Birding and other distractions

A change in the weather today, generally cloudier and certainly fresher with a moderate SW wind. After no luck with a Wryneck near the entrance to Lower Moors the morning improved considerably with a singing Siberian Chiffchaff along the nature trail there, the bird being seen well atop a bush and directly above my head. The song is distinctly different to Common Chiffchaff, as is the call and plumage details so it seems strange that Siberian Chiffchaff is not recognised as a separate species. A Dusky Warbler at Newford Duck Pond was thought to have been seen but there was a nagging doubt about the identification of the individual bird. It did not appear quite right for Dusky and the bird did not call despite viewing the area for about an hour.  Later examination of photos showed that it was indeed a rather dingy Common Chiffchaff, although a genuine Dusky was present at the site albeit elusive. However, no doubt about the Red-backed Shrike just down the road, sitting in a hedgerow...

Another gloriously sunny day. Starting at the Garrison a distant Cattle Egret was 'scoped across the bay in the Porthloo area. A circuit of the Garrison then produced rather few birds, but on returning to Hugh Town the message came through of a probable Blackpoll warbler from the Lower Broome path, so we returned there. Unfortunately this did not produce anything and the bird was not reported again. However, it did remind me of an odd call heard there the previous evening, albeit certainly not Blackpoll Warbler. In Lower Moors a Siberian Chiffchaff was heard calling a few times, a note with some resemblance to that of Bullfinch. The ISBG hide was then quite productive, with single Black-tailed Godwit, Kingfisher, Jack Snipe, Water Rail, and several Common Snipe. Juvenile Swallows Black-tailed Godwit Kingfisher Water Rail with Moorhen Common Snipe

The Indian summer continues with another day of unbroken sunshine and calm conditions. A wader on the beach at Porthloo was identified by a discerning birder as Spotted Sandpiper rather than Common. The bird attracted a good audience in the morning, though flew out of sight shortly after my visit. Not easy to separate these species in non-breeding plumage though key features looked good for Spotted Sandpiper, with a relatively short tail projection compared to Common and unbarred tertial fringes. Early afternoon I watched a showy Red-breasted Flycatcher in pine trees on the Garrison. The bird was very active and sometimes perched quite close. Elsewhere on the Garrison a Little Bunting reported near the football pitch failed to show again though no problem seeing Stonechat along the hedgerow.  Spotted Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper  Porthloo beach Red-breasted Flycatcher  Red-breasted Flycatcher Stonechat

We visited Tresco on Monday (11th), another warm sunny day. Heading to Castle Down on arrival in the hope of catching up with two long-standing Dotterel it seemed a fair number of other birders had the same idea. Unfortunately the birds appear to have gone, although there was some consolation with a flyover Red-throated Pipit, identified on call. At least three Wheatear were present on the heathland. Other birds seen on Tresco included a Spotted Redshank, and a fair number of Greenshank on the Great Pool. The following day there was a slightly fresher feel to the air on St. Mary's, though remaining sunny. The morning started near the Longstone cafe looking for a Rustic Bunting, first found the day before. However, although still present it was generally elusive and I failed to see it. At Parting Carn a brightly coloured male Serin was 'scoped on telephone wires. In the same field were up to 20 Meadow Pipits and several White Wagtails, the latter including a rather smart male. T...

Light rain early on ceased by mid-morning becoming warm and sunny later on.  Insect activity became more noticeable once the rain stopped and consequently birds also began to appear. The entire morning / early afternoon was spent on the Garrison. The first notable bird of the day was a Pied Flycatcher near the Cadet Hut. In the same spot a Lesser Whitethroat was also briefly seen. Following the coastal path  south of Steval a party of Shag were on offshore rocks, plus a few finches on the grassy headland. These included a single Redpoll, which appeared somewhat pale but was not seen well enough to confidently identify as Mealy. Back to the area by the football pitch a Willow Warbler showed well in Pittosporum and even sang quietly on a couple of occasions. Near the playground was a Whinchat and Black Redstart, with a Common Whitethroat in the hedge behind. To complete the sightings a Spotted Flycatcher was seen nearby. In grass alongside the football pitch we spent some time i...

The first full day on Scilly, weather being warm and sunny, i.e. too good! Starting with a walk to the woefully named Dump Clump then onto Lower Moors, birding was generally quiet, with a few Goldcrests and the odd Chiffchaff. From there to the Sunnyside Trail then Holy Vale before arriving at the main road where there was a Common Redstart in a field near Porthhellick house. Along the Higher Moors trail a Yellow-browed Warbler was heard though not seen, and a Sparrowhawk flew over. Further on there were a fair number of Swallows between Normandy and Pelistry.  The tour of the island was completed via Helvear then along the seaward side of the golf course before reaching Porthloo. A brief look for a Black Redstart at the latter site before photographing the approachable Rock Pipits on the beach. Butterflies were very active in the warm weather today, by far the commonest species being Speckled Wood, which were present in all the lanes. Red Admiral were also seen in good numbers, to...

After all the rain yesterday it was a pleasure to see some sunshine today, even if it was very windy. I seldom go to Murston these days though the report last week of a Red-necked Grebe on the Oyster Pond was good reason to revisit.  Fortunately the grebe was still present, in juvenile  plumage with reddish-brown neck and dark head stripes.  It mainly stayed out in the centre of the pool whilst I was there. Also present was a small group of Pochard, good numbers of both Great Crested and Little Grebe, plus single Spotted Redshank. A few butterflies were active in the sunshine, with a couple each of Red Admiral and Speckled Wood. Red-necked Grebe Red-necked Grebe Pochard Red Admiral The Oyster Pond