Isles of Scilly - Day 5 - Love a Firecrest !

Firecrest

Firecrest

Yet another stunning view

Old Town Church yard

My only cake & coffee breal of the week

Ring Ouzel

Black Redstart

Flight home over Cornwall

Bush Cricket

As it turned out, this would be my last full day as I needed to return home earlier than scheduled. The best bird reported on St Marys was an American Buff-bellied Pipit. I'd tried the area a few times on my walks but we tried again as a group. Whilst we were confident we heard it fly over, we just couldn't find it on the ground despite a lot of searching. We did find two Black Redstarts, 5 Skylark, 30 Meadow Pipt and a cracking male Ring Ouzel.

I decided to try again for the Firecrests at Careg Du Gardens. I love Firecrests and it varies year on year how many you see. The good news was I'd seen them the day before, so I knew I just needed to find the right spot and wait. Although it was windy, you could still hear them, making it fairly easy. Getting a couple of record shots did take a bit longer but I really enjoyed watching this stunning species at close quarters.

Many thanks to my housemates and all the other birders who made it an enjoyable break. 52 weeks to go.

Scillies - Day 7 - Black Redstart watching

Glossy Ibis

Rock Pipt

On the way back to the digs

A bit wet Mick?

Stonechat

Speckled underwing moth

I do love a Black Redstart

The quietest day of the trip so far and although the boats were running we weren't tempted by island hopping with the sea looking very lively.

The continuation of the westerlies meant there were very few migrants to be seen across the island. Two lengthy walks either side of lunch resulted in very little bar a Yellow-browed, Greenshank, Little Egret, Black Redstart whilst I had a couple of Kittiwakes sail past when I was up at Peninnis Head.

I spent a quiet hour in Holy Vale watching three Black Redstarts going about their business, always very enjoyable. 

Probably the biggest rarity of the day was the Glossy Ibis that we finally managed to see off Green Lane. It proved a difficult bird to catch up with as it was so mobile.

Our group evening meal at the Atlantic was brought forward 24 hours due to the bad weather forecast for Saturday meaning Paul, Adam & Brad were departing early.

Scillies - Day 5 - Lesser Yellowlegs on Tresco

Lesser Yellowlegs

Third yank of the trip

Distance made photography very tricky

View of Tresco from Bryher

Plenty of interest in the boats

I do love this image taken at Old Grimbsy

First sight on Tresco

Rough ride back for the Squire

Quick snack

Dolphin House

Awaiting our invite for morning coffee

                                                Tresco Gardens

                                           View from Wreck Cafe

Stunning scenery on Tresco

Waiting for boat

A bit of variety today with a trip across to Tresco & Brhyer. A Lesser Yellowlegs on the Abbey Pool was a Scilly first for us all as was a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Two Black Redstarts skirted the quay on Tresco when I captured some very pleasing Black Redstart images after a lovely lunch at the New Inn just down the path from Dolphin House where Prince William & Kate were holidaying.

Other sightings included a Great Northern Diver, Teal, Black Swans, Merlin, Buzzard, Kingfisher, Mediterranean Gull, Kittiwake, Common Gull & Grey Phalarope.

Black Redstart returns to Studley

Black Redstart

Little Owl

 Pied Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

After returning home from the pits for some lunch I needed to drop the lads at basketball. With the weather looking much improved from the morning I thought I'd make the most of the light and just check a few of my local haunts. 

A couple of Wagtails looked stunning on a farm roof whilst my regular Little Owl was also enjoying the afternoon sunshine. 

As I was around Studley I thought I'd just check the garages where the Black Redstart wintered last year. To my surprise she was sat in exactly the same place as last year catching flies.  If you are going please respect the residents. Quite a day.......  

Scillies - Day 6 - Early depature needed

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Oystercatchers

Blyth's Reed Warbler (Whats App Group)

Whooper Swan

Tresco from the air

St Marys from the air

It always interesting to note how birds just appear on the islands. Reaching Portcressa there were four Black Redstarts whilst on all my previous days on islands I hadn't seen one.

A Whooper Swan had appeared at Porthloo which was in the bay close to the beach where the Oystercatchers were feeding.  I picked up a present in the town for Mrs D before waiting for the taxi to the airport. We swung past the recently found Blyth's Reed Warbler, found by Adam, before being dropped off. 

I'd never flown on this service before and I must say I'd highly reccomend it. The 14 minute flight gave me great views of the islands, upon landing my transfer to Penzance was waiting for me. Top class service. I'd certainly consider this in the future. 

Another great break on the Scillies in great company for a very reasonable price.  Many thanks to house captain Paul Freestone for his continued hospitality.