It was a “Bunting day”!
The day started with a mega – a CHESTNUT- EARED BUNTING found on Peninnis, which then promptly flew off and could not be relocated. Also on Peninnis were a Yellowhammer (a real Scilly rarity) and a Little Bunting. Another Yellowhammer flew over Gugh, another Little Bunting was in Lower Moors, and to complete the set a Reed Bunting was in the Standing Stones Field and 2 Lapland Bunting were on St. Agnes. The Blue Rock Thrush was on the Garrison and the Spotted Sandpiper and the Subalpine Warbler were still on St. Agnes. There was no sign of the Blue-winged Teal or the Green-winged Teal. A Waxwing was seen over Old Town and probably another over the airfield. A Richard’s Pipit was at Maypole and a Water Pipit was on Little Porth.
The 2 Pink-footed Geese were still at Kittydown, Great Northern Diver were of Peninnis & off Innisidgen. The 4 Spoonbill were still on Green Island, Samson, a ring-tailed Hen Harrier flew over Peninnis then over St. Agnes & Bryher, the Spotted Crake was till in Lower Moors, a Lapwing flew over Peninnis, a Jack Snipe was on Porth Hellick Pool and a Mediterranean Gull was in Porthcressa Bay. The Turtle Dove was still at Sandy Banks, a Short-eared Owl flew from Newford Duckpond and 2 Merlin were on Pungies Lane & 1 was in the Standing Stones Field. A Red-backed Shrike was at Browarth, St. Agnes, 8 Yellow-browed Warbler were on St. Mary’s & 2 were on St. Martin’s, Lesser Whitethroat were in Old Town Churchyard & in the Standing Stones Field, the Cetti’s Warbler was still at Porth Hellick and 2 Firecrest were in Old Town Churchyard & 1 was on High Lanes. A Ring Ouzel was in Old Town and there was a huge influx of thrushes with 1000s of Redwing, 100s of Fieldfare and many Continental Song Thrushes and Blackbirds. The Red-breasted Flycatcher was still at Borough Farm Tresco & another was near the hides at Porth Hellick, Whinchat were on Carn Friars Farm, on Peninnis & on St. Agnes and there were still a few lingering Wheatear. There was an influx of Chaffinch with 100 at Maypole, 4 Brambling were at Maypole, 1 was on Peninnis, 1 was in Holy Vale, 1 was at Porthloo & 1 was on Tresco, the Hawfinchwas still at Pelistry riding Stables and there were again 50 Siskin on St. Mary’s.