Returned from a five day trip to the Scillies.. Not many other birders on the islands, and we enjoyed some good walks.. Highlights on St.Mary's were "finding" a Hoopoe, Wryneck, and Honey Buzzard, and also "Twitched" a Lapland Bunting and a Pectoral Sandpiper. Fairly good for common migrants in small numbers, saw one each of all the typical Autumn migrants (Com Redstart, Pied Fly, Spotted Fly, Whinchat etc..), and a few Wheatears.
On the journeys to/from the islands, we were lucky enough to see Spotted Crake at Marazion just before dawn, and a summer plumaged Red-throated Diver in Penzance Quay.
The Sea crossings were fairly choppy, and a few seabirds were seen including 2 Storm Petrel, Balearic Shearwater, Manx Shearwater and a single Kittiwake. We also sailed past a large pod of Common Dolphins at ridiculously close range!
Finally, we are in the process of moving house.. to South West Hampshire, so this blog is likely to end in the next couple of months. If there is anyone out there reading it! |
