ISLES OF SCILLY

October 2007

by Mike King

 

Sat 13th October 2007

Quedgeley, GLOS to St Mary’s, ISLES OF SCILLY via Nanquidno, CORNWALL with Andy Lodge and Colin Oram

Weather: Cloudy and cool becoming sunny later

 

Finally my holiday in Scilly had arrived after weeks of anticipation. Colin Oram and Andy Lodge picked me up at 3am and we headed off south down the motorway in almost traffic free conditions. Many thanks to Colin for going out of his way to get us. We decided to start at the Nanquidno valley in Cornwall where a RADDE’S WARBLER had been found. This would be a lifer for all three of us. On arriving there at around 7:30am we found a small group of birders at the bottom of the valley, but no bird as yet. Two Chough flew over, the first I have seen in England. At 8:20am an unusual churring call alerted Colin and I both to the same bird, which was in the back of the garden we were viewing. It was the RADDE’S WARBLER and it showed very well alongside a Wren. We got Andy on to it straight away and we all had good views of this elusive warbler. Also of note here were two Ravens, a Grey Wagtail and two Stonechats. Well pleased with this, we headed back to Penzance for the now traditional Full Monty in Tesco. Then with final shopping done we drove the short distance to the heliport for our 11am chopper to St Mary’s.

In less than an hour from take-off we were installed in our base for the week overlooking Town Beach in Hugh Town. As I had made all the arrangements for the flat I blagged the room with the sea view. View from our living room below.

First notable birds were a flock of 40 Turnstones right under our window. We dumped our bags gathered up our birding kit and were out on the trail of a BLACKPOLL WARBLER, which would be new for all of us.

We walked towards Lower Moors, the location of the warbler, via Holy Vale. We had 6+ Siskins here and discovered that there had been an influx of well over a 1000 birds into the islands and we barely went anywhere for the next week without seeing some. Also here we had our first Clouded Yellow butterfly.

Arriving at Lower Moors we found a crowd of birders, including Paul Taylor, the other member of our four-man crew, but no bird. We sat on the boardwalk for a long while and I eventually found a Firecrest. After a couple of hours the BLACKPOLL WARBLER finally gave itself up, giving excellent views in trees beside the road. When we had all appreciated this cracking Yank wood-warbler we headed off up Kitty Down towards Carn Vean, seeing another 16 Siskins on the way. At Carn Vean we located the juvenile Woodchat Shrike within seconds and had brilliant views as it fed along a bramble hedge. A Redstart was here also. Woodchat pic below.

We walked back to the flat and went through the more mundane tasks of unpacking, shopping for supplies and preparing a meal after an excellent start to the week. In the evening I went to the Scillonian club and enjoyed watching England dump France out of the Rugby World Cup in the company of fellow Gloucester birder, Mark Dowie.

 

Sun 14th October 2007

Bryher and St Mary’s, ISLES OF SCILLY

Weather: Cloudy and mild with light southerlies

 

Today I went to Bryher with Andy and Colin. Our target was the BLYTH’S REED WARBLER that was present here. Although I had seen a Reed Warbler sp which was almost certainly this species in Finland in 2005 I hadn’t ticked it. On the approach to Bryher 18 Little Egrets were on the rocks. I chatted with a birder who had been over the previous day as we walked across Green Bay and he told us the best vantage point to be in. As it happens he was spot on because we got up on a raised bank and were in the perfect spot when the BLYTH’S REED WARBLER eventually showed well at 11:20am for a couple of minutes. It was flycatching in the corner of the area in front of us in a Pittisporum hedge. Whilst we were waiting 30 Siskins and 23 Redwings flew over, four Stonechats were around, a Lesser Whitethroat skulked in the bracken, a Greenshank was in the bay behind us and a Water Rail called unseen. After the BRW had shown Andy and Colin set off around the island, but I stayed on hoping for more views but it didn’t show well again. Four Knot and a Grey Plover flew into the bay whilst I waited and an Osprey gave an excellent display with a wonderful plunge into the sea after a fish, but failing to catch one. BRW twitch left.

Eventually I set off after the boys and arrived at the Lapland Bunting that was showing down to just a few feet at Great Porth. It came too close to digiscope and eventually I just took a few handheld shots.

       

Nearby the resident Hooded Crow and its Carrion Crow mate fed in the bay with two hybrid young, one very dark and one closer to the Hoodie in colouration. I carried on round towards the boat pick-up point seeing an almost pure albino Collared Dove with a normal one at Timmy's Hill (pic below). I then found Andy and Colin birding hard in the café! News of a Rustic Bunting on St Mary’s came on the pager so we caught the early boat back.

Arriving at the quay on St Mary’s there was negative news on the bunting so we decided to pick up a few supplies and then to head up to The Garrison where a second Blackpoll Warbler was in residence. We had almost reached the top of the hill when the bunting came back on so we dropped back down into the town and caught a taxi up to Pungies Lane near Telegraph.

Here we met Richard’s crew and Paul was with them. Viewing was awkward because of the high hedgerow and the fact that the birds were feeding in crops. Eventually the RUSTIC BUNTING flew up out of the crops with Chaffinches and obligingly perched on the back hedge in full view for a few minutes so everyone gained good views. It was a British tick for me, having previously seen a male in Finland in 2005. We then made the long walk back home, seeing both Black Redstart and Wheatear at Porthloo beach.

 

Mon 15th October 2007

St Mary’s, ISLES OF SCILLY

Weather: Sunny and warm, drizzle with fresh SW winds late on

 

Today we spent the day on St Mary’s to catch up with a few species and a potential British tick for me. I set off after breakfast with Andy and Colin for Lower Moors. A WILSON’S SNIPE was here and is potentially about to be elevated to full species status. I had already seen five this year at Gilbert Water Ranch in Arizona, but I didn’t really look hard at them. I have also seen them in Florida. This bird showed well in the company of five Common Snipe and appeared to be a much colder, greyer looking bird with a habit of spreading it’s ginger tail feathers and performing a strange little hop every so often. Two Greenshanks and eight Swallows were also here.

Andy and Colin decided to head off to the airfield and I was going back to the flat to help Paul look for our mislaid key, which turned out to be fortuitous. As I reached Porthmellon Paul rang to say he had found the key so I decided to cut through to the airfield past the Incinerator. As I arrived there five birders had just that moment found a superbly obliging Little Bunting which was showing brilliantly on a small ploughed garden, no weeds to hide amongst here. I watched it for a while and rang the news around the boys. Richard and Stuart arrived at a brisk walk and as soon as they were on it I carried on to the airfield.

Arriving at the airfield I met up with Andy and Colin and Steve Owen. The Lapland Bunting was showing, although not as well as the Bryher bird, and within a few minutes of my arrival the Short-toed Lark was found near the windsock. Also here was a Wheatear and a couple of Clouded Yellow butterflies. Together with Steve we retired to Tolman’s café and enjoyed coffee and cake in the sunshine.

After coffee I sent Andy and Colin off in search of the Little Bunting whilst I checked out Old Town churchyard. Whilst it was pleasant and restful there were few birds to be seen. News came on the pager that a Grey-cheeked Thrush that was in the area had been relocated at Porthloo Lane. I headed off in that direction via Lower Moors, ticking off an obliging Jack Snipe on the way. At Porthloo Lane I met up with Paul, Andy and Colin amongst a large crowd of birders, but no bird. We were told it had flown into the base of the bush directly in front of us and had not reappeared. After an hour and three-quarters of waiting we were about to give up when the Grey-cheeked Thrush popped up right in front of us. It perched for a few seconds before flying around the bush twice, showing its white underwings and then flew rapidly up the lane and through the hedge, and that was that. I was really glad the previous one I had seen in Potters Bar had been far more obliging.

Andy, Colin and I headed back to the flat where we grabbed a quick bite to eat and “garden” ticked the Osprey out over the sea flying towards Lower Moors. Also a Greenshank flew over the bay.

We decided to walk up to The Garrison where we found people had been waiting for up to three hours for the Blackpoll Warbler. However as soon as we arrived it showed well in a Leylandii before flying down into some Geraniums. Within a few minutes though a report of a Lesser Yellowlegs at Porth Hellick pool came on the pager. We decided to head off in that direction and try our luck. When we arrived in the hide there were only two birders there including the one that found it. It had only touched down for just three minutes. We decided to stay anyway hoping that it would return but it didn’t. There wasn’t much else here but we heard a couple of Water Rails and saw another in flight, there was also three Greenshanks and a Redshank and 20 Siskins flew over. In the bay a Kingfisher was fishing and 20+ Ringed Plovers were notable. The weather had started to turn for the worse so we began the long walk back home via Giants Castle where we saw three Wheatears and four Gannets and a Raven was over Church Point.

 

Tue 16th October 2007

St Mary’s, ISLES OF SCILLY

Weather: Rain all day after 9am

 

Today was almost a total write-off after 9am because it rained almost unrelentingly all day. First thing Colin, Andy and I decided to walk the circular path around The Garrison. There was no sign of the Blackpoll, but because of last night’s drizzle and the front that was moving through we were hopeful of a find. Well, it was false hope, the only bird that looked remotely new in was a Wheatear and a very grey juvenile Siskin with nice bright wingbars gave brief hope to it being something good creeping around in the bracken. Other birds included 17 Siskins, seven Stonechats, a good count of 21 Song Thrushes and 35 Gannets were offshore.

Then the rain came as we got went back to the flat. We waited for a while and did a few chores until it looked like it was improving. A second Little Bunting had been found on Peninnis so when the break came we decided to head for there. At Porthcressa we had a Black Redstart, a male Stonechat, a couple of Swallows and a Grey Seal. Then the heavens opened again so we retreated to the beach shelter, unluckily for Paul he was already on Peninnis so got even wetter than us and didn’t see the bird. We went back to the flat and dried our clothes for a second time. After lunch another break came and we actually got up on to Peninnis. It really wasn’t worth it with the only notable birds being two Grey Wagtails, a Wheatear, three Stonechats, two Siskins and a Redwing. Then the rain hit again, soaked us through for a third time and we gave up and went home.

 

Wed 17th October 2007

Tresco and St Mary’s, ISLES OF SCILLY

Weather: Sunny and warm but with a cold N wind

 

This morning the three of us headed up to The Garrison again. Again there was no sign of the Blackpoll and there was also no sign of any migrants to speak of. Our haul by the time we reached Lower Broome platform was a solitary Chiffchaff. On reaching here we met Steve Owen who told us a possible Hippolais warbler had been seen. We eventually got onto the bird but views were into the sun and not as good as could have been. Paul and Richard arrived and a crowd assembled and various suggestions were mooted ranging from Booted to Olivaceous Warbler. Eventually however the bird was deemed by some expert opinion to be a Garden Warbler. It wasn’t an opinion we or many others agreed with because at no point in the early deliberations was Garden Warbler mentioned. Now that may have been the Scilly effect of expecting something good, but to us it just wasn’t structurally like a Garden Warbler, the fine bill being an obvious odd feature. Unfortunately as soon as Garden Warbler went on the pager the crowd dispersed, interest was lost and to my knowledge no photos were taken. It was an interesting bird though and provoked a lot of debate.

Colin and I caught the first boat out to Tresco where a Blyth’s Pipit was at Old Grimsby. Paul and Andy had gone yesterday in the rain late in the day. On the crossing we had five Common Scoters and a Great Northern Diver and five Little Egrets were on rocks near to Tresco. The boat actually put in to Old Grimsby, which was unusual as it usually went into Carn Near (never Near to anywhere) or New Grimsby. Therefore our walk to the bird took two minutes and then ten minutes to find it and soon we were having excellent views. This was my second Blyth’s Pipit, my first being at Portland in 1994 when they were less regularly identified and were a bit of a mythical species, and it was a tick for Colin. A Black Redstart, a Stonechat, a Chiffchaff and a Small Copper was also here. Once we were happy with our views we walked towards the Great Pool stopping at the shop to buy lunch. A Red-legged Partridge was on the approach to the pool along with yet another flock of 30 Siskins. We went into the hide and noted 15 Greenshanks, 12 Redshanks, a female Pintail and a female Tufted Duck, a good Scilly bird. I had decided to catch the early boat back to Mary’s but Colin had decided to stay on.

I began the very long walk to Carn Near and had to step it out to make the boat. I only just made it as the last couple of passengers were boarding, one of whom was Steve Owen. The pager suddenly announced Radde’s Warbler at Rowesfield, so having only seen one before, and that the one this week, Steve and I went back up the jetty and headed for Rowesfield. Initially it looked to be an impossible task as there was masses of cover and dozens of birders. I met up with Colin and we encircled the general area where it had vanished into. Then it was spotted and the three of us were in good positions to gain nice views of it perched atop a Rhododendron bush albeit briefly. It was calling and we saw it a couple more times before Colin and I headed off towards Great Pool.

Along the track between David Hunt hide and Swarovski hide we had a male Blackcap and a Yellow-browed Warbler in the poolside willows. At about 2:30pm I saw a Phylloscopus sp in the tangle of willows and other vegetation on the left hand side of the path. I pointed it out to Colin and we began to watch it closely. At this point I did not know what species it was. In most respects it looked like a Willow Warbler but its colouration (or lack of it) was not right. The first feature, which immediately registered, was its bubblegum pink legs, closely followed by a prominent pale supercilium extending behind the eye. The birds overall colouration was very grey-brown above with pale whitish underparts. It had a prominent pale alula. It had a long primary projection in common with trochilus Willow Warblers. I could not detect any green or yellow tones in its plumage at all. It had a dark eye and a greyish bill. It flitted actively amongst the branches showing very well. It did not call. We were eventually joined by four other birders who were equally bemused – between us we ruled out most Phylloscs, including Arctic Warbler (just not right) and Dusky Warbler, which was also suggested. They left without coming to any strong conclusion but acredula-type Willow Warbler was discussed as a strong possibility. I didn’t call it in on the CB, which I now regret, because everyone except the lucky few were still searching for the Radde’s and we had all suffered the mystery warbler on The Garrison that morning. That evening when we got home I opened Collins Bird Guide looked up Willow Warbler and the picture of Northern Willow Warbler there strongly matched the bird we had seen.

After the second mystery warbler of the day we headed back to Carn Near for the next boat, pausing only to check a field of c100 Chaffinches, both Brambling and Redpoll had been claimed but we saw neither. Here we met up with Steve again.

A male Red-breasted Flycatcher had been found at Newford duck pond so as soon as we landed at Hugh Town I rang for a taxi and Steve broke the habit of a lifetime and joined us. The taxi driver informed us that the real name for the duck ponds was Argy Moor pools. It took a while to connect with the bird but it was in beautiful colour and worth the journey. Also here we had another Yellow-browed Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, a Grey Wagtail and 15 Siskins.

Colin and I began the long walk back home in lovely evening sunshine. At Pungies Lane we had 16 Fieldfares, our first of the autumn, a Black Redstart and three Red-legged Partridges. At Porthloo there were three Curlews, nine Sanderlings, seven Oystercatchers and a Turnstone on the beach. At Porthmellon very kind birder allowed us to look through his scope to see a distant Short-eared Owl sat on a wall up on Telegraph. A very successful day, the perfect antidote to yesterday’s rain.

 

Thu 18th October 2007

Gugh, St Agnes and St Mary’s, ISLES OF SCILLY

Weather: Sunny and warm

 

Today we went up onto The Garrison before the first boat out to St Agnes. The best birds were an adult near-summer plumaged Great Northern Diver off of Porthcressa, the Blackpoll Warbler again briefly and two Fieldfares.

Two Rock Pipits were at the quay when we caught the boat. Today both Richard’s crew and us were on board for the visit to St Agnes.

On arrival we walked across the bar to Gugh. The very first bird to drop down on the house lawn in front of me was a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling. So that was Gugh’s rarity ticked off within minutes, it flew down onto the rocks at the water’s edge where it was perfectly camouflaged. We encircled the island with all of us checking for anymore hidden gems. However all we turned up was a Raven, a Fieldfare, three Stonechats, six Swallows, two Ringed Plovers and a Whimbrel.

We returned to St Agnes and headed for The Parsonage. Here we very quickly found two of possibly three Yellow-browed Warblers as well as three Chiffchaffs and three Siskins. We encircled the island in small groups and found a few notable birds including four Sanderlings, a Greenshank, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Wheatear as well as a Clouded Yellow butterfly. Eventually we all arrived back at The Turk’s Head for lunch. Whilst sat in the sun two Grey Wagtails flew over and a Merlin zipped across the water and up over the top of Gugh.

As it was quiet some of us returned to St Mary’s after lunch and others stayed. Those that stayed got Dartford Warbler and Ring Ouzel. I opted to go back with Colin and Andy as a flock of six Woodlarks were kicking around near Telegraph. Again we got a taxi back from the boat but this time we missed the birds. We spent the remainder of the afternoon mooching around Bar Point, Telegraph and Newford. Highlights included 30 Siskins, a Greenshank and two Little Egrets at Bar Point and two Black Redstarts, 100 Siskins and a close encounter with the Short-eared Owl at Telegraph.

Returning home a the end of the afternoon there were now 11 Sanderlings, 11 Turnstones and two Ringed Plovers on Porthloo beach, 18 Turnstones at Porthmellon and a Black Redstart was right on the doorstep of Harbour Lights as we arrived home.  

In the evening it was good to meet up with Martin and Marshy and stage an amateur (on-lookers would say, very amateur) pool tournament in The Bishop and Wolf.

 

Fri 19th October 2007

St Mary’s, ISLES OF SCILLY

Weather: Sunny and warm with a cold SE wind

 

Today the four of us decided to remain on St Mary’s and see what we could find. During the day we more or less encircled the whole island. We started off in the direction of Peninnis. At Porthcressa seven Fieldfares flew over with three Redwings and two Stonechats were also there. Skirting along the edge of the allotments Paul found the only Whinchat of the holiday and we also had 6+ Swallows through and three Siskins. In the weedy field at the end of Peninnis there was a male Brambling, which was most elusive, a Wheatear, a Redstart and another seven Siskins. 200+ Gannets were fishing off of St Agnes but that was nothing compared with what was to come.

We descended down to Old Town Church and on the coastal path we found two superb Firecrests, which gave views down to just a few feet. Another seven Fieldfares were here. In the churchyard itself we found another Firecrest and two Ravens, a Sparrowhawk and 37 Fieldfares went over. There had obviously been a big overnight arrival of Fieldfares because they were being seen everywhere. We met up with Richard’s crew and Colin decided to join them for the day.

The three of us walked through Lower Moors, where we had two more Firecrests, to Porthloo. At Porthloo we saw 22 Sanderlings, 12 Ringed Plovers, a Black Redstart, two Rock Pipits and two Grey Wagtails. Then we carried on up over the golf course where there was a single Wheatear and 20 more Siskins.

Descending through Innisidgen to Bar Point we had yet more Siskins (20+) and the first Clouded Yellow butterfly of the day. Bar Point was quiet with only a few commoner waders, the best of which was a Whimbrel. We reached Watermill Cove where there were another 15 Fieldfares including one completely exhausted bird sat by the path. Three Rock Pipits were on the beach.

As we reached Pelistry we became aware of a massive flock of at least 1000 Gannets fishing off shore and below the mass were c100 Common Dolphins tearing about and breaching often. There were also 30 Kittiwakes and a Grey Seal. We enjoyed this fabulous wildlife spectacle for quite a while and the whole flock began to move along the coast towards Porth Hellick presumably following the fish.

When we and the flock were off Mount Todden Battery Paul picked up a Great Skua in flight and it landed in the midst of all the action sat on the water. As we reached Normandy there were 40 Fieldfares and at Porth Hellick Down there were 60 more. By now we hadn’t eaten for about eight hours so we decided to head back to Porthmellon and buy some food. We walked across Porth Hellick beach and along Salakee Lane and as we emerged onto the main road we met Richard’s crew. After exchanging news we headed for the shop but before we got there Richard radioed up to say they had found a Richard’s Pipit near Longstones. Andy needed it so we retraced our steps and joined the gathering throng at Longstones where we quickly connected with the Richard’s Pipit amongst a flock of about 20 Meadow Pipits. We left and headed back for the shop but then news came through of a few Woodlarks, another bird Andy needed, along the lane towards Salakee. We turned back again and found the spot with plenty of birders but no Woodlarks and no firm news on where they had reportedly been. Leaving for a third time we almost made it when news of a Red-breasted Flycatcher came on at Carreg Dhu Gardens. So deciding we all needed to lose some weight anyway we turned back and had excellent views of it in the Gardens. Finally we made it to Porthmellon Stores, who at this end of the day had no hot food left, never mind a Pork Pie had never tasted so good. Further news filtered through of a Radde’s Warbler at Porth Hellick pool, as Andy and I had seen Radde’s Warbler this week and coupled with the fact we were on our knees, we headed home. Paul went back for it but it was never seen again so our decision looked like a good one. The Black Redstart was back on the doorstep of Harbour Lights as we arrived home again.

 

Sat 20th October 2007

St Mary’s, ISLES OF SCILLY

Weather: Sunny and warm but cloudy and cool on the mainland

 

The last day of the holiday so we were up early. After we had packed and cleaned the flat we left our bags and went out birding for the last time. Our usual wander around The Garrison again proved to be not very fruitful the only notables being a Chiffchaff, a Wheatear, three Stonechats, a Grey Seal and 200+ Gannets off of Annet.

We walked down to Porthmellon Stores to buy some breakfast, seeing a Black Redstart on the way. As it had gone quiet we decided to get the bus to the airport and get off early. Whilst we waited for the bus six unidentified larks flew towards Peninnis but didn’t call and as the bus arrived a Merlin flew over.

On arrival at the airport it seemed other birders had the same idea so we were going nowhere until our scheduled early afternoon flight. We decided to walk down to Lower Moors (pic below) and try our luck. We had five Snipe, a Greenshank, ten Fieldfares and six Redwings, six Swallows and finally a superb Firecrest, a real gem at close range.

We returned to the airport and got our flight off. I counted 130+ Gannets on the crossing back to Penzance. As soon as we landed we noticed the lack of sunshine and the drop in temperature. The pager bleeped announcing a Pallas’s Warbler at Porth Hellick, but too late for us, and also an American Golden Plover near Shortlanesend, which was en route home.

We soon arrived at the site and amongst the flock of about 300 Golden Plovers, Colin found the American Golden Plover, a very nice bird to finish the week with and a final tick for Andy. The journey home went very quickly with nine Buzzards and three Roe Deer seen on the way. Another brilliant week on the Scillies had ended.  

© Mike King 2007

The Gloster Birder www.birder.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk