Birding and other distractions

Great to see four Goosander at Capstone Park this morning, two birds first being reported on Saturday (28th). The lake at this park is relatively small so a nice surprise that these birds have turned up. Three are drakes. Also there is a Great White Egret, which has been present for three weeks I'm told and consequently is fairly tolerant of people at this very popular site. Five Gadwall added to the general spectacle. Four Goosander Female Goosander Male Goosander Gadwall Great White Egret As above

Two Ravens flew over shortly after arrival at 7 a.m. just as it was getting light. We walked along the undercliff to where birders were watching the Crag Martin, that was first found yesterday. The bird was roosting on the cliff face, about half-way up.  Photographs were difficult in the poor light, then at 7:29 the bird suddenly flew off, heading south. That proved to be the last sight of it on the day though we did walk along the cliff-top hoping for a fly past. Then to Worth Marshes, walking the track off Jubilee Road looking for the Eastern Yellow Wagtail that has been in the area. Unfortunately neither that bird or any Lapland Buntings were seen today, though the potential of the area was clear to see with new excavations having been dug. Two typically vocal Green Sandpipers flew over, and in a cabbage field were numerous Meadow Pipits, plus some Pied Wagtails. Crag Martin The undercliff at Kingsdown Pied Wagtail

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...