Birding and other distractions

News came through about 8 a.m. that the Rufous Bush Chat had been seen again at Stiffkey, so drove up then. The bird was present on the saltmarsh, mainly in shrubby Suaeda.  Photos from the previous day seemed to show a bird in less than good health but I was pleasantly surprised how fit and active it appeared during our visit. The weather was dry with occasional sunny intervals so am sure the somewhat bedraggled look of the bird the previous day was largely attributable to the wet conditions then. The chat periodically showed itself, fleetingly at first, though some excellent views were subsequently obtained through the 'scope. It is the first record of the species for 40 years in the UK. Six Red Kites drifted overhead on a thermal and continued towards the east. We then headed to Holme where up to three Red-flanked Bluetail had been reported. One individual was seen well before it was time to head back. Rufous Bush Chat (photo by Paul Nobbs)

A somewhat quieter day which started with a brief view of a Nightingale in a Porthcressa garden. I then walked along the coast, trying to locate a Ring Ouzel near the allotments which proved to be a Song Thrush sounding just like one. At Lower Moors a Jack Snipe showed well near the ISBG hide, and a couple of Wigeon were also present. A Merlin flew past at close range, such exciting birds to see. Later in the day an Olive-backed Pipit was reported at Carn Friars. The pipit was in a small orchard, and was watched for 45 minutes creeping around in the grass.  The bird was unfortunately then flushed by a local driving a buggy into the orchard. On the way back a large flock of Swallows (up to 200) had gathered in the sky just before Hugh Town. Olive-backed Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Jack Snipe Jack Snipe Greenfinch

A sunny day, reasonably warm in sheltered spots. Visited my favourite Scilly island of St Agnes with the main target being the Buff-bellied Pipit at Horse Point. On arrival others were already watching the bird which showed well in a loose flock with Meadow Pipits on the Down. At one point a female-type Merlin powered through, disturbing all the pipits. Later explored Wingletang where a flock of Fieldfare, two Blackcaps, single Wheatear and Ring Ouzel (heard only) were notable. At the Parsonage two Chiffchaffs and 1-2 Yellow-browed Warblers were very active in the tall trees. Back on St Mary's Rafael and I walked the Garrison seeing a strikingly pale Siberian-type Chiffchaff at the Potteries. St Agnes Buff-bellied Pipit Northern Wheatear Siberian Chiffchaff

A pleasant sunny day though cloudier after 3 p.m. I walked to Peninnis Head and found the Snow Bunting that has been there for a couple of days. A nice male and very confiding. Another bunting was my main target, the Little Bunting reported at Porth Hellick. On route there was a bold Northern Wheatear standing tall on the turf near the airfield. The Little Bunting was then seen near Camel Rock at Porth Hellick. However, views weren't that good so went back later in the afternoon, when it was more obliging whilst eating grass seeds. Nearby at Higher Moors possibly my best ever views of Jack Snipe were obtained as two fed close to one of the hides. Near Normandy the small flock of Pink Footed Goose had increased to seven including an odd looking leucistic individual. From there I carried on to Holy Vale finding two Yellow-browed Warblers and one male Blackcap along the nature trail. Snow Bunting Northern Wheatear Little Bunting Jack Snipe Pink-footed Goose

I had never been to Bryher so decided that was the destination today. Arriving mid-morning Terry and I headed to the area where the Swainson's thrush and Radde's Warbler had been present the day before. The thrush was fortunately found within a fairly short time, with a couple of further sightings over the next hour. However, it was like the St Mary's bird in appearing briefly on a Pittosporum shrub, taking a berry or two, before moving off. A couple of record shots were the best I could manage. The Radde's was very elusive and only one or two people saw it. Rafael suggested getting the 2:30 boat and hopping off at Tresco to explore that island for a couple of hours. Soon after arrival on Tresco we heard of a Red-throated Pipit near Old Grimsby, so headed in that direction. The pipit had not been seen for an hour, so we checked out the Meadow Pipits in the area before it was time to go back. Whilst queuing for the boat at New Grimsby what should fly over - a Red-throate...

Rain in the morning had stopped by 11 a.m. and   the remainder of the day was mostly dry with the odd sunny spell or period of drizzle.  It was relatively quiet for new birds with the notable exception of a Red-breasted Flycatcher found in the late afternoon at Morning Point on the Garrison. The bird was very active in the elms along the footpath. Prior to that the principal birds found were singles of Ring Ouzel, Crossbill and Merlin, plus five Redwings and a number of Yellow-browed Warblers, mainly heard rather than seen. Waders on the shoreline at Porth Mellon included a flock of Sanderling, one Dunlin and two Bar-tailed Godwit. Red-breasted Flycatcher Red-breasted Flycatcher Sanderling Sanderling and Dunlin Bar-tailed Godwit

Bird of the day was without doubt Yellow-browed Warbler which was reported throughout the island. I started with three in Old Town churchyard, before seeing another in Lower Moors, and finally two on The Garrison. Most were fairly vocal and as such relatively east to locate, while several other birds were heard only. One birder that I spoke to had seen 19 during the day, and there may have been around 100 in total on the island. The putative 'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat on The Garrison was seen briefly in the morning, and then gave better views in a late afternoon visit. The bird certainly looked 'different' to the nominate race, with browner upperparts, a thin white supercillium, and a less obvious black mask. However, it was not heard to call nor was there any chance to see the extent of white in the tail. Yellow-browed Warbler Yellow-browed Warbler Lesser Whitethroat Lesser Whitethroat Lesser Whitethroat Song Thrush

I headed towards Watermill via Pelistry. On route both Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher were seen along Carn Friars Lane. The Pied was flycatching either side of the road affording good views, though was initially picked up on call. Further on near the coastal path at Deep Point a somewhat distant Wryneck was present in the small quarry. At Watermill I joined a small group of birders hoping to see the Barred Warbler that had been found the day before. Over the next two hours the bird showed several times though was typically elusive much of the time. A very pale bird, it called once giving a harsh rattle. Walking back and in a field off Sandy Lane a male Lapland Bunting still retained some breeding plumage.  Further on there were four Pink-footed geese together with a Greylag. At the top of Sandy Lane it was great to observe seven stick insects on the front hedge of a cottage. They were a good size, approx. 10 cm long, brown in colour, except for one individual which was gree...

I caught the early boat to Tresco this morning hoping to see the Black and White Warbler that had been found yesterday.  On the quayside near the Mermaid a nice group of Turnstones were sitting out the high tide. The warbler was seen the previous afternoon in trees between the two hides overlooking the Great Pool on Tresco.  Unfortunately despite much searching there was no sign of it today. The weather was pleasantly sunny and I headed up to Castle Down at the north end of the island taking in the lovely scenery along the coastal path, including the round tower of Cromwell's Castle.  On the high ground of Castle Down I visited the ruined artillery fort of King Charles Castle, built 1548-51 to protect the island from French attack, though which subsequently proved to be poorly sited. On Castle Down a Lapland Bunting associated with a flock of Linnets and which gave its distinctive call as it flew low over the heather.  On the top of the plateau the American Golden Pl...