May 2018

Thursday’s birds were:

Bryher – The Dotterel was still on Shipman Head Down and an Osprey flew in from the direction of Tresco. Also seen on the island were 6 Common Swifts, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Lesser Redpoll.

St. Agnes – A Common Swift, 2 Cuckoos, a Black Redstart, a White Wagtail, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Common Whitethroat.

St. Mary’s – A Spotted Flycatcher was at Trenoweth and a Common Whitethroat was trapped and ringed at Porth Hellick.

St. Martin’s – 3 Common Swifts.

Inter-island waters – 85+ Manx Shearwaters were off Annet and 5 Great Northern Divers were off Samson/Annet.

At sea – Amongst the birds seen on the first pelagic trip of the year (earlier than usual), were 10+European Storm-petrels, an Arctic Tern and a Great Skua. (more…)

Sunday’s birds were:

St. Mary’s – The Northern Harrier flew out of its overnight roost in Lower Moors about 05:55 and was later seen well at Porth Hellick before flying off high to St. Martin’s late morning. It was back on St. Mary’s mid-afternoon at Trewince and was then back at Porth Hellick briefly but there was no further sign by nightfall.
3 Whimbrels were on the Golf Course and 1 was on Old Town Beach and a Golden Plover was on the airfield. 2 Jackdaws were at Parting Carn, 5 Wheatears were on the Golf Course and 1 was at Porthloo.

St. Martin’s – As well as the Northern Harrier paying a brief visit a Bee-eater was heard and a Marsh Harrier was seen.

Tresco – 4 Whimbrels, 3 Sanderlings, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Buzzard. Pochard have bred again, an adult an 6 young were seen.

Inter-island waters – 6+ Great Northern Divers were seen on the “Seabird special” on which a Wheatear was also seen on one of the smaller rocky islets. (more…)

Friday’s birds were: St. Mary’s – The Laughing Gull after spending nearly a month decided on a change of islands and showed very well at Porthloo Duck Pond. The Marsh Harrier again flew from St. Agnes to St. Mary’s and a male Montagu’s Harrier was seen over the airfield and Read more…

Wednesday’s birds were: St. Mary’s – An unidentified Harrier species flew through Lower Moors. An Iceland Gull was off the Quay and at Porthloo, where there were also 5 Whimbrels. St. Agnes – 10+ Whimbrels. Thursday’s birds were: St. Martins – After going missing for a couple of days the Read more…

Sunday’s birds were:

St. Mary’s – A Roseate Tern was in Hugh Town Harbour, it was ringed and from initial enquiries it was ringed in 2013 at Rockabill, Ireland. Also on St. Mary’s 7 Dunlins were on Porthcressa Beach, a Common Swift was over the Garrison and a Merlin was at Rocky Hills.

St. Agnes – The Woodchat Shrike was still on Wingletang Down and an Osprey flew over. Also on the island were 2 Common Swifts, 20 Whimbrels, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 16 Wheatears, a Cuckoo, a Black Redstart, a White Wagtail and a Firecrest. (more…)

Tuesday’s birds were: St. Mary’s – An Iceland Gull was at Porthloo, 4 Sandwich Terns were by Hugh Town Quay and a Common Whitethroat was at Bant’s Carn. St. Agnes – 14 Whimbrels and a Cuckoo. Bryher – 7 Whimbrels. Wednesday’s birds were: St. Mary’s – An Iceland Gull was Read more…

St . Mary’s – The Red-rumped Swallow was on Kittydown, where there was also a Whinchat. 3 Whimbrels, a Common Swift and a Lesser Whitethroat were at Porth Hellick. The Spotted Crake was heard in Lower Moors at 04:30 in the morning!  A Lesser Redpoll was on the Garrison and Read more…

Friday’s birds were:

St. Mary’s – 3 Common Swifts were over the island. Reed, Sedge & Grasshopper Warblers were in Lower Moors and a Common Redstart, a Lesser Whitethroat & a Common Whitethroat were on the Garrison, with another Common Whitethroat in Old Town. The male Pied Flycatcher was still in Carreg Dhu Gardens and a Water Rail & 2 Siskins were at Holy Vale. 10 Whimbrel flew over Hugh Town and there were good numbers of hirundines aver Porth Hellick Pool, with 35 Swallows, 40 Sand Martins and 5 House Martins. (more…)