Scillies - Day 2 - Grey-cheeked Thrush on St Agnes

 Grey-cheeked Thrush hiding (Simon J Slade)

Grey Cheeked Thrush (File image)

Behind the boat shed at Covean 

Captured in action by RH

Squire on the lookout

Chiffchaff

St Agnes

Troytown Icecream

Stunning St Agnes

One-eared Cat

Red-backed Shrike

Great Shrike Habitat

Close up shot of Shrike

Shrike observers

Afternoon tea

On the march round St Agnes

Turnstone

Sanderling

Sunset in Hughtown

Little Bunting

Daily Stonechat photo

This video was taken on 29th October at Little Porth, St Marys. Thought to be the same bird seen on St Agnes

Scilly isn’t a place where many birders are up early which takes a bit of getting used to. We took full advantage of this fact by heading down the very tight viewing spot close to the house to record a Little Bunting come out of roost and show quite nicely.

From here we headed round to Porthmellon where there were a lovely selection of waders including 13 Sanderling, 7 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 13 Turnstone, 20+ Oystercatcher & a Curlew. A Grey Wagtail went on the trip list after flying over our heads calling as we watched two Greenfinch. Upon reaching Old Town, there were 2 Black Redstarts & the Merlin again.

At this point we decided to chance our arm and head to St Agnes where a Grey-cheeked Thrush had been observed very briefly over the last few days. Roland had missed it by seconds the day before so he joined myself, the Squire & Jake from the house.

We exited sharply from the boat to get prime position in a very tight path at Covean.  Deep down I though chances would be slim but given the chance then why not try and see this Catharus Thrush. Roland mentioned to consider the bird might not be on the ground and this advice proved to be exactly what we needed as the Grey-cheeked Thrush flew in from our left, then landing in two separate places before going lower and slipping out of view into the darkness. Five of us saw the bird from different angles and confirmed it’s dull ID. We hung around for another hour hoping for another view but there wasn’t anymore sightings until late afternoon. The Scillies hold half of all accepted records in the UK for this species. 

As we left the area we watched yet another two Yellow-browned Warbler showing nicely. My camera didn’t even come out of the bag as the light down this path was so dark. As we reached the top of the patch and turned into Hightown we watch a couple of Chiffchaffs but there was another call which made is wait and investigate further. Then a Melodious Warbler come up in front of us, wow ! At first we thought it looked like an Icterine but checking the ID it was clear it was a Melodious & could well have been the one from the previous day at St Mary’s. We were bouncing at this stage so celebrated with a St Agnes Ice cream.

Nice sightings continued with Stonechat, Whinchat, more Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, Sparrowhawk & a Kestrel. Then the Red-backed Shrike was reported so we charged back past Coastguards where we found the Red-backed Shrike sitting up and showing very well. This was only my third Red-backed Shrike and best views ever.

We did have a comedy moment when I waited for the Squire in be in the throws of using the toilet to then call out "Rosy on roof now" I've never seen him move so quick out the door only to find me rolling with laughter around the cafe patio. Squires language can't be repeated. 

The Squire did bag the said juvenile Rose-coloured Starling on the way to the returning boat and we wrapped the day up with scoping a Great White & Little Egret on Tresco from the house.

After a huge roast dinner we retreated for an early night. A great Scilly day.