Isles of Scilly – October 2006               

by Mike King

This was my first autumn visit to the Isles of Scilly, having only been to St Mary’s before on two spring day trips in 1986 and 1988. We stayed at a house at Buzza with seven of us sharing.

Participants: Richard Baatsen, Pete Cranswick, Mike King, Stuart Langsbury, Colin Oram, Nigel Pleass and Paul Taylor.

F 6th October 2006

Weather: Sunny but cold with strong westerlies after early rain

 

Bridgette dropped me at Richard’s house at 4am, where I met Colin for the first time. We set off south, with Richard driving, picking up Paul on the way. We made excellent time and arrived at Penzance just as dawn was breaking. The weather was not conducive to looking for the Red-eyed Vireo that had been around so we headed to Porthgwarra for a seawatch instead. In about 45 minutes we had an Arctic Skua, a Bonxie, 35+ Gannets, seven Guillemots, two Kittiwakes, a couple of Shags and a Rock Pipit. The rain had set in so we drove back to Penzance where we met Pete and Nigel for a cooked breakfast at Tesco. Stuart was not coming out until Monday. After breakfast we took the short drive to the heliport for our 10:45am flight to St Mary’s. A helicopter flight was a new experience for me and was quite different to planes. It was very noisy but I quite enjoyed it and I have never been able to seawatch from a flight before, seeing seven Gannets on the way. The strong headwinds put ten minutes on the flight time nevertheless it was still two hours quicker than the Scillonian, which wasn’t sailing because of the weather conditions anyway.

After a short bus ride to our house at Buzza we dumped our kit and walked down into Hugh Town to stock up on beer and wine and one or two items of food. On Porthcressa Beach we saw five Turnstones, a male Stonechat, a White Wagtail, a Wheatear and four Rock Pipits. On the rocks just offshore were five Sandwich Terns, 15 Oystercatchers and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls (a good Scilly bird apparently). When I returned with Colin we found a Whimbrel and Will Wagstaff pointed out a Mediterranean Gull to us. At Buzza there was a Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

At the moment there were very few good birds on the island but the main influx of birders was only just taking place so we were sure that good birds would be found. After unpacking news broke of a Monarch on the Lower Broome Platform. We walked up there and soon had good views of this stunning butterfly resting in a pine tree. A British tick for me. There was also an almost full albino Blackbird there. We also scoped a distant Grey Seal off of Porthcressa Beach. News came through of a Long-eared Owl in the cemetery at Old Town Church and with any owl on Scilly being scarce we set off to look for it. We didn’t find it but had a big female Peregrine over.

Next we went to the Dump Clump to look for the Western Bonelli’s Warbler that had been present for a few days. We failed there too, adding only Chaffinch to the holiday list.

Then we walked through Lower Moors where we failed to see Yellow-browed Warbler but added Grey Wagtail and looked out from the Hilda Quick hide where we saw three Snipe but no Jacks.

Not too auspicious a start so we gave up and went home assuring one another things would pick up. I made a SpagBol and then experienced the Bird Log in the evening for the first time.

I’d learnt two things about Scilly already – get a taxi from the airport and not the bus, it’s much cheaper, and not everything on the pager gets seen again or even existed in the first place.

 

Sat 7th October 2006

Weather: Fine and sunny becoming cloudier later with westerly winds still but lessening

 

I was one of the first up, as I was all week, and set out for the Dump Clump to look for the Bonelli’s again. The added incentive for me was that my UK400 British list was on 399 so it would be No 400. Just after I left the house I saw a flock of 30+ Goldfinches in a large garden being harassed by a male Sparrowhawk. The Dump Clump was again quiet. Paul and Richard joined me but we only saw three Goldcrests and heard a Chiffchaff, a fly-over Golden Plover calling and a distant squealing Water Rail.

We had all, with the exception of Peter, decided to catch the first boat over to Tresco to catch up with one of the few island rarities, an American Golden Plover. On the way to the quay there were now two Greenshanks off Porthcressa and the White Wagtail remained.

The boat (£6.80 return) was full and pushed out into a lovely morning on fairly calm waters. As we approached Tresco 40 Shags and a single Cormorant were on the rocks and two Sandwich Terns were fishing nearby. We disembarked at Carn Near and began the long walk up to Castle Down where the plover was in residence. Fifteen Little Egrets were in Appletree Bay and a female Marsh Harrier flew past as we walked up Abbey Hill. 

The walk up to Castle Down took about half an hour. The American Golden Plover was showing well, if a little distant (pic left), with nine Golden Plovers on the down. It was my third and the first one I had seen outside Gloucestershire. We met Steve Owen here who was also staying on St Mary’s. It was decided a seawatch (pic below) from Kettle Point might prove fruitful. We decided to give it half an hour. We had 18+ Gannets, four Manx Shearwaters, a first-winter Kittiwake, five Auk sp and a Bonxie. Best of all was a school of 30+ breaching Common Dolphins. On the way back down we had a Wheatear and a Clouded Yellow.

After pint of very nice Tresco Tipple at the New Inn, Paul and I walked to the Great Pool. Notable here was a Spoonbill, eight Greenshanks, 15 Redshanks and a Brown Rat. At the Abbey Pool we saw three Migrant Hawkers and at Rowesfield a Cuckoo, c40 Linnets and a Common Darter before returning to New Grimsby for the boat back to St Mary’s.

News had come through that the Western Bonelli’s Warbler had been refound at Longstones, Paul, Richard, Colin and I managed to pile into a taxi with Dick Filby as soon as we came off the boat. When we got there at 5:30pm the bird was missing but Dick impressively found it within ten minutes in a nearby pine. It was a life tick for me and was my 400th species. It was a small, dainty warbler similar to Chiffchaff, very active and difficult to see well in the near pine. However it soon flew to another pine a little further away but then gave excellent scoped views. It was very busy and was constantly feeding and showed its diagnostic green wing panels well in the late afternoon sunshine. I also heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker here – another Scilly scarcity.

 

Sun 8th October 2006

Weather: Cloudy and cold with rain from early afternoon onwards and strong breezes

 

This was the worse day of the week both bird and weather wise. I set off on my own after breakfast and covered a lot of ground without seeing very much of note. Two Ravens were at Old Town Church. Two Stonechats, two Wheatears and 10+ Meadow Pipits were at Church Point and a short seawatch produced 74 Gannets. Porth Hellick produced only eight Greenshanks and two Goldcrests and a Rock Pipit in the bay. Holy Vale had just a single Chiffchaff.

I eventually met Richard near Normandy and as the weather was looking threatening we decided to adjourn to Carn Vean tearooms but unfortunately it was shut. We carried on and I found the only Redwing of the week opposite the Riding Stables. We went back to Borough Farm where a party of five Turtle Doves had taken up residence. We found only two huddled in a bush as it had now started to rain quite hard. We also had a Snipe over. Because of the heavy rain Richard suggested we went to Juliet's for lunch and shelter. It was a long and unpleasant walk across the golf course in almost horizontal wind-whipped rain. We arrived at Juliet's and enjoyed a very nice lunch with other sodden birders. With no sign of a let-up we got a taxi back to Dracaena and that was it for the day.

 

Mon 9th October 2006

Weather: Sunny and warm

 

What a difference a day makes! The rain had stopped and after a cloudy start the day became warm and sunny. I walked out to Peninnis Head at first light with Paul. To be honest to weather was too good for anything moving at sea although we did have a distant Bonxie and five Gannets. The only notable land birds were three Stonechats and a Wheatear in the last field before the headland. A Painted Lady was at Buzza.

At around 9am news came through of a juvenile Red-breasted Flycatcher on Lower Broome Platform so I headed up there with Paul, Richard and Colin. It wasn't showing when we got there but was soon relocated at 9:25am. We all had excellent close views. As we were coming away I met Stuart for the first time who had just arrived.

Richard gave Colin and I the benefit of his experience and showed us around the Garrison. We were looking for a Hoopoe, which never materialised. We had a pair of Stonechats but it was better for butterflies in the warm sunshine. At the Pottery we had six Red Admirals, a Painted Lady and a Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

We decided to head for Lower Moors where there was a Yellow-browed Warbler. We saw a Clouded Yellow on the way at Porthmellon. At Lower Moors there were at least ten Clouded Yellows and one of the pale helice race. We did get views of the Yellow-browed Warbler but in my case they were only brief. As Stuart and Nigel arrived a second bird was calling. 

Richard and Colin had gone off to Peninnis after news was received of a Long-tailed Blue butterfly there. I met them again up there where many people were looking but failing to see it. This butterfly was reported on and off in several places all week but only Paul gained a brief flight view. There were another five Clouded Yellows here and one of the helice race. It was obviously a good day for butterflies but the best was yet to come. We went back to the house for a quick sandwich and coffee before heading off up to the Garrison again.

The Monarch butterfly was giving brilliant views today perched low on a bramble bush. Colin found a Hedgehog caught up almost inextricably in a cricket net. A quick call on the CB for assistance produced several birders moving towards us with an assortment of knives and scissors. Colin freed it and Pete released it in the hedgerow. There were also another six Clouded Yellows here and another Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

News broke of a Queen of Spain Fritillary on private land at Trenoweth. After some difficulties we managed to acquire a taxi and got there in time to see it. It was a life tick for just about everyone and was only the second for Scilly. A Wheatear was here and another Monarch flew over but I missed it.

Returning to Buzza Colin, Paul and I decided on another attempt at the Long-tailed Blue on Peninnis before tea. We failed and the only birds was a male Wheatear and a Gannet. I did manage to get a shot of one of the pale helice race Clouded Yellows (pic below) and at Buzza there was another Hummingbird Hawk Moth. .

Tue 10th October 2006

Weather: Cloudy and cool with a sea mist late morning, becoming sunny and warm later and rain setting in

 

I set out early with Paul and Colin in the direction of the airfield, we were looking for a very mobile Tawny Pipit. We had a Reed Warbler at Carn Gwarval and a Wheatear, two Rock Pipits, ten Linnets and an odd Song Thrush with a white cap at Porth Minnick. On the airfield we had 60 Meadow Pipits, three Wheatears, three Stonechats and a Whinchat. I flushed a Snipe at Giants Castle but we couldn’t find the Snow Bunting that had been here yesterday. At Porth Hellick there were six Greenshanks on the pool and a Water Rail was heard and on the beach there was a good count of 12 Carrion Crows and also three Rock Pipits.

We wandered around Carn Friars where we had 50 Linnets, 20 Goldfinches and a Stonechat. Porth Hellick Down had only two Rock Pipits, a Stonechat and three Gannets offshore.

A little further Colin found a juvenile Yellow Wagtail at Normandy and a Painted Lady was here. We decided to go to Carn Vean tearooms but it was again shut. A pair of Red-legged Partridges were in the field adjacent to it and a Chiffchaff was in the lane. Warblers had so far been very scarce. News broke on the pager of a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling at nearby Green Farm. We weren’t far off and so went straight there. Sure enough a Rose-coloured Starling was perched on wires with about 100 Starlings. Colin then asked, “Why does the bird to the left of the telegraph pole look like the one on the right?” – the answer was simple, there were two and no-one had spotted it.

We left Green Farm and walked down to Watermill Cove where we only found a Chiffchaff, although Colin had a Spotted Flycatcher. We just missed a Firecrest near Newford duck pond then got a taxi back to Old Town bay because a Lapland Bunting was showing on the airfield. As we walked up to the airfield we discovered a Wryneck had just been seen but an encroaching sea mist made conditions difficult and we didn’t see it. The Lapland Bunting however was very showy. It showed down to about five feet and was still in partial summer plumage and typically I didn’t have the camera.

As we headed back to lunch news broke of an American Robin on Tresco. An early boat had been laid on so after a quick sandwich we went to the quay. We were lucky enough to all make the first boat, which turned out to be crucial at the time. There were 300+ Shags on the approach to Carn Near. We moved very quickly to Rowesfield where the American Robin had been seen. It had moved into the dunes and as we arrived it was perched in a low tree. We had very nice views of it for about five minutes before it flew off. As it turned out we were lucky because it was only glimpsed briefly once more that afternoon and generally anyone who didn’t make the first boat missed it. Up until the recent long-staying Cornwall and Grimsby birds American Robin was a major blocker in Britain but after those almost everyone who made the effort had seen one. Whilst we were trying to relocate it a female Marsh Harrier soared briefly above the pines and a Redstart was nearby. A quick check on the Great Pool turned up 23 Greenshanks, 16 Redshanks and a Little Egret, two more were on the beach. We retired to the New Inn as the weather was drawing in and it had started to rain heavily. After enjoying a pint of Tresco Tipple we endured a wet and uncomfortable boat ride back to St Mary’s. On the way we saw two Sandwich Terns and a female Common Scoter.

 

Wed 11th October 2006

Weather: Cloudy at first then sunny and warm for most of the day

 

Late news last night of a Greenish Warbler in the Parsonage on St Agnes had sorted our plans for the day. However early news of a Short-toed Lark on Peninnis had us rushing along there straight after breakfast. It was showing in the last field, naturally, before the headland and despite some difficulty we saw it well enough. It was a lifer for Colin (as were about 25 species throughout the week) and a British tick for me.

We went down to the quay, seeing at Wheatear at Porthcressa on the way, and were soon underway to St Agnes. Two Gannets and 65 Shags were seen from the boat. We went up to the Parsonage and joined the throng. Walking had become very difficult for me as I was suffering from some very bad blisters, but life ticks take away the pain. Viewing wasn’t easy and initially a couple of Chiffchaffs caused a bit of a stir. Then a Red-breasted Flycatcher showed on and off and finally the Greenish Warbler was located about fifty yards from where we were. The crowd moved up there pretty quickly and I got squashed against the high wall at the front as birders tried to gain higher ground behind. However this worked out brilliantly because together with another birder I could just see over the wall, and low down, out of sight to the birders behind me, was the Greenish Warbler showing stunningly well. It was sat in the early morning sun; shivering its wings and looking nothing like a Chiffy. It eventually moved higher and gave itself up to everyone. It was a lifer for me and Paul, Colin and Tony Eveleigh who was staying on St Agnes. A Turtle Dove was sat in the tree above with seven Collared Doves. Then we had excellent views of a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Willow Warbler as well.

We walked on around the island then. At Chapman’s Field there was a Turtle Dove, three Reed Warblers, a pair of Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff. 16 Turnstones, two Ringed Plovers, 100 Oystercatchers, a Curlew and a Rock Pipit were at Periglis Cove. A Sparrowhawk, a male Blackcap, a Swallow, a Comma and five Clouded Yellows were between Troytown and the Turk’s Head.

We sat in the sun at the Turk’s Head enjoying an al fresco lunch capped with wonderful Sticky Toffee Pudding and clotted cream. A Hummingbird Hawk Moth, a Red Admiral and a Large White were in the pub garden and Colin shared his pasty with a mob of brash House Sparrows.

After lunch we walked down to Carn Covean where we had nice views of a Snow Bunting. A Sandwich Tern was seen on the return journey and an Arctic Tern was at Town Beach. Before tea Colin, Paul and I returned to Peninnis and had better views of the Short-toed Lark. A good day!

 

Thu 12th October 2006

Weather: Cloudy becoming sunny and warm 

Today was my 21st Wedding Anniversary so first job was a call to Bridgette before heading out for the day. I went to Peninnis first where the Short-toed Lark continued to show well, also a Snipe flew over, a Wheatear was in the last field, two Gannets flew by and a Peregrine was on rocks just off of the headland. I walked on down to Old Town church. A Grey Wagtail, a Pied Wagtail and four Rock Pipits were on the beach, 6+ Swallows were over the church and a Grey Seal pup (pic left) was also on the beach and had been since last night. It had been cordoned off as it appeared to be injured, and that night was taken to Gweek Seal Sanctuary on the mainland. News of the Tawny Pipit was back on the pager, it was showing near Carn Vean again. I limped off in that direction. A Red-legged Partridge was at Holy Vale, a Small Copper and yet another Hummingbird Hawk Moth was at Porth Hellick House (and the Bonelli’s had been seen again). I met Paul at Carn Vean but the Tawny Pipit had gone. We chased around after this bird all week but never even got close to seeing it. Two Yellow Wagtails and a Clouded Yellow butterfly was here, and a group of Aggie birders including Tony and Clive (no wonder we dipped).

We had a wander around Lower Moors and saw only a Sparrowhawk. Then news broke of a juvenile Common Rosefinch at Green Farm so we got a taxi there. It was with a flock of 100+ House Sparrows and difficult to see feeding in a weedy field. It was only when it flew up into hawthorn bushes that it was being seen. Eventually we got views of it but it really was a Grotfinch to use its insulting nickname. We had another look at the Rose-coloured Starling and I took some pics (see below). Then as Paul had gone off in another direction I walked home slowly. A Brown Rat and a Small Tortoiseshell was at High Lane and another Brown Rat and a Chiffchaff was at Lower Moors.

   

Fri 13th October 2006

Weather: Sunny and warm 

Today turned out to be one of those memorable days for differing reasons, Friday the 13th, unlucky - not today. We had no real plan today with little about so we thought we'd get the first boat back to Tresco and spend some more time with the American Robin now that it had settled down. So I got up early again and went along Peninnis walking through the pain of my messed up feet. The Short-toed Lark was showing well again but otherwise it was fairly quiet. A Merlin was claimed but to be honest the bird I saw was a male Sparrowhawk, a single Gannet was off Porthcressa, a Raven flew over and a party of 12 Great Tits flew towards the headland.

From the boat we saw five Kittiwakes, three Sandwich Terns and five Shags. We landed at Carn Near where there were nine Little Egrets. We walked to Rowesfield and sure enough the American Robin was showing really well. After a while the other guys wandered off and I was left with just four birders and this amazing Yank (pics below).

   

As I left news came on the pager of an Arctic Warbler on St Mary's, which I needed, so I rang Paul and we decided to catch the early boat back at lunchtime. Because of the difficulties I was having with walking I said I would meet the guys at Carn Near. I took a slow walk past the Abbey Pool (pic below). There was no sign of the Little Stint, which had been around, but there were 50+ Teal and 25 Great Black-backed Gulls.

I got to Carn Near, took my boots off and did some birding from the quay in the bright sunshine. I saw 4+ Rock Pipits, a Stonechat, ten Ringed Plovers, 16 Oystercatchers, two Turnstones, a Bar-tailed Godwit and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The other guys arrived as did the boat. We managed to blag a taxi on the quay when we got back and went straight up to Sunnyside where the Arctic Warbler had been seen. It soon became apparent it hadn't been seen for over 1½ hours and nobody was looking very hard. Colin and I gave it half an hour seeing only a Chiffchaff. 

Then a Booted Warbler came on the pager on at Hillside Farm on Bryher! We met with Paul and Richard, got a taxi back to the quay and made the boat which had been laid on. Halfway to Bryher the boat started to slow and we wondered what was going on. It was bad news, we were being boarded and it was worse than pirates. It was a group of Aggie birders, led by Captain Dipper himself. Never mind we would have to find the bird despite them. Going past Tresco we saw the islands only two resident Jackdaws on offshore rocks. It was a longer walk than I would have liked from the quay to Hillside Farm on the far side of Green Bay. When we got there the bird had been seen but in a private allotment. We had a short wait until Dick Filby negotiated access. Then another short wait until the Booted Warbler showed. It wasn't in the least bit skulking and gave brilliant close perched views. A very welcome lifer. After watching it for the best part of half an hour we set off in the direction of Fraggle Rock (Great name!). A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was here and it wasn't long before it was found. It showed well on a bracken covered bank. Also here was a Spotted Flycatcher, a Peregrine flew over and whilst we were enjoying a celebratory pint of Doom Bar at the pub a Merlin zipped over. As we returned to St Mary's the Tresco Spoonbill flew towards Samson to cap a memorable day. 

In the evening we had a last supper at the Pilot's Gig, where the food was excellent and followed up with a couple of pints in The Atlantic pub. Booted Warbler pic below by kind permission of Steve Arlow.

Booted Warbler, Bryher 13th October 2006 © Steve Arlow

 

Sat 14th October 2006

Weather: Sunny and warm 

Today was home day, so after an hour packing and making the house cleaner than when we arrived we headed out for a last time. Richard, Paul, Colin and I went up to Sunnyside just in case the Arctic Warbler reappeared but it didn't. We walked back through Rocky Hills seeing only a Goldcrest. A Marsh Harrier was over Lower Moors. At Porthloo we had a Black Redstart, a Wheatear and two Convolvulus Hawk Moths which were new for me. After buying some lunch we walked to the Dump Clump. On the way we saw two Prickly Stick Insects in an allotment, also new for me. At the Dump Clump we had excellent views of a Red-breasted Flycatcher and another Hummingbird Hawk Moth. News came in that there were now three Lapland Buntings on the airfield. We walked up there passing Old Town bay where there were six Oystercatchers, four Turnstones and four Ringed Plovers. The Lapland Buntings showed well from the viewpoint. There were also 85 Linnets, a Wheatear, 10+ Meadow Pipits and nearby two Rock Pipits and a male Stonechat. We stopped at Tolman's café on the way back down for coffee and cake. A Scilly Shrew was reported to be here but it turned out to be a House Mouse. A Little Egret flew over the bay as we returned to Buzza to pick up our bags. A Swallow flew over as we waited for the bus to the airport.

Our 3:45pm flight took off ahead of time. I saw 25 Gannets on the way back and a Sparrowhawk was over the airfield.

We went straight to Hayle but unfortunately the long-staying Least Sandpiper went AWOL for about five hours so we missed it. Naturally it came on the pager once we were north of Indian Queens. The long-staying Spotted Sandpiper however was much more obliging showing well in a ditch near the Quay House Inn (pic below). Also at Hayle we had three Little Egrets, six Dunlin, four Oystercatchers, a Bar-tailed Godwit, six Redshanks and a White Wagtail. The journey home was fast and uneventful, many thanks to Richard, not only for driving but for asking me along in the first place. Thanks too to all the other guys for providing such great company for the week. I can't wait till next year.