Holy Island - Scillies of the north! (1 Viewer)

[Quacker]

Saturday 14th October

The date, although only yesterday, will be remember by me for seeing 3 lifers.

European Roller
Barred Warbler
Red Breasted Flycatcher.

The title was heard as one of the many visitors compared it to the migration hotspot - Since I have never visited the Scillies, I can neither confirm or deny it, but as we were looking at a Great Grey Shrike when he said it, I could understand the sentiments :t:

The Roller has been in the area since 8th of October and regularly reported on Birdguides/pager services etc. - It is actually a few mile inland nr Beal village on the road into Holy Island.

Other birds of note Included Yellow Browed Warbler and a surprise in the form of a few Brambling among the usual LBJ's Linnet, Yellowhammer, Goldfinch, (ok not all so brown lol) Robin, Pied Wagtail, House Sparrow and some of the waterbirds inc a very close (side of the road, sat in sand Red Throated Diver Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher etc.

Hundreds of birders there, no doubt attracted by the Roller and its proximity to the Island and the general time of year.

Couldn't fail to report a triple-lifer day, don't happen often :t:

Steve

 

[markgrubb]

That's one heck of a day and would have been 3 lifers for me as well.Days like that don't come around too often! I was working in Eyemouth on Friday-didn't hear about the roller till I looked at BF on friday night-am really kicking myself as it would have only been a 15 minute trip down the road......

 

[Rogerson]

as an interested twitcher, it would be polite if all the rest of you could please park so as not to annoy the locals when you are looking for the roller. Do not park where it is dangerous or on private lawns.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Rogerson I see this is your first post so may I extend a warm welcome from all the staff and moderators at Bird Forum.

I'm sure your comments will be noted and acted upon by our members.:t:

D

 

[rokermartin]

Holy Island i think is a excellent place for birds i go there at least twice a year i would say it must be in the top five best birding places on the east coast .You could say it is better than the famous Scillies in some ways because you get huge numbers of ducks,geese,waders as well as divers,grebes and sea ducks also many scarce and rare birds are found each autumn.Holy Island has a amazing record for rarities.For example last autumn the Island had Desert Wheatear and Chimney Swift.In fact the Roller was first found on Holy Island then refound at Beal.Other rarities that Holy island has had include RF Bluetail ,Pine Grosbeak,RE Vireo,Black throated Thrush ,Western Bonelli's Warbler,Citrine Wagtail,Oliver backed Pipits,Arctic Warblers name but a few as for scarce migrants it gets its fair share of YB,Pallas's.Greenish,Icterine,Radde's,Dusky Warblers, RB Flycatchers,Rustic ,Little Buntingsand Richard'sPipits I would certainly say to keen birders go to Holy Island because it is amazing place for birds in the autumn.If there no rarities about there are plenty of other birds to see.Before you go its a good idea to check the crossing times a few people have been caught out by the tides .

 

[rokermartin]

as an interested twitcher, it would be polite if all the rest of you could please park so as not to annoy the locals when you are looking for the roller. Do not park where it is dangerous or on private lawns.

ROLLER is not on Holy Island it is in fields away from the Island

 

[jimbob]

ROLLER is not on Holy Island it is in fields away from the Island

It doesnt matter where the bird is, Rogerson's point is a valid one. I appreciate access is not always easy, particularly for those with disabilities, but respect must be given to the locals and their land. The few who dont listen give birders a bad name.

 

[rokermartin]

It doesnt matter where the bird is, Rogerson's point is a valid one. I appreciate access is not always easy, particularly for those with disabilities, but respect must be given to the locals and their land. The few who dont listen give birders a bad name.

I agree want you have said i think some birders do give birdwatching a very bad name I have seen many badly behaved birders over the years while i have been on twitchers and just doing everyday birding .These sorts of birders should be punished and kick out of birding altogether.

 

[rokermartin]

American Golden Plover was found with 800 Golden Plover today at Holy Island.Also still on the Island today YB Warblers ,RB Fly,Barred Warber,GG Shrike,Hen Harrier ,SE Owl.

 

[psilo]

Hi Steve that is quite some day out! Would certainly all be lifers for me too and all birds I would love to see. When I was at Holy Island last May I enjoyed it thoroughly and hope to be back there again next year if not sooner.
What is winter birding for wildfowl and waders like there? Maybe a winter trip could be on the cards with yourself as guide
Well done again!

 

[rokermartin]

Hi Steve that is quite some day out! Would certainly all be lifers for me too and all birds I would love to see. When I was at Holy Island last May I enjoyed it thoroughly and hope to be back there again next year if not sooner.
What is winter birding for wildfowl and waders like there? Maybe a winter trip could be on the cards with yourself as guide
Well done again!

Winter is a excellent time of year as well for seeing huge numbers of waders,geese,ducks,raptors,SE Owls Grebes and Divers there is also chance of seeing Snow ,Lapland Buntings ,Twites andShorelarks certainly would plan a winter visit if i were you

 

[chris murphy]

I agree want you have said i think some birders do give birdwatching a very bad name I have seen many badly behaved birders over the years while i have been on twitchers and just doing everyday birding .These sorts of birders should be punished and kick out of birding altogether.

I'm sorry, but how do you 'kick someone out of birding'? It's a hobby, not the army.

 

[brianfm]

as an interested twitcher, it would be polite if all the rest of you could please park so as not to annoy the locals when you are looking for the roller. Do not park where it is dangerous or on private lawns.

I understand exactly why these sort of comments are made. I was at Beal on the 11th and have made comment elswhere on the forum about a couple of jerks who proudly announced to everyone how they had seen the Roller by tresspassing onto private land. They conveniently forgot to mention that they had disturbed a flock of 200+ geese and without doubt made it much harder for other birders to view the Roller. Thankfully guys like that are in the minority, but as already stated do get others a bad name.
I am pleased to say I was back yesterday and everyone appeared to behaving appropriately and getting great views, although one or two narrowly missed getting bumped by passing cars!
Great day on the island. One day was not enough to see everything that was about. I reckon I will get myself there for 2 or 3 days either spring or autumn next year.

 

[psilo]

Winter is a excellent time of year as well for seeing huge numbers of waders,geese,ducks,raptors,SE Owls Grebes and Divers there is also chance of seeing Snow ,Lapland Buntings ,Twites andShorelarks certainly would plan a winter visit if i were you

Many thanks Rokermartin I think I will seriously try to get up there some time in the winter.

 

[rokermartin]

I'm sorry, but how do you 'kick someone out of birding'? It's a hobby, not the army.

Birders who cause grief to birds or go on private land or recking farmers crops should be dealt with.Birders should behave in a responsible manor those sorts of birders give birdwatching a really bad name.There have been to many things over the years such as birders disturbing breeding birds and flushing rare birds not letting them settle.You must have a strange view on what birders can do wth out them getting punished.The Police that deal with wildlife crimes should deal with these bad behaved birders.Personally i would have the Police take photos of the birders who are badly behaved and stick the photos of them up at each reserve visitors centre and stop them from going birding on the reserves that would be a good idea for starters to shame these so called birders.These bady behaved birders are very similar to badly behaved football fans who spoil the game for everyone.So i think something should be done about them like in football.

 

[kas]

What a great day Steve, I am very envious as they would have been lifers for me too along with the YB warbler. Great waether for a day out too.

 

[rokermartin]

All the birds which were on Holy Island yesterday a part from the GG Shrike are still present today and the Roller is still showing at Beal.

 

[Reader]

Great day out Steve. I'm envious of the Roller as it is one of my missing links on my UK list.

How's everything with you & Len? PM me when you get the chance.

John

 

[Woodchatshrike]

I even found myself down there yesterday. Roller is a UK tick for me. I also had my best views of Barred Warbler as well as YB Warbler, GG Shrike and RB Fly. Then saw another YB Warbler on the way home. It was a great days twitching

 

[rokermartin]

Been a excellent year for Rollers in the UK 3 this autumn. One of the best on record i would say.Roller on the Scillies yesterday.