St.Agnes Scilly 9/10/25

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Although I didn't get to St.Mary's until midday the birding in the afternoon made for a good start to the Scilly trip.

A quick look around Old Town and Lower Moors didn't yield much before I boarded the boat to St.Agnes at 2:15. I was a bit concerned I wouldn't have much time to see the Mourning Dove, which had been showing well earlier on. I needn't have worried as on arrival the bird was seen immediately, albeit just the head and shoulders to start with as it sheltered in a hedge. However, after about half an hour the dove flew out affording good views on a stone wall, then feeding near a chicken coop. This Mourning Dove is the first to be seen in England, though the species has occurred in Scotland.

A Turtle Dove was in the same spot and appeared a fair bit larger than the Mourning Dove.

After that I successfully twitched a Red-breasted Flycatcher in Barnaby Lane, though the bird was never close. No problem about distance with the Buff-bellied Pipit in fields at the end of Barnaby Lane, being almost too close at times.

I caught the 4:30 boat back to St.Mary's together with a lot of happy birders.

Mourning Dove





Red-breasted Flycatcher 

Buff-bellied Pipit 





 


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