A look back at the Islands birding highlights of 2003
December 19th:
A pleasant warm day with a light SSE. Between the Dump Clump and Lower Moors, Firecrests out numbered Goldcrests and almost outnumbered Chiffchaffs. At the latter site there were 14 Firecrests with a flock of 8 in the same bush together. Nearby on the pool there were, 2 Jack Snipes, 4 Goldfinches, 8 Teals and 30+Snipes. The pale BUZZARD was seen all over St Mary’s and even made a brief visit to St Agnes. A female Black Redstart was at Porthcressa and there was an increase in Blackcaps.
ST MARY’S: 1 BUZZARD, 23 Firecrest, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Greenshank, 3 Fieldfare, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Gadwall, 5 Golden Plover, 5 Redshank, 8 Blackcap, 8 Teal, 12 Purple Sandpiper, 20+Goldcrest, 20 Redwing, 35+Chiffchaff, 30+Snipe and 60+Sanderling.
ST MARTINS: 1 Magpie, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Merlin, 3 Woodcock and 5 Snipe.
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December 18th:
Overcast with a light SE. The GOOSANDER and BUZZARD were both on St Mary’s and there was a male Sparrowhawk at Lower Moors.
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December 17th:
Bright warm sunshine with a light to moderate S. The Magpie made a rare visit from St Martins to Longstones. At the latter site there was a female Reed Bunting and the pale BUZZARD flew over Lower Moors. The GOOSANDER was showing very well in the harbour.
ST MARY’S: 1 GOOSANDER, 1 BUZZARD, 1 Magpie, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Firecrest, 1 Wigeon, 1 Woodcock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Greenshank, 1 Coot, 2 Water Rail, 2 Water Rail, 4 Redshank, 5 Goldfinch, 6 Chiffchaff and 13 Goldcrest.
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December 16th:
Dull and overcast with a fresh SW. On St Martins, the 2 BUZZARDS were seen together.
ST MARY’S: 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Linnet, 1 Wigeon, 3 Blackcap, 5 Teal and 15+Snipe.
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December 14th:
Cloudy and still. Still lots of Firecrests around with 12 at Lower Moors and there was an increase in Redwings. The Hen Harrier made a visit to St Agnes where there were a high count of over 60 Purple Sandpipers.
ST AGNES: 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Hen Harrier, 6 Chiffchaff, 17 Sanderling and 60+Purple Sandpiper.
ST MARY’S: 17 Firecrest, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Wigeon, 1 Merlin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Woodcock, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Water Rail, 5 Teal, 15+Goldcrest, 20+Snipe, 25+Chiffchaff and 50+Redwing.
ST MARTINS: 1 Merlin, 4 Woodcock, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, 14 Grey Plover and 100+Sanderling.
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December 14th:
Bright spells with a moderate WNW. The only birds of note were the pale BUZZARD at Porth Hellick and the male Black Redstart at the quay.
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December 13th:
Same conditions as yesterday. Again birders decided to stay in but the dark BUZZARD on St Martins was seen on and off over Middle Down.
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December 12th:
Heavy drizzle during the day with a fresh WSW. The conditions did not encourage birders to go out but on St Agnes just the female and male SERIN were seen with the ROSE-COLOURED STARLING nearby.
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December 11th:
Light drizzle throughout most of the day with a NW breeze. At Lower Moors there was a very vocal YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier flew through here in the late afternoon. The warbler probably arrived on the same easterlies as the Little Bunting and the Serins a few days ago. The GOOSANDER made an appearance in Old Town Bay where there was also a Water Pipit and there was a Guillemot in Porthcressa Bay. In The Roads there were 2 Common Scoters and a Black-throated Diver. On St Agnes, the only birds of note were the Rose-coloured starling at the Coastguard Cottages, a Brambling but there was no sign of the Serins.
ST MARY’S: 1 GOOSANDER, 1 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Water Pipit, 10 Firecrest, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Guillemot, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Merlin, 2 Water Rail, 3 Woodcock, 4 Pied Wagtail, 5 Blackcap, 8 Snipe, 10 Goldcrest, 20+Redwing and 35+Chiffchaff.
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December 10th:
Cloudy with a light SW. There was no sign of both the Little or Reed Bunting at Ennor Close, Old Town but a BUZZARD that flew over this site was the same individual as that seen in October and was much than the St Martins bird. This was confirmed when the BUZZARD on St Martins was observed at the same time. The SERINS on St Agnes had increased to 4 with 2 at the Lower Town and 2 opposite the post office at Higher Town. Nearby, the Siberian Chiffchaff was at Periglis. Also at Ennor Close there were 11 Skylarks with a further16 at Telegraph and 140+Chaffinch and 17 Linnets at Green Farm were, two very high counts for the winter. A Jack Snipe was feeding with over 50 Snipes at Lower Moors. Moths included a Feathered Thorn at Peninnis Farm and a White Speck was at Branksea.
ST MARY’S: 1 BUZZARD, 2 Firecrest, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Kingfisher, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 7 Fieldfare, 17 Linnet, 27 Skylark, 40+Redwing, 58 Snipe and 170+Chaffinch.
ST MARTINS: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Merlin, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Snipe and 4 Fieldfare.
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December 9th:
A lot warmer today with cloud and bright spells with a light to moderate SW. For December it was quite a remarkable day. It started off with the GOOSANDER being relocated next to the lifeboat slip early this morning but it soon moved to Porthcressa Bay. Later, birders going to have a look at it could not believe their eyes when they found a female GOLDENEYE as well. This is another Scilly rarity with the last record in 1998 also in Porthcressa Bay. In the last three days a few resident birders have had two Scilly ticks. St Agnes was not out done. Three Serins, 1 male and 2 females, were in the old observatory garden at Lower Town while at the Coastguard cottages the Rose-coloured Starling was still present and Siberian Chiffchaff was still at Periglis. Back on St Mary’s, a quick look at the Chaffinch flock at Ennor Close at Old Town, produced the first December record of a LITTLE BUNTING. The bird showed very well and spent most of its time feeding with yesterdays female Reed Bunting until dusk. At lower Moors there were 14 Firecrests.
ST MARY’S: 1 GOOSANDER, 1 GOLDENEYE, 1 LITTLE BUNTING, 1 Reed Bunting, 16 Firecrest, 1 Pochard, 1 Merlin, 3 Blackcap, 3 Wigeon, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Woodcock, 6 Teal, 9 Lapwing, 15 Meadow Pipit, 19 Golden Plover, 20+Redwing, 22 Skylark, 25+Goldcrest, 35+Chiffchaff and 40+Chaffinch.
ST AGNES: 3 SERINS, 1 ROSE-COLOURED STARLING, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff and 3 Chiffchaff.
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December 8th:
Overcast and chilly with a fresh SE. The only birds of note on St Mary’s were, a female Reed Bunting with a 20+Chaffinches at Ennor Close, 2 Lapwings at Porth Hellick, a male Black Redstart in Hugh Town and the Mistle Thrush on the Garrison. On St Agnes there was a Brent Goose at Porth Goose.
ST AGNES: 1 Brent Goose, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Skylark, 1 Merlin, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Lapwing and 20+Redwing.
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December 7th:
Dull with bright spells with a strong raw SE, F5-6. The GOOSANDER was seen to fly out of Porth Hellick first thing this morning and later was relocated on Tresco Abbey Pool. Also on the latter island, there were an increase in both Shovelers and Wigeons and the drake Tufted Duck was joined by a female. The Scaup was still present on the Great Pool and in the Tresco channel there was 27 Little Egrets on Merrick Island. There was nothing else was noted as it was too windy.
ST MARY’S: 1 GOOSANDER, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Brambling, 3 Wigeon, 6 Snipe and 6 Teal.
TRESCO: 1 GOOSANDER, 1 Scaup, 1 Lapwing, 1 Common Gull, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Shoveler, 10 Wigeon, 15 Pochard and 27 Little Egret.
ST MARTINS: 1 Firecrest, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Meadow Pipit, 5 Woodcock, 5 Snipe, 20+Fieldfare, 40+Redwing and 100+Sanderling.
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December 6th:
Dull and thick cloud with a bitter cold moderate ENE. The easterlies brought in a scilly rarity. A volunteer was working at Porth Hellick and found a superb drake GOOSANDER. Although there was a drake here at the same site last December, this is only the 26th record. A Long-eared Owl was at Normandy and single male Black Redstarts were at the quay and Old Town beach.
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December 5th:
A bitter cold moderate E wind with cloud. The turn of the cold weather has reduced the numbers of birds and that’s particular in Chiffchaffs. Only 12 birds were at Lower Moors, 6 were at the Dump Clump and 6 at Porth Hellick. There was also no sign of the Siberian Chiffchaff at the latter sight. In the last two days there seems to be a small arrival of Goldcrests and today more thrushes were in. A Reed Bunting was at Lower Moors.
ST MARY’S: 1 Reed Bunting, 13 Firecrest, 1 Teal, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 2 Woodcock, 8 Snipe, 9 Fieldfare, 24 Chiffchaff, 35+Goldcrest and 110+Redwing.
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December 4th:
A strong raw NE wind, F5 with cloud and bright spells. A visit to Tresco was the first in two weeks. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at the Abbey Pool where there was also a pair of Shoveler and a very good record was 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers off Carn Near. A drake Tufted Duck had joined up with the Pochard and the first winter drake Scaup on Tresco Great Pool. Nearby the 3 LONG-TAILED TITS were with a big flock of Goldcrests and 4 Firecrests.
TRESCO: 3 LONG-TAILED TIT, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Scaup, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Firecrest, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Dunlin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Blackcap, 1 Woodcock, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Raven, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Snipe, 3 Fieldfare, 8 Wigeon, 9 Common Gull, 10 Stonechat, 11 Greenshank, 15 Pochard, 21 Mute Swan, 21 Redshank, 20+Redwing, 30+Gadwall, 31 Chiffchaff, 52 Goldcrest, 50+Teal, 60+Turnstone, 76 Coot and 100+Black-headed Gull.
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December 3rd:
Cloudy and sunny spells with a cold moderate NW. A scan from St Mary’s into The Roads did not produce much except 4 Slavonian Grebes with 2 off Innisidgen and 2 off McFarland’s Down, although, the BUZZARD was seen over Middle Town, St Martins being mobbed by 3 Crows. On St Agnes the Rose-coloured Starling and 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs were still present. The Purple Sandpipers had increased to 30.
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December 2nd:
Sunny with light rain later in the day with a moderate NW. Some of the Chiffchaffs seemed to moved on. From 40-50 only two days ago at Lower Moors to half that today. Also no sign of both the Dusky Warbler or Yellow-browed Warbler but the Siberian Chiffchaff was still present at the Dump Clump.
ST MARY’S: 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Skylark, 6 Water Rail, 6 Woodcock, 11 Teal, 25+Firecrest, 30+Goldcrest, 40+Redwing, and 50+Chiffchaff.
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December 1st:
Dull and overcast with a bitter strong N wind, F5-6 increasing to F7 late in the day. The blustery conditions made birding very difficult. The male Black Redstart at Old Town brightened up the day.
ST MARY’S: 3 Firecrest, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Common Gull, 4 Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 7 Teal and 8 Snipe.
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November 30th:
Rain in the morning turning warm and bright later in the day with light WSW. Not much birding done today. The DUSKY WARBLER at Lower Moors showed well near the hides and proved to be the latest Scilly record. The only other bird of note was the Yellow-browed Warbler at the Dump Clump.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 12 Firecrest, 1 Dunlin, 1 Kingfisher, 50+Chaffinch, 60+Chiffchaff and 130+Sanderling.
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November 29th:
Strong WSW, F6-7 with rain turning brighter later in the day. On St Agnes there were 3 Siberian Chiffchaffs and 20 Purple Sandpipers at Periglis. Single Mistle Thrushes were still present at Carn Friars and The Garrison.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Kestrel, 12 Snipe and 16 Golden Plover.
ST AGNES: 3 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Common Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Egret, 2 Teal, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Sanderling, 20 Purple Sandpiper and 75 Turnstone.
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November 28th:
A light SW wind and bright throughout the day. At the Dump Clump there were the Siberian Chiffchaff and a Yellow-browed Warbler. The latter species was possible the bird from Porth Mellon as there was no sign of it there today. The BUZZARD on St Martins made a brief visit to Tean and has been identified as a different bird from last month. Other birds of note were two Brent Geese just off Carn Near, Tresco and a male Black Redstart at Lauceston Close.
ST MARY’S: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 15+Firecrest, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Dunlin, 2 Kestrel, 5 Teal, 23 Snipe, 60+Chiffchaff, 130+Sanderling and 200+Starling.
ST MARTINS: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Magpie, 2 Firecrest, 1 Common Gull and 1 Chiffchaff.
ST AGNES: 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 1 Merlin, 20+Chiffchaff and 25 Greenfinch.
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November 27th:
A light to moderate WSW with warm sunshine and short sharp showers. Highlight of the day was a BUZZARD at Top Rock on St Martins. Birds remaining included the DUSKY and CETTI’S WARBLER at Lower Moors and the Yellow-browed Warbler at Porth Mellon. At the Dump Clump there was a Siberian Chiffchaff and there were 2 Goldfinches and 3 Bramblings with a 100+Chaffinches in fields at Ennor Close. There was only a single Linnet at Porth Hellick and the Mistle Thrush was still at Carn Friars.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 25+Firecrest, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Siskin, 1 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Skylark, 3 Brambling, 4 Woodcock, 5 Water Rail, 45+Goldcrest, 70+Chiffchaff and 100+Chaffinch.
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November 26th:
A strong SW, F6 with heavy rain overnight. Bright with showers and during the day, the wind had dropped, F4. The only area covered today was between the Dump Clump and Lower Moors. A Yellow-browed Warbler was found in a small group of trees just behind Porth Mellon industrial estate. This may be a new bird but could be one of the individuals that’s gone missing from nearby Dump Clump or Lower Moors. At the latter site, the DUSKY and CETTI’S WARBLER continued to show well and the Yellow-browed Warbler remained in the woods. On St Agnes the Rose-coloured Starling was still present and a high number of up to 4 Siberian Chiffchaffs were on the island.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 15+Firecrest, 4 Teal, 15 Snipe, 25+Goldcrest, 60+Chiffchaff and 200+Starling.
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November 25th:
Light to moderate SW wind with bright spells. Both the DUSKY and CETTI’S WARBLER showed well at Lower Moors and near the Tin Hut there was the Yellow-browed Warbler. Also in the area there were 7 Firecrest, 20+Goldcrest and 50+ Chiffchaff. A group of 6 Goldfinch was a good winter record as was a Whimbrel at Periglis, St Agnes. On St Martins there was a Short-eared Owl hunting the fields above Middle Down.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Firecrest, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Water Rail, 3 Woodcock, 4 Teal, 20+Snipe, 20+Goldcrest and 50+Chiffchaff.
ST AGNES: 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 1 Greenshank and 20+Sanderling.
ST MARTINS: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Siskin, 1 Moorhen, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Water Rail and 100+Wood Pigeon.
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November 24th:
Bright and warm with a NNW breeze. The Yellow-browed Warbler is still present at Trenoweth and the DUSKY WARBLER remained at Lower Moors. Three Linnets were feeding with an equal number of Bramblings on Porth Hellick beach. Still good numbers of Firecrests, Blackbirds and Chiffchaffs and on St Agnes a dead Yellow-browed Warbler, believed to be two weeks dead, was found near the Coastguards Cottage. In the same area, there was the Rose-coloured Starling and it is thought that this is the same bird that made a brief visit to St Martins yesterday.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 20+Firecrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Dunlin, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Linnet, 3 Brambling, 3 Woodcock, 3 Pied Wagtail, 4 Slavonian Grebe, 50+Robin, 50+Goldcrest, 70+Chiffchaff, 70+Fieldfare, 200+Blackbird, 200+Redwing and 200+Sanderling.
ST AGNES: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Common Gull, 1 Skylark, 1 Teal, 4 Fieldfare and 20+Chiffchaff
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November 23rd:
Overcast and showers with a bitter NNE wind. The thrushes had quickly moved on but 2 male Ring Ouzels on the airfield was a surprise. Another late migrant was a Willow Warbler with 20+Chiffchaffs, 8 Firecrest and a single Yellow-browed Warbler at the Rose Hill end of Lower Moors. Nearby the DUSKY WARBLER was still favouring the scrub around the two hides, while the individual at the Higher Moors/Porth Hellick crossroads was heard more than seen. A first winter Rose-coloured Starling turned up in gardens at Middle Town, St Martins in the late morning. This may have been the bird from St Agnes as it was only seen up to 09.00. The Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Trenowth.
ST MARY’S: 2 DUSKY WARBLER, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzel, 10 Firecrest, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Black Redstart, 7 Brambling, 3 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, 70+Chiffchaff, 100+Fieldfare and 150+Redwing.
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November 22nd:
A dull start with drizzle with a light N, later turning brighter. At first light, it was obvious there had been a movement of thrushes overnight with small numbers falling out of the sky. Associated with this influx were good numbers of Blackbirds. In smaller numbers Chaffinches were also moving through. The DUSKY WARBLER can now be relied on being seen at Lower Moors around the two hides. Here it showed on and off throughout most of the day. The 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were still present and the Water Pipit had moved onto Old Town beach. Both the Rose-coloured Starling and Snow Bunting are present on St Agnes. A Clouded Yellow on St Martins was the latest scilly record.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Water Pipit, 10 Firecrest, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Brambling, 2 Wigeon, 4 Woodcock, 11 Snipe, 14 Teal, 65+Chiffchaff, 180+Blackbirds, 400+Redwing and 300+Fieldfare.
ST AGNES: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Skylark, 1 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Merlin, 2 Kestrel, 10 Purple Sandpiper, 10 Goldcrest, 20+Chiffchaff, 100+Robin, 100+Fieldfare and 200+Redwing.
ST MARTINS: 1 Magpie, 1 Siskin, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Brambling, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Water Rail, 3 Woodcock, 4 Skylark, 20+Snipe, 50+Redwing, 130+Turnstone, 200+Fieldfare and 1 Clouded Yellow.
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November 21st:
Overcast with a light SW breeze. A new Yellow-browed Warbler turned up at Trenoweth with a single relocated at Lower Moors. Here there was also the DUSKY WARBLER and never far away the CETTI’S WARBLER was present. Both birds showing very well. A Water Pipit and 6 Black Redstart, including 2 cracking males, were at Porth Minnick. On St Agnes there were up to 3 Siberian Chiffchaffs and overnight 43 White Specks and 5 Dark Sword Grass were trapped. Birders took advantage of the still weather by scanning off Innisidgen. Birds of note included, 4 Slavonian Grebes, 1 Black-throated Diver and 8 Great Northern Divers.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Water Pipit, 8 Firecrest, 6 Black Redstart, 2 Siskin,1 Brambling, 1 Black-throated Diver, 4 Slavonian Grebe, 8 Great Northern Diver and 70+Chaffinch
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November 20th:
Low cloud and mist in the morning with continues drizzle and a light to moderate SW wind. A visit to Tresco produced some good birds. On the Great Pool there were a first winter drake Scaup and returning from St Martins were 3 of the 4 LONG-TAILED TIT in nearby bushes. A female Pintail was on the Abbey Pool and up to 3 Yellow-browed Warblers included, 2 on Pool Road and a single showing very well next to the school. Good numbers of Chiffchaffs, Robins and both crests. Frustratingly, a Common Sandpiper was heard on the Abbey Pool but despite searching was not located. At Lower Moors the DUSKY WARBLER gave excellent views in the same area as yesterday.
TRESCO: 3 LONG-TAILED TIT, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Scaup, 1 Common Sandpiper, 15+Firecrest, 6 Black Redstart, 1 Pintail, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Brambling, 2 Woodcock, 3 Blackcap, 3 Common Gull, 4 Pied Wagtail, 4 Water Rail, 9 Wigeon, 14 Pochard, 15 Redshank, 17 Greenshank, 17 Little Egret, 20+Gadwall, 36 Moorhen, 40+chiffchaff, 45+Robin, 55+Goldcrest, 50+Teal and 71 Coot.
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November 19th:
Overcast with a light SW breeze. Only the main sites were covered today for the first time for three days. Porth Hellick, Dump Clump, Lower Moors and Higher/Holy Vale. In the last few days there has been a large arrival of Robins and both crests. Still lots of Chiffchaffs around and associating with these were two Yellow-browed Warblers. One was at Higher Moors and the other on the Porth Hellick loop but there was no sign of the 3 at Lower Moors. However Lower Moors still held the DUSKY and CETTI’S WARBLER, both together in the same bush in between the two hides. A DUSKY WARBLER in scrub at the Porth Hellick/Higher Moors crossroads was thought to be the same bird seen on Sunday at nearby Holy Vale. Woodcocks are also up in numbers with 17 flushed on the Porth Hellick loop but both the Bramblings and Black Redstarts have moved on..
ST MARY’S: 2 DUSKY WARBLER, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Black Redstart, 25+Firecrest, 1 Brambling, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wigeon, 4 Water Rail, 6 Blackcap, 6 Goldfinch, 8 Pied Wagtail, 19 Woodcock, 30+Robin, 65+Goldcrest and 80+Chiffchaff.
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November 18th:
Low cloud with a moderate SW wind with drizzle in the morning. Yesterdays birds on St Agnes attracted a few birders over. Both the Rose-coloured Starling and Snow Bunting were still present in the same areas as yesterday. There seemed to be also an arrival of Robins overnight with a total 40+birds. St Mary’s was not covered and only 2 Firecrest were seen.
ST AGNES: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Snow Bunting, 4 Firecrest, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 3 Snipe, 10 Redwing, 18 Purple Sandpiper, 20+Chiffchaff, 20+Greenfinch, 20+Chaffchaff, 30+Blackbird, 40+Robin and 60+Ringed Plover.
ST MARTINS: 4 Brambling, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Water Rail, 2 Kestrel and 20+Fieldfare.
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November 17th:
Drizzle throughout the day, heavy at times with a light NW breeze. A first winter Mediterranean Gull was feeding with 60+Black-headed Gulls at Porthloo, a Mistle Thrush was at Carn Friars and there were only 7 Firecrests seen. St Agnes produced some good birds. Just above the quay there was a first winter male Snow Bunting giving excellent views down to a few metres. A Jack Snipe was flushed on the cricket pitch and there were lots of Chiffchaffs on the beaches including a Siberian Chiffchaff. A Rose-coloured Staring in gardens behind the Coastguard Cottages has been present for over four weeks and is starting to moult into adult plumage. The bird has been favouring a compost heap throughout its stay.
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November 16th:
Light to moderate NWW wind with sunshine. Another DUSKY WARBLER was found at the Maypole end of Holy Vale. It was very vocal and showed well. At the same time the DUSKY WARBLER was still at Lower Moors but had moved to the Tin Hut. In the same area only 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were seen and there were up to 12 Firecrests. The Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Higher Moors and the Water Pipit from yesterday was relocated with another bird in front of the hide at Porth Hellick. In The Roads the 11 Common Scoters were observed flying out to sea and 2 grey geese flew over and seemed to go down on Bryher. Six Purple Sandpipers at Morning Point, Garrison, were the first sighting since a single at the end of October. A two hour sea watch off Giant’s Castle could only produce 500+Kittiwakes, 200+Gannet and 20 Razorbill and there were also 100+Gannet off Great Bay, St Martins.
ST MARY’S: 2 DUSKY WARBLER, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Water Pipit, 1 Long-eared Owl, 4 Black Redstart, 16 Firecrest, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Brambling, 9 Skylark, 3 Great Northern Diver, 3 Kestrel, 4 Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 7 Water Rail, 11 Coot, 40+Goldcrest, 52 Ringed Plover, 110+Chiffchaff and 150+Fieldfare.
ST MARTINS: 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Moorhen, 2 Merlin, 2 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit and 100+Gannet.
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November 15th:
The wind had completely dropped to a light NW breeze with warm bright sunshine throughout the day. The DUSKY WARBLER reappeared in front of the ISBG hide at Lower Moors and showed very well on and off for nearly 30 minutes. A single Siberian Chiffchaff and Yellow-browed Warbler were at the Dump Clump and there were 3 of the latter species at Lower Moors. A Water Pipit it was on Old Town beach, a Swallow was at Sallyakee and a Long-eared Owl was hunting on The Garrison. There was an arrival of Black Redstarts overnight with a total of 23 birds. Eight were on Porthloo and 5 each at Old Town and Little Porth. Each site held a superb male. The rest were scattered around the island. There were 11 Common Scoter in The Roads.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Long-eared Owl, 13 Firecrest, 23 Black Redstart, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Merlin, 3 Great Northern Diver, 4 Blackcap, 10 Brambling, 10+Goldcrest, 75+Chiffchaff and 200+Fieldfare.
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November 14th:
Strong WSW wind, F7-8, gusting up to 60 miles an hour, with heavy rain. A bright start and the wind turning more NWW, F6-7. The only birds of note were single Yellow-browed Warblers at Lower Moors and the Dump Clump and a Mistle Thrush on The Garrison. Three Jack Snipes were at Porth Hellick with a single bird and 50+Snipes at Lower Moors and up to 23 Skylarks were at Green Farm.
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November 13th:
Thick cloud cover with strong SW, F6-7, increasing to F8 with heavy rain in the evening. The windy conditions made birding difficult. The highlights were a single Swallow in Hugh Town and 2-3 Yellow-browed Warblers were at Lower Moors.
ST MARY’S: 2-3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Swallow, 1 Firecrest, 3 Black Redstart, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wigeon, 2 Woodcock, 11 Teal, 24 Snipe, 20+Goldcrest and 40+Chiffchaff.
ST MARTINS: 2 Firecrest, 1 Black Redstart, 6 Brambling, 2 Common Gull, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Woodcock, 1 Merlin, 3 Kestrel, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 4 Greenshank, 7 Little Egret, 11 Curlew, 11 Fieldfare, 20+Redwing and 60+Blackbird.
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November 12th:
Overnight rain and bright and sunny with a light SSW. There was no sign of the Dusky Warbler at the Dump Clump. A Hawfinch was at Rose Hill and nearby at Lower Moors there were single Pallas’s Warbler and Siberian Chiffchaff, the CETTI’S WARBLER, the 3 Yellow-browed Warblers and on the pool, 2 Jack Snipe with a total of 88 Snipe. The Yellow-browed Warbler remained at the Dump Clump and there were less numbers of both Firecrests and Goldcrests.
ST MARY’S: 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Hawfinch, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler, 6 Black Redstart, 7 Firecrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wigeon, 3 Jack Snipe, 4 Pied Wagtail, 6 Woodcock, 6 Water Rail, 6 Grey Heron, 10 Brambling, 32 Carrion Crow, 40+Goldcrest, 100+Chiffchaff and 100+Snipe.
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November 11th:
Cloudy with a fresh S. The DUSKY WARBLER and one of the Yellow-browed Warblers were still present at the Dump Clump. Single Yellow-broweds were also at Higher Moors, Porth Hellick Loop and Rocky Hills with the 3 still at Lower Moors. Chiffchaffs seemed to be in every bush and tree at the latter site and it was estimated that there were over 70 birds here. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at Higher Moors and the 3 LONG-TAILED TITS have now moved from Tresco to Middle Town on St Martins and have been rejoined by the forth bird from St Agnes.
Late news from yesterday included, a Pallas’s Warbler at Lower Moors, a Snow Bunting on the Golf Course and a Common Scoter off Carn Near, Tresco.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler, 15 Firecrest, 3 Jack Snipe, 6 Black Redstart, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Blackcap, 10 Woodcock, 12 Brambling, 50+Goldcrest, 115+Chiffchaff and 250+Redwing.
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November 10th:
Warm Sunshine with a light S turning fresher later in the day. On Tresco Abbey Pool, a first winter AMERICAN HERRING GULL showed well for 20 minutes where there were also a Shoveler and 3 Tufted Ducks. The DUSKY WARBLER was still at the Dump clump but no sign of the Pallas’s or any of the Yellow-browed Warblers in the same area. A Pallas’s Warbler in the lighthouse garden on St Agnes was thought to be a different bird to the individual two days ago. A single Yellow-browed Warbler was at Higher Moors with 2 at Lower Moors and 3 on Tresco. On the latter island the 3 LONG-TAILED TITS were located along Pool Road with the forth bird on St Agnes!
TRESCO: 1 AMERICAN HERRING GULL, 3 LONG-TAILED TIT, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Firecrest, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Shoveler, 1 Great-northern Diver3 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 25+Chiffchaff and 30+Goldcrest.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 16 Firecrest, 12 Black Redstart, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wigeon, 3 Brambling, 6 Siskin, 6 Blackcap, 6 Pied Wagtail, 6 Jack Snipe, 8 Water Rail, 8 Lapwing, 86 Snipe, 60+Goldcrest and 100+Chiffchaff.
ST AGNES: 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 LONG-TAILED TIT, 10 Blackcap, 40+Goldcrest and 40+Chiffchaff.
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November 9th:
Overnight rain and a strong S, F5-6, with bright sunshine. The Dump Clump was the place to be today. Late this morning a DUSKY WARBLER was heard and then seen by the incinerator. Later it was relocated at the Dump Clump where it showed well on and off. Birders in the same area also found a Pallas’s and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and the CETTI’S WARBLER, all showing very well till dusk. The DUSKY WARBLER was observed being chased off by the CETTI’S WARBLER. The 3 Yellow-Browed Warblers were still at Lower Moors where there was a Siberian Chiffchaff. The LONG-TAILED TITS reappeared at Browarth on St Agnes but there were only 3 birds. There was a large arrival of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests overnight with 200+ of the former and 150+ of the latter species from just two islands.. Another Yellow-browed Warbler was at Rocky Hills and there were 5 Jack Snipe at Porth Hellick and 3 at Lower Moors. A very high number for this time of year. The first Slavonian Grebes of the autumn were 2 off innisidgen. Only the areas mentioned above were covered.
ST MARY’S: 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 16 Firecrest, 12 Black Redstart, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Great-northern Diver, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Dunlin, 5 Lapwing, 9 Jack Snipe, 8 Woodcock, 9 Water Rail, 4 Blackcap, 6 Pied Wagtail, 11 Skylark, 15+Brambling, 19 Golden Plover, 2 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 69 Snipe, 110+Goldcrest, 170+Chiffchaff 350+Redwing.
ST AGNES: 3 LONG-TAILED TIT, 1 Redstart, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Firecrest, 6 Black Redstart, 1 Lapwing, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Brambling, 16 Skylark, 40+Goldcrest and 40+Chiffchaff.
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November 8th:
Cloudy with a fresh SE. The LAUGHING GULL was seen briefly over Porthloo flying towards Old Town. St Agnes produced some good birds this morning. A Pallas’s Warbler, the tenth this autumn, was at Troy Town and a Serin was with Chaffinches at Lower Town Farm. A rare bird for this island was a Little Grebe off Turks Head and this may have been the same bird on Tresco Great Pool. There were was a notable number of Redwings scattered around the islands that were covered, with a total of nearly a 1000.
ST MARY’S: 1 LAUGHING GULL, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Firecrest, 8 Black Redstart, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 6 Pied Wagtail, 55 Snipe, 210 Sanderling and 350+Redwing.
ST AGNES: 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Serin, 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Lapwing, 5 Skylark, 10 Fieldfare, 40+Chiffchaff and 250+Redwing.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Pintail, 6 Firecrest, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Gull, 2 Merlin, 2 Dunlin, 6+Brambling, 6 Pochard, 6 Greenshank, 12 Wigeon, 50+Teal and 250+Redwing.
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November 7th:
Sunny all day with a strong SE. Surprisingly, there was no sign of the Laughing Gull. A late Swallow was flying around Buzza Hill and there was a small arrival of Black Redstarts including 3 together at Sharks Pit.
ST MARY’S: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Swallow, 15+Firecrest, 10 Black Redstart, 2 Brambling, 4 Dunlin, 12 Golden Plover and 39 Snipe.
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November 6th:
Foggy and low cloud clearing later with a moderate S wind. I was very fortunate to find today’s highlight in the shape of a first winter LAUGHING GULL at Old Town Bay, St Mary’s, in the late afternoon. The bird gave excellent views at close range feeding with a few Black-headed Gulls in front a small crowd of birders. It flew off over Lower Moors and was relocated at Porthloo where it stayed to dusk. This the fourth Scilly record with the last in January 2000 at St Mary’s Tip. The CETTI’S WARBLER showed very well next to the hides at Lower Moors and at the same time the 4 LONG-TAILED TITS moved through the same bushes as the CETTI’S. In the same area the 3 Yellow-browed Warblers were still present but only a single could be heard at Higher Moors. On St Agnes there was a Siberian Chiffchaff. There was a Clouded Yellow at the Dump, a Silver Y at Trenoweth and a White Speck at Branksea, all on St Mary’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 LAUGHING GULL, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 4 LONG-TAILED TIT, 25+Firecrest, 1 Swallow, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Merlin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Wigeon, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Kestrel, 3 Woodcock, 6 Pied Wagtail, 8 Water Rail, 10 Brambling, 12 Skylark, 24 Golden Plover, 25 Snipe, 30+Goldcrest, and 30+Chiffchaff.
ST AGNES: 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 4 Black Redstart, 1 Skylark, 2 Brambling and 20+Chiffchaff.
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November 5th:
Cloudy with very strong S, F7. Light rain later in the day. There are less than 50 Scilly records of LONG-TAILED TIT. Four birds were first heard and then seen to fly from Newman’s Pottery, The Garrison, towards Rat Island, St Mary’s, and out of sight. This is the first record since 7 arrived in November 1999 and stayed into the following year. Out of town at Porth Hellick, 4 Water Pipits were in a field behind the two hides. Later they relocated feeding with Meadow Pipits at Salakee. Two Yellow-browed Warblers were also at Porth Hellick with single birds at nearby Higher Moors and Longstones. A first winter Yellow-legged Gull was on the football pitch on The Garrison.
ST MARY’S: 4 LONG-TAILED TIT, 4 Water Pipit, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Firecrest, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 8 Wigeon, 12 Skylark, 5 Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 15+Brambling, 24 Snipe and 140+Sanderling.
ST AGNES: 6 Firecrest, 1 Skylark, 2 Brambling and 5 Chiffchaff.
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November 4th:
Overcast with a moderate SW. Highlights on Tresco included 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, 11 Firecrests and 25+Bramblings. The Green Sandpiper was still present and if it decides to overwinter this will be the first Scilly record. 28 of the 33 Moorhens seen on the island were in a horse paddock. Only the two pools and Borough Farm were covered by a single observer. A Little Grebe arrived at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s where there was also the Yellow-browed Warbler and the Turtle Dove was still at Nowhere. A total of 10 Firecrest were seen on the island. Two Yellow-browed Warblers and a Black Redstart were on St Agnes.
TRESCO: 4 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 11 Firecrest, 25+Brambling, 2 Siskin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodcock, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Blackcap, 5 Water Rail, 8 Greenshank, 27 Redshank, 11 Pochard, 30+Teal, 33 Moorhen, 25 Chiffchaff, 32 Goldcrest, 50+Chaffinch, 60+Meadow Pipit and 150+Wood Pigeon.
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November 3rd:
Overnight, strong SWW wind, F6-7, gusting up to 70 miles an hour with heavy rain. By the morning the wind had died down to a fresh W breeze with bright sunshine. On St Mary’s the highlights were the CETTI’S WARBLER, 2 Richard’s Pipits, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers and good numbers of Firecrests. Single Mistle Thrushes were on the golf course and The Garrison, 3 Swallows were at Lower Moors and the Turtle Dove was at Nowhere. A late Whimbrel was at Bar Point and a very late Clouded Yellow was at Kitty Down.
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November 2nd:
Heavy rain and strong SW, F7-8 overnight. A bright start with a moderate SW and during the day heavy showers. By the evening the wind had increased again to F5-6. Again St Mary’s was the only island birded. The only new bird of note was a first winter Glaucous Gull at Morning Point. The CETTI’S WARBLER was heard at Lower Moors where there were 3 Yellow-browed Warblers and 7 Firecrests.
ST MARY’S: 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Glaucous Gull, 2 Richard’s Pipit, 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 17 Firecrest, 3 Woodcock, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Merlin, 2 Blackcap, 5 Pied Wagtail, 20+Brambling, 30+Goldcrest, 45+Chiffchaff and 170+Sanderling.
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November 1st:
A light to moderate N in the morning swinging to a strong SW later in the day with sunny periods. Only the resident birders were left on the islands as all the visiting birders had all gone. St Mary’s was the only island covered. A Whooper Swan flew over Hugh Town, later it was in The Roads. The Turtle Dove at Nowhere stayed into November and just up the road at Porthcressa there was a different bird feeding with the Collard Doves. Still good numbers of Yellow-browed Warblers and Firecrests with 9 and 25+ respectively and the 2 Richard’s Pipits were at Telegraph. At Maypole there was a Snow Bunting feeding at the side of the road. First thing this morning there was a visible movement of thrushes including 500+ over Carn Friars. The majority of them being Redwings. A MONARCH over the Hospital towards Lower Moors was a head of the westerly front and hopefully a taste of the birds to come in the next few days from the same area as the butterfly.
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October 31st:
A light NW breeze with bright sunshine. The Rose-coloured Starling on Bryher was feeding with 200+Starlings in the dump area and the Pallas’s Warbler was at Higher Moors/Holy Vale, St Mary’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 2 Richard’s Pipit, 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 12 Firecrest, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Jack Snipe, 15 Brambling and 30+ Chiffchaff.
BRYHER: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 3 Reed Bunting and 1 Merlin.
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October 30th:
Heavy blustery rain overnight and into the late morning clearing later to bright spells. A very late Quail was flushed on St Agnes where there was also the Rose-coloured Starling. Except for the Short-eared Owl on Bryher and a Lesser Whitethroat and the Green Sandpiper on Tresco, all records came from St Mary’s. The highlights were 2 Richard’s Pipits were in the Telegraph area, the CETT’S WARBLER was singing at Lower Moors, a Water Pipit was at Porth Hellick and there were still up to 9 Yellow-browed Warblers.
ST MARY’S: 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 2 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Water Pipit, 2 Whimbrel, 7 Firecrest, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 White Wagtail, 3 Black Redstart, 3 Mistle Thrush, 15 Brambling and 45 Linnet.
TRESCO: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Firecrest and 3 Brambling.
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October 29th:
Rain on and off with a strong NE wind, F5-6. What’s left of the visiting birders on Scilly, all made the trip to St Martins but only the Pallas’s, (briefly), and the Yellow-browed Warbler could be found in the blustery conditions at Pool Green. The Arctic Warbler was probably keeping low out of the wind. There was a Snow Bunting on the latter island with a single and a Lapland Bunting also on Bryher. The first Purple Sandpiper of the autumn was on St Agnes.
ST MARTINS: 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Firecrest, 1 Wheatear and 1 White Wagtail.
ST AGNES: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 1 Purple Sandpiper.
ST MARY’S: 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Turtle Dove and 19 Wigeon.
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October 28th:
A bright and warm start turning cloudy later in the day with a light NW breeze. St Martins produced the highlight of the day. A very late ARCTIC WARBLER was in the same clump of Elms as the Pallas’s and a Yellow-browed Warbler just behind the cricket pitch at Pool Green. The ARCTIC WARBLER was found late in the afternoon and showed for a good 20 minutes. The drake BLACK DUCK was just off nearby English Point. Another Pallas’s Warbler was in the Parsonage and the OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT was reported from Wingletang, both St Agnes. Otherwise it was very quiet. The BUZZARD toured around St Mary’s and was finally seen heading towards St Martins. At one time it was mobbed by 20 Carrion Crows.
ST MARTINS: 1 ARCTIC WARBLER, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 1 Firecrest.
ST MARTINS: 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Whinchat, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Firecrest and 9 Brambling.
ST MARY’S: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Long-eared Owl, 10 Firecrest, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Crossbill, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 4 Mistle Thrush, 1 Jack Snipe, 27 Brambling and 850+Wood Pigeon.
TRESCO: 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Firecrest, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Mistle Thrush and 15 Brambling.
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October 27th:
Still and bright warm sun throughout the day. The warm weather and Chiffchaffs in song made it feel more like a spring day. An OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT was briefly seen in the Chapel fields on St Agnes and nearby at Cove Vean there was a Red-breasted Flycatcher. Other new birds were both on St Mary’s. At Trenoweth a Little Bunting was found in the late afternoon and at Holy Vale there was a Spotted Crake. There was no sign of the Isabeline Shrike and 2 Pallas’s Warblers on St Martins. Some summer migrants were still lingering and a very good record was a Scilly total of 9 Mistle Thrushes including a flock of 3 at Longstones.
ST AGNES: 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Firecrest and 1 Willow Warbler.
ST MARY’S: 1 BARN OWL, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Little Bunting, 1 Spotted Crake, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 2 Water Pipit, 10 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Long-eared Owl, 22 Firecrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Wheatear, 6 Mistle Thrush, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Swallow, 2 White Wagtail, 21 Brambling and 17 Wigeon.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, and 20+Brambling.
ST MARTINS: 1 Mistle Thrush and 10 Brambling.
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October 26th:
Sunny all day with a light N wind. The same birds were still present. Both Pallas’s Warblers were on St Martins with one of the birds spending its time around the entrance of the campsite. Here it showed very well, sometimes only a field away from the ISABELINE SHRIKE which was busy keeping the Goldcrest population down. At one time it was observed feeding on 3 Goldcrests, one after the other in its larder. When it was finished it was back in the hedges chasing for what was left of Goldcrest on the island. In the next field from the shrike, there was a Water Pipit. Tresco produced the BUZZARD and the juvenile Hobby and 2 Green Sandpipers. On St Mary’s, a total 12 Yellow-browed Warblers were seen including, 6 together at Lower Moors. The OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT kept everyone happy at Sallakee and the Pallas’s was at Holy Vale. There was a single Water Pipit at Porth Hellick and the BARN OWL was seen going into roost in the morning and coming out in the evening at Longstones.
ST MARTINS: 1 ISABELINE SHRIKE, 2 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Water Pipit, 5 Firecrest, 4 Water Rail, 1 Woodcock, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Brambling, 10 Chiffchaff, and 200+Sanderling.
ST MARY’S: 1 BARN OWL, 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Water Pipit, 12 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Richard’s Pipit, 2 Long-eared Owl, 25+Firecrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Swallow, 2 White Wagtail, 3 Black Redstart, 15+Brambling and 50+Chiffchaff.
TRESCO: 1 BUZZARD, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Hobby, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Firecrest, 3 Brambling and 6 Swallow.
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October 25th:
A light NW breeze with warm sunshine and patchy cloud. One observer got up to Longstones, St Mary’s, a lot earlier than everyone else for the BARN OWL and was rewarded for 15 minutes on and off as it quartered the fields. Just before 19.00 a crowd of 20 waited patiently and out came a Long-eared Owl followed by the BARN OWL. A Serin on The Garrison was the only new bird found of note. Otherwise birders had to be content with yesterday’s birds. The ISABELINE SHRIKE and 2 Pallas’s Warbler were still on St Martins and the OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, CETTI’S WARBLER and Pallas’s Warbler were still on St Mary’s. Also on the latter island there were 3 White-fronted Geese over the airfield and the very late Swift, 2 Water Pipits at Porth Hellick and a probable OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT flew into fields at Lower Moors but could not be located.
ST MARTINS: 1 ISABELINE SHRIKE, 2 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 8 Firecrest and 1 Whinchat.
ST MARY’S: 1 BARN OWL, 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Serin, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Water Pipit, 5 White-fronted Goose, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Hobby, 1 Swift, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Ring Ouzel and 8 Jack Snipe.
TRESCO: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Firecrest.
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October 24th:
A light NNW With Bright warm sunshine turning colder later in the day. Even with the clear skies overnight the rare birds stuck around. Once again St Martins was the place to be. The ISABELINE SHRIKE in the same area as yesterday, The Pallas’s Warbler was still present at Pool Green with a new bird found behind St Martins hotel and an OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT was discovered in private fields above Middle Town. There was a Yellow-browed Warbler in Elms next to the Seven Stones pub and a Little Auk showing well just off Lower town quay. Single Pallas’s turned up at Higher Moors, St Mary’s and Troy Town, St Agnes, where the Barred Warbler made an appearance, after going missing for two days at nearby St Wanna’s Cove and there were also two Rose-coloured Starlings on the island. In the afternoon a mobile swift sp arrived on St Mary’s and was identified as a Common Swift and in the morning a BUZZARD was mobbed by crows over the N part of St Mary’s and later it turned up on Tresco. After the shrike, the Buzzard is the rarest bird on Scilly at the moment with the last one seen in 2000. On the ground, the OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT remained at Salkee with the Water Pipit and there was a Yellowhammer on Penninis, St Mary’s. A large movement of thrushes, including Blackbirds, was obvious in the morning and with them 1000s of Chaffinches. There was a constant visible movement throughout the day of Chaffinches over all the islands, particularly in the afternoon, including 1000+ over Sallyport and 868 over Parting Carn, both St Mary’s, in an hour. On St Martins over 800 passed over in an hour. Associated with these were small numbers of Bramblings with a Scilly total of 75+. There was no sign of the Nightjar sp at Longstones, St Mary’s, but the birders waiting in the area got a bonus when Paul Stancliff found a BARN OWL. It came out of a pine belt and flew down to Higher Moors where it was lost. It was picked up again by Martin Goodey who was at the Maypole end of Holy Vale while waiting for the Nightjar sp.
ST MARTINS: 1 ISABELINE SHRIKE, 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 2 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Little Auk and 600+Chaffinch.
ST MARY’S: 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 BUZZARD, 1 Yellow Hammer, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 5 Yellow Browed Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Long-eared Owl, 4 Black Redstart, 3 Brambling, 5 Firecrest, 150+Redwing and 200+Chaffinch.
ST AGNES: 1 Barred Warbler, 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 2 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Crossbill, 1 Ring Ouzel and 1 Redstart.
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October 23rd:
Another very cold day with a light to moderate NE. For the last week there has been a good bird everyday and this time it was St Martins turn. An ISABELINE SHRIKE was found near the bulb shop at Middle Town. Here it showed very well and was seen feeding on an unfortunate Goldcrest and was observed near the campsite eating another. It was identified as the race (isabellinus) i.e. Darurian Shrike. As always the case when a good bird turns up there others usually found on the same island. The supporting cast included, a Pallas’s Warbler at Pool Green, a Hawfinch at the campsite and a Water Pipit at Middle Town. A very good record was a Red-throated Diver in the channel between St Martins and Mary’s where there was also an Arctic Tern. Other Water Pipits included 2 on Tresco and a single sharing the fields with the OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT at Salkee, St Mary’s. There was a probable OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT in off the sea on Bryher and was seen briefly in fields and the Little Bunting from last week at Borough Farm, Tresco, showed itself again in the same fields. Everything else of note was on St Mary’s. At Lower Moors there were a Bluethroat on the loop, a Siberian Chiffchaff in the woods with 3 Yellow-browed Warblers and a flyover Hawfinch. An amazing sight was a Hobby almost taking out a Richard’s Pipit in mid-air at Normandy.
ST MARTINS: 1 ISABELINE SHRIKE, 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 2 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Little Auk, 1 Hawfinch, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Woodcock, and 1000+Chaffinch.
ST MARY’S: 1 BARN OWL, 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 BUZZARD, 1 Yellow Hammer, 1 Water Pipit, 2 Richard’s Pipit, 6 Yellow Browed Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Long-eared Owl, 3 Snow Bunting, 1 Hobby, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Ring Ouzel,4 Black Redstart, 3 Brambling, 5 Firecrest, 500+Fieldfare, 400+Redwing and 1000+Chaffinch.
ST AGNES: 1 Barred Warbler, 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 2 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Crossbill, 1 Ring Ouzel and 1 Redstart.
TRESCO: 1 Hobby, 1 Little Gull, 2 Green Sandpiper and 14 Wigeon.
GUGH: 2 Red-breasted Merganser and 1 Ring Ouzel.
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October 22nd:
Heavy rain overnight with a moderate bitter NNE. During the day bright warm spells with the wind increasing later in the day to F6-7. There was no sign of yesterdays Swainson’s Thrush and it was thought that it had probably not made it through the night. The two highlights were both on St Mary’s. At Salkee, an OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT was found late in the day and proved hard to get as it favoured a very weedy field. A DARTFORD WARBLER on the west side of Peninnis did show well on and off. Also on this island, 2 Little Auks flew past Giants Castle, a Tawny Pipit flew over Peninnis towards Hugh Town and a Snow Bunting was at deep Point. The only bird of note on the off islands was a Water Pipit at Borough Farm, Tresco.
ST MARY’S: 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 1 DARFORD WARBLER, 2 Little Auks, 1 Tawny Pipit, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Turtle Dove and 20+Firecrest.
TRESCO: 1 Water Pipit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Pintail and 2 Firecrest.
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October 21st:
Cloudy and very cold with a fresh NW wind with showers on and off. Yet again, Bryher produced the goods in the shape of a SWAINSON’S THRUSH found by Markus Lawson. It was in the dump area on brambles showing well but looking exhausted. Only 50 or so birders on the island already there and those who came from Tresco connected with it and not the three boat loads arriving from St Mary’s who missed it by 20 minutes. The thrush returned to the bramble patch when the crowds were gone. On the return trip, an immature Spoonbill flew overhead from St Mary’s towards Tresco where it had been present several hours earlier. A flock of 21 Pink-footed Geese over Peninnis, St Mary’s, was the first record since a single in 1997. A Barred Warbler was at St Wanna’s Cove, St Agnes and on Tresco there were an adult Yellow-legged Gull off Pentle Bay and the Red-breasted Merganser off Carn Near. The CETTI’S WARBLER was heard this morning around the hides at Lower Moors and later in the afternoon again, St Mary’s where there was also a Water Pipit but there was no sign of the Little Crake at nearby Porth Hellick. The Barn Owl picked up dead on St Martins, was identified as the dark-breasted form, (guttata). There have been ten records of Barn Owl since 1960 with the last in 1991 and only two were positively identified as (guttata).
BRYHER: 1 SWAINSON’S THRUSH and 8 Firecrest.
ST MARY’S: 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Spoonbill, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzel, 36 Firecrest, 4 Black Redstart and 3 Brambling.
TRESCO: 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Pintail and 5 Firecrest.
ST MARTINS: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 10 Firecrest.
ST AGNES: 1 Barred Warbler, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Yellow-barred Warbler, 5 Black Redstart and 9 Firecrest.
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October 20th:
A strong chilly NNE, F6, with occasional rain. At Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, a juvenile LITTLE CRAKE was found by Bob Flood at first light . Sightings were distant on the pool but later in the morning it was relocated on a small pool at nearby Carn Friers. Here it showed off in front of 200+ birders at very close range for a good hour but was not seen again during the rest of the day. If accepted this will be the third Scilly rcord but the first seen by more than one observer. As everyone was in the Porth Hellick area, there were lots more birds on show. A BOBOLINK showed briefly in the reeds to a small crowed, a Yellowhammer flew over, a Little Gull flew in and out again and was back on Tresco Great Pool later and there up to 5 Jack Snipes on the pool. Other birds on the island included a Red-throated Pipit over The Garrison and a Richard’s Pipit over Cove Vean. There was a Movement of over 500 Swallows at Lower Moors, where the Cetti’s Warbler was heard, and there was a Slavonian Grebe in Porthcressa Bay. On Tresco there were now 3 Green Sandpipers and over 600 Chaffinches. A very rare bird for Scilly was unfortunly a dead BARN OWL found by the side of the road on St Martins. You would think of all places, it would escape being hit by a car.
ST MARY’S: 1 LITTLE CRAKE, 1 BOBOLINK, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Red-throated Pipit, 1 Hawfinch, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Wryneck, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Turtle Dove, 9 Jack Snipe and 500+Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 dead BARN OWL, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Mistle Thrush and 8 Firecrest.
BRYHER: 1 Hawfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Firecrest.
TRESCO: 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Little Gull, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Jack Snipe and 600+Chaffinch.
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October 19th:
Overcast with a bitter cold NNE, F6-7. The windy conditions made birding very difficult. On St Mary’s, the highlight for one person was a GREAT SNIPE flushed at Innisidgen. Despite everyone searching for it, it could not be found again. What was relocated, was yesterdays Cetti’s Warbler heard at the dump. It sang in sub-song and showed well at a private area of Lower Moors but was heard later near the two hides. A Richard’s Pipit flew over The Garrison and the Tawny Pipit on Peninnis was showing very well. The Pallas’s Warbler continued to favour the gardens of Rams Valley with the other bird on St Agnes in the Parsonage. The GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH was reported in the Borough Farm area and there were still lots of Firecrests around including 20+ in Holy Vale, St Mary’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 GREAT SNIPE, 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Hobby, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Gull, 1 Turtle Dove and 9 Jack Snipe.
TRESCO: 1 GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH, 1 Richards Pipit, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Hobby, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe and 2 Mistle Thrush.
ST AGNES: 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sand Martin, and 7 Firecrest.
BRYHER: 1 Hawfinch, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Jack Snipe and 1 Firecrest.
ST MARTINS: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Firecrest
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October 18th:
Strong ESE, F6+ with long periods of warm sunshine. Two more Pallas’s Warblers turned up. On Bryher, one was on rocks on the west side of Shipman’s Head and while Bryan Thomas was taking photos of the Tawny Pipit on Peninnis Head, St Mary’s, a Pallas’s came in off the sea and landed on rocks beside him. It flew into a single Pittisporun sheltered by adjacent rocks and showed very well. It was joined by 2 Goldcrests, also in off the sea. The other 2 Pallas’s were still present on St Mary’s and St Agnes. A Rustic Bunting briefly showed at Borough Farm, St Mary’s but was pinned down not far away in fields at Green Lane where also a Hawfinch flew over with it or another at Rams valley. The GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH was showing well at Borough Farm, Tresco and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard once at the Dump, St Mary’s. A very good description of an AMERICAN PAINTED LADY was seen by one observer on ivy next to St Mary’s power station. Still lots of Firecrests around and over 300 Goldcrests were on St Mary’s. There was no sign of the Pied Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 Rustic Bunting, 2 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Tawny Pipit, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Hobby, 5 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Wryneck, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ring Ouzel, 5 Jack Snipe, 2 Turtle Dove, 13 Black Redstart, 16 Brambling and 1 AMERICAN PAINTED LADY.
TRESCO: 1 GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Pintail,1 Black Duck.
ST AGNES: 1 Pallas’s Warbler and 2 Yellow-browed Warbler.
ST MARTINS: 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Ring Ouzel.
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October 17th:
Stiff ESE with sunny spells. It was only a matter of time before Pallas’s Warbler arrived on the islands with so many on the east coast. Two were found and both proved to be elusive, with one in the same Elms as a Yellow-browed Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Parsonage, St Agnes. While on St Mary’s, the other was mobile in gardens at Rams Valley and there was a Barred Warbler at Higher Moors. Nearby the PIED WHEATEAR had settled down at Kitty Down and a Tawny Pipit was on Peninnis Head. Both birds showing very well. A Hawfinch, first seen flying over Hugh Town, was later on the Garrison flying around the campsite. Up to three boat loads went over to Bryher to find the BOBOLINK but there was no sign of it until 16.30 when one observer flushed it next to the toilet block at the campsite. On Tresco, the GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH was relocated at Borough Farm and there was a Pectoral Sandpiper on the Great Pool. Two possibles included, a zoothera thrush seen by three observers over the incinerator towards Old Town, St Mary’s and a CLIFF SWALLOW on St Agnes in bad light in the evening.
ST MARY’S: 1 PIED WHEATEAR, 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Barred Warbler, 1 Hawfinch, 1 Tawny Pipit, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 5 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Wryneck, 2 Lapland Bunting, 1 Snow Bunting, 3 Ring Ouzel, 2 Turtle Dove, 10 Common Scoter, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Tern and 1 Black Redstart.
BRYHER: 1 BOBOLINK, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Firecrest, 1 Jack Snipe and 4 Brambling.
TRESCO: 1 GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper and 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 4 Snow Bunting.
ST AGNES: 1 Pallas’s Warbler, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 2 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Wryneck, 3 Brambling and 1 possible CIFF SWALLOW.
ST MARTINS: 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Ring Ouzel and 9 Brambling.
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October 16th:
Same whether conditions as yesterday but a lot brighter. With the direction of the wind in the last five days everyone was wondering what would be the next bird from the east. So it was a surprise when the mega that turned up was a BOBOLINK on Bryher. Or was it! It is thought that the bird had probably arrived the same time as the other ‘yanks’ last week on the NW winds and there are more than likely more to be discovered. It was found in the late morning in bracken behind Fraggle Rock café on the campsite, Bryher. The bird was very skulking but on occasion it showed well throughout the rest of the day. As everyone was on Bryher there were more birds found but this was not the case with the other islands. A Richard’s Pipit was in field next to the BOBOLINK, with the Richard’s Pipit relocated on Tresco and a Hawfinch was on Timmy’s Hill later it was by Hell Bay Hotel. Before this happened, the PIED WHEATEAR was in same fields as yesterday at Kitty Down and a Red-breasted Flycatcher was on The Garrison near the football pitch where a MONARCH flew by, both St Mary’s. At sea off St Mary’s there were a juvenile Sabine’s Gull off Peninnis and a total of 13 Little Gulls off Tolman’s Point was a Scilly Record.
BRYHER: 1 BOBOLINK, 1 Hawfinch, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Lapwing, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 3 Firecrest and 6 Brambling.
ST MARY’S: 1 PIED WHEATEAR, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Common Tern, 1 Sabine’s Gull, 13 Little Gull, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Wryneck, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Ring Ouzel, 7 Jack Snipe, 7 Black Redstart, 5 Common Scoter, 7 Pintail, 1 Reed Bunting, Woodcock, Brambling
And 1 MONARCH.
ST AGNES: 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Short-eared Owl.
ST MARTINS: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Black Redstart and 1 Firecrest.
TRESCO: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Woodcock and 2 Brambling.
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October 15th:
Drizzle overnight followed by Cloud and some bright spells with Strong E, F4-5, gusting up to F6. The windy conditions made birding difficult. At Old Town bay, St Mary’s, Chris and Alison Allen identified a first winter PIED WHEATEAR on rocks in the bay. The bird performed very well for the 60-70 birders who saw it, as the bird flew off over towards Peninnis much to the disappointment of those who were too late. However, in the late afternoon the wheatear was relocated in a ploughed field at Kittydown, where 40 managed to catch up with it, but it was soon on the move again as it was observed flying towards Porth Hellick beach and was located again. This constitutes as only the second record for Scilly following hot on the heels of the first that arrived a day earlier only two years ago. Those stuck on Tresco at the time of it being first found, had to make do with a Little Bunting at Borough Farm. There was no sign of the Grey-cheeked Thrush and 2 Red-eyed Vireos. Most likely to have moved into more sheltered areas. Two Red-breasted Flycatchers arrived on St Agnes and both birds favoured the Parsonage area. Nearby at Castella Down, the 2 Quails were flushed again to the delight of 300 birders who made the trip over to see them. One of these or another was flushed on Peninnis, St Mary’s. An Ortolan Bunting was reported off Morning Point, Garrison with another bird reported on St Agnes. An adult and a juvenile Hobby were mobile on St Mary’s and there was an increase in Ring Ouzel, Brambling, Fieldfare and Redwing, including 200+ of the latter at Pelistry, St Mary’s. Also the first main arrival of Woodcocks. There was a very high number of 11 Pintail over Gugh with 8 later on the Big Pool, St Agnes. The two on Tresco were still present.
ST MARY’S: 1 PIED WHEATEAR, 1 Quail, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 9 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Wryneck, 1 Common Tern, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Turtle Dove, 8 Common Scoter, 5 Woodcock, 3 Redstart, 3 Ring Ouzel, 8 Black Redstart, 6 Brambling, 4 Woodcock, 30+Firecrest, 30+Fieldfare and 250+Redwing.
TRESCO: 1 Little Bunting, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart, 4 Ring Ouzel, 2 Pintail, 1 Brambling and 1 Black Duck.
ST AGNES: 2 Quail, 2 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Ortolan Bunting, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Hobby, 8 Pintail, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Redstart and 6 Brambling.
ST MARTINS: 1 Wryneck, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Hen Harrier, 3 Firecrest, 3 Ring Ouzel, 1 Woodcock and 12 Brambling.
BRYHER: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Ring Ouzel and 1 Woodcock.
GUGH: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 11 Pintail, 1 Ring Ouzel and 2 Black Redstart.
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October 14th:
Low cloud and a fresh E breeze. The GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH showed very well in the afternoon at Borough Farm, Tresco. Both Vireos were still present with the St Martins bird ranging from the Seven Stones to the dump. A Red-backed Shrike turned up in fields below the Parsonage and an Ortolan Bunting was feeding in a ploughed field nearby, both St Agnes. Also here 2 very late Quails were flushed at Castella Down. On Tresco, a Red-throated Pipit flew from Carn Near towards St Mary’s golf course and a Spotted Crake made a brief appearance at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. All 4 Rose-coloured Starlings were still in the same areas as yesterday except for the St Mary’s individual which decided that Hugh Town was better place than Borough Farm. This is the most R-c Starlings that has been seen on Scilly.
TRESCO: 1 GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH, 1 Red-throated Pipit, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Black Duck, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Firecrest, 1 Redstart, 2 Black Redstart and 4 Brambling.
ST MARY’S: 1 RED-EYED VIREO, 1 Red-throated Pipit, 1 Spotted Crake, 1 Icterine Warbler, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 9 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Hobby, 2 Wryneck, 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Jack Snipe, 32 Firecrest, 7 Ring Ouzel, 14 Black Redstart, 14 Brambling, 30+Fieldfare, 100+Redwing.
ST MARTINS: 1 RED-EYED VIREO, 1 Red-throated Pipit, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Black Redstart and 10 Firecrest.
BRYHER: 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Brambling, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart, 2 Brambling and 7 Firecrest.
ST AGNES: 2 Quail, 1 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Ortolan Bunting, 1 Rose-coloured Staring, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Wryneck, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Black Redstart and 3 Firecrest.
GUGH: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 4+Ring Ouzel and 1 Redstart.
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October 13th:
Thick fog throughout the day with a light SE. A RED-EYED VIREO showed very well in Elms below the Seven Stones pub with a Barred Wabler also in the area. The GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH continued to show well at Borough Farm ,Tresco but the RED-EYED VIREO was more elusive in the Battery gardens on the Garrison, St Mary’s. Also on the Garrison, the RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was briefly seen and there may have been up to 4 Rose-coloured Starlings present on the islands. An Icterine Warbler sheared the same bushes as 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and 2 Firecrests at Trenoweth, a Red-throated Pipit flew from Giant’s Castle to the airfield and it or another also flew over Rocky Hills, all St Mary’s. On St Agnes there was a juvenile Red-backed Shrike in fields below the Parsonage and the second Red-breasted Flycatcher of the year was in brambles on the east side of Samson Hill, Bryher. There was a fall of common and scarce migrants on the islands dominated by Blackcaps, 70+, Chiffchaffs, 60+, Whinchats, 30+, Firecrests 75+ and a total of 24 Yellow-browed Warblers. A Red-breasted Merganser was briefly in Porthcressa Bay, St Mary’s. Single Death’s head Hawkmoths were trapped overnight at Porthloo, St Mary’s and St Agnes.
TRESCO: 1 GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Hawfinch, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Hobby, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Jack Snipe and 1 Firecrest.
ST MARY’S: 1 RED-EYED VIREO, 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 15 Yellow-browed Warbler, 50+Firecrest, 1 Red-throated Pipit, 1 Icterine Warbler, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Richard’s Pipit, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Wryneck, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Jack Snipe and 14 Black Redstart.
ST MARTINS: 1 RED-EYED VIREO, 1 Barred Warbler, 5 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Black Redstart and 13 Firecrest.
BRYHER: 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Black Redstart and 5 Firecrest.
ST AGNES: 1 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Rose-coloured Staring, 1 Lapland Bunting, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Wryneck, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Black Redstart and 15 Firecrest.
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October 12th:
Fresh SE with heavy overcast skies and occasional light drizzle. The two main highlights were the GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH, Borough Farm, Tresco and the RED-EYED VIREO, Garrison, St Mary’s. Both birds performed well with the vireo commuting in gardens below the dutchy office. There was a notable increase in both Yellow-browed Warblers and Firecrests. Its hard to say how many Firecrests there were, but an estimate of at least 40+, St Mary’s with 7 in Old Town Church, 12 St Agnes, 5 Tresco, 4 Gugh and a single on Bryher. Altogether there were 14 Yellow-browed Warblers with 8, St Mary’s, 2 both on St Agnes and St Martins and singles on Tresco and Bryher. A Barred Warbler was at Middle Town, St Martins and two Hawfinches flew over Tresco Great Pool. There were 3 Bramblings on Tresco and Lower Moors with a single at Trenoweth, both St Mary’s. Yesterday’s RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was highly mobile on St Mary’s today, giving birders the run around before settling down between Newford and Watermill Cottage. Two Richard’s Pipits were on St Mary’s airfield with the one at nearby Sandy Lanes still present and the single still on Tresco. An Arctic Tern flew past Giants Castle, where a Juvenile Sabine’s Gull lingered for a good two hours, St Mary’s and just around the corner there was a Grey Phalarope in Porth Hellick bay. On Tresco Great Pool the Pectoral, 2 Green and 1 Curlew Sandpiper and the Black Duck remained. Nearby there were a ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Crossbill, 1 Snow Bunting and a Hobby. Both the Snow Bunting, St Mary’s and Lapland Bunting, St Agnes, were in the same areas as yesterday and only two of the Rose-coloured Starlings were seen. There was a report of a possible Great Snipe flushed twice N of the Great Pool, Bryher. There were 4 Reed Buntings on St Mary’s and more Redwings, Black Redstarts and Blackcaps reported. Yesterdays flocks of Siskins quickly moved on as there were only singles recorded today and an all day pelagic could only produce, 3 Little Gulls, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 10 Great Skuas and 2 Storm Petrels.
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October 11th:
A change in wind direction from the SSW to SE, saw new birds arrive including 3 Yellow-browed Warblers on St Mary’s with a single on St Martins and a RED-RUMPED SWALLOW in the Parsonage area, St Agnes. Like last years bird arriving in October and on the same island, it moved to St Mary’s and was seen over Hugh Town then going to roost at Lower Moors. However, the NW over preceding days were probably responsible for bringing in a nearctic thrush and vireo. A GREY-CHECKED THRUSH, found by Dick Barret, Arthur Livert and Hugh Price, was on the track from the east end of the Tresco Great Pool to Borough Farm at around 14.00. Shortly afterwards it was located in nearby pasture fields showing well feeding with Song Thrushes. It performed in front of nearly 500 birders throughout the rest of the afternoon. The thrush had probably arrived a few days ago just like the RED-EYED VIREO found by Ian Lewington in the early evening at Lower Broom, Garrison, St Mary’s. Here it fed in Elms on the Porth Cressa side showing well until it was seen going to roost. Another yank, Pectoral Sandpiper, was briefly seen at Lower Moors, St Mary’s and then turned up on Tresco Great Pool to join the drake Black Duck. There was a report of a Icterine Warbler on the Porth Hellick loop and the Snow Bunting was still at Deep Point, St Mary’s, with the Lapland Bunting still at Browarth, St Agnes and another bird over Gugh. Maybe 2-3 Richard’s Pipits were recorded with singles on Gugh, St Mary’s and Tresco. There were 4 Redwings and 4 Black Redstarts on St Mary’s and single of both species on St Agnes. Also high numbers of Siskins with a flock of 150+ on St Martins, 31, Gugh, 96, Deep Point and 45, Longstones, both St Mary’s with smaller numbers elsewhere. The highlight on an all day pelagic were 4 Leach’s Petrels, 16 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 Puffin and 4 Arctic Skuas. A single Leach’s Petrel and 4 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Scillonian crossing to St Mary’s with also 300+Common Dolphin.
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October 10th:
Light to moderate WNW with cloud and bright spells. In the last few days common migrants have been hard to come by with Goldcrest being the most numerous. Today was no exception and it was put down as one of quiets days so far this October. The only new birds recorded were a Serin briefly at Porth Minnick, a Yellow-browed Warbler at Holy Vale with the one at Porth Hellick still present, St Mary’s. At the latter site the Spotted Crake showed itself very briefly. Otherwise it was more a less the same as yesterday but no sign of the American Golden Plover on St Mary’s, the Barred Warbler on Tresco and the Corncrake on St Agnes. Also less numbers of Firecrests.
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October 9th:
Blustery NW with thick cloud. Most birds and both the Lesser Yellowlegs and Hoopoe took advantage of the clear skies overnight and departed. The AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER decided to stay and was sighted commuting with the same three sites as yesterday on St Mary’s. A Corncrake at Wingletang, St Agnes, showed very well for a number of admirers and there was a Barred Warbler in bushes next to the Tresco Abbey Pool. A Spotted Crake was reported from Lower Moors and single Snow Buntings at Deep Point and the airfield where there was a Wryneck, all on St Mary’s. Off Kettle Point, Tresco, there were a single Arctic Tern and 3 Sooty Shearwaters. On the Tresco Great Pool, there were the Black Duck, after making a visit into The Roads and now 2 Green Sandpipers with the Curlew Sandpiper. The only Yellow-browed Warbler recorded on the islands, was still on the Porth Hellick loop, St Mary’s and nearby only one of the Richard’s Pipits was in the fields of Sandy Lane and a late Hobby flew over Peninnis. At Browarth, St Agnes, there was the Lapland Bunting and just below the fields in Porth Coose, a Grey Phalarope lingered for half an hour. There was a total of 27 Firecrests on a all island count including 20 on St Mary’s and all 3 Rose-coloured Staring were still present in the same islands as yesterday.
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October 8th:
The unfavourable blustery NW winds continue to hit the islands. Two Spotted Crakes were recorded today with one briefly at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s and the other on Tresco Great Pool in front of the David’s Hunt hide showing very well. From the latter island, the Rose-coloured Staring moved to the dump on Bryher. The only other birds of note on the off islands were all on St Agnes. There was a Lapland Bunting at Broweth and the Rose-coloured Starling at Castella and nearby the other bird was still on Gugh. The AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was relocated in Old Town Bay, St Mary’s, where it showed very well. It then moved to Porth Hellick bay and was then pushed off by the risen tide and ended up back on the airfield. Also on this island, a Siberian Chiffchaff was reported at Higher Moors, a Lapland Bunting was on the golf course, the 2 Richard’s Pipits at Sandy Lanes area, the Hoopoe on the campsite, the Yellow-browed Warbler reappeared on the Porth Hellick loop, after going missing for a few days, while on the pool there were the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and a single Jack Snipe with 3 of the latter species at Lower Moors and a single on the Tresco Great Pool. There were still good numbers of Firecrests with a group of 4 at Old Town and 3 at Holy Vale, both St Mary’s.
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October 7th:
Drizzle with bright spells with a strong NW, F5-6, gusting up to 7. Yesterday’s AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER refound in the late afternoon on the airfield, St Mary’s, was the highlight of a very disappointing day. Except for a Red-breasted Merganser off Gugh and Wryneck and Grey Phalarope, St Martins, only Tresco had birds of note. Here a brief seawatch off Kettle Point produced, 3 Grey Phalaropes, 1 Balearic and 3 Manx Shearwater and a single Great Skua. On the Great Pool there were, a Green and Curlew Sandpiper, 32 Little Egrets and the drake Black Duck. Nearby, the bird that caused a debate was a probable juvenile-1st winter AMERICAN HERRING GULL. First seen on the Abbey Pool and shortly afterwards located at New Grimsby before flying out to sea after the drizzle had stopped. The Hoopoe was keeping all the birders happy by remaining on the campsite, St Mary’s.
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October 6th:
Overnight rain and overcast with a strong NNW, F5-6. After a quiet short period, two good birds were discovered today. On Tresco there was a rather early DUSKY WARBLER heard and seen briefly near the back of the Abbey Gardens, while on St Agnes there was a first winter AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. The plover was first found at Periglis but soon moved to the Beady pool area with 2 Golden Plovers. If you did not catch up with these two birds, then you had to be content with want has been around for a while. Only 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were recorded today, with a new bird at Content, St Mary’s and there were a Lapland, 3 Ortolans, 2 Snow Buntings, and the two Rose-coloured Starlings all on St Agnes except for one of the starlings which was still on Gugh. Another 2 Snow Buntings turned up on Shipman’s Down, Bryher. One of yesterday’s Richard’s Pipits was pinned down in fields at Sandy Lanes. First birds of the autumn included, a Great-northern Diver, east past Old Town, St Mary’s and a Purple Sandpiper at Porth Coose, St Agnes. From 22 Firecrests yesterday, to 14 today but these did include birds not seen yesterday.
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October 5th:
Light to moderate N with sunny spells. There was a mobile Serin at Cove Vean, St Agnes and there was a report of a Short-toed Lark at Higher Town, St Martins. Nearby, the Ortolan Bunting reappeared on the cricket pitch. Both Rose-coloured Starlings were sighted. One on Gugh and the elusive bird on St Agnes but no sign of the one on Tresco. On the latter island, 2 Little Auks passed Kettle Point, 3 Snow Buntings were on Castle Down and a new Yellow-browed Warbler was discovered. On St Mary’s, 2 Richard’s Pipits flew over Maypole, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers including a new bird at Porth Hellick and there were up to 3 Black Redstarts on various beaches on the island. The LESSER YELLOWLEGS, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Hoopoe were still present with single Wrynecks at Porth Minnick and Peninnis where there was the Lapland Bunting at the latter site. A total of 13 Firecrests were recorded with 3 also on St Agnes, 5 Tresco and a single on St Martins
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October 4th:
Similar whether conditions as yesterday with a strong N gusting up to at least F5. Only three new birds were found today, were all on St Mary’s. At Pelistry, there was a fly over Red-throated Pipit and in a garden at Trenoweth, there was a Yellow-browed Warbler with 3 Firecrest in the area. At Porth Hellick this evening a Spotted Crake was in front of the Sussex hide with the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 2 Jack Snipes. Only one of the Yellow-browed Warblers was on the Garrison with the Red-breasted Flycatcher in the same Elms. The Rose-coloured Starling reappeared on St Agnes with the one on Tresco at New Grimsby. The Richard’s Pipit turned up on the airfield, St Mary’s, after being missing for a day but there was no sign of the Booted Warbler on St Agnes. The Hoopoe proved to be the main attraction on the Garrison and there were a Hobby and 5 Jack Snipe at Lower Moors, 9 Firecrests and 2 Wrynecks, all St Mary’s.
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October 3rd:
Cloudy with a strong NNW. No sign of yesterdays Pallas Grasshopper Warbler on Bryher but the Lapland Bunting remained with a Yellow-browed Warbler at Popplestones. On St Mary’s at Lower Broom on the Garrison, there were 1 or 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Red-breasted Flycatcher, while just over the hill, the Hoopoe was busy probing at the campsite. The LESSER YELLOWLEGS was at Porth Hellick. Tresco Great Pool continued to hold the Pectoral Sandpiper and 4 Black-tailed Godwit but the Black Duck was located just off Higher Town, St Martins. Here the Yellow-browed Warbler at Pool Green. At New Grimsby, Tresco, the Rose-coloured Starling was on and off and at Troy Town, St Agnes, the BOOTED WARBLER was still present. The first Brambling of the autumn was on Tresco.
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October 2nd:
Heavy rain overnight and in the morning and bright spells later in the day with a fresh NE. Bryher has done it again by producing a first for Scilly. Will Wagstaff flushed a PALLAS GRASSHOPPER WARBLER next to the Great Pool with a group he was leading around the island and observed it in flight five times. Unfortunately when the reinforcements arrived from the other islands, the bird could not be located. While searching for the warbler a Lapland Bunting flew over and landed on Gweal Hill and 2 Wrynecks were on the island. On St Mary’s, a Richard’s Pipit was on Peninnis where there were also a Ring Ouzel, Wryneck and the 2 Lapland Buntings with a different bird near the lighthouse. A dark-rumped Whimbrel also flew over. The pipit was relocated near Lower Moors, and on the Garrison there was the Hoopoe. At Pool Green, St Martins, the Yellow-browed Warbler performed well in Willows and a Tawny Pipit flew over the dump. There were up to 4 Jack Snipes on St Mary’s, with 2 on Tresco and a single on Bryher. At 18.30 3 Spoonbills flew over Hugh Town, St Mary’s, heading towards Tresco. Here they were observed commuting with the Abbey and the Great Pool. The Pectoral Sandpiper was also here and the Rose-coloured Starling was at New Grimsby. The LESSER YELLOWLEGS was still at Porth Hellick and the BOOTED WARBLER was still showing well at Troy Town, St Agnes. Over 150+Swallow came into roost on Tresco Great Pool with 500+ roosting at Lower Moors. A total of over 500 Meadow Pipits were counted on all the islands. A Death’s-head Hawkmoth was trapped overnight at Longstones.
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October 1st:
Heavy overcast skies with a strong ENE winds, F6-7 and after mid-day long periods of heavy rain. Birding was made difficult in the blustery conditions. However 2 Ortolan Buntings turned up with singles on St Martins cricket pitch, and just below the Steval on the Garrison, St Mary’s. Also on the latter island, the Hoopoe remained on the campsite, the LESSER YELLOWLEGS was still at Porth Hellick and the 2 Lapland Buntings were in the fields of Peninnis. At Porthloo Farm there was a new Wryneck but on the golf course there was no sign of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper and only the Dotterel could be found in company with 4 Golden Plovers. The BOOTED WARBLER on St Agnes was elusive and Tresco, the Rose-coloured Starling and Pectoral Sandpiper were still present.
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September 30th:
Intermittent showers in the morning becoming a lot brighter during the day with a light to moderate SE. The only new arrivals to be found was a Red-breasted Flycatcher in the same area as the Yellow-browed Warbler at Pool Green, St Martins and a Wryneck at Old Town Church, St Mary’s. The Highlights were the same birds from yesterday including, the LESSER YELLOWLEGS, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, Hoopoe and Dotterel, all on St Mary’s. Also the Red-backed Shrike popped up on the west side of the Garrison after going missing for a few days. On St Agnes, the BOOTED WARBLER was showing well at Troy Town with the Rose-coloured Starling nearby and the Lapland Bunting was at Wingletang. Peninnis, St Mary’s, continued to hold the 2 Lapland Buntings and the Wryneck. On Tresco Great Pool the Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper and 4 Black-tailed Godwit were still present with the mobile Rose-coloured Starling not far away. There were less numbers of common migrants but over 300 Meadow Pipits, 2 Fieldfares and 3 Siskins were on St Mary’s. Five Firecrests were on St Mary’s with also 3 on St Agnes. A Marsh Harrier was on the island of Annet
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September 29th:
No sign of the Two-barred Greenish Warbler on Bryher for the unfortunate few that twitched it from the mainland. The BOOTED WARBLER and Rose-coloured Starling remained on St Agnes with one of the Rose-coloured Starlings seen at New Grimbsy, Tresco. The first Yellow-browed Warblers of the year were singles at Pool Green, St Martins and Higher Moors, St Mary’s. These arrived on the same date last year. A Red-breasted Flycatcher was briefly at Porth Hellick House, St Mary’s and a juvenile spotted Crake was on the Tresco Great Pool where there were also the Pectoral Sandpiper, a Jack Snipe and 4 Black-tailed Godwit. On St Mary’s at Longstones, there was a fly over Tawny Pipit and at Lower Moors there was a Siberian Chiffchaff. The Lapland Bunting on Peninnis was joined by another bird, where also the Wryneck was showing and on the Garrison the Hoopoe was actively feeding at the campsite. A Honey Buzzard flew over the golf course where the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and Dotterel fed together and the LESSER YELLOWLEGS continued to show well at Porth Hellick. For those who went to Bryher, the only birds of note were a female Marsh Harrier, the first Woodcock of the autumn and 5 Siskins. Two Siskins and 2 Crossbills were on Tresco and a total of only 5 Firecrest were seen on all the islands
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September 28th:
Rain overnight with a light NW. Very hot and sunny turning cloudy later in the day. Steve Dodgson was not happy in finding the Yellow-breasted Bunting on Bryher last week, he only had to go and find a second for the Scilly and third for Britain in the shape of a TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER. It showed extremely well favouring two fields bordered by Pittisoporums throughout the day just NW of Samson Hill. The other Scilly record was in Oct, 1987 on Gugh. The only other record was at Wells Wood, Norfolk in Oct, 1997. Just after mid-day news came over of a BOOTED WARBLER at Troy Town on St Agnes found by Nigel Simpson. All birders present on Bryher made the crossing to the island. Here it was feeding in Cabbage and Fat Hen fields showing very well. There was a report of a GREAT-GREY SHRIKE on Peninnis, St Mary’s, but despite a lot of searching there was no sign of it. The last one we had here was very mobile moving all over the island. A Red-breasted Flycatcher was by the David Hunt’s hide and there were up to 12 Firecrest reported on St Mary’s with two on St Agnes. A Hoopoe at the campsite on the Garrison was a surprise find. The Lapland Bunting on Peninnis, St Mary’s, showed down to five ft on the main track with a new bird on St Agnes. On St Mary’s, the Pectoral Sandpiper moved from Porth Hellick to the airfield to join the Dotterel and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER which had moved from the golf course. The LESSER YELLOWLEGS was still at Porth Hellick and out of yesterdays three Rose-coloured Starlings, the only one seen was on St Agnes. On Tresco Abbey Pool but the 2 Little Stints and 2 Curlew Sandpipers were still present with the Pectoral Sandpiper and Black Duck on the Great Pool. Single Wrynecks were at McFarland’s Down and Porth Minnick, St Mary’s and Island Hotel, Tresco. The first Merlin of the autumn was over the airfield and there were good numbers of common migrants on all islands with the Fieldfare still on Tresco. Between Black Rock and Round Island, there was a Leatherback Turtle. It was later sighted around White Island, St Martins
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September 27th:
Bright and sunny becoming overcast with intermittent light drizzle later in the day with a light NE. Two late reports concerned one from Bryher of a GREENISH or ARCTIC WARBLER in fields NW of Samson Hill and on St Mary’s, an AQUATIC WARBLER at the beginning of Porth Hellick loop trail. At the latter site on the pool there was a very exhausted juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper just arrived overnight with the other juvenile still on Tresco Abbey Pool. Firecrest have increased with six on St Mary’s included three at Trenoweth where there was also a fly over Siskin. The only Wryneck was on Bryher where the juvenile Marsh Harrier patrolled. The Dotterel remained on St Mary’s golf course with the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER following close behind. Other wise it was the same birds as yesterday with the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and Lapland Bunting, St Mary’s and Rose-coloured Starling on St Agnes. On Tresco there was the first Fieldfare of the autumn. Also 1 Black Redstart, 2 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers and 3 Black-tailed Godwit. On the Great Pool, a total of 36 Little Egrets was the Scilly record by eight. Two Turtle Doves were on St Mary’s and St Agnes
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September 26th:
Sunny and patchy cloud with a light WNW. An AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was observed flying over Green Farm heading west. The other three nearctic waders were still present with the LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s and on Tresco the Pectoral Sandpiper on the Abbey Pool and want is thought to be the same bird from St Agnes, a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER on the heliport until mid-afternoon when it was relocated on St Mary’s golf course. Here it was seen feeding with a juvenile Dotterel and both birds came to less than five metres from birders. Up to three juvenile Rose-coloured Starlings are on the islands with a single on Tresco and two on St Agnes. The Lapland Bunting had moved into the fields on Peninnis and a Wryneck was at Porth Minnick, St Mary’s with another bird at Green Bay, Bryher. There was no sign of yesterdays Red-backed Shrike on St Martins but single birds remained on the Garrison, St Mary’s and Barnaby Lane, St Agnes. Firecrests included one at Lower Moors, St Mary’s and the bird in the Fruit Cage, St Agnes. Other birds of note were, two Mediterranean Gulls and Black Duck and at Porth Hellick, a Little Grebe and Lapwing. Yet another DEATH’S HEAD HAWKMOTH was found on St Mary’s. This time on Peninnis.
On the Scillonian crossing to St Mary’s, there were two Balearic Shearwaters and a Killer Whale. While on the return crossing there were a Leach’s Petrel, two Balearic Shearwaters, two Sooty Shearwaters and a Minke Whale.
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September 25th:
Very hot and Sunny with a light to moderate SE. St Martins and Tresco produced the scarcities today. On the latter island there was a single Ortolan Bunting at Middle Town with it or another over the cricket pitch. A Red-backed Shrike was in the gorse between The Plains and Top Rock Cairn with single Wrynecks at Chapel Town and Little Arthur Farm where there was also a Corncrake flushed. A Dotterel was seen at the Daymark, a first winter Mediterranean Gull was at Great Bay and a Lesser Whitethroat was by the cricket pitch. Tresco produced more or less the same as yesterday with the Bluethroat at Simpson’s Field, juvenile Rose-coloured Starling commuting between New and Old Grimsby and the Ortolan Bunting was at Borough Farm. A Lapland Bunting was on Castle Down and possibly the fifth Pectoral Sandpiper of the autumn was on the Abbey Pool with two Little Stints. Next to the pool on the heliport was a single Wryneck and an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Pentle Bay. With the two Little Stints the LESSER YELLOWLEGS continued to show well at Porth Hellick. The Lapland Bunting and Wryneck were still on Peninnis and the Red-backed Shrike proved hard to see, going missing for long periods of time. All St Mary’s. A new Red-backed Shrike was on St Agnes where there was also the Firecrest and the Short-toed Lark. The BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was only seen before nine this morning on the cricket pitch
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September 24th:
Warm and Sunny with a fresh SE. New arrivals were a Bluethroat at the NE end of Tresco Great Pool and nearby an Ortolan Bunting in fields at Borough Farm. On St Agnes there were one or two Rose-coloured Starlings, a Water Pipit at Porth Coose and a Firecrest at the Fruit Cage. A Ring Ouzel was at Lower Moors, St Mary’s and over 100 Meadow Pipits were on St Martins. Birds Remaining from yesterday included the LESSER YELLOWLEGS, Lapland Bunting and two Little Stint, St Mary’s and on St Agnes, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, Short-toed Lark and Wryneck.
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September 23rd:
The strong NW, F5-6, continued to batter the islands. A lot more sunnier than yesterday and wind turning to a NE late in the day. Birds remaining from yesterday included the, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, Lapland Bunting, St Mary’s, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and Short-toed Lark, St Agnes and the Marsh Harrier, first seen at Lower Moors, St Mary’s and later on Gugh. Probably the highlight for many was a DEATH’S HEAD HAWKMOTH on show at the Pilots Gig Restaurant. It was first found on the side of the road opposite the Scillonian Club, St Mary’s. This is the eighth record so far this year. The only new birds to arrive was a juvenile Red-backed Shrike and an Icterine Warbler. Both birds were in pines at the west end of the Garrison. A Sabine’s Gull was the highlight of a disappointing pelagic 19 miles south of Scilly. Also seen were, six Puffin, 25+Manx Shearwater and 40+Storm Petrel. Three Turtle Doves were at Carn Vean, St Mary’s with a single bird on St Agnes and the Black Duck is still residing on the SE end of Tresco Great Pool.
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September 22nd:
Heavy showers overnight with a strong NW. Cloudy with sunny spells. St Agnes produced a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling on St Wanna’s Cove, Short-toed Lark still favouring Browarth, a Wryneck and on the Cricket Pitch, a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER arrived. At first the sandpiper was mobile, twice visiting St Mary’s, before settling back on the cricket pitch. There was also another juvenile Rose-coloured Starling at New Grimsby, Tresco and on Bryher there were a Jack Snipe, Wryneck and the YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, which proved elusive in the windy conditions in the paddocks below Gweal Hill. On St Mary’s at Porth Hellick, two Ortolan Buntings were feeding on the coastal path and on the pool the LESSER YELLOWLEGS remained. There were now four Little Stints with two on Tresco. A Lapland Bunting and Marsh Harrier were on Peninnis and a Black Redstart was on the Garrison, St Mary’s.
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September 21st:
Sunny and hot with a SE breeze. On Bryher, at mid-morning, a YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING was found by Steve Dodgson at the base of Gweal Hill at the west end of the Great Pool. At first it proved elusive but showed well but briefly later in the day. A Short-toed Lark was at Browarth, St Agnes and an Ortolan Bunting was on Penninis, St Mary’s. Nearby the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and three Little Stints were still favouring Porth Hellick and the Icterine Warbler was at Rose Hill. Single Wrynecks were on St Agnes and Tresco with two on Bryher. The highlight on a trip to Annet was a Corncrake. Also seen were single Pied Flycatcher, Reed Warbler, two Redstarts and Wheatears
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September 18th:
Cloudy with a light to moderate SSW. At last, neararctic waders are starting to turn up and hot on the heels of yesterdays Semipalmated Sandpiper, which was not seen today, a juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs was found in the afternoon by Paul Kemp at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. Here it showed very well in front of the seaward hide until dark. Also here, there was a Pectoral Sandpiper seen briefly. The Icterine Warbler only showed in the morning at Rose Hill, St Mary’s and two Ortolan Buntings were together at The Maze, St Agnes. Single Wrynecks were at the Woodpile, Tresco and Shipman’s Head Down, Bryher. A Little Stint was the Abbey Pool Tresco.
ST MARY’S: 1 LESSER LESSERLEGS, 1 ICTERINE WARBLER, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Blackcap, 4 Snipe, 5 Wheatear, 6 Golden Plover, 6 Reed Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Dunlin, 7 Redstart, 10 Goldcrest, 10 Willow Warbler, 15 White Wagtail, 16 Whinchat, 20+Sand Martin, 20 Pied Flycatcher and 100+Swallow.
ST AGNES: 2 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 1 Garden Warbler and 12 Sand Martin.
TRESCO: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Little Stint, 1 Ruff and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
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September 17th:
A bright start turning duller later in the day with a light SSW. Persistence paid off when the following three observers, (Ashley Fisher, Bob Flood, Tony Morris), returned to St Agnes and eventually relocated the juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper they had glimpsed yesterday. Throughout the afternoon it showed very well on the beach and rocks at Beregecooth, just below the campsite. On Tresco, a Spotted Crake was opposite the David Hunt’s hide and an Ortolan Bunting was at the south end of Castle Down. The Ortolan was still present on St Agnes and the Icterine Warbler, St Mary’s, only showed in the morning. Nearby there was a Firecrest at Lower Moors. New Wrynecks included singles on St Martins and at Helvear, St Mary’s. A Leach’s Petrel was the highlight on an all day pelagic nine miles SW of St Mary’s.
ST AGNES: 1 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Sedge Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Wheatear, 5 Sand Martin, 5 Meadow Pipit, 5 Whinchat, 10 White Wagtail, 12 Sandwich Tern, 20+Dunlin and 30+Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 SPOTTED CRAKE, 1 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 1 WRYNECK, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 1 Pied Flycatcher and 20 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 ICTERINE WARBLER, 2 WRYNECK, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Redstart 2 Whinchat, 3 Blackcap, 3 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Dunlin, 6 Willow Warbler, 10 Greenshank, 11 Water Rail, 15 Sand Martin, 20 Pied Flycatcher and 250+swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Grey Wagtail, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Whinchat, and 9 Pied Flycatcher.
PELAGIC: 1 Leach’s Petrel, 9 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Great Skua, 15 Storm Petrel, 50+Common Tern and 3 Sunfish.
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September 16th:
The settle weather continued with a light SE. On St Mary’s, an Icterine Warbler showed well in the Elms at Rose Hill but disappeared later in the day. It or another Tawny Pipit turned up briefly at Longstones before being flushed by a Peregrine. However, what was thought to be the same bird was later discovered on Castella Down, St Agnes. Nearby there were a Firecrest and the Ortolan Bunting. The latter remained in fields between Castella Down and Troy Town. Also at Longstones and just as rare as the pipit in the autumn, was a Grasshopper Warbler. Wrynecks were on Tresco and St Martins. On St Agnes, there was no sign of yesterdays American Golden Plover but three observers had a probable Semipalmated Sandpiper very briefly on Periglis Beach.
ST MARY’S: 1 TAWNY PIPIT, 1 ICTERINE WARBLER, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redstart, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Dunlin, 5 Reed Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Whinchat, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Wheatear, 8 Golden Plover, 10 Goldcrest, 12 White Wagtail, 15 Pied Flycatcher and 16 Willow Warbler.
ST AGNES: 1 TAWNY PIPIT, 1 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 1 Firecrest, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Kestrel, 7 Whinchat, 8 White Wagtail, and 25 Dunlin.
ST MARTINS: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Redstart, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 3 Kestrel and 18 Meadow Pipit.
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September 12th:
Warm and sunny with an easterly breeze. On Giants Castle, St Mary’s, the Wryneck was refound with the St Agnes bird still in the lighthouse area. The Lapland Bunting was on and off on the golf course, St Mary’s. A Clifden Nonpareil Moth was trapped overnight at Longstones. This is the first record for Cornwall in 48 years.
ST MARY’S: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Wood Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whinchat, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Wigeon, 10 Goldcrest, 10 Pied Flycatcher and 1 Clifden Nonpareil.
ST AGNES: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Goldcrest and 5 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Wheatear, 6 Whitev Wagtail.
TRESCO: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Shoveler, 2 Snipe, 2 Water Rail, 2 Ruff, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 White Wagtail, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Goldcrest, 16 Dunlin, 20 Greenshank and 24 Redshank.
ST MARTINS: 1 Bar-tailed Moth, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Snipe, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 12 Whinchat and 15 Goldcrest.
Bryher: 1 Whinchat and 2 Redstart.
SAMSON: 1 Common Sandpiper,1 Goldcrest, 3 Wheatear, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Whinchat, 12 Little Egret, 40+Linnet, 40+Ringed Plover, 40+Dunlin.
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September 11th:
Dull and overcast with a light to moderate westerly. A Lapland Bunting was feeding with a mobile flock of Linnets on the golf course, St Mary’s. The three dotterels remained on Bryher and the first Skylark of the autumn was on St Agnes. Also here there was a Wryneck found by the lighthouse.
ST MARY’S: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Wigeon, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redstart, 4 Meadow Pipit, 5 Tree Pipit, 10 Pied Flycatcher and 15+Whinchat.
TRESCO: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Wigeon, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Ruff, 2 Water Rail, 2 White Wagtail, 5 Pochard, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Reed Warbler, 7 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 12 Whinchat, 12 Dunlin, 20+Pied Flycatcher, 19 Redshank, 40+Swallow and 45+Teal.
BRYHER: 3 Dotterel and 11 Golden Plover.
ST AGNES: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Skylark, 1 Whimbrel and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit.
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September 10th:
Bright spells with a light north westerly. Single Wrynecks were at Middle Town, St Martins, Wingletang, St Agnes and Borough Farm, Tresco where there were also the Black Duck and two Pectoral Sandpipers on the Great Pool.
TRESCO: 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 WRYNECK, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Wigeon, 2 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Crossbill, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Yellow Wagtail.
ST AGNES: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler and 10 White Wagtail.
ST MARTINS: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Whinchat, 5 Pied Flycatcher and 18 Meadow Pipit.
ST MARY’S: 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Wigeon, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Dunlin and 7 Pied Flycatcher.
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September 9th:
Overcast with moderate north westerlies. On Shipman’s Down, Bryher, there was a Lapland Bunting found with the three juvenile Dotterels. While on Tresco Great Pool only one the Pectoral Sandpipers could be located and there was only a single Curlew Sandpiper on the Abbey Pool nearby. A new Wryneck was at Giants Castle, St Mary’s but no sign of the Tawny Pipit on the airfield. There was notable clearout of common migrants today. The drake Black Duck was refound on the Great Pool after being missing for less than two weeks.
ST MARY’S: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Wood Warbler, 2 Redstart, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whinchat, 2 White Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Dunlin, 5 Reed Warbler, 5 Willow Warbler, 11 Greenshank and 15 Pied Flycatcher.
TRESCO: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Ruff, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 34 Greenshank.
ST AGNES: 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Pied Flycatcher and 3 Whinchat.
ST MARTINS: 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Whinchat, 5 Pied Flycatcher and 18 Meadow Pipit.
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September 8th:
Heavy rain overnight with a north westerly wind followed by sunshine and showers with wind increasing F4-5 during the day. Two Pectoral Sandpipers were on Tresco. One on the Great Pool and the other on the Abbey Pool. Heavy rain in the late afternoon saw over 200 Swallows descend on the Great Pool and three Curlew Sandpipers drop into the Abbey Pool. There are now three juvenile Dotterels on Shipman’s Down, Bryher and on Tresco there were up to 20 Grey Wagtails.
ST MARY’S: 3 WRYNECK, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Water Rail, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Dunlin, 7 Snipe, 15 Whinchat, 19 Pied Flycatcher, 50+White Wagtail and 100+Swallow.
TRESCO: 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 WRYNECK, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Redstart, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Ruff, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Reed Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Pied Flycatcher, 14 Redshank, 10 Yellow Wagtail, 20 Grey Wagtail, 20 Spotted Flycatcher, 20 Whinchat, 20 Wheatear, 21 Dunlin, 26 White Wagtail, 32 Teal, 36 Greenshank and 200+Swallow.
BRYHER: 3 Dotterel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Pied Flycatcher, 10 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear, 20 White Wagtail and 14 Golden Plover.
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September 7th:
Overnight rain with a fresh north westerly. Overcast this morning with moderate south westerly and light showers. On St Mary’s, a Tawny Pipit showed well on the airfield and on Peninnis there was a different Ortolan Bunting from the bird seen last week in the same area. Two Balearic Shearwaters were off Horse Point, St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 1 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 2 WRYNECK, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Blackcap, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Redstart, 3 Tree Pipit, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 7 Snipe, 7 Chiffchaff, 9 Wheatear, 9 Dunlin, 10 Reed Warbler, 11 Willow Warbler, 17 Whinchat, 18 Pied Flycatcher and 30 White Wagtail.
TRESCO: 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Water Rail, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Dunlin, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 10 Whinchat and 12 Yellow Wagtail.
ST AGNES: 2 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher and 2 Whinchat.
ST MARTINS: 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 6 Wheatear, 7 Spotted Flycatcher 8 Pied Flycatcher.
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September 6th:
Warm and sunny with a fresh north west to Westerly wind. The Tresco Pectoral Sandpiper showed well on Abbey Pool and there was an adult Mediterranean Gull nearby. On St Mary’s, Wrynecks were still present on Peninnis, Longstones and Maypole with a new birds at Porth Hellick and Higher Town, St Martins. Up to 17 Whinchats were on Peninnis, St Mary’s and there were 10 Black-tailed Godwits on Tresco. On Samson, there were a single Knot, 2 Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit.
Totals of some of the common migrants on the islands visited: 1 Wood Warbler, 5 Tree Pipit, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 16 Spotted Flycatcher, 38 Pied Flycatcher and 46 Whinchat.
ST MARY’S: 4 WRYNECK, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Teal, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Blackcap, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Reed Warbler, 4 Golden Plover, 4 Dunlin, 5 Tree Pipit, 5 Sedge Warbler, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Greenshank, 6 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 7 Golden Plover, 9 Snipe, 9 Willow Warbler, 29 White Wagtail, 26 Pied Flycatcher, 31 Wheatear and 40 Whinchat.
TRESCO: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Ruff, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Pied Flycatcher, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Spotted Flycatcher and 20 Dunlin.
ST MARTINS: 1 WRYNECK and Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 WRYNECK, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Pied Flycatcher and 12 Whinchat.
BRYHER: 1 Great Skua and 58 Manx Sheawater
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September 5th:
Sunny with a light west to south westerly with showers in the evening. Two Wrynecks each were on Tresco and St Mary’s and the two Dotterel were still on Bryher.
ST MARY’S: 2 WRYNECK, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Snipe, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 7 Greenshank, 9 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Wheatear, 10 Tree Pipit, 10 Dunlin, 11 Whinchat, 11 White Wagtail, 21 Pied Flycatcher, 60 Swallow, 110 Goldfinch, 200+Linnet, 300+Starling and 5 Migrant Hawkers.
TRESCO: 2 WRYNECK, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 3 Wood Warbler, 3 Common Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Pied Flycatcher and 20 Whinchat.
BRYHER: 2 Dotterel, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Kingfisher and 6 Whinchat.
ST MARTINS: 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Golden Plover, 3 White Wagtail, 4 Spotted Flycatcher and 8 Pied Flycatcher.
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September 4th:
Same weather conditions as yesterday with a fresh easterly breeze. On St Mary’s, An observer looking for the Icterine Warbler on the Garrison, stumbled upon a Red-backed Shrike instead. The bird showed well ranging from The Steval to Star Castle. St Agnes produced a Common Rosefinch and an Ortolan Bunting and the two Dotterel from Tresco were relocated on Shipman’s Head, Bryher. There has been a slight increase in Goldcrest and the first flock of Meadow Pipits of the autumn included 10 at Carn Friars.
An adult Pomarine Skua was seen from this evenings pelagic six miles SE of St Mary’s.
ST AGNES: 1 COMMON ROSEFINCH, 1 ORTOLAN BUNTING and 1 WRYNECK.
ST MARY’S: 1 RED-BACKED SHRIKE, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Water Rail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Teal, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 4 Tree Pipit, 6 Dunlin, 7 Snipe, 9 Greenshank, 10 Meadow Pipit, 13 Chiffchaff, 14 Goldcrest, 15 Wheatear, 18 Whinchat, 21 Willow Warbler, 19 Pied Flycatcher, 22 Reed Warbler, 25 White Wagtail and 80+Swallow.
BRYHER: 2 Dotterel, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Snipe,1 Willow Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Dunlin, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Whinchat and 8 White Wagtail.
TRESCO: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 14 Golden Plover.
ST MARTINS: 1 Redstart, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Reed Warbler,1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 White Wagtail, 5 Goldcrest, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Pied Flycatcher and 20 House Martin
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September 3rd:
Very hot and sunny with an east to south easterly breeze. On St Mary’s, the Ortolan Bunting flew over Buzza Hill towards Porth Cressa, the Icterine Warbler continued to show well between Morning Point and Woolpack, Garrison, but only one Wryneck was seen. The Wryneck at Maypole was still present with new birds at Higher Moors and on Tresco at Gimble Porth, Tresco. On the Garrison one of the Wood Warblers reappeared while on Tresco a single bird was at Dial Rocks.
ST MARY’S: 1 ICTERINE WARBLER, 3 WRYNECK, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Teal, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Snipe, 4 Tree Pipit, 4 Dunlin, 4 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff , 4 Goldcrest, 7 Golden Plover, 8 Whinchat, 9 Reed Warbler, 11 Greenshank, 13 Pied Flycatcher, 16 Willow Warbler and 20 White Wagtail.
TRESCO: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 14 Golden Plover.
ST MARTINS: 1 Water Rail, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 4 White Wagtail and 10 House Martin.
ST AGNES: 1 Pied Flycatcher and 1 Whinchat.
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September 2nd:
Warm and sunny with a light north to north east wind. On the Garrison, two Wrynecks shared the same bushes as an Icterine Warbler. All birds showing very well. More Grey Wagtails seen today including a bird 10 SW of St Mary’s. Also seen during this all day pelagic were, a single Yellow Wagtail and Grey Heron and 3 Great Skuas.
Totals of some of the common migrants on islands visited: 4 Grey Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipit, 10 Whinchat and 30 Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARY’S: 1 ICTERINE WARBLER, 4 WRYNECK, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Blackcap, 2 Teal, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Snipe, 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 8 Reed Warbler, 8 Whinchat, 9 Greenshank, 10 Chiffchaff, 12 White Wagtail, 14 Willow Warbler and 20 Pied Flycatcher.
TRESCO: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Wigeon, 1 Knot, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Ruff and 10 Golden Plover.
ST AGNES: 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, 3 Kestrel, 5 Goldcrest, 10 Wheatear, 10 Dunlin, 10 Pied Flycatcher and 1 Comma Butterfly.
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September 1st:
Sunny with a fresh northerly breeze. On the Garrison, St Mary’s, there were an Melodious Warbler and two Wood Warblers between the Lower Broom and Morning Point with a Wryneck nearby. Single Wrynecks were also at Peninnis and Porthloo, St Mary’s, and Bryher with two on St Agnes. The Dotterel on Castle Down, Tresco, was joined by another juvenile and the Golden Plover had increased to 17. The first Wigeon of the autumn arrived on the Great Pool where there were 28 Little Egrets making it a Scilly record by three.
Totals of some of the common migrants on islands visited: 3 Wood Warbler, 9 Whinchat, 9 White Wagtail, 11 Spotted Flycatcher, 39 Wheatear and 47 Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARY’S: 1 MELODIOUS WARBLER, 2 WRYNECK, 2 Wood Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Whinchat, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler, 7 White Wagtail, 16 Pied Flycatcher, 9 Wheatear,
TRESCO: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 2 Dotterel, 1 Wigeon, 1 Ruff, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Snipe, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Dunlin, 10 Teal, 12 Wheatear, 14 Redshank, 16 Golden Plover, 28 Little Egret and 38 Greenshank.
ST AGNES: 2 WRYNECK, 1 Snipe, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Whinchat, 8 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 White Wagtail, 10 Pied Flycatcher and 15 Wheatear.
BRYHER: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Wood Warbler, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear and 4 Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARTINS: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 White Wagtail, 3 Whinchat and 13 Pied Flycatcher
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August 31st:
Light north west to northerly with bright sun followed by showers in the evening. Less numbers of common migrants today. Highlights included the Ortolan Bunting at the Health centre, St Mary’s, a Red-backed Shrike and Wood Warbler at Green Bay, Bryher, a Melodious Warbler, St Martins and five Wrynecks, including new birds at Telegraph, St Mary’s and New Grimsby, Tresco.
Totals of some of the migrants on islands visited: 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipit, 6 Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff, 13 Reed Warbler, 37 White Wagtail, 32 Whinchat, 45 Spotted Flycatcher, 69 Pied Flycatcher and 77 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 3 WRYNECK, 1 Redstart, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Whitethroat, 6 Golden Plover, 6 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 8 Dunlin, 11 Snipe, 14 Chiffchaff, 14 White Wagtail, 21 Spotted Flycatcher, 22 Whinchat, 37 Wheatear, 46 Pied Flycatcher, 51 Willow Warbler, 60+Goldfinch, 70 Swallow and 2 Comma Butterflies.
BRYHER: 1 RED-BACKED SHRIKE, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Knot, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 6 Pied Flycatcher and 7 Spotted Flycatcher.
TRESCO: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Knot, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 5 White Wagtail, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, 25 Wheatear, and 28 Greenshank.
ST MARTINS: 1 MELODIOUS WARBLER, 1 Great Skua, 6 Whinchat, 8 White Wagtail, 10 Pied Flycatcher, 16 Spotted Flycatcher and 20 Wheatear,
ST AGNES: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whinchat, 4 Reed Warbler, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 10 White Wagtail, 10 Willow Warbler, 15 Wheatear and 20 Dunlin.
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August 30th:
Bright sunshine with light to moderate northerlies. An Ortolan Bunting was in the Buzza Hill area, St Mary’s, and on Castle Down, Tresco, there was a juvenile Dotterel with 10 Golden Plovers with a Red-backed Shrike and Nightingale in fields at Bank Lane nearby. Single Icterine Warblers were on Bryher and St Mary’s and there were three Wrynecks seen. Two Ortolan Buntings flew over the Parsonage, St Agnes and at Longstones, St Mary’s, there was a Lesser Whitethroat. An Arctic Skua was seen from the Scillonian to St Mary’s and an Arctic Tern was on Samson with two other birds and a Balearic Shearwater on this evenings pelagic.
Totals of some of the common migrants on islands visited: 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Whitethroat, 6 Tree Pipit, 24 Spotted Flycatcher, 61 Wheatear, 63 Willow Warbler, 72 Whinchat and 140 Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARY’S: 1 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 1 ICTERINE WARBLER, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Water Rail, 4 Sedge Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 6 Tree Pipit, 4 Dunlin, 6 White Wagtail, 7 Goldcrest, 9 Spotted Flycatcher, 9 Chiffchaff, 9 Snipe, 15 Reed Warbler, 33 Willow Warbler, 15 House Martin, 17 Whinchat, 32 Wheatear, 80 Pied Flycatcher and 60 Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 NIGHTINGALE, 1 RED-BACKED SHRIKE, 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1Dotterel, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 2 Common Sandpiper, 15 Spotted Flycatcher, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Whinchat and 20 Pied Flycatcher,
BRYHER: 1 ICTERINE WARBLER and 1 WRYNECK.
ST AGNES: 2 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 2 WRYNECK, 2 Ruff, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Warbler, 8 Whimbrel, 20 Whinchat, 30 Willow Warbler, 30 Wheatear and 40+Pied Flycatcher.
SAMSON: 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Greenshank, 5 Knot, 5 Whimbrel, 30 Curlew, 40+Dunlin and 100+Ringed Plover.
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August 29th:
Overnight rain with a strong chilly north easterly. Drizzle in the morning becoming brighter later in the day. The windy conditions made birding difficult. As a result there were less numbers of migrants and no new scarcities were found. On the Garrison, St Mary’s, there were two Icterine Warblers. One by the tennis courts as seen two days ago, was thought to be the same bird nearby the Steval the following day. However two birds were seen today. The first Grey Wagtail of the autumn was also at this site and at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, there was a high count of 10 Sand Martin.
Totals of some of the common migrants on islands visited: 2 Garden Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 15 Reed Warbler, 19 Sedge Warbler, 38 Whinchat, 47 Willow Warbler, 58 Wheatear and 139 Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARY’S: 2 ICTERINE WARBLER, 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 WRYNECK, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Water Rail, 3 Whitethroat, 4 White Wagtail, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Chiffchaff, 7 Dunlin, 10 Snipe, 10 Sand Martin, 11 Reed Warbler, 11 Willow Warbler, 11 Greenshank, 15 House Martin, 16 Whinchat, 19 Sedge Warbler, 25 Wheatear, 69 Pied Flycatcher and 60 Swallow.
ST AGNES: 2 WRYNECK, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Warbler, 8 Whimbrel, 20 Whinchat, 30 Willow Warbler, 30 Wheatear and 40+Pied Flycatcher.
TRESCO: 1 Wood Sandpiper.
ST MARTINS: 1 Common Sandpipier, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler and 30+Pied Flycatcher
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August 28th:
Overnight rain with light easterlies brought another wave of common and scarce migrants. This time there were an increase of Willow Warblers and up to 10 Wrynecks. Yesterdays Icterine Warbler on the Garrison was relocated but there was no sign of the two birds on St Agnes. On St Mary’s, the Wryneck at Longstones was still present but only one of the two on Peninnis could be found. New Wrynecks included singles at Toleman’s and near the campsite on the Garrison. There were up to three by the school on St Agnes with another three on Bryher where there was also a Melodious Warbler. Possibly the third Pectoral Sandpiper to visit Scilly in a week arrived on the Tresco Great Pool. At the Abbey Pool Nearby, there was a Red-backed Shrike. There was a Tawny Pipit on Peninnis and also on St Agnes an Ortolan Bunting. A Ruddy Darter around the cricket pitch, St Martins, was the first Scilly record. There was also up to 12 Common Darters here and on St Mary’s there were lots of Migrants Hawkers. Also still good numbers of Painted Lady’s, Convolvulus and Hummingbird Hawkmoths around.
Totals of some of the common migrants on islands visited: 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Redstart, 5 Swift, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Whitethroat, 10 Common Sandpiper, 14 Chiffchaff, 13 Sedge Warbler, 17 Spotted Flycatcher, 24 Tree Pipit, 23 Reed Warbler, 63 Whinchat, 45 Wheatear, 105 Willow Warbler and 303 Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARY’S: 1 ICTERINE WARBLER, 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 3 WRYNECK, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Redstart, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Water Rail, 2 Swift, 7 Whitethroat, 3 Whimbrel, 4 Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 7 Spotted Flycatcher, 14 Tree Pipit, 14 Chiffchaff, 13 Sedge Warbler, 43 Whinchat, 23 Reed Warbler, 30 Wheatear, 84 Willow Warbler, 191 Pied Flycatcher, 250+Linnet and 1 Striped Hawkmoth.
TRESCO: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 RED-BACKED SHRIKE, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and 15 Greenshank.
BRYHER: 1 MELODIOUS WARBLER, 3 WRYNECK, 1 Swift, 1 Redstart, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Tree Pipit, 10 Spotted Flycatcher and 50+Pied Flycatcher.
ST AGNES: 1 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 3 WRYNECK, 1 Snipe, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Common Sandpiper, 9 Grey Heron, 15 Wheatear, 20 Dunlin, 20 Whinchat, 20 Willow Warbler and 50+Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARTINS: 1 Swift, 1 Redstart, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Willow Warbler and 22 Pied Flycatcher
Pelagic 7 miles S of St Mary’s: 1 Wilson’s Petrel, 2 Balearic Shearwater, 2 Great Skua and 30+Storm Petrel.
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August 27th:
Overcast with strong east to south easterly. Most common migrants had moved on taking advantage of the clear skies overnight but more scarce migrants were found with some of yesterdays birds still present. On St Mary’s there were an Ortolan Bunting at Rocky Hills and an Icterine Warbler on the Garrison. The blusty conditions made it hard to relocate the Icterine. Two Wrynecks were together on Peninnis with another bird was at Longstones. Bryher supported a single Red-backed Shrike, Icterine Warbler and a juvenile Osprey. The latter species was later seen over Peninnis. Yesterdays Icterine Warblers were still present on St Agnes but only two of the four Wrynecks were found. The Robins recorded on this island were all migrants. A Black Tern and Sabine’s Gull were the highlights on this evenings pelagic 8 miles SW of St Mary’s. There was a report of a Pale Clouded Yellow at St Warna’s Cove, St Agnes. Three Comma Butterflies were all found on St Mary’s. Before this there were less than 10 records.
Totals of some of the migrants on islands visited. 3 Swift, 3 Whitethroat, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Tree Pipit, 23 Willow Warbler, 20 Spotted Flycatcher, 35 Whinchat and 190 Pied Flycatcher
ST MARY’S: 1 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 1 ICTERINE WARBLER, 2 WRYNECKS, 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 2 Water Rail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Swift, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Wheatear, 3 Tree Pipit, 3 White Wagtail, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Dunlin, 4 Blackcap, 4 Common Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Goldcrest, 6 Reed Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 10 Snipe, 11 Greenshank, 18 Whinchat, 19 Willow Warbler, 32 Sanderling, 115 Pied Flycatcher, 130+Swallow and 20+Hummingbird Hawkmoth.
ST AGNES: 2 ICTERINE WARBLER, 2 WRYNECK, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Tree Pipit, 4Yellow Wagtail, 4 Willow Warbler, 5 Robin, 6 Wheatear, 8 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Reed Warbler, 20 Whinchat, 50+Pied Flycatcher and 1 Pale Clouded Yellow.
BRYHER: 1 RED-BACKED SHRIKE, 1 ICTERINE WARBLER, 1 Osprey, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Tree Pipit, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Whinchat and 25+Pied Flycatcher.
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August 26th:
A strong easterly wind (up to force 5) during the day was followed by a wet front from the southwest which passed through overnight, producing an exceptional fall of common and scarce migrants. For the first time since the spring there were unusual birds virtually everywhere, from the tip of Peninnis to fields far inland, making birding very exciting. The vast majority of migrants were Pied Flycatchers (a total of at least 377) and Whinchats (a total of at least 150). No counts were received from Tresco and Bryher. There were lesser numbers of Tree Pipits and warblers such as Whitethroats. There was also a small influx of shorebirds, notably Green Sandpipers, of which at least eight were seen on St Mary’s. However, the highlights, apart from the numbers, were two Icterine Warblers, 1 Red-backed Shrike and up to four Wrynecks, all on St Agnes. On St Mary’s, there was an Ortolan Bunting on the airfield, an adult Mediterranean Gull at Porthloo and on Tresco a Hen Harrier on Castle Down. The Tawny Pipit on St Martins and Pectoral Sandpiper on St Mary’s were still present. On the Scillonian crossing to St Mary’s, a single Cory’s Shearwater and Arctic Skua were seen from the boat.
Totals of some of the migrants on islands visited. 2 Garden Warbler, 5 Redstart, 6 Whitethroat, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Tree Pipit, 11 Common Sandpiper, 13 Chiffchaff, 17 Sedge Warbler, 23 Willow Warbler, 29 Reed Warbler, 51 Spotted Flycatcher, 58 Wheatear, 150 Whinchat and 377 Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARY’S: 1 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Ruff, 2 Water Rail, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Swift, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 3 Redstart, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Sand Martin, 5 Dunlin, 7 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 6 Common Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Tree Pipit, 10 Goldcrest, 11 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 12 Snipe 12 Greenshank, 15 Wheatear, 16 Sedge Warbler, 24 Reed Warbler, 18 Green Sandpiper, 51 Whinchat, 157 Pied Flycatcher and 100+Swallow.
ST AGNES: 2 ICTERINE WARBLER, 1 RED-BACKED SHRIKE, 3 WRYNECK, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Ruff, 1 Knot, 1 Water Rail, 1 Teal, 1 Snipe, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Redstart, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 3 Robin, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Reed Warbler, 5 Common Sandpiper, 17 Dunlin, 25+Whinchat and 75+Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARTINS: 1 TAWNY PIPIT, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Willow Warbler, 40+Spotted Flycatcher, 40+Wheatear, 60+Whinchat, 100+Pied Flycatcher,
TRESCO: 1 Hen Harrier and 6 Golden Plover.
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August 25th:
Overcast with fresh south easterlies. There was no sign of the Tawny Pipit on Bryher but it or another turned up on Tinkler’s Hill, St Martins. At Anneka’s Quay, Bryher, a Wryneck showed well. No sign of the Melodious Warbler on St Agnes and the Pectoral Sandpiper on Tresco. A pelagic 7 miles west of St Mary’s produced a single Wilson’s Petrel, 1 Black Tern, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, 3 Great and 2 Arctic Skuas and 25 Storm Petrels. An increase in Common migrants included a Wood Warbler at Careg-dhu Gardens, St Mary’s.
Totals of some of the migrants on islands visited. 4 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Whinchat, 7 Tree Pipit, 7 Wheatear and 34 Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARY’S: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Golden Plover, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 7 Snipe, 6 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whinchat, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 White Wagtail, 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 6 Reed Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 14 Pied Flycatcher, 30+Ringed Plover and 120+Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 TAWNY PIPIT, 1 Whinchat, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Golden Plover and 50+Red Admiral.
BRYHER: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Wheatear, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Pied Flycatcher and 4 Willow Warbler.
TRESCO: 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff, 1 Knot, 3 Crossbill, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Tree Pipit, 3 Sand Martin and 5 Pied Flycatcher.
ST AGNES: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Whinchat, 3 Greenshank, 4 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler and 10 Pied Flycatcher.
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August 24th:
Overnight the wind turned easterly, F4-5 with thick fog first thing which cleared by mid-morning revealing bright sunny spells. On Bryher there was a Tawny Pipit in the campsite area before flying on to Shipman’s Down and the Melodious Warbler was at Barnaby Lane, St Agnes. Whilst the IOSBG were involved in habitat management work at Porth Hellick, the Pectoral Sandpiper was seen feeding down to 10ft. The one on Tresco was still present. Single juvenile Cuckoos were on St Agnes and St Helens.
ST MARY’S: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Black Duck, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Teal, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Chiffchaff, 8 Reed Warbler and 10 Sedge Warbler.
TRESCO: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 MELODIOUS WARBLER, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Whinchat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Reed Warbler and 1 Pied Flycatcher.
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August 23rd:
Drizzle overnight with dense fog in the morning. Later in the day very hot and sunny with light south westerlies. On St Agnes a Melodious Warbler was seen around Barnaby Lane briefly. Another juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was found on Tresco Great Pool. The juvenile at Porth Hellick was still feeding with the Wood Sandpiper. A Large Conehead found on the Garrison, turned out to be the first British record.
A Great, Balearic and 3 Sooties Shearwaters were seen from the Scillonian crossing to St Mary’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Black Duck, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Teal, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 5 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 6 Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 10 Sedge Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 15 House Martin and 60 Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER
ST AGNES: 1 MELODIOUS WARBLER
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August 22nd:
A foggy start clearing away to bright spells with a light south westerly. On St Mary’s at Porth Hellick there were two Black-tailed Godwits briefly in the bay while on the pool the Pectoral and Wood Sandpiper were still present. A dark phase Arctic Skua was off Bar Point. This evenings pelagic, 6.5 miles south of St Mary’s, produced a Wilson’s Petrel, 1 Great and 2 Manx Shearwater and 40+Storm Petrel.
ST MARY’S: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Black Duck, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Teal, 2 Crossbill, 2 Kingfisher, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Water Rail, 10 Snipe, 8 Dunlin, 8 Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 35 Ringed Plover, 13 Sanderling, 1 Blackcap, 15+Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 16 Sedge Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 15 House Martin and 60 Swallow.
ST AGNES: 1 Whimbrel, 2 Dunlin and 1 Clouded Yellow.
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August 21st:
Cloudy with sunny spells with a light to moderate south westerly. Quiet today with a clear out of most common migrants. The first Knot of the autumn was a juvenile on Tresco and a single Cory’s and Sooty Shearwater were seen on a pelagic 6.5 miles SE of St Mary’s. There were over 20 Convolvulvus Hawkmoths on St Martins.
ST MARY’S: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Teal, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler, 10 House Martin and 60 Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 Black Duck, 1 Knot, 1 Ruff, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whinchat, 8 Dunlin, 10 Greenshank 10 Redshank 25 Sanderling and 200+House Sparrow.
ST AGNES: 1 Whinchat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff.
ST MARTINS: 6 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and 20+Convolvulvus Hawkmoth.
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August 20th:
Very hot and sunny with a westerly breeze. Reports only came from Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. Here the only birds of note were the Pectoral and Wood Sandpiper and 16 Sedge Warbler. On St Agnes 12 Convolvulus Hawkmoths were trapped overnight and there were over 200 Painted Lady’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Water Rail, 1 Swift, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 9 Snipe, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 16 Sedge Warbler, 6 House Martin and 50 Swallow.
ST AGNES: 1 Whinchat, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Clouded Yellow, 200+Painted Lady and 12 Convolvulus Hawkmoth.
SAMSON: 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30+Dunlin and 30+Sandwich Tern.
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August 18th:
Cloudy with sunny spells with a north westerly breeze. A gang of us yesterday cleared the reeds at Porth Hellick to improve a better habitat for waders. All this hard work paid off this morning when a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was found feeding with the Wood Sandpiper. There has been an large influx of Convolvulus Hawk-moths. It is thought that are at least 50+ were on St Agnes with 17 trapped overnight. It is turning out to be one of the commonest moths on Scilly. Also here, there has been an abundance of Painted Lady’s including 100+ on St Agnes. A Great Shearwater was seen from this evenings pelagic.
ST MARY’S: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 Black Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Snipe, 1 Wheatear, 11 Pied Flycatcher, 12 Willow Warbler, 15+Sedge Warbler, 15+ Chiffchaff, 20+Reed Warbler, 10 House Martin, 160+Swallow, 9 Convolvulus Hawkmoth, 15+Clouded Yellow and 40+Painted Lady.
BRYHER: 2 Ruff and 3 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 10 Pied Flycatcher, 50+Convolvulus Hawkmoths, 100+Painted Lady and 2 Clouded Yellow.
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August 17th:
Overcast with a south easterly breeze. Another Red-backed Shrike turned up this time on St Mary’s. It was found in the evening in fields at Porth Minnick. The Marsh Harrier continued to tour the island and at Longstones there were 2 adult and juvenile Lesser Redpolls. These were thought to be local breeders and if so, this would be the first breeding record for Scilly. In the Standing stones field at Lower Moors there were over 60 Song Thrush’s. On the island’s vistited, there were a total of 21 Pied Flycatchers.
ST MARY’S: 1 RED-BACKED SHRIKE, 1 Black Duck, 1 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Crossbill, 1 Swift, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 15 Reed Warbler, 17 Sedge Warbler, 20+Willow Warbler, 50+Swallow, 15+house Martin, 20+Painted Lady and 2 Clouded Yellow.
TRESCO: 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, 3 Pied Flycatcher and 42 Chaffinch.
ST AGNES: 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Whinchat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 7 Wheatear, 7 Dunlin, 10 Pied Flycatcher and 10+Convolvulus Hawkmoth.
ST MARTINS: 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 6 Convolvulus Hawkmoth.
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August 16th:
Light easterlies with sunny spells. On Tresco there were a good selection of waders including another Wood Sandpiper but only a single Black-tailed Godwit was found from yesterdays flock of 40. Two Crossbills were also present but the highlight was a Red-backed Shrike near the tennis courts. The Black Duck was seen briefly on the Great Pool before returning back to Porthloo duck pond, St Mary’s. Here a juvenile Marsh Harrier was seen three times over Hugh Town. What is thought to be a first for Scilly was a Demoiselle agrion on Gugh seen by two observers.
TRESCO: 1 Black Duck, 1 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 2 Crossbill, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Chiffchaff and 10 Willow Warbler.
ST MARY’S: 1 Black Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Wheatear, 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Convolves Hawk-moth.
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August 15th:
Light to moderate east-north east with patchy cloud. At 17.15 a flock of 40 Black-tailed Godwit flew over St Mary’s heading towards Tresco and seemed to land on the Great Pool. Up to 14 birds were also present on Samson with over 40 Dunlin. Common migrants were more or less the same as yesterday. The highlight for many was the find of a Death’s Head Hawk-moth caterpillar at the campsite on the Garrison. With the arrival of so many of these moths, it was still a surprise to find a caterpillar of one. At Giants Castle, St Mary’s, there were 10 Clouded Yellows.
ST MARY’S: 1 Wood Sandpiper, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Water Rail, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Wheatear, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Blackcap, 7 Sedge Warbler, 14 Reed Warbler, 15 Willow Warbler, 20+Chiffchaff, 1 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 6 Greenshank, 10 House Martin, 60+Swallow, Death’s Head Hawk-moth caterpillar and 10 Clouded Yellow.
SAMSON: 1 Reeve, 2 Whimbrel, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 40+Dunlin, 3 Greenshank.
ST AGNES: 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Willow Warbler, 10 Pied Flycatcher, 7 Dunlin and 2 Clouded Yellow.
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August 14th:
A fresh east-north east with broken cloud and bright spells. A slight increase in common migrants. A single Whitethroat was on the Garrison. On St Martins, a staggering 6 Death’s Head Hawk-moths have been found in the last few days.
ST MARY’S: 1 Black Duck, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Wheatear, 10 Sedge Warbler, 11 Pied Flycatcher, 11 Chiffchaff, 21 Willow Warbler, 5 Greenshank, 3 Sand Martin, 10 House Martin, 60+Swallow, 9 Clouded Yellow and 20+Painted Lady’s.
ST MARTINS: 2 Wheatear, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher and 6 Deaths Head Hawk-moths.
ST AGNES: 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Reed Warbler and 11 Dunlin.
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August 13th:
Humid and sunny spells with light north eaterlies. A Great Shearwater was seen two miles NE of St Mary’s. The Wood Sandpiper was still showing well at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, with only one Green Sandpiper. Two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were on Tresco with another juvenile off Tean where there was also a Basking Shark. A Bar-tailed Godwit was on Samson. On St Mary’s a total of 10 Convolvulus Hawk-moths were found.
ST MARY’S: I Black Duck, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Sand Martin, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 25+House Martin, 40+Swallow and 10 Convolvulus Hawk-moth.
TRESCO: 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Ruff and 15 Little Egret.
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August 12th:
Hot and sunny with cool light northerlies. Waders on Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, included 3 Snipe. Mid-morning these were joined by a single Wood Sandpiper and 3 Green Sandpipers. A Tree Pipit was on the Garrison but common migrants were thin on the ground.
ST MARY’S: 1 Black Duck, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Kingfisher, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 5Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 30+Swallow, 1Clouded Yellow and 10 Painted Lady.
ST AGNES: 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 7 Dunlin and 6 Clouded Yellow
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August 11th:
Cloudy and humid with fresh northerlies. Less numbers of migrants but only half the places were visited than yesterday. On St Mary’s, a Tree Pipit was at Lower Moors and a Whitethroat was at Carn Friars but the highlight was a Comma Butterfly seen by two obersevers at Holy Vale.
ST MARY’S: 1 Black Duck, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whitethroat,1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 30+Swallow, 1 Comma, 2 Clouded Yellow and 10 Painted Lady.
ST AGNES: 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Dunlin and 2 Clouded Yellow.
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AUGUST 10th:
Light to moderate north-north easterlies with light showers in the morning followed by sunny spells. More common migrants arrived today including a Garden Warbler at Lower Moors, St Mary’s and a total of 12 Pied Flycatchers. Two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were on Tean with an adult on Tresco and possible a different juvenile on Porthloo, St Mary’s. A pelagic 6.5 miles south of St Mary’s produced 2 Wilson’s Petrels and 3 Great Skuas while in the Western Approaches up to 3 Wilson’s Petrels, 2 Sabine’s Gulls, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 20 Great Skuas, 2 Arctic Skua, 12 Common Tern and a Turnstone, were all seen from the Scillonian pelagic.
ST MARY’S: 1 Black Duck, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Ruff, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Blackcap, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 9 Pied Flycatcher, 13 Sedge Warbler, 15 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 14 Reed Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 10 House Martin and 60+Swallow.
TEAN: 2 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Whimbrel.
TRESCO: 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Ruff and 44 Sandwich Tern.
ST AGNES: 1 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Willow Warbler and 6 Convolvulus Hawkmoth.
TEAN: 2 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Whimbrel.
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August 9th:
A muggy and cloudy day with light northerlies. No sign of the Semi-palmated Sandpiper. There was another Ruff was found on Skirt island, Tresco.
ST MARY’S: 1 Black Duck, 1 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 10 House Martin and 130+Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 Ruff, 3 Redshank, 10 Greenshank and 50+Swallow.
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August 8th:
Again same conditions as yesterday with an east-south easterly breeze. A Red-rumped Swallow showed very well briefly at Newford duck pond. This record is an unusual date anywhere in the country. A Ruff joined the SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER at Porth Hellick. Another Pied Flycatcher turned up on St Martins and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull was on Tresco. Most of the common migrants had moved on. A pelagic 6 miles south of St Mary’s, produced a single Wilson’s Petrel and Great Skua.
ST MARY’S: 1 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 Red-rumped Swallow, 1 Black Duck, 1 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 20 House Martin and 160+Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Swift, 3 Redshank, 10 Greenshank and 50+Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Swift.
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August 7th:
A very hot and sunny day with an easterly breeze. On St Mary’s the SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER was feeding with a single Dunlin at Porth Hellick. Also here, there was a Hobby attracted to over 300 Swallows coming into roost this evening. At Porthloo there was an adult Mediterranean Gull.
ST MARY’S: 1 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 Black Duck, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Hobby, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Reed Warbler, 15 Swift, 1 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 8 Turnstone, 21 Ringed Plover, 20+House Martin and 300+ Swallow.
BRYHER: 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin and 3 Jackdaw.
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August 6th:
Weather as yesterday. More migrants arrived today including a Whitethroat on the Garrison and a Pied Flycatcher at Carn Friars, both St Mary’s, with 2 of the latter species on St Agnes. Also on St Mary’s, there was a Lesser Redpoll at Longstones where 5 Convolvulus Hawk-moths were trapped overnight, 11 Dunlin at Porthloo with 12 on Bryher.
ST MARY’S: 1 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Sand Martin, 12 Sedge Warbler, 17 Willow Warbler, 18 Reed Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 11 Dunlin, 10 House Martin, 50+Swallow and 5 Convolvulus Hawk-moth and 1 Clouded Yellow.
BRYHER: 1 Whimbrel, 2 Wheatear and 12 Dunlin.
ST AGNES: 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Willow Warbler and 3 Dunlin.
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August 5th:
Storms, low cloud and thick fog lingered in the morning with a light to moderate easterly. Later in the day, hot and sunny before the fog set in again. More or less the same as yesterday but migrants in less numbers. On St Mary’s, the SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER and Black Duck were both still present and the only other birds of note was a Meadow Pipit at Carn Friars and on St Agnes, a Pied Flycatcher.
ST MARY’S: 1 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Blackcap, 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 12 Reed Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 7 Ringed Plover, 10 Chaffinch, 10 House Martin 30 Swallow and 100+Linnet.
ST AGNES: 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Greenshank, 1 Redshank 8 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Whimbrel and 16 Sanderling.
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August 4th:
Moderate easterlies with patchy cloud. A small number of migrants arrived today. On St Mary’s, the Semi-palmated Sandpiper was back at Porth Hellick and the Black Duck was refound at Newford. A male and female Crossbill were at Longstones and there was a Hobby on Bryher.
ST MARY’S: 1 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK DUCK, 2 Crossbill, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Sedge Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Blackcap, 8 Willow Warbler, 9 Goldcrest, 10 Reed Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff, 2 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 10 Turnstone, 11 Ringed Plover, 30+House Martin and 40+Swallow.
TRESCO: 4 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper, 7 Redshank, 9 Greenshank and 95 Sanderling.
ST AGNES: 1 Common Sandpiuper, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Whimbrel and 16 Sanderling.
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August 3rd:
Hot and sunny with a north east-easterly breeze. The SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER was still feeding on Porth Hellick beach until 16.00hrs when it was seen to fly off east with a Ringed Plover. At times it was showing down to three feet. The Black-tailed Skimmer was on PH pool where there was also the second Scilly record of an Emperor Dragonfly. This was hawking between the two hides. The first was on Tresco last year. On Tresco there were 25 Swifts and a Lapwing. The same flock was later seen on St Mary’s but no sign of the Black Duck. There was a Wheatear on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 1 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 25 Swift, 1 Greenshank and 2 Redshank
TRESCO: 1 Lapwing, 1 Teal, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Sand Martin, 6 Dunlin, 25 Swift, 6 Redshank, 9 Greenshank, 9 Little Egret and 12 Grey Heron.
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August 2nd:
North-north easterly breeze with pleasant spells of warm sunshine. An adult SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER was found at mid-day at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, by Paul Varney. Here it showed very well down to a few metres feeding in a small stream on the beach into the evening. This is the earliest Scilly sighting and ninth record. The last recorded bird was in 1996. On the pool nearby, there was the first Black-tailed Skimmer for Scilly.
ST MARY’S: 1 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Swift, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 2 Redshank and 100+Swallow.
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August 1st:
Rain overnight with light westerlies with sunny spells during the day. At Lower Moors, St Mary’s, there was a Green Sandpiper and Clouded Yellow. There were up to 10 Little Egrets on Bryher.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 8 Turnstone, 100+Linnet and 1 Clouded Yellow.
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July 31st:
Moderate south westerly with occasional light rain turning heavy in the evening. Two Mediterranean Gulls were together on Porthloo, St Mary’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLACK DUCK, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank , 3 Redshank and 4 Turnstone.
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July 30th:
Cloudy with a moderate west-north westerly. The Black Duck decided to fly down the road to Newford duck pond and a Hobby was over Lower Moors, St Mary’s. Waders included 8 Dunlin, St Agnes and 7 Whimbrel, St Martins.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Hobby and 1 Swift.
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July 29:
Strong south westerlies with long periods of heavy rain in the morning. The adult Mediterranean Gull from Tresco turned up on Porthloo, St Mary’s. This evenings pelagic could only attract 3 Great Skuas, 50+Storm Petrels and the highlight was a Balearic Shearwater. This hung around the boat for well over an hour.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Greenshank and 4 Redshank.
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July 28th:
Dull and overcast with constant light rain. Wind south westerly 4. No sign of the Solitary Sandpiper. The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was on Porthcressa, St Mary’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Great Skua.
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July 27th:
A pleasant day with a south westerly breeze. The Solitary Sandpiper was back on Tresco and there was also an adult Mediterranean Gull. There was a flock of 9 Common Sandpipers at Horse Point, St Agnes, with a single else where on the island. A Wilson’s Petrel and Arctic Skua were on a pelagic 6.5 miles south of St Mary’s. The first returning Wheatears were on the airfield, St Mary’s.
TRESCO: 1 SOLITARY SANDPIPER, 2 Arctic Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpiper and 50+Sandwich Tern.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Teal, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Wheatear, 2 Swift, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 2 Redshank.
ST AGNES: 10 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel and 1 Chiffchaff.
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July 26th:
Light south-south westerlies with light rain in the morning giving away to warm sunshine. The Solitary Sandpiper is proving to be mobile and was not found until late morning at Lower Moors, St Mary’s. The Black Duck was just down the road at Porthloo duck pond and has taken a liken to bread. Again the evening pelagic was successful with a single Wilson’s Petrel and a Balearic Shearwater 10 miles south of St Mary’s..
ST MARY’S: 1 SOLITARY SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Swift, 1 Green Sandpiper and 10 Common Sandpiper.
ST MARTINS: 1 Whimbrel and 62 Sanderling.
PELAGIC: 1 WILSON’S PETREL, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 2 Great Skua, 2 Manx Shearwater and 20+Storm Petrel.
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July 25th:
Heavy rain overnight with strong west-north westerlies. Bright spells throughout the day. On Tresco the Solitary Sandpiper was located feeding on Simpson’s Field, Great Pool. The drake Black Duck was located on Porthloo duck pond, St Mary’s. Closer inspection of the other ducks revealed one maybe two Mallards/Back Duck hybrids. A pelagic 6.5 miles of St Mary’s produced, 2 Wilson’s Petrels, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Great Skuas and 25+Storm Petrels. For the third day there was a report of a Melodious Warbler between Lower Broom and the Woolpack, Garrison, St Mary’s.
TRESCO: 1 SOLITARY SANDPIPER, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 4 Redshank and 12 Little Egret.
ST MARY’S: 1 MELODIOUS WARBLER, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Mediterranean Gull,1 Kingfisher, 2 Swift and 2 Common Sandpiper.
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July 24th:
Showers with fresh south westerlies. The Solitary Sandpiper continued to commute with Porth Hellick and Lower Moors throughout the day.
ST MARY’S: 1 SOLITARY SANDPIPER, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Swift.
SAMSON: 1 Whimbrel, 2 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 20+Dunlin and 30+Turnstone.
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July 23rd:
Strong south westerlies with light rain in the morning turning brighter in late afternoon. An adult SOLITARY SANDPIPER was found by Bob Flood in the late morning at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. It stayed here until late afternoon when it was relocated at nearby Lower Moors into the evening. At both sites it showed extremely well in front of the hides. This is the 11th Scilly. The last record was one in Sep/Oct, 2001. Amazingly in 1974, a bird was on Rosevear found by R.W.Allen also on the 23rd July. The next day it was at Lower Moors and on the 25th, Tresco. (both refound by David Hunt. In the same year another bird was found by W.E.Oddie on Tresco, Sept 8th. This was also the year the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper turned up. So dream on! The Black Duck was also at PH in the morning.
ST MARY’S: 1 SOLITARY SANDPIPER, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher and 4 Swift.
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July 22nd:
Dull with light to moderate west-south westerly. The drake Black Duck decided to cross the water from Tresco to Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. Here it showed very well in front of the hide. Surprisingly this is the first record for this site and only the second to be recorded on St Mary’s. The first returning Green Sandpiper was also at PH and nearby there was a Spotted Flycatcher at Carn Friars.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Common Sandpiper.
ANNET: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin and 2 Whimbrel.
ST AGNES: 2 Swift and 1 Redshank.
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July 21st:
Again overcast with showers and a moderate south westerly. The Roseate Tern was still off Skirt island, Tresco, with the adult Arctic Tern.
TRESCO: 1 Roseate Tern, 1 Arctic Tern and 1 Common Sandpiper.
ST AGNES: 6 Dunlin and Striped Hawk-moth.
ST MARY’S: 2 Swift, 2 Greenshank and 200+Linnet.
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July 20th:
Overcast and fresh south westerlies. Only one of the Roseate Terns and the first summer Arctic Tern were seen off Skirt island, Tresco. A Cory’s Shearwater was seen off Porth Hellick Down, St Mary’s.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Roseate Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Swift, 1 Whimbrel, 7 Dunlin,10 Turnstone, 20 Sandwich Tern and 60 Sanderling,
ST MARY’S: 1 Cory’s Shearwater, 1 Cuckoo and Whimbrel.
ST AGNES: 2 Great Skua.
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July 19th:
Strong south westerlies with occasional showers. Two Roseate Terns were just reward for the hard work put in by Tern Warden, Ben Lascelles, off Skirt island, Tresco. Also here, a first summer Arctic Tern has joined the resident adult and an increase of 25+Sandwich Terns. Three Whimbrel were on Samson.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 2 Roseate Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 25+ Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 8 Turnstone and 13 Sanderling.
ST MARY’S: 1 Greenshank, 5 Redshank and 3 Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
ST AGNES: 2 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 2 Redshank.
ST MARTINS: 1 Whimbrel.
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July 18th:
Overcast with strong south-south westerlies, F 5-6 with heavy rain later. Although the weather seemed good for the pelagic only 2 Great Skuas and 60+Storm Petrel were seen. The only other bird of note was the resident drake Black Duck on Tresco
TRESCO: 1 Arctic Tern, 6 Sandwich Tern,11 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 10 Turnstone, 30 Sanderling and 50+Black-headed Gull.
BRYHER: 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 2 Whimbrel and 3 Greenshank.
ST AGNES: 2 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 2 Redshank.
ST MARTINS: 1 Whimbrel.
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July 17th
Moderate south westerly with occasional drizzle. Between 11.15-14.00hrs there were, 10 Cory’s Shearwater, 3 Great Skua, 60+Manx Shearwater, 100+Gannet and 50+Common Dolphin, off Peninnis Head, St Mary’s. On Peninnis there was a juvenile Cuckoo. There was just a single Mediterranean Gull on Porthlow and there was an early returning Turtle Dove on Bryher. A pelagic 8-10 miles SE St Mary’s, produced, 3 Cory’s for 45 minutes, 2 Arctic Tern and 3 Great Skua. This was a trip to look for Cory’s rather than Wilson’s. Therefore no chum was used.
ST MARY’S: 10 Cory’s Shearwater, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Great Skua, 1 Swift, 2 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 60+Manx Shearwater and 100+Gannet.
TRESCO: 1 Arctic Tern, 6 Sandwich Tern,11 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 10 Turnstone, 30 Sanderling and 50+Black-headed Gull.
BRYHER: 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 2 Whimbrel and 3 Greenshank.
ST AGNES: 2 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 2 Redshank.
ST MARTINS: 1 Whimbrel.
PELAGIC: 3 Cory’s Shearwatyer, 2 Artic Tern, 1 Common Tern, 3 Great Skua, 50+Storm Petrel, 150+Gannet and 150+Common Dolphin.
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July 16th:
A north westerly wind with light rain throughout the day with occasional heavy showers. Wind increased later in the day. Two of the Juvenile Mediterranean Gulls from Tresco appeared on Porthlow beach, St Mary’s. A Reed Warbler in sub-song was in a garden at Trenoweth, St Mary’s.
ST MARY’S: 2 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Common Sandpiper, 3 Sand Martin, 1 Greenshank, 3 Reed Warbler and 31 Black-headed Gull.
ST AGNES: 2 Swift, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Ciffchaff and 1 Greenshank.
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July 15th:
Thundery showers mid-day with a light northerly westerly. Up to three juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were at skirt Island, Tresco. Single Willow Warbler, Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs were new birds in at Carn Friars, St Mary’s, with resident birds still present.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Swift, 3 Common Sandpiper, 6 Sanderling, 4 Redshank, 24 Turnstone and 6 House Martin.
ST MARY’S: 1 Dunlin, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Little Egret, 3 Redshank
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July 14th:
Thundery showers in the morning with light south easterly. There was a Shoveler at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. On Tresco there were single Common Sandpiper, swift and the drake Black Duck. Also 3 Sand Martin, 4 Little Egret and 20 Grey Heron. A Wilson’s Petrel was on a pelagic 6 miles south of Gugh with 30+Storm Petrels.
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July 13th:
South easterly breeze. Two Crossbills were at Bants Carn, St Mary’s. On Tresco the Black-headed Gulls had increased to 40+. The evening pelagic could only produce a single Great Skua and over 100 Storm Petrel. There are only a handful of records of Comma butterfly. So one briefly in a Branksea garden would of caused a local twitch if it had stayed there longer.
SAMSON: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sand Martin, 20 Turnstone, 12 Sandwich Tern, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Curlew, 2 Swift, 1 Greenshank and 6 Redshank.
ST MARY’S: 1 Sand Martin, 4 Redshank and 3 Greenshank.
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July 11th:
Overcast until it got bighter in the early afternoon with a north westerly breeze. A Quail was seen well in flight at Carn Friars and the Kingfisher was at Porth Hellick.
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July 10th:
Dull to overcast with light to moderate south westerly. Very quiet on land but on the evening pelagic 10 miles south of St Mary’s, 60+Bottle-nosed Dolphins were the highlight. A single Arctic Skua and 15 Storm Petrel were the only birds of note.
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July 9th:
The weather was similar to yesterday’s conditions. The drake Black Duck was on the Abbey Pool and the Black-tailed Godwit was back on Simpon’s Field, Tresco. A Buff-tip moth was found at St Mary’s harbour and was the second record since 1958. The other record was trapped only last week at Longstones. Over 50 Common Dolphin were in Crow Sound.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Common Sandpiper.
ST MARY’S: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Swift, 2 Greenshank, 5 Redshank, 1 Buff-tip and 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
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July 8th
Overcast, hot and very humid with a south westerly breeze. A pelagic 6 miles south of Gugh could only produce, 1 Great Skua, 20 Storm Petrel, 60 Common Dolphin and a whale sp. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth also circled the boat several times. The only birds of note was the Arctic Tern on Tresco and a White Wagtail on Bryher.
ST MARY’S: 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Swift and 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
TRESCO: 1 Arctic Tern and 20 Turnstone.
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July 7th:
Bright sunshine until late afternoon when it turned cloudy with a light to moderate south westerly. A male Kingfisher has been commuting with Lower Moors and Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. A Lesser Redpoll was on St Agnes. On a pelagic 6 miles SE of St Mary’s a whale seen briefly was thought to be a False Killer Whale. One Great Skua and 15 Storm Petrels were also present. A Common Scoter was also seen 3 miles south of St Mary’s.
TRESCO: 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Sanderling, 20 Turnstone, 2 Pied Wagtail and 10 Black-headed Gull.
ST MARY’S: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sand Martin, 5 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 50+Goldfinch, 40+Swallow and 5 Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
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July 6th:
A light northerly with sunshine. Returning migrants included a Willow Warbler and another Lesser Whitethroat, both at Carn Friars, St Mary’s and 3 White Wagtails on St Agnes. Two Lesser Redpolls were at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, with up to 6 Redshank, 2 Greenshank and a Dunlin also here. The Black-tailed Godwit had moved to Samson. Off Peninnis, St Mary’s, there were a total of 10 Sunfish. A Sooty Shearwater was the highlight on this evenings pelagic. Also a Great Skua and 60 Storm Petrel were present. Three Hummingbird Hawk-moth were on the Garrison.
ST MARY’S: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Swift, 1 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 3 Willow Warbler and 2 Blackcap.
ST AGNES: 3 White Wagtail, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Sand Martin and 1 Swift.
SAMSON: 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel and 1 Greenshank.
BRYHER: 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Swift and 2 Jackdaw.
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July 5th:
A Lesser Whitethroat on St Agnes was singing next to the post office. The Black-tailed Godwit was relocated with the drake Black Duck on the Great Pool, Tresco and a Common Sandpiper was at Porthloo, St Mary’s. On Green Island there were 6 Dunlin and 2 Redshank.
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July 4th:
A Hobby flew over Old Town.
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July 3rd:
Light cloud with a northerly breeze. A single Wilson’s Petrel was seen 9 miles SE of St Mary’s. On this island, the Lapwing reappeared over Porth Hellick heading towards the airport. Also at Porth Hellick a Dunlin and the Greenshank were present with an increase of 4 Redshank. The Lesser Redpoll was over Newford. Up to 5 Common Sandpipers were in Bread and Cheese Cove, St Martins.
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July 2nd:
Northerly breeze with pleasant sunshine. A Black-tailed Godwit was at Sticky Porth, Bryher then it flew towards Tresco. A Lesser Redpoll flew over Maypole and a Swift was at Peninnis, St Mary’s.
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July 1st:
A moderate north-north westerly. The third Blue Fulmar for Scilly and second this year was seen on a pelagic 9 miles SE of St Mary’s. There were also 40 Storm Petrel’s. A Clouded Yellow and Common Sandpiper were both on St Agnes.
A Nightjar was heard very briefly at Longstones, St Mary’s. where there was also an Eastern Bordered Straw trapped last night. If accepted this will be the eighth for Britain after two were trapped a few days ago at the same location. Also 3 Striped and 2 Convolvulus Hawk-moths were trapped here.
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June 30th:
A moderate south westerly with sun throughout most of the day. The third Wilson’s Petrel of the year was feeding with over 40 Storm Petrels 6 miles SE of St Mary’s. Also seen were 3 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Great Skua, 1 Sunfish and 200+Common Dolphins. On St Mary’s there were 2 Sand Martins and Redshanks and a single Greenshank, Porth Hellick. There is now 4 Little Egrets on Tresco with 7 Grey Herons
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June 29th:
Dull and muggy throughout the day with light rain from early evening. Wind was a southerly breeze. From 25 Curlews on Samson yesterday to 40 today with another 20 on Tean. Two Whimbrels were on both of these island and on St Agnes there was a single Common Sandpiper and 517 Manx Shearwaters passed Horse Point in five hours.
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June 28th:
A moderate south-south easterly wind with bright sunshine. A Lapwing flew over Porth Hellick towards Normandy, St Mary’s. The first returning Greenshank was also at Porth Hellick.
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June 27th:
A fresh north westerly with bright sunshine. A Quail was calling and showing well on Wingletang in the evening, St Agnes and there was an increase of 10 Black-headed Gulls on Tresco.
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June 26th:
A Bee-Eater was heard in the morning around the Parsonage area, St Agnes, but could not be located. On St Mary’s, a resident found a Death’s-head Hawkmoth in his bedroom at Carnwithers, Pelistry. A Turtle Dove was feeding with the Collard Doves at Rams Valley and there was a single Sand Martin at Porth Hellick. A Grey Wagtail on St Agnes was a unusal record for this time of the year.
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June 25th:
East-south easterly breeze. A Hobby showed well in pines at Kittidown and there is now up to three Little Egrets commuting around the islands. There were six Swifts on Tresco and a single Lesser Redpoll and two Redshanks were on St Agnes.
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June 24th:
Its has been a very good year for Bee-Eaters so far this year with five. However only two have been seen. A bird on St Martins was heard over Middle Down but could not be located. On St Mary’s there was an arrival of over 40 Swifts and on Tresco there were two each of Dunlin and Sanderling. Annet produced 9 Curlew and 10 Turnstone.
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June 23rd:
Bright sunny day with a south westerly breeze. On St Agnes a churring Nightjar was heard briefly and on St Martins, the forth Purple Heron of the year flew over Middle Town heading west. A single Spotted Flycatcher was at Old Town church, St Mary’s. Over 50 Painted Lady’s were on Gugh.
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June 22nd:
The Black Duck showed itself on the Great Pool and Arctic Tern was at Apple Tree Bay, Both Tresco. On St Mary’s, a single Hobby and Whimbrel were at Porthloo and at Porth Hellick there were, 2 Sand Martin, a Little Egret and the first returning Kingfisher. Up to three Striped Hawkmoths were trapped at Longstones.
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June 21st:
Again another quiet day. Up to five Willow Warblers singing on St Mary’s and a Whitethroat was on Tresco.
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June 20th:
The only bird of note was a Hobby at Lower Moors, St Mary’s.
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June 19th:
Light westerly winds with mist and low cloud. Another Common Sandpiper was seen. This time on the Great Pool, Tresco. Large numbers of Red-necked Footman everywhere on St Mary’s with over a 1000 at Pelistry.
ST MARY’S: 1 QUAIL, 1 Wheatear, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff and 12 Blackcap.
Tresco: 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Whimbrel.
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June 18th:
Light Cloud throughout the day with a light to moderate westerly. The only bird of note was a Turtle Dove at Green Farm, St Mary’s.
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June 17th:
Sunshine with a light southerly. A male type Golden Oriole was seen on St Agnes and a Common Sandpiper at Deep Point, St Mary’s, is more than likely a early returning bird.
ST AGNES: 1 GOLDEN ORIOLE
ST MARY’S: 1 QUAIL, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Hobby, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Cuckoo.
BRYHER: 1 Wheatear, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Hooded Crow.
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June 16th:
A south-south east breeze with bright sunshine but turning misty in the evening with light cloud. No sign of the Rose-coloured Starling at Pelistry today but yesterday’s Quail was singing at Sandy Lanes, St Mary’s. Less numbers of Painted Lady’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 QUAIL, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Wheatear, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Swift, 2 Cuckoo and 20 House Martin.
SAMSON: 1 Great Northern Diver and 17 Turnstone.
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June 15th:
Another very hot day with a north-north east breeze. On St Mary’s, a Saker was observed being mobbed by a Kestrel over Lower Moors before heading off in the direction of the golf course. It is turning out to be a very good year for Quail with over 10 being recorded so far. A single bird was singing at Sandy Lane. A male Whinchat at Porth Hellick was a surprise record for this time of year. Yesterday’s Bee-Eater or another was at English Island Point, St Martins, but again it was only heard. For the second night running, a Striped Hawk Moth was trapped at Longstones with 7 Hummingbird Hawk Moths, St Mary’s, with others of the latter elsewhere on the island. Also good numbers of Painted Lady’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAKER, 1 ROSE-COLOURED STARLING, 1 QUAIL, 1 Whinchat, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Swift, 20 House Martin, 1 Stripped Hawk Moth, 10+Humming-bird Hawk Moth and 20 Painted Lady.
ST MARTINS: 1 BEE-EATER.
ST AGNES: I Lesser Redpoll, 7 Sand Martin, 12 Humming-bird Hawk Moth, 50 Silver Y and 30 Painted Lady.
TRESCO: 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sand Martin and 5 Swift.
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June 14th:
A hot and sunny day with a northerly breeze. On St Mary’s a Bee-Eater was heard calling over Porth Hellick Down just after mid-day. Despite heavy searching it was not seen again. Birders looking at the Rose-coloured Starling at Pelistry also observed the male Marsh Harrier flying from Tolls Island. At Green Farm there was a single Turtle Dove with two at Mount Todden. A Striped Hawk Moth was trapped at Longstones and there were small numbers of Humming-bird Hawk Moths, Silver Y’s and Painted Lady’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 BEE-EATER, 1 ROSE-COLOURED STARLING, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Hobby, 1 Wheatear, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Sandwich Tern, 5 Swift and 2 Cuckoo.
ST MARTINS: 2 Sand Martin, 5 House Martin and 4 Swift.
TRESCO: 1 Arctic Tern, 8 Sandwich Tern, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew and 1 Sand Martin.
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June 13th:
At Pelistry, St Mary’s, the Rose-coloured Starling was still present and nearby the Magpie made a brief visit to Carn Friars before returning back to St Martins.
ST MARY’S: 1 ROSE-COLOURED STARLING, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Magpie and 4 Swift.
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June 12th:
The highlight was a cracking adult female Rose-coloured Starling feeding with 60+Starlings at Pelistry, St Mary’s. It was elusive but showed well on occasions. The first two Wilson’ Petrels of year were on a pelagic nine miles south east of St Mary’s. A visit to Samsons found a good selection of waders for this time of year. Also here the Marsh Harrier was seen then later it was back on Tresco.
ST MARY’S: 1 ROSE-COLOURED STARLING, 3 Wheatear, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Swift and 20+House Martin.
PELAGIC: 2 WILSON’S PETREL, 30+Storm Petrel and 5 Manx Shearwater.
TRESCO: 1 Marsh Harrier and Arctic Tern.
SAMSON: 1 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 6 Turnstone, 1 Sand Martin and 1 Swift.
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June 11th:
The Marsh Harrier was seen well on Tresco where there was also the Arctic Tern on the Abbey Pool. Hobbies were both on Bryher and St Martins. A Nen Moth was trapped at Longstones.
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June 10th:
On Tresco a male Marsh Harrier came in off the sea and an Arctic Tern was in the Common Tern colony at Apple Tree Bay. Two Turtle Doves were on Bryher and up to 10 Hummingbird Hawk Moths were on the Garrison.
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June 8th:
An influx of four maybe five Quails arrived today. There were still Wheatears around and a late Garden Warbler was on the Garrison, St Mary’s
ST MARY’S: 2-3 QUAIL, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Sand Martin and 20 House Martin.
ST AGNES: 2 QUAIL and 1 Wheatear.
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June 6TH:
Only bird of note was a second summer Sabine’s Gull that hung around the boat for a good 10 minutes on a pelagic
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June 1st:
Two Quails were heard at Telegraph, St Mary’s, with one of them seen inflight.
ST MARY’S: 2 QUAIL, 2 Turtle Dove and 25+House Martin.
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May 31st:
Paul Stancliffe, our county recorder, was taking a walk down Pool Road, Tresco, when there in front of him was a adult male Little Bittern also taking a stroll on the road. It showed extremely well for a good five minutes before then it was flushed by two cyclist and flew into the reeds next to the Great Pool. At the same time the first summer bird was still on St Agnes. The two Golden Orioles were still on the latter island with the single on Gugh and a new bird at Watermill, St Mary’s.
TRESCO: 1 LITTLE BITTERN, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Wheatear and 6 Swift.
ST AGNES: 1 LITTLE BITTERN and 3 GOLDEN ORIOLE.
ST MARY’S: 1 GOLDEN ORIOLE, 1 Hobby, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff and 40 House Martin.
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May 30th:
A singing Marsh Warbler was heard briefly next to the pottery on the Garrison, St Mary’s, this morning. Later in the afternoon it was heard again in the same area. It showed well on and off into the evening. Amazingly, while birders were listening to the this bird, at the same time another singing bird was heard and seen well only a short distance away in the Tregarthens garden. This is only the third and forth spring records for Scilly. Up to three Golden Orioles were on St Agnes and the first Lesser Whitethroat of the year was on the Garrison, St Mary’s. Hundreds of Painted Lady’s also arrived today with 30 at the Marsh Warbler site.
ST MARY’S: 2 MARSH WARBLER, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Swift and 1 Cuckoo.
ST AGNES: 1 LITTLE BITTERN, 3 GOLDEN ORIOLE, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 spotted Flycatcher and 1 Reed Warbler
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 SCAUP, 2 Turtle Dove and 1 Sand Martin.
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May 29th:
Sunny and hot with light south easterly breeze. The first Red-backed Shrike of the year was a stunning male at Borough Farm and a female Golden Oriole was nearby, Tresco. Not far away on the Great Pool was the Scaup and Black Duck. A good number of Turtle Doves have arrived with 5+ on this island and 8+ on Bryher. The Little Bittern continued to show well in the Covean area, St Agnes.
TRESCO: 1 RED-BACKED SHRIKE, 1 GOLDEN ORIOLE, 1 SCAUP, 1 BLACK DUCK, 5 Turtle Dove, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swift, 1 Dunlin, 4 Sanderling and 1 House Martin.
ST AGNES: 1 LITTLE BITTERN.
BRYHER: 8 Turtle Dove.
ST MARY’S: 1 Dunlin, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Swift, 15 House Martin and 40 Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 Sand Martin, 2 Swift, 3 Chiffchaff and 15 Swallow.
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May 28th:
A light to moderate south easterly with fog in the morning. This cleared but lingered out at sea and returned again early evening. Most migrants cleared out but a late Willow Warbler was at Lower Moors, St Mary’s, where there was also a Quail singing on and off. St Agnes, the Little Bittern showed well between the Gugh bar and Covean and has now been pinned down to where it is roosting. The female Wigeon was still on the Big Pool and nearby on Annet was a very rare sight on Scilly. A male Ruff in full summer plumage.
ST AGNES: 1 LITTLE BITTERN, 1 Wigeon and 1 Arctic Skua.
ST MARY’S: 1 QUAIL, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Dunlin, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear and 20 Swallow.
ANNET: 1 Ruff, 3 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Whimbrel and 1 Dunlin.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Little Egret and 1 Swift
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May 27:
A very pleasant day with warm sunshine and a light south westerly breeze. On St Agnes the Little Bittern was flushed near Gugh bar and flew towards Covean late this morning and was seen there again showing well later in the evening. The Woodchat Shrike was in nearby fields briefly in the morning. Most unusual was a female Wigeon on the Big Pool. A Little Grebe has arrived on the Great Pool, Tresco, where there was also the drake Black Duck which seems to have settled down on Simpson’s Field. The Savi’s Warbler has not been heard since the 24th May. Less numbers of hirundines today.
ST AGNES: 1 LITTLE BITTERN, 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 Wigeon, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Sand Martin, 6 Wheatear,
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Sand Martin, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Swift, 3 Reed Warbler, 30 Wheatear, 20 House Martin and 50 Swallow.
ST MARY’S: 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Turnstone, 2 Swift, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Wheatear, 20 House Martin and 30 Swallow.
SAMSON: 1 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret, 2 Whimbrel and 1 Sanderling.
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May 26th:
A moderate south westerly wind. Cloud and warm early in the day with light rain and mist in the evening. A Curlew Sandpiper at Porthcoose, St Agnes, was a very good spring record. Just over the fields at Covean, there was a Woodchat Shrike. There has been an increase in both hirundines and Cuckoos. For the last three days at Bishop View, St Mary’s, a male Lesser Redpoll has been displaying to a female. If they do breed it will be the first record for Scilly. A very late Purple Sandpiper was on Annet.
ST AGNES: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Sanderling, 6 Turnstone, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Wheatear, 20 House Martin and 200+Swallow.
ST MARY’S: 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redpoll, 1 Sand Martin, 5 Cuckoo, 24 Wheatear, 20 House Martin, 70 Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Swift, 8 Wheatear, 20 House Martin and 50 Swallow.
ANNET: 1 Purple Sandpiper and Great Northern Diver.
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May 25th:
Light to moderate north westerly wind with showers and sunny spells. Except for two Common Sandpipers, there was nothing else of note.
ST MARY’S: 2 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
ST AGNES: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 10 Wheatear.
BRYHER: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Tree Pipt and 4 Wheatear.
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May 24th:
A very cold northerly wind with bright spells. Up to three Golden Orioles were at Lower Moors, St Mary’s. On Tresco the Lapwing reappeared and the Scaup was still on the Great Pool where there was also large numbers of hirundines arriving throughout the day.
The second record of Little Stint this year, turned up at Porthcoose, St Agnes. An unusual record for this time of year, was three Skylarks on St Martins but no sign of the Quail.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 3 GOLDEN ORIOLE, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Dunlin, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 5 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 1 SCAUP, 1 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 50 House Martin, 150 Swallow and 10 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 LITTLE STINT, 1 SHORT-TOED LARK, 1 Little Stint, and 10 Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 3 Skylark and 15 Wheatear.
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May 23rd:
A Quail was heard in fields above the Great Bay, St Martins, near The Plains. The other highlights were all the long stayers. The Little Bittern was never seen again on St Agnes.
ST MARTINS: 1 QUAIL, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 15 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 SHORT-TOED LARK.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Cuckoo, 15 House Martin, 40 Swallow,
TRESCO: 1 SCAUP.
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May 22nd:
Thick cloud cover with a moderate west-north westerly. Light rain fell from late afternoon turning heavy in the evening. When there are not many migrants in, then this is the time when a good bird is sometimes found. In Covean, St Agnes, a first summer male Little Bittern was discovered by resident Mike Hicks. From 15.20-16.30, the bird showed very well feeding in rock pools for the handful who twitched it from St Mary’s. The last record was in May, 1997 at Porth Hellick. A Woodchat Shrike turned up between the church and Vine Café, Bryher and the Short-toed Lark continued to show well on the cricket pitch, St Agnes. The female Scaup on the Great Pool, Tresco, was swimming around with up to three broods of Pochard. This is remarkable record considering that the first pair bred only two years ago.
ST AGNES: 1 LITTLE BITTERN, 1 SHORT-TOED LARK, 4 Whimbrel and 12 Wheatear.
BRYHER: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Swift, and 30 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER.
TRESCO: 1 Scaup.
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May 21st:
Drizzle and thick fog throughout the day with a moderate westerly wind. The Short-toed Lark reappered on the cricket pitch, St Agnes, and a male Black Redstart was at Green Farm, St Mary’s. Very small numbers of migrants around.
ST AGNES: 1 SHORT-TOED LARK and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Tree Pipit and 6 Wheatear.
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May 20th:
Moderate west-south westerly with occasional rain. A female Scaup was a good find on the Great Pool, Tresco, but no sign of yesterday’s Garganey. There was a great number of thousands of By the wind Sailors, (Velella velella), washed up on Porthloo Beach. Locals said, ‘They had never seen anything like it before!’.
TRESCO: 1 SCAUP, I BLACK DUCK, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Swift, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Whimbrel,10 House Martin, 50 Swallow and 10 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Turtle Dove, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 House Martin, 40 Swallow and 20 Wheatear.
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May 19th:
A fresh south westerly with thick cloud. The first Gargney of the year was a cracking drake on the Great Pool, Tresco, where also the Black Duck was present. On St Agnes a Short-toed Lark feeding next to the Big Pool maybe the bird seen two ago nearby on Troy Town. A fall of 50 Wheatears were on Castle Down, Tresco, but small numbers elsewhere.
Numbers of some of the migrants on the islands visited: 2 Turtle Dove, 4 Swift, 1 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 72 Swallow and 92 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 SHORE LARK, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Swift, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 House Martin, 12 Swallow and 20 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 SHORT-TOED LARK, 1 Merlin, 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Dunlin, 5 Whimbrel and 12 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 1 GARGANEY, 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Teal, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Greenshank, 3 Swift, 4 Whimbrel, 60 Swallow and 50+Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 1 Turtle Dove and 2 Wheatear.
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May 17th:
Moderate south westerly wind with light rain throughout the morning then later in the day turning brighter. After going missing for two days, the Shore lark on St Agnes was relocated on St Mary’s in a rolled bare earthed field at Longstones. The Savi’s Warbler was heard at Porth Hellick.
ST MARY’S: 1 SHORE LARK, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 lesser Redpoll, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Golden Plover, 1 Cuckoo, 8 House Martin and 50 Swallow.
ST AGNES: 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift and 3 Wheatear.
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May 16th:
A moderate south westerly with occasional light rain. As result of yesterdays south easterlies there was a noticeable increase in common migrants. Once again, St Agnes hosted the highlights of the day in the form of a Stone-Curlew and a Short-toed Lark. The Stone-Curlew was first found in the morning on Browarth where it proved to be mobile and was seen flying north east towards either Gugh or St Mary’s. Despite searching it was not seen again. The last record was on St Mary’s in Oct, 2001. Later in the evening a Short-toed Lark was at Troy Town. Belatedly, news came through of a Shore Lark yesterday in the campsite area, also on St Agnes.
Numbers of some of the migrants on the islands visited: 6 Turtle Dove, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Swift, 6 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 61 House Martin, 190 Swallow and 81 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 STONE CURLEW, SHORT-TOED LARK, 1 Redstart, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Sand Martin, 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Whimbrel, 6 House Martin, 40 Swallow and 20 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Golden Plover, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Cuckoo, 3 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 35 House Martin, 80 Swallow and 21 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK and 3 Wheatear.
BRYHER: 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Swift, 2 Sedge Warbler, 20 House Martin, 50 Swallow, 25 Wheatear, 2 Jackdaw, 1 Hooded Crow and 1 Magpie.
ST MARTINS: 1 Snipe, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 20 Swallow and 6 Wheatear.
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May 15th:
A very wet front passed through from the west today with a light to moderate south easterly wind. On St Mary’s, the Firecrest showed well again at Innisidgen and was also heard singing. Today the Savi’s Warbler was heard at Porth Hellick.
ST MARY’S: 1 FIRECREST, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Snipe, 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Purple Sandpiper1 Whinchat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Swift, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 House Martin, 40 Swallow and 13 Wheatear.
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May 14th:
Light north westerly breeze with warm sunshine throughout the day. Two Bee eaters were observed very briefly circling the Coastguards Cottages, St Agnes, before heading west out to sea. The Savi’s Warbler was not seen or heard today at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. Only the Grasshopper Warbler was heard. The Black Duck was still on the Great Pool, Tresco and the Snipe was present at Lower Moors.
ST AGNES: 2 BEE EATERS, 2 Turtle Dove, 7 House Martin, 10 Swallow and 21 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 Snipe, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Golden Plover, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 10 Swallow, and 12 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK.
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May 13th:
A cold fresh north westerly wind with clear skies. Except for a Firecrest at Innisidgen, St Mary’s, today was dismeral with very few migrants in. The Lapwing was relocated on St Agnes and there is still five Purple Sandpipers below the walls of the quay.
ST MARY’S: 1 FIRECREST, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Willow Warbler, 20 Swallow and 30 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 Lapwing.
TRESCO: 3 Yellow Wagtail.
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May 12th:
Showers mid-morning turning brighter in the afternoon with light to moderate north westerly-west wind. A Short-toed Lark proved mobile on Peninnis, St Mary’s. Up to three Great Northern Divers were in The Roads but no sign of yesterdays Black-throated Diver. Again migrants were absent on all islands.
ST MARY’S: 1 SHORT-TOED LARK, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Snipe, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Turtle Dove, 6 Golden Plover and 32 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Sand Martin, 10 Wheatear,
ST MARTINS: 2 Turtle Dove
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May 11th:
Overcast skies with a light north westerly wind and a few showers later in the day. St Mary’s turned up some unusual birds for this time of year. This included a Lapwing, Green Sandpiper and a Reed Bunting, all at Porth Hellick. A Black-throated Diver was with two Great Northern Divers in The Roads off Star Castle and a Golden Oriole was seen and singing at Holy Vale. However, the Montagu’s Harrier and Jack Snipe had moved on and except for an influx of Wheatears, migrants were very thin on the ground. This was the case on all islands. The female Woodchat Shrike was refound in the Chapel Fields on St Agnes and the drake Black Duck showed well on the Great Pool, Tresco. The Savi’s and Grasshopper Warbler were reeling very close to each other at Porth Hellick
ST MARY’S: 1 GOLDEN ORIOLE, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Lapwing, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Dunlin, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Turtle Dove, 4 Golden Plover, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Swift, 7 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 5 House Martin, 25 Swallow and 40 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Swift, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap,15 Whimbrel, 45 Sanderling, 3 House Martin, 30 Swallow, 30 Wheatear, 2 Pochard and 3 Tufted Duck.
ST MARTINS: 2 Sedge Warbler, 20 Swallow and 12 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 2 Chiffchaff and 10 Wheatear.
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May 10th:
Heavy rain overnight with north-north westerly breeze. Clear and sunny throughout the day with the wind turning more northerly. Today proved to be hard work finding migrants. The first Golden Oriole of the year was seen briefly in-flight at Maypole, St Mary’s. A Spotted Flycatcher was also on St Mary’s and two Lesser Redpolls on St Martins with a single on Tresco were the only other birds of note. Otherwise, once again it was yesterday’s birds that proved popular. At Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, the female Montagu’s Harrier was present for over half an hour. The Savi’s Warbler was also on show and the Jack Snipe was busy feeding on the waters edge of the pool with the Snipe.
ST MARY’S: 1 GOLDEN ORIOLE, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 MONTAGU’S HARRIER, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Snipe, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Whimbrel, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 5 House Martin, 15 Swallow and 45 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Swift, 3 Reed Warbler and 12 Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 2 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Swift and 7 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 2 Chiffchaff and 10 Wheatear.
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May 9th:
Light north westerly wind with sunshine and later thick cloud. No sign of the Woodchat Shrikes or the Montagu’s Harrier. On St Mary’s, the Savi’s Warbler was still reeling at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, where the very late record of Jack Snipe was feeding with a Snipe. A Hobby also flew through. Four Purple Sandpipers at the Quay is quite late to. A Wood Warbler and two Turtle Doves were the only birds of note on Tresco but no sign of the Black Duck on the Great Pool.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Snipe, 1 Hobby, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Cuckoo and 39 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 1 Wood Warbler, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler and 33 Wheatear.
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May 8th:
Light to moderate north westerly wind with warm sunshine. Again the only birds of interest were yesterday’s birds. Still a lot of Wheatears about with 60 on St Mary’s and a Lesser Redpoll was on St Agnes. The drake Black Duck now seems to be favouring the Great Pool, Tresco.
ST MARY’S: 1 MONTAGU’S HARRIER, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Whinchat, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Cuckoo, 8 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 12 House Martin, 20 Swallow and 60+Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 12 Wheatear.
BRYHER: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler and 6 Wheatear.
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May 7th:
Warm, bright and sunny with light south westerly winds. New birds in of note included a brief Hawfinch over Rose Fields and a Short-toed Lark at Middle Down, St Martins. Yesterdays birds were the highlights for many birders including, the Montagu’s Harrier, Savi’s Warbler and Jack Snipe at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. On St Agnes the Short-toed Lark and Woodchat Shrike showed well as did the one on Bryher. There was a fall of 129 Wheatears.
ST MARY’S: 1 MONTAGU’S HARRIER, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Whinchat, 2 Cuckoo, 5 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 44 Wheatear, 15 House Martin, 30 Swallow,
ST AGNES: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 SHORT-TOED LARK and 26 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 1 HAWFINCH, 1 BLACK DUCK, 5 Swift, 3 Wheatear, 50 House Martin and 20 Swallow.
BRYHER: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 Whinchat, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 20 Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 1 SHORT-TOED LARK, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Tree Pipit, 45 Wheatear,
ST AGNES: 1 SHORT-TOED LARK.
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May 6th:
Warm and sunny with Light north westerly breeze. A wagtail showing characteristics of the Black-headed race ( feldegg ) was seen well in grassy fields at Carn Friars and Porth Hellick pool, St Mary’s. It was identified as a first summer and if accepted this will be the first record for Scilly and the tenth for Britain. It was first seen yesterday briefly early in the morning at Lower Moors. While observing the wagtail at Porth Hellick you could here the Savi’s Warbler reeling and in the morning, yesterdays female Montagu’s Harrier flew through. A very late Jack Snipe was also here. St Agnes offered the Woodchat Shrike, Hoopoe and the Short-toed Lark was refound at Wingletang. A different Woodchat was on Bryher in the campsite area where there was a Montagu’s Harrier. Maybe the one from St Mary’s. Also here, a very rare spring sighting was a Little Stint. The Black Duck was on the Great Pool, Tresco and two Lesser Redpolls were on St Martins.
Numbers of some migrants on all the islands: 7 Swift, 5 Cuckoo, 3 Sedge Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 27 House Martin, 110 Swallow and 49 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL, 1 Female MONTAGU’S HARRIER, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Swift, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Wheatear, 5 House Martin and 20 Swallow.
ST AGNES: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 SHORT-TOED LARK, 1 HOOPOE, 1 Merlin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 11 Wheatear, 2 House Martin and 40 Swallow,
BRYHER: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 MONTAGU’S HARRIER, 1 LITTLE STINT and 1 Snipe.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK and 2 Swift.
ST MARTINS: 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Swift, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Willow Warbler, 30 Wheatear, 20 House Martin and 50+Swallow.
Pelagic trip: 1 Great Northern Diver and 20+Storm Petrel.
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May 5th:
Sunny with light to moderate south westerlies. This morning a female Montagu’s Harrier was seen briefly at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, dropping into vegetation. Eventually it flew out and was relocated in a short grassy field at Salakee. The bird was obviously exhausted and spent just over two hours giving everyone a chance to see it at relatively close range. At 11.17hrs a plane spooked it and it was observed gaining height over kittidown then seen heading towards Cornwall at great height. The only other new bird was a cracking Blue-headed Wagtail on St Agnes. Also here there was a Black Redstart and yesterdays Woodchat Shrike and Hoopoe. There was no sign of the Short-toed Lark at Wingletang or the Melodious Warbler at Old Town Church, St Mary’s. At Porth Hellick the Savi’s Warbler showed very well. From 22 Turtle Doves yesturday to only one today.
Numbers of some migrants on all the islands: 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Swift, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 22 House Martin, 80 Swallow and 31 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 Female MONTAGU’S HARRIER, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Merlin, 3 Golden Plover, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Swift, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 20 Wheatear, 20 House Martin, 40 Swallow and 30+Wood Pigeon.
ST AGNES: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 HOOPOE, 1 BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Merlin,1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 11 Wheatear, 2 House Martin, 40 Swallow,
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May 4th:
Wind easing but still from a south-south westerly direction. Generally overcast with intermittent sunny spells. St Agnes turned up a Woodchat Shrike in the cricket pitch area, Short-toed Lark, Wingletang and a Hoopoe at The Meadow. However for rarity value, pride of place must go to the singing Melodious Warbler at Old Town Church, St Mary’s. Showed on and off at close range and constitutes only the third spring record for Scilly. St Martins there was an Osprey over the Great Bay and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was on Bryher. On all the islands there was a definite increase in the number of common migrants today including up to 22 Turtle Doves. Both the Savi’s and Grasshopper Warbler were reeling at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. Also here there was a female Reed Bunting. Three Painted Lady butterflies were also seen on St Mary’s.
Numbers of some migrants on all the islands: 22 Turtle Dove, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Swift, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 35 House Martin, 90+Swallow and 41 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 MELODIOUS WARBLER, 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Reed Bunting, 9 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Swift, 10 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 22 House Martin, 20 Swallow and 15 Wheatear,
ST AGNES: 1 WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 1 SHORT TOED LARK, 1 HOOPOE, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 redpoll sp, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Turtle Dove, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 30 Swallow and 5 Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 1 GOLDEN ORIOLE, 1 Osprey, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Swift, 2 Common Tern, 10 House Martin, 20 Swallow and 14 Wheatear.
BRYHER: 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Whimbrel, 3 House Martin, 25+Swallow and 12 Wheatear.
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May 3rd:
Dull and overcast with strong south westerly winds with occasional light rain. The only bird of note was the first Golden Oriole of the year. This was a female at Middle Town, St Martins.
ST MARTINS: 1 GOLDEN ORIOLE AND 4 Common Tern.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Whinchat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Merlin, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Swift, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sand Martin, 25 House Martin, 20 Swallow and 40+Manx Shearwater.
ST AGNES: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Garden Warbler,
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May 2nd:
Strong south westerlies and heavy rain throughout the day until early evening. Despite the blustery conditions the Savi’s Warbler was still reeling at Porth Hellick. The drake Black Duck returned to the Great Pool, Tresco and the first four Spotted Flycatchers of the spring arrived including two on Bryher.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Merlin, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Whimbrel, 30 House Martin,
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK and 1 Cuckoo.
BRYHER: 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Cuckoo, 20 Whimbrel,
ST MARTINS: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Turtle Dove,
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May 1st:
Moderate South westerlies and in the late afternoon there was heavy rain. Birders on a boat to St Martins saw a drake Long-tailed Duck fly past towards the Eastern Isles. Except for the Savi’s Warbler showing very well this morning, there was nothing else of note.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Hobby, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Merlin, 1Turtle Dove, 6 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Golden Plover, 1 Willow Warbler,7 Chiffchaff, 8 Wheatear, 6 House Martin and 10 Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 LONG-TAILED DUCK,
ST AGNES: 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Whimbrel and 6 Wheatear.
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April 30th:
South westerly breeze and patchy cloud. The Savi’s Warbler was still at Porth Hellick and up to nine Turtle Doves were on St Mary’s including five at Salakee. Nearby at Giants Castle, a Short-toed Lark was found on the airfield.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 SHORT-TOED LARK,1 Great Northern Diver,1 Merlin, 9 Turtle Dove, 1 Little Egret, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 8 Golden Plover, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, 3 House Martin and 8 Swallow.
ST AGNES: 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Whimbrel and 6 Wheatear.
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April 29th:
On St Mary’s, the Savi’s Warbler continued to sing and show on and off at Porth Hellick. The first Hobby of the year flew over Holy Vale and a Marsh Harrier flew from Porthloo towards Lower Moors. There were fourteen Golden Plover on the Golf Course and the Black Duck made an appearance on the Great Pool, Tresco. St Martins produced a Mistle Thrush at Lower Town and brief views were made of a ring tailed harrier flying towards Barnicle Rock
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 Marsh Harrier,1 Hobby, 1 Merlin,1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Whinchat, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Swift, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Little Egret, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler,14 Golden Plover, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 6 Wheatear, 2 House Martin and 20 Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Blackcap, 6 House Martin and 100+Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 Ring tailed harrier and 1 Mistle Thrush,
ST AGNES: 1 Turtle Dove, 9 Purple Sandpiper and 6 Whimbrel.
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April 28th:
The gale force westerlies and heavy rain from the previous evening continued unabated until the early morning. Late morning the wind subsided and it was much sunnier and calmer. Today, St Mary’s hosted a first for Scilly – SAVI’S WARBLER, and a second – LITTLE SWIFT. A little after mid-day Bob Flood was eating lunch when he saw a swift with a white rump flash past his window at Sallyport. He alerted all the local birders and put the news out on the pagers and all hell let loose. Over the next hour the swift was very mobile and was seen briefly at Old Town Church and then Maypole. It was then relocated at Trenoweth hawking insects over the pines with a Common Swift. Here it was identified as a Little Swift by a rapidly gathering crowd. This record follows hot on the heels of the first record on May 17th last year.
Last years bird stayed around Buzza Hill, St Mary’s, for over three hours, but after only half an hour, the Twenoweth bird disappeared. Again it was very mobile and was seen briefly over two sites and was finally lost and never seen again. For many holidaying birders, this was probably the highlight of their trip. However for the resident birders, the years highlight so far was undoubtedly the Savi’s Warbler at Porth Hellick. All agreed it was the bird found by ISBG Recorder Paul Stancliff on the 9th of April. Ironically, it was Paul and Bob Flood who finally relocated it reeling this morning. It was eventually seen well and heard singing by many of the islanders and visiting birders till dark. Also a Grasshopper Warbler was singing nearby for comparison.
ST MARY’S: 1 SAVI’S WARBLER, 1 LITTLE SWIFT, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Swift, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 30 Swallow and 5 House Martin.
ST MARTINS: 1 Sparrowhawk,1 Swift, 1 Merlin, 1 Wheatear and the Magpie.
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April 27th:
Again a moderate south westerly with thick cloud and heavy rain in the late afternoon. Most birders went to St Martins but there was no sign of yesterday’s birds. Instead the drake Black Duck made a reappearance for a minute from the hotel looking towards Tean. On St Mary’s only four Turtle Doves could be found and two Grasshopper Warblers were reeling at Porth Hellick. The Short-eared Owl was Showing very well on Bryher but otherwise migrants were largely absent on the islands.
Numbers for some of the migrants on all the islands: 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Sedge Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Whimbrel, 6 Swallow,
ST MARTINS: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Tree Pipit, 5 Whimbrel, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Swallow.
BRYHER: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, and the Magpie
.
ST MARY’S: 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Turtle Dove, 5 Golden Plover, 1 Merlin, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap and 4 Swallow.
ST AGNES: 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Whimbrel and 1 Wheatear.
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April 26th:
Strong south westerly with patchy cloud. The windy conditions made it hard to find birds but again St Martins proved to be the island to be on. No sign of the Hoopoe or Serin but one observer looking for the Serin flushed a second summer Purple Heron out of a field at Higher Town. Fortunately it flew into fields near Little Arthur Farm where it was relocated. Here it showed very well at close range throughout the rest of the afternoon. This is the second Purple Heron of the year as last weeks bird on St Mary’s was an adult. The Richard’s Pipit was refound on the cricket pitch. Over eight Turtle Doves were in the Salkee area, St Mary’s with three on St Agnes. A redpoll sp? Also flew over the latter island and the two Mealy Redpolls were still on Tresco.
Numbers for some of the migrants on all the islands: 3 Grasshopper Warbler and 11 Turtle Dove.
ST MARTINS: 1 PURPLE HERON, 1 RICHARD’S PIPIT, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and1 Tree Pipit.
TRESCO: 2 MEALY REDPOLL and 1 Common Sandpiper.
ST MARY’S: 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Swift, 8+Turtle Dove, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 House Martin, 5 Swallow and 10 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 Redpoll sp? 3 Turtle Dove and 2 Whimbrel.
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April 25th:
Drizzle from early morning clearing later with a moderate south-westerly. An increase in many Migrants including nine Turtle Doves. Highlights were on St Martins with male Serin at Higher Town and a Richards Pipit on The Plains. The Hoopoe made reappearance. The Short-toed Lark showed well at Peninnis, St Mary’s. An Osprey was observed flying over Telegraph, St Mary’s, flying towards Tresco just after mid-day and the Short-eared Owl was still on Bryher.
Numbers for some of the migrants on all islands: 9 Turtle Dove, 4 Tree Pipit, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 12 Sedge Warbler, 6 Cuckoo,32 Willow Warbler, 31 Chiffchaff, 27 Blackcap and 64 Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 1 RICHARDS PIPIT, 1 SERIN, 1 HOOPOE, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Great Northern Diver,1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Wheatear and 4 Swallow.
ST MARY’S: 1 SHORT-TOED LARK, 1 Osprey, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Reed Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler, 1 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, 10 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 36 Wheatear and 9 Swallow.
BRYHER: 1 Short eared Owl, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Swift, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel,3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 20 Wheatear and Swallow.
ST AGNES: 5 Turtle Dove, 1 Redstart, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 5 Cuckoo, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 20+Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, 6 Wheatear and 5 Swallow.
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April 24th:
Overnight rain and a southerly wind would be ideal for grounded migrants. Instead there were less numbers with a clear out of most birds. However, on St Mary’s, a probable first winter American Herring Gull flew over the Garrison and a Short-toed Lark was found on Peninnis. Both birds briefly in the morning. Two Serins were in fields at Barnaby Lane, St Agnes and the Jack Snipe was at Lower Moors with seven Snipe and the two Mealy Redpolls were on Tresco.
Total of all migrants on all islands: 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 4 Cuckoo, 6 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 26 Willow Warbler, 33 Chiffchaff, Blackcap and 17 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 2 MEALY REDPOLL and 1 Redstart.
ST MARY’S: 1 AMERICAN HERRING GULL, 1 SHORT-TOED LARK, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Cuckoo, 7 Reed Warbler, 7 Sedge Warbler, 6 Willow Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Snipe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Merlin, 2 House Martin, 9 Swallow, 1 Little Egret, and 17 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 2 SERIN, 1 Redstart, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Merlin, 20 Willow Warbler and 20 Chiffchaff.
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April 23rd:
The only birds of note were the two Mealy Redpolls on Tresco and on St Martins the Yellowhammer. A vistit to Bryher produced a Wood Warbler and two Turtle Doves with a single Turtle Dove also on Tresco.
Numbers of some spring migrants on all islands: Swift, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Turtle Dove, Pied Flycatcher, 5 Cuckoo, 1 Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
ST MARY’S: 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Swift, 3 Reed Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 17 Blackcap, 15 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 3 Sand Martin, 1 Merlin, 4 Whimbrel and 13 Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 1 Siskin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo,
TRESCO: 2 MEALY REDPOLL, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo and the Magpie.
ST AGNES: Pied Flycatcher, Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whimbrel, and Swallow.
BRYHER: 1 Wood Warbler, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo
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April 22nd:
Bright sunshine with light south west-westerly. The Mealy Redpolls on Tresco had moved to the horse paddocks near The Abbey and were joined by two Lesser Redpolls. A Redpoll sp? Also flew over St Agnes. The Yellowhammer was feeding with House Sparrows at Little Arthur Farm, St Martins and a Short-eared Owl was on Bryher. At Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, there were 15+Sedge Warblers and on Bryher there was large flock of 70 Whmbrel with 40 on St Agnes.
Totals for some spring migrants on all islands: 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 17 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swift, 2 Reed Warbler, 24 Blackcap and 20 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 2 MEALY REDPOLL and 2 Lesser Redpoll.
ST MARTINS: 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 1 Redstart, 1 Swift, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat and 4 Blackcap.
BRYHER: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Redstart, 4 Blackcap and 70 Whimbrel.
ST MARY’S: 1 Swift, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 16 Sedge Warbler, 8 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 18 Blackcap, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Lapwing, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Merlin, 4 House Martin, 1 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow and 13 Wheatear,
ST AGNES: 1 Redpoll sp? 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 8 Wheatear, 2 Dunlin, 40 Whimbrel and 1 Snipe.
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April 21st:
Drizzle continued from last night to late morning and then it brightened up. Wind direction turned to a light south west-westerly. The highlight of the day was a brief adult Purple Heron in front of the hides at Lower Moors, St Mary’s. It then flew off high over Peninnis Head and out towards St Agnes. Here it was seen to come down in Cove Vean but could not be found despite searching. On St Martins the male Yellowhammer continued to show well and the two Mealy Redpolls were still feeding on the heliport, Tresco. In the fields of Trewince, St Mary’s, the Blue-headed Wagtail was still present. Again common spring migrants were in good numbers. A Firecrest was singing at Porth Hellick with a bird also on Tresco, a female Ring Ouzel was at Giants Castle, the Hoopoe was now in the quarry at Macfarlands Down and single Grasshopper Warblers were reeling at Porth Minnick and Hellick, all on St Mary’s. A Gropper was also on Bryher. A rare site in spring was a summer plumage Water Pipit at Perigils, St Agnes. On this island there were 50 Chiffchaffs and 20 Willow Warbler.
Numbers of some spring migrants on all islands: 4 Swift, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whitethroat, 5 Reed Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 24 Willow Warbler, 61 Chiffchaff and 17 Blackcap.
ST MARY’S: 1 PURPLE HERON, 1 BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL, 1 HOOPOE, 1 FIRECREST, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Lapwing, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Swift, 3 Reed Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 17 Blackcap, 15 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 3 Sand Martin, 1 Merlin, 4 Whimbrel and 13 Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 1 HOOPOE, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, and the Magpie.
TRESCO: 2 MEALY REDPOLL, 1 FIRECREST, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Swift, 1 Redstart and 2 Reed Warbler.
ST AGNES: 1 WATER PIPIT, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Ring Ouzel, 20+Willow Warbler, 50 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 12 Whimbrel, and 20 Swallow.
BRYHER: 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Whitethroat and 7 Whimbrel.
PELAGIC: 1 Great Skua and 2 Manx Shearwater.
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April 20:
A dull day with a fresh east north east wind. A visit in the morning to Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, found good numbers of grounded migrants. The highlights were, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, a Whinchat, a male Ring Ouzel and two male Pied Flycatchers. Over 20 Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Swallows were also in the area. Elsewhere on this island, a female Pied Flycatcher and male Redstart was at Porthloo and two Jack Snipe were at Lower Moors. Turtle Dove, Swift and Tree Pipit were all on Tresco where the redpolls on the heliport were joined by a Lesser Redpoll. Bryher hosted a Whitethroat, Tree Pipit and the Hoopoe. However the highlight was on St Martins. A stunning male Yellowhammer showed down to a few metres feeding in fields at Little Arthur Farm. Also on this island there was, 2 Redstart, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo and a late Fieldfare. A Osprey flew low and toured around Tresco and Bryer.
Totals for some of the migrants on all islands included: 3 Whitethroat, 3 Redstart, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Tree Pipit, 100+ Swallow, 50 Willow Warbler, 30 Chiffchaff, 41 Blackcap, 31 House Martin, 37 Sand Martin and 11 Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 1 BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL, 1 OSPREY, 1HOOPOE, 2 Redstart, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Fieldfare, 1 White Wagtail, 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap,1 Merlin, 6 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Wheatear, 1 Teal and the Magpie.
ST MARY’S: 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Redstart, 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Reed Warbler,1 Tree Pipit, 1 Redwing, 25 Willow Warbler, 17 Chiffchaff, 22 Blackcap, 50 Swallow, 5 House Martin,10 Sand Martin, 7 Wheatear and 1 Kestrel.
TRESCO: 2 MEALY REDPOLL, 1 Lesser Redpoll,1 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 1 Tree Pipit, 10 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 2 Common Sandpiper, 45 Swallow, 20 House Martin and 25 Sand Martin.
BRYHER: 1 HOOPOE, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Whimbrel.
ST AGNES: 10 Blackcap, 1 Wheatear and Gadwall.
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April 19th:
Two Mealy Redpolls feeding with Linnets on the heliport, Tresco, could of involved the Carn Friars bird, St Mary’s, that has been missing for over two weeks now. Only one of the Blue-headed Wagtails was present in fields at Trewince, and at Green Farm the first Turtrle Dove of the year was found, both on St Mary’s. This was followed by one on Tresco. Yesterdays Hoopoes, one on Bryher and one at Pendrathen, St Mary’s, both showed well.
TRESCO: 2 MEALY REDPOLL, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo ,1 Black Redstart ,100+ Swallow and 1 Black Redstart.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL, 1 HOOPOE, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Merlin, 3 House Martin,18 Swallow, 7 Sand Martin,
BRYHER: HOOPOE.
ST MARTINS: 1 HOOPOE, 20 Willow Warbler, 20 Chiffchaff, 6 House Martin, 6 Swallow, 1 Wheatear and 12 Meadow Pipit.
TRESCO: 1 HOOPOE.
ST AGNES: 1 Redstart, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 20 Manx Shearwater and 1 Kestrel.
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April 18th:
The Black Kite and the Red-rumped Swallow were both on St Mary’s this morning. The swallow was seen at Carn Friars briefly then headed up Porth Hellick Down and was not seen again. At Longstones, the kite was observed coming out of a pine and then flew over to Lower Moors. Later in the Morning it was on Tresco but was not reported again during the rest of the day. Bryher hosted yesterdays Hoopoe and the second Little Ringed Plover of the year was on the Great Pool. A Wryneck at Poppelstone Bay maybe the same bird from last week as it was in the area. On St Mary’s a male Firecrest was singing and showing well at Lower Moors and three Blue-headed Wagtails together in the fields opposite Bishop View House turned out to be a Scilly record. All five islands held a single Hoopoe each.
ST MARY’S: 1 BLACK KITE, 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 3 BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL, 1 HOOPOE, 1 FIRECREST, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Reed Warbler, 10 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Merlin and 1 Kestrel.
Willow
BRYHER: 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 1 WRYNECK, 1 HOOPOE and 2 Willow Warbler.
ST MARTINS: 1 HOOPOE, 20 Willow Warbler, 20 Chiffchaff, 6 House Martin, 6 Swallow, 1 Wheatear and 12 Meadow Pipit.
TRESCO: 1 HOOPOE.
ST AGNES: 1 Redstart, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 20 Manx Shearwater and 1 Kestrel.
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April 17th:
South south-easterly breeze and clear blue sky with hazey conditions. Yesterdays Red Kite on St Martins turned out to be a Black Kite. This morning the kite was relocated over Castle Down, Tresco. Throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon it wondered around Tresco making a few visits to Bryher. Early evening and it turned up on St Mary’s and made visits all over the island but favoured Holy Vale/Longstones where it probably roosted. A Red-rumped Swallow at St Lawance Bay, St Martins, also visited St Mary’s and in the evening it was on Tresco. The Hoopoe was still on St Martins and near the school a Wryneck was found. Two new Hoopoes included one at the campsite, Bryher and one in fields on the south side of Tresco. Here the tatty looking first summer Yellow-legged Gull was on Simpsons Field. As usual, when rare birds turn up there is the lack of spring migrants. Of note, a Ring Ouzel, Black Redstart, and Cuckoo were on St Martins and the first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was at Higher Moors, St Mary’s.
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April 16th
TRESCO: 1 BLACK KITE, 1 HOOPOE, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Teal, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap,1 Tufted Duck, 1 House Matin, 9 Whimbrel, 3 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 150 Linnet, and 2 Wheatear.
ST MARTINS: 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 1 WRYNECK,1 HOOPOE, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Cuckoo, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler.
BRYHER: 1 HOOPOE, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Wheatear and 1 Kestrel.
ST MARY’S: 1 Grasshopper Warbler,1 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Merlin, 6 Swallow and 1 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 Yellow Wagtail and 3 White Wagtail.
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April 16th
South south-easterly breeze with clear blue skies. The highlight of the day was the fifteenth record of Red Kite. It flew over The Plains, St Martins, towards the Daymark and back again towards Great Bay. Also here a Hoopoe was on a track obove Middle Town. A Short-toad Lark at Carn Friars and then Kittidown, St Mary’s, will hopefully be the first of many this spring. It is turning out to be a good spring for Wrynecks with the forth bird this time on St Agnes at Troy Town Maize. Yesturdays male Bullfinch could not be found at Lower Moors but it or another was at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, where there was also a Swift, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and yesturdays Garden Warbler. The Hoopoe was still on St Agnes where there was also a male Redstart, two Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail.
ST MARTINS: 1 RED KITE, 1 HOOPOE, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Merlin, 6 Swallow and 1 Kestrel.
ST MARY’S: 1 SHORT-TOAD LARK, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Swift,1 Garden Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 18 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Merlin, 2 Skylark, 7 Wheatear, 6 Swallow, 1 Kestrel and 200 Linnet.
ST AGNES: 1 WRYNECK, 1 HOOPOE,1 Redstart, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 House Martin, 20+ Willow Warbler, 15+ Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, 1 Whimbrel, 20+ Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Wheatear,and 250 Linnet.
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April 15th:
A pleasant day with a light south easterly and broken cloud. A slight increase in some of the migrants. On St Mary’s there were three each of Reed and Sedge Warbler at Porth Hellick. Also here the first Garden Warbler of the year. The second Bullfinch of the year was a male briefly at Lower Moors where there was also the Jack Snipe was. The Hoopoe on St Agnes was still showing well but no sign of the two birds seen yesturday on St Mary’s or the reported Purple Heron on St Martins. Also here a Whitethroat and Redstart. Two Great Northern Divers were off Morning Point and over 100 Song Thrushs were on St Mary’s.
ST MARTINS: 1 Whitethroat, 1 Redstart, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 7 Swallow and 60+ Song Thrush..
ST MARY’S: 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Reed warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Jack Snipe, 17 Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 16 Wheatear, 3 Swallow, 2 Great Northern Diver, 100+ Song Thrush and 6 Snipe.
ST AGNES: 1 HOOPOE, 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, Swallow, 1 House Martin,
Bryher: 3 Whimbrel.
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April 14th:
Showers until mid-morning. The rest of the day turning bright with a south easterly breeze. In the last few days the conditions have been favourable for migrants and overshoots to arrive. A Purple Heron was reported coming in from the Eastern Isles and landed on Pool Green, St Martins. On St Mary’s a rather early Swift was over the airport, with Reed and Sedge Warbler at Porth Hellick and a Whitethroat at Carn Friars. Male Ring Ouzels were seen near the Golf Course and Middle Down where there was also a Redwing. The latter site on Tresco. A male Pied Flycatcher was at Lower Town, St Martins. Two Hoopoes on St Mary’s included one seen flying up Church Road, Hugh Town and appeared to land in gardens of guest houses. The other bird was over Trenoweth Farm, while the long staying bird on St Agnes was still in the Browarth area. The drake Black Duck was seen briefly on the Abbey Pool, Tresco, where the first summer Mediterranean Gull was also. Large numbers of continental Song Thrushs have been on Tresco, (95+) with 35 in one field and St Martins,(60+ ). Some totals on all the islands included 27 Blackcaps, 18 Willow Warblers , 23 Swallow 350+ Linnet
ST MARTINS: 1 PURPLE HERON 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Swallow and 60+ Song Thrush..
ST MARY’S: 2 HOOPOE, 1 Swift, 1 Reed warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Tree Pipit,1 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Water Rail, 8 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap,1 Wheatear, 7 Swallow and 50+ Linnet.
TRESCO: 1 BLACK DUCK, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Common Sandpiper, 12 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Redwing, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 50+ Sandwich Tern, 250 Linnet, 95+ Song Thrush, 30+ Blackbird and 2 Wheatear,
ST AGNES: 1 HOOPOE, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Common Tern, 15 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 10 Wheatear, 50 Linnet,2 Swallow and 25+ Sandwich Tern.
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April 13th:
Light rain throughout the day with a chilly south easterly wind. Only a few birders went out but were rewarded with three Arctic Terns sheltering in Porthcressa Bay, St Mary’s. At the same five were feeding with 35+ Sandwich Tern in Cove Vean, St Agnes. This might be the most that have accured on these islands. The only other birds of note on this island were, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 3 Swallow and 14 Sandwich Tern.
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April 12th:
Cloudy until mid-morning with south east-southerly breeze. Migrants were thin on the ground. At Longstones, St Mary’s, the third Wryneck of the year was found and two Reed Buntings at Little Arthur Farm, St Martins, could be the birds from St Mary’s. The Hoopoe is still on St Agnes and a Yellow Wagtail was on St Martins.
ST MARY’S: 1 WRYNECK, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redwing,1 Melin, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Wheatear and 2 Chiffchaff.
ST AGNES: 1 HOOPOE.
ST MARTINS: 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail,1 Merlin, 1 House Martin, 3 Swallow, 1 Water Rail
5 Willow Warbler , 1 Chiffchaff, 60+ Song Thrush, 3 Wheatear, 30 Meadow Pipit, 10 Sandwich Tern, 60 Sanderling, 150 Linnet and 1 Magpie.
TRESCO: 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 House Martin, 8 Swallow, 8 Sand Martin and 250 Linnet.
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April 11th:
The second Wryneck of the year turned up on the path by Hell Bay, Bryher. At 08:00 a female Marsh Harrier was hunting over the reeds of Porth Hellick then flew off over Kittidown, St Mary’s.
BRYHER: 1 WRYNECK, 2 Ring Ouzel, 1 Whitethroat and Hooded Crow.
ST MARY’S: 1 Female MARSH HARRIER, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Rook, 2 Green Sandpiper, 10 Blackcap, 15+ Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow, 20 Goldfinch and 100+ Linnet.
ST MARTINS: 5 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Merlin, 1 Wheatear, 1 Kestrel and 1 Magpie.
ST AGNES: 15 Meadow Pipit, 20 Purple Sandpiper and 6 Sanderling.
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April 10th:
Light south easterly-east wind. A trip out to various uninhabited islands found a moulting Red-necked Grebe and 6 Great Northern Diver just off Samson. St Helens produced a Black-Throated Diver, Whimbrel and 14 Bar-tailed Godwit. The godwits have been feeding on the flats of St Martins. On St Mary’s, Ring Ouzels were at Porth Hellick and Longstones, where there was also a Redstart. At Maypole, two Black Redstarts were in fields and the Rook was showing down to a few Metres. Two female Reed Buntings and a Sedge Warbler were in the reeds at Porth Hellick. The buntings have been missing for over a month. The Hoopoe and a Black Redstart were on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 2 Ring Ouzel, 2 female Reed Bunting, 1 Redstart, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Sedge Warbler, 25+ Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Rook, 2 Black Redstart, 2 Green Sandpiper, 25+ Wheatear, 3 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Male Merlin, 3 Kestrel, 6 Purple Sandpiper and 12 Sandwich Tern.
UNINHABITED ISLANDS: 1 RED-NECKED GREBE, 1 Black-throated Diver, 6 Great Northern Diver, 1 Whimbrel, 14 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Puffin and 1 Swallow.
ST AGNES: 1 Hoopoe, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Great Northern Diver, 6 Wheatear and 1 Little Egret.
ST MARTINS: 1 Swallow, 1 Blackcap, 6 Meadow Pipit, 15 Greenfinch and 100+ Linnet.
TRESCO: 6 Swallow.
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April 9th:
A brisk cold easterly wind found observers in scarves and gloves. Clear skies until cloud cover mid-afternoon. Many species of migrants have arrived today including, 3 Ring Ouzels, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit and our first Sedge and Reed Warbler. The latter two at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. At the same site, an Osprey flew east at 17.00 and like yesturday, a Redpoll sp also flew over. On the Abbey Pool, Tresco, there was the Mediterranean Gull and the first two Arctic Terns of the year.. The latter is very rare in the spring. However this was all over shadowed by a Savi’s Warbler seen briefly at Porth Hellick. Most of the Linnets have moved on.
ST MARY’S: 1 Savi’s Warbler, 1 Osprey, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Rook, 20+ Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 2 Swallow, 16 Wheatear,1 Jack Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 female Merlin,1 Kestrel and 80+ Wood Pigeon.
TRESCO: 2 Arctic Tern, 1 male Ring Ouzel, 1 Mederritanean Gull, 10 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 10 Sand Martin, 7 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Common Gull, 1 Whooper Swan and 1 Jackdaw.
ST AGNES: 1 Swallow, 1 Redwing, 10 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear and 1 Greenshank.
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April 8th:
It could have been a pleasant day if it was not for a cold south east-easterly wind. Our first Whinchat of the year was on St Agnes where there was also a Redstart. The Hoopoe turned up at Browarth after going missing for a few days. Another Redstart was at the Dump Clump and single Tree Pipits flew over Carn Friars and Porthloo, St Mary’s.
ST MARY’S: 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Redstart, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Rook, 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Chiffchaff, 10 Wheatear and 5 Purple Sandpiper.
ST MARTINS: 1 Male Siskin, 50+ Linnet
ST AGNES: 1 Hoopoe, 1 Whinchat, 1 Redstart and 1 Swallow
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April 7th:
The drake Black Duck was refound at Porth Seal, St Martins, again paired with a female Mallard. Also on this island at Middle Down, there was the first Wood Warbler of the year. A Tree Pipit at Mcfarlands Down was also the first of the year. A flyover redpoll at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, was more than likely the Mealy Redpoll from Carn Friars as it came from that direction. A Jack Snipe showed at Porth Hellick and the female Bullfinch was still on St Agnes..
ST MARTINS: 1 Drake Black Duck, 1 Wood Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 30+ Linnet and 15+ Meadow Pipit.
TRESCO: 2 Swallow, 20+ Sand Martin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Wheatear, 2 Common Gull, 12 Sandwich Tern, 3 Teal, 1 Whooper Swan and 1 Jackdaw.
ST MARY’S: 1 Redpoll sp, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martin, 21 Meadow Pipit, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Snipe, 2 Sandwich Tern .
ST AGNES: 1 Female Bullfinch, 1 White Wagtail,1 male Merlin and 1 Skylark.
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April 6th:
South easterly breeze and sunny all day. No sign of yesturdays Wryneck on the St Martins and the Hoopoe and Mealy Redpoll have not been seen for two days. Firsts for the year included a male Pied Flycatcher at Middle Town, St Martins, Common Sandpipers on three islands, four Whimbrel near Tean and two Green Sandpipers, Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. Ring Ouzel were on Bryer and St Agnes and only one Mediterranean Gull was on the Heliport, Tresco. Over 700 Linnet have arrived including 350+ on St Mary’s.
ST MARTINS: 1 Male Pied Flycatcher, 5 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Skylark, female Sparrowhawk, 50+ Greenfinch and 100+ Linnet.
TRESCO: 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whooper Swan, 2 Common Gull and 2 Sand Martin.
ST AGNES: 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 male Siskin, 6 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear, 1 male Merlin, 5 Sandwich Tern and 350+ Linnet.
BRYER: 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 50+ Linnet and 1 Hooded Crow.
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April 5th:
A touch of south easterly breeze and it turns up an early Wryneck just off Sandy Lane, Middle Town, St Martins. Otherwise it was a very quiet day with few migrants around.
ST MARTINS: 1 Wryneck, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 White Wagtail and 6 Sandwich Tern.
ST MARY’S: 1 Wheatear, 1 female Merlin and 1 male Sparrowhawk.
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April 4th:
It was a very pleasant day with a slight northerly breeze. The first pelagic of the year produced the second record of Blue Fulmar for Scilly. The first was last year in Sep also on a pelagic. Two first year Mediterranean Gulls were on the Heliport, Tresco and a female Bullfinch on St Agnes could be the bird from St Mary’s nearly two weeks ago. A Cuckoo at Holy Vale was the first of the spring. Still present was the Mealy Redpoll at Carn Friars, Jack Snipe at Lower Moors, both St Mary’s and the Hoopoe, St Agnes. Lots of Linnets have arrived.
ST MARY’S: 1 Blue Fulmar,1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Jack Snipe, 11 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 100+ Linnet, 6 Water Rail, female Sparrowhawk, 2 Sand Martin, 10 Snipe, 30+ Kittiwake, 20 Gannet, 30 Fulmar and Common Dolphin.
ST AGNES: Female Bullfinch, 1 Hoopoe, 1 Lapwing, 15 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Linnet.
TRESCO: 2 1st year Mediterranean Gull, 1 Whooper Swan and 2 Willow Warbler.
ST MARTIN: 1 Willow Warbler and Magpie.
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April 3rd:
A north-north westerly breeze with sunshine all day. A two hour vist to Tresco did not produce anything. A late Fieldfare and three Common Gulls were the only birds of note. The Whooper Swan was in a field next to pool road. A Yellow-legged Gull was in the harbour.
Yesturday news: Up to three Ring Ouzels were on St Martins and at Longstones, St Mary’s, there was a Redstart and a Firecrest.
TRESCO: 1 Whooper Swan, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff,male Merlin, 2 Sand Martin, 3 1st summer Common Gull, 10 Sandwich Tern, 1 Alba Wagtail, 3 Teal, pair Tufted Duck, 2 Pairs Pochard, 1 Water Rail, 14 Greenshank, 10 Redshank and 1 Kestrel.
ST MARY’S: 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Siskin, and1 Purple Sandpiper.
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April 2nd:
The wind was still from a northerly direction but brighter spells throughout the day. However birds were still hard to come by.
ST MARY’S: 1 Black Redstart, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, female Merlin, 2 Peregrine and 1 Water Rail.
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April 1st:
A strong west-north west wind and at midday a short period of blustery rain. This made birding differcult. As a result on St Mary’s only a single Willow Warbler with three Chiffchaff could be found at Porth Hellick. Also at this site already a female Mallard had 12 duckings.
ST MARY’S: 1 Manx Shearwater,1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Sand Martin and female Merlin.
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March 31st:
The Woodchat on Tresco could only be found in the morning. Those looking for it saw the first Redstart of the spring. A Whitethroat on the Garrison could prove to be the earlist arrival date ever recorded. Last night there were clear skies with a south easterly breeze. The next morning found more Willow Warbler with 20+ just around the hides of Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. Only one on Tresco but that was because everyone was trying to look for the Shrike. St Agnes produced 10 and also here the Hoopoe was on the cricket pitch. The Mealy Redpoll at Carn Friars, a Jack Snipe and Firecrest at Lower Moors, all on St Mary’s, were the only other highlights.
TRESCO: 1 Woodchat Shrike, 1 Redstart, 1 Slavonian Grebe,1 Wheartear, 5 Great Northern Diver, 21 Sandwich Tern and 1 Magpie.
ST MARY’S: 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Firecrest,40+ Willow Warbler,5 Chiffchaff, 4 Sand Martin, 1 Wheatear, 1 Redwing,7 Goldfinch, 5 Goldcrest and 2 Teal
ST AGNES: 1 Hoopoe, 5 Black Reds, 10 Willow Warbler, 20+ Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 10 Wheatear and 1 Skylark.
BRYER: 1 Magpie..
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March 30th:
A light cold north-easterly wind. Our first March record of a Woodchat Shrike was found in the small valley just before Cromwells Castle. It showed very well at close range. On St Martins, three Rook were present and the Magpie was seen in the afternoon after making the short flight to Porth Hellick, St Mary’s, in the Morning. A flock of 10 Redwing was a large number for this time of year at Lower Moors. Also here there was a Firecrest and a small count of Willow Warbler. Holly Blues were on the wing but the first to be seen was seen last week.
TRESCO: 1 Woodchat Shrike, 1 Swallow and 1 Kestrel.
ST MARTINS: 3 Rook, 7 Willow Warbler, 5+ Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, female Merlin, 8 Sandwich Tern and 1 Magpie.
ST MARY’S: 1 Firecrest, 15+ Willow Warbler, 25 Chiffchaff, 10 Redwing, 5 Purple Sandpiper.
ST AGNES: 5 Willow Warbler and 2 Wheatear.
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March 29th:
A Siberian Chiffchaff showed well at Porth Hellick feeding with Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. On St Martins a Crossbill flew over Middle Down.
ST MARY’S: 1 Siberian hiffchaff, 20+ Willow Warbler, 24 Chiffchaff, 2 Black Reds, 13 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap 5 White Wagtail and 1 Pied Wagtail.
ST MARTIN: 1 Crossbill, 18 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 4 White Wagtail.
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March 28th:
Drizzle throughout the day with thick fog and a light south-easterly breeze. A Yellow Wagtail and Firecrest were both at Lower Moors. A flighty male Ring Ouzel was at Morning Piont, Garrison but the first of the year was yesturday on St Martins. The Water Pipit was relocated on Porth Hellick beach. It is starting to show a pink flush on the breast.
ST MARY’S: 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Firecrest, 3 Black Reds, 7 Wheatear, 8 Willow Warbler and 30+ Chiffchaff.
ST MARTINS: 1 Rook, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Weatear and 4 Sandwich Tern.
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March 27th:
Moderate easterly breeze and poor visibility. An overnight shower found good numbers of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs in the morning. At Lower Moors there was, 20+ Snipe and two Jack Snipe. Its been four weeks to this day that the Hoopoe has been on St Agnes. Also here there was a male Siskin.
ST MARY’S: 13 Willow Warbler, 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Redpoll sp? 33 Chiffchaff, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Black Redstart, 2 Wheataer, 1 Pied Wagtail, female Merlin, 8 Water Rail, 5 Goldcrest, 6 Goldfinch and 4 Greenshank.
ST AGNES: 1 Hoopoe, 1 Siskin, 3 Sand Martin, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap.
TRESCO: 1 Rook, 1 Whooper Swan, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Female Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard and 2 Teal.
ST MARTINS: 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Sandwich Tern, 1 Black Redstart, 6 Blackcap, male Merlin and female Sparrowhawk.
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March 26th
Hazy conditions with a moderate easterly breeze. From 165 Black Reds nine days ago to only 10 today. Robins have also moved on. The Hoopoe was still on St Agnes and on Tresco there was a House Martin, two Willow Warbler and three Whooper Swan. Here also the Rook was still at the heliport.
ST MARY’S: 1 female Reed Bunting, 7 Black Reds, 1 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, LNY: 1 Painted Lady.
ST AGNES: 1 Hoopoe, 1 Black Redstart, 5 White Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Purple Sandpiper and female Merlin.
TRESCO: 1 Rook, 3 Whooper Swan, 1 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Black Reds.
MINCARLO: 20 Puffin.
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March 25th
Numbers of Black Reds and Robins well down in numbers now. However the Hoopoe was still at the Periglis area, St Agnes. On St Mary’s, the Mealy Redpoll proved elusive at Carn Friars but in the next field from the Redpoll, a female Reed Bunting showed well. Two Wilow Warblers and a Firecrest were at Porth Hellick. Late news yesturday: First House Martin of the spring at Porth Hellick, St Mary’s. Also a Willow Warbler here.
ST MARY’S: 1 female Reed Bunting, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Firecrest, 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Black Reds, 6 White Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 17 Chiifchaff , 1 Fieldfare and 20 Meadow Pipit.
ST MARTINS: 2 White Wagtail, 6 Skylark and Magpie.
ST AGNES: 1 Hoopoe, 50 Robin, 1 Black Redstart and 1 Wheatear.
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24th March
The wind had swung around to light a south-westerly. For the last few days it has been hazey. Today you could only just make out the other islands from St Mary’s. No sign of the Black Duck or Hoopoe on St Martins and there was only one Firecrest in Holy Vale.
ST MARYS: 5 Sand Martin, 1 Firecrest, 80 Robin, 28 Black Reds, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, male Merlin,
ST MARTINS: 1 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, 50 Robin, 2 Black Reds, 2 White Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 6 Skylark, 1 Merlin, 2 Kestrel,1 Magpie
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23rd March
Cloud cover with a moderate east-south-easterlies but by the afternoon the wind had dropped a little. A drake Black Duck was refound at Porth Seal, St Martins having been missing since late December last year. It showed very well feeding in large rock pools and seems to have paired with a female Mallard. A female Bullfinch was feeding in the small orchard at Holy Vale where there was also three Firecrest. Swallows were coming in off the sea at St Martins and a singing Willow Warblers was at Abbey Road, Tresco and two on St Agnes The Rook was still on St Martins while an additional bird was on the Heliport, Tresco. Majority of Robins and Black Reds have moved on and there was no sign of the Bluethroat on Gugh.
ST MARYS: Female Bullfinch, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 3 Firecrest, 4 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin, 26 Black Redstart, 25 Wheatear, 23 White Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail and 15 Chiffchaff.
ST MARTINS: Drake Black Duck, 1 Hoopoe, 1 Rook, 6 Swallow, 80 Robin, 22 Black Reds, 3 White Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 12 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 30 Meadow Pipit, 15 Skylark, female Merlin, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing and 200 Sanderling.
ST AGNES: 1 Hoopoe,and 1 Swallow, 2 Wiilow Warbler, 150 Robin, 10 Black Reds, 15 White wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 5 Skylark, 1 Fieldfare and 6 Redwing.
TRESCO: 1 Rook, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whooper Swan, 4 Black Reds, 1 Wheatear, 1 drake Shoveler, female Merlin, 5 Sandwich Tern, 7 Greenshank and 15 Redshank.
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22nd March
The Bluethroat proved to be very elusive on Gugh and was seen three times only in flight during five hours. While observers were waiting for the Bluethroat, a Hoopoe flew overhead towards Cove vean St Agnes. Here the other Hoopoe appeared in the Meadow with the other one still around in the Periglis area showing extremely down to 10ft. Most migrants seem to be filtering outalthough 100 Robin were still on St Martins. Strong east-south easterlies with mostly cloud cover all day.
ST MARYS: 80 Robin, 32 Black Reds, 25 White Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail, 8 Wheatear, 15 Chiffchaff, 36 Stock Dove and 40 Wood Pigeon.
ST AGNES: 2 Hoopoe, 50+ Robin, 10 Black Reds, 20 White Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail and 20 Chiffchaff.
GUGH: 1white-spotted Bluethroat, 1 Hoopoe, 15 Robin and 6 Black Reds.
ST MARTINS: 1 Hoopoe, 1 Rook, 100 Robin, 2 Black Reds,14 Chiffchaff, 14 Meadow Pipit and Magpie.
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21st Mar
The second record of a white-spotted Bluethroat turned up near the bar on Gugh. Itshowed well on and off on rocks. It may of arrived with the fall of Robin a few days ago. The first record was also a male and arrived a day later, 35 years ago, 22nd March 1968, on neighbouring St Agnes. Altogether 500 Robin were counted on St Marys, St Agnes and St Martins making this largest count sofar. It is thought that these birds have been present since the influx began. St Agnes produced 300 of them,200 more than normal and this is because it was well covered. A Swallow at Middle Down, St Martins wasthe first of the year and two Sand Martin flew through Trenoweth, St Marys. There has also been an increasein Song Thrush with small flocks around. The Water Pipit was still at Porth Hellick, St Marys.
ST MARYS: 100 Robin, 58 Black Reds, 2 Sand Martin, 6 White Wagtail and 3 Wheatear.
ST AGNES: 1 Hoopoe, 300 Robin, 15 RedsBlack , 40 WhiteWagtail and 20 Chiffchaff.
GUGH: 1 white-spotted Bluethroat.
ST MARTINS: 1 Hoopoe, 1 Swallow, 1 Rook, 100 Robin, 4 Black Reds, 2 White Wagtail,4 Blackcap, 50+ Meadow Pipit, 3 Skylark and 1 Sandwich Tern.
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20th Mar
Still large numbers of Robin and BlackRedstart as a stroll around the Garrison, St Marys, proved. Over 100 Robin seen, 50 of them on thecampsite. Twenty Black Reds on the rocks surrounding the Garrison. Altogether 0ver 200 Robin were counted onthe island with half this number on St Agnes and neither islands were covered properly. No vists to Bryer and St Martins although the Hoopoe was still onthe latter island. Both Kestrel and Linnetare starting to increase on the islands. A Puffin off St Agnes was the first of the year and arrived a weekearlier than last years birds. Twounusual observations were, a singing Black Redstart on St Agnes and up to 9 Great Northern Diver were heard off Innisidgen. The wind was still and variable froma northly direction but it turned out to be our warmist and sunniest day sofar. Butterflies took avantage of thisand Peacock, Small Tortoiseshall and Large White were all seen on St Marys.
ST MARYS: 206 Robin, 76 Black Reds, 23 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap.,3 Wheatear, 6 White Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail, 6 Redwing, 3 Skylark, 10 PurpleSandpiper, 20 Linnet, 3 Kestrel and 50+ Wood Pigeon.
ST AGNES: 1 Hoopoe, 1 Firecrest, 1 Puffin, 100+ Robin,20 Black Reds, 40 White Wagtail, 6 Blackcap, 3 Golden Plover and 1 Kerstrel.
TRESCO: 1 Little Ringed Plover.
ST MARTINS: 1 Hoopoe.
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19th March
Highlights today included 2 Hoopoes on St Agnes with the Periglis bird still present and the other bird in the Meadow . A Hoopoe was also at Lawrence Bay, St Martins. Two Reed Buntings wereinfront of the hides at Porth Hellick and a single was near the cricket pitch,St Agnes. The Rook on St Martins has been feeding on bird tables at Higher Town. This morning at 08.00 on Porthloo Beach, 16 Black Reds were present. Two hours later 30 were seen. By 14.00 this had increased to over 50. Birds were arriving all the time during the day including White Wagtails and Wheatears. Robins were everywhere on St Marys and only half of this island was covered. Of the 6 Willow Warblers on St Martins two were singing. Only the Great Pool was covered on Tresco – therefore, only a few Robins and Black Reds were seen. Three Firecrest have arrived with an increase in Wood Pigeon to.
St Marys: 2 ReedBunting, 240 Robin, 125 Black Reds, 20 White Wagtail, 15 Pied Wagtail, 16 Wheatear, 35 Chaffinch, 26Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 60 Wood Pigeon and Firecrest.
St Agnes: 2 Hoopoe, 1 Reed Bunting, 100+Robin, 20 Black Reds, 40 White Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 40 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 30 WoodPigeon, 2 Firecrest, 9 Skylark, 2 Grey Wagtail, 10 Redwing, 3 Fieldfareand a Sparrowhawk.
St Martins:1 Hoopoe, 6 WillowWarbler, 1 Rook, 1 Short-eared Owl, 30 Robin, 20 Black Reds, 10 White Wagtail, 12 Chiffchaff, 30 Wood Pigeon, 17 Skylark, 3 Fieldfare, 1Merlin, 2 Woodcock, and 4 Sandwich Tern.
Tresco: 1 LittleRinged Plover, 1 Whooper Swan and4 Great Northern Diver. Few Robin and Black Reds.
The very high numbers of spring passagepasserine migrants such as White Wagtails, Robins and Black Redstarts arepresumably a result of the recentstrong easterly airstream pushing thesebirds west as they head north in whathave been ideal conditions on the continent.
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18th Mar
Mealy Redpoll still at Carn Friers. Hoopoe still at Periglis and a Brambling, St Agnes. 1 Willow Warbler, 80 Black Reds, 150 Robin, 20 White Wagtail, 21 Chiffchaff, 35 Chaffinch, 3 Wheatear and 2 Sandwich Tern, St Marys. 20 Black Reds, 100 Robin, 40 White Wagtail,3 Chiffchaff and 40 Chaffinch, St Agnes. The same numbers of Robins were seen today, as yesterday, but only St Marys and St Agnes were observed. The Hoopoe showed very well on St Agnes and five Robins were picked up dead. Arriving too exhausted to carry on.
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17th Mar
2 Hoopoes on St Agnes with singles at Carn Near, Tresco and on St Marys at Trenoweth, Ennor close area and Carn Friars. Little-ringed Plover, 5 Sand Martin and Whooper Swan, Tresco. Yellow Wagtail on St Martins. 4 Willow Warbler on St Marys.
This is the total of birds on all these islands: Bryer, Tresco, St Martins, St Marys and St Agnes.
165 Black Redstart,
250 Robin,
80 White Wagtail,
110 Meadow Pipit,
8 Grey Wagtail,
35 Chiffchaff,
50 Wheatear.
This is the best fall of Black Reds and Robins we have ever recorded on the Scillies in spring. The Robins were all continental birds and the L-r Plover is the first since April 2001. All birders over here are looking foward to tomorrow. Hopefully more Hoopoes will be found and maybe something rarer.
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16th Mar
Hoopoe at Browarth, St Agnes.
19 Black Redstart, Bryher with 4 on St Marys.
16 Wheatear, Bryher with 4 on St Marys.
2 Short-eared Owls, Tresco with a single at Mcfarlands Down.
2nd cy Yellow-Legged Gull on airfield, St Marys.
Mealy Redpoll still at Carn Friers as well as the Water Pipit at Porth Hellick.
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14th Mar
Rook and Magpie, St Martins.
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13th March
31 Wheatears on St Marys
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11th Mar
Mealy Redpoll, (Flammea flammea), Carn Friers;
Hoopoe still on St. Agnes
Red-neckeck Grebe, Carn Near,
6 Whooper Swans and Black Redstart, Tresco.
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10th Mar
Water Pipit and Short-eared Owl, Porth Hellick
7 Purple Sandpiper, Quay.
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9th March
Hoopoe still on St. Agnes
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7th March
2nd W Little Gull, Carn Near;
6 Whooper Swan, Gt. Pool;
Water Pipit, Porthellick
No sign American Wigeon on Tresco
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27th February
Arrival of Hoopoes, 1 – 3 on St. Mary’s, 1 on St. Agnes
4 male White Wagtails, St. Mary’s
Firecrest Porthloo
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23rd January
Waxwing Buzza Hill, moving to Ram’s Valley next day remaining until 25th. First since 1996
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