Scilly Season Day 2 – Storm Brian & a funny Snipe

View left from our house

View right from our house

Morning march north

Squire on jellyfish duty

Port Hellick beach for the American Golden Plover

American Golden Plover

American Golden Plover

Leach's Petrel

Portugese Man o War Jellyfish

Local signage

Wilson's Snipe

Possible Siberian Oystercatcher 

Evening meal watching the Saints

With gale force winds and rain forecast to hit St Mary's in the early hours and stay all day we were surprised to find the wind was the only hindrance as we set off after breakfast.

The day’s plan would be to head to the east side of the island and try and make use of any cover available

A quick check for the previous weeks Corncrake was unsuccessful as we edged round the bay to High Moors. From the first hide we recorded our first Scilly Moorhen & Teal (3) before moving down the boardwalk to the Seaward hide where the reported Wilson Snipe was showing very well. We got a quick glimpse of the under wing as the bird preened before feeding. Certainly not one for us to decide it’s credence. To the right of the hide a Firecrest was calling and showed well whilst I was trying to get a record shot of the Snipe.

From there it was on to the beach which was a stunning bay which a superb collection of waders including 5 Greenshank, 20+ Ringed Plover, Turnstone and my second only American Golden Plover. The views were quite distant when we first refound it but we edged round the bay to get some fantastic views.

Also on the beach were 15-20 Portugese Man O'War's, despite its appearance they are not actually jellyfish but a marine animal called siphonphores. The venom from it's tentacles is used to paralyse its prey, normally small fish. They had deliver a nasty sting for humans so we kept our distance.

With an early report of a Leach’s Petrel we then headed towards the quay where we set up to observe any passage between St Mary’s & St Agnes. After about thirty minutes the Squire found his next lifer, “Leach’s” was the call enabling everyone in our small group to get on the bird. The bird stayed on view for around five minutes before edging round the headland.

After a quick break we were back out and marching to Porthloo. The wind seemed particular fierce with the sand granules feeling like tiny bullets on your face. Our target bird was a reported Siberian Oystercatcher we thankfully picked out quickly. More of a dull brown than black with longer legs & a beak it made of an interesting session of birding.

We didn’t add anything extra as we past through Lower Moors as we headed back to the digs. After a quick shower I headed out to the pub early to watch the Saints beat the Albion thanks a Boufal wonder goal.  A lifer and a Saints win…….if Carling did Saturdays……..