Isles of Scilly Birding

[Conorbirda2]

Okay, hoping not to tread on any of the Scillies birders toes but have just noticed that The Isles don't have their own slot on the Local Patch Thread. So here it is, feel free to join in!

[Conorbirda2]

The Great Reed Warbler was located again this morning. Also Osprey at Porthellick and 2 Dotterel on St Martins.

See Cornwall Birding (http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk)for full updates.

[Conorbirda2]

Of Note: I phoned the travel company to book my flights for the annual trip in October this morning only to be told that the Airport is closing at 12 noon on the 1st November for the return journey home? The latest flights back available were just past 10am! Bit of a waste of the final day so i've decided to take the boat over this year! We usually end up getting the boat back anyway!!

[Conorbirda2]

Cattle Egret on St Mary's and a male Subalp. on Aggie today.

See Cornwall Birding (http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk)for daily bird reports from Scilly.

[Conorbirda2]

Wader season is upon us! Three Wood Sands, three Common Sands and Two Green Sands at Poth Hellick Pool. Also Marsh Harrier and Iceland Gull on St Mary's.

There was another Pelagic off St Mary's tonight. We await the results.

[Conorbirda2]

No Wilsons on the Pelagic off St Mary's last night, but Sooty Shearwater (2) and Storm Petrel (40).

[Conorbirda2]

Good numbers of Cory's Shearwater off the Scillies todays with 61 off St Agnes and 7 off St Marys. Extra pelagic leaving St Mary's tonight to get nearer the passage at 18.45hrs (£10 on the Sapphire)

[Conorbirda2]

The pelagics off Scilly have been doing well for Wilson's recently. One had 25 Great Shearwaters one evening! Details on Cornwall Birding website. (http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/category/scilly-pelagic-2008/)

[Conorbirda2]

Buff-breasted Sandpiper on Bryher yesterday. Seem the Islands have missed out on the goodies in Ireland. Roll on October!

[ben_lewis]

Hi Paul,
Glad to see your posting Scilly news, Im sure people are viewing the thread even if they arnt posting.
Im on the Scilly's a little earlier than usual this year 29th Sept to 8th Oct, Hopefully something will turn up during my stay, I suspect the birding will be a bit different to my 'normal' week at the end of October anyway.
Cheers,
Ben

[henerz1]

Things starting to hot up now on the magic islands ready for autumn. Wouldn't say conditions have been perfect so far and the birds probably reflect this right now. Just need a big system from far west to move in. With the recent SEerlies in the north sea and some good stuff over on the east coast of these might well filter through too!

Last weeks Hudsonian Whimbrel and Citrine Wagtail has not been seen recently but there is a scattering of scarce species on the islands with Buff-breasted Sandpiper on Tresco with a Wryneck. St Agnes a Pec Sand whilst Samson has an Icterine Warbler.
Cheers. Henerz.

[Conorbirda2]

Things starting to hot up now on the magic islands ready for autumn. Wouldn't say conditions have been perfect so far and the birds probably reflect this right now. Just need a big system from far west to move in. With the recent SEerlies in the north sea and some good stuff over on the east coast of these might well filter through too!

Last weeks Hudsonian Whimbrel and Citrine Wagtail has not been seen recently but there is a scattering of scarce species on the islands with Buff-breasted Sandpiper on Tresco with a Wryneck. St Agnes a Pec Sand whilst Samson has an Icterine Warbler.
Cheers. Henerz.

Hudsonian Whimbrel there again today. Photo of it on the ISBG website (bit blurred) Will be doing regular updatres on the website during the Scilly season.

[Birding Rover]

Could anyone tell us how much the boatmen are charging this year, thanks in advance.

[Conorbirda2]

Could anyone tell us how much the boatmen are charging this year, thanks in advance.

Oh a tug on the heart strings when i saw your signature! Come on you reds!!

As for the boats, will find out for you, but it was £7 last year.

[davidtucker]

Hi Paul,
4 weeks tonight I will be on the Scillies!!!!!! lets hope for a memorible year.

[Birding Rover]

Hi Paul,

Thanks. I just wondered how much it had gone up- it seems to go up every year!
I go most years, seems the years I miss are the good ones!
Can't wait til the 11th, I love the place- ticks or not.

Hows a Donny fan end up "down south". lol

Stu.

[Conorbirda2]

Hi Paul,

Thanks. I just wondered how much it had gone up- it seems to go up every year!
I go most years, seems the years I miss are the good ones!
Can't wait til the 11th, I love the place- ticks or not.

Hows a Donny fan end up "down south". lol

Stu.

Ive bin in touch with the guys on the scillies and as far as they are aware its gonna still be £7 on the boats.
Long story with the move down here. I used to be President of the DDoS before i moved here!

[Conorbirda2]

Poss Radde's Warbler in Holy Vale yesterday. Not much else on note at the moment.

[Conorbirda2]

October at last! American Buff bellied Pipit today on Bryher, lets hope thats a sign of things to come!

[Joe Ray]

22 days...
With the westerlies sweeping across the atlantic, here's hoping for a good month.

[Conorbirda2]

You were right about the westerlies Joe, unfortunately the Mega was found Dead this morning!! Still American BB Pipit and American G Plover are still a good start.

Full updates on all todays Scilly sightings at Cornwall Birding (http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk)website.

[Dryocopus]

Hi Conorbirda2 - Paul

Am on a long w/e in Newquay this w/e...have a day's birding on Saturday and have hired my own car for the day... have planned on seawatching on St Ives Island - ought to be able to leave Newquay circa 9am....

I know its all dependant on the weather but if you have any better ideas I'd be grateful for any suggestions - I know the usual birding places....

whoops wrong place...will copy to Cornwall!

[Conorbirda2]

No change in the cast today. BB PIPIT and AG PLOVER still present. The Nighthawk was on display at the Scillonian Club last night, did anyone get any photos of it?

18 days to go!

[Dave Hutton]

No change in the cast today. BB PIPIT and AG PLOVER still present. The Nighthawk was on display at the Scillonian Club last night, did anyone get any photos of it?

18 days to go!

Hi Paul,

The Warks birders (The Bumbling Bears) have a cpl of photos on their site (They'll be on the Scillies till the end of the month with plenty of updates)

http://www.bumbling-bears.fotopic.net/p54071923.html

All the best,

Dave

[Conorbirda2]

Hi Paul,

The Warks birders (The Bumbling Bears) have a cpl of photos on their site (They'll be on the Scillies till the end of the month with plenty of updates)

http://www.bumbling-bears.fotopic.net/p54071923.html

All the best,

Dave

Lets hope theres photos of the live one in Cornwall today!!!

[Conorbirda2]

Cheers Dave, have put a note on the website.

[Hotspur]

Fingers crossed the biggie turns up over the next few days. Scillies are definitely due!

[Joe Ray]

Fingers crossed the biggie turns up over the next few days. Scillies are definitely due!
Fair few biggies in Cornwall right now!
Red-eyed Vireo and Backpoll Warbler now on St Agnes, so the yanks are definitely arriving on Scilly. Wonder what's yet to be found...

[Hotspur]

Fair few biggies in Cornwall right now!
Red-eyed Vireo and Backpoll Warbler now on St Agnes, so the yanks are definitely arriving on Scilly. Wonder what's yet to be found...

They arent the biggies though really, both annual more or less.

[Joe Ray]

They arent the biggies though really, both annual more or less.
I was referring to the Alder/Willow Flycatcher and Common Nighthawk in Cornwall as 'biggies'. Blackpoll and Red-eyed Vireo are as you say annual, but surely they're a sign of things to come on Scillies?

[Hotspur]

Sorry misread- thought we were on about the scillies. I'll get my coat.

[Conorbirda2]

Yeah, get yer coat and yer plane ticket. SOCIABLE PLOVER on airfield at St Marys still at dusk. Hope it stays til the 25th.

[Conorbirda2]

SOCIABLE PLOVER still this morning, re-located in field with standing stones at Old Town end of Lower Moors.

[Conorbirda2]

It's still there! 10 days to go.

[Birding Rover]

Got back yesterday after a great week[ as usual]. Got everthing I went for, eventhough I sometimes held off to the next day[plover]. I think you should be ok for the Sociable, I can see it hanging around. Some say that it looks unwell, thats only cos they look at it for 30 secs then walk off. Stay for 10mins and it walks around feeding.
Only had one tick, Blyths Reed. I spent a whole day waiting for the Bryher bird last year and never saw it, only took a few mins this time. One of the best things was finding a Richards Pipit with my mate while on St Martin's on Tue.

Hope you have a good week.

[Conorbirda2]

Got back yesterday after a great week[ as usual]. Got everthing I went for, eventhough I sometimes held off to the next day[plover]. I think you should be ok for the Sociable, I can see it hanging around. Some say that it looks unwell, thats only cos they look at it for 30 secs then walk off. Stay for 10mins and it walks around feeding.
Only had one tick, Blyths Reed. I spent a whole day waiting for the Bryher bird last year and never saw it, only took a few mins this time. One of the best things was finding a Richards Pipit with my mate while on St Martin's on Tue.

Hope you have a good week.

I went for it yesterday myself. Were you on the boat back? We watched the plover for about 20-30 mins and it did nothing but move its head. The gc thrush showed brilliantly. The plover is probably just getting some rest during the day, they are nocturnal feeders i'm led to believe.

Anyway, couldnt risk it snuffing it before i got there next saturday.

[Joe Ray]

As Paul says, the GC Thrush and the Plover gave excellent views. Just 6 days to go!
Both shots digiscoped.

[Birding Rover]

Well done joe, excellent pics.
Paul- Came back on a early plane on Sat, then called for the Yellow legged Gull (good for a armchair tick in the future) and also picked up Med Gull. Had a quick look at Lands End before the long drive home.
I'll expect to see lots of new birds reported while you are on, no first for GB please, I can't afford to twitch the Scilly!! lol.

[Joe Ray]

No sign of the Plover, but Red-flanked Bluetail, Bobolink, Olive-backed Pipit, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Grey-cheeked Thrush, Little Bunting and 2 White-rumped Sandpipers present on the islands. Plenty of scarce also around, with Yellow-browed Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Hawfinch, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spoonbill etc all knocking about. Roll on Saturday!

[Conorbirda2]

What a great week. Wouldn't have predicted Snowy Owl!! Theres a short trip reports and photos of Owl etc on Cornwall Birding website now, more to be added soon. Look out for the new Isles of Scilly Bird Group website hopefully starting on 1st January 2009!

Had Bittern and Purple Sandpiper yesterday (both Scilly Ticks!) but very windy today so spent the morning updating the website! Back on the mainland tomorrow!

[Conorbirda2]

The Snowy Owl is back on St Mary's today below the airfield on the moor near Giants Castle.

[mpgoodey]

two new photos of Snowy Owl (J Pender) on Scillywebcam site. one nice flight shot.

http://scillywebcam.blogspot.com/

Can hardly call myself an expert, this is only the second Snowy I've seen in the field!. However I can't fully understand why people (Birding world) are calling this a Juv male and not a juv female???

[Conorbirda2]

two new photos of Snowy Owl (J Pender) on Scillywebcam site. one nice flight shot.

http://scillywebcam.blogspot.com/

Can hardly call myself an expert, this is only the second Snowy I've seen in the field!. However I can't fully understand why people (Birding world) are calling this a Juv male and not a juv female???

Martin, do you know if the Goldeneye is still on PH Pool? Im popping over again on 24-26th with work and 'need' it for Scilly.

[mpgoodey]

Martin, do you know if the Goldeneye is still on PH Pool? Im popping over again on 24-26th with work and 'need' it for Scilly.

Sorry Paul,
no recent reports of that bird to my knowledge.

[Conorbirda2]

Sorry Paul,
no recent reports of that bird to my knowledge.

Thanks Martin. I got in touch with Allan H who told me it was a one day bird.

[Conorbirda2]

two new photos of Snowy Owl (J Pender) on Scillywebcam site. one nice flight shot.

http://scillywebcam.blogspot.com/

Can hardly call myself an expert, this is only the second Snowy I've seen in the field!. However I can't fully understand why people (Birding world) are calling this a Juv male and not a juv female???

No me neither. Our group all have down as 1w female.

[Conorbirda2]

Short-eared Owl on Tresco today. Whooper Swans on St Marys. Waxwing yesterday. Keep an eye out for the brand new Isles of Scilly Bird Group website which should be up and running in January next year.

Will let you all know when its on-line.

[Conorbirda2]

It seems the Gyr has returned from its trip to the Mainland! Back on St Martins over Great Bay this morning. Water Pipit still on St Mary's over the wall at Mermaid Inn car park.

[Conorbirda2]

The new Isles of Scilly Bird Group website is up and running HERE (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk). Its still in its early stages but will be updated on a much more regular basis than the previous one.

[Conorbirda2]

Gyr back on St Mary's today. For full report see ISBG website. (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk)

[Conorbirda2]

Two Cattle Egrets still on St Mary's and showing well judging by the superb photos on the website! (www.scilly-birding.co.uk (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk))

[Conorbirda2]

If anyone that runs a blog or website that currently has a link to the Isles of Scilly Bird Group OLD website, could you please change it to www.scilly-birding.co.uk. The old one is no longer on line. Thanks in advance.

[Conorbirda2]

Recent photos of the Gulls on Scilly now on ISBG website (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk), including the Kumliens.

[Conorbirda2]

Scilly Pelagics now have their own website at www.scillypelagics.com/

[Conorbirda2]

First Sand Martin of the year at Great Pool, Tresco this morning.

[Conorbirda2]

Some excellent shots of the GYR on the Scilly Website today. www.scilly-birding.co.uk

[camelbirder]

Does anyone know if the Gyr was on Scilly on Monday, this week, or not.

[Conorbirda2]

Does anyone know if the Gyr was on Scilly on Monday, this week, or not.

Not reported on Monday, but seen again on St Mary's on Friday 13th.

[camelbirder]

Not reported on Monday, but seen again on St Mary's on Friday 13th.

The bird reported at Porthcothan was noted Monday to Wednesday so could easily be the same bird.

[Conorbirda2]

The bird reported at Porthcothan was noted Monday to Wednesday so could easily be the same bird.

Could be. Ties in with the bird seen at St Ives on Saturday 14th too.

[Conorbirda2]

Red Kite on the Islands for the past two days. Some nice photos on the ISBG website. One of which Im sure will end up framed on The Sapphire!

[Dave Hall]

Hi Paul We are on St Mary's for a week so will post sightings as and when today we saw Temminck's Stint at Porth Hellick on the beach and on the pool also 2 juv Iceland Gulls at the dump

Photo's should be added to our web site and the IOS web site as we go

[Dave Hall]

Hi Paul Stint still here a.m. at least + 2 Iceland Gulls also had Whimbrel and 4 Great Northern Divers off the Garrison (someone had to off the other side of St Mary's) so still plenty about a raft of 13 Razorbill in between Morning Point and the Wras

[Dave Hall]

Hi Paul Stint still porth hellick we spent the day on St Martins and saw Woodchat Shrike 2 Whimbrel and a Merlin also added at least 2 more Great Northern Divers to the 4 we had on Thursday Back on St Mary's we had 2 Corn Buntings behind Old Town

[Dave Hall]

Hi Paul Back home now came off Scilly this lunch time had trouble with Internet conection since saturday so couldnt post the rest of our stay was just as good the star bird being Monty's Harrier on Sunday also we had flocks of Whimbrel 10 Old Town and then 40 Porthloo plus odd ones about the Island

Another great trip Lots of Photo's on our web site

[Conorbirda2]

Hi Paul Back home now came off Scilly this lunch time had trouble with Internet conection since saturday so couldnt post the rest of our stay was just as good the star bird being Monty's Harrier on Sunday also we had flocks of Whimbrel 10 Old Town and then 40 Porthloo plus odd ones about the Island

Another great trip Lots of Photo's on our web site

Hi Dave, did you get my PM?

[Dave Hall]

Hi Paul yes got your pm sorry thought i had replied thanks for the info and hope everthing is going ok speak soon

[Conorbirda2]

Photos of the female Little Bittern at Porth Hellick now on ISBG Website (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk).

[Conorbirda2]

Photos of the Pallid Swift now on ISBG Website (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk)

[Conorbirda2]

The 2009 Scillies Gallery has just been updated with some superb shots of the Little Bittern, Great Reed Warbler, Pallid Swift, Grey headed/Ashy headed Wagtail, RR Swallow and more.........

See www.scilly-birding.co.uk (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk)and go to the Galleries icon.

[Conorbirda2]

Photos of the Black-eared Wheatear now at www.scilly-birding.co.uk.

For info: The Scillonian III crossing tomorrow has a quick turnaround due to tides and will leave St Mary's at 14.30hrs. Doesn't leave much time for getting to Aggie and back for the boat!

[Conorbirda2]

The ISBG website now has its own Birding Forum (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/news-and-developments-from-isbg/new-isbg-birding-forum/)up and running. Feel free to register.

[Conorbirda2]

Theres now photos of a possible Collared Flycatcher (from May 2009) on the ISBG website (http://www.scilly-birding.co.uk/finders-reports-rarity-descriptions-and-id-articles/putative-collared-flycatcher-on-bryher/).

[Conorbirda2]

Photo of the Scilly second ever Marsh Sandpiper now on the website www.scilly-birding.co.uk

[Conorbirda2]

Video of the albatross now on ISBG website.

[Birding Rover]

Come on guys, I come over Saturday, I need a big one to look forward too!

[cwpbirder]

I think they've all headed for Shetland....