Birding and other distractions

We waited for news of the Alpine Accentor, then I set off at 8:30 when the bird's presence had been confirmed for its second day at Slaughden.   Arriving at the site near Aldeburgh there had been no sign of the accentor for an hour. However, it then showed on the seawall, giving reasonably good views whilst feeding in grass alongside the path. After about an hour the bird then flew a short distance onto the rocks below the seawall. A Purple Sandpiper was also nice to see on the beach. Alpine Accentor  Purple Sandpiper 

The last full day on Scilly though weather was not so good, windy and getting rougher as the day wore on. In the morning we checked out the Garrison which proved very quiet. A walk to Porth Hellick Pool in the afternoon was hopefully to see Wilson's Snipe present there on/off for a number of days. The snipe was seen though in the far corner of the site. A Common Snipe and Jack Snipe were in the same spot. The Wilson's was noticeably greyer than Common Snipe though the distinctive underwing pattern was not seen. It would be a new species though I will reserve judgement until further info is available about the bird. Back at the B&B late in the afternoon I found out rather too late that a Booted Warbler was being watched in the moat at Star Castle. Despite hot-footing it there the bird had flown from the moat to the bracken-covered slope and relatively poor views were obtained in the fading light. Wilson's Snipe Wilson's Snipe (left) with Common Snipe (right)

We visited St.Agnes today in lovely sunny weather. Many Speckled Wood were on the wing, by far the most common butterfly on Scilly during our stay. On the main route to Middle Town a lone pine tree was alive with feeding Chiffchaffs, at least eight in total. Further on, at the Parsonage, were more Chiffchaff but surprisingly nothing much else. After that we saw a number of Greenfinch, and on the beach a showy Grey Wagtail together with several Rock Pipit. Later in the afternoon the small island of Gugh was briefly visited via the tidal sand bar from Agnes. The last time I crossed to Gugh was in 1987 when the Two-barred Greenish was present, at that time still only a sub-species of Greenish Warbler.  Whilst waiting at the Turks Head for the return boat an extraordinary tame Song Thrush scrounged a few scraps from our table. Greenfinch  Grey Wagtail Rock Pipit Speckled Wood Sand bar to Gugh Very tame Song Thrush 

We went back for seconds of the Blackburnian Warbler today, catching an 11:15 boat from Hugh Town once the birds presence had been confirmed on Bryher.  Weather was mostly sunny though very windy. Fortunately the Popplestone fields offer high hedges for the bird to feed in some shelter.  Unlike the previous visit the warbler was seen very soon after arrival. It's behaviour was different to that on Thursday, much less active and feeding in the same small area all the time we remained there. It frequently showed in the elms often low down and at close range, allowing plenty of pictures to be taken. We left after two hours very satisfied with the whole experience. Few other birds of note were seen though there were two adult Med Gulls feeding offshore near the quay. Blackburnian Warbler, first-winter male

The day started fairly quietly at Porth Mellon where a Common Sandpiper was present on the tideline plus two Black Redstart around the rocks and on the beach. Following an abortive attempt to see Olive-backed Pipit at Trenoweth we headed via Holy Vale to Higher Moors where a Melodious Warbler had been found. On arrival there was no sign of the bird though by then the momentous news of a Blackburnian Warbler on Bryher immediately changed all plans. We managed to share a taxi to the quay and boarded a boat shortly after 2 p.m. Due to the tide the boat could not dock on Bryher so transferred passengers via an inflatable then wading the shallows to reach the beach. Arriving at the Popplestone Fields the warbler had not been seen for 45 minutes, then over the next hour gave intermittent but unsatisfactory views at the back of the field. It then moved much closer and better views became possible. However, the bird was constantly active and often hidden behind foliage so obtaining a clear...

The boat left the quay at 9:30, on board were 50 birders with Bob Flood providing commentary. We headed south looking for concentrations of seabirds, especially a 'feeding frenzy'. After an hour we found a big raft of Cory's containing approx. 50 birds. There were more later in the day giving a total of up to 200. Great Shearwater were further out than Cory's and less numerous, about 50 in total. We also saw 5 Sooty Shearwater. Other seabirds included three Bonxie, several Kittiwake, and about four Puffin. The dolphins were fantastic being alongside the boat most of the time, in family groups it seemed. Late in the day an observant Dutchman spotted a group of Risso's Dolphin in the distance and we steamed in their direction for a closer look. An uncommon species in Scilly waters I was told. Back into Hugh Town after five hours, and hugely enjoyable day. Raft of Cory's Shearwater  Cory's Shearwater  Cory's Shearwater  Great Shearwater  Great Shearwater...