Scillies - Day 3 - Red-eyed Vireo on Bryher & morning bonus

Red-eyed Vireo (Simon J Slade)

Vireo Hangout

Great White Egret past us on return

Happy twitchers

Vireo twitch in full swing

An amazing Long-eared Owl

Peeking Owl watching us closely

Sunset over Portcressa

The Scillies had a decent amount of overnight rain which also brought a significant change in the wind speed. From being t-shirt weather the day before, it was a case of bunging on the layers as we left for our pre-breakfast walk.

Our target bird was a Dusky Warbler however just as we landed a Long-eared Owl had been discovered just a hundred yards from where we were looking for the Dusky Warbler. The Owl was perched in the willows just 12 feet from the boardwalk giving amazing views. The Owl had picked his roost spot well as there was little chance of anyone getting close because of the natural barrier of the undergrowth.  This was a stunning bird to see at close quarters. What an amazing start to the day.

After a quick breakfast & coffee we headed down to the Quay to get the packed boat to Bryher, which would be our first trip to the island. The crossing was quite rough but the skipper just took his time to get us there safely.

The target was a Red-eyed Vireo which had been present for two days and we were hopeful that the previous nights weather might have done us a favour in keeping the bird grounded.  This theory proved correct as after about twenty minutes the Vireo was picked up by a birder high then flew to a central location before dropping out of view. Whilst over the moon with the view I wanted to see more of the bird so spent a good deal of time searching for it, seeing it in flight another twice.

I then returned to what seemed to be it’s favoured area by the tennis courts. My patience was extremely tested as I didn’t get another sighting for over an hour. Then it did return to get me the views I really wanted of this seriously smart individual.  The bird was olive green above and white below, dark through the eyes and a white stripe above, grey legs & a stout bill. This species breed in the wooded areas in Canada & America. This particularly bird was caught out by the strong westerlies on its migration to South America.

We recorded a Reed Bunting before the journey back & the Great White Egret was observed in flight on the boat back to St Marys. After a quick cuppa it was straight back out and up to Lower Moors where we saw the Long-eared Owl again, heard a Water Rail and then I picked up the Dusky Warbler that had gone quiet for a period of time.

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. 

Scillies - Day 1 - Scillonian & St Marys

Here we come

St Micheal Mount

Eider in Penzanze Harbour

Touch down St Marys

View from the digs

St Marys Merlin

Yellow-browed Warblers wasn't calling on first two days but were for rest of week

Harold Wilsons Grave

Stonechat

Lower Moors at dusk

We started the day by meeting up with Paul, Adam, Brad and Jake before heading down to Penzanze to get the Scillionian out to St Marys. A drake Eider was feeding in harbour giving us an easy year tick.

There was a swell on the crossing but I felt surprisingly well. Sightings from the boat included a Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Skua, passage of Razorbills & Guillimots, 25+ Great Shearwater, a Sooty Shearwater & groups of huge Atlantic Bluefin Tuna.

Red Kite & Merlin were quickly bagged within the first fifteen minutes on the island, both I’d not seen there before. We then tried the Garrison followed by Lower Moors for an extended walk dipping a Melodious Warbler but recording 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Fieldfare, a Cetti’s Warbler & a Snipe.

Land's End Grey Catbird

Grey Catbird (Dave Soons)

First view of Grey Catbird

Fancy seeing your here. Chris Lane has arrived.

Grey Catbird

Plenty of interested parties including locals

Growing crowd

Catbird habitat

Porthgwarra

Only one snack to have in Cornwall

Black Redstart

Cliff top scenes

Chris looking for evening boozers

Porthgwarra cliffs

After being found on the 15^th October would the UK’s second recorded Grey Catbird stick until we headed down on the Friday before our pilgrimage to Scilly ? Every morning I checked the news and how often it was seen. We were 2 hours of traffic free M5 cruising then it was confirmed the bird was still present on Treeve Moor, just a stones throw from Lands end.

We arrived just after 10.30am and there were around thirty cars and fifty birders present.  There were several Stonechats and a Whinchat present as we waited for the star act. Fellow pitter, Chris Lane, popped up out of no where having travelled down the day before on public transport, so spent the rest of the day with us.

Chris recommended we switch sides which proved to be a great decision as we had only heard the call since arriving. Setting ourselves up again in this new position gave us an instant return as the Catbird popped up above the willows. Identification was instant as the views were excellent. We even managed to the see the birds dark red vent when perched above nettles on the far side.

The only other previous validated observation of a Grey Catbird was on Anglesey in October 2001 which spent most it's time hiding in thick gorse. 

After we all agreed we were happy with the Catbird sightings we wandered down to Lands End as had not actually been to the site before.

We then headed to Porthgwarra & following a traditional pasty & tea we headed up to the cliffs. The sea was quiet but Gannets, a Mediterranean Gull, Great Black-backed , 2 Common Scoter, a Kittiwake, Common & Bottle-nose Dolphins & Harbour Porpoises.

The cliffs had a Black Redstart, (another two at the Doctors house), Wheatear, Rock & Meadow Pipits and a fantastic Chough which we were all pleased with.

A final stop was Drift Reservoir where we added a single Ring-necked Duck to the trip list before retreating to the hotel for a cheeky pint to celebrate the days successes.