Monday 1 November 2021

Scillies - Day 1 - Opening day pilgrimage

Great Northern Diver (Watermill Cove)

     Over 140 Grey Seal (Godrevy)
    Grey Seal close up
Water Pipit
Black Redstart

My annual pilgrimage to the Isles of Scilly had finally come around. It's always one of my favourite weeks, it never fails to throw up some great birds and the coastlines are a total pleasure to walk around.

I headed down south on Friday and did some birding around Hayle & Godrevy before meeting up with Paul, Heather & Adam. A lovely meal & glass of wine was perfect before getting an early night as we had an early flight from Land's End. 

It was great the wind was minimal and visability good, the flight took around 15 minutes and we were at our accomodation within another 10 minutes. Paul & myself did a whiz around the co-op to get some essentials then we were out birding for the day. 

I decided to walk towards Telegraph then edge down to the coves before walking back along the coast. En route we stopped at the old chicken field as there seemed to be a lot of activity around the hedgerows. When viewing from the gate, the field was full of birds feeding. Flocks of Redwing, Chaffinch, Siskin, Meadow Pipits and 4 Black Redstart and two Water Pipit. The Black Reds & Water Pipits were both new for the year. 

On reaching the coast, it was low tide so didn't have any luck with reported Spotted Sandpiper. A summer plumage Great Northern Diver sat out between St Marys & St Martins. There seemed to be good numbers of active birds on my costal circuit and it certainly gave hope for a good week ahead.

I cooked a Thai Green Curry with green beans on our opening night which seemed to go down well with everyone.

 

No comments:

Post a Comment