaxed. All I could do was hope it remained overnight although the forecast of a clear night and low temperatures didn't inspire confidence.

Thankfully news broke at 7.26am...the bird was still present!!! I spent two sessions with the bird and I eventually got my pics, although it remained in shade throughout...

Plenty of familiar faces present and a good atmosphere throughout. Phil joined me after lunch and got his Lifer. Redemption after 18 years for yours truly.

***There seem to be different theories as to whether this is the same...or a different bird? For me...the chances of two different birds of this extreme rarity turning up at the same location, pushes the bounds of probability too far. It was elusive and could disappear for significant periods, backing up the "same bird" theory, as there were plenty looking. Less leaves as the Autumn progresses helps locate birds.

Remarkably one of the assembled admirers found a Red-flanked Bluetail around 100 yards away! A nice bonus but again difficult to view well as it was very active in deep cover...a record shot...just!

This morning I received a message from Gavin informing me he'd found a flock of Snow Buntings South of the Sewage. Always a pleasure. That was the dog walk sorted. I mentioned it to a neighbour and he joined me. No sign on the way out but on our return I spotted them bobbing away over the stubble. They then flew out onto the beach, even landing on the beach briefly...

I hope to complete my VARIED THRUSH trip report tomorrow...

VARIED THRUSH

HAD to be done...

The best pumpkin I've ever seen!

Scilly 2021 - Day 15

For completeness I'm popping a few thoughts down from the phone whilst the good lady starts our journey North from Lands End.

Not too much marching this morning...or so I thought. We had a leisurely stroll up to 4 lane ends. Louise read while I had a look for RB Fly and Woodlark. I saw neither but no matter. There were also OBP, Rose-coloured Starling, YBW and Water Pipit all within a mile! Where else would that happen? Nowhere!

I also said my goodbyes to a few regulars, which was nice.

We decided to have a last Longstones and a Cream Tea...

Had to be done.

It was time to think about returning to the digs to wait for the taxi to the Airport. Of course...a late breaker.

A Sub-Alp sp had been seen at Telegraph. I mulled it over briefly before deciding to have a go. I had an hour. After some initial confusion on location I found the admiring group and fortunately after a short while I had the bird...

A nice bonus at the death. I wonder if they can turn it into that "funny one"? I made it back with 10 minutes to spare.

Trip Total   102 species

Distance covered.  110 miles

Scilly 2021 - Day 14

Late start today due to poor weather and late night! We also packed our bags in preparation for tomorrow's flight.

After an early lunch we headed down Peninnis as the rain had stopped. There had been a report of 4 Snow Buntings by the Lighthouse.

As we reached the final section a Peregrine appeared and soared for quite some time in the updraft giving spectacular views...

A sinister silhouette

No sign of the Snow Buntings in an hour search around the Lighthouse. Louise then returned to the digs while I recovered on a bench. Adam Hutt appeared with his partner Heather. We had a good chat then they continued East and I returned North down Peninnis. News that the Olive-backed Pipit had been seen again near Old Town tempted me down the Hill. A small group had assembled and after some 30 minutes the bird popped out and I had great views through long time Scilly stalwart Andy's 'scope. Thanks pal!

The rain closed in again by 4,30 so I called it a day. Last chance for something special in the morning. Still time...

Trip Total   101 species

Distance covered   104.7 miles

Scilly 2021 - Day 13

My report was curtailed tonight when the Bombshell news of a VARIED THRUSH on Papa Westray broke!!!!!! A truly mind-blowing bird.

It brought back great memories of my previous visits for the STELLER'S EIDER.

I WON'T be leaving Scilly...

Report of Day 13 to follow...

Where was I? Ah yes...Day 13. I decided to pop over to Tresco to try for the LESSER SCAUP. On arrival at the Quay I noticed David and Jim were heading the same way as they boarded theBoat. I joined them. Once landed we headed for the South side of the Great Pool as the sun would be behind us. Good tactics but no joy with "the Duck" or the Spotted Red'...so we decided to walk round to the Hide. As we settled in the Spotted Redshank flew into view...

...with a backdrop of Greenshank and Redshank

Nice Pose!

No sign of the LS however ther was plenty to entertain including 6 magnificent Whooper Swans...

Always special

Distant Pink-footed Geese...

We were then joined in the hide by Cornish legend Viv Stratton...a really nice guy. After a further 20 minutes we managed to find the LESSER SCAUP which was feeding actively...

As you can see the light wasn't favourable but at least we'd found it!

I had a walk over to Pentle Bay to look for a RB Merganser but I couldn't find it. Nice view though...

We returned at 3.30 in lively sea conditions but no hint of sickness...thankfully. Always OK on the inter-island boats...the Scillonian is a completely different proposition!

I walked back to the digs for a brew with Louise. Further news of a Richard's Pipit up by Telegraph came through!? Ever had one of those moments when you ask yourself can I be bothered? It would be my 100th species for the trip...so off I went up the hill...again. Fortunately the bird had remained faithful to its chosen field...

The bird unfortutely remained in the long grass at the rear of the field, so I was pleased to grab this image at 5.06. I'd achieved my species target of 100...and it co-incided with my 100 miles!

Trip Total   100 species

Distance covered   100.5 miles

Scilly 2021 - Day 12

No MEGA sulk here, just another day to enjoy on the Fortunate Isles...a privilege indeed! The weather reality was better than the forecast...no surprise there. We made our way NE following the coastal path past Porthmellon and Porthloo where a lone Curlew was amongst the Oystercatchers probing the sand...

Not its best side

We continued North after the obligatory coffee at Juliet's Garden. The view is very special...

A decent vantage point I think you would agree. We also saw the 10.15 inter-island boats leave...

We then walked the Northern Coastal Path past Innisidgen towards Watermill Cove. The target was Great Northern Diver. I eventually found 3 but they were way out towards St Martin's. Still, a Trip Tick (96).

We rested again at Watermill enjoying the weather and the view...

With 3 plus miles under our belt we headed for lunch at Longstones. This Cafe is strategically ideal as it's in the centre of St Mary's...it also has great food! While having lunch on the porchI had the occasional scan (as you do). I noticed an obvious Wagtail on an adjacent farm building. I was surprised to find that it was a Grey...then another! The birds were incredibly active and mobile, flying away high only to immediatly return on several occasions. It was great entertainment, even Louise enjoyed it. I love seeing species out of context...

Not great pics but they somehow reflect the occasion. They were then joined briefly by a Black Redstart! There's always something to see on Scilly.

It was now 2pm and Louise headed for Hugh Town while I walked North to Telegraph to see if I could get another view of the Hawfinch near Content Farm...and anything else for that matter. It was quite busy (for Scilly) up there. The BT boys were working on the transmitter and there were a lot of parked vehicles. Also there were a few Birders down the lane. I decided to check the Golf Course out hoping it would be quieter on my return. No Buff-breasted Sandpipers on the GC so I returned to Content Lane, which was now thankfully quiet. As I walked down the lane I lifted my bins to view the Hawthorn...it was there!

I moved slowly forward before taking a few images. It was feeding deep in the Hawthorn...

Fortunately the bird eventually made its way up near the top of the bush...

Always a good day with a Hawfinch in it.

I then returned South towards Rocky Hills toying with the idea of getting a stiff neck looking for the ghostly RBF by Rosemary Cottage. Fortunately I bumped into my old mate Martin (we go back many years regarding Scilly wanderings). He informed me a Ring Ouzel had been showing on the Sunnyside Farm trail. I chose the latter.

The scene as I arrived...

The bird had shown in both these fields...before I arrived of course. I waited. After around 20 minutes it appeared down the bottom end...

Trip species 97

It seemed reasonably settled (for a RO) making its way slowly across the field feeding...

It then disappeared for a good hour, Birders came and went but I waited. As I returned to my original spot I noticed a movement on the path...

There it was, some 10 yards away...

This is without doubt the closest I've ever been to this species in 35 years!!! The Magic of Scilly.

Trip Total   97 species

Distance covered   90.9 miles

Scilly 2021 - Day 11

This morning found us heading out to Peninnis Head on yet another glorious, fresh, sunny morning. Maybe a Ring Ouzel or merely a Skylark for the Trip List...it wasn't to be. This Wren gave itself away eventually...

...while we enjoyed the view over to St Agnes...

We walked round the Headland and into Old Town Bay but not before enjoying Puplit Rock...

...and the approach of the Scillonian...FROM LAND...

This little chap appeared out of the grass whilst we were watching...

Siskin

Another form of transport was also present...

We had 30 minutes on a bench in the Churchyard where I was entertained by a few Phylosscs. Nothing unusual, unfortunately.

After lunch Louise decided to take it easy while I headed for the Airport...no I wasn't going home! On arrival the hoped for Whinchats were showing well...

...and gone!

On leaving, I passed Parting Carn and yet again enjoyed views of a Water Pipit...

News of a Hawfinch near Content Farm tempted me to make another yomp North to Telegraph. I was passing the site of the RB Fly but I didn't deviate from my original quest. As I was walking up the road I bumped into Mark Halliday and his Wife. It was great to renew aquaintances after 12 months. On arrival at the site Scott Reid was present, again it was good to see him again. He said the bird hadn't been seen for a while and he had to leave. A few Birders came and went before Paul Freestone appeared. I was bumping into eveyone today! He stayed a short while before moving on and there was still no sign of the bird in the small hawthorn...

As you can see, there was hope as all the leaves had gone but there were plenty of berries. Hawfinches tend to be loyal to food sources, so I was still fairly confident it would return. It took an hour...

It was always obscured at the back of the bush...BUT...it was there...

Chuffed.

I did try for the RB Fly on my way back but the cloud had increased making the light poor. I had a couple of typical unsatisfactory glimpses before I left for Hugh Town

Trip Total   95 species

Distance covered   82.6 miles 

Scilly 2021 - Day 10

Up before dawn and down to Parting Carn, which is undoubtedly the "birdiest" field on St Mary's. I spent a very pleasant 90 minutes on a quiet Sunday morning scoping the birds in the plough. Plenty of Chaffinches and Meadow Pipits to sift through. I eventually picked out my first Brambling of the trip. I counted 18 Redwings among the resident Song Thrushes plus a couple of Black Redstarts. A sprinkling of Siskins (c30) were also present. An excellent session indeed!

After returning for the bacon sarnies we headed for Porth Mellion Beach were a Snow Bunting had been reported. I'd had a quick glance on my way back for breakfast and saw a group down the far end. There was no-one present now, so we slowly strolled the length of the beach on another glorious Sunday...

We couldn't find the little gem but as we started to climb back onto the road we both looked up to see the bird flying East towards the Golf Course, calling. Lucky and different to see the bird in flight on the Islands.

After finally making it to the area were an Olive-backed Pipit had been reported near Old Town, I searched a solo search for a while but unsurprisingly couldn't locate the bird.

We returned via Parting Carn and I managed decent views of a Water Pipit. News of a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Rocky Hills tempted me to detour on our way back...for the match! I got the usual brief, flashing view of the bird in a less than conducive atmosphere, if you get my drift.

I write this as Liverpool lead 5-0 at Old Trafford!!! We're off to the Atlantic tonight so I'll add a few more pics tomorrow...maybe of a MEGA lol! Hope springs eternal...

Trip Total  92 species

Distance covered   75 miles

Scilly 2021 - Day 9

Steadier day today...I'm 65 next month!

I made my way up to the Star Castle after breakfast to scan Samson for a while. Shelduck and Spoonbill had been reported which would be Trip Ticks. The distance is around 1.5 miles...

...but the trusty APO 62 had no problem picking out 10 Shelducks around the beach area. Now for the Spoonbills. 30 minutes of scanning Samson, Green Island and evrywhere else failed to produce a sighting. Spoonbills like to take it steady in my experience!

Around 11 a white silhouette appeared from behind Green Island and landed near the Shelducks on Samson. I had my trip tick. Some 10 minutes later a second bird joined it.

After lunch I tried the Dump Clump for YBW.

This is a dense area of cover near the School where this species turns up every Autumn. It requires patience on most occasions to get a glimpse of this smart sprite. When we arrived there was no-one present. Louise settled down to read and I waited...and waited...and waited. An hour had passed and a couple of Birders came and went. As itapproached 3 I decided to take the path into the area to see if I could get lucky. I'd only been in there a few minutes when I got lucky, especially a sit wasn't calling. The light was poor and the area dense so I was pleased to get a record shot to mark the occasion...

Again a very satisfying day re-locating some target species.

It's coming......................................................................

24th October

COMMON NIGHTHAWK

BLACKPOLL WARBLER

25th October

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK

INDIGO BUNTING

BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER

26th October

UPLAND SANDPIPER

Aquatic Warbler

27th October

RED-EYED VIREO

AMERICAN ROBIN

28th October

OVENBIRD

GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH

29th October

Snowy Owl

Above are Birds I've personally seen on these dates (I'm certain there are others)...gives hope and puts an edge on the remaining days. It ain't over yet!

Trip Total   87 species

Distance covered   67.7 miles