{Return to Sightings}

27^th to 31^st December

On 27^th the Goosander was still at Newford duck pond and the Bonaparte’s Gull was seen briefly at Porth Cressa.

A trip to Tresco on 28^th produced on the Great Pool 16 Greenshank & 33 Redshank, 3 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 7 Wigeon, 66 Gadwall, 4 Greylag and a Marsh Harrier. Also on Tresco were 14 Little Egrets, a Spoonbill & a Black Redstart. 3 Balearic Shearwaters & 2 Great Northern Divers were seen offshore. On St. Mary’s there were 2 Black Redstarts on Little Porth and the Bonaparte’s Gull was again at Porth Cressa.

On the 29^th the Bonaparte’s Gull was at Porthloo, 2 Little Auks & 5 Razorbills flew past Morning Point and 3 Mediterranean Gulls (an adult and 2 1^st winters) were in Porth Cressa.

The only birds reported on the 30^th were a Balearic Shearwater past Deep Point and the Bonaparte’s Gull at Porthloo.

On the 31^st a Black Redstart was seen on little Porth.

19^th to 26^th December

On 20^th there were 2 Great Northern Divers off St. Mary’s golf course, 3 Lapwing at the riding stables and a Woodcock in the dump clump. Also on St. Mary’s a Sparrowhawk was seen from Lower Moors, a Merlin was at Carn Friars and 3 Greenshank & 2 Redshank were on Porth Hellick Pool.

The only record of note on 21^st was a Balearic Shearwater off Tresco.

Records on 22^nd were 3 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, and a Black-throated Diver off Innisidgen. A Black-throated Diver was seen off Tresco where the Spoonbill still remained.

On 23^rd a Marsh Harrier was seen over Porth Cressa.

On 24^th a brief trip on the Wizard proved fruitful, when the following birds were seen:

6 Great Northern Divers & 6 Little Egrets around the islands, 5 Eider off St. Martin’s (this is an exceptional total for Scilly), 6 Bar-tailed Godwit on Green Island, near Samson, 12 Shelduck, a female Red-breasted Merganser & a Black-throated Diver off Samson and a Marsh Harrier was being mobbed by 2 Carrion Crows over Tean. On St. Mary’s a Black Redstart was on the rocks behind the quay and the Bonaparte’s Gull was seen again, all too briefly, on Porthlow Beach. On St, Agnes a 1^st winter Iceland Gull was seen from Horse Point and 20 Balearic Shearwaters were offshore.

On 25^th the bird of the day was not a turkey but a fine male Goosander found on Newford Duck Pond, a scarce bird on Scilly and the first for 2 years.

The Goosander was still present on 26^th and a trip to Tresco logged, a Spoonbill, 4 Greylag, 10 Pochard, a Pintail, a Shoveler & a summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit.

13^th November to 18^th December

Now that the autumn migration has finished, the last of the visiting birders have left and half the resident birders Are on holiday there are fewer reports.

The Spoonbill, at least 1 Marsh Harrier and a first winter Mediterranean Gull are still around. 1 or 2 Black Redstarts are around the sheltered beaches. The Rose-coloured Starling at Green Farm was last reported on November 17 and on November 20 a Yellow-browed Warbler & the Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen at the Dump Clump and Snow Bunting near Star Castle. On November 22 the Snow Bunting was seen again and a visit to Tresco produced a Ring-necked Duck, 1and on 3^rd 2 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Firecrests. 2 Whimbrel were on Porthloo beach on December a first winter Mediterranean Gull, a Little Gull & a Glaucous Gull were all on Porthloo beach, also a an Iceland Gull was on Porth Killier, St, Agnes, a good day for scarce gulls. A Greenshank was also on Porth Killier and 2 Purple Sandpipers were at Hugh town quay. A sea-watch from Giant’s Castle on 4^th logged 3 Balearic Shearwaters & a Little Auk. On 5^th a Leach’s Petrel was seen off Hugh Town Quay and the Spoonbill was on Abbey Pool, Tresco. A first winter Iceland Gull was seen on 6^th flying past Morning Point towards St. Agnes. On 7^th what may well prove to be the bird if the winter was found, a first winter Bonaparte’s Gull. Initially it was in the Porth Cressa/ Little Porth area before settling into a routine when it could be seen daily on Porthloo at high tide, it was reported to 16^th at least. Another visit to Tresco on 9^th yielded 2+ Greylag, a Pintail, a Shoveler, the Spoonbill and a Black Redstart. Thereafter, apart from the Bonaparte’s Gull and the first winter Mediterranean Gull, nothing was reported apart from a Great Northern Diver flying over the Golf Course on 16^th and a Firecrest that was taken in to care after fling into a window of a house at High Lanes.

8^th to 12^th November

The Spoonbill and at least 1 Marsh Harrier remain but most of the autumn migrants have now gone. There are still good numbers of Fieldfare & Redwing and a few Blackcaps & Chiffchaffs are still about. Otherwise Swallows were seen in twos and threes up to the 11^th and Black Redstarts are on the usual beaches in small numbers.

8^th On Tresco there was still a Little Bunting, a Ring-necked Duck, a Long-tailed Duck, 4 Wigeon, a Shoveler, a Pintail, 4 Greylag, 2 Pink-footed Geese and a Yellow Wagtail. On St. Mary’s there was a Yellow-browed Warbler at Shooters’ Pool.

9^th A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Shooters’ Pool and another was nearby at the Dump Clump. A juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was at Green Farm, where there were also 2 Bramblings. Another very late Yellow Wagtail was at the Riding Centre on St. Mary’s.

10^th A Reed Bunting & a Brambling were on the Garrison, the Rose-coloured Starling was still at Green Farm and A Yellow-browed Warbler was still at the Dump Clump. A Short-eared Owl was seen on a visit to Bryher.

11^th 2 Brambling were at Green Farm and a Whimbrel was on Porth Cressa.

12^th As well as the long staying Spoonbill and a the remaining Marsh Harrier, a short trip to Tresco logged a Shoveler, a Pintail, a Scaup, 4 Greylag, 2 Pink-footed Geese and a Woodcock. Teal numbers seem to be rising on Tresco. 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were seen in the Roads.

3^rd to 7^th November

The Spoonbill and at least 1 Marsh Harrier remain and at least 1, possibly 2, Great Spotted Woodpeckers are still around. All the Mediterranean Gulls seem to have left.

There are still plenty of Redwing, Fieldfare and Blackcap on the islands. There are large numbers of Chaffinches and a noticeable increase Greenfinch numbers.

3^rd A trip to Bryher logged a Lapwing, a very late Whinchat, the resident Hooded Crow a Brambling,2 Serins and 24 Little Egret on Plumb Island. On St. Mary’s the Desert Wheatear was still on Old Town Beach, the juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was at Green Farm, a Barnacle Goose was on Porth Hellick Pool a Red-breasted Flycatcher was at Trenoweth and 6 Black Redstart were on Porthloo Beach.

4^th The Desert Wheatear and the juvenile Rose-coloured Starling were still on St. Mary’s and on Tresco there were 3 Little Buntings near Smuggler’s Cottage, a drake Ring-necked Duck, a Scaup & a Long-tailed Duck on the Great Pool and 2 Pink-footed Geese & 4 Greylags (both scarce on Scilly) in fields above Borough Farm.

5^th The 2 Pink-footed Geese & 4 Greylags, the a drake Ring-necked Duck, the Scaup, the Long-tailed Duck and a Little Bunting were still on Tresco, where there was also a female Shoveler, a Little Grebe a Swallow & 6 House Martins. The Desert Wheatear was still on St. Mary’s.

6^th The 2 Pink-footed Geese & 4 Greylags, the a drake Ring-necked Duck, the Scaup, the Long-tailed Duck and 2 Little Buntings were still on Tresco. On St. Mary’s it was the last day that the Desert Wheatear was seen, 11 Common Scoter were off McFarland’s Down and the Red-breasted Flycatcher was seen again at Trenoweth.

7^th A very late Pied Flycatcher was at Jac-a-Ba were there was also a Brambling. On Tresco a Little Bunting was near the Abbey Pool and a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling & 2 Firecrests were seen at Borough Farm.

30^th October to 2^nd November

The Spoonbill and at least 1 Marsh Harrier remain and at least 1, possibly 2, Great Spotted Woodpeckers are still around. There is still at least 1 juvenile Rose-coloured Starlings on the islands. Redwing & Fieldfare numbers are increasing and there are large numbers of Chaffinch, Blackcap & Goldcrest across the islands.

30^th At least 4 Yellow-browed Warblers were still around, Black Redstarts were down to single figures. At Porth Hellick the Short-toed Lark was still on the beach and a Jack Snipe was on the pool, where 2 Woodcock flew over. A Little Bunting was seen briefly in the cabbage field opposite Newford duck pond.

31^st The Short-toed Lark was seen for the last time. 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were in the Porth Hellick/Higher Moors area and the Yellow-legged Gull was back on the dump. A Red-breasted Flycatcher was at the Jac-a-Ba and a Serin was in a field at Rocky Hills/Porthloo Lane corner. A skulking acrocephalus warbler in Lower Moors was seen and heard and identified as a Blyth’s Reed Warbler.

1^st The 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were still in the Porth Hellick/Higher Moors area and a Lapland bunting was on Peninnis. The juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was seen again at Green Farm. The Red-breasted Flycatcher was still at Trenoweth and a Richard’s Pipit was seen in fields near Old Town. A trip to Tresco produced a Serin, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Barnacle & 2 Pink-footed Geese, a Scaup, a Long-tailed Duck, a female Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Reed Buntings & 2 Lapwings.

On St. Martin’s a Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Shelduck and a Red-breasted Merganser were seen.

Sudden panic broke out among the birders remaining on the islands with a report of the second Masked Shrike for Britain. The bird was a juvenile and was found near the riding stables by two of the few visiting birders left on the islands. Phones rang, mega alerts went off, people ran and finally about 20 birders managed to see the bird after it had caused a few heart failures by going missing twice. One local birder, who was at the south east end of the Great Pool on Tresco when news broke, made it to the site in 19 minutes, actually getting there before some of the birders on St. Mary’s!

The day was not finished! A local birder in his car, on the way home from the shrike, flushed a wheatear from the road beside Old Town Beach. It looked different, he reversed his car nearly causing a crash, the bird obligingly flew on to a nearby roof, it was a superb first winter male Desert Wheatear. This was the second in 5 days, the only other record for Scilly was in March 1976, rather like a bus, you wait 30 years and then2 come along

2^nd Unfortunately the Masked Shrike could not be relocated, but the Desert Wheatear performed magnificently, giving views down to a few feet, this was scant consolation for the people who had missed it the yesterday and the day twitchers.

The Rose-coloured Starling was still at Green Farm, a Little Grebe was on Porth Hellick Pool and nearby there was a Long-eared Owl. A Long-tailed Duck was seen off Bar Point.

25^th to 29^th October

The Spoonbill, several Mediterranean Gulls, a few Wheatears, Ring Ouzels, Black Redstarts, Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrests are still around. It appears as if the only the female Marsh Harriers remains The Great Spotted Woodpecker is still roaming around St. Mary’s and a couple of juvenile Rose-coloured Starlings are on the islands. Redwing numbers continue to increase.

The American Robin on Tresco, the Short-toed Lark on Porth Hellick beach were present throughout. The Aquatic Warbler & Serin at Carn Friars, the Pink-footed Geese, the Long-tailed Duck & Scaup on Tresco and the Barnacle Geese (inter-island commuters) were present until the 28^th at least.

25^th A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was found at Deep Point and the juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was still at Green Farm. The evening log call produced counts of 2 Jack Snipe, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, 8 Black Redstarts and 14 Ring Ouzels.

26^th The Blyth’s Pipit was relocated on the Airfield, where there was a Red-throated Pipit briefly. The Peninnis Short-toed Lark was seen again and a Quail, a Short-eared Owl and a Wryneck were all seen on Tresco. The juvenile Red-backed Shrike had moved to Normandy and 3 Jack Snipe were on Porth Hellick. The juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was still at Green Farm and a Red-breasted Flycatcher was on St. Agnes. Calls at the log included 9 Yellow-browed Warblers, 8 Ring Ouzels, 9 Wheatears, 3 Firecrests, 3 Whinchat & 2 Reed Buntings.

27^th The second Desert Wheatear for Scilly was found on St. Agnes (the first was in 1976), so producing a good bird for the last full day of the holiday for most visiting birders. Also a Little Bunting was on St. Agnes. Tresco produced a Red-breasted Flycatcher, a Pied Flycatcher, a Snow Bunting, a Brambling and 2 late Willow Warblers. Several Jack Snipe were reported, the Yellow-browed Warbler count was up to 13 and 5 Firecrests were logged. The juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was still at Green Farm and a what was possibly the one very mobile Woodlark was seen at Carn Friars, Watermill and the Garrison. The first 2 Shelduck of the autumn were seen between Samson & Tresco.

28^th With the departure of most of the visiting the number of birds reported dropped off significantly. 2 Serins were seen at Borough Farm Tresco, also on Tresco was a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling. A Firecrest was at Porthloo and 10 Yellow-browed Warblers were seen around the islands.

29^th A Rustic Bunting was near the Old Town Inn, also on St. Mary’s a Barred Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler and 3 Black Redstarts were seen. On Tresco there were 3 Yellow-browed Warblers and on Bryher there was a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Bluethroat and a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling.

22^nd to 24^th October

Still a few Whinchats, Wheatears, Ring Ouzel, Black Redstarts, Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrests and Red-breasted Flycatchers around. The Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harriers (female & immature) and Mediterranean Gulls are still present. The Great Spotted Woodpecker is still roaming around St. Mary’s and a couple of juvenile Rose-coloured Starlings on the islands. Redwing numbers continue to increase and there were several Fieldfares recorded.

The Booted Warbler at Green Farm was last seen 23^rd. The American Robin on Tresco, the Short-toed Lark on Peninnis, the Aquatic Warbler at Carn Friars, the Pink-footed Geese on Tresco, 2 or 3 Jack snipe on the islands and the Yellow-legged Gull at the Dump or Porth Cressa still remain.

22nd A juvenile Scaup was seen commuting between Porth Cressa and Old Town Bay and a Siberian Chiffchaff was reported from Lower Moors. On St , Agnes there were 3 Barnacle Geese and a Long-tailed Duck. A Little Bunting was at Carn Friars and a Snow Bunting was seen on the airfield. The Bluethroat was seen again on Bryher and large pipit seen on the Airfield and Peninnis caused some confusion and debate, but was finally identified over the next few days as a Blyth’s Pipit and was still present on 24^th.

23^rd The American Robin made a brief visit to Bryher but quickly returned to Tresco. A second Short-toed Lark was found on Porth Hellick beach, staying until 24^th at least and a Common Rosefinch was seen at Pelistry. The Carn Friars continued to produce good birds, a Serin was discovered there. Three Water Pipits were seen 1 at Green Farm and 2 at Pelistry. The a Long-tailed Duck was still on the Big Pool on St. Agnes, remaining until 24^th at least.

24^th A Little Grebe & juvenile Scaup were on Tresco and the Bluethroat was still on Bryher. The 3 Barnacle Geese were seen on St. Martin’s and Water Pipits were reported from Lower Moors and Porth Hellick beach. A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was seen at Bar Point, 2 Balearic Shearwaters were seen off St. Martin’s, an Osprey flew over Annet and a Serin was seen on Gugh.

Butterflies and moths seen included 3 Long-tailed Blues and a Slender Burnished Brass Moth & a Cypress Carpet Moth.

19^th to 21^st October

Still a few Black Redstarts, Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrests and Red-breasted Flycatchers around. The Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers and up to 6 Mediterranean Gulls are still present. The Great Spotted Woodpecker is still roaming around St. Mary’s. and 2 or 3 juvenile Rose-coloured Starlings on the islands.

The Booted Warbler at Green Farm, the American Robin on Tresco, the Short-toed Lark on Peninnis and the Western Bonelli’s Warbler on Porth Hellick Loop were present throughout. The Common Rosefinch at Carn Friars was last seen on 20^th and the Yellow-legged Gull at the Dump or Porth Cressa was still around.

19^th The Little Bunting & Radde’s Warbler at Trenoweth/Pungies/Lane junction were present for a second day. The Garrison Red-eyed Vireo was seen for the its third and last day. 2 Jack Snipe were at Lower Moors until 21^st at least and 1 was at shooters’ Pool.

New finds were a Pallas’s Warbler on St. Martin’s, a Siberian Stonechat near the Health Centre on Peninnis and an Aquatic Warbler at Carn Friars.

20th The ‘Green Farm’ Warbler was trapped, ringed and measured, and hence it identity was finally resolved, despite many opinions to the contrary it was a Booted Warbler.

What was probably the Blyth’s Pipit from 18^th was seen in the morning on Bryher also there was a Bluethroat. Birders looking for the pipit in the afternoon found a Pied Wheatear. An Isabelline Shrike, unfortunately only a 1 day bird , was found on the Garrison and an Olive-backed Pipit flew over Buzza Tower towards the Garrison playing Fields and then on towards Gugh. The St. Martin’s Western Bonelli’s Warbler was seen again and a Honey Buzzard flew out to sea from Peninnis. The Little Bunting was seen in the morning at Trenoweth and it or another was on Bryher in the afternoon. The Aquatic Warbler was seen briefly, again at Carn Friars and 3 Reed Buntings ( a Scilly rarity) were around St. Mary’s.. 2 Pink-footed Geese (another Scillies rarity) flew around the islands before settling on Tresco.

21^st Was very windy which made birding very difficult. The Bluethroat and Pied Wheatear were still on Bryher in the morning, but St. Mary’s based birders could not relocate them in the afternoon. The only new birds reported were 3 Barnacle Geese past Peninnis and a Richard’s Pipit on Tresco.

Butterflies and moths seen included a Monarch, a Long-tailed Blue and 2 Crimson Speckled Moths.

16^th to 18^th October

Scarce migrants included , Black Redstarts and a scattering of Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrests and up to 5 Red-breasted Flycatchers. The long staying Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers and several Mediterranean Gulls are still present. The Great Spotted Woodpecker is still roaming around St. Mary’s. 3 or 4 juvenile Rose-coloured Starlings and up to 6 Lapland Buntings were around the islands. There was a notable influx of Skylarks, Chaffinches, Ring Ouzels and Redwing. The first Fieldfares of the autumn were seen.

16^th The following were all present until the 18^th at least: the Short-toed Lark on Peninnis the Booted Warbler at Green Farm ( photographs suggesting that it may be a Syke’s Warbler), the American Golden Plover & the American Robin both on Tresco and the Yellow-legged Gull at the dump or Porth Cressa.

Snow Buntings were seen at Giant’s Castle & Deep Point, 2 Jack Snipe were at Lower Moors, a Red-backed Shrike was on St. Martin’s and a Little Bunting was on St. Agnes. 2 Common Rosefinches was at Green farm and Carn Friars the former until 17^th and the latter to 18^th.

17^th 2 Red-eyed Vireos were seen, 1 on Sallyport until at least 18^th and 1 very briefly on Bryher. A Scilly rarity, a Tree Sparrow was reported from Watermill. Short-eared Owls were seen at Deep Point and on St. Agnes and a Jack Snipes were at Porth Hellick and Lower Moors.

A Bonelli’s Warbler species reported on the Porth Hellick Loop was probably the Western Bonelli’s Warbler first seen on St. Agnes in September, relocating again for the fifth time!

A bird initially reported (with reservations) as a Tawny Pipit at Carn Friars was re-identified next day – read on!

18^th Yesterday’s Tawny Pipit, which the finder had discussed with other birders, was found near St. Mary’s Riding Stables and re-identified as a Blyth’s Pipit. A second Western Bonelli’s Warbler was found on St. Martins and an Olive-backed Pipit was seen, all too briefly, by a few lucky observers at Maypole Farm. A Short-eared Owl was on Bryher. A Little Bunting and a Radde’s Warbler were both found in the same field at the corner of Pungies Lane and Trenoweth.

Butterflies and moths seen included 2 Monarchs, a Merveille Dujour Moth & a Convolvulus Hawkmoth on 16^th, another Convolvulus Hawkmoth & a Long-tailed Blue on the 17^th and yet another Monarch on 18^th

12^th to 15^th October

Migrants included the first Woodcocks, Black Redstarts, Ring Ouzels & Bramblings of the autumn with a scattering of Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrests, Wrynecks and Red-breasted Flycatchers. The long staying Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers and several Mediterranean Gulls are still present. The Great Spotted Woodpecker is still roaming around St. Mary’s. There was a notable influx of Skylarks.

12^th The Western Bonelli’s Warbler near Porth Hellick House, the Greenish Warbler on St. Agnes and the Short-toed Lark on Peninnis all remained. The Tawny Pipit was relocated at Carn Vean, a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was on Peninnis and another 2 were at Green Farm along with a Common Rosefinch. The American Robin was still on Tresco. A Red-backed Shrike was on Bryher and a Lapland Bunting was on the Airfield.

13^th The American Golden Plover which was not seen on 12^th was found on the golf course and the Short-toed Lark on Peninnis was joined by a Common Rosefinch. At least 4 Rose-coloured Starlings (all juveniles) were around the islands with 2 at Green Farm, 1 at Telegraph and 1 on Tresco. The Common Rosefinch was still at Green Farm and a Tawny Pipit commuted between there and Normandy. The Red-backed Shrike was still on Bryher and another was on St. Martin’s. . The American Robin was still on Tresco where there was also a Dotterel and a flyover Richard’s Pipit. On Bryher a strange warbler with several missing and abrades feathers was finally agreed by most to be a Booted Warbler. On St. Mary’s an Arctic Warbler was found near Four Lanes, a Yellow-legged Gull was on the rubbish dump, a Lapland Bunting was on the Airfield and a Snow Bunting was at Giant’s Castle.

14^th The American Golden Plover had returned to Tresco and the American Robin was still there. The Booted Warbler and Red-backed Shrike were still on Bryher and the other Red-backed Shrike remained on St. Martin’s. Red-breasted Flycatchers were seen on St. Agnes and at the ‘Dump Clump’, a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was on St. Agnes and 2 more were at Green Farm with the Common Rosefinch & the Tawny Pipit. The were now 3 Lapland Buntings on the Airfield and 2 Snow Buntings at Giant’s Castle. The Short-toed Lark was still on Peninnis.

15^th A Scilly ‘mega-rarity’ – a Roller was seen at Porth Minnick, unfortunately by only 4 observers, before flying over the Airfield to be seen later, briefly in flight, by 2 more lucky birders, near Porth Hellick House. Despite extensive searches by several hundred birders it was not relocated. One of the original observers even managed to photograph it.

Red-breasted Flycatchers were in the ‘Dump Clump’, at Watermill and in the Parsonage garden on St. Agnes. The 4 juvenile Rose-coloured Starlings were still around, 1 on Tresco, 1 on St. Agnes and 2 at Green Farm. Also at Green Farm the Tawny Pipit & Common Rosefinch were joined by a warbler which turned out to be a Booted Warbler, a different one to the St. Martin’s bird. The American Golden Plover and the American Robin were still on Tresco. On St. Mary’s a Snow Bunting was on Porthloo, the 3 Lapland Buntings were still on the Airfield and 2 Reed Buntings (a local rarity) were seen in Lower Moors and opposite Porthloo duck pond. A Grey Phalarope was reported from Porth Cressa and an Olive-backed Pipit reported near Holy Vale cottages.

On the Lepidoptera front a Long-tailed Blue, a Queen of Spain Fritillary & several Monarchs were seen. An American Painted Lady was photographed at Porthloo on 13^th. 2 Convolvulus Hawkmoths were at Porthloo on the 14^th.

On the pelagic trip on 13^th a Minke Whale swam under the boat.

8^th to 11^th October

Small numbers of the usual autumn migrants were around the islands, including a few Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrests, Wrynecks and Red-breasted Flycatchers. The long staying Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers and at least 4 Mediterranean Gulls still remain.

8^th The Western Bonelli’s Warbler was still near Longstone. A Richard’s Pipit was reported late in the day from the Airfield. A continental Coal Tit & a Hoopoe were seen in the late afternoon on the Garrison; unfortunately neither could be relocated next day.

A juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was on St. Agnes.

9^th A Tawny Pipit was found on St. Mary’s, moving from Carn Friars to the Airfield and a Snow Bunting, a Black Redstart & a Common Rosefinch were on St. Agnes where a Honey Buzzard flew over . The American Golden Plover was still on Tresco and the Western Bonelli’s Warbler was still near Longstone. A Lapland Bunting was on the Airfield and a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was on the Garrison. Arctic Terns were seen off St. Mary’s quay and on St. Agnes. Red-breasted Flycatchers were on Sallyport and in Holy Vale while a Snow Bunting was seen at Pelistry. A pelagic trip that day logged 20 European Storm-Petrels, 17 Sooty Shearwaters, a Great Skua & a Sabine’s Gull.

10^th The Tawny Pipit remained on St. Mary’s, a Lapland Bunting was still on the Airfield and another was seen flying from Tresco towards Bryher. One of the Red-breasted Flycatchers remained in Holy Vale and another was in the Parsonage, St. Agnes, where a Greenish Warbler was found. 2 Rose-coloured Starlings were at Green Farm and a Common Rosefinch was on Peninnis. The American Golden Plover was still on Tresco where the highlight of the autumn so far, an American Robin, was found near Rowesfield Crossroads.

11^th Both the Tawny Pipit & a Short-toed Lark were commuting between the Airfield and Peninnis. The Greenish Warbler, a Red-breasted Flycatcher and a Yellow-browed Warbler were all in the Parsonage on St. Agnes, with a Snow Bunting nearby. The American Golden Plover and the American Robin were still on Tresco where a Red-backed Shrike was found at Gimble Porth. The Western Bonelli’s Warbler had relocated yet again - this time into the pines near Porth Hellick House. The Lapland Bunting was still on the Airfield and the 2 Rose-coloured Starlings were in the Green Farm/ Borough Farm area.

On the butterfly front Scilly’s second Queen of Spain Fritillary, at least 2 more Long-tailed Blues & several Monarchs were seen.

Cetaceans seen included 2 Risso’s & 6 Common Dolphins off Peninnis and 100 Common Dolphins from the pelagic trip on 9^th

5^th to 7^th October

Very few migrants around but still a scattering of Firecrests still and a few Yellow-browed Warblers. The long staying Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers and at least 4 Mediterranean Gulls still are still here.

5^th The American Golden Plover was on Castle Down, Tresco until the 7^th and the Rose-coloured Starling was seen again on Bryher. On St. Mary’s Yellow-browed Warblers were at Newford duck pond and in the Higher Moors/Porth Hellick area, a Lesser Redpoll was at Carn Friars, 4 Turtle Doves were at Borough Farm & a Great Northern Diver flew past Peninnis.

6^th Very strong westerly winds today, made birding difficult. A Long-eared Owl was in Old Town churchyard, a Redstart was at Carn Leh and a few Firecrests, Spotted & Pied Flycatcher were reported.

7^th The Western Bonelli’s Warbler, that had been missing for a few days, was relocated near Longstone. There were up to 8 Firecrests on St. Mary’s and another on St. Agnes. The Turtle Doves at Borough Farm had increased to 6 and the American Golden Plover was on Tresco was now accompanied by 9 Golden Plover. A Serin was reported from Peninnis, where a Red-throated Diver was seen flying past. A Barred Warbler was on ST. Martin’s & a Wryneck was at Morning Point, Sallyport. A Lapland Bunting flew over Carn Vean and it or another was later seen on the Airfield, also a Snow Bunting was reported from Giant’s Castle St. Mary’s. ? Common Scoters were off St. Mary’s quay and Bryher. Finally what in terms of Scilly rarities could prove to be bird of the autumn, a Great Crested Grebe, was seen from the Scillonian, near the Eastern Isle.

On the butterfly front a Monarch was on Sallyport on 6^th and there were 3 on the 7^th, 1 still on the Garrison, 1 at Bar Point and 1 on Tresco. Belated news is of a Long-tailed Blue on St. Martin’s on 4^th.

2^nd to 4^th October

Less migrants around but still several Wrynecks & a scattering of Firecrests still present. The long staying Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers and several Mediterranean Gulls still remain.

2^nd The Tawny Pipit was still on the airfield and nearby on Airport Lane was a juvenile Red-backed Shrike. Another Red-backed Shrike, the Lapland Bunting and the Ortolan Bunting remained on Peninnis from where a Black-throated Diver & Manx shearwater were also seen. The Western Bonelli’s was still at the ‘Dump Clump’ and the American Golden Plover was still on Castle Down, Tresco. Also on Tresco were a Hoopoe, a Green Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit & a female Pintail.

3^rd The Peninnis Hoopoe reappeared near Buzza Tower, with 2 Wrynecks nearby, also on St. Mary’s single Yellow-browed Warblers were seen at the ‘Dump Clump’, Porth Hellick & Lower Moors. The Western Bonelli’s & Lapland Bunting were still around and a Snow Bunting flew over Watermill. The Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen near Longstone and Firecrests were reported from the Garrison, the ‘Dump Clump’ and St. Agnes. 2 Turtle Doves were at Borough Farm, St. Mary’s and singles were reported from St. Agnes and Tresco. Also on Tresco was the American Golden Plover & a Spotted Crake.

4^th was fairly quiet a lot of birds having cleared out overnight. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Porth Hellick and others were at Newford duck pond and on St. Martin’s. Wrynecks were still on at least 3 islands and the Turtle Doves in the field at Borough Farm, St. Mary’s had risen to 3 with 2 more seen flying over. A Firecrest was on the Garrison and the Rose-coloured Starling was seen again on Bryher. The American Golden Plover was still on Castle Down, Tresco. A daytime pelagic produced 2 Sooty Shearwaters, a dark phase Arctic Skua, 4 European Storm-Petrels & Manx Shearwater.

29^th September to 1^st October

A good selection of common migrants including several Wrynecks & Firecrests still present. The long staying Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers and several Mediterranean Gulls are still around.

The Bonelli’s Warbler, the Tawny Pipit, the Pectoral Sandpipers, the Subalpine Warbler, the Peninnis Red-backed Shrike, the Little Stint, the Wood Warbler, the Great Spotted Woodpecker and Ortolan Bunting all remained to the 1^st at least.

29^th A Hoopoe was on Peninnis, still present on the 1^st and a Corncrake was flushed there. 1 Yellow-browed Warbler was in the ‘Dump Clump’ and 3 more were seen in Lower Moors. An Icterine Warbler was at Higher Moors and a Melodious Warbler was on the Garrison. A new Red-backed Shrike was on Old Town Lane. A Sooty Shearwater was seen off the Daymark, St. Martin’s. A late Cuckoo was on St. Martin’s and 29 Pied Flycatchers were reported from Tresco. A daytime pelagic trip logged a Balearic, a Great & 2 Sooty Shearwaters.

30^th A 2^nd Hoopoe was at Normandy until the 1^st at least, a Merlin was seen at Porthloo and a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Lower Moors. A Honey Buzzard was seen over the Garrison and the next day was around St. Mary’s and briefly on Tresco. An Osprey was seen from St. Martin’s.

1^st A Grey Phalarope was seen from one of the inter-island boats between St. Agnes & St. Mary’s, a Redstart was at Porth Mellon and a Garden Warbler was on the Garrison. On Tresco a Jack Snipe was on the Great Pool and 2 Yellow Wagtails were at Borough Farm

25^th to 28^th September

Still a good selection of common migrants around, including several Wrynecks across the islands. The Spoonbill & Marsh Harriers are still present as are several Mediterranean Gulls.

25^th 1 Buff-breasted Sandpiper remained on St. Martin’s. The Hoopoe was still on Peninnis remaining until the 28^th at least, also on Peninnis a Tawny Pipit was seen briefly. On the rest of St. Mary’s a Marsh Warbler was reported by the Garrison playing fields with a Barred Warbler nearby, a Wood Warbler was on Sallyport and both Red-backed & Woodchat Shrikes at Telegraph (the latter 3 species still present on 28^th) A Rose-coloured Starling was found on Bryher, On St. Agnes the Western Bonelli’s Warbler was still present also there were Icterine & Barred Warblers, Pectoral Sandpiper and Little Stint. 3 Black-tailed Godwits flew over the Golf Course and another was seen on Tresco.

26^th The Icterine Warbler, Pectoral Sandpiper & Little Stint remained on St. Agnes where they were joined by an elusive Subalpine Warbler, a Lapland Bunting and a Firecrest. There was no sign of the Bonelli’s Warbler but it or another was found in the evening near Carn Gwarvel Primary School. Nearby at the ‘Dump Clump’ a Yellow-browed Warbler & a Firecrest were seen. A Turtle Dove & a Cuckoo were on the Garrison and a Pectoral Sandpiper was on Tresco. Birders visiting Bryher logged 2 Firecrests, 2 Rose-coloured Starlings, a Lapland Bunting & a Red-backed Shrike.

27^th On St. Mary’s Kingfishers were seen in Porth Hellick Bay and at Little Porth, 4 Turtle Doves were at Borough Farm, a Yellow-browed Warbler & 2 Firecrests were at the ‘Dump Clump’, a Little Grebe was on Porth Hellick Pool. A Lapland Bunting was on the Garrison and an Ortolan Bunting was on Peninnis. The Rose-coloured Starling & Red-backed Shrike were still on Bryher where a Richard’s Pipit was also seen. A Great Shearwater was seen from the return Scillonian crossing within 15 minutes of Scilly.

28^th The Lapland & Ortolan Buntings, the Firecrests, the Yellow-browed & the Bonelli’s Warblers were all still on St. Mary’s, the Rose-coloured Starling & the Red-backed Shrike were still on Bryher, the Pectoral Sandpiper, the Little Stint, the Firecrests the Icterine Warbler & the Subalpine Warbler were still on St. Agnes and 2 Pectoral Sandpipers were still on Tresco. New birds in were: a Tawny Pipit on the Airfield, a Red-throated Pipit over Telegraph, a Red-backed Shrike on Peninnis and a Common Rosefinch on St. Agnes.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen again in Holy Vale.

A Storm Petrel, a Manx & a Balearic Shearwater and a Grey Phalarope were seen from the Scillonian crossing.

22^nd to 24^th September

Following the high winds of the 21^st there were many more common migrants around , with especially high numbers of Pied & Spotted Flycatchers, birds seeming to be in every sheltered, sunny spot. There were also good numbers of Wheatear, Whinchat & Yellow Wagtails. Smaller numbers of other migrants such as Redstart & Whitethroat were also present. More Wrynecks than usual were seen, with at least 12 present on the islands on the 23^rd. The Spoonbill & Marsh Harriers are still present as are several Mediterranean Gulls.

22^nd The 2 Buff- Breasted Sandpipers on St. Mary’s airfield were still present in the morning but were not seen in the afternoon, however the 1 on St. Martin’s increased to 3 that p.m. so they may well have joined up there. The Woodchat Shrike was still on Pungies Lane and the Red-baked Shrike was still in the vicinity of Star Castle, both still there on the 24^th. A Hoopoe was found on Peninnis and a Western Bonelli’s Warbler was discovered in the Parsonage on St. Agnes and was still present on the 24^th.

23^rd 1 of the Pectoral Sandpipers was still on the Great Pool, Tresco, remaining until the 24^th at least & a Curlew Sandpiper was on Abbey Pool. Also on Tresco a Hoopoe was seen near the Island Hotel. On Bryher visiting birders found a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling & an Icterine Warbler. A very elusive Arctic Warbler was along the track between Longstone and Holy Vale, amazingly found by the same visitor who found the same species on St. Agnes last week! On St. Agnes a Firecrest was in the Parsonage, obviously the place to look!

24^th An Icterine Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Wood Warbler & a Red- breasted Flycatcher were all on Sallyport. A Grasshopper Warbler was on Peninnis, 8 Turtle Doves were at Watermill & a juvenile Black Tern was seen off St. Mary’s Quay.

Barred Warblers were seen on the Garrison and St. Agnes, Hoopoes were on Peninnis and at Carn Friars, Lapland Buntings were near the Woolpack and on Wingletang, St. Agnes. Also on St. Agnes was an Ortolan Bunting. 2 more Red-backed Shrikes were found, 1 on Bryher and 1 at Telegraph.

On the insect front, a Death’s Head Hawkmoth was trapped overnight (22/23) at Longstone.

20^th to 21^st September

Birding was not easy over the last two days due to the very strong south or south easterly winds which peaked at 70mph in late afternoon of 21^st.

The Woodchat Shrike has remained in its favourite field at Telegraph off Pungies Lane on both dates with the Red-backed Shrike still at the Garrison Playing Field on 20^th.

The two Marsh Harriers were both on St Mary’s on 20^th as was at least one Peregrine and two of the Ravens. Some of the small influx of Kestrel were still on St Mary’s, usually in the Higher Moors/ Longstone area. Also still present are at least two Mediterranean Gulls with an adult and a 1^st winter being seen regularly around Hugh Town and the Garrison.

The only two Buff-breasted Sandpipers found on 21^st were those on the airport whilst on Tresco a new Pectoral Sandpiper was found on 21^st where three birds were seen sheltering on the Great Pool opposite the David Hunt hide.

Wrynecks were harder to find in the rough weather but singles were seen at New Grimsby and at Porth Loo lane again on 21^st.

The two Corncrakes found on 21^st were somewhat unexpected. One was seen near the Sussex Hide at Porth Hellick whilst the other was seen between Periglis and the island Hall on St Agnes. Also on St Agnes was a Lapland Bunting on Wingletang Down.

15^th-19^th September

The Eleonora’s Falcon was seen again over the Garrison on 15^th and 18^th, each time causing massive panic amongst the Swallow and Starling flocks. It is now thought to be a 1^st year bird but has proved frustratingly elusive to most observers. It has meant an increase in raptor records with Peregrine, Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel being seen in the same area with Marsh Harrier and Buzzard not far away.

The Little Egret count seems to be rising again with birds noted feeding along many shorelines. The Spoonbill is still mainly static on the Great Pool with the Spotted Crake often feeding at its feet. The Subalpine Warbler on Bryher was last seen on 15^th although the Lapland Bunting on Shipman Head Down hung around until 16^th.

At least seven Wrynecks were on the islands on 15^th with a Common Rosefinch being seen near Green Farm that afternoon and a Quail was flushed on Peninnis. The Woodchat Shrike was still near Telegraph until 18^th with Firecrest noted in Holy Vale on a couple of occasions with another on St Agnes on 17^th.

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper that was on the Airport on 15^th may well have been the bird that moved to St Agnes on 16^th-19^th with two more arriving on the Airport 17^th-19^th.

A superb male Red-backed Shrike was on the edge of the Garrison playing field on 16^th-19^th although in typical shrike fashion would go missing for hours at a time. The Great Spotted Woodpecker was reported again on 16^th, this time in the Carn Friars/Holy Vale area. New birds arriving on 16^th included an Ortolan Bunting at Old Grimsby and a Lapland Bunting on the Golf Course with the Icterine Warbler on Bryher making another appearance that day.

The second Monarch Butterfly of the year was in Hugh Town for a few hours on 16^th with the third Comma of the year found on Higher Moors.

One of the rarest finds of the month so far was the Magpie that appeared at Giants Castle on 17^th where it was seen hopping around before flying off when disturbed; as yet it has not been relocated. With the long staying bird on St Martins finally disappearing in May we had expected a long gap before the next one would reach Scilly. A Spotted Redshank was seen at Porth Hellick early on 17^th before appearing later in the day on Tresco. Two Lapland Bunting were on Wingletang Down, St Agnes also that day.

Two new Pectoral Sandpipers were found on the Great Pool, Tresco on 18^th, as was a Black-tailed Godwit. But the bird of the day was an Arctic Warbler in the Parsonage on St Agnes where it showed well next day. A Melodious Warbler was on the Garrison not far from the Red-backed Shrike behind Star Castle with at least three Mediterranean Gulls noted near Hugh Town that day.

Three Wrynecks were on St Agnes on 19^th along with the Arctic Warbler and Buff-breasted Sandpiper plus two Yellow Wagtails, one of which was a very grey bird, were near Castella Down. Another Wryneck was on Peninnis Head and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found on St Martin’s cricket pitch that afternoon.

12^th to 14th September

As with the previous few days a good scattering of commoner migrants are still on the islands with Pied and Spotted Flycatchers in the more sheltered areas and Whinchats perched around the more open heaths. The Great Spotted Woodpecker is still wandering St Mary’s reaching the Dump Clump on 12^th. Mediterranean Gulls increased to seven on 13^th, the highest ever count on Scilly.

The Subalpine Warbler was still on Bryher to 14th as were the Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike. The first Lapland Bunting of the year was on Wingletang Down, St Agnes on 12^th. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was noted on the Airport all days although it did pay a brief visit to the Golf Course on 13^th. A Bonelli’s Warbler was found near the Tresco Abbey on 12^th-13^th, but could be very elusive.

Bird of the day was the dark morph Eleonora’s Falcon that flew low over Old Grimsby being mobbed by swallows as it headed to the north of the island. There was no sign of it next day in some rather wet weather but what may well have been the same bird was seen over the Garrison on afternoon of 14^th heading South West.

On 13^th the lone Curlew Sandpiper was ignored by the three that arrived on the Abbey Pool that afternoon. The long staying rare and scarce birds were still present little new was found today, in the at times heavy rain.

Better weather on 14^th saw the discovery of a Melodious Warbler on the Garrison and new Wrynecks on the Garrison and at Porth Loo. The second Lapland Bunting of the autumn was on Shipman Head down on Bryher this evening. Both the Woodchat at Telegraph and the Red-backed Shrike on Bryher were seen again today and the Spoonbill is still on the Great Pool.

Sep 8^th to 11^th

As well as the Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers & Mediterranean Gulls remaining, migrants continued to increase, with good numbers of Wheatears, Whinchats, Spotted & Pied Flycatchers, Yellow Wagtails, Whitethroats & Tree Pipits. Wrynecks were seen daily, with up to 7 across the islands in one day. Wader numbers increased with Curlew Sandpiper being added to the list of usual suspects. The Pectoral Sandpiper was present throughout commuting between Lower Moors and nearby beaches. Kingfishers were seen at Lower Moors and Porth Hellick Pool and the Great-spotted Woodpecker was seen/heard at several locations on St. Mary’s.

On the 8^th Ortolan Buntings were seen on the golf course and Bryher. A Merlin flew over Lower Moors and a Blackcap was at Shooters’ Pool A Great Skua was seen between St. Mary’s & St. Martin’s

The highlight of 9^th was a Paddyfield Warbler that was trapped and ringed at Porth Hellick, nearby a Barred Warbler was in the Porth Hellick/Carn Friars area. A Hobby flew over Porth Hellick and the Subalpine Warbler, a juvenile Red-backed Shrike, a Redstart & a Firecrest were on Bryher. An Osprey flew over the Garrison.

On the 10^th The Subalpine Warbler & the Red-backed Shrike were still on Bryher. where an Osprey was also seen. A Redstart, Sparrowhawk & a Hobby were on St. Martins.

An Icterine Warbler was on Tresco.

On the 11^th, on St. Mary’s, a juvenile Woodchat Shrike was in the Content Farm/Pungies Lane area, a Lesser Whitethroat was on the Garrison, a Garden Warbler was along Pungies Lane, an adult Hobby flew over Helvear and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found late evening on the airfield. On Tresco a Buzzard a juvenile Marsh Harrier, 23 Little Egrets and a Spotted Crake were seen. On the daytime pelagic trip another juvenile Marsh Harrier followed the boat out several miles and the kept going east. Was this one of the 2 young suspected to have been fledged this year? Also seen on this trip were: a Sooty Shearwater, a Black Tern,1 Pomarine, 3 Arctic & 8 Great Skuas and 35 European Storm-petrels. On St. Agnes a probable Thrush Nightingale was seen very briefly early morning and promptly disappeared.

Aug 30^th to Sep 7^th

The birding has improved greatly in the last week, more migrants are around and several rare & scarce birds have been seen. The Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers & several Mediterranean Gulls are still present. Wheatears were seen daily.

On the 30^th " Tree Pipits flew over St. Mary’s Quay and there was a Kestrel, a Merlin and a Snipe at Lower Moors. The evening pelagic produced 2 Great Skuas and what may well prove to be the last 2 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels of the year, bringing the 2006 total to a staggering 66!

The 31^st produced the first American wader of the autumn – a White-rumped Sandpiper on Tresco, also present there were 18 Greenshank, 6 Sanderling & 2 Dunlin. On St. Mary’s there were 3 Dunlin & a Common Sandpiper at Porth Hellick, another Common Sandpiper at Old Town and a Whitethroat & a Tree Pipit on Peninnis. A Whimbrel & a Knot were seen near Samson, an Arctic Skua was in The Roads and on a quiet pelagic the only bird of note was a Sooty Shearwater.

On the 1^st a Subalpine Warbler was found on St. Agnes. On St. Mary’s a Great Spotted Woodpecker was on Kittydown, a Lapwing flew over Higher Moors, a Spotted Flycatcher was at Old Town, a Whitethroat was on Peninnis, an Arctic Skua was seen near the harbour entrance, a Tawny Pipit was on the golf course and a Water Rail, 3 Reed & 15 Sedge Warblers were on Lower Moors.

On the 2^nd the Subalpine Warbler was still on St. Agnes. While on St. Mary’s there were 2 juvenile Water Rails & a Greenshank on Lower Moors and a Spotted Flycatcher in Old Town churchyard.

A visit to Tresco on the 3^rd proved fruitful with 18 Greenshank, 7 Redshank, 10+ Dunlin, 20 Sanderling, a Common & a Green Sandpiper, a Knot, a Black-tailed Godwit and the White-rumped Sandpiper been seen. A Wryneck & a Garden Warbler were on Bryher and a Bar-tailed Godwit was on Samson. St. Agnes continued to produce with a Semi-palmated Sandpiper on the pool. On St. Mary’s there was a Green Sandpiper at Lower Moors, a Swift over Porth Hellick, a Spotted Flycatcher at Carn Friars and a third American wader in the form of a Pectoral Sandpiper on Old Town Beach.

On the 4^th the Semi-palmated Sandpiper was still on St. Agnes, the Pectoral Sandpiper was still on St. Mary’s and the Subalpine Warbler or another was on Bryher. The White-rumped Sandpiper was still on Tresco were there was also a Little Stint a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, a Spotted & 2 Pied Flycatchers. On St. Mary’s a
Wood Warbler was at Porth Hellick and the Arctic Skua was seen in The Roads.

 On the 5^th on Tresco the White-rumped Sandpiper was still present accompanied by a Little Stint & a Knot also seen was a Pied Flycatcher. The Semi-palmated Sandpiper remained on St. Agnes were also present were a Whimbrel, a Lesser Whitethroat & a Garden Warbler. The Pectoral Sandpiper was still on St. Mary’s were a fall of 20+ Pied Flycatchers was seen at Trenoweth. Also on St. Mary’s on Porth Cressa another Semi-palmated Sandpiper was seen and photographed, apparently present for a second day. The Subalpine Warbler was seen again on Bryher and a Greenish Warbler was discovered nearby.

The 6^th produced a first winter Citrine Wagtail on Lower Moors ,where the Pectoral Sandpiper was still present. On the rest of St. Mary’s a Melodious Warbler was at Longstone, a Whitethroat & 8 Greenshank were at Porth Hellick and a small ring-tail Harrier (Montagu’s or Pallid) was seen over Higher Moors. The Little Stint was still on Tresco. A pelagic trip logged a Balearic Shearwater, a Sooty Shearwater, 1 Arctic & 4 Great Skuas and a Sabine’s Gull.

The 7^th St. Mary’s produced the first Firecrests of the autumn with 1 at Porth Hellick and another near Deep Point, where there was also a Pied Flycatcher. The Citrine Wagtail & Pectoral Sandpiper were both present on and off at Lower Moors and an Ortolan Bunting was found in the evening on the golf course. The Subalpine Warbler remained on Bryher where a Wryneck was also seen.

Other notable natural history news was of a Death’s Head Hawkmoth on St. Mary’s on the 4^th.

Aug 23^rd to 29^th

The Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers & several Mediterranean Gulls are still present, a good selection of waders were seen in the week and a few more passerine migrants are moving through

On the 23^rd a Kestrel was at Bant’s Carn, the Great Spotted Woodpecker was still present on St. Mary’s, the Bluethroat & an Icterine Warbler were on Tresco, both staying until the 24^th.

The 24^th produced Spotted Flycatchers on St. Agnes & at Buzza Hill, and Pied Flycatchers on St. Agnes & Bryher. There were 9 Wheatears on St. Agnes and 6 on Peninnis. Also on St. Agnes an Arctic Skua & a Tree Pipit were seen. There was count of 150 Manx Shearwaters off Annet and a Green Sandpiper on Tean. 17 Grey Heron were on Hedge Rock. The evening pelagic trip logged 2 Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, 2 Sooty & a Balearic Shearwater.

On the 25^th 2 Wheatears were on St. Martin’s one was on Tresco & 6 were on St. Agnes, also there was an Icterine Warbler ,a Tree Pipit, 3 Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher & 10 Whimbrel. On St. Mary’s a Whimbrel & a Black-tailed Godwit were by the Quay, 4 Green Sandpipers were on Porth Hellick, and 4 Pied Flycatchers were at Trenoweth. 2 Dunlin were on St. Martin’s, 2 were on St. Agnes & 1 was on Tresco, also on Tresco were a Spotted Redshank and a Sparrowhawk. An Arctic Tern was seen on St. Martin’s.

On 26^th the Scillonian III crossing produced 1 Great, & 2 Sooty Shearwaters, and one each of Great & Arctic Skuas. On Tresco there were 8 Greenshank, a Knot, a Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Dunlin, a Sand Martin, a Spotted Flycatcher & 2 Wheatear. St. Agnes had a Pied & a Spotted Flycatcher, a Wheatear, a Cuckoo, a Whimbrel and a Greenshank. On St. Mary’s there were 12 Wheatear, a Whinchat on Peninnis, 14 Greenshank, 3 Dunlin & 4 Sand Martin on Porth Hellick. There was also a Sand Martin at Lower Moors.

The 27^th saw a Hobby over the Golf Course and 9 White Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 2 Whinchat & a Cuckoo on Peninnis. The Knot was still on Tresco and on Bryher there was a Buzzard & a Wheatear. Seen on St. Agnes were a Swift, 5 Wheatear and 4 Lesser Redpoll (including 2 young birds). An adult Sabine’s Gull was seen from the Scillonian III crossing.

On St. Agnes there was a Melodious Warbler on the 28^th which was still present on the 29^th. That evening’s pelagic trip logged a Balearic & 10 Manx Shearwaters, 20 European Storm-Petrels and a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel (the season’s total for Wilson’s is now standing at 64!)

On the 29^th there was a good selection of waders on Porth Hellick:- 3 Dunlins, 4 Green Sandpipers 11 Greenshank, 1 Redshank 2 Common Sandpiper & a Wood Sandpiper, also there were 2 Yellow Wagtails & a Water Rail. Still on St. Mary’s, 8 White Wagtail were on Peninnis and a Greenshank was on Lower Moors. A Redshank was on St. Agnes.

Cetacean sighting of the week was 50 Bottle-nosed Dolphins on the pelagic trip on the evening of the 24^th.

Aug 16^th to 22^nd

Wader numbers continue to increase and the Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers & several Mediterranean Gulls are still present. A few Wheatears & Tree Pipits are passing through.

On the 16^th a Hobby was seen over the golf course and a Black-tailed Godwit was on Northwethel.

A visit to Porth Hellick on the 17^th produced, 5 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 3 Dunlin & a Common Sandpiper.

On the 18^th St. Agnes came up trumps when an Icterine Warbler & an Aquatic Warbler were present. On Tresco there was a count of 22 Grey Herons, 10 Little Egrets & 2 Black-tailed Godwits. An afternoon/evening pelagic for Celtic Bird Tours logged, 2 Wilson’s Petrels, 6 Great & 4 Sooty Shearwaters, one each of Roseate & Arctic Tern, 4 Bonxies and 50+ Storm Petrels.

St. Agnes continued to produce with a Spotted Crake on the 19^th. The Celtic Bird Tours’ all day pelagic recorded, 4 Wilson’s Petrels,3 Manx, 3 Sooty, 2 Cory’s & 12 Great Shearwaters, a Black Tern, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 13 Bonxies and a Knot.

4 Bonxies, 24 Storm Petrels, 14 Manx and a Sooty Shearwater were seen on the Scillonian crossing. A Snipe, a Redshank & 2 Sand Martin were at Porth Hellick.

On the 20^th Tresco stepped in with a Bluethroat which was still there on the 22^nd, also there were 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Dunlin. Another Spotted Crake was seen at Lower Moors. The last of the Celtic Bird Tours’ pelagics yielded 2 Little & 3 Arctic Terns, 5 Wilson’s Petrel’s, 7 Great & 6 Sooty Shearwaters, 7 Bonxies and 100+ Storm Petrels.

On the 21^st a wader count on Tresco logged 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 10 Greenshank and 6 Golden Plover. A Scilly rarity, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was found at Porth Hellick house. The evening pelagic recorded 1 each of Great, Sooty & Balearic Shearwaters, 30+ Storm Petrels, 3 Bonxies and 3 Wilson’s Petrel’s. This brings the 2006 total for Wilson’s Petrels to 61, over 50% higher than the previous annual maximum.

On the 22^nd 2 Greenshank were at Porth Hellick and another was at Lower Moors. Those on the evening pelagic saw 1 Bonxie, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 30+ Storm Petrels.

Cetacean sighting included 10 Risso’s Dolphins off the Garrison.

Aug 2^nd to 15^th

Wader numbers are increasing and Little Egret numbers are up. The Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers (at least 3) several Mediterranean Gulls of various ages were present across the islands and a few returning migrants were seen.

On the 2^nd 9 Common Sandpipers and a Snipe were on St. Mary’s. On Samson there were 4 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, a Knot, a Whimbrel, a Redshank and 8 Little Egret.

The 3^rd produced Wheatears on Peninnis & Bryher, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper & a Dunlin on Porth Hellick Pool. The evening pelagic trip logged a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, 25 European Storm-Petrels and 15 Manx Shearwaters.

On the 4^th a Willow Warbler was on the Garrison, a Spotted Flycatcher was on Great Ganilly and a female Garganey was on Lower Moors. The pelagic recorded a Pomarine Skua, 3 Sooty Shearwaters and 80 European Storm-Petrels.

On the 5^th a fine Black-tailed Godwit was found on Lower Moors ( staying until the 9^th) also there was a Water Rail and a Greenshank. 2 Sanderling and a juvenile Cuckoo were seen on St. Martin’s and a Redshank was on Tresco.

The 6^th yielded a Lesser Whitethroat on Bryher, 40 Ringed Plover, 6 Greenshank, 2 Wood Sandpipers. An evening pelagic recorded 2 Wilson’s Petrels, a Great Shearwater, a Sooty Shearwater an Arctic Tern and 50 Storm Petrels.

On the 7^th a female Pintail, a Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Whimbrel and a Sand Martin were on Tresco. There were 2 Common Sandpipers and a Green Sandpiper at Porth Hellick.

On the 8^th a Whimbrel was on the Garrison, the Black-tailed Godwit a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper were on Lower Moors. 6 Wheatears a Willow Warbler and a Green Sandpiper were on St. Agnes. The highlight of the period (for a lucky few) was a Pallid Swift over Old Town.

On the 9^th 4 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, a Dunlin, a Teal and a Water Rail were on Porth Hellick. The Black-tailed Godwit & a Greenshank were on Lower Moors, a Whitethroat was at Higher Moors and on Tresco there were 50 Sandwich Terns, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Sanderling, a Pintail, a Greenshank & 13 Little Egret. On Bryher there were 4 Willow Warblers & a Spotted Flycatcher.

At Porth Hellick on the 10^th there were 5 Greenshanks, a Common Sandpiper & a Sand Martin, on St. Martin’s a Willow Warbler, a White Wagtail & a Wheatear were seen. The pelagic that evening logged 40 European Storm-Petrels & a Sooty Shearwater.

On the 11^th a trip to Bryher produced 10 Curlew, 2 Greenshank, a Spotted Flycatcher & a Yellow-legged Gull. 9 Little Egret were seen on Tresco.

On the 13^th,10 Little Egrets were on Tresco, waders there were:- a Wood Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Green Sandpipers, 4 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlin, 16 Sanderling, 7 Redshank & 23 Greenshank. There were also 3 Whimbrel & a Dunlin on St. Agnes. 2 Wheatears were seen on St. Agnes and another on St. Mary’s Golf Course. The Spotted Flycatcher was still on Bryher where there was also a Tree Pipit. The evening pelagic produced a Wilson’s Petrel 50 European Storm-Petrels & 15 Manx Shearwaters.

A trip to Tresco on the 14^th produced 4 Redshank, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Sand Martin & a Common Buzzard. There were 6 Wheatears & a Whimbrel on Samson and a Wheatear & a Willow Warbler on Bryher. An Osprey was seen flying over the Nag’s Head on St. Agnes in the evening. The pelagic trip that evening recorded 20 Storm Petrels, 2 Manx Shearwaters, an Arctic Skua & 3 Wilson’s Petrels bringing the 2006 total so far to 47 birds, well in excess of the previous high of 40 in 2002.

On the 15^th there were 4 Snipe on Lower Moors and another on Porth Hellick, a Dunlin on St. Agnes and a Bar-tailed Godwit on Tresco.

Insect sightings interest were the first record for Scilly of Queen of Spain Fritillary at Trenoweth on the 10^th and 11^th ( see photo on title page), 2 Migrant Hawker Dragonflies on St. Martin’s and another at Trenoweth, all on the 10^th and the earliest ever Monarch Butterfly on Tresco on the 14^th.

Notable cetacean sightings were 5 Bottle-nosed Dolphins on the Pelagic of the 13^th and 20 Common Dolphins on the pelagic of the 14^th.

July 26^th to Aug 1^st

Small numbers of waders continue to pass through and Little Egret numbers are still increasing. The Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers and several Mediterranean Gulls are still present. The juvenile Cuckoo is still on the Garrison being fed by Rock Pipits.

On the 26^th 35 European Storm-Petrels and a Sooty Shearwater were seen on the Scillonian crossing.

On the 27^th a Water Rail was seen at Porth Hellick and 2^nd summer Mediterranean Gull was at Morning Point

On the 28^th an evening pelagic yielded 1 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, 150 European Storm-Petrels and very good prolonged views of a 1^st summer Long-tailed Skua flying around the boat. There were also 1^st summer and juvenile Mediterranean Gulls on Tresco.

On the 29^th a Cory’s Shearwater and 2 large unidentified Shearwaters were seen from Giant’s Castle. On the wader front there were 3 Whimbrel on St. Agnes and another below St. Mary’s quay, a Greenshank on the Garrison, and a Common & a Green Sandpiper on Porth Hellick. Another Water Rail was seem in Holy Vale, a Mediterranean Gull was in Little Porth and a Kestrel & young were at Maypole.

The 30^th produced the following wader count: 20 Curlew on Samson & another 60 on Tean and 1 Whimbrel & 30 Sanderling on Tresco. Also on Tresco were 30 Sandwich Terns & a Mediterranean Gull, another Mediterranean Gull (a juvenile was seen south of Tresco. On St. Mary’s a Wood Warbler was seen near Higher Moors pumping station. The evening logged 6 Great Shearwaters (the first of the year), 3 Cory’s Shearwaters & 50 European Storm-Petrels.

On the 31^st a Balearic and 3 Cory’s Shearwaters were seen on a sea-watch from Peninnis Head. Waders included, 12 Greenshank on Tresco and 4 on Porth Hellick, 4 Redshank, a Dunlin, a Lapwing & a Common Sandpiper on Tresco. Also on Tresco was a juvenile Mediterranean Gull. On St. Mary’s another Common Sandpiper was on Porth Hellick, a 2^nd summer Mediterranean Gull was at Morning Point and 3 Crossbills were seen at Pelistry. That evening’s pelagic was very good, logging 7 Great Shearwaters, 5 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Great Skuas, 150 European Storm-Petrels & 8 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels. The Wilson’s count equalled the highest count for a single pelagic trip from Scilly. It also took the year’s total so far to 40 birds, matching the highest annual count which was reached in 2002. There is still all of August to go and as birds have been recorded into early September the record should be beaten. The evening count of 8 was especially welcome for a couple of visiting birders from Oxford, who had had 6 previous Wilson’s –free trips, seventh time lucky!!

Also on the pelagic 20 Manx Shearwater were seen well south of the islands flying strongly south-west, migrating?

August 1^st was wet and windy but managed to produce a Common & a Green Sandpiper on Porth Hellick, juvenile and adult Mediterranean Gulls in Porth Cressa, juvenile and 2^nd summer Mediterranean Gulls at Porthloo, a Whimbrel at Giant’s Castle and another on St. Martin’s where there was also a Grey Plover.

On the marine front, another Blue Shark was tagged 0n the 29^th, 35 Harbour Porpoise, a Minke Whale & an Ocean Sunfish were seen from the Scillonian crossing of the 27^th and on the same date a Risso’s Dolphin was seen off Peninnis. An Ocean Sunfish and 2 Harbour were seen on pelagic on the 31^st.

July 10^th to 25^th

A small passage of waders has started and Little Egret numbers are building up. The Spoonbill & 2 Marsh Harriers are still present. Variable numbers of Mediterranean Gulls ( up to 7) of different ages were around the islands. Swift counts were up suggesting the start of the return passage.

On the 10^th a Mediterranean Gull was seen at Morning Point.

A pelagic trip on the 11^th produced 40 European Storm-Petrels and a Great Skua.

A second summer Mediterranean Gull was between the Garrison and Samson on the 12^th and an evening pelagic logged 2 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels and 150 European Storm-Petrels on the same date there were 2 Greenshank and a Swift on Tresco.

On the 13^th yet another Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, 30 European Storm-Petrels and a Sooty Shearwater were recorded on a pelagic, a Common Buzzard was on Tresco, a Sand Martin was on St. Martin’s, 4 Little Egrets were on the Great Pool, Tresco and a Greenshank & a Green Sandpiper were at Porth Hellick.

On the 14^th a Honey Buzzard flew over Longstone and the evening pelagic had 50 European Storm-Petrels and a Great Skua.

On the 15^th six Mediterranean Gulls were around Tresco (an Adult, 2 first summer and 3 juveniles) and 2 Green Sandpipers were at Lower Moors.

On the 16^th two Mediterranean Gulls were on Tresco and 2 were on Bryher, Common Sandpipers were represented by 1 on Bryher and 2 on Porthloo. Other waders present were, 2 Greenshank, 10 Dunlin & 4 Sanderling on Tresco and a Whimbrel on Tean. Also seen were 6 Little Egrets and 15 Sandwich Tern on Tresco..

On the 17^th a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel was seen between Bishop Rock and Rosevean and became the second to be recorded in inter-island waters closely following the first on June 26. 5 Green Sandpipers were at Lower Moors in the early morning, but quickly moved on and the second summer Mediterranean Gull was off Morning Point. 2 Roseate Terns were seen between Annet and Samson and the 2 Common Sandpipers were still at Porthloo.

On the 18^th the suspected breeding of Little Egret was proved by a rather sad observation: A Marsh Harrier was seen been mobbed by 6 Little Egrets over the pines adjacent to Simpson’s Field, Tresco, it dropped into the pines and was seen to come out carrying a Little Egret chick. Thus it would seem that with our two most recent breeding birds, one, Marsh Harrier (first bred last year) has Little Egret (first bred this year) on its menu! Also on the 18^th 2 Mediterranean Gulls were off Morning Point and the 2 pelagics that day logged 2 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, 250 European Storm-Petrels, 2 Sooty Shearwaters & a Great Skua on the daytime trip and 50 European Storm-Petrels & a Great Skua on the evening trip. The daytime trip was enlivened by a Gannet which spent 2 hours perched on the stern of the stern of the MV Kingfisher been fed mackerel, then taking a dislike to its provider, Alec, the skipper, by trying to spear him with its beak whenever he went near it (see photo on the title page).

On the 19^th at Lower Moors there were 2 Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank and a Grasshopper Warbler, whilst Bryher had the first Wood Sandpiper of the year. The evening pelagic logged another Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, 100 European Storm-Petrels & a Great Skua.

On the 20^th a very unseasonal Scilly rarity, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was reported from St. Martin’s.

On the 21^st there were 2 Mediterranean Gulls were off Morning Point and these or another 2 were on Porthloo Beach. On Porth Hellick there were 2 Green Sandpipers & 1 Common Sandpiper, on Tresco there was 1 Green Sandpiper, 12 Greenshank, on Annet a Whimbrel and on St. Martin’s a Sanderling.

On the 22^nd there was a Green Sandpiper on Lower Moors and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull on Little Porth.

The 23^rd produced the bird of the month so far, a Pallid Swift on Bryher, found by local birder John Higginson, the third one he has found, all on the same island, he seems to be specialising! It was a well deserved reward for the many hours birding he puts in on Bryher. There were second summer Mediterranean Gulls on Tresco and Porthloo and also a juvenile bird at the latter site. There were 3 Common Sandpipers on Peninnis and 1 on Porth Hellick, a Green Sandpiper also on Porth Hellick , a Greenshank on Porth Hellick and another on Samson and a Dunlin on Samson. That evening’s pelagic logged 50 European Storm-Petrels, 2 Sooty Shearwaters & a Balearic Shearwater.

The 24^th saw 3 Common Sandpipers on Porth Hellick, 1 on the Garrison, 1 on Porth Cressa & 1 on Tresco, There were 3 Green Sandpipers on Porth Hellick and on Tresco were 9 Greenshank, a Lapwing, a Tufted Duck, 33 Grey Herons and 12 Little Egrets.

A second summer Mediterranean Gull was on Porthloo again and the evening pelagic produced 3 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels (taking the total so far this year to 31), 40 European Storm-Petrels, a Balearic Shearwater, a Great Skua and first summer Sabine’s Gull, a very unusual plumage in British waters.

On the 25^th the juvenile Cuckoo was still on the Garrison being fed by Rock Pipits, there were 5 Green Sandpipers on Tresco and 2 on Porth Hellick, 2 Common Sandpipers on Porth Hellick and 1 on Tresco and a Whimbrel on Annet. The 2 Marsh Harriers were seen over St. Helen’s and the evening pelagic trip recorded 250 European Storm-Petrels, a Great Skua and a Balearic Shearwater.

On the marine front, 5 Blue Sharks and a Porbeagle have been caught and tagged, a Minke Whale and several Common Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises and Ocean Sunfish have been seen on the Pelagics.

June 27^th to July 9^th

On the cetaceans front, on the pelagic trips, several Common Dolphins were seen and on the Jul 5^th and 6^th a Minke Whale was seen each trip.

June 19^th to 26^th

A pelagic trip on Monday 26^th proved very productive with 6 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels been recorded. The first of these was seen just after the MV Sapphire left St. Mary’s quay. It was sighted feeding about 200 metres off the Garrison and was the first ever to be recorded within the islands. A quick phone call enabled two breathless local birders to rush down to Woolpack Point and see it. Hence, as well as been the first to be seen in inter-island waters, it was the first to be seen from land on Scilly. Was this the first ever Wilson’s Storm-Petrel to be twitched?

Interesting Dragonflies reported were a Black-Tailed Skimmer and a Lesser Emperor Dragonfly, both on Porth Hellick Pool on the 25^th.

June 12^th to 18^th

June 5^th to 11^th

The Lesser Redpoll remained on St Agnes where there was also a Turtle Dove. There were 2 Whimbrel and a Bar-Tailed Godwit on Samson and a Hobby on Tresco. A pelagic trip that evening exceeded expectations with 80 British Storm-Petrels, a Great Skua, 6 Manx Shearwaters and 3 very early Wilson’s Storm-Petrels.

May 29^th to June 4^th.

May 31^st

The hirundines form the 3^rd were still at Porth Hellick an adult Black-headed Gull there. A Turtle Dove was on St Agnes and another at Lower Moors. An Osprey was seen flying over Old Town, an Icterine Warbler was on Mincarlo (the islet not the guesthouse!) and a Quail was on Scilly Rock. On Tresco there was a Kestrel, 3 Sanderling, a Dunlin and 2 Grey Plover. There were also 4 Sanderling on Tean. On Green Island near Samson there were 80 Common Tern and 4 Sandwich Tern nearby. There was a mini invasion of Redpoll with 2 on Bryher, 2 on St Mary’s and one on St Agnes. A Golden Plover was on the airfield and a Kestrel was on Tresco.

May 22^nd to 28^th.

Generally quiet on the birding front, but not on the weather front! Rain, winds in the wrong direction and 3 days of fog. The 1^st winter Iceland Gull on St. Mary’s and the Spoonbill & Common Buzzard on Tresco (and occasionally other islands) were present throughout the week. Whimbrel continued to pass through in small numbers. Generally just the male Marsh Harrier was reported on the islands. The Dotterel remained in the airport/Giant’s Castle area on St. Mary’s until the 25^th.

The Woodchat Shrike was found again after not being seen for 5 days. It has been present since May 14^th but twice has gone unreported for several days. A Hobby was seen over Higher Moors.

May 15^th to 21^st.

On St. Agnes there was a Short-eared Owl and on Tresco the 2 Wigeon were still on the Great Pool.

May 8^th to 14^th.