Mid-November one normally expects a few lingering scarcities such as Yellow-browed Warbler, but not on Monday – Pride of place goes to a the HERMIT THRUSH found in a field at the bottom pf Kittydown near the Higher Moors Pumping Station, this was only the 4th record for Scilly. The previous three were 1 on Peninnis on 28th October 1984, one St. Agnes on 15th & 16th October 1987 and one on Tresco from 11th to 18th October 1993, none of these three performed as well as Monday’s bird it showed out in the open in a grassy field and on occasions sat up on and posed for photographs on branches and fence posts! To add to an already astounding day a Dusky Warbler was seen at Porth Hellick and both Olive-backed & Red-throated Pipits were at Pelistry.
The best of the rest were 2 Great Norther Diver near Menawethan & 2 off the Ganninicks, 100 Kittiwake near Menawethan and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier over Rushy Bay. Bryher.
The 2 Chough were heard on Peninnis, then over Porth Hellick and 1 was seen between Church Point & Porth Minnick. A Siberian Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Cetti’s Warbler & 3 Firecrest were all at Porth Hellick/ 2 Black Redstarts & a Scandinavian Rock Pipit were at Little Porth and the Lapland Bunting was still at Porth Hellick Bank.