A Look at the Islands’ birding highlights of 2004
15th December:
Joe Pender, a local boatman, found a Velvet Scoter near Tresco. On the trip over to try to see it the Surf Scoter, originally seen at the end of November, was relocated. At least 2 Black Redstarts are at Old Town Beach and 2 on Porthcressa.
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13th December:
A trip on the Wizard on a still day produced some good birds and some interesting counts as we were able to get around to a number of islands in a short time and assess some numbers of the more common birds. We hope to do this again in the New Year.
Little Egrets were seen spread around the shore line with at least 21 birds. In the Roads were 4 Mute Swan and the drake Black Duck was re-found alongside 3 Shoveler (1 male 2 female). On the rocks just off the Tresco shore line were 100+ Great Black Backed gulls and around 150 Herring Gull and at least 6 Common Gulls along with 300+ Oystercatcher and small groups of Teal & Shelduck. 5 Grey plover were on Skirt Island & over 80 Curlew near Tean. Then 2 Long-tail Duck were seen near Tean which flew off towards Eastern Isles. Whilst following them 3 Red-breasted Merganser flew past and another Long-tail Duck was seen. On a rock off the east end of St Matins were 9 Grey Heron with 15 Shelduck nearby.
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9th December:
A visit to Tresco produced a pair of Long-tailed Duck off Tean. The drake BLACK DUCK was relocated at the Great Pool after going missing for two weeks and was observed mating with a female Mallard. There also 2 Pintail, 13 Redshank, 8 Wigeon, 1 Tufted Duck and 8 Pochard here. Up to 40 Fieldfare were at New Grimbsy and the unusual first winter Common Gull was briefly seen at Abbey Pool.
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8th December:
Eight Swallows included 6 at Pool Green on St Martins and 2 were flying around Hugh Town. The female BLACK DUCK was showing well at Newford. Two Lapwings were at Telegraph and off Innisidgen there were 2 Slavonian Grebes and 3 Great Northern Divers. .
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7th December:
On St Agnes there was a Jack Snipe by the pool.
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6th December:
The unusual first winter Common Gull returned to the golf course while just down the road at Newford Duck Pond the female BLACK DUCK was still present. The Dump Clump held the tristis ‘type’ Chiffchaff and the Firecrest with another of the latter species at Lower Moors. Another 3 Firecrests were on St Agnes with a small number of Chiffchaffs.
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5th December:
The BLACK DUCK was still present at Newford Duck Pond and the unusual Common Gull was loafing around the quay with Herring Gulls again where there was also a Black Redstart and there were 2 Swallows and Black Redstart at Little Porth.
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4th December:
The BLACK DUCK at Newford Duck Pond has been identified as a adult female. The unusual Common Gull was seen briefly at the quay with 50+Herring Gulls.
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3rd December:
The first winter Common Gull showing characteristics of Kamchatka Gull was observed for ten minutes flying around the quay with Herring Gulls before flying off towards Tresco. Amazingly a BLACK DUCK at Newford Duck Pond turned out to be a different bird to the drake that was present at the same site last week. Today’s individual was thought to be a first winter female or drake.
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2nd December:
An abietinus ‘type’ Chiffchaff and 34 Snipe were at Lower Moors. Single Black Redstarts were at Little Porth and Porth Mellon.
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1st December:
Yesterdays Swallow or another was at Porth Hellick.
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30th November:
A Swallow was at the quay and there were up to 7 Wigeons at Porth Hellick and 65 Snipe at Lower Moors.
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29th November:
Bright and warm with a NE breeze. Swallows included 2 on The Garrison and 3 at Lower Moors. Nearby at the Dump Clump there was a tristis ‘type’ Chiffchaff and a Firecrest feeding with 10+Chiffchaffs. The first winter female SURF SCOTER was relocated off Tean and there was a Snow Bunting at Tresco Heliport. The unusual first winter Common Gull was still present at the golf course.
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28th November:
The highlight of a quiet day was the SURF SCOTER off Porthloo. A single Brambling was with 10 Skylarks at Carn Friars.
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27th November:
The BLACK DUCK was showing very well at Newford and the SURF SCOTER was now favouring the Porthloo area. A first winter Iceland Gull at Periglis on St Agnes was the first for Scilly in nearly three years. The unusual Common Gull remained at the golf course and there are now 3 Purple Sandpipers at the quay.
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26th November:
A drake BLACK DUCK was discovered at Newford Duck Pond with the local Mallards and showed very well. The SURF SCOTER had moved to Porthloo and the unusual Common Gull was still present at the golf course. There were still 4 Black Redstarts at Little Porth with another 3 at Old Town Beach.
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25th November:
At Porth Hellick a BITTERN was observed flying across the pool and land at the edge where it briefly showed well before disappearing into the reeds. The SURF SCOTER was off the lifeboat slipway at Porth Mellon and the unusual Common Gull was showing well at the golf course. There were 2 adult Common Gulls at Porthloo, 4 Skylark at Telegraph and 8 Wigeon at Porth Hellick. Five wild swans flew high over Higher Moors heading NE and were thought to be Bewick’s. A Purple Sandpiper off the quay wall was the first of the winter.
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24th November:
Both the SURF SCOTER off the quay wall and the unusual Common Gull at the golf course were still present. The Wryneck on The Garrison looks like it could be set to winter and there were up to 4 Black Redstarts, including a stunning male, at Little Porth.
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23rd November:
A first winter female SURF SCOTER showed very well at close range off the quay wall throughout the afternoon. The Firecrest was still at the Dump Clump and the Cetti’s Warbler was heard at Porth Hellick. The unusual first winter Common Gull was still favouring the golf course.
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22nd November:
Two tristis Chiffchaffs were new on St Agnes. One was at Cove Vean and the other was at Periglis. Two Firecrests were at the Dump Clump with a single at Lower Moors and a Jack Snipe was in a garden at Porthloo. The unusual Common Gull remained on the golf course.
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21st November:
The unusual Common Gull was still present at the golf course and there was Firecrest on St Agnes.
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20th November:
The unusual first winter Common Gull was still favouring the golf course. The tristis ‘type’ Chiffchaff was with 6 Chiffchaff at the Dump Clump and there was a single Firecrest, 16 Teal and 20+Snipe at Lower Moors. A Black Redstart was at Old Town Beach.
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19th November:
The Unusual First Winter Common Gull showing several charactertrics of kamtchatschensis was seen three times briefly at the golf course
During the day. The adult Common Gull was jioned by a first winter at Porthloo and there was a single Black Redstart was at Porth Mellon.
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18th November:
The Unusual First Winter Common Gull showing several charactertrics of kamtchatschensis showed very well throughout the day at the golf course. Two Firecrests were at the Dump Clump. An adult Common Gull was at Porthloo and there wee 2 Lapwing and 20+Golden Plover at the golf course. Up to 7 Black Redstarts were at Little Porth.
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17th November:
A Little Bunting was discovered at The Meadow on St Agnes where it showed very well and the Wryneck was still present at Morning Point on the Garrison. A medium sized gull was found commuting from the golf course and Trewince fields along Porthloo Lane. It looked like a bulky Common Gull, (canus) and showed strong characteristics of the far eastern race kamtschatschenis. The bird showed very well in the dull light at the golf course on and off in the afternoon. From the 9th November it has been very briefly seen flying over the same area a few times and was first thought to be a Ring-billed Gull but was never tracked down until now.
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15th November:
The highlights were all at the Dump Clump. These included the tristis ‘ type’ Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrests and a Yellow-browed Warbler. Another Firecrest was in Hugh Town, there were still 7 Wigeon at Porth Hellick but only 7 Black Redstarts were at Little Porth/Porthcressa.
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14th November:
The Little Auk was still at Porthcressa where there was also a late Swallow and 12 Golden Plover. Up to 7 Lapwings were at Watermill and a scan into The Roads produced a single Slavonian Grebe and 4 Great Northern Divers. Over 30 Black Redstarts were on St Mary’s with 12 of them at Porthcressa.
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13th November:
A Little Auk arrived at Porthcressa Bay in the late afternoon. Up to 14 Black Redstarts were also here with 6 at Old Town Bay and 4 at Porthmellon. Two Firecrests wee in Hugh Town and there were 50+Fieldfare at Telegraph.
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12th November:
A Short-eared Owl and two Jack Snipes were at Lower Moors. Later the owl was seen over the airfield.
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11th November:
Overcast with a light NW wind. Two tristis ‘type’ Chiffchaffs included the one at Lower Moors with 12 Chiffchaffs and a new bird at the Dump Clump with 5 Chiffchaffs. During the morning there were groups of Fieldfares, Redwings and Starlings coming in off the sea and with them were smaller numbers of Chaffinches and Skylarks. There was also an increase in Black Redstarts including 17 at Porthcressa and 7 at Old Town Beach with ones and twos elsewhere. A first winter Common Gull was at the latter site.
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10th November:
Bright spells with a very strong NE, F6-7. Two Black Redstarts were at Telegraph with a single at the Dump and up to 6 at Old Town Beach and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard at Porth Hellick.
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9th November:
The LESSER YELLOWLEGS was back at Trenoweth in the morning and returned again in the afternoon. At Higher Moors there was a yacutensis ‘type’ Willow Warbler and nearby at Porth Hellick there was a Reed Bunting and maybe 2 Cetti’s Warblers with 6 Wigeon on the pool. An tristis ‘type’ Chiffchaff was feeding with 10+Chiifchaff at Lower Moors and 4 Black Redstarts were at Old Town Beach with another 6 at Little Porth and a single at Porth Mellon. A Redstart was at Ennor Close and there were more Fieldfares and Redwings in.
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8th November:
The LESSER YELLOWLEGS made a brief visit from Lower Moors to Trenoweth and was observed on the dirt track in the small puddles before returning back to Lower Moors. The Serin was still at Carn Friars, the Wryneck was still at the Woolpack and there were 2 Firecrests at Lower Moors and 3 Black Redstarts including a stunning male at Old Town Beach.
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7th November:
The Wryneck reappeared at the Woolpack at The Garrison. Both the Serin at Carn Friars and LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Lower Moors were still present.
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6th November:
The Yellow-browed Warbler was with only 15+Chiffchaffs at Lower Moors and nearby the LESSER YELLOWLEGS remained. There are less numbers of both Black Redstarts and Robins.
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5th November:
Smaller numbers of Chiffchaffs indicated that there had been a big clear out overnight. At Lower Moors the LESSER YELLOWLEGS was still present and there was a single Firecrest at the Dump Clump. The Serin was still at Carn Friars.
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4th November;
A visit to St Martins produced a first winter Ring-billed Gull at Higher Town Beach, A female Long-tailed Duck off English Island Point, 8 Snow Buntings on White Island and at Pool Green the WAXWINGS had increased to 5. Also on the island there were over 500 Robins, 100+Chiffchaffs, 15+Black Redstarts and a single Firecrest. At Lower Moors there was a late Swallow and the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and the female Redstart was still present at Old Town Beach.
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3rd November:
The WAXWING was relocated at the allotments feeding on fallen apples next to the incinerator and 2 Jack Snipes and the LESSER YELLOWLEGS were showing down to a few metres in front of the hides at Lower Moors. Also here a single Siskin and 3 Bramblings flew over, the Reed Bunting was only heard and thee was only 1 Firecrest. A female Redstart was feeding with 10 Black Redstarts at Old Town Beach.
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2nd November:
The LESSER YELLOWLEGS had moved from the Shooters Pool to the main pool at Lower Moors where there were also a Reed Bunting heard. Nearby in the woods there were over 150 Chiffchaffs, 8 Woodcock, 3 Firecrests and a single Yellow-browed Warbler. At the Dump Clump both the Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler remained with 2 Firecrests and Bramblings and 20+Chiffchaffs and the Serin was still at Carn Friars.
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1st November:
The 12 WAXWINGS were still favouring The Parsanage area on St Agnes with the other 4 still present at Pool Green on St Martins. A Red-breasted Flycatcher joined the Yellow-browed Warbler at the Dump Clump. The Wryneck remained at the Woolpack on The Garrison and the Serin was still at Carn Friars.
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31st October:
The PALLID SWIFT that roosted on a carn at The Maze on St Agnes was observed flying off strongly east just after light. Nearby there were up to 12 WAXWINGS commuting with The Parsanage and Castella Down making this the biggest flock ever recorded on Scilly while at the same time there were 4 at Pool Green on St Martins. This island also produced a Ortolan Bunting at The Plains and a Dotterel at Daymark. The Grey Phalarope remained in Porthcressa Bay.
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30th October:
It was only a matter of time that a PALLID SWIFT would be discovered with so many on the mainland. In the early afternoon one arrived over Longstones before being relocated commuting with The Garrison and Peninnis for over an hour. Later it turned up on St Agnes and was observed going to roost in a carn at The Maze. If accepted this will be the forth Scilly record and the first to be recorded in the autumn. Severn mobile WAXWINGS were in the Old Town/Carn Morvel area. The Red-backed Shrike was at Lower Moors, the Serin was still at Carn Friars, the Yellow-browed Warbler was at the Dump Cump and there were still large numbers of Black Redstarts around with over 30 at Old Town Beach and over 50 at Porthcreesa Beach where there was also the Grey Phalarope.
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15th October:
Heavy showers throughout the day with a fresh NW wind. The CREAM-COLOURED COURSER at the Golf course was still in bad shape and birders were feeding it worms. On Bryher the Ortolan Bunting reappeared in fields near the football pitch with the GREENLAND REDPOLL nearby. Only one of the Barred Warblers was present on St Agnes and the Northern Willow Warbler was favouring Gugh Bar.
ST MARY’S: 1 CREAM-COLOURED COURSER, 1 Serin, 2 Common Rosefinch and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers.
BRYHER: 1 GREENLAND REDPOLL, 1 Ortolan Bunting and 2 Lesser Redpoll.
ST AGNES: 1 Barred Warbler and 1 Northern Willow Warbler.
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14th October:
Showers and bright spells with a fresh NW wind. At Little Arther Farm on St Martins, the probable RADDE’S WARBLER was confirmed. The individual at Carn Friars was only reported but in the same area yesterdays Serin showed well. A single Common Rosefinch was at Telegraph with the one at Trenoweth still present where there was also a Yellow-browed Warbler in the same field. The CREAM-COLOURED COURSER was not looking in good shape as it sheltered under a bench from the blustery conditions at the Golf course. The GREENLAND REDPOLL on Bryher had moved to the Dump and Northern Willow Warblers were reported from St Agnes and Higher Moors where there was also the Siberian Chiffchaff. From video footage the Marsh Warbler found at Lower Moors on the 12th October, has been identified as an Eastern type Reed Warbler and probably CASPIAN REED WARBLER, (fuscus).
ST MARY’S: 1 CREAM-COLOURED COURSER, 1 RADDE’S WARBLER, 1 Serin, 1 Northern Willow Warbler, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Grey Phalarope, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Little Stint, 1 Rook, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Common Rosefinch, 2 Firecrest, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Brambling, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Wryneck, 3 Snow Bunting, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Garden Warbler, 5 Jack Snipe, 11 Black Redstart, 25+Water Rail, 30+Redwing, 40+Fieldfare, 40+Chiffchaff and 100+Goldcrest.
BRYHER: 1 GREENLAND REDPOLL, 1 Lapland Bunting and 1 Redstart.
TRESCO: 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Spotted Crake, 1 Buzzard, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Black Redstart,
ST AGNES: 1 Northern Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 40+Ciffchaff.
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13th October:
An exhausted Corncrake was on show in a field at Newford with a more active bird on Tresco. A Serin was feeding in the same field as the RADDE’S WARBLER at Carn Friars and there was a Common Rosefinch was at Trenoweth. Another Barred Warbler joined the one already present on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 1 Corncrake, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Common Rosefinch, 2 Wryneck, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler and 6 Jack Snipe.
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12th October:
A one eyed Marsh Warbler showed extremely well in front of over 150 birders at Lower Moors and a Quail was flushed from a garden on The Garrison. The RADDE’S WARBLER was proving hard to get as it spent most of its time hiding in a turnip field at Carn Friars. In the same field a Corncrake showed well on and off. Up to 3 Red-breasted Flycatcher were recorded with singles on Tresco, St Martins and the individual was still present with the Yellow-browed Warbler at Lower Broom on The Garrison. Only the St Agnes Barred Warbler remained and there were 2 of each Lapland and Snow Buntings at Giants Castle with a Richard’s Pipit reported from the airfield nearby. There was a small fall of Redstarts with a count of 25+ from only three islands, a late Swift was on Bryher and over 100 Chiffchaffs were on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 1 CREAM-COLOURED COURSER, 1 RADDE’S WARBLER, 1 Marsh Warbler, 1 Quail, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Short-toed Lark, 1 Richard Pipit, 1 Buzzard, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Rook, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Bunting, 2 Brambling, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Wryneck, 7 Ring Ouzel, 7 Jack Snipe, 8 Woodcock, 8 Black Redstart, 9 Firecrest, 10 Redstart and 10 Wheatear.
BRYHER: 1 GREENLAND REDPOLL, 1 Ortolan Bunting, 1 Easten Redstart, 1 Swift, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Ring Ouzel, 2 Black Redstart and 10 Redstart.
TRESCO: 1 Eastern Redstart, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Spotted Crake, 1 Little Stint, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler and 3 Pintail.
ST AGNES: 1 Barred Warbler, 1 Common Rosefinch, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Firecrest, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Redstart, 2 Whinbrel, 3 Black Redstart and 100+Chiffchaff.
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11th October:
Patchy rain with a moderate ENE wind. A lot more Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs and winter thrushes have arrived and with them continental Song Thrushes. A total of 3 Barred Warblers were found, with singles on St Agnes, Bryher and Tresco but the highlight was a RADDE’S WARBLER which showed well at Carn Friars. Many birders went to have a look at the GREENLAND REDPOLL , Ortolan Bunting and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers on Bryher, which were all still present and as result they also discovered an Eastern Redstart, ( samamisicus) and the first Red-breasted Flycatcher of the year at Fraggle Rock followed by another at Porth Mellon on St Mary’s. Another Eastern Redstart was on Tresco. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at Higher Moors, there was a Ring Ouzel in a garden in Hugh Town, the first Woodcocks of the autumn were singles at Holy Vale and Porth Hellick and the 3 Bramblings on St Martins were also the first of the autumn.
ST MARY’S: 1 RADDE’S WARBLER, 1 CREAM-COLOURED COURSER, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1 Short-toed Lark, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Hobby, 1 Mediterranean Shearwater, 1 Wryneck, 1 Rook, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Ring Ouzel, 2 Firecrest, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Merlin, 2 Woodcock, 3 Redstart, 6+Water Rail, 7 Black Redstart, 35+Chiffchaff, 50+Redwing, 60+Goldcrest and 300+Fieldfare.
BRYHER: 1 GREENLAND REDPOLL, 1 Barred Warbler, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler and samamisicus Redstart.
TRESCO: 1 Barred Warbler, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Yellow-browed warbler,1 samamisicus Redstart and 1 Black Redstart.
ST AGNES: 1 Barred Warbler, 1 Common Rosefinch and, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler.
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10th October:
Overcast with a very strong E wind, F8. Osprey, Buzzard, 2 Hobbies, 2-3 Short-eared Owls, 5+Merlins and a single Sparrowhawk were all reported from various islands as the birds moved around. One Short-eared Owl showed very well in pines next to Star Castle while another flew past nearby. Highlights included the GREENLAND REDPOLL, an Ortalan Bunting and a Yellow-browed Warbler all on Bryher with another of the latter species at Bar Farm and Holy Vale.
ST MARY’S: 1 CREAM-COLOURED COURSER, 1 Barred Warbler, 1 Short-toed Lark, 1 Osprey, 1 Firecrest, 1 Wryneck, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2-3 Short-eared Owl, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Rook, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Common Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Hobby, 3 Jack Snipe, 3 Ring Ouzel, 2 Redstart, 3-4 Merlin, 7 Black Redstart, 13 Lapwing, 15+Chiffchaff, 20+Goldcrest, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua and 2 Storm Petrel.
BRYHER: 1 GREENLAND REDPOLL, 1 Ortolan Bunting, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Ring Ouzel and 1 Buzzard.
TRESCO: 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Little Stint and 1 Black-tailed Godwit.
ST AGNES: 1 Firecrest, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ring Ouzel and 2 Lapwing.
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9th October:
Heavy rain with a very strong E wind, F7-8. As expected more birds arrived with good numbers of winter thrushes, Merlins, 2 Lapwings, a Short-eared Owl and 10+Black Redstarts. A probable GREENLAND REDPOLL at the football pitch on Bryher would be the second Scilly record if accepted. Nearby there were 2 Yellow-browed warblers with over 30 Goldcrests and a Melodious/Icterine Warbler . More Yellow-browed Warblers were recorded at Sage House, Higher Moors and The Garrison. The CREAM-COLOURED COURSER had moved to the fields at Ennor Close just below the airfield but the Short-toed Lark remained at Peninnis. The Long-tailed Duck was still present at Tresco Great Pool. Seawatching off Peninnis produced a single Great and Sooty Shearwater, 7 Common Scoter, 5 Great Skua and Arctic Skua.
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8th October:
Warm and sunny with an increasing E wind. Three Yellow-browed Warblers arrived today with singles at Higher Moors and at the Pottery on The Garrison. On Bryher one was feeding in the same bushes as the an ARCTIC WARBLER just below Samson Hill. A Barred Warbler showed well at Carn Friars and was the first of the year. At Tresco Great Pool there was a Long-tailed Duck. On St Martins the CREAM-COLOURED COURSER was flushed by 6 birders who climbed into the field and watched it fly towards St Mary’s. Luckly the bird settled on the airfield next to the main building and most birders arriving by air saw the bird before they had even touched the ground. It made a brief visit to Peninnis and landed in the same field with the Short-toed Lark before returning back to the airfield.
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7th October:
Light W breeze with warm sunshine. A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was disturbed from willows at the side of Higher Moors trail and flew into deeper cover nearby. A few minutes later it was observed by another birder flying towards Salkee/Porth Hellick area and was never seen again. Birds still on show included the CREAM-COLOURED COURSER and Red-backed Shrike on St Martins and the Short-toed Lark and 4 Snow Buntings on St Mary’s. The Richard’s Pipit was briefly seen in fields at Normandy in the morning and on St Agnes the Common Rosefinch was relocated at Cove Vean after going missing for a week.
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6th October:
Fresh NWW wind with bright sunny spells. A Yellow-browed Warbler at Higher Moors, a Richard’s Pipit at Normandy and 12 White-fronted Geese over St Martins towards St Mary’s were the only new birds discovered. The CREAM-COLOURED COURSER remained at the sheepfields on St Martins but there was no sign of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper. The Short-toed Lark was still at Peninnis as was the 4 Snow Buntings at Giants Castle, Wryneck at Barnaby Lane, St Agnes and the Red-backed Shrike and Buzzard at Little Arther Farm, St Martins.
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5th October:
Strong W wind with light showers. Very quiet with no new birds. Even common migrants are hard to come by. A trip to Bryher could only produce a single Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaffs and a handful of Goldfinch. Twitchers continue to make day trips to St Martins to see the CREAM-COLOURED COURSER and then return to St Mary’s and see the 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers and Short-toed Lark. The 3 Snow Buntings at Giants Castle were joined by another individual after being briefly seen on the Golf course. There were a single Snow and Lapland Bunting at Wingletang, St Agnes with the Wryneck at nearby Barnaby Lane and the Red-backed Shrike, Magpie and Buzzard were all on St Martins. The Pintails at the Tresco Great Pool had increased to 5.
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30th September:
Cloudy with bright spells with a moderate WNW wind. The CREAM-COLOURED COURSER spent all day in the Sheep Fields on St Martins and showed at very close range for the mass crowd. Later in the afternoon a Richard’s Pipit was located in the same fields. A WESTERN BONELLE’S WARBLER was also showing very well at Barnaby Lane on St Agnes and just as rare as the warbler was a RED-THROATED DIVER in The Roads. A Little Bunting was at Tresco Borough Farm, a Lapland bunting was on Bryher, A Short-eared Owl was at the airfield and there were a lot more common migrants around. Remaining birds included the 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at the Golf course, the Rose-coloured Starling on St Agnes, the Short-toed Lark at Penninis and the Spotted Crake at Tresco Great Pool. A different DEATH’S HEAD HAWK-MOTH was trapped overnight at Longstones.
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29th September:
At mid-day the CREAM-COLOURED COURSER was picked up flying from the campsite towards the Big Pool on St Agnes but despite hundreds of birders looking, there was no further sign of it. At 14.00 the bird had moved to St Martins at Top Rock. At 15.15 local farmer Viv Jackson relocated it in his sheep fields on The Plains where it showed down to 10ft. Unfortunately news was not put out to later on. The handful of birders who managed to get across just before dark observed it also at close range and watch it settle down for the night. The 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS at the golf course were joined by another individual yesterday evening and were all still present today with a single Golden Plover. The first Short-toed Lark of the year was at Peninnis and the 2 Snow Buntings were still at Giants Castle with another individual at white Island Bar on St Martins. On St Agnes there was a single Lapland Bunting and Wryneck at Wingletang and nearby the juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was proving elusive at the Coastguard Cottages. Both the Pectoral Sandpiper and Spotted Crake were at Tresco Great Pool. A seawatch off Peninnis produced a single Sooty and 5 Manx Shearwater and 7 Great Skua. A probable Black Guillemot was reported from Northern Rocks and at Longstones a DEATH’S HEAD HAWK-MOTH was trapped overnight.
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28th September:
Bright and sunny with a light W wind. A first winter CREAM-COLOURED COURSER was found by Bob Flood at Wingletang. It showed well in a grassy field in front of 80+crowd before flying off towards the Turks Head where it seemed to come down. Despite many searching there was no further sign of it. The last record was 20 years ago, October 1984 in Essex although there was one on Gurnsey in October 1995. Nearby a juvenile Rose-coloured starling was at St Warna’s Cove and the Common Rosefinch was at Cove Vean. The BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were at the golf course this morning. Later one of hem turned up at the airfield. The Pectoral Sandpiper and Spotted Crake are the only birds of note at Tresco Great Pool while at the Big Pool on St Agnes the Little Stint is still present.
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27th September:
Heavy drizzle with a moderate W wind. Except for a Red-backed Shrike at Higher Moors it was more or less the same birds from the last few days. Both BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were at the golf course, the 2 Snow Buntings were at Giants Castle while on Tresco Great Pool there was the Pectorel Sandpiper and Spotted Crake. The 2 Lapland Buntings, Common Rosefinch and Little Stint were still on St Agnes. Single Turtle Doves were at Porth Minnick and Newford, the Green Sandpiper was still at Porth Hellick and the Buzzard was favouring Middle Town on St Martins. An aqll day pelagic at Seven Stones produced 2 Leach’s and 5 Storm Petrels and 4 Great Skua. A Convolvulus Hawk Moth was at Porth Mellon and a Migrant Hawker was at Trenoweth.
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26th September:
Rain in the morning with a moderate W wind. The 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were still present at the golf course. The 2 Snow Buntings at Giants were showing well and nearby at Carn Friars there was a report of a single Lapland Bunting with 2 birds still at Wingletang on St Agnes. Nearby there was a first winter Common Rosefinch at Cove Vean and a Little Stint at the pool. Both the Little-ringed Plover and Spotted Crake remained at Tresco Great Pool. Another 2 Snow Buntings were at White Island Bar on St Martins. An Arctic Skua flew past Peninnis, a Wood Warbler was the Dump Clump and the Jack Snipe was at Lower Moors. A possible first winter American Herring Gull at Porthcressa where there was also a 2 Common Gulls and 2 Mediterranean Gulls in the area. Bryher produced a single Redstart and 2 Lesser Whitethroats.
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25th September:
Cloudy with a light WNW wind. A Spotted Crake was at the Tresco Great Pool where there were also the Little-ringed Plover and the Pectoral Sandpiper. Two Snow Buntings were at Giants Castle, a MONARCH flew over Porth Hellick Down, the 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were still favouring the golf course, a Jack Snipe was at Lower Moors and a Wood Warbler and Firecrest were at Watermill. On Bryher there were single Lapland Bunting and Lesser Whitethroat all at the dump area.
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24th September:
A light NNW with bright sunny spells. Two mobile Lapland Buntings were at Toleman’s Point with the 2 still present at Wingletang on St Agnes. The 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS continued to keep everyone entertained at the golf course and a MONARCH was observed flying over Pungies Lane. A Wryneck was at Buzza Hill. Single Little Stints were on three islands.
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23rd September:
Overcast with fresh NWW wind, F5-6. The BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER at the golf course was joined by another juvenile and both birds showed down to a few metres. The Melodious Warbler on The Garrison was relocated at Lower Broom, the adult Mediterranean Gull was at Porthloo and at Tresco Great Pool there were the Little-ringed Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Pintail and 2 Shoveler. Nearby there was a Wryneck reported and an hour sea-watch off Kettle Point could only produce a Great Skua and 55 Manx Shearwaters.
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22nd September:
The BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER returned the golf course and the Melodious Warbler reappeared at Morning Point on The Garrison after going missing for few days. Nearby there was a Lapland Bunting. The Little-ringed Plover and 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Tresco Great Pool but no sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper.
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21st September:
The only new birds was a Common Rosefinch Rosefields on Tresco and on St Martins a Dotterel at Top Rock and a Wryneck at Middle Town. The Lapland Bunting was joined by another at Wingletang on St Agnes where the Wryneck was still present. The BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was becoming more mobile being seen on the golf course this morning then shortly afterwards it flew over Porth Hellick towards Kittidown and was last seen briefly with Sanderlings on St Martins. A Hobby was at Harry’s Walls and the Pectoral Sandpiper was still at Tresco Great Pool. Two Pomarine Skuas and two Great Shearwaters were seen from the Scillonian. In the last few days there have been 1000’s of By The Wind Sailors Jellyfish washed up on our shores. It was estimated that there were up to 5000 on Porth Mellon Beach alone.
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17th September:
Heavy drizzle throughout the morning with a SW wind, F4-5 turning brighter and calmer later in the day. A Spotted Crake was at Porth Hellick and there were up to 3 Wrynecks on St Martins with the individual still present in Hugh Town. The juvenile Dotterel moved to the golf course and the highlights off a pelagic were single Grey Phalarope, Arctic Tern, Sooty Shearwater, Arctic and Great Skua and 10 Storm Petrels.
ST MARY’S: 1 Spotted Crake, 1 Dotterel, 1 Wryneck, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper.
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16th September:
Cloudy and sunny spells with a fresh SW wind. An adult Dotterel was at the airfield this morning while at nearby Porth Hellick Down there was a juvenile. Most of yesterday’s birds were still present. The Pectoral Sandpiper was at Lower Moors, the Wryneck was in Hugh Town and on Tresco there was the Little-ringed Plover at the Great Pool. This pool also held 6 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers and a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper. Possible yesterdays bird from Porth Hellick. A lot more Goldcrests around.
TRESCO: 1 Little-ringed Plover, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 2 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 15+Goldcrest, 20+White Wagtail, 24 Redshank, 40+Teal and 2 Migrant Hawkers.
ST MARY: 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Dotterel, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Wryneck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Teal, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Willow Warbler, 10+Chiffchaff, 20+Goldcrest and 20+White Wagtail.
ST MARTINS: 1 Buzzard, 1 Wheatear, 2 Redstart and 3 White Wagtail.
ST AGNES: 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaff and 10+Goldcrest.
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15th September:
Warm and sunny with a fresh NW breeze. The PALLID HARRIER was reported flying over the campsite on St Martins in the evening where there was also the first Firecrest of the autumn. Two Wrynecks on St Mary’s included one in Hugh Town and the other at Porthloo Farm with another on Bryher. A Pectoral Sandpiper at Porth Hellick may have been the individual from Tresco as the Lower Moors bird was present all day. There was no sign of the Porth Hellick bird by mid-morning. A Snow Bunting was in the gardens of the Turks Head on St Agnes, a Short-eared Owl was on Bryher and a Sabine’s Gull flew past Kettle Point on Tresco. The latter island also produced a Mediterranean Gull, Shoveler and 3 Pintail. The juvenile Little-ringed Plover was relocated at Pentle Bay. There was a group of 15 Blackcaps together at Higher Moors.
ST MARY’S: 2 Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Wryneck, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Water Rail, 5 Reed Warbler, 10+Willow Warbler, 10+Chiffchaff, 17 Blackcap, 15 White Wagtail and 2 Clouded Yellow.
TRESCO: 1 Little-ringed Plover, 1 Sabine’s Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Wigeon and 3 Pintail.
ST AGNES: 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Tree Pipit and 4 Yellow Wagtail.
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14th September:
Heavy rain overnight with strong WNW winds, F7. During the day the wind had dropped to F4-5 and it was bright and sunny. The PALLID HARRIER is proving to be very mobile as it was first seen on St Martins then St Agnes and by early evening was flying over Tresco Great Pool. Except for a Wryneck on Tean it was more or less the same birds as yesterday with the Pectoral Sandpiper at Lower Moors and the Buzzard over St Martins. A Black-tailed Godwit was on St Agnes.
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13th September:
The PALLID HARRIER was observed on St Martins flying across The Roads towards Tresco but found it hard work against the strong NWW wind and returned and flew over Middle Town. It was also seen a few times hunting over Tean. St Martins also held two Wrynecks, one near the school and the other in fields above Little Arthur Farm where the Buzzard could always be found. Five Little Stints and a Black-tailed Godwit flew over the island towards Great Bay. Four Little Stints were also at Tresco Great and nearby another Pectoral Sandpiper turned up, this time at Tresco Abbey Pool with the bird still present at Lower Moors and there was a Lesser Whitethroat at Bar Farm. Over 150 White Wagtails came into roost at Porth Hellick.
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12th September:
Both the PALLID HARRIER and the Buzzard were seen a few times throughout the day on St Martins. A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper arrived at Lower Moors and at Tresco Great Pool the juvenile Little-ringed Plover, 3 Little Stints and 2 Curlew Sandpipers were still present.
ST MARY’S: 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Snipe, 3 Dunlin, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Greenshank, 5 Wheatear, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Reed Warbler, 9 Golden Plover, 10+White Wagtail, 10+Willow Warbler, 20+Chiffchaff and 25 Sandwich Tern.
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11th September:
Strong WNW, F5-6 with showers and bright spells. From mid-morning the PALLID HARRIER was again in the Samson Hill area on Bryher. At 14.20 it was observed hunting around Tresco Abbey Pool and by 16.00 it had moved to Wine Cove on St Martins. A Red-backed Shrike was also sighted on the latter island near Middle Town. A Icterine Warbler was discovered at Carn Friars but much rarer than this was a juvenile Little-ringed Plover at Tresco Great Pool.
TRESCO: 1 Little-ringed Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Pied Flycatcher and 3 Little Stint.
ST MARY’S: 1 Buzzard, 1 Icterine Warbler, 6 Whinchat and 9 Golden Plover.
ST AGNES: 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat and 2 Pied Flycatcher.
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10th September:
Higgo, (our Scilly recorder) has been going to Bryher for the last few days and on his third visit he could not believe his eyes when the first Scilly record of a PALLID HARRIER flew past him. It was a juvenile and was only seen briefly throughout the day favouring the Samson Hill area. A Marsh Harrier was over the golf course early this morning, the Little Stint was still present at Porth Hellick and the Buzzard was over Hugh Town, later it was over St Martins. On St Agnes there were at least 3 Wrynecks and the BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was still present on Tresco Abbey Pool. An all day pelagic produced single Leaches Petrel, Pomarine Skua, Arctic and Black Tern, Manx Shearwater and 6 Great Skua. The highlight of the day after the harrier was the second Scilly record of a Camberwell Beauty on St Agnes.
TRESCO: 1 BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Knot, 3 Little Stint, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 25 Little Egret.
ST MARY’S: 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Stint, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Tree Pipit and 4 Whitethroat.
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9th September:
Strong SE F5. Warm sunshine with showers later in the day. Two Red-backed Shrikes included singles at Old Grimsby on Tresco and in fields on the south side of Samson Hill on Bryher. The former island also produced a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Wigeon on the Great Pool and on the Abbey Pool a juvenile Little Stint. The BAIRD’S SANDPIPER also reappeared here after going missing for a few days and fed with the stint. Later there were 3 Little Stints on the Great Pool. There was also a juvenile Little Stint at Porth Hellick, a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Porth Mellon Beach, the BUZZARD was over the Garrison and yesterdays Short-eared Owl was seen over lower Moors.
TRESCO: 1 BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, 1 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Wigeon, 3 Little Stint, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Chiffchaff, 7 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Dunlin, 10+White Wagtail, 15+Redshank, 20+Greenshank, 45+Teal and 100+Swallow.
ST MARY’S: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Mediterreanean Gull, 1 Wigeon, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Garden Warbler and 64 Greenfinch.
BRYHER: 1 Red-backed Shrike, 3 Willow Warbler and 6 Spotted Flycatcher
ST MARTINS: 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Whinchat, 2 Pied Flycatcher and 6 Spotted Flycatcher.
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8th September:
Low cloud with very strong ENE winds, F7-8 turning brighter later in the day. Mid-morning and a BUZZARD was picked up over Porthloo. Later it was seen all over St Mary’s but seemed to favour the Lower Moors area and was the fourth or fifth this year. Over 100 White Wagtails came into roost with a single Yellow Wagtail at Porth Hellick where there was also the first Wigeon of the autunm. A Short-eared Owl was on Bryher. Both the Wryneck and Curlew Sandpiper remained on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Wheatear, 32 Sandwich Tern, 100+White Wagtail and 250+Swallow.
ST AGNES: 1 Wryneck, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Whinchat, 2 Dunlin and 10 Wheatear.
BRYHER: 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Golden Plover
ST MARTINS: 1 Whinchat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipit, 5 Wheatear, 12 Meadow Pipit and 30+Swallow.
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7th September:
Overcast with very strong NE, F6-7 gusting up to 8. Bryher produced 9 Tree Pipits and 2 Wrynecks. One of the Wrynecks was at Rushy Bay with the other was near Hell Bay Hotel. The first Little Stint of the year was at Porthloo Beach while on Tresco the first Purple Sandpiper of the autunm was on Skirt Island on Tresco. The Curlew Sandpiper on St Agnes was still at Porth Killier.
BRYHER: 2 Wryneck, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and 9 Tree Pipit.
ST MARY’S: 1 Little Stint, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Snipe, 2 Water Rail, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Sand Martin, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Dunlin, 8 Greenshank and 10+Chiffchaff.
ST AGNES: 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 1 Pied Flycatcher,
4 Wheatear and 2 Clouded Yellow.
TRESCO: 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Greenshank, 15 Dunlin, and 20+White Wagtail.
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6th September:
A FEA’S PETREL showed very well for ten minutes from a pelagic four miles west of St Mary’s. It was thought to be a different bird from the individual seen eight days ago. Other birds seen included single Wilson’s Petrel, 2 Sooty 3 Arctic and Great Skuas and 15 Manx Shearwaters, 25 Storm Petrels and 3 Black Terns. Off Deep Point there were 2 Great Skuas and a Sooty Shearwater. The BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was showing well on Tresco Abbey Pool and a Melodious or Icterine Warbler was found at Content Farm but only showed briefly. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Porth Killier Beach on St agnes.
ST MARY’S: 1 Whinchat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Water Rail, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Pied Flycatcher, 10 White Wagtail, 250+Swallow.
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5th September:
A foggy start turning brighter with a fresh NE breeze. The GREENISH WARBLER was first heard in sub-song and then located next to the Shooters Pool at Lower Moors but proved to be very mobile and was only briefly seen four times throughout the day. A Lapland Bunting was at Giants Castle and the BAIRDS SANDPIPER remained on Tresco Abbey Pool. The Wryneck remained at Wingle Tang Down on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 1 GREENISH WARBLER, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Reed Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 8 Chiffchaff and 10 Wheatear.
TRESCO: 1 BAIRD’S SANDPIPER and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
ST AGNES: 1 Wryneck, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whinchat, 2 Whitethroat and 10 Wheatear.
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4th September:
Mark Anderson had been on St Mary’s for two hours after arriving from the mainland and the first warbler he looked at was the first GREENISH WARBLER since 1997. The bird was very mobile feeding between the Tin Hut and the screen looking over Shooters Pool at Lower Moors. On occasions it gave burst of song. At Porth Hellick there was a Bluethroat and Spotted Crake and nearby there was a wryneck at Giants Castle. The BAIRDS SANDPIPER continued to show well at Tresco Abbey Pool and the 3 Mediterranean Gulls were feeding at Porthloo Beach. An all day pelagic produced 2 Great and 3 Sooty Shearwaters and 3 Great Skua.
ST MARY’S: 1 GREENISH WARBLER, 1 BLUETHROAT, 1 Spotted Crake, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Water Rail, 3 Swift, 10+Pied Flycatcher, 3 Reed Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff and 10 Dunlin.
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3rd September;
The BAIRD’S SANDPIPER continued to show well with a Curlew Sandpiper and the Ruff on Tresco Abbey Pool. This island also held 2 Wood Warblers. A Wryneck was at Mcfarland’s Down with the Wryneck still present at Wingletang Down on St Agnes and there was an adult Dotterel at the Daymark on St Martins. An all day pelagic produced 1 Black and Arctic Tern, 1 Cory’s, 2 Great and at least 13 Sooty Shearwaters and the first Grey Phalarope of the autumn. Also seen were single Arctic and Great Skua and small numbers of both Common Terns and Storm Petrels but the highlight was a juvenile AMERICAN HERRING GULL observed 6 miles south of St Mary’s.
TRESCO: 1 BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, 2 Wood Warbler, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Wheatear and 8 Pied Flycatcher.
ST AGNES: 1 Wryneck, 1 Ruff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 1 Knot, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Pied Flycatcher and 10 Dunlin.
ST MARTINS: 1 Dotterel, 1 Whinchat, 2 Redstart and 5 Wheatear.
ST MARY’S: 3 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Merlin, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whinchat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Tree Pipit, 4 Reed Warbler, 6 Swift, 10 Greenshank, 10 Wheatear, 10+Chiffchaff, 10+Goldcrest, 12 Pied Flycatcher, 12 White Wagtail and 12+Sand Martin.
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2nd September:
The juvenile BAIRD’S SANDPIPER settled down on Tresco Abbey Pool and showed down to a few metres with a Knot and Ruff. On Bryher there was a Wood Warbler and on Samson Hill a Wryneck. Single Wrynecks were also at the end of Wingletang Down on St Agnes and Middle Town on St Martins. The juvenile Mediterranean Gull and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper were at Porthloo Beach on St Mary’s.
TRESCO: BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, 1 Knot, 1 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Tern, 3 White Wagtail, 5 Dunlin and 80+Sandwich Tern.
BRYHER: 1 Wryneck, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Wheatear, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Swift,
ST MARTINS: 1 Wryneck, 2 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatcher.
ST AGNES: 1 Wryneck, 1 Knot, 1 Whinchat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Blackcap, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Swift, 5 Wheatear, 10 Dunlin and 12 White Wagtail.
ST MARY’S: 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Swift, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 10+Meadow Pipit.
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1st September:
Two WHITE STORKS were observed flying over St Martins just after mid-day. Shortly afterwards they were picked up flying over Bryher and then Tresco where they seemed to come down. Despite searching there was no sign of them. Later it was discovered that they had returned to where they had come from, Cornwall. These were the eigth and ninth Scilly records with the last to be recorded was back in August 1978.The BAIRD’S SANDPIPER on Tresco continued to be elusive and a different MELODIOUS WARBLER was in the Chapel Fields on St Agnes. WRYNECKS included singles on Bryher, Tresco and St Mary’s. A Cory’s Shearwater and Great Skua flew past Penninis.
TRESCO: 2 WHITE STORK, 1 BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, 1 WRYNECK, 1 Knot, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Whimbrel and 1 Ruff.
ST AGNES: 1 MELODIOUS WARBLER, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Ruff, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 7+White Wagtail, 10+Willow Warbler and 10+Goldcrest.
ST MARY’S: 1 WRYNECK, 1 Cory’s Shearwater, 1 Great Skua, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Whinchat, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Tree Pipit, 5 Pied Flycatcher and 9 Snipe.
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31st August:
The BAIRD’S SANDPIPER proved hard to get as it commuted between Tresco Abbey Pool and the south shores of Tresco. Yesterdays MELODIOUS WARBLER could still be found at Warna’s Cove on St Agnes. Eighteen Yellow Wagtails were on St Martins and 15 Knots were on St Agnes. These numbers are very high counts for Scilly.
TRESCO: 1 BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, 1 Whinchat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher and 3 Tree Pipit.
ST AGNES: 1 MELODIOUS WARBLER, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Sedge Warbler 1 Spotted Fly, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Snipe, 10+Sand Martin, 10+White Wagtail, 10+Goldcrest, 15+Dunlin and 15 Knot.
ST MARY’S: 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Swift, 1 Whinchat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Pied Flycatcher and 10+White Wagtail.
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30th August:
A juvenile BAIRD’S WARBLER was seen very briefly on Tresco Abbey Pool before it flew off towards Carn Near where it was later relocated and showed very well. On St Agnes a MELODIOUS WARBLER was at Warna’s Cove and the WRYNECK remained at Peninnis. There were 5 Swifts above Hugh Town and the highest count of Little Egrets so far this year were 31 on Tresco.
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29th August:
A MELODIOUS WARBLER and a Nightingale were both at St Warna’s Cove on St Agnes. Another ICTERINE WARBLER turned up this time at Seaways Farm and there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull off Green Island. The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was feeding at Morning Point and 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 10+White Wagtails were on Tresco. A Sabine’s Gull and Sooty Shearwater were seen from an evening pelagic.
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28th August:
A presumed FEA’S PETREL and a juvenile LONG-TAILED SKUA were both seen from a pelagic 11 miles NW of St Mary’s. The WRYNECK on Peninnis was the only one found today and there were 5 Swifts at Porth Hellick. At Telegraph there were 2 Tree Pipits.
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27th August
Another WRYNECK was discovered at Porth Minnick while the one on Peninnis was still present. There was a slight increase in both Pied Flycatcher and White Wagtail and the 2 Ruffs were still at Lower Moors.
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26th August:
The WRYNECK was still present at Peninnis and the juvenile Mediterranean Gull was at Morning Point.
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25th August:
The WRYNECK was still present at Peninnis.
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24th August:
Heavy rain and strong westerlies, F5-6 turning calmer and brighter later in the day. Only the Carn Friars ICTERINE WARBLER could be found today and the 2 juvenile Ruffs were still favouring Lower Moors. Three Cory’s Shearwaters passed Deep Point and there was a Spotted Flycatcher at Old Town Church and Carn Friars. On St Martins the first summer Lanner Falcon reappeared after going missing for a few weeks where it showed very well. At Porth Hellick there were 4 common Sandpipers. An evening pelagic produced 2-3 Wilson’s Petrels and a Sooty Shearwater.
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23rd August:
Yet another ICTERINE WARBLER was found making it the fifth in just over a week. This bird was observed only a few minutes away at Carn Friars from the Higher Moors ICTERINE WARBLER, which was still present. The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was at Porthcressa and the juvenile Hobby was all over St Mary’s. Migrants are starting to move through in small numbers and on Bryher there were 2 Tree Pipits and a single Redstart with a Whitethroat on Tresco. An evening pelagic produced single Wilson’s Petrel and Great Skua and 2 Sooty Shearwaters.
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22nd August:
The first WRYNECK of the autumn was in pines at Peninnis. Seawatching off Peninnis in the morning produced a single Arctic and 2 Great Skua, 1 Balearic, 3 Sooty and 20+Manx Shearwaters and 7 Storm Petrels. A return in the late afternoon continued with a single Pomarine Skua, 4 Sooty and 15+Manx Shearwaters but the highlight was a juvenile LONG-TAILED SKUA passed Horse Point on St Agnes.There were 2 Ruffs and Green Sandpiper at Lower Moors with another Green Sandpiper at Porth Hellick. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was at Porthcressa, 2 Swifts were above Hugh Town and there was a Whinchat at Carn Friars.
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21st August:
More or less the same birds as yesterday. The ICTERINE WARBLER was at Higher Moors, the SPOTTED CRAKE was at Porth Hellick and the Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Ruffs were at Lower Moors. Two Hobbies included an adult over Higher Moors and a juvenile over Telegraph. There was a Whinchat and 2 Swifts at Lower Moors and 2 Pied Flycatchers on The Garrison. An all day pelagic could only produce 4 Sooty Shearwater and an Arctic Skua.
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20th August:
At Higher Moors the ICTERINE WARBLER showed well but the SPOTTED CRAKE was only seen briefly in the evening. At Lower Moors there were 2 Ruffs and a single Black-tailed Godwit. Only 8 Black-tailed Godwits remained on Tresco Great Pool but the Ruffs had increased to 5. Over 100 Sandwich and 30 Common Terns were in The Roads and there were 4 Swifts at Porth Hellick and the first Whitethroat of the autumn was at Trenoweth.
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19th August:
A MELODOUIS WARBLER was discovered between Star Castle and The Steval on The Garrison. Both the ICTERINE WARBLER at Higher Moors and Spotted Crake at Porth Hellick were still present. At Tresco Great Pool there were 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Ruffs, 6 Common and 9 Green Sandpipers, 10 Redshanks and 25+Greenshanks.
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18th August:
The third ICTERINE WARBLER to appear was discovered at Higher Moors where it showed well and there was a Balearic Shearwater passed Deep Point. At Porth Hellick the juvenile Spotted Crake was seen briefly and the 3 juvenile Ruffs were still at Lower Moors. There were 6 Black-tailed Godwits on Samson.
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17th August:
Highlights on an all day pelagic were a single Wilson’s Petrel with over 70 Storm Petrels, juvenile Sabine’s Gull, adult Black Tern, 3 Sooty Shearwaters and 4 Actic and Great Skuas. The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was at Morning Point and there were 2 Snipes at Porth Hellick.
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16th August:
Two ICTERINE WARBLERS were found today. One was at Popplestones on Bryher and the other in the Chapel Fields on St Agnes. Bryher also supported single Hobby, Green Sandpiper, 3 Pied Flycatcher and 10 Willow Warbler. Across the channel on Tresco there were 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a single Redstart and Pied Flycatcher. On the Great Pool there were 4 Common, 3 Wood and Green Sandpipers. A pale phase Arctic Skua was in The Roads and a very early Woodcock was reported at the back of St Mary’s Quay.
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15th August:
A slight increase in Willow Warblers with 30+ on St Mary’s. The only other birds of note were the 2 Wood Sandpipers, 20+Dunlin and the adult Ruff all on Tresco with the 2 juvenile Ruffs still at Lower Moors. The Black-tailed Godwit made a brief visit to Porth Hellick and the first Whinchat of the autumn was at the airfield. An evening pelagic produced 2 Wilson’s Petrel and a Sooty Shearwater and both Bottle-nosed and Common Dolphins.
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14th August:
Only one of Spotted Crakes was seen at Porth Hellick and at Lower Moors there was a single Snipe, Green Sandpiper and now 3 Ruffs with a single at Porth Hellick. In the evening the juvenile Mediterranean Gull was back at Porthloo. The highlights on an all day pelagic were single Wilson’s Petrel, Black Tern, Cory’s Shearwater and an adult Sabine’s Gull. Up to 4 Great Skua and a few Manx Shearwater were also seen.
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13th August:
An adult Spotted Crake was found at Porth Hellick in the afternoon and those looking for it in evening discovered a juvenile. Both birds were observed at the same time at each end of the pool. From the Scillonian a single Sooty and 2 Cory’s Shearwater were observed and there was an adult Common Gull at Porthloo. Except for a new Ruff joining the one already present at Lower Moors, it was otherwise the same birds that have been present for a few days. On Tresco Great Pool there were 2 Wood, 4 Green and 4 Common Sandpipers and at Porthloo there was the juvenile Mediterranean Gull.
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12th August:
Very hot and sunny with a SSW breeze. A total of 25+ Green Sandpipers were present at any one time on Scilly. This morning there were up to 9 birds at Lower Moors with 8 each at Porth Hellick and Tresco Great Pool. By early evening there were 14 present at Porth Hellick with a single Snipe and 3 Dunlin. The Wood Sandpipers had gone down to 4 on Tresco Great Pool with one of these or another visiting Lower Moors. Both the Black-tailed Godwit and the adult Ruff were still on Tresco Great Pool with a juvenile Ruff at Lower Moors. The Mediterranean Gull was at Morning Point and there was an adult Hobby over Higher Moors. Small numbers of common migrants in today, mostly involving Pied Flycatchers, Sedge and Willow Warblers and the only Wheatear recorded was on St Martins. Terns were the highlights on an all day pelagic with a juvenile Roseate Tern being the top bird with a flock of over 50 Common Terns. An Arctic and 4 Black Terns and an Arctic and Great Skua were the other birds of note. Overnight a Dark-sword Grass was trapped at Branksea Close and the first Scilly record of a JERSEY TIGER MOTH was trapped at Longstones.
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11th August;
Heavy showers with a fresh SSE wind. On Tresco Great Pool there were 7 Wood, 9 Green and 7 Common Sandpipers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and a Black-tailed Godwit and an adult Ruff. The two latter species were both first seen at Porth Hellick where there was also a single Snipe and Hobby. A first summer Little Gull was in The Roads and there were small numbers of Whimbrels on the islands.
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10th August:
Showers and sunny spells with fresh SE wind. A hippolais warbler was seen briefly on The Garrison and was thought to be a Melodious. More Pied Flycatchers have arrived and there were 3 Green and 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Dunlin at Porth Hellick. One of the juvenile Mediterranean Gulls was at Morning Point this morning. This evenings pelagic produced a single Great Shearwater and 6 Black Terns. A Four-spotted Footman was attracted to lights at Breanksea Close.
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9th August:
Two Black Terns were seen off the Scillonian, 3 miles east of St Mary’s, heading towards the islands. On Tresco there wee 3 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Wood Sandpipers. There were an increase in both Pied Flycatchers and Chiffchaffs. This evenings pelagic produced a single Wilson’s Petrel and an Arctic Skua. About 100 Compass Jellyfish were washed up on Porth Hellick Beach with high numbers also washed up on other beaches. Up to 50 Common Dolphins were off Porth Hellick and there were 2 Painted Lady’s and a single Clouded Yellow at Trenoweth.
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8th August:
A strong SSE, F5-6 with showers this morning turning brighter and calmer later in the day. Tresco produced 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls at Skirt Island while on the Great Pool there were 3 Green and 4 Common Sandpipers and the Wood Sandpiper. Up to 4 Common Sandpipers wee on St Mary’s and 7 Whimbrel were at Porthloo. At Porth Hellick there were a single Green Sandpiper and 5 Greenshanks. No pelagic off St Mary’s today but the annual Scillonian pelagic went ahead. Except for 3+ Wilson’s Petrels, the only other birds of note were a single adult Sabine’s Gull, Sooty and 5 Cory’s Shearwaters and 2 Black Terns.
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7th August:
Only the Wood Sandpiper and up to 7 Green Sandpipers could be found on Tresco Great Pool. The Abbey Pool nearby produced the juvenile Mediterranean Gull. Highlights on an all day pelagic were a Black Tern, 4 Wilson’s Petrels and a Sooty Shearwater. On the 2nd August, a SCOPOLI’S SHEARWATER was observed and photographed from the Sappire on a pelagic 6 miles south of Scilly and if accepted will be the first British record.
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6th August:
An adult PECTORAL SANDPIPER on Tresco Great Pool was the highlight of the day. The bird was feeding along side 2 Common, 5 Green Sandpipers and a single adult wood Sandpiper. The Hobby was seen over much of St Mary’s and there were 3 Willow Warblers on The Garrison. The Black Guillemot was still present in Smith Sound.
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5th August:
At Porth Hellick there was a juvenile Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green and 7 Common Sandpipers and a single Sand Martin. A Pied Flycatcher was at Jac-a bar. Tresco Great Pool supported over 10 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 19 Greenshanks, 12 Redshanks and 13 Little Egrets. Nearby at Skirt Island there was a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2 Dunlin and over 70 Sandwich Tern. On Samson there were 6 Whimbrel and 20+Dunlin.
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4th August:
An all day pelagic produced 2 Wilson’s Petrels, 1 Cory’s and 2 Great Shearwater, the only Black Tern of the year so far and the third Scilly record of Blue Fulmar. On land there was a juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Porth Hellick and the Hobby at Porthloo.
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3rd August:
A Cory’s Shearwater was seen from the Scillonian and there was a juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Skirt Island, Tresco
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2nd August:
Very hot and sunny with a fresh south easterly. Up to 3 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were on Tresco. A single was at the Abbey Pool while at the same time, 2 flew past Carn Near and were shortly afterwards seen past The Garrison. The first returning Pied Flycatcher was on The Garrison, the Hobby was at Porth Hellick and at Lower Moors there were 20+Swifts. The highlights on this evenings pelagic was single Cory’s Shearwater and Arctic Tern.
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1st August:
Sunny turning cloudy with fresh south easterlies. At Lower Moors the first returning Snipe was 12 days earlier than last year. There were 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Holy Vale and at Porth Hellick there were 7 Green and 3 Common Sandpipers, 5 Greenshanks and 9 Sand Martins. On Tresco there were 4 Green and 2 Common Sandpipers, 18 Redshanks, 58 Sandwich Terns and a single Hobby. The pelagic was almost a repeat of yesterday with a single Wilson’s Petrel and Cory’s Shearwater and 2 Great Skuas. Up to 32 Swifts were over the airfield.
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31st July:
An all day pelagic produced a single Wilson’s Petrel, Cory’s Shearwater, 2 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 Great Skuas.
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30th July:
Highlights included, a Honey Buzzard flew low over Hugh Town heading south and a male Serin was singing in pines on The Garrison. Up to 2 Common Sandpipers were at Porth Hellick and a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher was at the Dump Clump. On St Mary’s there were 4 Wheatears with 2 on St Agnes.
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29th July;
Up to 7 Green Sandpipers were present at Porth Hellick early this morning and were joined by a single, then a flock of 3 but by early afternoon they had all moved on. A single bird and 4 Common Sandpipers were at Tresco Great Pool. The Hobby was busy chasing Swallows at Lower Moors and Porth Hellick.
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28th July:
A few more Willow Warblers arrived today and with them was a Wood Warbler at Innisidgen. Otherwise it was waders that dominated. Up to 10 Green Sandpipers were present with 6 at Tresco Great Pool and 4 at Porth Hellick. The former site also held 6 Common Sandpipers and 36 Grey Herons with singles seen at other sites on the islands. Marjory of them being adults. A single Common Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick and a visit to Samson produced a single Knot, 7 Whimbrels, 10+Dunlins, 25+Turnstones and 50+Sanderlings. The Hobby was seen a number of times around Newford and was joined by the Lanner Falcon. Over 50 Greenfinches have been present at Jac-a Bar feeding station for nearly a week and there were 100+Swallows at The Garrison this morning.
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27th July;
At Porth Hellick there were 2 Green Sandpipers with a single on Tresco. Up to 10 Willow Warblers were at Carn Friars and a high total for this time of year was 16 Grey Herons on Tresco.
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26th July:
The Black Guillemot reappeared in Smith Sound after going missing for a few weeks. Tresco held a single Black-tailed Godwit, Hobby and Teal and the first Willow Warbler of the autumn was at Carn Friars on St Mary’s where one of the Serins proved mobile.
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25th July:
A very unusual record for this time of year was an adult summer Little Gull on Tresco Great Pool. Also here the Greenshanks had increased to 20 and the Sandwich Terns on Skirt Island had increased to 37. This rock also produced the adult Arctic Tern. At Porth Hellick there was a single Common Sandpiper with 4 at Watermill. A Wheatear was on Porth Hellick Down and Whimbrels included singles at Porth Hellick, St Martins and 2 on Green Island. The highlight on this evenings pelagic were 6 Bottle-nosed Dolphins.
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24th July:
This evenings pelagic could only produce a single Sooty Shearwater
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23rd July;
Green Sandpipers included 3 at Porth Hellick and a single at Tresco Great Pool where there were also 18 Greenshanks. The Arctic Tern was on nearby Skirt Island and there was a Whimbrel on Bryher.
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22nd July:
Skirt Island, Tresco produced an adult Arctic Tern, 1 Whimbrel, 23 Sandwich Terns, 60+Black-headed Gulls, 15 Sanderlings and 3 Common Sandpipers. Nearby on the Great Pool there were 15 Greenshanks, 11 Redshanks, 4 Swifts and a single Common Sandpiper. On St Mary’s, 1 or 2 Serins were seen at Carn Friars and a Spotted Flycatcher and Chiffchaff were in Hugh Town.
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21st July:
A Buzzard sp over Trenoweth was to high to be identified. At Porth Hellick there was a Hobby, Common Sandpiper, the first Chiffchaff of the autumn and 4 Swifts. In less than a week the Little Egrets have increased from 3 to 15 with 11 on Bryher 2 on St Agnes. The Serin was still at Carn Friars. There was a Clouded Yellow at Trenoweth.
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20th July:
A Cory’s Shearwater was seen from the Scillonian and there was a Whimbrel on Bryher. The Serin remained at Carn Friars with over 100 Linnet.
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19th July:
An all day pelagic produced a single Mediterranean and 2 Great Shearwaters and 6 Great Skuas. Common Sandpipers included a single on St Martins and 2 at both Porth Hellick and Tresco Great Pool. The later site also held a Black-tailed Godwit and the usual Green and Redshanks. Two Whimbrels were on St Martins.
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18th July:
Highlights on this evenings pelagic, 3 miles SW of Bishop Rock, were a single Great and Sooty Shearwater and Arctic and Great Skua. Others birds included 5 Puffins, 5+Manx Shearwaters and 50+Storm Petrels. Only one of the Serins was present at Carn Friars, a Common Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick and there were 6 Swifts at The Garrison. At Tresco Great Pool there were single Green and Common Sandpipers, 11 Redshanks and 13 Greenshanks.
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17th July:
Another bird joined the Serin at Carn Friars and both proved mobile.
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16th July:
On St Agnes the Greylag Goose has been present for over a week and the Serin was still in fields at Carn Friars.
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15th July:
The Serin remained at Carn Friars and there was a Lapwing on St Agnes.
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14th July:
A female Serin was found in fields at Carn Friars, a Common Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick and a Hobby was at Higher Moors. At Tresco Great Pool there was a single Common Sandpiper and the 6 Redshanks but the Greenshanks had increased to 14 and Little Egrets to 3.
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13th July:
Four Wilson’s Petrel and a Great Shearwater were seen from an all day pelagic. At Porth Hellick there was a Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher and Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpipers while on Samson waders included 2 Knots and 15 Dunlins.
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12th July:
On Tresco Great Pool the waders are starting to build up. There were 11 Greenshanks, 6 Redshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers and a single Black-tailed Godwit. Off Annet the Black Guillemot reappeared and this evenings pelagic produced, 1 Wilson’s petrel, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Great Skuas and a Sunfish.
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11th July:
A Wilson’s Petrel and a Great Skua were the only birds of note on today’s pelagic.
At Porth Hellick there were 2 Swifts and a single Sand Martin and Hobby.
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10th July:
Up to 3 Wilson’s Petrels were seen from a pelagic, 7.5 miles south of St Mary’s. The first summer Mediterranean Gull moved to Porthcressa and the Hobby was over Lower Moors.
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9th July:
Two Lapwings over St Agnes was an unusual record for this time of year. What was not so unusual was the first returning Green Sandpiper on Tresco Great Pool. Nearby the first summer Mediterranean Gull was off the south shore and the Hobby flew over Lower Moors.
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8th July:
Gale force NNE gusting up to 60 mph with occasional rain. At Porth Hellick there were a single Hobby, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 each of Greenshanks and Redshanks and 10+Sand Martins. Up to 7 Black-headed Gulls were at Morning Point but feeding with the 15+ at Skirt Island, Tresco, there was a first summer Mediterranean Gull. This island also produced the first 2 Sanderlings of the autumn, 4 Dunlins, 15+Turnstones and 2 Sandwich Terns. On Porthloo there was a lone Whimbrel.
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7th July:
A Quail was flushed from a path at Porth Hellick this morning. Nearby on the pool there were 3 Common Sandpipers with a single at Lower Moors where there was also a Hobby. Five Black-headed Gulls, 2 Redshanks and a single Greenshank were also at Porth Hellick.
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6th July:
A Greylag Goose of unknown origin flew From St Agnes towards St Mary’s. St Agnes also produced a Quail and 22 Swifts. At Lower Moors there were over 15 Swifts and 20-30 House Martins.
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5th July:
At Porth Hellick there wee over 20 Sand Martins and Swifts and 2 Greenshanks. A Common Sandpiper was flying around St Mary’s Quay and on Samson there were 2 Dunlins, 3 Little Egrets, 15+Turnstones and 36 Curlews. The Water Rail was heard at Newford Duck Pond.
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4th July:
An all day pelagic produced the first Wilson’s Petrel of the year. Other highlights included a single Cory’s Shearwater, 7+ Mediterranean Shearwaters and 2 Rossi’s Dolphins. A single Redshank and Greenshank were on Tresco.
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3rd July:
A Cory’s Shearwater flew past the Scillonian and a Sooty Shearwater flew past Peninnis Head. At Porth Hellick there were 4 House Martins with the Redshank.
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2nd July:
A Redshank was at Porth Hellick and the Wheatear remained on St Martins. On Tresco there were 2 juvenile White Wagtails.
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1st July:
A male Wheatear at The Plains on St Martins was an early returning bird and the Water Rail was heard at Newford Duck Pond.
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30th June:
Samson held 35+Turnstones, 7 Sandwich Terns and the Arctic Tern. On Bryher there was a single Whimbrel.
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29th June:
The Wood Sandpiper at Porth Hellick was the only bird of note.
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28th June:
The Wood Sandpiper reappeared at Porth Hellick after going missing for a few days. The finch numbers are starting to build up again at Jac a ba feeding station and as a result they a female Sparrowhawk was in the area. Three Swifts flew over Hugh Town with another 2 at Holy Vale where there were also a pair of Spotted Flycatchers with young. Good numbers of Hummingbird Hawk-moths were on St Mary’s and a Sooty Shearwater was the only bird of note on this evening pelagic.
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27th June:
In a matter of a few days, the Curlew numbers have built up from 15 to 80. This included 50 on Tean and 30 on Green Island. On the latter island there were 30+Turnstones, 2 Redshanks and a single Dunlin with the Arctic Tern nearby. Twelve Turnstones were also on Tresco. At lower Moors, 2 Swifts and an ‘alba’ wagtail flew through, a Water Rail was at Porth Hellick and the evenings pelagic could only produce 2 Great Skuas.
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26th June:
Only birds of note were a Water Rail at Newford Duck Pond and 9 Swifts over Hugh Town.
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25th June:
Waders are starting to return with a Wood Sandpiper at Porth Hellick being the highlight. Both a Greenshank and Redshank were seen off Tean.
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24th June:
Bright and sunny with a W wind. Birders looking for the Little Tern, seen two days ago off Samson, found a Roseate Tern instead which is just as rare as the Little Tern. The shores off this island held 2 Little Egrets and Black-headed Gulls, 3 Turnstone and 15 Curlew. A Sandwich Tern was also nearby. Tresco had 5 Turnstones and 4 Swifts.
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23rd June:
Very unusual conditions for this time of year. It was the worse storms in June on record. The gale force SWW, F7-8 had broken branches off trees and in the harbour a few boats came off there moorings. Out of all this only a single Cory’s Shearwater was seen off Pennines and only one of the Tufted Duck remained at Porth Hellick.
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22nd June:
The first fall of rain for over a month with a strong SW, F4-5. A rare Scilly bird, with one or two records a year, was a Little Tern in Tresco Channel. Nearby on Samson there were 13 Whimbrel, 25+Turnstone and the single Arctic Tern. Two drake Tufted Duck were at Porth Hellick.
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21st June:
Like last year, White Wagtail and Pochard have successfully bred on Tresco again. A White Wagtail at Porthloo may have been one of the Tresco breeding pair.
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20th June:
The Hobby was sighted over Telegraph.
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19th June:
The Black Guillemot was seen in Smith Sound and a Hobby flew over Hugh Town.
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17th June:
Three Whimbrels were on Samson and a Private Hawk-moth was trapped overnight at Longstones.
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16th June:
The large Common Tern colony on Samson also held up to 3 Arctic Terns. Nearby there were 6 Dunlin and 2 Curlew. Two Striped Hawk-moths were trapped overnight at Longstones with singles on the 14th and 13th.
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15th June:
On Samson the AMERICAN GOILDEN PLOVER was commuting with Stony Island with the Arctic Tern nearby. A White Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Dunlin were on Tresco with another 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Trenoweth.
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14th June:
Sunny and hot with a light N wind. Unusual records for this time of year were an adult Common Gull and Buzzard on Tresco. A very late Common Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick and the BLACK GUILLEMOT was in Smith Sound.
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13th June:
Twenty Swifts were over St Mary’s with smaller numbers on St Martins.
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12th June:
Both the AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and Grey Plover were on Samson.
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11th June:
The only bird of note was the BLACK GUILLEMOT in Smith Sound.
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10th June;
Two Spotted Flycatchers were on St Agnes with a single bird and a Hobby on St Martins. On Samson the AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER remained.
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9th June:
The AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was still on Samson where there was also 25+Turnstones, 6 Whimbrels, 4 Swifts, 2 Curlews, Sandwich Terns and Black-headed Gulls and the Dunlin and Grey Plover.
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8th June:
The third Scilly spring/summer record of AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was found by Ben Lacselle on Samson. It was a first summer bird and showed well feeding with 9 Whimbrel and a single Dunlin and very late Grey Plover. Nearby there was a second summer Mediterranean Gull and the Arctic Tern.
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7th June:
The first Quail of the year was heard at Great Bay on St Martins. Both the Marsh Harrier and Osprey were seen on Tresco and here were many Humming-bird Hawkmoths and Painted Lady’s on all islands.
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6th June:
Light cloud and sunny spells with a light S wind. An Osprey was observed flying from Bryher towards Samson. Bryher also produced a Turtle Dove and a rare visit from the immature male Marsh Harrier.
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4th June:
Fog and light drizzle with a SW wind. A female/immature male Common Rosefinch was showed well feeding with House Sparrows at Little Arthur Farm, St Martins. An Arctic Tern on Samson may have been yesterday’s bird from Annet. Samson also produced 5 Dunlin and Sanderling with the Brent Goose nearby while on Annet there were 10 Whimbrel. A single Wheatear was on St Martins.
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3rd June:
Same conditions as yesterday except for a SW breeze. Except for an Arctic Tern on Annet, the only birds of note were the ones that have been here for months. The Marsh Harrier was spotted on Tean and the Brent Goose was off Samson.
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2nd June;
Very hot and sunny with a light N breeze. On St Agnes the TAWNY PIPIT was joined by a female/immature male COMMON ROSEFINCH in the Periglis/Browath area. The Spanish type Wagtail was still present on the Tresco Abbey Pool and there were 8 Swifts at Porth Hellick and 3 Whimbrel on St Agnes.
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1st June:
Strong SE, F5 with light rain the morning followed by sunny spells. A TAWNY PIPIT was discovered at The Meadow on St Agnes and the SPOTTED SANDPIPER remained on Tresco commuting with the Great Pool and Abbey Pool.
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31st May:
Drizzle throughout the day with a strong SSE, F5. A SPOTTED SANDPIPER, (with spots), was found by John Higginson on the Tresco Abbey Pool. It proved mobile making brief visits to nearby Great Pool but by early evening had settled down back on Abbey Pool where it showed at close range. A Spanish type Wagtail was feeding on the same shoreline as the sandpiper on the Abbey Pool. The sandpiper is only the second spring Scilly record. The first was May 96’ St Agnes. The only other birds of note were the Arctic Tern on Samson and 2 Turtle Doves at Salakee with a single at Longstones.
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30 May:
Showers with a light SW wind. Yet another RED-BACKED SHRIKE turned up. This time it was male discovered in the horse paddocks on The Garrison where it showed well throughout the day. The female on St Martins remained in the cattle fields on The Plains. On Tresco the Brent Goose was located at Carn Near and there were single Common Sandpiper and White Wagtail on the Great Pool. A White Wagtail was also at Parting Carn in the same field as 3 Turtle Doves. The Rose-coloured Starling was still on St Agnes and there was an Arctic Tern on Samson.
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29th May:
Hot and sunny with a light to moderate SW wind. On St Martins there was a female RED-BACKED SHRIKE showing well in the fields on The Plains. Both the Rose-coloured Starling and Barnacle Goose were on St Agnes and there were 4 Turtle Doves in the Parting Carn area.
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28th May:
Muggy with drizzle on and off with a fresh SW wind. St Agnes produced a fine male RED-BACKED SHRIKE in cow fields near Wingletang and a male Golden Oriole Showed well briefly at Santa Warna.
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27th May:
Light cloud and long perids of sun with showers later in the day. A light to moderate SSE wind. Very quiet. The only birds of note were the immature male Marsh Harrier on Tean with the female still present on St Martins. The Grasshopper Warbler was heard at Higher Moors, a Turtle Dove flew over Telegraph and there was a Common Sandpiper on Tresco Great Pool.
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26th May:
Hot and sunny with a light SE wind. On St Agnes the first summer Rose-coloured Starling was showing on and off and yesterdays Barnacle Goose turned up at the Meadow. Later it was on Tresco. The latter island also held a Golden Oriole near the Monument, the Osprey and a drake Pintail. A female type Golden Oriole was at Middle Town, St Martins where there was also a female Marsh Harrier for over an hour at Little Arthur Farm and a MONTAGU’S HARRIER was observed flying from The Plains towards the Daymark. For the last few days there have been large numbers of House Martins moving through. There were 70+, St Mary’s, 50+, St Agnes and 30+, St Martins. Turtle Doves included a single on St Martins and on Tresco.
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25th May:
Same conditions as yesterday. An Osprey was first seen at Porth Hellick and later over Samson towards Annet and then Tresco. Later it returned to Porth Hellick where it caught a fish in the bay. A lot rarer than the Osprey in the spring was a Curlew Sandpiper feeding with a flock of 65 Dunlin. Smaller numbers of the latter species were 15, Tresco, 7 Porth Hellick and 6, St Agnes. There was a small arrival of Common Sandpipers with 3 each on Tresco and St Agnes and a single at Porthloo. Tresco also produced a single Arctic Tern and Turtle Dove. Grasshopper Warblers were reeling on St Agnes and Higher Moors and there was a Barnacle Goose of unknown origin at Porthloo..
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24th May:
Very hot and sunny with a light ENE wind. Yesterdays male RED-BACKED SHRIKE on Bryher was replaced by a female in the same area. The SHORT-TOED LARK remained on top of Shipman’s Down and on St Agnes there was a ring-tailed harrier seen from the quay. An Osprey flew over Hugh Town in the evening, a male Golden Oriole and on Tresco there were a single Garden Warbler and Turtle Dove.
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23rd May:
Bright and sunny with a cool light to moderate wind. Golden Orioles included single at Normandy, Porth Hellick and on The Garrison. On Bryher there was a SHORT-TOED LARK feeding on top of Shipman’s Head Down while nearby at the campsite area there was a male RED-BACKED SHRIKE and 2 Turtle Doves. The Marsh Harrier made an apperance on St Martins.
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22nd May:
In the morning thick cloud but it soon became hot and sunny again with a light to moderate E wind. There were 2 Golden Orioles at Tresco Rowesfields with a single flying from Bryher towards Tresco. Remaining birds included the male WOODCHAT SHRIKE at the golf course, which was observed singing in pines, the Brent Goose was on Stoney island and the Black Guillemot was in Smith Sound.
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21st May:
Hot and sunny with a light N wind. The WOODCHAT SHRIKE continued to favour the golf course and there was a single Golden Oriole at Tresco Rowesfields.
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20th May:
Sunny with a cool light to moderate NNE wind. Bryher produced a WRYNECK in fields below Samson Hill and on St Martins a female Golden Oriole was ranging between Little Arther Farm and English point area. There was a Wood Sandpiper at Lower Moors, the male WOODCHAT SHRIKE remained at the golf and the first summer Black Guillemot could be found in Smith Sound. The only other birds of note were 2 Turtle Doves on St Martins and 5 Swifts feeding with over 40 House Martins over Tresco Great Pool.
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19th May:
Cloudy start turning very hot and sunny with a light N breeze. A male WOODCHAT SHRIKE was found this morning at the golf course. Here it spent the rest of the day up down the wall in the middle of the course showing very well. A female Golden Oriole flew from Bar Farm towards Trenowth and the Brent Goose was still on Stoney Island. A Kingfisher off Peninnis was an unusual record for this time of year.
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18th May:
Thick fog clearing to hot sunshine with a light NE breeze. The male RED-BACKED
SHRIKE was briefly seen on the Garrison. Up to 4 Turtle Doves were on Pennines and there was a Hobby over St Agnes.
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17th May:
Same conditions as yesterday except for a light NE breeze. A mobile male RED-BACKED SHRIKE was in the dead pines on the Garrison throughout the day. Birders looking at the shrike had a bonus when an Osprey flew overhead after being first seen on St Agnes. A pair of Golden Orioles showed well at Borough Farm, Tresco. At Porth Hellick there were 4 Turtle Dove with another 3 on Tresco.
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16th May:
Very hot and sunny with a light SE breeze. Three BEE-EATERS were hawking in the valley of Popplestones on Bryher and then moved over to Tresco and were relocated in Elms at Rowesfields where they stayed for the rest of the afternoon. A single COAL TIT on Bryher was a very odd record only to be followed by another bird at the golf course on St Mary’s. There were Swallows and House Martins moving throughout the day and at Porth Hellick there were 80+House Martins and 2 Sand Martins. The Black Guillemot was still off Annet.
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15th May:
Foggy with a light NE breeze. Except for a male MONTOGU’S HARRIER, first seen over Peninnis and shortly afterwards Lower Moors, it was relatively quiet. A Hobby flew over Parting Carn where there was a single Turtle Dove with 3 each at Lower Moors and Four Lanes. A late Snipe was also at Lower Moors, there was a Great Northern Diver in The Roads and the Marsh Harrier was still hunting Tean.
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14th May:
Hot and sunny with a light NNW breeze. Everyone went looking for the reported Rustic Bunting on Bryher but there was no sign of it. The only birds of note was a Dotterel on Shipman’s Down first thing this morning and one of the BLACK GUILLEMOTS off Rushy Bay. A Lesser Whitethroat was also present. The male SNOW BUNTING was relocated at Kettle Point, Tresco and is now thought to be a different bird to the bird that was commuting with Plumb Island and Church Quay. The Marsh Harrier was flying high over Tean, 2 Great Northern Diver were off Samson and at Lower Moors there were 3 Turtle Doves and a single Garden Warbler. A Clouded Yellow was at Porthloo.
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13th May:
Cloudy with a light NW wind. On Castle Down, Tresco, the male SNOW BUNTING was at Kettle Point but only one of the SHORT-TOED LARKS could be found. Arctic Tern was in Tresco Channel and 20+Swifts and the drake Shoveler were at the Great Pool. At Lower Moors there were 3 Turtle Doves with a single on St Agnes. A very high number for this time of year was 33 Purple Sandpipers off the Western Rocks and nearby there was one of the BLACK GUILLEMOTS in Smith Sound. There was a report of a male Rustic Bunting next to Bryher Pool.
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12th May:
Thick fog with a light NE wind. Two SHORT-TOED LARKS were discovered together at Castle Down, Tresco. Both buntings remained with the male LAPLAND BUNTING around the Daymark area, St Martins and the male SNOW BUNTING was commuting with Church Quay, Bryher and Plumb Island, Tresco. The female Grey-headed Wagtail was next to school on the latter island. On St Mary’s there were 3 Turtle Doves at Pungies Lane with another 3 at Rocky Hills. The Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at Higher Moors, the drake Shoveler was still on Tresco Great Pool and a Grey Wagtail and the immature male Marsh Harrier was at Great Bay, St Martins.
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11th May:
Low cloud with a light to moderate N breeze. At 14.20, the forth Scilly record of CRANE flew over St Agnes. Here it flew around the island for the next hour trying to land but was disturbed each time by to many people walking around and at 15.30, it was last seen heading towards Annet. The last record was of a bird that hung around Scilly from the 4th April to 6th May, 1995. An immature male Golden Oriole was observed flying from Little Arthur Farm towards the Daymark where the stunning male LAPLAND BUNTING was showing well. On Tresco, the male SNOW BUNTING was still favouring Kettle Point and was later seen at Plumb Island and then returned to Church Quay on Bryher where it was originally found. The Brent Goose was still off Samson on Stoney Island and there was a Grasshopper Warbler at Higher Moors.
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10th May:
Sunny spells with a cool light N wind. The LAPLAND BUNTING was showing very well by the Daymark on St Martins but the SNOW BUNTING was relocated at Kettle Point on Tresco after going missing for a day. Also on this island, a female Grey-headed Wagtail was feeding with 2 Yellow Wagtails in fields near Old Grimsby. In Smith Sound the 2 BLACK GUILLEMOTS were viewed from the tripper boats and the 2 Dotterel were still on top of Shipman’s Down. A drake Shoveler on Tresco Great Pool was a good record for this time of year and there was a Little Egret on the Bryher Pool.
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9th May:
Very hot and sunny with a moderate SE turning to light N later in the day. Remaining birds included the male LAPLAND BUNTING at the Daymark on St Martins, the 2 Dotterels at Shipman’s Down on Bryher, the Marsh Harrier on Tean and the Brent Goose off Samson. The only other birds of note were a Wood Warbler at Bar Farm, 3 Golden Plovers on the airfield, a Tree Pipit over Sallyport with a single also on St Agnes and a Turtle Dove on St Martins.
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8th May:
Sunny with a cold light to moderate NNW wind. A surprise find was a male SNOW BUNTING at the Quay on Bryher. Both the BLACK GUILLEMOTS were seen in Smith Sound and the male Hawfinch was still feeding on a bird table at Holy Vale.
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7th May:
The eastern SUBALPINE WARBLER was still favouring the bramble slope near Cove Vean Café on St Agnes. On Tresco the RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was feeding in Pentle Bay and on the cricket pitch, the Mealy ‘type’ Redpoll was joined by a Lesser Redpoll. Just across the channel on Bryher, there were 2 Dotterels on Shipman’s Down and a Hoopoe was on the track leading up to Samson’s Hill. The cracking male Hawfinch had moved to a different bird table, this time in Holy Vale.
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6th May:
The wind had died down to a moderate NWW with bright warm sunshine. On St Agnes the eastern SUBALPINE WARBLER showed well on and off in the sun near Cove Vean Café. Nearby the first summer Rose-coloured Starling was seen in various bays while the St Martins stunning male LAPLAND BUNTING remained by the Daymark showing down to a foot.. Feeding in the same area as the warbler were up to 4 Sedge Warblers, 1 Garden warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat and a Chiffchaff. On St Mary’s there was a Hawfinch on bird feeders in the gardens of Mcfarlands Down a Lesser Redpoll was at Porth Hellick and a male Brambling was at Holy Vale.
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5th May:
Sunny spells with a strong NW wind, F5-6. A visit up to the Daymark on St Martins found the second Scilly spring record of LAPLAND BUNTING. It was a cracking male in full summer plumage and showed very well at close range. The other spring record arrived on the same date, 32 years ago, 1972. The Wood Warbler was still present at Higher Moors, there was a Tree Pipit at Carn Friars and a Golden Plover was at the golf course. Up to 25+Whimbrel were on St Mary’s and the Lanner type Falcon was observed feeding on a kill and then seemed to go to roost on Tolls Island.
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4th May:
Heavy showers with gale force NW. The windy conditions made birding very difficult and only birds seen of note were a Wood Warbler at Higher Moors, a few Whimbrel and 2 Snipe at Lower Moors.
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3rd May:
Overcast later turning bright and sunny with fresh NE wind. Most of the migrants had moved on but the first Wood Warblers of the year were 2 at Holy Vale a single on St Agnes. St Agnes also produced an eastern SUBALPINE WARBLER. If accepted this will be the first Scilly record of this race. It was elusive in a Bramble patch only observed on a few occasions near Cove Vean tea gardens. A male Serin was feeding with Linnets at the Woolpack and a Hawfinch was in the Toleman point area. The RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was feeding around Old Grimsby Church on Tresco where there was a MEALY REDPOLL near the Great Pool. On St Martins there were 50+Wheatears at the Daymark.
ST AGNES: 1 eastern SUBALPINE WARBLER, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whinchat, 1 Golden Plover, 10+Whitethroat, 20+Sedge Warbler, 25+Wheatear and 40+Willow Warbler.
TRESCO: 1 MEALY REDPOLL, 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 White Wagtail, 5 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler and 15 Whimbrel.
ST MARY’S: 1 Serin, 1 Hawfinch, 2 Wood Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat and 1 Tree Pipit.
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2nd May:
Sunny with a light SE wind. Again migrants were still moving through in good numbers. The Tresco RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was at Great Pool with it or another at Higher Town on St Martins. This island also hosted the Marsh Harrier and at Middle Town, a Wryneck with the other individual still favouring Old Town Church, Str Mary’s. In the early evening a TAWNY PIPIT was found on the airfield showing very well and a SHORT-TOED LARK flew over Porthloo Lane towards Sunnyside. Single Ring Ouzels were at The Garrison and on Tresco and 3 Rooks on the airfield were later over St Martins. The Brent Goose off Samson was still present and 10 Snipes at Lower Moors was a high count for this time of year.
Totals of some of the migrants on islands visited: 2 Ring Ouzel, 2 Redstart, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Cuckoo, 5 Garden Warbler, 5 Whinchat, 7 Sand Martin, 11 Reed Warbler, 14 Spotted Flycatcher, 45+Chiffchaff, 50+Willow Warbler, 80+Whitethroat, 80+House Martin, 80+Wheatear and 115+Sedge Warbler.
ST MARTINS: 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 1 Wryneck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Tree pipit, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Rook, 6 Whitethroat, 20+ Sedge Warbler and 20+House Martin.
ST MARY’S: 1 TAWNY PIPIT, 1 Wryneck, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Whinchat, 1 Water Rail, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Garden Warbler, 5 Sand Martin, 6 Blackcap, 10 Snipe, 14 Whimbrel, 15+Willow Warbler, 20+Chiffchaff, 30+Whitethroat, 30+Swift, 30+Wheatear, 65+Sedge Warbler, 60+House Martin and 100+Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Reed Warbler, 10+Sedge Warbler and 21 Whimbrel.
BRYHER: 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 4 Meadow Pipit, 10 Spotted Flycatcher, 10+Sedge Warbler, 10+Blackcap, 15+Chiffchaff, 15 Whimbrel, 17 Willow Warbler, 20+Wheatear and 23 Whitethroat.
ST AGNES: 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Snipe, 5 Sedge Warbler, 10 Whitethroat, 25+Wheatear and 60 Whimbrel.
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1st May:
Misty and cloudy with a light NE wind. A notable small arrival of migrants today. The highlights were a male Serin, first at Cove Vean and later over the post office on St Agnes and the Wryneck at Old Town Church. There has been a small fall today with Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat more numerous than other birds. The first Spotted and Pied Flycatchers of the year arrived with both a male and female of the latter species at Telegraph. Up to 3 Spotted Flycatchers were at Old Town Church and the female Reed Bunting was present at Porth Hellick. A Hobby at Porth Hellick was the first of the year. The immature male Marsh Harrier was seen on Tean and St Martins where the Dotterel remained at the Daymark and the first summer Rose-coloured Starling was favouring the Coastguard Cottages.
Totals of some of the migrants on islands visited: 2 Pied Flycatcher, 5 Cookoo, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Tree Pipit, 8 Grasshopper Warbler, 35+Swift, 50+Wheatear, 60+Whitethroat, 60+Willow Warbler, 65+Sedge Warbler, 70+House Martin and 150+Swallow.
ST AGNES: 1 Serin, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Merlin, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Redstart, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipit, 8 Sedge Warbler, 10+House Martin, 15 Whitethroat, 21 Swift, 35+Wheatear, 40+Willow Warbler, 50+Swallow and 105 Whimbrel.
ST MARY’S: 1 Wryneck, 1 Hobby, 1 Whinchat, 1 Merlin, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Tree Pipit, 6 Reed Warbler, 9 Wheatear, 11 Whimbrel, 15+Swift, 35+Whitethroat, 55+Sedge Warbler, 60+House Martin and 70+Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Dotterel, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Swift, 10 Whitethroat and 10 Bar-tailed Godwit,
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30th April:
Light rain with Cold fresh N wind. The RED-RUMPED SWALLOW on Tresco was relocated showing very well over Middle Down. Another Dotterel turned up at the Daymark on St Martins and a Wryneck was discovered at Old Town Church on St Mary’s. The other birds of note were the Wood Sandpiper at Porth Hellick, a Redstart at Newford, Tree Pipit on Bryher and the Lanner type falcon over Castella Down.
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29th April:
Very cold and dull with a fresh NE wind. The St Mary’s RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was relocated at Sandy Banks after going missing for a day.
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28th April:
Overcast with a strong NE wind, F5. A flighty SHORT-TOED LARK was at Carn Friars and a Wryneck was in gardens on the track down to the Garrison Pottery.
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27th April:
Cloudy and sunny spells with moderate cold N wind. The only highlights that remained from yesterday were the 2 RED-RUMPED SWALLOWS. The St Mary’s bird was located mid-morning showing very well hawking in front of the Porth Hellick hides but disappeared with other Swallows after an hour. The Tresco individual was also showing well around the Abbey. Also remaining at Porth Hellick were the Wood Sandpiper and female Reed Bunting and nearby at Carn Friars there were a Firecrest and a Lesser Redpoll. Single Grasshopper Warblers were reeling at Porth Hellick and Lower Moors. On Peninnis there was a female Merlin.
ST MARY’S: 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 1 Firecrest, 1 Redpoll, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Teal, 1 Merlin, 1 Swift, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 8 Wheatear, 15+Sand Martin, 30+Whimbrel, 35+House Martin and 60+Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Great Northern Diver, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Whimbrel, 15+Sand Martin, 15+Swallow and 35+House Martin.
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26th April:
Foggy start turning hot and sunny with a light NE wind. For the last few days we have been dominated by high pressure with light eastlies. A very good day with many highlights. Two RED-RUMPED SWALLOWS included singles at the Lower Moors area and Tresco Great Pool. Both birds showed very well with the Lower Moors individual moving to Porthloo in the evening. Observers watching the swallow at Porthloo could not believe their eyes when an ALPINE SWIFT flew straight through heading SSE. A very good find was a STONE CURLEW in the sheep fields just above he clay pit and the Dotterel was relocated at the daymark, both St Martins, with another on Shipman’s Down, Bryher. Other goodies on St Mary’s included a Wryneck in gardens at Trench Lane, a Hoopoe at the campsite on the Garrison, a Wood Sandpiper and Reed Bunting at Porth Hellick and 2 Siskins over Peninnis. A Short-eared Owl was on St Martins and the first Golden Oriole of the year was at Rowesfields on Tresco. By mid-morning, after the fog had cleared, Swallows were passing in large numbers. A visit to Annet held single Whinchat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and White Wagtail.
Some of the totals of migrants seen on islands visited:
ST MARY’S: 1 ALPINE SWIFT, 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 1 Wryneck, 1 Hoopoe, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Swift, 1 Merlin, 2 Siskin, 2 Wheatear, 3 Cuckoo, 8 Whimbrel, 5 Sand Martin, 6 House Martin, 100+Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 STONE CURLEW, 1 Dotterel, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Whinchat, 1 Whitethroat , 4 Wheatear and 70+Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 1 Golden Oriole, 1 Brambling, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Common Sandpiper, 7 Swift, 10 Willow Warbler and 100+Swallow.
ST AGNES: 1 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Wheatear, 6 Sand Martin, 10+House Martin, 20 Whimbrel and 50+Swallow.
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25th April:
Very hot and sunny with a light SEE wind. A PALLID SWIFT, found by Doug Page, flew over St Agnes with Swifts heading east towards St Mary’s. Despite everyone searching for it on St Mary’s there was no further sign. If accepted this will be the forth Scilly record. Doug also found the first accepted Scilly Pallid Swift in May, 1998 on the same island. On St Martins a RED-RUMPED SWALLOW feeding with other Swallows showed very well at the Pool Green. The Dotterel was only present in the morning at the Daymark and the Marsh Harrier flew through. The WOODCHAT SHRIKE was relocated on Tresco near Gible Porth after going missing for a day. Tresco also held a Whitethroat and the first Whinchat of the year. On St Agnes there was another Whitethroat and a late Fieldfare. In Smith Sound only one of the BLACK GUILLEMOTS could be found and Swallows were moving through during the day with over 300 roosting at Porth Hellick where there was also a Reed Bunting. A female Ring Ouzel was on The Garrison.
Numbers of some of the migrants on islands visited: 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Cuckoo, 13 Swift, 20+Sand Martin, 35+House Martin, 100+Wheatear and 500+Swallow.
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26th April:
Foggy start turning hot and sunny with a light NE wind. For the last few days we have been dominated by high pressure with light eastlies. A very good day with many highlights. Two RED-RUMPED SWALLOWS included singles at the Lower Moors area and Tresco Great Pool. Both birds showed very well with the Lower Moors individual moving to Porthloo in the evening. Observers watching the swallow at Porthloo could not believe their eyes when an ALPINE SWIFT flew straight through heading SSE. A very good find was a STONE CURLEW in the sheep fields just above he clay pit and the Dotterel was relocated at the daymark, both St Martins, with another on Shipman’s Down, Bryher. Other goodies on St Mary’s included a Wryneck in gardens at Trench Lane, a Hoopoe at the campsite on the Garrison, a Wood Sandpiper and Reed Bunting at Porth Hellick, a late Jack Snipe on Bryher and 2 Siskins over Peninnis. A Short-eared Owl was on St Martins and the first Golden Oriole of the year was at Rowesfields on Tresco. By mid-morning, after the fog had cleared, Swallows were passing in large numbers. A visit to Annet held single Whinchat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and White Wagtail. Another 2 Sedge Warblers were on Bryher.
ST MARY’S: 1 ALPINE SWIFT, 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 1 Wryneck, 1 Hoopoe, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Swift, 1 Merlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Siskin, 2 Wheatear, 3 Cuckoo, 5 Dunlin, 8 Whimbrel, 5 Sand Martin, 6 House Martin, 100+Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 STONE CURLEW, 1 Dotterel, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Whinchat, 1 Whitethroat , 2 Swift, 4 Wheatear and 70+Swallow.
TRESCO: 1 RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, 1 Golden Oriole, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Brambling, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Common Sandpiper, 7 Swift, 10 Willow Warbler and 100+Swallow.
ST AGNES: 1 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Wheatear, 6 Sand Martin, 10+House Martin, 20 Whimbrel and 50+Swallow.
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24th April:
Foggy start clearing later to bright hot sun with a light SE wind. The only new birds of note were a TAWNY PIPIT at Carn Near, Tresco, a female Dotterel at the Daymark, St Martins and a Wood Sandpiper briefly in the morning at Porth Hellick. In the evening the Wood Sand was replaced by a Common Sandpiper. At Pelistry there were a Turtle Dove, Brambling and Swift with another of the latter species at Porth Hellick. A Sedge Warbler was at this site also, 2 Black-tailed Godwits were on Tresco Great Pool and the Buzzard and immature male Marsh Harrier were both on St Martins. Swallows were moving through all the islands in small numbers. Up to 4 Cuckoos were on St Mary’s and the second pelagic of the year produced two flocks of 15 Dunlins and 80+Whimbrels.
TRESCO: 1 TAWNY PIPIT, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 15+Wheatear and 25+Swallow.
ST MARTINS: 1 DOTTEREL, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Cuckoo, 12 House Martin, 15+Swallow, 20+Wheatear, 20+Curlew and 30+Common Tern.
ST MARY’S: 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Cuckoo, 5 House Martin, 40+Swallow.
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23rd April:
Except for a SW breeze, same conditions as yesterday. A good selection of birds arrived today. A NIGHT HERON flew over Buzza Tower towards Peninnis being mobbed by gulls while on Tresco there was a WOODCHAT SHRIKE in fields at Dolphin Town and a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER. The plover a lot rarer than the shrike. In Hugh Town the SUBALPINE WARBLER was located, showing very well at Jerusalem Terrence. A Turtle Dove and Sedge Warbler were at Lower Moors and 2 Whimbrels were at Porthloo Beach and Watermill with another 8 at Porth Hellick.. On St Agnes both the SHORT-TOED LARK and Rose-coloured Starling remained with a Greenland Wheatear at Wingletang and on St Martins there were a Tree Pipit, 2 Grasshopper Warblers and 3 Cuckoos.
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22nd April:
A light NW breeze with bright hot Sunshine. On St Agnes a SHORT-TOED LARK was found at Troy Town. The SUBALPINE WARBLER was showing very well in Hugh Town until it flew off in the afternoon never to be seen again. The first of the year included, Turtle Doves with singles at Parting Carn and Porth Hellick and a Whitethroat was on St Agnes. This island also Produced a single Grasshopper and Sedge Warbler, 2 Whimbrels and 2 Redwings. One of the Redwings was in full song. On St Mary’s there were 2 Cuckoos and at Porth Hellick there were single Grasshopper, Reed and Sedge Warbler with a Redwing on the airfield. Another Grasshopper Warbler was on the Garrison.
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21st April:
Wet with a strong SW. The YELLOWHAMMER was relocated feeding on Porthloo Beach and briefly at Porth Mellon. There was a Ring Ouzel at Longstones and a Common Sandpiper at Porthloo. Moorhens have bred successfully on the Shooters Pool with 3 young. On St Agnes there were 4 Whimbrels and 5 Redwings.
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20th April:
Light rain clearing later with a fresh SW. Both the BLACK GUILLEMOTS remained in Smith Sound between St Agnes and Annet. At Porth Mellon a male YELLOWHAMMER was feeding on the track next to the gig sheds and up to 3 Purple Sandpipers were with the Turnstones at the Quay. The SUBALPINE WARBLER gave burst of song in the dull weather.
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19th April:
Sunny spells with a moderate SW. The first Reed Warbler of the year was heard in the reeds at Tresco Great Pool. Nearby there was a Sedge Warbler and a Black-tailed Godwit flew over the Abbey Pool. The SUBALPINE WARBLER gave was still present in Hugh Town and a Grasshopper Warbler was on The Garrison.
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18th April;
Overcast and heavy downpours with a strong cold NNW wind. The western SUBALPINE WARBLER kept low in the blustery conditions and was seen briefly at Jerusalem Terrence. At Porth Hellick there was a first winter Yellow-legged Gull, 8 Swallows, 1 House Martin and a Cuckoo. Nearby at Carn Friars, 20 Goldfinches were feeding with 150+Linnet. A single Redwing and 2 Bramblings were on Tresco with a Common Tern in The Roads.
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17th April:
Dull with light rain later in the day with a moderate SW wind. The first summer male western SUBALPINE WARBLER continued to sing in a favoured garden at Jerusalem Terrence in Hugh Town throughout the day. A Cuckoo was at Old Town Church.
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16th April:
Hot and sunny with a light SSW wind. A male SUBALPINE WARBLER was discovered in gardens at Jerusalem Terrence in Hugh Town. The bird showed very well at close range singing on and off. There were good numbers of Grasshopper Warblers reeling this morning. Up to 2 were on Peninnis with a single on The Garrison while on St Agnes there were maybe 7-8 birds. A Blue-headed and the first Yellow Wagtail of the year were also on this island. Just as rare as the warbler was a GOLDENEYE reported off St Martins and nearby there were the first 3 Arctic Terns of the year. The HOOPOE was observed flying over Middle Town towards the hotel. On Tresco birds of note included a Cuckoo, 10+Blackcap and 15+Chiffchaffs. The Great Pool held 25+Sand Martin and 5 House Martins and Swallows. Two Redwings were on St Agnes.
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15th April:
Cold and wet with rain throughout the day. Light to moderate SSW. Two HOOPOES included one at The Meadow on St Agnes and the other on the track leading to English Point. The latter island also produced 2 Ring Ouzels at the Daymark, a Common Sandpiper at Lower Town and a Swift above Middle Town. It or another Swift was briefly at Porth Hellick feeding with 10 Swallows, 7 Sand Martins and 8 House Martins. Another Common Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick and Cuckoos were at Trenoweth, Halangy Down, St Agnes and St Martins. Over 20 Goldfinch were with a flock of 200+Linnets at Carn Friars with another 50 at the golf course. At Lower Moors there were 6 Snipes and 3 Teals and both Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were thin on the ground. There are still 2-3 mobile Merlins on the islands.
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14th April:
Sunny spells with a light to moderate SSW. One of the BLACK GUILLEMOTS was reported from the Scillonian. No more details. The male Ring Ouzel remained at Giants Castle and there was a Common Sandpiper at Porth Hellick. A male Sparrowhawk was at Rose Hill and there were up to 8 Purple Sandpipers at the quay.
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13th April:
Same conditions as yesterday. At Giants Castle there was only a single male Ring Ouzel with 6 Wheatears. Porth Hellick hosted a Grasshopper Warbler and Common Sandpiper and at Lower moors there were 2 each of Teal and Snipe. The first Whimbrel of the year were 4 birds on Bryher and 2 Bramblings were on Tresco. Four Rossi’s Dolphins and a Minke Whale were seen from the Scillonian. A Clouded Yellow was seen on St Agnes.
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12th April:
Bright warm sunshine with a light NE breeze. The first Ring Ouzel of the year were two males in the Giants Castle/airfield area. The BLACK GUILLEMOTS were showing distantly off the NE end of Annet from St Agnes where the Rose-coloured Starling was still present. The Buzzard with the nick was favouring the Porth Hellick area and there were more Wheatears in. On Bryher 2 Grasshopper Warblers were reeling. Otherwise migrants were thin on ground.
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11th April:
Still, overcast, and variable. Willow Warblers were singing in every bush it seemed with a total of over 200 on islands visited. At Porth Hellick the first Sedge Warbler and Common Sandpiper of the year were present where there was also a male Reed Bunting and female Pochard with a Grasshopper Warbler reeling nearby on the loop. At Lower Moors there was another Grasshopper Warbler reeling, Firecrest and the first Garden Warbler of the year. Both BLACK GUILLEMOTS were still in Smith Sound and were both seen from St Agnes. On the latter island the first Cuckoo of the year was heard and the Grasshopper Warbler was near the post office. A single Black-throated Diver was with a large gathering of 25 Great Northern Divers, less than half were in summer plumage, just off Star Castle. This made it a Scilly record by three. There was a big movement of Swallows over all islands and 2 House Martins were at Longstones and St Martins where a ‘tundra’ Ringed Plover was discovered on the flats with other Ringed Plovers.
Numbers of some of the migrants on islands visited: 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Firecrest, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 House Martin, 8 Blackcap, 20+Chiffchaff, 90+Sand Martin, 200+Willow Warbler and 250+Swallow.
ST MARY’S: 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Buzzard, 1 Firecrest, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Snipe, 1 Pochard, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 White Wagtail, 2 House Martin, 7 Blackcap, 10 Purple Sandpiper, 12 Sand Martins, 15 Chiffchaff, 25 Great Northern Diver, 50+Swallow and 100+Willow Warbler.
ST MARTINS: 1 Blackcap, 1 Magpie, 1 Grey Plover, 2 House Martin, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Chiffchaff, 15+Sand Martin, 20+Willow Warbler, 60+Swallow, 60+Sand Martin and 80+Sanderling.
ST AGNES: 2 BLACK GUILLEMOT, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Firecrest, 1 Merlin, 9 Wheatear, 15+Sand Martin, 40+Willow Warbler, 40+Swallow and 60+Linnet.
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10th April:
Both BLACK GUILLEMOTS were found in Smith Sound in between St Agnes and Annet. A female Siskin was on a bird table at Branksea, single Jack Snipes were at both Porth Hellick and Lower Moors and there were up to 9 Purple Sandpipers off Morning Point. The Rose-coloured Starling was still on St Agnes where there was also the Grasshopper Warbler and a Firecrest. Lots of Willow Warblers still around.
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9th April:
Warm and sunny with a light SE turning to a SW in the afternoon. Joe Pender, Skipper of the tripper boat ‘Sapphire’, bumped into 2 BLACK GUILLEMOTS, only the 5th and 6th records, between St Agnes and Annet while doing a trip around the Western Isles in the afternoon. He returned again in the early evening, this time with local birders, and relocated them in the same area to where he last saw them. Both birds were together showing very well in Smith Sound. The last sightings were of 2 birds off St Agnes on the 6th April, 1994 while the other two records have also been in spring, March and April. There were also the first sightings of Puffins this year and 7 Great Northern Divers were off the Western Rocks with a single bird off Bar Point. There was a single House Martin and the first Redstart of the year,a male, at Porth Hellick and yesterdays Yellow-legged Gull from Tresco had moved to Morning Point. A Common Tern in The Roads was the first of the year. There were more Willow Warblers around including 70+St Mary’s, 30+St Martins, 20+St Agnes and 10+ on Tresco and again only the main sites on each island were covered. Only 2 could be found on Bryher though and on St Martins there was a Redwing.
Number of some of the migrants on islands visited: 7 Wheatear, 40+Sand Martin, 50+Chiffchaff, 70+Swallows, and 130+Willow Warbler.
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8th April:
A pleasant sunny day with a light to moderate NE wind. There was a fall of Willow Warblers with a total of 60+ on St Mary’s. Only the main sites were covered. Over 25 were at Lower Moors and Porth Hellick with 9 on Peninnis. Smaller numbers were seen else where on the island. An Osprey flew low over Old Town. The first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was reeling next to the post office on St Agnes. The 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese were next to Stoney Island and the Buzzard with the nick was seen over Porth Hellick. The latter site held a single Sand Martin and Swallow during the day but by evening there were 20+Swallows, 10 Sand Martins and 1 House Martin. There were another 25+Swallows on Tresco Great Pool. This island also held 20+Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Bramblings, the Rook and a female Wigeon on the Abbey Pool. The Marsh Harrier visited St Martins.
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7th April:
Light showers in the morning turning brighter with a moderate NE wind. There were up to seven species of raptor seen today making this a very good Scilly record. The highlights were the immature male Marsh Harrier at Porthloo, the female Hen Harrier on The Garrison and the two Buzzards were observed all over St Mary’s. The one bird that caused interest was an unidentified falcon high over Hugh Town. A Willow Warbler, 3 Swallows and 16 Sand Martins were at Porth Hellick and Single Swallows were moving through St Mary’s throughout the day. On St Agnes the Rose-coloured Starling had moulted into first summer.
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6th April:
Fresh cold N wind with showers and sunny spells. Both the Marsh Harrier and Hen Harrier were on St Mary’s with the Buzzard without the nick seen all over the island. A single Firecrest was at Porth Hellick with a Swallow and 10 Sand Martins arriving in the late afternoon. A female Brambling was at Jac a ba.
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5th April:
A Lanner or Saker, of unknown origin, was observed flying over Tresco Great Pool. Nearby at Rowesfields there were no sign of the 2 Serins but 4 Bramblings were present and the Rook was on the Heliport. The only birds of note on St Martins were 4 Grey Plover and the Magpie.
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4th April:
Again sunny with a fresh SW wind. At Rowesfields Cottages, Tresco, 2 female SERINS were found feeding with 5 Bramblings in fields nearby. Two Swallows and 7 Sand Martins were on the Great Pool and 8 White Wagtail and 3 Pied Wagtails were in the horse paddocks on Abbey Drive. Off Samson there was a single pale-bellied Brent Goose. On St Mary’s the HOOPOE was still present at Longstones Terraces and the female Hen Harrier passed Bar Point. Two Bramblings were at Jac a bar.
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3rd April:
Cloudy with heavy showers in the afternoon with a fresh SW wind. A HOOPOE was discovered in the back gardens of Longstones Terraces. Only a male Black Redstart remained at Porthloo. The Jack Snipe and immature male Marsh Harrier was at lower Moors and the female Hen Harrier flew over Sunnyside. Two Knot at Porth Hellick was a very good site record.
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2nd April:
Sunny with a moderate SSW wind. A visit to Tresco produced a second winter Yellow-Legged Gull on Simpson’s Field, Great Pool. A new Buzzard has arrived and was in the Great Pool area. At the moment there are 3 Buzzards on the islands. The Rook was at the Heliport and over 25 Sandwich Terns were in the channel. The Great Pool also held 4 Swallows and 12 Sand Martins and 2 House Martins were just off the island, Tean. At the Jac a ba feeding station there were up to 4 Bramblings, a pair of Blackcaps and a brief visit from a Hawfinch. Four Chiffchaffs were nearby and there was a singing Willow Warbler at Porth Hellick. The Black Redstarts at Porthloo had increased to 4
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1st April:
Showers with a fresh SE wind. A very early Swift at Porth Hellick equalled the earliest Scilly record. More Black Redstart s were in with singles at Porth Hellick and Giants Castle and 2 at Porthloo. At Porth Hellick there were 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Grey Wagtails, a male Blackcap and in the late afternoon 14 Sand Martins dropped in. Another male Blackcap was at Lower Moors where there was also a Jack Snipe, 8 Snipes and 2 more Grey Wagtails. There was a slight increase in Chiffchaffs. The finches at Jac a ba have increased to 100. Here the single Brambling was still present and 10 Fieldfares flew over.
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31st March:
Overcast with a light SSE wind. The female SERIN turned up in the gardens of Little Porth. The immature male Marsh Harrier made an appearance at Porth Hellick and there was a Firecrest at Lower Moors. Black Redstarts had increased to 5 with 2 birds at Peninnis and 6 Swallows were at Trenoweth. Five Sand Martins were at The Garrison with 13 at Porth Hellick, 7 White Wagtails were at Telegraph and there were over 80 finches at Jac a ba. There was a single Brambling here with a female at Borough Farm. On St Agnes there were a single Black Redstart and Sand Martin.
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30th March:
Sunny with a fresh E wind. The only birds of note were the SERIN over Lower Moors towards Old Town and the female Hen Harrier at Green Farm. Four Sand Martins were at Porth Hellick and a single Wheatear was on Giants Castle. There was only 2 Bramblings at Jac a ba where there was also a Firecrest, 2 Water Rails and a Painted Lady.
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29th March:
Bright sunny spells with a light to moderate E wind. The female Hawfinch was in the gardens of Sallyport and there were 2 Sand Martins at Porth Hellick. One of the Buzzards was high above Hugh Town and on St Martins there was a single Swallow and Sand Martin.
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28th March:
Cloudy and warm with a light NE breeze. A mobile female Hawfinch was discovered on feeders in gardens at Sallyport. The bird hung around with House Sparrows, showing well at times. A SERIN flew over Troy Town, St Agnes where the Magpie from St Martins made a rare visit and the Rose-coloured Staring was sharing its time in gardens at Higher Town. Two Willow Warblers included singles at Lower and Higher Moors. A total of 6 Firecrests were on St Mary’s with singles at Carn Friars and The Garrison and 4 at Lower Moors and there are now 4 Bramblings at the Jacobar feeding station. Over forty Chiffchaffs were scattered around, including 10 each at Porth Hellick and Lower Moors and at the latter site there were 3 Pied and 2 White Wagtails. There were another 12 Chiffchaffs on Bryher where there were also 6 Wheatears with 3 on Peninnis and 9 on St Agnes. Two female Black Redstarts were on Little Porth. The female Hen Harrier was spotted on Samson and there were 2 Sandwich Terns and 7 Great Northern Divers in The Roads. Manx Shearwaters were growing in numbers in the late afternoon and off Deep Point there were large rafts totalling up to 2000 birds.
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27th March:
Warm and sunny with a light NE breeze. A very flighty female SERIN was commuting between the fields of Ennor Close and the gardens in front of Tolemans Café. Two Jack Snipes were at Lower Moors ands a Brambling joined the large flock of finches at jacobar feeding station. The Buzzard with the nick made a visit to Porth Hellick where there was only a single Sand Martin. Up to 4 White and 3 Pied Wagtails came into roost at Lower Moors. Wheatears were down in numbers with 6 at Porthcressa and 3 at Giants Castle. Two were also on St Martins.
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26th March:
A much better day with warm sunshine and a light NE wind. Migrants took advantage of this and a total of 14 Wheatears were on the St Mary’s. There were 3 Sand Martins and the Buzzard at Porth Hellick. Three Firecrests were together in bushes next to the Shooters Pool at Lower Moors with a single bird next to the hides. Up to 8 Golden Plover were on the airfield. On Tresco there were 3 Firecrests, the Rook and over 20 Chiffchaffs. The other Buzzard was over St Martins and the 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese were off Green Island.
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25th March:
Cold and wet with a moderate NNE wind. A single Wheatear was on the Garrison with 3 birds at Giant’s Castle. There were 2 White Wagtails at Little Porth and the Buzzard performed well at Porth Hellick where there was also a single Firecrest with 2 birds at Lower Moors. At the latter site the Grey Wagtail remained while a bird came in off the sea at Porth Minnck. No sign of the Hoopoe today.
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24th March:
The HOOPOE remained at Porthloo and at Carn Friars there was a decent flock of 50 Linnets. A single Firecrest and 7 Chiffchaffs were nearby.
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23rd March:
Bright and sunny with a moderate N wind. After the HOOPOE was last observed disappearing with a Peregrine close behind, it was a relief when it was found probing in fields at Porthloo today. Porth Hellick produced the same birds including the female Hen Harrier, the Buzzard with out the nick, 2 Firecrests, 1 Swallow and 2 Sand Martins and new in was a Tree Pipit feeding in a field at the back of the pool.
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22nd March:
Similar conditions as yesterday with a NNW, F7-8. The HOOPOE was still favouring fields at Porthloo. It may of came to its end as a Peregrine almost, on all three attempts, caught it. Both birds disappeared together over the brow of a hill towards Rocky Hills. On Bryher there was a Tree Pipit heard and seen at Green Bay. A Sandwich Tern was in Tresco Channel and the Buzzard with the nick was on Tresco. Off Deep Point there were 4 Manx Shearwaters and a Black-throated Diver. Only 2 Swallows and Sand Martins were at Porth Hellick.
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21st March:
Sunny with a gale force WNW, F8-9 at times. Despite the blustery conditions it turned out to be a good day. The only new bird was a flyover SERIN at Higher Moors towards Holy Vale at mid-day. The HOOPOE was relocated in fields behind Porthloo Terraces, while in the bay nearby, the Little Gull was seen on and off. Both harriers showed up with the immature male Marsh Harrier in fields just above the Hoopoe at Trewince and the female Hen Harrier spent some time at Porth Hellick. A Reed Bunting was at Lower Moors and there were 6-10 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins at Porth Hellick. Single Firecrests were at Porthloo and Carn Friars with 3-4 at Lower Moors. Two Manx Shearwaters were feeding with over 100 Kittiwakes in The Roads off Watermill.
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20th March:
Heavy drizzle turning brighter with a strong SWW, F6-7. The second HOOPOE of the year was a bird feeding on the road verge this morning next to Porthloo boatyard but it was not seen again. However, at Porthloo Bay there was an adult Little Gull found feeding with a small flock of Black-headed Gulls showing very well at high tide. Up to 6 Swallows and 5 Sand Martins were at Porth Hellick.
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19th March:
Gale force SW, F7-8 and rain throughout the morning turning pleasant with sunny spells and SWW, F5. Five Sand Martins flew over Sallyport first thing this morning and at Porth Hellick there were 5 each of Swallows and Sand Martins with a pair of Teal, 4 Greenshanks on the pool and the female Hen Harrier flew straight through in the evening.
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18th March:
Light rain turning brighter with a fresh SWW wind. At Porth Hellick there were 3 Swallows, 5 Sand Martins, the female Hen Harrier and only 2 Reed Buntings. The Water Pipit was on the beach nearby. After going missing for some time, the CETTI’S WARBLER was heard next to the hides at Lower Moors. Linnets and Goldfinches were moving through in small numbers. St Martins produced 2 Sand Martins, a female Black Redstart, 1 Golden Plover and 10 Linnets.
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17th March:
Dull and light drizzle with a light SW breeze. The first Sandwich Terns this year were 3 birds at Porth Mellon. There was only a single Swallow and White Wagtail at Porthloo. By late afternoon 2 Swallows and 3 Sand Martins arrived at Porth Hellick with another 5 Swallows at Tresco Great Pool. Porth Hellick also produced 3 Reed Buntings including a female showing very well next to the hide. The Buzzard without the nick made an appearance at Parting Carn after going missing for over a week and the Marsh Harrier visited St Martins.
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16th March:
Warm bright sunshine with a moderate SW wind. The TREECREEPER was relocated in Tresco Abbey Wood and by the afternoon there were up to 5 Swallows on Great Pool nearby. Only a single Swallow was seen on St Mary’s, just below the quay wall with the male Black Redstart. The Marsh Harrier turned up at Porth Hellick and there was a Wheatear on Old Town Beach. The Water Pipit was relocated at Porth Hellick after not being seen for well over a month and it was still in winter. There were over 15 Chiffchaffs at Carn Friars with most of them in song.
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15th March:
Drizzle on and off with fog in the afternoon and a fresh SW wind. Birders looking for the Treecreeper on Tresco were rewarded with a rather early male Marsh Harrier over the Great Pool. Nearby, Chas Wood was leading a party of 30 tourists and flushed a HOOPOE on the path leading up towards the Block House. Here it showed well for everyone to enjoy. There was a notable increase in Firecrests on Tresco with 8 birds, including 4 with a small flock of Blue and Great Tits which included the 2 LONG-TAILED TITS. Two Rooks were on the heliport and the Mistle Thrush was in the horse paddocks along Abbey Drive. St Mary’s could only produce 3 White Wagtails and a single Grey Wagtail at Lower Moors and up to 8 Chiffchaffs were around the hides of Porth Hellick.
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14th March:
A bright start with rain later and a fresh S wind. Very quiet today. The Whimbrel reappeared at Bar Point where there was also a single female Black Redstart and Firecrest. Another Firecrest was at Porth Hellick and the male Black Redstart was showing well below the quay wall. A female Black Redstart and a male Wheatear were on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 1 Whimbrel, 2 Black Redstart, 2 Firecrest, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Skylark, 10+White Wagtail and 15 Redwing.
ST AGNES: 1 Wheatear, 1 Black Redstart, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail and 3 Redwing.
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13th March:
Light showers and sunny spells with a fresh SW. No sign of the Franklin’s Gull but the TREECREEPER was relocated in Tresco Abbey Wood where it showed very well on and off. Also in the same wood, there were the 2 LONG-TAILED TITS and Willow Warbler. Nearby at the heliport there was a Rook and the female Hen Harrier made an appearance. The Pochards were joined by a drake Tufted Duck on the Great Pool. Two Wheatears and White Wagtails were on St Agnes.
TRESCO: 1 TREECREEPER, 2 LONG-TAILED TIT, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Rook, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Pied Wagtail, 5 Pochard, 6 White Wagtail, 6 Redwing, 12 Teal and 50+Sanderling.
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12th March:
Dull start turning brighter with a light to moderate SWW wind. The FRANKLIN’S GULL was relocated this morning in Old Town Bay just below the church. Like yesterday it showed very well, just a few metres away, then flew off towards Peninnis in the early afternoon and was not seen again. In the same area there was a Willow Warbler in song with another bird at Porth Hellick. A Male Wheatear was at Giants Castle, the male Reed Bunting was at Porth Hellick while at the same time there was a male at Lower Moors. There was a fall of White Wagtails with over 50 scattered around the island including 25+ at Porthcressa while on St Agnes there were 15. Also on this island there were 3 Wheatears, 3 Grey wagtails and a single Firecrest. St Martins only had 3 White Wagtails.
ST MARY’S: 1 FRANKLIN’S GULL, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Wheatear, 1 Firecrest, 3 Grey Wagtail, 5 Fieldfare, 20+Redwing, 30+Pied Wagtail, 50+White Wagtail and 120+Meadow Pipit.
ST AGNES: 3 Wheatear, 1 Firecrest, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Skylark, 6 Redwing and 15 White Wagtail.
ST MARTINS: 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Redwing, 3 White Wagtail, 6 Skylark and 50+Meadow Pipit.
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11th March:
Gale force SSE winds, F9-10 with rain all day, heavy at times. A quick look at Lower Moors from the ISBG hide and there, in front of me was a first winter FRANKLIN’S GULL, the first Scilly record and long overdue. Fortunately the bird hung around for everyone to see it. It flew off towards Old Town Bay where it was located feeding in the same area as last Novembers Laughing Gull. Here it was forced, by the blustery weather, to return to Lower Moors where it was more sheltered. After a short stay it was off again but returned half an hour later and performed at very close range showing off it’s unusual pink flush on it’s underparts. Presumably, this bird arrived in front of the most recent Atlantic depressions which hit Scilly overnight. Understandable not much else was seen except for the male Reed Bunting at Porth Hellick, up to 10 White Wagtails on Porthloo Beach and the female Black Redstart on Porthcressa Beach.
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10th March;
Light cloud with a fresh bitter cold SE wind. Most of yesterdays birds had moved on. A male Reed Bunting at Porth Hellick may have been the bird seen there last week and the female Hen Harrier was at Lower Moors. In two days 130 Wood Pigeons were shot at Longstones and it was estimated that there were 300 around at the time including over 50 on Tresco. On St Agnes the male Wheatear, Rose-coloured Starling and Reed Bunting remained and there were still 12 White Wagtails. Five White Wagtails and 3 Fieldfares were on St Martins.
ST MARY’S: 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Firecrest, 6 Linnet, 9 White Wagtail, 11 Goldfinch and 13 Pied Wagtail.
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9th March:
Sunny spells with a moderate SE wind. St Agnes produced the first Wheatear of the year with a male at Periglis. A Sand Martin was nearby and at Santa Warna there was a male Reed Bunting with the first winter Rose-coloured Starling at Coastguard Cottages. There has been a large arrival of both Pied and White Wagtails with 45+ and 36 respectively. There were 6 White Wagtails feeding with over 20 Pied Wagtails, 30+Meadow Pipit and a single Skylark in fields at Bishops View. On St Agnes there were 12 White Wagtails but only 2 Pied Wagtails. Elsewhere, St Martins held 4 White Wagtails and on Tresco there were over 10 Pied Wagtails. Four Grey Wagtails were new in with 2 on St Agnes and 2 at Lower Moors and over 50 Meadow Pipits were at Longstones. There was slight increase in winter thrushes. The new feeding station at Trenoweth has only been going for three weeks and there are already over 50 each of Green and Chaffinch. Also a single Water Rail l has been seen around the drinking pool.
ST AGNES: 1 Wheatear, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Dunlin, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Linnet, 6 Redwing, 12 White Wagtail.
ST MARY’S: 1 Buzzard, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Skylark, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Linnet, 4 Firecrest, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Water Rail, 5 Gadwall, 10 White Wagtail, 20+Redwing, 30 Pied Wagtail, 65+Chaffinch and 80+Meadow Pipit.
ST MARTINS: 4 White Wagtail, 5 Linnet, 6 Chiffchaff, 12 Skylark and 16 Meadow Pipit.
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8th March:
Broken cloud with a moderate SE wind. The TREECREEPER in Tresco Abbey Woods was heard more than seen today and at Borough Farm there was a Mistle Thrush. An adult White Wagtail was with the female Black Redstart and 5 Pied Wagtails on Porthcressa Beach with the male Black Redstart at the quay. Another White Wagtail was on St Agnes. The Buzzard without the nick was at Lower Moors and up to 15 Linnets were at Longstones.
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7th March:
Sunny with a cold moderate NNE. Nigel Wheatly could not believe his eyes when a Treecreeper sp landed on a tree in Tresco Abbey Woods. The bird only showed briefly and therefore he could not clinch the i.d. to whether it was a Treecreeper or a Short-toed Treecreeper. Later he relocated it in the same area and with other local birders, who had twitched it from St Mary’s, it showed all the features TREECREEPER. This is only the eighth and first spring Scilly record. The last record was a single from Sep 30th-Oct 17th, sixteen years ago, also on Tresco, although this and earlier records could not be positively put down to either species as there was not enough known on Short-toed Treecreeper i.d. The first Sand Martin of the year was on Tresco Great Pool and there were 2 Firecrests with the Treecreeper. The Buzzard with nick was observed all over the island. On St Mary’s, 2 Firecrests were at Kittidown with 3 at Lower Moors where there was also one of the Rooks and on St Agnes the were 2 Firecrsets and up to 10 Blackcaps.
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6th March:
Sunny with a light N. Two Rooks flew over the Golf course and they were later seen at the north end of the island. The Green Sandpiper was feeding in flooded fields at Lower Moors and the Mistle Thrush was on the Garrison. The Buzzard was over Peninnis and on St Agnes there was the female Hen Harrier and Rose-coloured Starling. Tresco Great Pool produced a female Scaup.
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5th March:
Cloudy and sunny spells with a light to moderate N. The Green Sandpiper moved to Lower Moors where there was also 3 Firecrests. The Buzzard with out the nick was over Peninnis for a while and the Mistle Thrush remained on the Garrison.
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4th March:
Rain first thing turning brighter with a light SW wind. A Green Sandpiper at Porth Hellick, was rather earlier than usual normally arriving at the end of the month. Also here there was a single Reed Bunting, 3 Firecrests and 12 Chiffchaffs. Tresco produced the 2 LONG-TAILED TITS, the Hen Harrier, single Firecrest and 15+Chiffchaffs and the Buzzard with the other individual on St Mary’s. Both Black-throated and Great Northern Divers were in The Roads.
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3rd March:
Light rain thoughout the day and a fresh S turning to a light SWW late in the day. The female Black Redstart was at Porthcressa with the male at the quay and 4 Firecrests were in bushes next to the trail at Lower Moors with singles at Porth Hellick and the Garrison. The latter site also held the Mistle Thrush on the football field.
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2nd March:
Dull and cold with a moderate S wind. Single Firecrests were at Dump Clump, Sallyport and Lower Moors. The latter site held 3 Woodcock with 4 also at Porth Hellick. Linnets included 6 at Lower Moors and 4 at Carn Friars feeding with 2 Goldfinches. The male Black Redstarts was still in the quay area and a single Purple Sandpiper was with over 30 Ringed Plover.
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1st March:
A pleasant day with bright warm sunshine and a light to moderate SE. Two female Black Redstarts were on Porthcressa Beach with 7 Pied Wagtails and 6 Linnets. There had been a notable influx of Song Thrushes with up to 40 on the golf course, 20+ Porth Hellick and 10 were feeding with the Mistle Thrush on the football field on The Garrison. A single Firecrest was at Lower Moors with 2 birds at the Dump Clump and the Buzzard, with the nick, made a visit to St Martins where there was also a Mistle Thrush. Four Painted Lady’s were scattered around St Mary’s.
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29th February:
Cold and sunny with a moderate N. Both Buzzards were on St Mary’s. The indvidual without the nick was at Kittidown while the other flew from Peninnis over Old Town Church with the Hen Harrier seen at three sites on the same island. Up to 3 Firecrests were at Lower Moors with a single bird at Porth Hellick where there was also a Dunlin on the beach. On Tresco there were 2 more Firecrests and over 30 Wood Pigeons were on Bryher.
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28th February:
The wintery showers continued with a fresh bitter cold NNW. The only birds of note were the Mistle Thrush on the Garrison and the Rose-coloured Starling was still on St Agnes.
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27th February:
Snow and hail showers with a strong raw N, F6-7. The female Black Redstart was with 3 Pied Wagtails on Porthcressa.
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26th February:
Sunny turning cloudy with a cold NW, F4-5 increasing to F7-8 later in the day. On St Martins there were 9 Bar-tailed Godwits and 15 Grey Plovers.
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25th February:
Another scan off Innisidgen produced a single Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver and a female LONG-TAILED DUCK. The latter species is a very rare visitor and is usually not annual. Two Firecrests were in the Secret Garden and the Rose-coloured Starling was still on St Agnes with 5 Golden Plover nearby.
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24th February:
The only birds of note were a single Merlin and 5 Slavonian Grebes off Innisidgen.
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23rd February:
A trip to Tresco could only produce the Mistle Thrush, Woodcock, Firecrest and at New Grimsby, a female Black Redstart with a male on St Mary’s in Hugh Town.
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22nd February:
Both the Buzzard and Hen Harrier remained on St Mary’s and 3 Firecrests were at Lower Moors with another 3 elsewhere on the island.
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21st February:
ENE, F5. A Grey Phalarope was observed flying into Porthloo, touch down very briefly and then fly out north and a Manx Shearwater flew east past Porth Hellick Down.
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20th February:
A single Firecrests was at Parting Carn with 2 at Trenoweth and up to 3 are still on St Agnes.
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19th February:
A bitter cold light to moderate NNE wind with sunny spells. Both Bryher and Tresco were covered today. On the latter island, only 2 of the 3 LONG-TAILED TITS remained feeding in the Abbey Woods. The Buzzed with the nick in its left wing was also seen nearby. On Bryher a Swallow was hawking around Fraggle Rock Café but at Popplestones the earliest Scilly record of WILLOW WARBLER was feeding with 2 Firecrests and 7 Chiffchaffs. Over 20 Firecrests and 70+Chiffchaffs are wintering on Scilly at the moment.
TRESCO: 2 LONG-TAILED TIT, 1 Firecrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Skylark, 4 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, 7 Pied Wagtail, 9 Pochard, 10 Teal, and 41 Coot.
BRYHER: 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Swallow, 2 Firecrest, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Merlin, 3 Goldcrest, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Chiffchaff.
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18th February:
Mild and sunny with a light NNE breeze. The only birds of note was the Cetti’s Warbler and Buzzard at Lower Moors and the Rose-coloured Starling on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Buzzed, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Firecrest, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Pied Wagtail and 3 Woodcock.
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17th February:
Light cloud throughout with a light NW. The CETTI’S WARBLER was heard on the Lower Moors loop, a House Martin was at Little Porth and on St Agnes there were 55 Purple Sandpipers at Periglis.
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16th February:
Cloudy and sunny spells with a light ESE breeze. Eight Slavonian Grebes off Innisidgen beat the Scilly record by two. A single White Wagtail joined the Mistle Thrush on the Garrison and on St Martins there were a single Firecrest and over 50 Meadow Pipits.
ST MARY’S: 1 White Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Black-throated Diver, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Pied Wagtail, 4 Teal, 8 Slavonian Grebe and 10+Redwing.
ST MARTINS: 1 Firecrest, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Raven, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Redwing, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit and 50+Meadow Pipit.
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15th February:
The best day of the year so far with bright warm sunshine and a light E breeze. The Chiffchaffs took advantage of this spring like weather with over 40 being seen including 25+ at Porth Hellick. There were also 20+ on St Agnes. The Whimbrel was back in the north of the island and 2 White Wagtail was feeding with Pied Wagtails and new in, a Grey Wagtail on Little Porth Beach. The male Black Redstart remained on the quay.
ST MARY’S: 1 Buzzard, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Whimbrel, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Firecrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Merlin, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Teal, 5 Pied Wagtail, 7 Great Northern Diver, 40+Chiffchaff and 1 Painted Lady.
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14th February:
Dull turning brighter with a light SE wind. Two White Wagtails were at Little Porth and nearby at Little Porth there were 2 Swallows. A single House Martin was at Porth Hellick.
ST MARY’S: 2 Swallow, 2 White Wagtail, 1 House Martin, 1 Black Restart, 3 Firecrest, 1 Merlin, 4 Teal and 6 Pied Wagtail.
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13th February:
Dull start turning brighter with a light SE breeze. A slight increase in Pied Wagtails and with them came the first White Wagtails with 2 on Tresco. One of the Buzzards was observed flying from Gugh to Peninnis with it or the same on Tresco. The female Hen Harrier was at Wingletang on St Agnes and at Lower Moors there was a House Martin with the Whimbrel at Porthloo. At Borough Farm on Tresco the finch flock had increased and with them were 2 Linnets. A Peacock Butterfly was at Porthcressa.;
TRECO:; 2 White Wagtail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Firecrest, 2 Linnet, 1 Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Pied Wagtail, 6 Pochard, 16 Little Egret, 20 Goldfinch, 25 Teal, 30+Meadow Pipit, 42 Coot 45 Chaffinch.
ST MARY’S:; 1 Buzzard, 1 House Martin, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Black Restart, 1 Woodcock, 2 Teal, 4 Pied Wagtail, 4 Skylark, 15+Chiffchaff, 80+Wood Pigeon and 1 Peacock Butterfly.
ST AGNES:; 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Skylark and 10+Chiffchaff.
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12th February:
Cloudy with a viable light SSE. The CETTI’S WARBLER was singing for twenty minutes next to the hides at Lower Moors and there was a single House Martin at Carn Friars. The Rose-coloured Starling was still present on St Agnes and two Rush Veneers were at Giants Castle.
ST MARY’S:; 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 House Martin, 1 Firecrest, 1 Teal, 2 Skylark, 15 Snipe and 2 Rush Veneers.
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11th February:
Bright warm sunshine with a light S. At Porth Hellick there was a single Swallow with it or another at Lower Moors. A House Martin was also here with 2 over Hugh Town. Mid-afternoon the Buzzard from St Martins was circling high above Buzza, the CETTI’S WARBLER was heard at Lower Moors and the Water Pipit was still at Porth Hellick. The female Black Redstart has been joined by another female at Porthcressa and up to 10 Firecrests were scattered around the island including 3 at Lower Moors and St Agnes. There was another increase in Redwings and on St Agnes there was a single Brambling.
ST MARY’S:; 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 Buzzard, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Skylark, 2 Black Redstart, 7 Firecrest, 2 Fieldfare and 80+Redwing.
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10th February:
Patchy cloud with a light SSW. Both Buzzards were seen again today. Our resident individual was at Lower Moors while the other bird was visiting St Martins. The latter bird was identified as the same bird over Buzza two days ago by a nick in its left wing. The 2 House Martins remained at Porth Hellick and at Popplestone on Bryher there were 2 Long-eared Owls at dusk and the Magpie was on St Martins.
ST MARY’S:; 1 Buzzard, 2 House Martin, 2 Long-eared Owl, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Firecrest, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Teal, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 20+Chiffchaff and 26 Redwing.
ST MARTINS:; 1 Buzzard, 1 Magpie, 5 Chiffchaff, 8 Grey Plover and 10 Bar-tailed Godwit.
ST MARY’S:; 2 Buzzard, 1 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Firecrest, 39 Goldfinch, 60+Chaffinch and 2 Painted Lady.
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9th February:
Cloudy and cold with a light S turning SE later in the day. The Swallow joined up with the 2 House Martins at Porth Hellick where there was also a Mistle Thrush. The Whimbrel remained at Bar Point and the local Buzzard was back on its favoured post at Lower Moors. The Porth Hellick Goldfinch flock had increased to over 50 and at mid-morning 5 Grey Herons arrived in from the south. More Redwings were also in and a Plume Moth was attracted to Normandy House lights.
ST MARY’S: 1 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Buzzard, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Black Redstart, 2 Firecrest, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Slavonian Grebe, 7 Grey Heron, 30+Redwing, 50+Goldfinch and 1 Plume Moth.
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8th February:
Bright and sunny with a light to moderate SSW. In the morning there were 2 House Martins at Porth Hellick and both these birds stayed throughout the day. By mid-afternoon a single Swallow was hawking with 3 more House Martins at Old Town Bay. Two BUZZARDS over Buzza Hill included the resident bird and a new arrival. One departed towards the Garrison and the other towards Peninnis. There were more Goldfinches in including 30+ at Porth Hellick and 9 at Nowhere. Both the Hen Harrier and Water Pipit were at Porth Hellick, the Rose-coloured Starling was still on St Agnes and a visit to Tresco could only produce the long staying Mistle Thrush on the Heliport, 28 Chaffinches and 12 Goldfinches at Borough Farm. Two Painted Lady’s were on Peninnis with a single on Tresco.
ST MARY’S: 2 Buzzard, 1 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Firecrest, 39 Goldfinch, 60+Chaffinch and 2 Painted Lady.
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7th February:
Showers and sunny spells with a strong WNW, F6. At Carn Friars/Porth Hellick area, the same or another House Martin was present throughout the day with the Water Pipit nearby on beach. Six Firecrests were at Lower Moors with the Buzzard circling above. Only a single Balearic Shearwater passed Giants Castle this morning and between Watermill and Normandy a high total of 6 Painted Lady’s were seen.
ST MARY’S: 1 House Martin, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Buzzard, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Black Redstart, 6 Firecrest, 15+Chiffchaff and 6 Painted Lady.
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6th February:
Light rain during the morning with occasional showers later in the day with gale-force SW. The first significant arrival of Meadow Pipits was 40+ in the Telegraph fields with smaller numbers scattered around the island, was an indication that spring is approaching. This was confirmed when around 15.00pm during a sharp shower, a House Martin was observed flying straight through Lower Moors. It was located at nearby Old Town Bay where it hawked for a good ten minutes before turning up at Sallyport an hour later. After going missing for over two months, the CETTI’S WARBLER was heard at Lower Moors near the Shooters Pool and there was also 5+Firecrests here with 2 at Trenoweth and a single at Parting Carn and two Goldfinches were at Carn Friars. Moths trapped on St Agnes overnight included 2 Rusty-dot Pearls, 2 Rush Veneers, 2 Dark-sword grass’s and 10 Small Mottled Willow were trapped overnight.
ST MARY’S: 1 CETTI’S WARBLER, 1 House Martin, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Black Redstart, 8+Firecrest, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Teal, 30 Snipe and 55+Meadow Pipit.
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5th February:
Mild, Cloudy and sunny spells with a light SSW wind. Although it was a lot calmer than yesterday, it turned out to be the best seawatching so far this year. Off Giants Castle for two hours from 08.00a.m. the highlights were 6 Little Auks, including 3 together and 6 Balearic Shearwaters including 2 together. Up to 4 Great Northern Divers and a single Black-throated Diver also flew past. The calm conditions made it ideal to check The Roads and off Innisidgen there were 1 Black-throated Diver, 6 Slavonian Grebes and 6 Great Northern Divers. Over 80 Razorbills were also feeding off here. Another Black-throated Diver and 2 Great Northern Divers were off Star Castle. Butterflies included 2 Painted Lady with singles at Trenoweth and Innisidgen where there was also a Peacock. A single Rush Veneer and Silver Y moths were trapped overnight at Branksea. But at Longstones, there were more immigrant moths trapped including, The Vestal, Rusty-dot Pearl, Nutmeg and Turnip Moth with higher numbers of both Rush Veneers and Dark-sword Grass. A Rusty-dot Pearl was seen during the day on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 6 Little Auks, 6 Balearic Shearwater, 2 Black-throated Diver, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Lapwing, 6 Slavonian Grebe, 6 Golden Plover, 7 Fulmar, 8 Great Northern Diver, 31 Gannet, 130+auk sp, 200+Kittiwake, 1 Peacock, 2 Painted Lady’s, 1 The Vestal, 2 Rusty-dot Pearl, 1 Nutmeg, 1 Turnip Moth, 1 Small Mottled Wave, 1 White-speck, 1 Silver Y, 14 Rush Veneer and 18 Dark sword Grass.
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4th February:
Dull and overcast with a fresh SW, F5. From first thing this morning, seawatching took place both off Peninnis and Giants Castle. Between the two sites the highlights were 2 Little Auks and single Balearic and Manx Shearwaters. The Hen Harrier showed at Higher Lanes there were 2 Linnets at Carn Friars and at Innisidgen there was a Painted Lady.
ST MARY’S: 2 Little Auk, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Firecrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, Merlin, 2 Linnet, and 2 Lapwing.
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3rd February:
Light to moderate rain with strong SW, F5-6. The only birds of note were the male Black Redstart at the quay and 5 adult Common Gulls were at Porthloo Beach.
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2nd February:
Overcast with a strong SW, F5-6. Three Firecrests were in the hedges at Sunnyside and the Hen Harrier was nearby.
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1st February:
Wet and windy with a SWW, F5. A Whimbrel was feeding with 9 Curlews at Bar Point and there was a single Firecrest at Carn Friars.
ST MARY’S: 1 Whimbrel, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Firecrest and 3 Common Gull.
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31st January:
Heavy rain and sunny spells with gale force WSW, F7-8. A two hour seawatch off Giants Castle produced 2 more Mediterranean Shearwaters. The Buzzard showed up at Newford and the Rose-coloured Starling was still on St Agnes.
ST MARY’S: 2 Mediterranean Shearwater, 1 Buzzard, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Common Gull, 7 Fulmar, 30 Gannet, 80+Black-headed Gull, 128 auk sp and 173 Kittiwake.
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30th January:
Light rain with a fresh SW. A seawatch off Giants Castle for four hours produced, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 4+Mediterranean Shearwaters and 400+auk sp and 500+Kittiwakes. Three of the Mediterranean Shearwaters lingered around for over an hour.
ST MARY’S: 4+Mediterranean Shearwater, 3 Manx Shearwater, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Kingfisher, 70+Gannet, 400+auk sp and 500+Kittiwake.
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29th January:
There was a thin layer of ice over the shallow pools this morning but throughout the day it was still, with warm, bright sunshine. Both Firecrests and Chiffchaffs remained in good numbers including 3 of the former at Old Town Church and 3 on St Agnes. The female Black Redstart, a male Blackcap and 11 Chiffchaffs were busy catching flies in the sun at Little Porth with the male Black Redstart still at the Quay. The single Fieldfare was still in the same field and has been here since the first day of the year and both the Buzzard and Water Pipit were at Porth Hellick.
ST MARY’S: 1 Buzzard, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Black Redstart, 10 Firecrest, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Woodcock, 3 Coot, 2 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 30+Chiffchaff and 50+Redwing.
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28th January:
Bright start with thick cloud later in the day with a moderate NNW. The flock of Chaffinches at Green Farm had dropped to over 50. Here in five minutes both the Hen Harrier and female Sparrowhawk scattered the finches. The Buzzard was hanging in the wind above Kittidown and there were single Water Rails at eight sites included one in a Mcfarlands Down Garden. A Long-eared Owl was flying around Nowhere at dusk.
ST MARY’S: 1 Buzzard, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Great Northern Diver, 3 Teal, 8 Water Rail, 14 Chiffchaff, 15+Snipe, 20+Redwing and 50+Chaffinch.
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27th January:
Sunny but colder with a light NE. The Hen Harrier was seen briefly over Lower Moors and off Star Castle there was 1 Black-throated Diver and 4 Great Northern Diver. Single Firecrests were at Porth Hellick and Lower Moors. The Rose-coloured Starling and 2 Firecrests remained on St Agnes.
ST AGNES: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 2 Firecrest, 2 Merlin, 6 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff and 55 Purple Sandpiper.
ST MARY’S: 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Firecrest, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Great Northern Diver, 20 Golden Plover and 25 Snipe.
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26th January:
A bright sunny day with a NNE breeze. The 3 dark-breasted Brent Geese were seen off Tresco where the Scaup was still present on the Great Pool. At Porthloo there were 19 Golden Plover and the Water Pipit was showing on Porth Hellick Beach. The Hen Harrier flew over fields at Higher Lanes and there was a Ruby Tiger catterpillar at Lower Moors.
TRESCO: 1 Scaup, 3 Brent Geese, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Great Northern Diver, 9 Common Gull, 18 Little Egret, 22 Grey Plover and 32 Shelduck.
ST MARY’S: 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Firecrest, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Merlin, 3 Teal, 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest and 19 Golden Plover.
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25th January:
Cold and damp with a light NW. The Long-eared Owl was observed flying around in the Four Lanes area just before dark and the female Pochard was still at Porth Hellick.
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24th January:
Bright but chilly with a light to moderate W. A Firecrest at Bar may have been the bird from nearby Trenoweth and there was a female Sparrowhawk at Telegraph. A male Winter Moth was attracted to lights at Normandy House.
ST MARY’S: 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Firecrest, 1 Sparrowhawk and 5 Slavonian Grebe.
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23rd January:
Low cloud, fog and drizzle but mild with a light SW. The only birds of note were a female type Common Scoter off Bar Point and a male Sparrowhawk at Lower Moors and the Mistle Thrush sharing the football field with 3 Golden Plovers on the Garrison. The Hooded Crow was seen for the first time this year on Bryher where there was also a male Blackcap.
ST MARY’S: 1 Buzzard, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Firecrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Teal, 6 Chiffchaff and 27 Snipe.
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22nd: January:
Drizzle and fog with a light WNW wind. With the increase in Chiffchaffs and Redwings it seems as though Firecrests have also arrived in good numbers too. A total of 12 were seen including singles in Hugh Town, Trenoweth and Carn Friars. Three at Lower Moors and 2 each at Old Town, Porth Hellick and Higher Moors. The 2 birds on St Agnes were still present with the Rose-coloured Starling. More Chiffchaffs were found with 6 at Porth Minnick and the Dump Clump and 3 at Old Town. The only Fieldfare on the islands was at Parting Carn, the female Pochard reappeared at Porth Hellick and there was a female Blackcap at Sallyport. The Long-eared Owl showed itself in the early evening at Sunnyside.
ST MARY’S: 1 Buzzard, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Blackcap, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pochard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, 1 Woodcock, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Black Redstart, 6 Goldcrest, 6 Teal, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 12 Firecrest, 27 Snipe, 40+Turnstone, 40+Chiffchaff, 50+Redwing and 300+Starling.
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21st January:
Similar conditions as yesterday except for the wind coming from the WNW. Three Brent Geese were off Stoney Island. There seems to be more Redwings and Chiffchaffs in with over 70 of the latter species scattered around St Mary’s. From Little Porth to Morning Point there was a total of 12 Chiffchaffs fly catching with the 8 at Porth Hellick and just a single bird at Lower Moors and over 20 were on St Agnes. Also at Lower Moors the BUZZARD spent most of the day on a telegraph pole next to the shooters pool. A Firecrest was at the Dump Clump and the Water Pipit was at Porth Hellick.
ST MARY’S: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Firecrest, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Merlin, 3 Pied Wagtail, 5 Slavonain Grebe, 6 Teal, 7 Goldcrest, 8 Golden Plover, 13 Great Northern Diver, 20 Meadow Pipit, 21 Chiffchaff, 20+Turnstone and 70+Redwing.
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20th January:
Overcast with a light N wind. At Porth Hellick there were 2 Firecrests and 8 Chiffchaffs but the highlight was the ring-tailed Hen Harrier showing well over the reeds in front of the two hides. The Water Pipit was on the beach, eight Goldfinches flew over and a flock of over 60 Wood Pigeon was a very high count for this time of year. The harrier was later seen at Parting Carn. A single Firecrest was at Lower Moors and the cracking male Black Redstart was at quay. Only one Black-throated Diver could be found in The Roads but the 2 Red-breasted Mergansers were relocated. The drake Scaup was on Tresco Abbey Pool and there was a roost count of 121 Curlews roosting just off Tean.
ST MARY’S: 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Firecrest, 4 Goldcrest, 8 Goldfinch, 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Teal, 11 Gadwall, 12 Redwing, 20+Great Tit, 60+Wood Pigeon.
TRESCO: 1 Scaup, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Pied Wagtail, 9 Pochard, 12 Chiffchaff, 13 Greenshank, 21 Redshank, 20 Meadow Pipit and 50+Teal.
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19th January:
Showers and sunny spells with a light to moderate WSW. The Water Pipit remained at Porth Hellick and 2 female Merlin flew over Hugh town together. On St Agnes there was the Rose-coloured Starling and 2 Firecrests.
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18th January:
Light NE with bright warm sunshine. Birders took advantage of the calm conditions and off Innisidgen there were 3 Black-throated Divers and 6 Slavonian Grebes. The tundra Ringed Plover remained on Old Town Beach.
ST MARY’S: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Firecrest, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Woodcock, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Black-throated Diver, 5 Chiffchaff, 6 Slavanion Grebe, 6 Great Northern Diver and 20+Redwing..
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17th January;
A dull start turning brighter later in the day with a fresh bitter cold NE wind. Birds still hanging around included the BUZZARD at Lower Moors, the Water Pipit at Porth Hellick and the Rose-coloured Starling on St Agnes. At Four lanes there was a Long-eared Owl with it or another at Trenoweth. A small Ringed Plover feeding on Old Town Beach was identified as the first Scilly record of the race, (C.h.tundrae). A pair of Pintails with Mallards off Tean was a good winter record.
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16th January:
overcast and mild with a moderate WSW. The ring-tailed Hen Harrier reappeared, this time over Salakee and nearby at Porth Hellick there was the Water Pipit. Two Mistle Thrushes were recorded with the individual remaining on the Garrison and a single on Tresco heliport. This island also produced a Crossbill over the dump, a single Firecrest, 10 Chiffchaff and on the Great Pool, the first winter drake Scaup. St Agnes held 2 Firecrests and the Rose-coloured Starling was still favouring the Coastguard Cottages.
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15th January:
Heavy showers with a WSW, F4-5. From first light, a two hour seawatch off Peninnis produced, 50+Gannet, 150+Kittiwake, 250+auk sp and close in, a Little Auk. 13 Golden Plovers were also flying around in the area.
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14th January:
NWW, F7-8 with occasional showers. On St Agnes the Siberian Chiffchaff was on Pereglis Beach with 15+Chiffchaff.
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13th January:
Wind picked up again, F7-8, NW but remained dry. The Water Pipit remained at Porth Hellick where there were 6 Teal on the pool. Up to 6 adult Common Gulls were feeding with 57 Black-headed Gulls at Porthloo. A Long-eared Owl was seen hunting in the Holy Vale area in the late afternoon.
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12th January:
Heavy rain with gale force SWW, F9-10 at times overnight. A bright start with a NW, F5-6. At Porth Hellick there were the Water Pipit, a female Pochard, 2 Kingfishers and 5 Chiffchaff. The BUZZARD was at Lower Moors.
ST MARY’S: 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Guillemot, 3 Great Northern Diver, 2 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
ST AGNES: 1 Merlin, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Gadwall, 2 Snipe, 5 Purple Sandpiper and 12 Curlew.
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11th January:
Cold with occasional showers and a WSW, F6-7 gusting to 8. The windy conditions made birding very difficult. A trip to Tresco could only produce the 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers and on St Martins there was a good record of a single Purple Sandpiper at Great Bay.
ST MARY’S: 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Guillemot, 3 Great Northern Diver, 2 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
ST AGNES: 1 Merlin, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Gadwall, 2 Snipe, 5 Purple Sandpiper and 12 Curlew.
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10th January:
At Lower Moors there was a female Sparrowhawk and the BUZZARD was in fields feeding on Worms. The Rose-coloured Starling was on St Agnes where there were also 2 Firecrests.
ST AGNES: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 2 Firecrest, 2 Dunlin, 20+Lesser Black-backed Gull and 40+Purple Sandpiper.
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9th January:
Cloudy with sunny spells and a fresh NW. The Water Pipit was still at Porth Hellick but it or another was at Old Town Beach in morning with single Firecrests at Toleman, Lower Moors and the Dump Clump. Up to 4 Woodcocks were flying around together at first light above Middle Down on St Matins.
ST MARY’S: 1 Water Pipit, 3 Firecrest, 1 Brambling, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaff 60+Chaffinch.
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8th January:
Gale force NWW with occasional light showers. A seawatch off Penninis for an hour, could only produce a single Great Northern Diver. The Water Pipit was still at Porth Hellick and the BUZZARD had returned from Tresco to Lower Moors. There was a single Brambling with over 100 Chaffinches at Green Farm and 2 Lesser-Black backed Gulls were at Porthcressa. The Siberian Chiffchaff was at Periglis on St Agnes and the dark BUZZARD was still on St Martins.
ST MARY’S: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Brambling, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Merlin, 2 Lesser-Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Gull, 3 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, 60+ Collard Dove and 100+Chaffinch.
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7th January:
Thick cloud followed by heavy rain late in the day with a fresh S. Birders returned to Tresco again hoping to see the robin but like the Bittern, there was no sign of it. Everyone stayed around in the New Grimsby area for most of the day and the only birds of note were the pale BUZZARD and a Firecrest, although there was a large number of Redshanks on the Great Pool. A cracking male Black Redstart was on St Mary’s quay with a female at Porthcressa.
TRESCO: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Firecrest, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Redwing, 5 Greenshank and 30 Redshank.
ST MARY’S: 1 Water Pipit, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Common Gull, 1 Guillemot, 1 Greenshank, 2 Redshank and 5 Coot.
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6th January:
A mild, still, cloudy day. A call from a resident on Tresco describing a perfect description of an AMERICAN ROBIN on Bay Row, New Grimsby, in his back garden got everyone panicking, but the news came to late in the day for anyone to go over. He found it in the mid-afternoon feeding with other thrushes. Here it stayed around for a while before it flying off. On St Agnes, the Rose-coloured Starling was becoming more mobile and the Siberian Chiffchaff was at Periglis. A Water Pipit found at Porth Hellick may have been the bird from Little Porth six days ago. The pale BUZZARD was showing very well on telegraph poles at Lower Moors where there was also 4 Firecrests but only 2 ChiffchaffS could be located. Another 3 Firecrests were at Watermill. The MAGPIE on St Martins made it to its forth year.
ST AGNES: 1 Rose-coloured Starling, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Woodcock and 20+Chiffchaff.
ST MARY’S: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Water Pipit, 7 Firecrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackcap, 1 Gadwall, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 8 Teal, and 41 Snipe.
ST MARTINS: 1 BUZZARD, 1 MAGPIE, 1 Woodcock, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail and 2 Goldfinch.
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5th January:
Light drizzle on and off with a SW breeze. A few birders made the trip to Tresco for yesterdays Bittern but there was no sign of it. Instead they observed the Hen Harrier hunting over the Great Pool, the pale BUZZARD and the on the Abbey Pool, the drake Scaup. The Pochard flock was at it’s highest this winter so far and on St Mary’s, the GOOSANDER was in Porth Hellick Bay. The dark BUZZARD was still covering St Martins.
TRESCO: 1 BUZZARD, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Scaup, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 4 Greenshank, 10 Redshank, 19 Pochard and 40+Teal.
ST MARY’S: 1 GOOSANDER, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Merlin, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 5 Coot, 6 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 20+Redwing and 36 Snipe.
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4th January:
Cloudy and mild with a light SW breeze. A BITTERN on Tresco Great Pool was a very good start to the year. It was observed flying over the reeds near Simpson’s Field and was the first since 1998. If accepted it will be only the seventh Scilly record. Nearby on the Abbey Pool, the Scaup was still present and off the Block House, the 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers reappeared with out the drake. The highlights off Carn Morval and Innisidgen were 2 Brent Geese, 3 Common Scoters and the highest count of Great Northern Divers this winter.
TRESCO: 1 BITTERN, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Scaup, 2 Firecrest, 1 Merlin, 1 Lesser-black Backed Gull, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 12 Pochard, and 30+Teal.
ST MARY’S: 1 Black Redstart, 3 Firecrest, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Brent Geese, 1 Guillemot, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Woodcock, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Common Scoter, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 12 Great Northern Diver, 20 Snipe and 25+Sanderling.
ST MARTINS: 1 Merlin, 1 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Redwing, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Woodcock, 7 Snipe, 8 Grey Plover and 15+Meadow Pipit,
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3rd January:
Dense fog through out the day. On St Agnes, the Rose-coloured Starling was still in the gardens of the Coastguard Cottages making this the first over wintering record for Scilly and there were over 20 Purple Sandpipers and 25 Chiffchaffs on the island.
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2nd January:
The GOOSANDER was in Porth Hellick Bay and the Hen Harrier was observed flying from Innisidgen towards the Eastern Isles. There was a single Jack Snipe at Lower Moors.
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1st January:
Last year was very good for Water Pipits and the first day of 2004 produced a single at Porthcressa. On Tresco there were 2 Long-eared Owls roosting in pines at Middle Down and the 2 female Red-breasted Merganser were joined by a drake off the northern end. The ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen around various parts of the island and the first winter drake Scaup had moved to the Abbey Pool.
ST MARY’S: 1 Water Pipit, 3 Firecrest, 3 Black Redstart and 4 Lapwing.
TRESCO: 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Scaup, 2 Firecrest, 1 Hen Harrier and 1 Tufted Duck.
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