2004 Sightings |
The IOSBG are looking for articles
for our newsletter. It has got to be associated with the Scilly Isles. What we
are looking for is your best day(s) or week(s) on the islands. Also stories on your
rarest find or a number of rare and scarce birds you have found during vists to the
islands. Anything that you might think will be of interest! It can also
be any type of wildlife.
spider352@hotmail.com
Submissions of photographs of birds on Scilly would be much appreciated
We are considering writing an article about birds landing, circling, following, passing etc. during the Scillonian crossing for the ISBG newsletter. If anyone has anything of interest can they please contact me. Spider352@hotmail.com

Two Black Ducks wihin a week of each other at Newford Duck Pond, Nov, Martin Goodey.

Drake Black Duck, Newford Duck Pond, Nov, Martin Goodey

OVENBIRD, Trenoweth, Oct, Martin Goodey & first winter female Surf Scoter, St
Mary's quay, Nov, Martin Goodey

Unusual first winter Common Gull showing several features
of kamtschatschensis at the golf course, Martin Goodey

Unusual first winter Common Gull showing several features
of kamtschatschensis at the golf course, Martin Goodey

Unusual First Winter Common Gull showing several charactertrics of kamtchatschensis,
Kris Webb, Comments are welcome. Please contact me: spider352@hotmail.com
There will be a break from updating this
page well in to the New Year as even Scilly birders take a break some time!
But we have had a good last few days as
follows:-
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
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
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.
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. .
7th December:
On St Agnes there was a Jack Snipe by the pool.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2nd December:
An abietinus 'type' Chiffchaff and 34 Snipe were at Lower Moors.
Single Black Redstarts were at Little Porth and Porth Mellon.
1st December:
Yesterdays Swallow or another was at Porth Hellick.
30th November:
A Swallow was at the quay and there were up to 7 Wigeons at Porth Hellick
and 65 Snipe at Lower Moors.
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.
28th November:
The highlight of a quiet day was the SURF SCOTER off Porthloo. A single Brambling
was with 10 Skylarks at Carn Friars.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
21st November:
The unusual Common Gull was still present at the golf course and there was Firecrest
on St Agnes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
12th November:
A Short-eared Owl and two Jack Snipes were at Lower Moors. Later the owl was
seen over the airfield.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
26th August:
The WRYNECK was still present at Peninnis and the juvenile Mediterranean Gull was
at Morning Point.
25th August:
The WRYNECK was still present at Peninnis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3rd August:
A Cory's Shearwater was seen from the Scillonian and there was a juvenile Mediterranean
Gull at Skirt Island, Tresco
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.
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.
31st July:
An all day pelagic produced a single Wilson's Petrel, Cory's Shearwater,
2 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 Great Skuas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
24th July:
This evenings pelagic could only produce a single Sooty Shearwater
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
17th July:
Another bird joined the Serin at Carn Friars and both proved mobile.
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.
15th July:
The Serin remained at Carn Friars and there was a Lapwing on St Agnes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2nd July:
A Redshank was at Porth Hellick and the Wheatear remained on St Martins.
On Tresco there were 2 juvenile White Wagtails.
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.
30th June:
Samson held 35+Turnstones, 7 Sandwich Terns and the Arctic Tern.
On Bryher there was a single Whimbrel.
29th June:
The Wood Sandpiper at Porth Hellick was the only bird of note.
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.
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.
26th June:
Only birds of note were a Water Rail at Newford Duck Pond and 9 Swifts over
Hugh Town.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
20th June:
The Hobby was sighted over Telegraph.
19th June:
The Black Guillemot was seen in Smith Sound and a Hobby flew over Hugh
Town.
17th June:
Three Whimbrels were on Samson and a Private Hawk-moth was trapped
overnight at Longstones.
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.
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.
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.
13th June:
Twenty Swifts were over St Mary's with smaller numbers on St Martins.
12th June:
Both the AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and Grey Plover were on Samson.
11th June:
The only bird of note was the BLACK GUILLEMOT in Smith Sound.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 yesterdays
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.