A look back at the birding highlights on the Islands in 2008
December 10th Gyr over Longstone
11th 3 GN Diver & BT Diver from Star Castle.
7 LT Tit near dump, B Redstart, Merlin & Kestrel Porthloo, 6 chiffchaff Lower Moors, 30 Meadow Pipits Peninnis.
12th Merlin Porthloo
13th Whooper Swan, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier and Merlin all Tresco + 2 GN Divers offshore.
14th Waxwing Hugh Town, Iceland Gull over Hugh Town, 7 LT Tit Lower Moors.
15th Merlin, SE Owl, 2 Lapwing, 7 Common Scoter, 2 GN Diver all Tresco. Spoonbill, Wigeon and 4 Water Rails all Samson. 5 LT tits Longstone and 12 Lower Moors.
16th Purple Sandpiper on rocks behind over wall of Mermaid carpark. Glaucous Gull between Porth Hellick Point and Deep Point.
17th Firecrest Longstone, 3 Slav Grebe, Common Scoter and 5 GN Diver from Innisidgen. Glaucous Deep Point, Black Redstart Porthloo Beach, 6 LT Tits Lower Moors.
19th , Black Redstart Porthloo Beach and 3 Purple Sandpipers Porth Mellon.
20th Goosander Porthloo Duck Pond, Glaucous over Longstone and 10 LT Tit Lower Moors.
21st On Tresco – Whooper Swan, female Shoveler, male & female Pintail, Sparrowhawk, female Wigeon, 6 Common Gulls, female Marsh Harrier, 100 Sanderling, 100 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin. Between Tresco & St. Mary’s 4 Common Scoter, between Tresco & St. Martin’s female RB Merganser and 10 GN Diver. 2 Peregrine and 2 Raven over St. Helen’s. Drake Eider Great Bay, St. Martin’s, LEO over Longstone and Firecrest Old Town churchyard.
22nd Siberian Chiffchaff Higher Moors. Off Innisidgen – 4 Slavs, female Eider, 12 GN diver & juv BT Diver, Glaucous off Deep Point.
23rd Spoonbill Samson, 4 Common Scoter off MacFarland’s Down, juv BT Diver, 12 GN Diver, Common Scoter and 4 Slavs off Innisidgen. Water Pipit Porthcressa beach, Black Red Porthloo beach and a Swallow over Hugh Town.
24th Swallow Lower Moors, 4 Slavs, 3 GN Divers, female Eider and Common Scoter off Innisidgen + Firecrest in trees nearby. Glaucous Old town Bay and Avocet (a Scilly rarity) on St. Martin’s.
25th Glaucous around St. Mary’s, 2 GN Diver, BT Diver and 4 Common Scoter off Carn Morval (Golf course). On St. Agnes – Grey Plover, 11 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Merlin, Black Redstart and a Firecrest.
26th Glaucous around St. Mary’s
27th Water Pipit Hugh Town, Gyr St. Martin’s and Tresco, Grey Plover Pentle Bay, Tresco.
28th LT Tit Porthloo Farm, Glaucous St. Mary’s, juv Iceland and adult Med Gull Pentle Bay, Tresco. Jack snipe Carn Friars.
29th Ring-tailed Hen Harrier Samson, Hawfinch St. Martin’s, juv Glaucous Old Town Bay, 5 LT tit Porthloo. On Tresco – Gyr, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk. Short-eared Owl, 5 Cattle Egret, Adult Med Gull, Jackdaw, Whooper Swan and 2 Pintail. The Gyr was also seen over Bryher and from timings another Cattle Egret was on St. Martin’s.
30th Water Pipit Porthcressa beach, Grey Wag Mermaid Carpark. On Tresco Gyr, 3 Cattle Egret, Whooper Swan, Pintail and 10 Lapwing over. Drake Eider still in Great Bay, St. Martin’s + 11 Lapwing over. Spoonbill on rocks off Samson and 3 Lapwing on Bryher.
31st Sandwich Tern Old Town Bay early a.m. and the New Grimsby, Tresco p.m. Jack snipe and 4 LT Tit Lower Moors. LEO near Hell Bay Hotel Bryher.
19th November- 9th December
The following were reported by local birders:
19th 4 Brambling were at Lower Moors.
20th 2 Brambling were at Jac-a-Ba & 2 Great Northern Diver were off Innisidgen. A Blackcap & 20 Meadow Pipit were at Carn Friars and 80 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, a Whimbrel & a Woodcock were at Porthloo. A Firecrest was seen on Tresco and 3 Common Scoter were offshore. 3 Kestrel were over the south of St. Mary’s and a Black Redstart was in Old Town.
21st 3 Woodcock, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Siberian Chiffchaff and 9 Long-tailed Tit were in Lower Moors. 20 Chiffchaff & 25 Goldcrest were on the south of St. Mary’s and a Common Gull was at Porthloo.
22nd There was an small influx of winter thrushes with 25 Redwing & 30 Fieldfare in Old Town, also there were 2 Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk and a Black Redstart. Just 1 Long-tailed Tit was in Lower Moors and a Blackcap & a Grey Wagtail were near the Municipal Dump. 2 Merlin and a Peregrine were seen on St. Mary’s.
23rd A Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Firecrest and a Siberian Chiffchaff were at Lower Moors. Single Black Redstart were in Old Town and on Porthloo Beach. At Porth Hellick there were 2 Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 32 Ringed Plover & 3 Turnstone, there were also 34 Turnstone behind the Mermaid Pub.
24th A Firecrest was seen from the Porth Hellick loop boardwalk, 5 Long-tailed Tit were still in Lower Moors and a male Pied Wagtail was on Porth Mellon Beach.
25th The Spoonbill was on Stony Island and a Goosander, a scarcity on Scilly, was seen briefly at Porth Mellon and Porthloo. 10 Long-tailed Tit were in Lower Moors, a Brambling was at Porth Hellick and 3 Great Northern Diver were in the Roads. A Mistle Thrush at Longstone was part of a an influx of thrushes, with 200+ Redwing and 100+ Fieldfare on St. Mary’s, there was also a small influx of Goldcrest.
26th The first Slavonian Grebe of the winter were seen in there usual haunt, with 2 off Innisidgen, also there was an Eider. The Spoonbill was on Samson and 6 Common Scoter were in the Roads. A Grey Wagtail was in Lower Moors, a Pied Wagtail was at Porth Mellon and a Black Redstart was in Old Town. Good numbers of thrushes were still about with 300+ Redwing and 150+ Fieldfare still on St. Mary’s.
27th A Firecrest, a Brambling and a Blackcap were in Lower Moors. 10 Moorhen, 2 Coot and a pair of Mute Swan were on Porth Hellick Pool. Single Black Redstart were in Old Town and on Porthloo Beach and 2 Kestrel & a Merlin were seen on St. Mary’s.
28th A trip to Tresco produced a Whooper Swan, 2 Pintail, 4 Wigeon, a Shoveler, 20 Teal and a Little Grebe, all on the Great Pool. Also on the island was a Blackcap, a Jackdaw at New Grimsby and offshore a female Eider, a female Red-breasted Merganser, 6 female-type Common Scoter & 8 Great Northern Diver. A Lesser Redpoll was on Bryher.
29th A Blackcap, 10 Long-tailed Tit & a Jack Snipe were at Lower Moors, a Pied Wagtail was at Porth Hellick and 6 Lapwing were on Samson.
30th A Brambling was in a garden on Higher Lanes, a Firecrest & 8 Chiffchaff were in Lower Moors, a Black Redstart was on Porthloo Beach and there were 3 Lapwing on St. Mary’s.
1st Single Black Redstart were in Old Town and on Porthloo Beach and the Siberian Chiffchaff was again in lower Moors. Scanning from Innisidgen yielded a female type Eider, a Slavonian Grebe, 5 Great Northern Diver and a Lapwing over St. Martin’s.
2nd The only report was of 55 Black-headed Gull at Morning Point.
3rd The Black Redstart were still in Old Town and on Porthloo Beach and the Siberian Chiffchaff was still in lower Moors. 2 Siskin were at Trenoweth and the female type Eider & 10 Great Northern Diver were off Innisidgen.
5th The Snowy Owl, which had not been reported since November 16, was seen again on St. Martin’s.
6th 2 Brambling were at the Jac-a-Ba feeding station.
7th A Jack Snipe was at Porth Hellick, a Firecrest was at Carn Gwaval, 5 Long-tailed Tits were in Lower Moors and the 2 Brambling were still at Jac-a-Ba. A 2 hour jet-boat trip around the islands recorded a female Red-breasted Merganser, a Spoonbill, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 40+ Curlew, 8 Grey Plover and a Common Gull. 2 local birders scanning from Innisidgen, saw on St. Martin’s what appeared to be a large white falcon been mobbed by 2 corvids.
8th 3 locals, who had gone to St. Martin’s to look for yesterday’s reported white falcon, received a message that a white morph Gyr Falcon had flown over Porth Mellon towards Porthloo, after some rather ripe language they quickly arranged a boat back to St. Mary’s. Fortunately the bird remained in the Porthloo/Golf Course area for a few hours enabling everyone to get excellent views of the bird, both flying and perched. It was thought to be a first-winter male. The trip to St. Martin’s had not been wasted as a an adult drake Eider was seen in Great Bay. Very few drakes are seen in Scilly waters. Kestrel, Merlin & Peregrine were also on the island. A Black Redstart and 30 Sanderling were on Porthloo Beach. 2 Common Snipe were near the Golf Club House.
9th The Gyr Falcon remained on St. Mary’s, being seen at various locations around the island throughout the day. The 2 Brambling were still at Jac-a-Ba, the Black Redstart was still on Porthloo Beach and a Kestrel was over the incinerator.
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11th – 17th November
The highlights this week were:
11th A female Goldeneye was found on Porth Hellick Pool, nearby there were 8 Long-tailed Tit. 5 Black Redstart were on Porthloo Beach and a Yellow-browed Warbler & a late Whinchat were on St. Agnes.
12th The Yellow-browed Warbler & the Whinchat were still on St. Agnes and also there were 4 Firecrest. The Snowy Owl which had not been seen for over a week was seen again near Giant’s Castle. Long-tailed Tits continued to be seen with 11 on Church Street, Hugh Town, 8 in Holy Vale and 6 in Lower Moors. The 5 Black Redstart were still on Porthloo Beach and the Goldeneye was still on Porth Hellick Pool. A Whimbrel was at Bar Point and a Firecrest was at the Abbey crossroads on Tresco.
13th The Snowy Owl was seen again below the airfield, a Brambling was near Mount Todden and a late Swallow was seen on St. Agnes.
14th A visit to Tresco produced a Whooper Swan, 4 Wigeon, a Little Grebe, 2 Merlin, a Firecrest and a Snow Bunting. Elsewhere a Woodcock & Yellow-browed Warbler were at Higher Moors, 4 Long –tailed Tit were at Porth Hellick and a Brambling & 3 Swallow were at Sallyport
15th A Siberian Chiffchaff performed well in Lower Moors, giving good views, singing and calling, also there were 2 Firecrest. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Higher Moors.
16th The Snowy Owl was reported by a non-birder flying over Porth Minnick, a Whooper Swan was on Porth Hellick, 9 Long-tailed Tit were on Peninnis and 4 Swallow were over Hugh Town. A 2 hour boat trip around the islands proved quite fruitful, birds seen included a Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver, 4 Wigeon, 40 Shelduck, 30 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Peregrine and a Spoonbill on Green Island.
17th The only reports were of a Black Redstart at Higher Lanes and a very late Wheatear on Salakee Down.
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2nd -10th November
The highlights this week were:
2nd The Snowy Owl was still on St. Martin’s, 2 Black Redstarts were on Porthloo Beach and another was near Tolman’s café. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Higher Moors and Firecrests were seen on the Garrison, on Porth Hellick Loop & in Old Town Churchyard. A Jack Snipe was on Lower Moors Loop and 28 Lapwing & a Golden Plover were on the airfield. 8 Long-tailed Tits (a Scilly rarity) were on the Garrison.
3rd The Snowy Owl was reported by locals as still on St. Martin’s but was not seen thereafter. 5 Firecrest were at Trenoweth Farm and 1 was still on Porth Hellick Loop. Yellow-browed Warblers were seen at Trenoweth Farm and at Newford Duck Pond. 4 Lesser Redpoll were at Carn Friars Farm and 15 Long-tailed Tits were seen at Rosehill.
4th A Grey-cheeked Thrush was seen on Bryher, thus further complicating this species sightings, birds having now been seen on St. Agnes, Porth Mellon, near Bourdeaux Pottery and Bryher. It is to be hoped photographs and description can determine whether the records concern 1 wandering individual or up to 4 birds. 18 Lapwing were still on the Airfield, 3 Firecrest were in Lower Moors and another was still on the Garrison. A Short-eared Owl flew over Carn Friars Farm and a Long-eared Owl was in the Garrison pines. A Hawfinch flew over Lower Moors towards the Municipal Dump, 7 Long-tailed Tits were still on the Garrison, 3 Lesser Redpoll were still at Carn Friars Farm and 2 Snow Bunting were near the lighthouse on Peninnis. A Mediterranean Gull was in the Roads and 49 Sanderling & 7 Dunlin were on Porthloo Beach.
5th 2 Black Redstart were at Telegraph, 1 was on Porthloo Beach and 1 was near the incinerator. At Carn Friars Farm the were 3 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Swallow, a Reed Bunting and a Merlin. The Long-eared Owl was still in the Garrison pines, 2 Woodcock were on Porth Hellick Loop and another was at Jac-a-Ba. On Porthloo Beach there were now 61 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin & 2 Curlew. A Hawfinch flew over Carn Friars, a Jack Snipe was on Porth Hellick Pool, a Ring Ouzel was briefly at the bottom of Watermill and a Crossbill was at Salakee. 7 Long-tailed Tits were in Holy Vale, Yellow-browed Warblers were reported from the Dump Clump & Newford Duck Pond and Firecrests were seen on Peninnis & in the Dump Clump.
6th The first Bittern on Scilly for 10 years was flushed from near the sluice on Porth Hellick Pool, fortunately for the 10 or so resident birders (and a very lucky Policeman!) on St. Mary’s it was relocated when again flushed from a ditch next to the path. It flew around the pool several times before it was attacked by a Peregrine, eventually it flew off high over Kittydown. A Black-redstart was in a garden at High Lanes and 4 more were on St. Agnes, where there were also 2 Firecrest. 1 intrepid resident birder visited Bryher, where he saw 2 Firecrest & a Yellow-browed Warbler, scant compensation for missing the Bittern on St. Mary’s. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Newford Duck Pond and a boat trip around the Eastern Isles produced a Purple Sandpiper & 3 Fulmar.
7th 8 Long-tailed Tits were in holy Vale, 2 were in Lower Moors, 1 was at Jac-a-Ba and 1 was near the sluice at Porth Hellick Pool. Single Woodcock were seen at Higher Moors & Salakee and a very late Whinchat was at Higher Moors.
8th The last of the visiting birders having left and with several of the resident birders away, the number of reports were greatly reduced. The Whooper Swan was still on the Great Pool, Tresco, where there were also 2 Wigeon. A Black Redstart was at Little Porth.
9th On a very wet and windy day, the only report was of 3 Black Redstart on Porthloo Beach.
10th The 3 Black Redstart were still on Porthloo Beach, Grey Wagtail were seen at Porthloo Duck Pond & on Porth Mellon Beach and a Bullfinch flew over the small copse behind the Lifeboat Station at Carn Thomas. A Red-breasted Merganser was at New Grimsby, Tresco.
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26th October – 1st November
The highlights from the log this of the week are:
Whooper Swan: 1 on the Great Pool, Tresco until at least 31st.
Eurasian Wigeon: A female on Porth Hellick Pool all week and a fly-over male there on 31st.
Pintail: 1 or 2 seen on the Great Pool. Tresco until at least 31st.
Pochard: 1 on the Great Pool on 26th,2 males there on 31st.
Scaup: The drake on the Great Pool all week.
Common Scoter: 2 in the Roads on 26th, 2 off Carn Near, Tresco on 28th.
Red-breasted Merganser: 1 off Tobaccoman’s Point, Tresco until 29th.
Red-throated Diver: 1 seen around the islands on and off throughout the week.
Black-throated diver: 1 seen of Watermill Cove on 28th.
Great Northern Diver: Up to 6 around the islands.
Balearic Shearwater: 1 past Porth Hellick Down on 31st.
Little Egret: Maximum roost so far -35 on Tresco on 26th.
Spoonbill: 1 was still present until 29th and was joined by a second bird on the 30th.
Hobby: 1 on St. Mary’s on 26th & 28th.
Spotted Crake: 1 near Porth Killier, St. Agnes on 28th & 31st and 1 in Lower Moors 29th to 30th.
American Golden Plover: 1 on the Airfield on 26th.
White-rumped Sandpiper: 1 on Porth Hellick Beach and 1 on Beady Pool, St. Agnes on 27th & 28th then 1 on Porth Hellick on 29th and 1 on Gugh Bar on 30th & 31st.
Grey Phalarope: 1 off Giant’s Castle on 31st.
Snowy Owl: The first on Scilly for 35 years was found on 29th initially seen by a non-birder on Gugh before been seen over Old Town and eventually settling on a wall along Pungies Lane before moving to St. Martin’s where it remained until at least 1st.
Short-eared Owl: 1 on Tresco on 26th.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 on Tresco on 26th.
Richard’s Pipit: 1 on St. Agnes on 26th.
Red-flanked Bluetail: What may have been the Salakee bird of the 21st or perhaps a second individual was seen on 28th, at first briefly at Newford Duck Pond before showing well to all at Trenoweth.
Black Redstart: Recorded throughout the week with a maximum of 17 on 21st.
Grey-cheeked Thrush: What was thought to be the St. Agnes bird was relocated on Porth Mellon on 26th making a visit to a field near Water Meadow Gallery, Old Town and returning to Porth Mellon later that day, 31st, its last sighting.
Ring Ouzel: 1 on St. Agnes & 1 on St. Martin’s on 1st.
Fieldfare: Numbers increasing to 50 + by 30th and then reported as “lots”.
Redwing: A minimum of 400 by 31st.
Mistle Thrush: 1 or 2 on St. Mary’s throughout the week, with 3 on 31st.
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: 1 remained on St. Agnes until 29th.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Present throughout with a maximum of 18 reported across the islands on 29th.
Pallas’s Warbler: 1 on the Lower Broome Platform, Garrison on 1st.
Firecrest: Still unusually scarce with a maximum of 9 on 31st.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: 1 in Holy Vale from 27th to 29th, 1 Watermill on 27th, 1 on St. Agnes on 28th and 1 on Tresco on 1st.
Long-tailed Tit: The first arrival of this Scilly rarity since 2003 was 7 seen at the junction of Porthlow Lane and Telegraph Road on 31st. On 1st 7 were seen on the Garrison and what were probably another 7 were at the Rosehill entrance to Lower Moors.
Red-backed Shrike: What was at one time suspected to be a Brown Shrike was present at Maypole from 26th to 28th.
Chaffinch: An influx through out the week, with an estimated 6000 east over Porth Hellick on 31st.
Brambling: Arriving in smaller numbers with the Chaffinch flocks with a maximum count of 16 on 31st.
Crossbill: 3 on Bryher on 26th, 2 on Tresco on 27th and then 4 there on 28th & 30th.
Common Rosefinch: 1 on St. Agnes on 26th, also present on 24th & 25th.
Hawfinch: Present in the Holy Vale/Maypole until 31st with 4 seen on 26th and 30th, 1 was seen opposite Bordeaux Pottery on 31st.
Lapland Bunting: 1 on the Airfield & 1 on St. Martin’s on 31st.
Snow Bunting: 1 on the Airfield on 27th , 1 on the Garrison & 1 on St. Agnes on 28th, 1 on Peninnis & 2 on the Golf Course on 29th, 1 on Peninnis on 30th and 2 there on 31st.
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19th – 25th October
The highlights from the log this of the week are:
Whooper Swan: 1 on the Great Pool, Tresco from 22nd to 25th and 6 over Porth Hellick on 22nd.
Eurasian Wigeon: The first of the autumn was a female on Porth Hellick Pool on 24th.
Pintail: 2 on Tresco until 21st thereafter 1 until 25th.
Pochard: The first of the autumn was 1 on the Great Pool on 25th.
Scaup: A drake on the Great Pool until 25th.
Long-tailed Duck: 1 off Tresco on 22nd.
Common Scoter: 2 in the Roads on 25th.
Red-breasted Merganser: 1 off Tresco all week.
Red-throated Diver: 1 seen around the islands on and off throughout the week.
Black-throated diver: 1 seen of St. Agnes on 22nd.
Great Northern Diver: 2 or 3 around the islands.
Sooty Shearwater: 1 on a pelagic trip on 18th & 6 past Peninnis on 23rd.
Balearic Shearwater: 1 off Giant’s Castle on 19th, 2 past Bryher on 21st, 1 past Peninnis on 23rd and 2 from the Scillonian and 1 past Horse Point, St. Agnes on 25th.
Little Egret: Maximum roost so far -32 in Tresco Channel on 19th.
Spoonbill: The juvenile was still present until 23rd at least.
Hen Harrier: A ring-tail flew past Bar Point on 24th.
Sociable Plover: last seen in a field at the Telegraph Road/ Porthloo Lane junction on 19th.
White-rumped Sandpiper: 2 on Tresco on 21st then 1 until 25th, 1 on Porth Hellick Beach on 22nd and 24th.
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 on Simpson’s Field, Tresco until 21st.
Wilson’s Snipe: 1 on Porth Hellick Pool on 25th was probably seen at Lower Moors on 23rd.
Grey Phalarope: 2 off Bar Point on 19th, 13 past Bryher and past Peninnis on 21st, 1 from the Scillonian & 9 off Tresco on 22nd, 1 past Peninnis on 23rd and 4 from the Scillonian on 25th.
Pomarine Skua: 1 off Deep Point on 19th.
Sabine’s Gull: A juvenile between St. Agnes and Annet on 19th.
Puffin: 1 from the Scillonian on 25th.
Short-eared Owl: 1 on Tresco all week.
Wryneck: 1 on Peninnis and 1 on Gugh on 19th.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 on Tresco, seen or heard intermittently until at least 24th.
Richard’s Pipit: 1 on St. Martin’s on 21st and 1 on St. Agnes on 25th.
Olive-backed Pipit: 1 on St. Agnes from 20th to 23rd.
Water Pipit: 1 on Porth Killier, St. Agnes from 19th to 24th.
Red-flanked Bluetail: The first record for Scilly was a female/1st winter male at Salakee on 21st.
Black Redstart: Recorded throughout the week with a maximum of 17 on 21st.
Grey-cheeked Thrush: 1 still on St. Agnes until 22nd.
Ring Ouzel: 1 on St. Agnes on 21st.
Fieldfare: The first of the autumn was 1 on Peninnis on 15th.
Mistle Thrush: 1 on Bryher on 12th & 1 on Gugh on 13th.
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: 1 still on St. Agnes until at least 25th.
Barred Warbler: 1 on Bryher on 21st and singles near Old Town Church and St. Agnes on 24th.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Present throughout with a maximum of 21 across the islands on 21st.
Firecrest: Remaining unusually scarce with a maximum of 7 on 24th.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: Singles on Tresco, St. Agnes and at Lower Moors on 19th, 2 on St. Agnes from 20th to 22nd then only 1 until 24th, the 1 on Tresco stating until 21st.
Crossbill: 2 on Bryher on 21st and 4 on Tresco on 25th.
Hawfinch: Seen in the Holy Vale/Maypole area from 20th, with 5 on 21st dropping to 1 on 25th
Snow Bunting: 1 on Peninnis on 19th, 2 on the Airfield on 21st and 2 Watermill/Tolls Island on 24th
Little Bunting: 1 at Carn Friars from 19th until 23rd and 1 on St. Agnes on 23rd.
Bobolink: 1 briefly on St. Agnes on 21st.
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12th – 18th October
As well as the more common migrants the highlights of the week by species extracted from the log are listed below:
Whooper Swan: 3 on the Great Pool, Tresco until 16th.
Pink-footed Goose: 1 on Tresco until 16th.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose: 2 in Crow Sound/ Eastern Isles from 14th.
Pintail: 2 on Tresco until 18th.
Garganey: 1 on Tresco from 15th.
Tufted Duck: 1on the Great Pool, Tresco until 16th.
Common Scoter: Up to 6 in inter-island waters.
Red-throated Diver: 1 around the islands throughout.
Great Northern Diver: Up to 6 by 17th.
Sooty Shearwater: 4 on a pelagic trip on 13th.
Balearic Shearwater: 3 past Tresco on 15th & 1 off Deep Point on 18th.
Little Egret: Maximum roost so far -24 in Tresco Channel on 16th.
Spoonbill: The juvenile was still present until 18th at least.
Hen Harrier: A ring-tail flew over St. Martin’s on 17th.
Corncrake: 1 on Wingletang, St. Agnes on 16th and 1 at Maypole on 18th.
Sociable Plover: 1 (the first for Scilly) on the Airfield on 12th before moving to the Standing Stones Field at Lower Moors on 13th then settling down in a field at the Telegraph Road/ Porthloo Lane junction until 18th at least.
White-rumped Sandpiper: 1 on St. Martin’s on 13th & 15th.
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 on Simpson’s Field, Tresco until 18th.
Grey Phalarope: 12 on a pelagic on 12th, 5 on a pelagic on 17th and 2 off Bryher & 10 on the Scillonian crossing on 18th.
Pomarine Skua: Singles off Peninnis & Tresco on 15th and 2 on a pelagic trip on 17th.
Sabine’s Gull: 1 on a pelagic on 13th.
Puffin: 2 on a pelagic trips on 12th & 13th.
Long-eared Owl: 1 at Deep Point on 13th.
Short-eared Owl: 2 on Annet on 13th and 1 on St. Agnes on 15th.
Wryneck: 1 on Peninnis throughout and 1 on St. Martin’s on 13th.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 on Tresco, seen or heard intermittently from at least 16th.
Richard’s Pipit: 1 on St. Martin’ s 14th -16th and 1 over Peninnis on 17th.
Olive-backed Pipit: 1 on 12th near the incinerator on St. Mary’s before been seen briefly near the Health Centre.
Red-throated Pipit: 1 heard calling over Green Farm and at Covean, St. Agnes.
Black Redstart: Recorded throughout the week with a maximum of 12 on 13th.
Grey-cheeked Thrush: 1 seen briefly on St. Agnes on 14th before showing well to all on 17th & 18th.
Ring Ouzel: The first of the autumn was 1 on Peninnis on 15th.
Fieldfare: The first of the autumn was 1 on Peninnis on 15th.
Mistle Thrush: 1 on Bryher on 12th & 1 on Gugh on 13th.
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: 1 seen briefly on St. Agnes on 13th before showing well on 16th, thereafter typically elusive.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Present throughout with 19+ across the islands on 17th.
Radde’s Warbler: 1 heard on the Garrison on 13th.
Firecrest: Still unusually scarce with a maximum of 7 on 17th.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: 1 Maypole 12th, 1 on 1 the Garrison on 12th & 13th, 1 on St. Agnes from 12th to 15th, 1 again on the Garrison on 16th and 1 on Tresco on 17th.
Red-backed Shrike: 1 on Tresco from 14th to 18th.
Red-eyed Vireo: 1 on the Garrison , 1 on St. Agnes, and 1 on Gugh from 12th to 13th, then only the Gugh bird until 15th.
Crossbill: Reported in single figures intermittently on St. Mary’s and Tresco.
Hawfinch: 1 at Trenoweth from 13th to 16th.
Blackpoll Warbler: Now confirmed as only 1 bird, last reported 15th.
Lapland Bunting: 2 on the Airfield on 13th & 15th,1 on St. Helen’s on 16th & 1 on Peninnis on 17th & 18th.
Snow Bunting: 1 or 2 throughout the week on St. Mary’s, on Peninnis & the Airfield and 1 on Gugh on 15th.
Little Bunting: 1 at Carn Friars on 17th and 18th.
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1st – 11th October
Stop press – Sociable Plover on St Mary’s
As well as the more common migrants the highlights of the week by species extracted from the log are listed below:
Whooper Swan: 3 on Porth Hellick Pool on 5th moving to Bryher and then the Great Pool, Tresco, where they were still present on 11th.
Pink-footed Goose: 1 on the Garrison playing fields on 4th moving around the islands before settling on Tresco where it was still present on 11th
Pintail: 2 on Tresco 6th – 10th.
Tufted Duck: 1on the Great Pool, Tresco 8th -11th, with 5 on 9th.
Common Scoter 1 in Pentle Bay, Tresco on 6th & 2 past Peninnis on 9th.
Red-throated Diver: 1 off St. Mary’s Quay then moving to Porthcressa Bay on 3rd.
Black-throated Diver: 1 off the Old Quay, St. Martin’s on 5th & 1 off St. Agnes Quay on 11th.
Sooty Shearwater: 1 from the Scillonian and 3 past Tolman Point on 4th, 8 from a pelagic trip on 8th and 1 from the Scillonian on 11th.
Little Egret: Maximum roost so far -18 on Tresco on 10th.
Spoonbill: A juvenile present Green Island from 2nd onwards.
Osprey: 1 flew over St. Martin’s towards Tean on 11th.
Hobby: 2 over the Garrison on 9th.
Dotterel: 1 on Bryher on 5th and 1 on the Airfield from 2nd -10th.
American Golden Plover: 1 on the Airfield on 6th before moving to Porth Hellick Down where it remained until 10th.
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 on Tresco & 1 on the Airfield on 5th, 1 on Simpson’s Field, Tresco on 11th.
Wilson’s Snipe: 1 possible, on Wingletang, St. Agnes on 11th.
Grey Phalarope: 2 off St. Agnes on 9th & 18 past Peninnis on 10th.
Pomarine Skua: Singles off Peninnis on 5th & 7th and an Adult and 2nd summer on a pelagic trip on 8th.
Mediterranean Gull: A first winter bird commuted between Porthloo & Porthcressa from 3rd to 5th.
Sabine’s Gull: 1 in Porthcressa on 11th.
Puffin: 1 off Tolman Point on 4th & 3 on a pelagic trip on 8th.
Common Nighthawk: 1 found dead at the junction of Telegraph Road and Porthloo Lane on 6th.
Wryneck: 1 on Peninnis 3rd onwards and 1 on St. Agnes on 8th.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 on Tresco, seen or heard intermittently from 5th to 10th.
Short-toed Lark: 1 on Wingletang, St. Agnes from 1st-10th and 1 on Bryher on 6th.
Richard’s Pipit: 1over Peninnis on 10th.
American Buff-bellied Pipit: 1 on Bryher from 3rd -7th.
Bluethroat: 1 on Bryher on 10th.
Black Redstart: The first of the autumn were 3 on St. Mary’s on 10th.
Redwing: The first of the autumn was 1 over the Garrison on 8th.
Mistle Thrush: 1 on St. Martin’s on 10th & 1 on Bryher on 11th.
Yellow-browed Warbler: Present throughout building to 15+ across the islands on 11th.
Radde’s Warbler: 1 on St. Martin’s on 9th, 1 on the Garrison on 11th and in Lower Moors area also on 11th.
Firecrest: Recorded from 4th onwards a maximum of 5 on 10th.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: apart from 1 at the Dump clump on 3rd, all other records were from St. Agnes – 1 on 1st, 2 on 3rd, 1 on 6th -8th and 1 on 11th.
Red-backed Shrike: 1 on Peninnis from 6th -9th and a second bird in Old Town on 11th.
Red-eyed Vireo: 1 on the Garrison from 8th -11th, 1 on St. Agnes from 8th – 10th and 1 on Gugh from 9th to 11th.
Crossbill: Reported in ones and twos intermittently on St. Mary’s and Tresco.
Bullfinch: 1 flew over Carn Friars on 6th.
Hawfinch: 1 flew over Periglis, St. Agnes and 1 over Trenoweth on 11th.
Blackpoll Warbler: 1 on St. Agnes from 8th onwards, thought possibly 2 birds present.
Lapland Bunting: 1 at Giant’s Castle on 2nd, 1 on the Golf Course on 8th, 1 on Airfield & 1 on Peninnis on 9th, 1 on the Airfield on 10th.
Snow Bunting: 1 on Peninnis from 4th -10th, 2 there on 11th and 1 on the Airfield from 6th -10th.
Ortolan Bunting: 1 on St. Martin’s on 1st.
Little Bunting: 2 at Carn Friars from 1st -6th,1 there on 7th and 1 flying over Pungies Lane towards Porthloo Lane on 9th.
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24th– 30th September
The expected migrants – waders, hirundines, flycatchers, chats and warblers etc. continue to pass though. Small numbers of Crossbill were seen throughout the week and the juvenile Spoonbill was present around Tresco throughout.
The daily highlights were:
24th The Hudsonian Whimbrel was still at Porthloo and a Garganey was on Porth Hellick Pool. Little Stints were seen on Tresco & St. Agnes and 2 Short-toed Lark were still on the latter island. 2 Redstart were on Bryher.
25th A Jack Snipe was at Porth Hellick and the Hudsonian Whimbrel was still at Porthloo. A Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint & a Yellow-browed Warbler were on St. Agnes. On St. Martin’s the were 3 Lapland Bunting, a Wryneck, a Red-backed Shrike, a Short-toed Lark & a Yellow-browed Warbler. Redstarts were seen on the Garrison & Bryher, where there was also a Yellow-browed Warbler. At sea a Balearic Shearwater & 5 Great Skua were seen on the Penzance to St. Mary’s Scillonian crossing and 3 Great Skua were seen on a very quiet daytime pelagic trip.
26th The Hudsonian Whimbrel was still at Porthloo and a Great Skua was seen off the Garrison. 10 Crossbill & a Jackdaw were at Longstone and a Richard’s Pipit flew over different locations on St, Mary’s in the afternoon. A Yellow-browed Warbler, a Redstart, a Lesser Whitethroat & a Firecrest were on St. Martin’s. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in Carreg Dhu Garden and a Wryneck was at Porth Minnick.
27th On St. Agnes there were at least 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Firecrest, a Short-toed Lark, a Wood Warbler and a Lapland Bunting. Yellow-browed Warblers were also seen at Content Farm, near Porthloo Pond and on Tresco. The Hudsonian Whimbrel was still at Porthloo, a Redstart was near Star Castle and 2 Great Skua were seen off the Garrison. The Wryneck was still at Porth Minnick, 2 Black-tailed Godwit were on Porth Hellick Pool and 2 Curlew Sandpipers were on Porthloo beach. 2 Pintail & a Wigeon were on the Great Pool, Tresco. There was a report of a Common Crane flying over Holy Vale at 08:30, could whoever saw this please submit details to Scilly Recorder.
28th 2 Little Bunting were found at Carn Friars. The Hudsonian Whimbrel was seen for its last day at Porthloo. Also at Porthloo were 4 Curlew Sandpiper with 2 more on Tresco. 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were seen on the Garrison and another on St. Agnes, where there was still a Wood Warbler, a Short-toed Lark and a newly discovered Barred Warbler. A Firecrest & a Wryneck were on Tresco. A Firecrest was also in Lower Moors and a Coal Tit was seen in Holy Vale, this is a scarce bird on Scilly, so could the person who found it please send details to our recorder. A Little Stint was on South Beach, Tresco.
29th The 2 Little Bunting were still at Carn Friars and a Curlew Sandpiper was on Porthloo beach. Yellow-browed Warbler reports increased with 2 on St. Agnes, 1 on Tresco, 2 on the Garrison, 1 on Porth Hellick Down and 1 in Holy Vale. The Short-toed Lark & Lapland Bunting were still on Wingletang, St. Agnes and a Mediterranean Gull was on Tresco.
30th The 2 Little Bunting were still in residence at Carn Friars and 2 Jack Snipe were at Porth Hellick. A Yellow-browed Warbler was on St. Martin’s, 2 were on the Garrison and another was at Lower Moors where there was also a Firecrest. The first Red-breasted Flycatcher of the autumn was along Barnaby Lane, St. Agnes, a first-winter Mediterranean Gull was at Porthloo and a Richard’s Pipit was on the Golf Course.
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17th– 23rd September
The expected migrants – waders, hirundines, flycatchers, chats and warblers etc. continue to pass though in increasing numbers. The daily highlights were:
17th The Citrine Wagtail was still on Porthloo Beach, an Ortolan Bunting & Buff-breasted Sandpiper were on St. Mary’s Airfield, an Osprey flew over Star Castle and an Icterine Warbler was in Holy Vale. Away from St. Mary’s a Booted Warbler was on St. Agnes and a Wryneck Was on Annet. A day time pelagic trip logged 3 adult Sabine’s Gull, a Long-tailed, 3 Arctic & 5 Great Skuas.
18th The Citrine Wagtail remained on Porthloo Beach and Buff-breasted Sandpipers were seen on the Golf Course, the Airfield and St. Agnes, at least 2 individuals were involved. Wryneck were seen at Telegraph & St. Martin’s and a Melodious Warbler was at Higher Moors. A Short-toed Lark was on St. Martins and a Pectoral Sandpiper & a Short-toed Lark were on St. Agnes. A Barred Warbler was seen in the Standing Stones Field, Lower Moors and the Hudsonian Whimbrel put in a brief appearance late evening on Porthloo. A new arrival was the Western Bonelli’s Warbler found in the field at corner of Pungies Lane and the road to Trenoweth.
19th 4 Balearic Shearwater and 6 Pomarine Skuas were seen from the return Scillonian crossing. Wryneck were seen in the Giant’s Castle area, Old Town & the Garrison and a juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper and the Short-toed Lark were on St. Agnes. A Kingfisher was seen in Tresco Channel and a Lesser Whitethroat was in Old Town.
20th Short-toed Lark were seen on Bryher & St. Agnes, with a Pectoral Sandpiper also on St. Agnes. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on the Golf Course and Wryneck were seen at Telegraph & on Tresco.
21st A Honey Buzzard flew over the Garrison and was subsequently seen over St. Agnes where there were the Pectoral Sandpiper was still present and now 2 Short-toed Lark. The Hudsonian Whimbrel was seen on the Creeb, north of Porthloo and 2 Dotterel were on Bryher. 8 Crossbill were seen on Tresco and another at Carn Friars. Wryneck were on the Airfield & at Telegraph and another Pectoral Sandpiper was on St. Martin’s. A sign of the prevailing easterly wind was a Yellow-browed Warbler on Tresco and a Richard’s Pipit on the Airfield.
22nd The Hudsonian Whimbrel showed well on Porthloo. On St. Agnes the were still 2 Short-toed Lark & a Pectoral Sandpiper and new in there was a Red-backed Shrike.
A Short-toed Lark, a Pectoral Sandpiper & a Firecrest were on St. Martins and a Honey Buzzard flew over Bryher. 12 Crossbill were on Tresco and single Little Stint were seen on Porth Hellick Beach, on Porthloo Beach & on Tresco. 7 Grey Phalarope were seen from the Scillonian on the morning crossing. A very striking bird was a partial albino Common Snipe on Porth Hellick Pool, it had a white body with a brownish head and small areas of brown in the wings. A Firecrest was on Peninnis.
23rd The Hudsonian Whimbrel showed well, again on Porthloo beach and a Barred Warbler was seen at the top of Watermill Lane. The 2 Short-toed Lark on St. Agnes and the Pectoral Sandpiper on St. Martin’s were still present. A juvenile Spoonbill flew over Tresco and landed on Puffin Island, 4 Crossbill were on St. Agnes and a Lesser Whitethroat was on the Garrison.
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10th– 16th September
There are at least 2 Mediterranean & 2 Little Gulls on the islands. Waders seen this week were the same as last week with the addition of Pectoral Sandpiper and Little Stint, Knot . The expected passerines continue to pass through with a few scarcer species among them.
10th Dotterel were seen on the Garrison & on the Airfield and Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on St. Agnes and the Airfield. Wrynecks were at Giant’s Castle & on St. Agnes and a Hoopoe was on Tresco. A Wood Warbler was on Bryher, a Pectoral Sandpiper was on St. Martin’s and a Short-toed Lark on St. Agnes was present all week.
11th The Buff-breasted Sandpiper on St. Agnes was alongside a Pectoral Sandpiper. 2 Dotterel were on the Airfield and Wrynecks were seen on Salakee Down, in Old town Churchyard & near Duchy House on the Garrison. 3 Grey Phalarope were in The Roads, 1 was off New Grimsby quay, Tresco and 1 was off Browarth Point, St. Agnes. A Melodious Warbler was on Bryher and a Great Spotted Woodpecker ( a Scilly rarity) was seen along Abbey Road, Tresco.
12th A Grey Phalarope was off Tresco and the Pectoral Sandpiper was still on St. Agnes been reported throughout the week. the highlight of the day was a juvenile Purple Heron which was seen fling over the Old Town/Lower Moors/Peninnis area several times.
13th Wryneck were seen on the Garrison, near Giant’s Castle, at Borough Farm, Tresco and on St. Martin’s. Buff-breasted Sandpiper were seen at Salakee Farm and on South Beach, Tresco. 3 Grey Phalarope were off Giant’s Castle and 5 were near the Western Rocks, where 20 Brent Geese were also seen. An Icterine Warbler, 2 Crossbill & a Red-rumped Swallow were seen on Bryher. Whitethroat were seen on Bryher and the Garrison and 2 Lesser Whitethroat were at Higher Moors.
14th A very wet and windy day, consequently very little birding was possible. Nevertheless one hardy birder managed to find Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Melodious Warbler & Ortolan Bunting on the Airfield. A Melodious Warbler was also seen at Covean, St. Agnes. After going missing for several days the Hudsonian Whimbrel was seen again at Porthloo.
15th The Hudsonian Whimbrel was again at Porthloo in the morning Wryneck were seen at Giant’s Castle and down Barnaby Lane, St. Agnes. On Tresco a Redstart was at Old Grimsby & a Little Stint was on Abbey Pool. A Dotterel was seen on St. Martin’s and a Common Rosefinch was on Gugh. On St. Mary’s a Melodious Warbler was in Lower Moors and a Spotted Crake was seen alongside Porthloo Lane, near the duck pond.
16th A Citrine Wagtail (a different individual to last week’s bird) was found on Porthloo Beach and16 Crossbill & 50 Siskin flew over Longstone. An Icterine Warbler was seen at Newford duck pond and a Barred Warbler was seen in the “Standing Stones” field at the Old Town end of Lower Moors. 2 Wryneck & 20 Siskin were on Bryher and another Wryneck and a Red-backed Shrike were on the Garrison. The Little Stint was till on Tresco and 3 Black Tern were reported as been seen “At Sea”. An Osprey flowed 10 minutes later by a Honey Buzzard flew over St. Agnes, Gugh & St. Mary’s. 2 Curlew Sandpiper were on Porthloo Beach.
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3rd– 9th September
There are at least 3 Mediterranean Gulls on St. Mary’s. Waders seen this week were Snipe, Black & Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed & Golden Plover, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Green, Purple, Common, Curlew & Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Knot , Curlew, Whimbrel, Sanderling, Dotterel and Grey Phalarope. There was an increase in passerine migrants and good numbers of Wheatear and White Wagtail are around. Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Pied & Spotted Flycatchers are also increasing and Wryneck, Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler and Red-backed Shrike have also been seen.
3rd The Citrine Wagtail was still on Porth Hellick Beach and the juvenile Dotterel was still on the Golf Course. A Hobby flew over Porth Hellick and a juvenile Little Gull was at Porthloo. On St. Agnes the Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still commuting between Periglis & Porth Coose and 2 Grey Phalarope were in Porth Askin.
4th The Citrine Wagtail was still on Porth Hellick Beach and there were 2 Mediterranean Gull, the Little Gull & a Jackdaw at Porthloo. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still on St. Agnes, where there were also 2 Wryneck, a Red-backed Shrike and 3 Great Shearwater past Horse Point. A daytime pelagic trip logged 40 Manx, a Sooty & a Great Shearwater, 8 Great & a Long-tailed Skua and 3 Grey Phalarope.
5th The Buff-breasted Sandpiper & a Wryneck were still on St. Agnes and 4 Cory’s & a Great Shearwater Flew past Horse Point. The Citrine Wagtail was still on Porth Hellick Beach & the Dotterel on the Airfield was joined by a Golden Plover. A Black-tailed Godwit was on St. Martin’s. Undoubtedly the find of the week was Scilly’s first Hudsonian Whimbrel seen briefly in the evening at Porthloo.
6th The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still on St. Agnes and the Red-backed Shrike was there for its eighth day. The Hudsonian Whimbrel put in a brief appearance early in the morning at Porthloo again. The Citrine Wagtail was still on Porth Hellick Beach & the Dotterel was still on the Airfield. Birders looking for the Citrine Wagtail on Porth Hellick Beach found a second Buff-breasted Sandpiper. The juvenile Little Gull was commuting between Porthcressa & Porthloo and another was on Bryher. A Cuckoo was also on Bryher. A Wryneck was seen briefly in Old Town.
7th The Hudsonian Whimbrel was at Porthloo from first light until 09:30 then flew off and then flew off, being relocated near Browarth, St. Agnes before flying back to Porthloo where there was also an adult Little Gull & a Knot. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still on St. Agnes where an Osprey flew over Wingletang and a Wryneck was seen along Barnaby Lane. A Black-tailed Godwit was on Tresco, a Curlew Sandpiper & 3 Knot were on Tean, 2 Dotterel flew from Bryher towards Tresco, 6 Grey Phalarope were seen near the Bishop Lighthouse and a juvenile Red-backed Shrike was found in Old Town.
8th The Red-backed Shrike was still in Old Town and the Dotterel had moved to the airfield. On Tresco there was another Dotterel and a Little Gull. A Wood Warbler & 3 Knot were on Bryher. Another Little Gull was on Porth Mellon and 2 Purple Sandpiper were on Tean.
9th The Dotterel was still on the Airfield along with 2 Golden Plover. After not been seen foe a day the Hudsonian Whimbrel put in a brief dawn and dusk appearances, again at Porthloo. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still on St. Agnes and also there, a Turtle Dove flew over Wingletang. An adult winter Mediterranean Gull and a juvenile Little Gull were seen off Morning Point. Common Buzzard, Kestrel & Sparrowhawk were all seen on Tresco and a Garden Warbler was on Bryher. A juvenile Arctic Tern was in Porthcressa Bay, a Balearic Shearwater was off the Garrison and a Grey Phalarope was off Hugh Town Quay.
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20th August – 2nd September
The Marsh Harriers are still around and there are still at least 2 Mediterranean Gulls on St. Mary’s. Wader passage continues with the commoner species plus a trio of autumn specialities. There are a few Crossbills still about and more Wheatear, Willow Warbler and White Wagtail are passing through. A few Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Pied & Spotted Flycatchers and Wryneck have been seen. Undoubtedly the highlight, even though not avian, was a breeching Hump-backed Whale.
20th The partial summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper, a Ruff & a Pied Flycatcher were on St. Agnes, where a 2.5 hour sea-watch from Horse Point logged 8 Sooty & 8 Manx Shearwater. An adult Mediterranean Gull was on Taylor’s Island, Porthloo. The Penzance to St. Mary’s Scillonian crossing recorded a Cory’s, a Sooty & 5 Manx Shearwater, a Pomarine & 2 Great Skua and 16 European Storm-Petrel.
21st 3 Crossbill were in the Garrison pines At Porth Hellick 5 Greenshank & a Dunlin were on the beach and on the pool were a Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher & the first Water Rail of the autumn. The evening pelagic trip saw 6 Sooty Shearwater, 20 European Storm-Petrel & 3 Great Skua.
22nd On St. Agnes the partial summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper was seen in the afternoon and a winter plumage bird was seen there in the evening. A trip to Tresco logged single Pied & Spotted Flycatcher, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Swift, 11 Redshank, 21 Greenshank, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Teal, a Buzzard and 6 Wheatear. 15 Wheatear were on Samson, where one of the Marsh Harriers was also seen. Spotted Flycatchers were seen at Carn Friars and on St. Martin’s and Black-tailed Godwit were on Little Arthur & St. Martin’s.
23rd The adult Mediterranean Gull was still at Porthloo and the Pale-bellied Brent Goose was still on the Great Pool along with 19 Greenshank. 2 Sand Martin, 9 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Swift & a Hobby were at Porth Hellick.
24th A Bar-tailed Godwit & 5 Whimbrel were near Samson. On St. Mary’s a Wheatear was at the Chaplaincy in Hugh Town & 3 more were on the Airfield, a Swift was over High Lanes, a Ruff was at Porth Hellick and a juvenile Osprey flew over Porthloo. 30 Sanderling & a Ruff were on Tresco and an 4 Sooty Shearwater & a Grey Phalarope were seen on an evening fishing trip 6 mile south of St. Mary’s.
25th The juvenile Osprey was seen over Porth Hellick. On Tresco there were 14 Redshank, 19 Greenshank, a Swift, the Pale-bellied Brent, Knot & 2 Crossbill.
Birders on the evening pelagic saw 2 adult Sabine’s Gull, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 50 European Storm-Petrel, 2 Great Skua & a Grey Phalarope. A Whinchat was on Peninnis.
26th A Pectoral Sandpiper was found in the company of a juvenile Knot on Little Porth. Elsewhere on St. Mary’s a juvenile Mediterranean Gull was at Porthloo, 3 Greenshank were at Porth Hellick, 7 Wheatear were on the airport, a Kingfisher was at Lower Moors.
27th An Arctic Tern, a Great Skua, a Cory’s & 3 Sooty Shearwater were seen from the Scillonian. A Grey Wagtail was at Lower Moors.
28th A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found on Bryher and 3 Balearic & a Sooty Shearwater were seen on the morning crossing from the Scillonian. An Osprey flew over Hugh Town and 2 Knot were on Porthloo. Single Garden Warblers were seen on Bryher and St. Agnes. After a gap of 2 weeks a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel was seen on the evening pelagic.
29th A Sabine’s Gull & 30 European Storm-Petrel were seen from the Scillonian and a Whitethroat was on St. Agnes.
30th The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still on Bryher where there was also an Ortolan Bunting. Demonstrating the effect in autumn of 12 hours of easterlies, an afternoon walk around St. Agnes produced a Red-backed Shrike, 2 Wryneck, 2 Melodious Warbler & 6 Pied Flycatcher, a Tawny Pipit was seen briefly on ST. Martin’s, a Hobby flew over Porth Hellick Pool and Garden Warbler & Yellow Wagtail were on the Garrison.
The birders on the evening pelagic did not have very high hopes as there was practically no wind and the sea was as calm as a millpond, the birding proved to be very quiet when only a Great Skua, 4 Manx Shearwater, 10 European Storm-Petrel & 2 Black Terns were seen. This was more then compensated for when only 2 miles south of St. Mary’s a Hump-backed Whale was seen, it was watched on and off for 45 minutes and performed amazingly well for the lucky few on board. It lifted its fluke out of the water and even breeched twice an awe inspiring sight.
31st The Red-backed Shrike, the 2 Wryneck & a Whitethroat were still on St. Agnes and the Buff-breasted Sandpiper & Ortolan Bunting were still on Bryher. A Brent Goose was on Stony Island and 2 Yellow Wagtail were in the Standing Stones field at Lower Moors.
1st A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found on St. Agnes frequenting the beaches at Periglis and Porth Coose. Also on St. Agnes a Grey Phalarope was in Porth Coose and the Red-backed Shrike was still present. A Wryneck & a juvenile Mediterranean Gull were on Tresco. An Arctic Skua flew over Lower Moors and a juvenile Dotterel was on the Golf Course.
2nd The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still on St. Agnes where there were 2 Grey Phalarope offshore. On the St. Mary’s to Penzance Scillonian crossing a juvenile Sabine’s Gull, a Great Shearwater, 2 Balearic Shearwater, 2 Grey Phalarope and 350 Manx Shearwater were seen. 2 Yellow Wagtail were at Porth Hellick and another was on Tresco. 2 more Grey Phalarope were seen in The Roads and several Sand Martin were hawking with the other hirundines over Porth Hellick. The Dotterel was till on the Golf Course and the finds continued with a juvenile Citrine Wagtail on Porth Hellick Beach.
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13th – 19th August
The Marsh Harriers are still around and there are at least 3 Mediterranean Gulls. Wader passage continues with Ruff, Dunlin, Sanderling, Common, Green & Wood Sandpipers, Whimbrel, Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Knot and Curlew Sandpiper.
There are a few Crossbills still about and a few Wheatear. The first Pied Flycatcher of the autumn were seen. It was a very good week for Cory’s Shearwater with birds been seen daily from pelagic trips and/or headlands.
13th A very early Brent Goose was on the Great Pool.
14th 7 Cory’s Shearwater & a Grey Phalarope were seen on the Scillonian crossing and another Cory’s Shearwater flew past Peninnis. A female Crossbill flew over St. Mary’s dump. An evening pelagic logged 20 European Storm-Petrel, a Great & 7 Cory’s Shearwater.
15th A sea-watch of Peninnis between 16:00 & 18:00 produced a Great Skua, 2 Sooty & 21 Cory’s Shearwater. A Wood & a Curlew Sandpiper were seen on St. Agnes. The fist of this year’s Celtic Bird Tours pelagic produced a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, 100 European Storm-Petrel, 3 Arctic Skua, an Arctic Tern, 10 Manx, 2 Sooty, 1 Great & 40+ Cory’s Shearwater.
16th A Ruff & a Dunlin were at Lower Moors and a Curlew Sandpiper was on Periglis Beach, St. Agnes. A Cory’s Shearwater flew past Giant’s Castle. 8 Cory’s Shearwater, 8 Great Skua & a Pomarine Skua were seen in a 5 hour sea-watch from Horse Point, St. Agnes. The second Celtic Bird Tours pelagic recorded 15 Cory’s Shearwater, 3 Balearic Shearwater, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 13 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 first-summer Pomarine Skua.150 European Storm-Petrel, a Ruff and a Mediterranean Gull.
17th The Ruff was still at Lower Moors. Sea- watching from land logged the following: 19 Cory’s & 14 Manx Shearwater in 90 minutes from Peninnis, 12 Cory’s Shearwater past Horse Point, St. Agnes between 16:00 & 18:00 and a Cory’s Shearwater past the south end of Gugh. At sea 10 Cory’s Shearwater were seen northwest of Bishop Rock and on the third Celtic Bird Tours pelagic adult Sabine’s Gull, 2 Great Skua, 200+ European Storm-Petrel, 10 Cory’s , 6 Great, 9 Sooty & 70 Manx Shearwater.
18th 2 Crossbill flew from the pines on Salakee to those on Porth Hellick down. Ruff, Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel & a Pied Flycatcher were on St. Agnes.
5 Cory’s, 15 Manx & a Sooty Shearwater and a Grey Phalarope sat on the sea, were seen in a 3 hour watch from Peninnis. The Scillonian crossing from St. Mary’s to Penzance recorded 4 Common Scoter, a Grey Phalarope, 20 Manx, 9 Sooty, 5 Cory’s, 2 Balearic & a Great Shearwater.
19th A 3 hour sea-watch from Peninnis logged Arctic & Great Skua, 20 Manx, 3 Cory’s & a Sooty Shearwater. A Pied Flycatcher was at Porth Hellick and a trip to Tresco yielded 40 Sanderling, 12 Redshank, 11 Greenshank and the Brent Goose the latter being identified as the pale-bellied race. The Curlew Sandpiper was still on St. Agnes were there was also a dead Sowerby’s Beaked Whale on Periglis Beach
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6th – 12th August
The Marsh Harriers are still around and there are at least 3 Mediterranean Gulls. Wader passage continues with Dunlin, Sanderling, Common, Green & Wood Sandpipers, Whimbrel, Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and the first Curlew Sandpiper of the year.
A few returning Wheatear have also been seen.
6th An adult & 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls and one of the juveniles or another at Porthcressa. 40+ European Storm-Petrel were seen on the Scillonian crossing.
7th 2 Black-tailed Godwit were on Tresco and 5 White Wagtail were at Porth Hellick.
8th A Kingfisher was at Porth Hellick & Wood Sandpiper was there with 8 Green Sandpipers. 2 Crossbill were on Tresco. The Penzance to St. Mary’s Scillonian crossing produced Cory’s, Balearic & Sooty Shearwaters, Arctic & Great Skuas and 25 European Storm-Petrel.
9th A daytime pelagic trip logged a Sooty & 5 Manx Shearwater, 300+ European Storm-Petrel, a Great Skua and a Sabine’s Gull.
10th There were 2 pelagic trips one on the Scillonian from Penzance into Scilly waters and one from St. Mary’s Quay on the Sapphire, both were restricted because of strong winds and rough seas. Reports from the Scillonian were: a brief view of Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, 400+ European Storm-Petrel, a Sooty, 2 Great & 3 Cory’s Shearwaters, 2 Arctic & 3 Great Skuas and 2 Grey Phalaropes. The Sapphire recorded 3 Great, 3 Sooty & 10 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Great Skua and 500 European Storm-Petrel, some of the latter species giving incredibly close views. On land the were 5 species of wader and a Kingfisher at Porth Hellick.
11th A morning pelagic produced a Balearic Shearwater, 2 Great Skuas and 20 European Storm-Petrel. An outing to Tresco logged 9 Greenshank, 11 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Marsh Harrier.
12th Indications of return migration were a Common Swift at Porth Hellick, 2 Wheatear on Peninnis and 3 on St. Agnes. The Kingfisher was still at Porth Hellick and a female Crossbill flew over St. Mary’s dump. An adult Curlew Sandpiper was on Periglis Beach, St. Agnes in the evening.
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30th July – 5th August
There were no reports of the Iceland Gull this week, so perhaps it has finally left the islands. The Marsh Harriers are still around and more Mediterranean Gulls are being reported.
30th A Wood & Common Sandpiper were at Porth Hellick and an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Porthloo. Several Cory’s Shearwater were seen from headlands on St. Mary’s – 4 past Peninnis between 09:30 & 10:30, 5 past Deep Point at 11:00 and 2 past Peninnis between 14:35 & 15:35.
31st A Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper a Green Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 3 Greenshank and a Kingfisher were at Porth Hellick. An adult & a juvenile Mediterranean Gull were at Porthloo and a Whimbrel was at Halangy.
1st A sign of the approaching autumn was 16 Greenshank & 10 Redshank on the Great Pool, Tresco. A Common Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick and another was at Porthlow along with the adult & juvenile Mediterranean Gulls. The first of three pelagics especially organised for visiting birders over the weekend went out in the evening with some excellent sightings – 43 Cory’s, 9 Great & 2 Manx Shearwaters, 60 European Storm-Petrels and 2 Little Terns, the latter a scarce bird for Scilly.
2nd The adult & juvenile Mediterranean Gulls & a Common Sandpiper were still at Porthlow and at Porth Hellick there were 5 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher & a first-summer male Marsh Harrier. A Whimbrel was on St. Martin’s. The second pelagic of the weekend logged a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel. 200+ European Storm-Petrel, an Arctic & 8 Great Skuas, a Balearic a Sooty & 4 Cory’s Shearwaters and an Arctic and 2 Black Terns.
3rd The adult & juvenile Mediterranean Gulls & a Common Sandpiper were still at Porthlow and 2 Kingfisher were at Lower Moors. 4 Cory’s shearwater were reported flying past Giant’s Castle at 11:05. A Knot & a Dunlin both in summer plumage were on Tean. The last trip of the weekend pelagics recorded a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel. 250 European Storm-Petrel, 14 Arctic Tern a Balearic & 10 Manx Shearwater and 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls.
4th A wet day with the only report being of an adult Mediterranean Gull on Taylor’s Island, Porthlow.
5th The adult & juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were still at Porthlow and on a fairly quiet evening pelagic the only birds of note were 20 European Storm-Petrel and an adult Sabine’s Gull.
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23rd – 29th July
The Iceland Gull is still here and there are at least 4 Marsh Harriers, a first-summer male, possibly one of last year’s young is spending time around St. Mary’s. Black-headed Gull numbers are still increasing with counts of 80+. Little Egret numbers are building up and more of the commoner waders are passing through.
23rd A Redshank, a Wood & 2 Common Sandpiper were on Porth Hellick Pool.
24th A good day for waders with 3 Wood, 2 Green & 3 Common Sandpiper on the Porth Hellick Pool, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Green Sandpiper, 9 Redshank & 12 Greenshank on Tresco and 16 Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel & a Grey Plover near Samson. A Wheatear was on Gugh and a Crossbill were on Tresco. The evening pelagic trip logged 40 European Storm–Petrel, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Great & an Arctic Skua.
25th A Lapwing, a Wood, 2 Common & 3 Green Sandpiper were on Porth Hellick Pool.
26th The Wood & 4 Common Sandpiper were at Porth Hellick, also there in the evening 60 Swallows & 100 Swifts flew in off the sea, the latter being a very good count for Scilly. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Porthlow and a juvenile was on Bryher, also on Bryher a sign of migration getting underway was the presence of 10 Willow Warbler.
27th A Kingfisher, 2 Wood, 2 Common & a Green Sandpiper were on Porth Hellick Pool. 3 Whimbrel were near Samson, 8 Little Egret were in Tresco Channel and the adult Mediterranean Gull was still at Porthlow. A pelagic trip produced an adult Sabine’s Gull, a Pomarine Skua and 30 European Storm–Petrel.
28th The Kingfisher, a Snipe, a Wood & 2 Common were on Porth Hellick Pool. The evening pelagic logged a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, 50 European Storm-Petrel, 3 Great Skua & 2 Cory’s Shearwater, the latter presaging the influx next day. Also on the pelagic a probable Northern Bottlenose Whale was seen,
29th A Cory’s Shearwater day! With reports as follows: 61 past Horse Point, St. Agnes between 14:00 and 15:15, 7 past Peninnis Head between 15:40 and 16:00, 2 past the north end of Tresco at 17:50, 12 past Deep Point between17:15 and 17:45, 28 past Peninnis Head in the evening and 5 on a pelagic trip a mile south of St. Mary’s between 19:00 and 20:30. 6 Manx Shearwater & 10 European Storm-Petrel were also seen on this pelagic trip.
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16th – 22nd July
The Iceland Gull was seen again this week, so it has not gone after all. The Marsh Harriers have fledged 2 young. Black-headed Gulls numbers are still increasing with counts of 50+. Little Egret numbers are on the up and increasing numbers of the commoner waders are being reported.
Late news from last week, 22 Tufted Ducks were on the Great Pool, Tresco on 13th, this a very good count for Scilly, especially in summer.
16th 3 Crossbills were in the pines at the northern end of the Golf Course and at Porth Hellick there were 4 Swifts a Teal, a Redshank & a Curlew.
17th A Swift & Curlew were at Porth Hellick and 15 Manx Shearwaters were seen off Annet. The evening pelagic trip logged 60 European Storm-Petrels, a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, a Pomarine & 3 Great Skuas.
18th A Whimbrel & a Greenshank were seen on Bryher and 6 Sandwich Tern were in Porthlow. On the Scillonian crossings 3 European Storm-Petrels were seen on the Penzance to St. Mary’s leg and 40 European Storm-Petrels, 3 Great Skua, a Puffin & a Balearic Shearwater on the return trip in the evening.
19th 3 Pied Wagtail were in Hugh Town a Swift was over Holy Vale, a Common Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick and a Wheatear was at Giant’s Castle.
20th 2 Common Sandpipers, probably the breeding pair, were on St. Agnes. 35 Curlew & 2 Whimbrel were on Tean and the Common Buzzard was still on Tresco.
21st A trip to Tresco logged a Hobby, 2 Crossbills, 3 Sand Martins, 16 Greenshank, 10 Redshank & the Common Buzzard. At Porth Hellick there were 6 Sand Martins, 2 Redshank, a Greenshank & a Green Sandpiper. The evening pelagic produced 50+ European Storm-Petrels, 2 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, a Great Skua & 30 Common Dolphins.
22nd The autumn passage of Willow Warblers has stared with 4 in the Trenoweth pines and 2 on St. Agnes. 2 Common Sandpipers were on Porth Hellick and another was on Porthcressa beach, 2 Redshank were on St. Agnes and another 2 were at Porth Hellick.2 Crossbills were in the Trenoweth pines.
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9th – 15th July
There were no reports of Iceland Gull this week, so it looks like they have all finally gone. 3 Marsh Harriers were seen over Tean, 2 of which appeared to be newly fledged young, so breeding has been successful for the third year in a row. Black-headed Gulls numbers are steadily increasing with a few juveniles amongst them. Reports from RRS James Cook which is at Jones’ Bank. 60 miles west of Scilly were a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, a Pomarine Skua and 2 Ocean Sunfish all on 12th.
9th A Balearic Shearwater was seen off Deep Point and 3 drake Tufted Duck, 2 Redshank & a Greenshank were on Porth Hellick Pool.
10th A Grey Plover, 3 Whimbrel & 3 Sandwich Tern were near Samson and the 3 drake Tufted Duck were still on Porth Hellick Pool. The evening pelagic logged 3 Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, 50 European Storm-Petrel, 1 Manx Shearwater & an early Long-tailed Skua.
11th The Grey Plover was still near Samson and the 3 drake Tufted Duck on Porth Hellick Pool were joined by a Teal
12th There were now 5 drake Tufted Duck, 2 Teal & also 4 Redshank on Porth Hellick Pool and the Grey Plover was still near Samson. The first Kingfisher of the ‘autumn’ flew over St. Mary’s Municipal Dump.
13th A day when waders were reported, on Tresco 7 Dunlin, 23 Sanderling & 4 Redshank and near Samson 2 Dunlin, a Redshank & 3 Greenshank. A Redshank was on Tean and a Common Sandpiper was on St. Agnes. 3 Risso’s Dolphins were seen off the Eastern Isles.
14th 4 drake Tufted Duck, a Redshank, a Greenshank & a Swift were at Porth Hellick. On Tresco there were 2 Little Egret, 2 Teal, 5 Redshank, 6 Greenshank & 2 Swift. The evening pelagic trip produced 20 European Storm-Petrel, 10 Manx Shearwater, a Puffin, 4 Great Skua and a Sooty Shearwater. 35 Manx Shearwater were seen off Annet.
15th The first sighting of what appeared to be 2 newly fledged Marsh Harriers were seen with an adult over Tean. 8 Curlew were on Bryher and a Redshank was on St. Agnes. The Kingfisher flew over the dump again.
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1st – 8th July
Very quiet but still 1 juvenile Iceland Gull present all week. The Marsh Harriers are thought to be breeding again, but there is no sign of Little Egret breeding this year. As is usual at this time of year Black-headed Gulls are returning to the islands in small numbers. Though not in the Scilly recording area sightings from RRS James Cook which is at Jones’ Bank. 60 miles west of Scilly were 2 Cory’s Shearwaters on 5th, 46 Cory’s & a Sooty Shearwater on 6th, 4 Cory’s on 7th and 10 Cory’s & 2 Ocean Sunfish on 8th.
1st On St. Agnes there was a Turtle Dove, a Cory’s Shearwater flew past Horse Point and Common Sandpiper were confirmed as breeding for the first time on Scilly.
2nd The only reports were of a Tufted Duck & a Little Egret on the Great Pool, Tresco.
3rd The Hooded Crow was still on Bryher, a Redshank was on Porth Hellick Pool, 20 Manx Shearwaters flew past Porth Hellick and 50 were near Annet.
4th A sign of the returning wader passage was 6 Common Sandpipers on Porth Hellick Beach.
5th The Redshank was still at Porth Hellick Pool.
6th A very late/early Wheatear was on Bryher.
7th a Green Sandpiper was at Lower Moors and seen on Tresco were 5 drake Tufted Ducks, 2 Swift, a Common Sandpiper and the now resident Common Buzzard.
8th Further evidence of wader passage was the 3 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew & Redshank on St. Agnes and the Green Sandpiper at Lower Moors.
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20th – 30th June
Still very quiet on land but with the start of the pelagic season the first Wilson’s Storm-Petrels have been seen. There are still juvenile Iceland Gulls present. The Marsh Harriers are still on about. Wheatears are still trickling through and wader numbers are increasing. There is an increase in Grey Herons.
20th Apart from the 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls on Taylor’s Island Porthlow, the only other report was of 45 European Storm-Petrels and a Great Skua from the Scillonian crossing.
21st A Crossbill flew over Porth Hellick and a drake Tufted Duck was on the pool. 2 late Wheatears were at Giant’s Castle.
22nd The female Marsh Harrier was over Tean and 2 Ravens flew from St. Helen’s to Tresco. a Common Sandpiper was seen on Tresco
23rd A trip to Tresco produced a Redshank, a Greenshank, a Wheatear, a Pied Wagtail, only 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, a Common Buzzard, 8 Swifts and a Wheatear. A female Pied Wagtail was seen carrying food at Hugh Town Quay and a Common Sandpiper was at Porth Hellick Pool. The first short-range pelagic trip of the year logged 50 European Storm-Petrels, 10 Manx Shearwaters and a Great Skua.
24th 2 Crossbills were at Longstone and on St. Martin’s there were 7 Swifts, a Wheatear and a second-summer Mediterranean Gull was seen off Lower Town Quay. On St. Agnes there were 2 Sand Martins, 9 Swifts and a Turtle Dove.
25th A first-summer male Marsh Harrier flew over Porth Hellick and a Water Rail was seen at Lower Moors. A male Wheatear was on St. Martin’s. On the botanical front a Southern Marsh Orchid was found in Lower Moors.
26th 2 Whimbrel and 15 Curlew were near Samson and on Tresco there were 30+ Curlew, a Redshank, 3 Greenshank & a Hooded Crow.
27th Another jaunt to Tresco recorded 3 Greenshank, a Redshank & 3 Pied Wagtail all on Simpson’s Field. Also on Tresco were 7 Grey Herons & 2 drake Tufted Ducks. A gull count logged 430 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c250 Herring Gulls & c50 Great Black-backed Gulls, all on the heliport, another 60 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on Abbey Pool. 3 Marsh Harriers were seen adult male & female and a first-summer male thought to be one of last year’s young. A Crossbill was seen on the Garrison.
28th The first-summer male Marsh Harrier flew over Porth Hellick again. 200 Manx Shearwaters were near Annet and 3 Risso’s Dolphin were seen from Peninnis Head.
29th 30 Curlew & 3 Whimbrel were near Samson, another 60 Curlew were on Tean. The Crossbill was still on the Garrison and 2 Redshank were on Porth Hellick Pool.
30th A Common Sandpiper was on St. Agnes and 2 Redshank were at Porth Hellick,
The second pelagic of the season yielded 60+ European Storm-Petrels, 5 Manx Shearwaters and the first two Wilson’s Storm-Petrels of the year.
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10th – 19th June
A very quiet period but at least 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls are still present. The Marsh Harriers are still on about. There are still one or two Wheatear and for Scilly good numbers of Swifts. Puffins and Manx Shearwaters are seen regularly on the evening seabird special boat trips.
10th A pair of Tufted Duck were on Porth Hellick Pool and Cuckoos were seen or heard at Porth Hellick, on the Garrison and in Old Town Churchyard. 3 Swifts were also over the Garrison.
11th A Common Buzzard flew over Lower Moors, a Wheatear was on the coastal path below St. Mary’s Airport and a female Tufted Duck was still on Porth Hellick Pool.
12th The Hooded Crow was seen on Bryher along with 2 Ravens.
13th The Common Buzzard & Hooded Crow were on Tean and 6 Swift were over St. Martin’s.
14th The Common Buzzard was still touring the islands ad today it was seen on Tresco & Tean. A Great Northern Diver was off Deep Point, 2 Pied Wagtail were at Lower Moors and a Meadow Pipit was on Peninnis.
15th The Great Northern Diver was still off Deep Point and a Hobby flew over Sallyport. There was a fall of Swifts, 10 were seen off Deep Point, 12 were over Sage House and several smaller groups were seen elsewhere. Near Samson there were 20 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel & a Dunlin, a Dunlin was also on Porthlow Beach. A ‘white’ Puffin was seen by the Western Rocks.
16th The leucisitic Puffin was off Annet and 3 drake Tufted Ducks were on Tresco. There were still at least 12 Swifts around the Islands and appropriately 120 Manx Shearwaters were seen on the evening’s Shearwater Special cruise. Late in the evening a Wood Sandpiper spent a couple of hours at Porth Hellick.
17th After they had been heard calling for several days, 20 Crossbills were seen in the pines at Trenoweth. A Jackdaw was at Maypole, a Great Northern Diver was seen between St. Mary’s and St. Agnes and the Wheatear was still near giant’s Castle. 2 Balearic Shearwaters flew west past Giant’s Castle.
18th The only reports were of one of the Iceland Gulls at Porthlow and about 20 Crossbills still at Trenoweth.
19th A Golden Oriole was heard singing at Watermill Cottage in the morning and later seen near Newford Duck Pond. A Wheatear and a Common Sandpiper were on St. Agnes. 290 Manx Shearwaters were seen from the evening boat trip.
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3rd – 9th June
It seems there is now just1 Iceland Gull on the islands. The Marsh Harriers are still on about. Spring passage is now all but over but there all still a few Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher, Turtle Dove and Swifts. Puffins and Manx Shearwaters are seen regularly on the evening seabird special boat trips.
3rd A Hobby flew over Porthlow and a Cuckoo was on the Garrison. On St. Agnes there were 5 Wheatear, a Turtle Dove & a Common Sandpiper.
4th A Jackdaw ( uncommon on Scilly) flew past Porthlow and another two were seen over Telegraph. 40 Manx Shearwaters were off Deep Point.
5th On St. Martin’s there was a Spotted Flycatcher a Common Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, and a Golden Oriole was at Lower town. The Hobby was seen over Buzza Hill and a Swift was seen over Annet.
6th A late Snipe was on Porth Hellick Pool and on St. Agnes there were 3 Whimbrel & 4 Wheatear. The Hooded Crow & 2 Swift were on Bryher.
7th On Tresco there was a Raven and a Golden Oriole was singing in Abbey Woods.
The only other report was of 3 Curlew & the Hooded Crow on Bryher.
8th A Cuckoo was still on the Garrison & 2 Swift were over Hugh Town. 3 Whimbrel & 5 Curlew were near Samson, a Wheatear was on Tresco, a Spotted Flycatcher was on St. Agnes & a Marsh Harrier was on Tean.
9th A very foggy day and consequently few sightings, the only reports were the Iceland Gull in Hugh Town Harbour and 2 Swift & an unseasonal Teal on Tresco.
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26th May – 2nd June
There is still at least 1 Iceland Gulls on the islands. The Marsh Harriers are still on about. Spring passage has almost stopped but there all still a few Wheatears, Spotted Flycatchers, Turtle Doves and for Scilly, good numbers of Swifts. Puffins and Manx Shearwaters are been seen regularly on the evening seabird special boat trips.
26th A very wet and windy day with little opportunity for birding but a first-winter Mediterranean Gull & 12 Dunlin were seen on Tresco.
27th A Golden Oriole flew from St. Agnes towards Gugh and another was seen and heard singing at Trenoweth. 7 Dunlin were on Porth Hellick Beach and another 4 were on St. Agnes with 6 Sanderling. Also seen on St. Agnes were 4 Spotted Flycatchers & a Blue-headed Wagtail. An Arctic Skua was seen between St. Mary’s & St. Agnes. A Skylark & 5 Turtle Doves were on St. Martin’s. A trip to Bryher produced 8 Spotted Flycatchers, a Common Whitethroat, the resident Hooded Crow, 5 Turtle Doves, a Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll, a flava Wagtail was also heard there. On St. Mary’s a first-summer Hobby flew over Borough Farm and a Scilly rarity, a Tree Sparrow, was seen below Pelistry Farm.
28th A Bee-eater flew east over Lower Town Quay, St. Martin’s and it or another was heard 20 minutes later near the lighthouse on St. Agnes. A male Ortolan Bunting, a Turtle Dove & a Whinchat were on Bryher. A Turtle Dove was on St. Martin’s, a Common Buzzard was on Tresco and a Hobby flew over Porth Hellick.
29th The Ortolan & the Lesser Redpoll were seen again on Bryher. The Common Buzzard, a Bar-tailed Godwit & 2 Dunlin were on Tresco and a Quail was on St. Agnes. A Hobby flew over Porth Hellick and a Balearic Shearwater was north of Tresco/Bryher.
30th Few reports today: a Hobby over Porth Hellick Down and a Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Swift, 5 Wheatear & a Hobby on Bryher.
31st A male Quail was heard singing near Periglis Beach, St. Agnes, a Hobby flew over Salakee, the Common Buzzard was again on Tresco and a Turtle Dove & a Dunlin were on Bryher.
1st Both the Common Buzzard & a Marsh Harrier visited St. Mary’s. 2 Dunlin were on Samson and 2 were on Tresco, where there were also 8 Sanderling. Whimbrel were seen on Samson & Tean and an Iceland Gull and a Common Sandpiper were on St. Agnes.
2nd Another quiet day with the only birds reported being: a Common Buzzard & a Peregrine in Crow Sound, 2 Ravens on St. Helen’s, a Marsh Harrier on Tean and a Dunlin on Tresco.
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15th -25th May
There are still at least 4 Iceland Gulls are on the islands. The Marsh Harriers are still on Tresco. In general the spring passage is tailing off, but there are still 2 or 3 Hobbies & good numbers of Spotted Flycatchers, Cuckoos and especially Turtle doves. There was a noticeable increase in Swifts with double figures on 23rd & 24th and there are still a few Great Northern Divers about. A Herring Gull’s nest was found on St. Agnes containing what was thought by some to be a Cuckoo’s egg (see Home Page for Photograph).
15th A Golden Oriole was singing near Newford Duck Pond and the Short-toed Lark was still on Peninnis. The Red-rumped Swallow was still on St. Agnes, where there were also 4 Dunlin.
16th Golden Orioles were seen in Lower Moors and between Parting Carn & Porth Hellick House. A female Common Redstart was seen near Woolpack on the Garrison and a rather late female Black Redstart was at Carn Leh. The Short-toed Lark was still on Peninnis and a Red-spotted Bluethroat was reported from Porth Hellick. Both the Red-rumped Swallow and the Bee-eater were still on St. Agnes. There was a good count of 34 Sanderling.
17th A Woodchat Shrike flew across the road near Carn Friars Farm. A visit to Bryher was quite productive, logging Short-eared Owl, a first summer male Golden Oriole, 3 Turtle Doves, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 7 Wheatears, a Whimbrel and a Blue Tit! ( a rarity on Bryher).
18th The Red-rumped Swallow was seen again on St. Agnes and a Quail was flushed near the pool there. There was an obvious influx of Spotted Flycatchers with 7 reported on St. Mary’s and an incredible 24 on Bryher. Also on Bryher a Turtle Dove and 3 Whinchat were seen. A Whinchat was on Peninnis.
19th The Red-rumped Swallow and the Quail were still on St. Agnes, where there were also 5 Turtle Doves and a male Garganey on the pool. A Whinchat was on Bryher and another was on Peninnis, where there was also a Skylark. A Coal Tit in Holy Vale, was written on the blackboard outside The Pilot’s Gig restaurant, this is a scarce bird on Scilly, if anyone has any further details could they please let us know. 20 Sanderling & a Turtle Dove were on St. Martin’s and there was a count of 40 House Martin’s on the Great Pool, Tresco.
20th The Red-rumped Swallow and the Garganey were still on St. Agnes along with 5 Turtle Doves and a Common Whitethroat. On St. Mary’s a Turtle Dove was in Holy Vale and a Roseate Tern was in Old Town Bay. Male & female Marsh Harrier were seen over Tean and 3 unseasonable Siskins ( a male & 2 females) were on St. Martin’s.
The influx of House Martins continued, with 50+ on Tresco and 10 on St. Agnes.
21st A day with few reports, the high light being a Honey Buzzard flying over St. Mary’s Golf Course.
22nd A Short-toed Lark was briefly on St. Mary’s Airfield and a Yellow-legged Gull was reported on Town Beach. The Red-rumped Swallow and 2 Dunlin were on St. Agnes and a Common Buzzard was on Tean. On Bryher there were 2 Turtle Doves, a female Merlin and the Hooded Crow.
23rd The Red-rumped Swallow remained on St. Agnes also there were 6 Turtle Doves and a Wood Warbler. On St. Mary’s the Short-toed Lark was relocated on Peninnis before flying back towards the Airfield, a female Merlin was at Porth Hellick and a Turtle Dove was in a garden at MacFarland’s Down. A Common Buzzard was on Tresco and a Honey Buzzard flew over Middletown, St. Martin’s. Interestingly this bird appeared about an hour after a Honey Buzzard was reported flying out to sea from Land’s End. There were also 2 Turtle Doves on St. Martin’s.
24th A Quail was found early morning on Carn Friars Farm and the Short-toed Lark was back in the Peninnis fields. A European Nightjar was reported on the Garrison, this is a Scilly rarity, would anyone who has details of the exact location or the finder’s name please forward the information to IOSBG.
25th An Arctic Skua was at Morning Point and a Garden Warbler was nearby. The Short-toed Lark was still in Peninnis fields and a female Black Redstart was on Porthloo. 5 Turtle Doves & the Hooded Crow were on Bryher and 2 Turtle Doves & the Wood Warbler were still on St. Agnes.
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9th -14th May
At least 3 Iceland Gulls are still on the islands. The Marsh Harriers are still on Tresco. The expected commoner species are still passing through, though there are now fewer Wheatears and a few Spotted Flycatchers are arriving. Several Great Northern Divers are still present, some in summer plumage. There was a noticeable increase in Tree Pipit numbers.
9th 3 Golden Orioles were on St. Mary’s, 1 in Holy Vale, 1 flying over Peninnis & 1 in Higher Moors and 2 more were on Bryher, where there was also a Little Tern (a rare bird on Scilly) on the pool. 6 Turtle Doves were on Tresco, 11 Golden Plover were on Peninnis and a Yellow Wagtail was on the Garrison playing fields. The female Woodchat Shrike was still on Bryher and a male was on St. Martin’s.
10th At least 1 Golden Oriole was still on Bryher where there were also 5 Turtle Doves. Woodchat Shrikes were seen on St. Martin’s and Peninnis. The 11 Golden Plover were still on Peninnis, 30 Common Terns were on St. Martin’s and a Bee-eater was found on St. Agnes.
11th The Bee-eater was still on St. Agnes and a Wryneck was seen at Telegraph. The Woodchat Shrike and 4 Golden Plover on Peninnis were joined by a Short-toed Lark.
12th Peninnis was the place to be with Short-toed Lark & Iceland Gull in the same field of view, Woodchat Shrike, 3 Golden Plover and fly over Hobby & Honey Buzzard, the latter being seen later on Bryher. The Bee-eater was still on St. Agnes and the Woodchat Shrike was still on St. Martin’s. On St. Mary’s a Common Sandpiper was at Innisidgen, a Green Sandpiper was on Porth Hellick Pool and a Grasshopper Warbler was in Lower Moors. 2 Turtle Doves were on Bryher. A boat trip to the Western Rocks produced 15 Purple Sandpipers, 3 on Melledgen and 12 on Bishop Rock
13th The Short-toed Lark was still on Peninnis and the Bee-eater was still on St. Agnes where a Red-rumped Swallow was discovered. 4 Cattle Egrets dropped into the fields of Longstone Farm, having probably been seen earlier flying over St. Agnes. The Green Sandpiper was still at Porth Hellick and 2 Turtle Doves and a late Fieldfare were on Bryher. The Buzzard was seen again on Tresco where a Hobby flew towards Bryher.
A male Red-spotted Bluethroat in splendid full breeding plumage was found in the evening on the scrape at Lower Moors.
14th The Red-rumped Swallow was still on St. Agnes and the 4 Cattle Egrets flew over Wingletang and dropped into trees at the end of Barnaby Lane. Single Hobby were seen on St. Agnes, St. Martin’s and over Peninnis. The Woodchat Shrike was still on St. Martin’s, and on St. Mary’s Golden Orioles were seen near Shooters’ Pool & Holy Vale.
The Bluethroat was still in Lower Moors and late Sand Martins (2 on Tresco & 1 on Porth Hellick Pool) were seen
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2nd -8th May
At least 4 Iceland Gulls are still on St. Mary’s. The Marsh Harriers are still on Tresco. The expected commoner species are still passing through with increased numbers of Barn Swallows & House Martins. One or two Great Northern Divers are still around.
2nd There were at least 3 Bee-eaters on the islands, 3 were seen on St. Martin’s and then on St. Agnes before flying over Hugh Town, 2 were also seen on Tresco. St. Agnes was the island to be where as well as the Bee-eaters, the Pallid Swift was still present and also seen were a Subalpine Warbler, a Red-backed Shrike, an Iceland Gull, a Quail, 3 Turtle Doves & a Yellow Wagtail. The female Woodchat Shrike was still on Bryher as well as a Lesser Redpoll. Single Wood Warblers were seen on Tresco and in Lower Moors and Golden Orioles were seen at Trenoweth and on Tresco. A Hobby & a Short-eared Owl were at Telegraph and 2 Common Sandpipers & a Lesser Whitethroat were at Porth Hellick.
3rd On Bryher there were 3 Tree Pipits 3 Turtle Doves, a male Common Redstart and the Woodchat Shrike was still present. The Pallid Swift was still on St. Agnes & Golden Orioles were seen on Tresco and St. Martin’s. A Whitethroat was on Peninnis and Hobby & Blue-headed Wagtail were both on Tresco.
4th The Pallid Swift was reported from St. Martin’s and a second Woodchat Shrike, this time a male, was found on the Garrison. The good spring for Golden Orioles continued with splendid sighting of 6 on Bryher. A Hobby flew over the Garrison, 7 Golden Plovers were on St. Mary’s Airfield and there was still 1 Common Sandpiper on Porth Hellick Pool.
5th A very foggy day with no birding possible until mid-afternoon, but even so 3 Golden Orioles & a Tree Pipit on Bryher and a Hobby over Star Castle were seen.
6th A Wood Warbler a Lesser Whitethroat & a Hobby were seen on St. Agnes and at least 1 Golden Oriole was still on Bryher. On St. Mary’s a Common Buzzard flew over McFarland Down and 2 Purple Sandpipers (now scarce on Scilly) were on the outer head of Peninnis.
7th Turtle Doves were on Peninnis and at Porthlow Duck Pond. A Lesser Whitethroat was at Porth Hellick, a Common Whitethroat was on Kittydown and a Garden Warbler was in Holy Vale. The 2 Purple Sandpipers were still on Peninnis, a Hobby flew over Carreg Dhu Gardens and yet another Golden Oriole was seen, this time in Lower Moors.
8th A sunny start, foggy most of the day, and a sunny finish. A “Golden” day, with Golden Oriole singing in Lower Moors early morning, another, a first summer male, at Higher Moors at 19:45 and 11 Golden Plovers in a field on Peninnis at 20:15.
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23rdApril – 1st May
At least 3 Iceland Gulls are still on St. Mary’s and the 2 Rooks are still on the golf course. The Marsh Harriers are still on Tresco. Spring migration continues at a leisurely pace with the usual species on passage and more Cuckoos arriving and a few Whinchat and higher than usual numbers of Grasshopper Warblers . Several Great Northern Divers are still present around the islands. 2 Tufted Duck were on Porth Hellick Pool all week. 2 Tufted Duck were on Porth Hellick Pool all week, as was the Common Scoter off Samson. Good numbers of Whimbrel and summer plumage Golden Plovers were seen around the islands, with up to 15 of the latter on St. Mary’s airfield.
23rd A Corn Bunting (now scarce on Scilly) was found on Bryher and a Spoonbill flew north past Samson. On St. Mary’s a Corncrake was reported near the entrance to the Golf Course and a Jack Snipe was at Lower Moors.
24th A Hoopoe was found on St. Agnes. The Buzzard was seen again on Tresco. The Jack Snipe was still at Lower Moors and a Fieldfare was on the Garrison.
25th A Jackdaw flew over the Longstone Centre, a Mediterranean Gull was in Porthcressa and a Red-throated Diver was off St. Martin’s
26th On St. Mary’s a Cattle Egret was found at Porth Hellick before it moved to Trewince, a Turtle Dove was on Peninnis, the Jackdaw was still around and a Sort-eared Owl flew over High Lanes fields. On St. Agnes there was another Turtle Dove and a Subalpine Warbler. A Golden Oriole was seen on Bryher.
27th The Golden Oriole was still on Bryher, where 2 Turtle Doves, a female Woodchat Shrike and a female Montagu’s Harrier were also seen. On Tresco there was another Turtle Dove, a Yellow Wagtail and a Spoonbill. On St. Mary’s the Cattle Egret was seen briefly, flying past Porthlow towards the Golf course, a Yellow Wagtail was at the Airport and another Subalpine Warbler was nearby.
28th The good birds continued to arrive with a second Hoopoe, this time on the Garrison, a Pallid Swift on St. Agnes and 2 more Subalpine Warblers also on St. Agnes. The Golden Oriole & Woodchat were still on Bryher, a superb summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit was on St. Agnes and a Blue-headed Wagtail visited Porth Hellick Pool briefly.
29th The Golden Oriole & Woodchat were still on Bryher, the Pallid Swift was still on St. Agnes and a Common Sandpiper was at Lower Moors. In the evening a Short-eared Owl showed well perched on a fence post at Telegraph.
30th A Lesser Yellowlegs found on the pool at Porth Hellick and an Arctic Tern was on the beach. The Jackdaw was at Borough Farm, St. Mary’s. The Pallid Swift was still on St. Agnes, also there were 4 Turtle Doves, 2 Yellow Wagtails & a Lesser Whitethroat.
1st On St. Mary’s the Lesser Yellowlegs was now at Lower Moors, a Common Sandpiper was an Porth Hellick Pool and yet another Subalpine Warbler was found at Green Farm. The Woodchat Shrike was still on Bryher and a Wood Warbler was on St. Martin’s. 2 Bee-eaters were at Middletown, St. Martins, 1 was heard over the Garrison and then there were 3 on St. Martin’s. The Pallid Swift on St. Agnes extended its stay to 4 days.
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14th -22nd April
At least 4 Iceland Gulls are still on St. Mary’s and the 2 Rooks are still on the golf course. Three Marsh Harriers have been seen on Tresco. Migration is picking up with good numbers of Wheatears, White Wagtails, hirundines, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers & Blackcaps and smaller numbers of Ring Ouzel, Whitethroat & Grasshopper Warbler. There was a noticeable influx of Whimbrel, flocks of 20 or more birds were noted at several locations through out the week. Several Great Northern Divers were still present around the islands. The firsts Swifts of the year were seen in singles on various dates.
14th The Garganey & a Ruff were at Porth Hellick pool, a Rook, a Buzzard & a drake Pochard were on Tresco and 2 Common Scoter were near Samson.
15th The Garganey & the 3 Ruff were still at Porth Hellick. An Osprey was seen on Tean, a Merlin was on St. Agnes and a Yellow-legged Gull was in Hugh Town. A Purple Sandpiper was on Annet.
16th The Wilson’s Snipe, which had not been seen for a month, re-appeared at Lower Moors. The Garganey remained at Porth Hellick and a Siskin was at Pelistry. A trip to Bryher produced 30 Wheatear, 6 Ring Ouzel, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Tree Pipit, a Common Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover.
17th A second trip to Bryher was again fruitful, logging a Jackdaw, a Tree Pipit, 30 White Wagtail, 40 Wheatear, 4 Ring Ouzel and the Little Ringed Plover. A Common Gull was at Porth Mellon, the Garganey was still at Porth Hellick and the Wilson’s Snipe was still at Lower Moors, from where an Osprey was also reported.
A Hoopoe was discovered on St. Mary’s airfield.
18th The Hoopoe was still on St. Mary’s airfield a Swift was over Porth Hellick and a female Common Redstart was near the Peninnis allotments. A Tree Pipit was on the Garrison& a Black Redstart was on Porthlow Beach. A Hobby, a Yellow Wagtail and a Whinchat were seen on Tresco.
19th A Great Skua was seen on the Scillonian crossing. 47 Sandwich Terns were on St. Martin’s Flats, also on St. Martin’s were: a Whinchat, a male Redstart, a Merlin, a Swift, a Fieldfare, a Brambling and an Arctic Skua was seen offshore. On St. Mary’s a Hobby was at Salakee, a Mediterranean Gull was in Porthcressa, a Cuckoo was on the Garrison, the Hoopoe was still on the airfield, a Jack Snipe & a Green Sandpiper were at Lower Moors, a Common Sandpiper & a Garden Warbler were at Porth Hellick and a Black Redstart and a Swift were at Porthlow. On Tresco there was a Spoonbill, a Hobby and a Short-toed Lark.
20th The Hoopoe was still on St. Mary’s Airfield and another was found at Troy Town, St. Agnes. A Blue-headed Wagtail & a Sedge Warbler were on Tresco and a Lesser Whitethroat & Sedge Warbler were on Bryher. A Fieldfare was on the golf course.
21st The Short-toed Lark was still on Tresco, also there were 3 Yellow Wagtails, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Brambling (one of which was a summer plumage male), the Spoonbill and a Wryneck. The Hoopoe was still on St. Agnes and on Bryher were an Osprey & 2 Common Sandpipers. Both a Black Redstart and a male Common Redstart were at Porthlow.
22nd The Short-toed Lark on Tresco and the Hoopoe on St. Agnes were both still present. A female Common Redstart was on the Garrison and single Pied flycatchers were seen on Tresco & St. Agnes.
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4th -13th April
At least 4 Iceland Gulls are still on the islands and a minimum of 10 Great Northern Divers and up to 5 Common Scoters are still in inter-island waters and Puffins have returned. The pair of Marsh Harriers were seen displaying over Tean. Due to mainly north-westerly winds Spring migration is still not in full swing. A few Wheatears, White Wagtails and House Martins are passing through with Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Swallows & Sand Martins in greater numbers.
4th A Slavonian Grebe, coming into summer plumage, was between St. Mary’s and St. Martin’s. An Osprey was at Porth Hellick before flying off when it was mobbed by a Buzzard. Also at Porth Hellick there were 4 Ruff with 2 being seen later on the pool on St. Agnes, where they were joined by a drake Garganey. A Short-eared Owl was seen in the evening at Porth Hellick. On St. Martin’s there were 2 Dotterel, a female Pied Flycatcher and another Short-eared Owl.
5th The Osprey was seen on St. Martin’s and the Garganey was still on St. Agnes. There was a slight fall of migrants with increased numbers of hirundines, Chiffchaffs & Willow Warblers at Porth Hellick. Also there were 2 Ruff and a Little Ringed Plover, a scarce bird on Scilly and the first since 2006.
6th The 2 Ruff and the Little Ringed Plover were still at Porth Hellick also seen there were 6 Little Egrets and a male Marsh Harrier.
7th A Merlin showed well at Porth Hellick and a Jack Snipe was seen in Holy Vale.
8th There Ruff at Porth Hellick had increases to 3 and a Jack Snipe was at Lower Moors. A Ring Ouzel, 2 Sparrowhawk and 2 Dunlin were on St. Agnes and a Merlin was on Annet.
9th A Garganey & 2 Jack Snipe were at Lower Moors, a Sparrowhawk was at Porth Hellick, a Black Redstart was on St. Agnes and a Merlin was on Tresco.
10th The 3 Ruff at Porth Hellick were briefly joined by a fourth which was promptly chased off by the male already present, also reported there was a Curlew Sandpiper. The Garganey was still at Lower Moors as was a Jack Snipe. 2 Whimbrel were near Samson and another was on Tean. 4 Sandwich Terns were in Tresco Channel.
11th The Garganey was still at Lower Moors, 3 Ruff were at Porth Hellick, 3 Sandwich Terns & Fieldfare were on St. Martin’s.
12th The 3 Ruff were still at Porth Hellick, the Hooded Crow remains on Samson and a Merlin was on the Garrison. A Black-throated Diver was near Samson and a Yellow-legged Gull was at New Grimsby, Tresco.
13th The 3 Ruff at Porth Hellick were joined by the Garganey and a Rook was on the St. Mary’s Airfield. 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel & 2 Sandwich Tern were on Samson and a drake Pochard was on Tresco.
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26th March to 3rd April
The Great Reed Warbler has remained elusive in the recent windy weather but was still present on 27th. A few common migrants have been seen but there has been no major influx so far this month. The Rook has remained on St Mary ‘s, as have the four Iceland Gulls.
26th
The Great Reed Warbler was again at Porth Hellick and the female Marsh Harrier was on St Martins today. The Rook was at Longstone and four Redwings were in Holy Vale and a Wheatear was on St Martin’s
27th
The Great Reed Warbler showed well today in the calmest weather we have had recently. The pair of Marsh Harriers were over St Martin’s as was one of the Ravens with two Pied and a White Wagtail noted on that island. A Firecrest was on Tresco as was a male Merlin and the three Slavonian Grebes seen between islands are now showing signs of summer plumage and a Common Scoter was seen from Innisidgen.
28th
The five Whooper Swans were seen in flight over Tresco and appear to have departed today. A pair of Wheatear and a Merlin were also seen on Tresco with three Bar-tailed Godwits and three Grey Plovers seen in Tresco Channel. The four Iceland Gulls were again on the Golf Course where the three juvs were joined by the 3rd winter bird and two Rooks were nearby.
29th
The only record of the day was one of the Iceland Gulls seen over Hugh Town.
30th
Rooks were noted on the Golf Course and the Airport today and a Sandwich Tern was off Bar Pt.
31st
The four Iceland were on the Golf Course again although one had been noted off Morning Pt earlier in the day. Eight Sand Martin’s and two Swallows were over Sally Port and a Jack Snipe was seen on Lower Moors along with a single Water Rail. The Rook was on the Golf Course and a female Ring Ouzel was on St Martin’s this evening.
1st April
The four Iceland were again on the Golf Course whilst elsewhere there were five Sandwich terns off Bryher, two Swallows over St Agnes as was a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel. Ten Sand Martins were at Porth Hellick.
2nd April
Snipe and Jack Snipe were at Lower Moors today where one Greenshank was present at high tide with three more and a Redshank at Porth Hellick. The Rook was at Salakee and four Icelands were again on the Golf Course. Swallows were reported from Hugh Town and St Agnes and a Merlin was at Porth Hellick as was a Sand Martin.
3rd April
Three juv Icelands were on the Golf Course and the third winter was at Morning Pt, although one of the former joined the latter later in day. The female Marsh Harrier was over St Martin’s with two Sandwich Terns visible in the fog along the south of that island. A few more Chiffchaff were noted today.
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12th to 25th March
At least four Iceland Gulls have been on the islands in the last week or so, most often seen on St Mary’s Golf Course or around Hugh Town. The islands sixth Great Reed Warbler was found at Porth Hellick on 23rd (possibly having been present since 20th) and was the earliest ever on Scilly by over a month. It was still present on 25th but has remained mobile and elusive in rather windy weather. The Great White Egret that flew over Hugh Town on 25th was only seen in flight as it dropped towards Porth Cressa only to vanish. The five Whooper Swans remained on Tresco throughout.
12th- 14th
Poor weather resulted in very little birding!
15th
First Swallow on Tresco and 2 Sand Martins over Lower Moors and the Buzzard was again noted on Tresco.
16th
The first Wheatears arrived today with Swallows and small flocks of Sand Martins noted about the islands. The first Ring Ouzel was seen on the Golf Course and a Jack Snipe was on Lower Moors. The Spoonbill was seen on Bryher again as was the Hooded Crow.
17th
A few more migrants were noted today with a House Martin on Tresco being the first of the year.
18th
The two Firecrests were seen again on Higher Moors along with a good number of hirundines and a Rook was over Longstone.
19th
A Brambling was at the Jac-a-ba feeding station today and three of the Iceland Gulls were on the Golf Course. The two Firecrests were on Higher Moors and a Redwing was at Higher Newford.
20th
Four Iceland Gulls and a possible Kumlein’s Gull were on the Golf Course this morning and a Common Scoter was near Tresco and a new Firecrest was in Old Town Lane.
21st
One Rook was on the Airport and a Common Gull was at Porth Loo.
22nd
A flock of seven Lesser Redpoll were near St Mary’s dump in very cold windy weather on 22nd.
23rd
The Great Reed Warbler found at Porth Hellick today may well have been present since last Thursday but has remained elusive in less then easy viewing conditions. It has been seen in the reeds around the pool as well as in the sallows near the loop trail. Two Rooks are now on the airport on St Mary’s and a Firecrest was in Lower Moors today.
24th.
The Great Reed Warbler is still present but as yesterday difficult to see. It was rather a déjà vu day with two Rooks on the airport and a Firecrest in Lower Moors but there were a few hirundines on Tresco in addition.
25th
It was a day of Greats, with the Great Reed Warbler at Porth Hellick and a Great White Egret seen in flight over Hugh Town that appeared to be heading towards Porth Cressa but has not been seen again. The Common Scoter was again near Samson with seven Great Northern divers seen between the islands in the calmest day for a while. A small group of Swallow and House Martin over Hugh town in the morning appear to be the only hirundines of the day. A Whimbrel and Grey Plover were on St Agnes today with a lone Wheatear.
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7th -12th March
A very quiet week with few reports, but the Wilson’s Snipe is still present and a second-winter Ring-billed Gull was seen. On Tresco, the 5 Whooper Swans, Greylag and the pair of Marsh Harriers are still present.
7th A Merlin flew over Lower Moors.
8th The only report was of a Firecrest in Old Town Churchyard.
9th 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were seen on St. Mary’s Golf Course .
10th Wet and very windy, hence no reports.
11th The Wilson’s Snipe was seen again at Lower Moors, a juvenile Iceland Gull flew over Porth Mellon and 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were on the Garrison football pitch. The cracking male Black Redstart, that is wintering on St. Mary’s, was at Little Porth. The highlight of the week for one lucky birder was a second-winter Ring-billed Gull seen briefly at Morning Point.
12th A juvenile Iceland Gull flew over Porth Mellon, the Black Redstart was still at Little Porth and a Merlin flew over Lower Moors.
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The juvenile Spoonbill, the Greylag & and now 2 Marsh Harriers are on Tresco, the Whooper Swan flock remains at 5 birds. The Wilson’s Snipe was present most days at Lower Moors.
28th A Jack Snipe was at Lower Moors.
29th 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were in Porthcressa and the Jack Snipe was still at Lower Moors.
1st A Firecrest was at Lower Moors, a juvenile Glaucous Gull was on the Garrison and 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Porthlow.
2nd Juvenile Iceland Gulls were seen at Sallyport and Porthcressa, a female Pintail was on Shooters’ Pool, the Jack Snipe was still at Lower Moors, a Spoonbill flew over Hugh Town and 2 Sand Martins, the first of the year, were over the pines at Porth Hellick. A trip to Tresco logged 14 Pochard, a drake Tufted Duck, a Buzzard, a Reed Bunting and 2 Marsh Harriers, one of which was a male. Has the male from last years breeding pair returned?
3rd 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Porthlow and the Jack Snipe remained at Lower Moors.
4th The Wilson’s Snipe and Jack Snipe were still at Lower Moors, where there was also a Firecrest and a Buzzard flew over. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Porthlow and a Marsh Harrier flew over Longstone.
5th 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were on the Golf Course and one of these or another was seen at Hugh Town quay. 3 Firecrests were at Porth Hellick and an adult Little Gull was in Hugh town harbour.
6th Another trip to Tresco recorded the Greylag, the 5 Whooper Swans, a Pintail, a juvenile Marsh Harrier, 10 Pochard, a Reed Bunting and 2 White Wagtails.
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19th to 27th February
The juvenile Spoonbill & the Marsh Harrier are still on Tresco, the Whooper Swan flock is now down to 5 birds. The Wilson’s Snipe was present daily at Lower Moors and a female Black Redstart was present throughout on Porthlow Beach.
19th Juvenile Iceland Gulls were seen at the municipal dump & Porthcressa.
20th 2 Black Redstarts were near Old Grimsby, Tresco and another, a fine male, was on Holgate’s Green. A Greylag was on Simpson’s Field, Tresco and a juvenile Iceland Gull was still at the municipal dump. A lunch break sea watch from the Garrison produced 12 Great Northern & 2 Black-throated Divers and a Common Scoter.
21st The male Black Redstart was back on Porthcressa Beach and the Greylag was still on Simpson’s Field, remaining throughout. A Red-breasted Merganser was seen in The Roads and a Long-eared Owl was seen in the early hours near Newford Duck Pond. On the Cetacean front a notable sighting was a mother and calf Fin Whale off Deep Point.
22nd The male Black Redstart was still on Porthcressa Beach and juvenile Iceland Gulls were seen at Porthcressa and South Beach, Tresco. A Black-throated & 5 Great Northern Divers a first-winter female Common Scoter were seen off Carn Morval. Single Short-eared Owls were seen on 2 of the uninhabited islands, Great Arthur and Norwethel.
23rd The Greylag Simpson’s Field was joined by a female Pintail. Also on Tresco where 12 Pochard, a male Tufted Duck and a Firecrest.
24th The male Black Redstart was still on Porthcressa Beach and juvenile Iceland Gulls were seen at Hugh Town Quay and South Beach, Tresco, a third winter Iceland Gull was also on Tresco- at the dump.
25th 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Porthlow and the male Black Redstart lingered on Porthcressa Beach.
26th The Wilson’s Snipe at Lower Moors was joined by a Jack Snipe and a Firecrest was seen at Porth Hellick.
27th The Jack Snipe was still at Lower Moors and 3 juvenile Iceland Gulls were on St. Mary’s Golf Course, 1 being seen earlier at Porthlow.
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12th 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls at Porth Mellon, a wary drake Pintail on Newford Duck Pond and a Long-eared Owl in the coastal pines between Porth Hellick and Salakee Down.
13th A trip to Tresco logged a Black Redstart, 2 White Wagtails (the first of the year), 3 Stock Doves, 2 drake Tufted Ducks and 12 Pochard. 8 Skylarks were seen on St. Mary’s and a live Loggerhead Turtle was found on Porth Hellick Beach and was flown to the mainland for rehabilitation prior to release in the Azores.
14th An Iceland Gull was at St. Mary’s Municipal dump, the Wilson’s Snipe was back at Lower Moors and the Long-eared Owl was still in the coastal pines.
15th 2 Iceland Gulls were at Morning Point and one of these or another was at Porth Mellon, the Wilson’s Snipe was still at Lower Moors, a male Black Redstart was at Little Porth and a the drake Pintail was still on Newford Duck
16th The Wilson’s Snipe remained at Lower Moors and a Black Redstart & 100 Sanderling were on Porthlow Beach. The first birding trip of the year to Bryher logged a juvenile Iceland Gull and 2 Long-eared Owls (an islander reported that 3 have been present since December). The Spoonbill was seen on Green Island.
17th The Pintail was still at Newford Duck Pond, juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Parting Carn and Porthlow, a Fieldfare was at the new riding stables near Pelistry, a Firecrest was near the seaward hide at Porth Hellick and 3 Pied Wagtails were on the Garrison. The Wilson’s Snipe now seems settled at Lower Moors
18th The Wilson’s Snipe was still at Lower Moors, a juvenile Iceland Gull was at
Porth Mellon and a Merlin flew over Porth Hellick.
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The juvenile Spoonbill & the Marsh Harrier are still on Tresco as are the Whooper Swans but now down to 9 birds.
Other sightings included.
5th 3 juvenile Iceland Gulls (1 showing characteristics of Kumlien’s Gull) and an adult Glaucous Gull were at Porthlow.
6th There were 6 Iceland Gulls (5 juveniles & a third-winter) and an adult Glaucous Gull on St. Mary’s. The adult Glaucous Gull, the third-winter and 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were all together on Porthlow Beach. The Black-necked Grebe was seen again off South Beach, Tresco, a first-winter female Common Scoter & 2 Black-throated Divers were off Samson and 5 Slavonian Grebes were off Innisidgen. Several Great Northern Divers were in inter-island waters. Sadly, a Short-eared Owl was found dead on Porth Hellick Beach. A Jack Snipe was in Lower Moors.
7th 2 Iceland Gulls and an adult Glaucous Gull were still at Porthlow. The Jack Snipe at Lower Moors was again joined by the Wilson’s Snipe, were it goes when not at Lower Moors is anybody’s guess. Another Short-eared Owl (this time a live one!) was seen at Higher Moors.
8th The 2 Iceland Gulls and the adult Glaucous Gull were still at Porthlow. A first-winter drake Common Scoter and 3 Slavonian Grebes were off Innisidgen. A first-winter female Common Scoter was off Carn Morval.
9th 3 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Porthloo and 2 were at Morning Point. The first-winter drake Common Scoter, 5 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Black-throated and 11 Great Northern Divers were off Innisidgen. A Black Redstart was below the Mermaid carpark, 2 Firecrests were at Carn Friars and a Short-eared Owl flew over Sandy Lane.
10th A Sunday sortie to Tresco produced the juvenile Spoonbill, 9 Whooper Swans, the Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, a Reed Bunting, 10 Pochard, a Tufted Duck, a drake and female Pintail, and a third-winter & 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls.
11th The Wilson’s Snipe was back at Lower Moors and a juvenile Iceland Gull was at the Municipal dump, St. Mary’s.
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29th January to 4th February
The 10 Whooper Swans the juvenile Spoonbill & the Marsh Harrier are still on Tresco.
Other sightings included.
29th The Wilson’s Snipe was again at Lower Moors and 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were around Hugh Town.
30th The 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were still around Hugh Town and another was seen on South Beach, Tresco also there was a Red-throated Diver. An adult Glaucous Gull was on Samson and a Common Scoter was offshore. The female Pintail was still on Porthlow duck pond and a Short-eared Owl was at Porth Hellick. The owl flew from the beach to Porth Hellick Down and then flew back to the beach where 2 Carrion Crows started to mob it, it flew straight out into the bay and landed on the sea!! It stayed there for about 2 minutes, the crows gave up after a minute and the owl then flew into a crevasse in the rocks.
31st The only reports were of 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls, 1 on the Airfield and 1 at Porth Mellon.
1st There were at least 3 different juvenile Iceland Gulls, with 2 at Morning Point and 1 in the dump/Porth Mellon area, one of these or another was reported from the Airfield. The probable American Herring Gull was again seen briefly, this time at the Municipal Dump on St. Mary’s, it was seen several times in the week, but has not yet been 100% identified. A Dunlin was on Porthlow Beach and a Firecrest was at Bar Point.
2nd A juvenile Iceland Gull was at the dump and 3 probable Fin Whales were seen southeast of St. Mary’s. The highlights of a trip to Tresco where: the 10 Whooper Swans, a first-winter Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, 10 Pochard, a drake Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe, the latter2 species uncommon on Scilly.
3rd A sea watch from Giant’s Castle logged an Iceland Gull, 300 Kittiwakes, 181 Gannets, 80 Razorbills and 15 Fulmar. 3 juvenile Iceland Gulls were in Porthcressa Bay and a probable Kumlien’s Gull was on Porthlow beach.
4th 2 Iceland Gulls and the probable Kumlien’s Gull at Porthlow were joined by an adult Glaucous Gull.
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22nd to 28th January
The Whooper Swans (now down to 10) & the Marsh Harrier are still on Tresco, where there now seems to be only 1 Spoonbill, a juvenile. The Black-necked Grebe was in Town Bay and then moved to Pentle Bay, Tresco and the Wilson’s Snipe showed on and off at Lower Moors. 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were about all week, mainly around St. Mary’s, but occasionally elsewhere.
Other sightings included.
22nd 3 Common Scoter, 4 Slavonian Grebes, 3 Black-throated & 7 Great Northern Divers were seen in inter-island waters.
23rd The female Pintail was still on Porthlow duck Pond.
24th A Jack Snipe was at Lower Moors and a female Red-breasted Merganser was off Stony Island.
25th A juvenile Glaucous Gull was seen near the Mermaid Inn car –park, St. Mary’s and an adult Glaucous Gull was on a seal carcase on Samson, where one of the juvenile Iceland Gulls was also seen. The female Red-breasted Merganser was again off Stony Island.
26th 5 Slavonian Grebes were seen from Innisidgen, also seen were 3 species of Diver, Great Northern, Black-throated & Red-throated, the latter a scarce bird in Scillonian waters. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on Skirt Island, the female Red-breasted Merganser was near Green Island and later in Pentle Bay, Tresco. The adult Glaucous Gull was still on Samson and a Kumlien’s Gull was off Carn Morval. 3 Black-throated & 12 Great Northern Divers were seen around the islands.
27th A short boat trip around Bryher, Tresco and Samson, on a beautiful Sunday morning, logged the Spoonbill on Green Island, a Marsh Harrier & 2 Peregrines on Samson, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Common Scoter and a fly-over Black-throated Diver. The Black-necked Grebe, which had not been seen for a couple of days, was relocated in Pentle Bay. Scanning from Innisidgen produce 5 Slavonian Grebes, 5 Great Northern Divers & a Common Scoter. The Marsh Harrier was also seen over St. Agnes where there were 7+ Firecrests and a juvenile Iceland Gull at Periglis.
28th A trip to Tresco yielded the Spoonbill on Green Island and a Black-throated Diver, a Common Scoter & the female Red-breasted Merganser all off skirt Island. The juvenile Kumlien’s Gull was seen again, this time on Abbey Pool
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15th to 21st January
The Spoonbills, Whooper Swans & the Marsh Harrier were still on Tresco & the Black-necked Grebe was in Town Bay all week as was a Wilson’s Snipe showing on and off at Lower Moors
A Black-throated & several Great Northern Divers and up to 4 Common Scoters were seen around the islands and few Black Redstarts were still about. 3 Iceland Gulls were around the islands & 3 possibly 4 Glaucous Gulls were on St. Mary’s. There seems to be a definite influx of white-winged gulls.
15th A first-winter Iceland Gull was in Porthcressa Bay and a Long-eared Owl flew over Longstone in the evening.
16th 2 first-winter Iceland Gulls & 2 possibly 3 first-winter Glaucous Gulls were in Porthcressa Bay, also on the beach there was a cracking male Black Redstart. A Firecrest was seen near Porth Hellick pool and an incredibly early Puffin was seen in The Roads.
17th The 2 first-winter Iceland Gulls were now at Porthlow and the Wilson’s Snipe in Lower Moors was joined by 2 Jack Snipe.
18th A first-winter Iceland Gull was on Porth Mellon and a female Pintail was on Porthlow Duck Pond. A female Red-breasted Merganser was seen from the Sapphire on a inter-island run.
19th The Wilson’s Snipe & 2 Jack Snipe were still at Lower Moors and the female Pintail remained on Porthlow Duck Pond. A Black-throated & 6 Great Northern Divers, a Whimbrel and 3 Common Scoters were seen off Innisidgen. A Common Scoter was also seen near Green Island. The first-winter drake Scaup was still on the Great Pool, Tresco and first-winter Iceland Gulls were seen in Hugh Town & on Porth Killier, St. Agnes.
20th A first-winter Iceland Gull was at Porthlow.
21st The Wilson’s Snipe was seen in Lower Moors again and the female Pintail was still on Porthlow Duck Pond. An adult Glaucous Gull was on Porth Mellon Beach, where there were also 2 first-winter Iceland Gulls. A Great Northern Diver & Black-throated Diver were seen off South Beach, Tresco.
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8th to 14th January
The Spoonbills, the 12 Whooper Swans & the Marsh Harrier were still on Tresco & the Black-necked Grebe was in Town Bay all week.
2 Black-throated & several Great Northern Divers and up to 4 Common Scoters were seen around the islands and few Black Redstarts were still about. 3 or more Iceland Gulls were on St. Mary’s, with birds also seen on Tresco and St. Agnes.
8th 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were in Hugh Town, 1 in Porthcressa and 1 in the harbour. A Great Northern Diver was off the Blockhouse on Tresco and another Great Northern Diver & 4 Common Scoter were seen from Innisidgen. The first-winter drake Pintail was still on Newford Duck Pond.
9th 2 Black-throated Divers were in Pentle Bay, Tresco and Iceland Gulls were seen in Hugh Town, on Periglis, St. Agnes and off Giant’s Castle. Also seen from Giant’s Castle were a Great Northern Diver and an unseasonal Sooty Shearwater.
The probable American Herring Gull was seen again, this time flying from Porth Mellon towards Porthloo, but sadly, again not seen long or well enough for a 100% ID.
10th At least 3 Iceland Gulls were on St. Mary’s and the first-winter drake Scaup was still on the Great Pool, Tresco.
12th Iceland Gulls were reported from Hugh town harbour, Woolpack Point and New Grimsby beach, Tresco. A female Black Redstart was in Old Town.
13th A morning sea-watch from Giant’s Castle logged 506 Razorbills, 120 Kittiwakes, 45 Gannets, 3 Fulmars, 2 Balearic Shearwaters and a juvenile Pomarine Skua. A Wilson’s Snipe was seen again in Lower Moors.
14th Another morning sea-watch from Giant’s Castle, this time logged 711 Razorbills, 384 Kittiwakes, 9 Gannets and 2 Balearic Shearwaters. One of the Iceland Gulls flew over the municipal dump.
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1st to 7th January
1 Wilson’s Snipe was still present. The 2 Spoonbills, the 12 Whooper Swans & the Marsh Harrier remain on Tresco. The Black-necked Grebe was in Town Bay all week.
On the calmer days, when viewing conditions were favourable, at least 1 Black-throated Diver, several Great Northern Divers, up to 4 Slavonian Grebes & up to 4 Common Scoters could be seen in inter-island waters. A few Black Redstarts were around the more sheltered beaches. The Whooper Swans spent most of the week on Tresco apart from a day trip to St. Mary’s on the 1st, by the end of the week there were only 11 birds remaining.
Also seen
1st A Jack Snipe joined the Wilson’s Snipe at Lower Moors and first-winter Iceland Gulls were seen on Tresco & at Porth Mellon. The year started well with a trip to Tresco producing a first-winter Glaucous Gull on Plumb Island, 12 Whooper Swans, a Little Grebe, a Pintail, a Shoveler, 2 Pochard and 5 Wigeon on the Great Pool. 30 Redshank & 20 Greenshank were on Simpson’s Field and 5 Great Northern Divers were in Pentle Bay.
2nd An Iceland Gull was seen on the roof of Carn Thomas School, a second-winter Mediterranean Gull was in Porthcressa and a Long-eared Owl was seen in the evening at Trewince. The first-winter drake Scaup was again on the Great Pool, Tresco.
3rd An Iceland Gull flew over the municipal dump, later being seen on Porth Mellon and the first-winter drake Pintail was on Newford Duck Pond.
4th One of the Iceland Gulls was still commuting around Hugh Town and the first-winter drake Scaup was still on the Great Pool.
5th A Siskin, a Brambling and a Water Rail were all at Jac-a-Ba feeding station.
6th There were now 2 first-winter Iceland Gulls in Hugh Town, 1 on Porth Mellon and the other in the vicinity of the Mermaid Inn car park. The Pintail was still on Newford Duck Pond and a Jack Snipe was at Porth Hellick Pool.
7th The 2 Iceland Gulls were still in Hugh town and the Pintail was still on Newford Duck Pond.
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