Scillies 2014
Scillies 2014
Spent a few days on St.Agnes, Isles of Scilly 15-19th September 2014. Weather had been strong easterlies for a couple weeks which had me hoping for Scandinavian migrants, but despite large numbers of common species, especially wheatear, I found the bit of quality you hope for on the islands hard to come by.
First two days were really hard going with just a Grasshopper Warbler to show for my efforts. Plenty of Wheatears, and a few Whinchats though so there was always hope of something rarer. Waders were providing some bonuses with 6 or 7 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stint, Greenshank and 2 Ruff seen well.
Finally towards the end of Wednesday the quality arrived.. I opened my tent to be greeted by a Wryneck sitting on a stone wall in front of me. Got great views, and a couple of distant shots before watching it forage at the foot of a wall in the middle of the campsite. he didn't stay long though, picked a very busy area to forage.
This proved to be the high point, with another Wryneck seen briefly on Thursday, plus a Pied Flycatcher to go with the many Spotted Flycatchers on the island. The East winds continued to blow hard, and productive areas from a previous visit to St.Agnes were empty.. The birds were sheltering on the West side.
Returned to Penzance on a very foggy Scillonian crossing which still produced a Great Skua and a Common Dolphin. The outward journey had Manx and Balearic Shearwater plus Kittiwake. The outward crossing will also be memorable for several small flocks of Finches, Meadow Pipit, and a Grey Wagtail fighting their way towards land plus a Kestrel. I also saw Common Dolphin on the outward crossing.
Spent a few days on St.Agnes, Isles of Scilly 15-19th September 2014. Weather had been strong easterlies for a couple weeks which had me hoping for Scandinavian migrants, but despite large numbers of common species, especially wheatear, I found the bit of quality you hope for on the islands hard to come by.
First two days were really hard going with just a Grasshopper Warbler to show for my efforts. Plenty of Wheatears, and a few Whinchats though so there was always hope of something rarer. Waders were providing some bonuses with 6 or 7 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stint, Greenshank and 2 Ruff seen well.
Finally towards the end of Wednesday the quality arrived.. I opened my tent to be greeted by a Wryneck sitting on a stone wall in front of me. Got great views, and a couple of distant shots before watching it forage at the foot of a wall in the middle of the campsite. he didn't stay long though, picked a very busy area to forage.
This proved to be the high point, with another Wryneck seen briefly on Thursday, plus a Pied Flycatcher to go with the many Spotted Flycatchers on the island. The East winds continued to blow hard, and productive areas from a previous visit to St.Agnes were empty.. The birds were sheltering on the West side.
Returned to Penzance on a very foggy Scillonian crossing which still produced a Great Skua and a Common Dolphin. The outward journey had Manx and Balearic Shearwater plus Kittiwake. The outward crossing will also be memorable for several small flocks of Finches, Meadow Pipit, and a Grey Wagtail fighting their way towards land plus a Kestrel. I also saw Common Dolphin on the outward crossing.
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