Mainly Norfolk Birding with Gary White

4^th October 2008 – Day 1 after leaving at 9.00pm on the 3^rd October 2008 we arrived outside Penzance at 5.45 ish Phil had a kip I tried but was kept awake by the Tawny Owl outside the car. We arrive at the secure car park and the man to let us in isn’t there so we wait, 3 Grey Wagtail around the car park kept me amused. He arrives late as he had been out for his sister’s birthday and got home really late and couldn’t wake up. We had to make haste to the ferry which gave me a rather nice blister on my foot.

Anyway we made it the ferry started nicely (baring in mind at the time I didn’t like ferries but have now grown out of that) we saw Pale-bellied Brent in the bay at Penzance and on the crossing around 70+ Gannets, 2 Razorbill, 3 Kittiwake, Great Skua and a Grey Phalarope. After a while on the ferry we hit a nasty weather system that started to throw the ferry around as waves crashed right over it so I went in had a pint which made me feel much better.

 

We arrived at the B&B dumped our stuff and headed out in the pouring rain. We went to Old Town Church and Bay and then headed back round by the dump. Saw the usual Sparrows, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes (plenty on the Scilly’s), Starlings and Collard Doves. In the church yard there was a congregation of Swallow’s (40+) and House Martin’s (10+). Looked out to see from the Bay a Fulmar and Sandwich Tern passed.

In the bay there were a few Rock Pipits, Turnstones, Oystercatchers, Pied Wagtail, a single Greenshank, Grey Heron and a pair of Malards. Beyond the Church Yard around the Daffodil fields there was a flock of Goldfinch and Linnets. On the way back along the track a Curlew had appeared in the Bay and a few Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls also a Seal kept popping its head up.

Along the track near the dump the weather worsened the rain got heavier and the wind howled through, the only birds seen were a few Pigeons, Goldcrest, Robin, Wren, Crow and Blue Tit. Went to the Scillionian Club for tea had a burger whilst trying to stay awake.

 

                                              Old Town Bay - A grey afternoon

 

 

 

 

5^th October 2008 – Day 2 didn’t start too early as I had been awake for 40 hours had a nice Breakfast whilst watching the rain still pouring down outside the window. From the B&B I spotted a Gannet over the sea. We head out regardless down towards Old Town Church nothing uncommon there but Shag in the Bay was a new species for the Holiday. From there we wondered round Old Town to Salakee Down and around the start/end of the runway. Just before the path up to the hill the Sun began to shine through and the rain stopped. Around the houses of Old Town we had Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit and some Meadow Pipits in the field. Along the path to Salakee a pair of Stonechat’s was chatting at us.

Up on Salakee Down we had 2 Wheatears and a Little Egret in Porth Hellick Bay, as we got closer to Porth Hellick Bay (Right with pool in backround) I then spotted a Kingfisher on the rocks. From the top of Salakee Down we could see into Porth Hellick pools where 3 Whooper Swans had just joined a Mute Swan these stayed for only a few minute before heading off. In the bay were a small flock of waders around 12 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, 1 Little Stint, 12 Ringed Plover and a Redshank. We then went for a closer look on Porth Hellick pool and found Coot, Moorhen, Mallards and 5 Snipe. Whilst we were there we had a flyover Golden Plover also. We then strolled though the High Moors and had a Blue Tit and we then went to Carn Friars to try to see Little Bunting.

 

 

 

 

 

At Carn Friars there was a few Siskin feeding in the field in front of us and a huge flock of Gold Finches at least 150 strong. Then I heard something familiar in the back round, I turned round and 5 Crossbill flew over and landed in the trees nearby. A Kestrel then came from behind the trees and spooked the Crossbills away.

 

 

 

 

Siskin - Carn Friars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then after 30mins or so the Little Bunting was spotted in the next field after squeezing in amongst the crowed a managed to get on it a lovely little bird.

 

 

                                                                                              

                                                                                                         Below - The big squeeze at the Little Bunting 

                                    

                                                                                                        

 

 

 

Below Little Bunting - Carn Friars

We then followed the main road round up to May Pole then back round to Porthloo Beach and Porth Mellon Beach.

 

 

Near Maypole we had another Wheatear (right) and a few Skylarks flew around,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

also this Clouded Yellow (Left ) was flitting around.

 

 

 

At Porth Mellon beach there was a flock of around 17 Oystercatcher, 15 Dunlin, 12 Turnstone and another Little Stint. Also a small flock of Swallows flew up and down the beach. That was the end of our first full day no big rarities but I am thankful for that as I was still very tired. Went to the Atlantic Inn for tea and had Lamb Shank – lovely.

 

 

 

Right - Porth Mellon with Hugh Town in the backround

6^th October 2008 – A new dawn and a new lot of rain hammered the windows this morning as I looked out at a Gannet from the B&B. We headed off towards Old Town Church again I spotted something flycatcher like but could not relocate it.

 

 

 

 

 

Right - Old Town Church Yard - a potentail magnet for rarities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then headed around to Peninnis Head where a Wryneck had just been reported.

We arrived and found that the Wryneck had gone to ground somewhere between one field another field and an open piece of scrub (basically they thought it was still on the Island), as there was a gale blowing we felt that there would be no chance the Wryneck will show in a hurry so we went for a wonder. Around the head we came across another Wheatear and 6 Golden Plover flew down Old Town Bay. Then I heard a typical winter call (for Norfolk anyway) as a Snow Bunting (left) flew over head and landed nearby. After some super views of the Snow Bunting a shout that the Wryneck was showing again made us run back over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got back but the Wryneck had gone to ground a Sparrow Hawk came over while we waited and I spotted a Kestrel over The Garrison. There was also this lovely Song Thrush (right) showing well on a nearby wall. Still no sign of the wryneck but I heard a mutter that the American Buff-bellied Pipit was showing again on  Bryher so we decided to head towards the town and if confirmed jump on a boat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way down we stopped at Porth Cressa and had 18 Sandwich Terns with Black-headed Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull, confirmation of the pipit then came on the pager so we went to the harbour for the next boat.

We made it to the boat with no trouble at all and were the second people there followed by a lot more including Martin Clunes (left) whom was making a documentary about the Islands. During the sailing we went close to Samson to look for a Spoonbill but no joy we did see a Grey Plover.

We arrived at Bryher and we set off on our route march across the Island although my foot was killing me from the blister on day 1 I managed to keep up the pace. We went over the Island to Popplestone Bay and upon our arrival there was a shout that the bird was perched on the rocks just in front of us and sure it was for around two seconds before it flew to the beach 40 yards away from us. So a quick re-shuffle from the masses and we were all getting great views of the American Buff-Bellied Pipit (right), this was a lifer for me which makes it all the better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(left) Buff-bellied Pipit Twitch - Bryher

 

After 45mins or so of watching the bird we decided to head back to for the next boat. Along the way we found a Spotted Flycatcher in some bushes near Hotel Pool. We arrived at the quay and found a Little Egret and Greenshank. I had to sit down as my foot was pounding I think the blister had burst for the 100^th time. While I sat a message came on the pager - St Mary’s American Golden Plover at the Airfield. Lucky for us the boat was in sight so on we got. On the sail back we had Whimbrel and Curlew.

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived and along with many others we started the walk through the town up to the windsock, again the walk was at an extreme pace, it had to be as weather was closing in turning day into night. We got to the wind sock, I could hardly stand but managed to locate the American Golden Plover (left) my 5^th for Britain, also at the site another Snow Bunting and a Dotterel. Then I staggered slowly back to the B&B to find my socks stained a gross yellow from the puss on my pounding foot – time for pain killers. Went down to the Wolf & Bishop for a nice Wolf Burger and had a few beverages to celebrate our first Scilly rarity and to help the pain.

 

 

 

                               Below - Birders strugle with a view as the 'high security' rope fence keeps them all off the runway

                           

 

 This is also the night that Phil decides to take a leap of faith in the dark along the seafront, to be far it was very dark and if I weren’t limping I probably would have done the same. What happened is we took a path back up towards the seafront by mistake I cut across some grass and come to the edge of a wall the bottom looked maybe a foot away so Phil steps off he then rolls away as he has fallen off so I go back around. It isn’t until the next day we realise the drop was actually 4 foot although Phil had a bruised elbow it was very funny (or maybe you just had to be there).

 7^th October 2008 – Awaken to see that yet again it was raining but not just rain it torrential flash flood type rain. It was meant to clear around 10.00 so we were hoping a lot of rare would fall out of the sky, so after a report of a Red-backed Shrike & the Wryneck still on Peninnis the evening before we headed out that way. The rain had eased but more black clouds were coming we must have been at the last hedge when the heavens opened so we took shelter from what was the last rain of the trip.

The rain stopped and a few birds started to appear a few Swallows were coming though and Meadow Pipits also. A Sparrowhawk fluttered round and a quick sea watch from the head produced a Pomarine Skua, and 12 Snipe flew down though Old Town Bay. Nothing else seemed to be about so we had another look for the Wryneck with no joy and headed towards The Garrison.

Left - Two Pictures taken about 15mins apart from Penninis looking towards St.Agnes

 

 

 

 

At Porth Cressa someone said the Red-backed Shrike (right) was showing at the middle track on Peninnis so we detoured back up there. We arrived at the middle track and found some other birders wondering around not knowing where the Shrike then two birders came from a track which led down a field where the bird was meant to be showing. We got to a Gorse filled field and edged through it to a wall where only the tallest of birders could see over luckily I was one of them and managed a few glimpses. After some walking up and around the wall I managed to get a clear view.

 

 

 

 

After watching the Shrike for a while we headed to The Garrison we went right around the edge starting on the north side. From the north side looking towards Tresco we could see a flock of 75+ Shag, looking towards Samson we could see Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Sanderling flying about. Around the west and south side we saw a Kestrel, a Wheatear and a Stonechat the problem around that side was the gale that was howling through. The east side of The Garrison was sheltered from the wind and it has a small wood. Here the forts wall runs along side the path and very friendly Blackbirds and Song Thrush (left with Phil) feeding on what seems a lawn on top of it. As this seemed the most sheltered part of the Island we hung about to see if anything was around. Around two hours passed and all that was seen were 7 Chiffchaffs, a few Great Tits and Goldcrests.

 

 

 

Below - Peacock Butterfly and one of the friendly Blackbirds

Below - All from the Garrison, Left Penninis Head, Middle & Right Hugh Town

After the long day the foot was killing so we strolled back, we stopped before leaving The Garrison to take pictures of the Herring Gulls and Startings (below) on the roofs, that night back to the Bishop for a really nice Gammon. 

 

8^th October 2008 – The sun was shining it was as some might say a nice day, at last no sign of any rain. First port of call was Old Town Church yard. Very quiet in there and nothing out of the ordinary, then on the pager Blackpoll Warbler - St. Agnes this being a lifer for both me and Philip we headed for the boat.

We arrived on the island and went to the Parsonage next to the lighthouse (below right) but there had been no sign of the warbler. All the marching about had really hurt my foot so I was struggling to keep standing.

30mins or so passed so I went for a wonder to see what I could find I headed down to Periglis beach (above left) on the rocks there were mixed flocks of Turnstone, Dunlin and Ringed Plover also a flock of Oystercatcher and a handful of Whimbrel. On the way back picked up on 6 Chiffchaff, Whinchat and Willow Warbler Philip had a Reed Warbler later in the same area.

I then went back to the Parsonage sat down looking up at the trees when a shout Blackpoll by the Post Office got me up and running the 500 yards around the corner. We arrive to find that the bird has vanished from site. So we strolled up and down the lane for the next hour hoping it will re-appear. No luck so we got some dinner from the Post Office and sat looking down across the fields at the hedges when another shout Blackpoll by tea rooms so another 500 yard dash and again it had vanished. Stood around for a while and had flyover Grey Wagtail and Siskin.

By this time my foot was pounding and the pain was getting unbearable so I found a nice rock for a sit down. Whilst sitting I continued to scan the bushes that were around me, then something caught my eye through a hole in the hedge. I got my bins on it there was a Warbler sized bird with a green back and pale front and the most striking piece was the head markings, it had a grey cap with black and white stripes running through the eye I was certain that the bird had to be a Red-eyed Vireo but I needed a closer look to make sure.

So I shot up and went over to this garden only to find that the was a flock of Sparrows within, nobody was about when this was happening then a birder walked by and I stood there telling him that I was sure that a Red-eyed Vireo was in this garden, I described the bird to him and he said that sounds like it can’t be anything else and no sooner had he finished saying it at the bottom of the hill 30 yards away a man shouts Red-eyed Vireo.

The weird thing is Philip also had the bird at the bottom of the hill and was about to shout it also when the man beside him done the same.

 

 

 

Sorry - didn't get a photo so heres a like for like sketch

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red-eyed Vireo was a lifer for me and was a great self-found bird what a buzz.

I then went on to Wingletang Down (below left) and had some views of a distant Short-toed Lark and then went back to The Parsonage for another look for the Blackpoll Warbler. While there a Yellow-browed called above us but could not be seen as we were looking direct into the sunlight. My foot was hurting bad now I could hardly walk so I sat on the steps again when a shout ‘the Blackpoll at Cove Vean’ from the same man I spoke to when I first had the Red-eyed Vireo as he was running through.

I had no idea where Cove Vean (above right) was so I had to get up quick and even though I could hardly walk I managed to run the half mile or so to Cove Vean where again the bird had vanished before we arrived.

With that we called it a day and walked back to the quay saw a Kingfisher around the Gugh sand bar and the had a few jars in the Turks head before catching the boat back.

That night we went back to the Bishop and Wolf and had a lot of drink mainly to stop my foot from hurting. Also had a delicious Chicken Korma.

9^th October 2008 – We awoke after a heavy night of drinking; I was fine and Philip not so. He decided to stay in for a while to recover so I set off and limped (foot really hurting today - never should of done the running the day before) towards Old Town church yard. Nothing much about in the church yard apart from the usual, but a Crossbill flew over calling.

 

 

                                                                                  A nice day in Old Town Bay

 

                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went to have a look in the bay where a lovely Kingfisher (right) was showing in full sunlight on a rock, a Whimbrel was also showing on the shore. I then glanced towards the airport and noticed a large bird of prey, once I had my bins on it I realised that it was a Peregrine.

Philip then managed to join me and we headed towards The Garrison via the dump. Down by the dump a few White Wagtails hopped about but nothing much else was around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then went up to The Garrison and to the Lower Broome Platform to try and see a Yellow-browed that had been in the area. We stood by a tree which Philip had said two days before ‘this will be the tree the Yellow-browed will be in’, and within ten minutes a little call and there it was in his tree the Yellow-Browed Warbler, it showed well for ten minutes until will left it and moved on.

As there was a second Red-eyed Vireo on the top of The Garrison I went to look for that while Philip stayed around the bottom. I got to the top and headed towards the birders and within minutes my second Red-eyed Vireo appeared, but yet again no chance of getting a picture but never mind.

I then went back down to the Lower Broome platform and joined Philip in photographing some butterflies that were around. Looking from Lower Broome towards Peninnis Head I managed to pick up the Red-backed Shrike although very distant (about half mile).

 

Below left- Speckled Wood, Right - Red Admiral 

 

 

Philip then decided to head back and get some kip (still hung over) I stayed at The Garrison for a while and done some sea watching but all I saw was Gannets. I then scanned Peninnis again and found the Red-backed Shrike again and also the Snow Bunting at the other end.

I decided to leave The Garrison and I headed up to Porth Mellon beach which was very quiet. I then limped through Lower Moors and only saw Water Rail and Moorhen.

The day had come to an end so I headed back to the B&B my foot was really hurting so I had a look and realised it was going Yellow/Green/Black so thought best to go to the doctors first thing.

That night we went to the Atlantic Inn for there famous quiz night and although we cheated we still finished about 8^th but never mind because the ‘Famous’ Atlantic burger was lovely.

10^th October 2008 – Got up and went straight to the Doctors and got antibiotics for the foot. Couldn’t decide what to do today a Philip wasn’t feeling to great again and decided to stay back. I went to Old Town Church again but still didn’t find any rarities in there. I then went round to have a last ditched attempt at the Wryneck on Peninnis Head but yet again no joy. So I thought why not lets go to Tresco so I did.

 

I arrived at New Grimsby and went down towards the Great Pool (Below) in the fields on the way were many Red-legged Partridges and Pheasants.

 

 

On the Great Pool itself were 12 Mute Swan, 3 Whooper Swan (the same birds from the 1^st day on St Mary’s), 2 Canada Geese, 73 Gadwall, 16 Teal, Many Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Pintail, 59 Coot, 21 Greenshank, 19 Redshank and 12 Little Egrets. I then wondered down the side of the Great Pool  and I heard the Great Spotted Woodpecker and picked it out in the distant trees over the other side of the lake.

 

Then went round to Pentle Bay (nothing there) and the Abbey Pool (4 more Canada Geese) I then decided to take a look in the Abbey Gardens which were very nice but not any birds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pond in the Abbey Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             Wall in the Abbey Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I then left and went round by the Heliport and back though the wood and down Abbey Drive where I found a Firecrest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing much else about I headed for the last boat off and went back to St Mary’s, whilst on the boat a phone call from Philip (Right) he was just letting me know that he had seen the Wryneck on Peninnis. Right I thought I will head straight up there when I get off. On the crossing back the captain took us via Samson where the Spoonbill was roosting with 12 Grey Herons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got back and I stepped off the boat as a Peregrine flew through I then went straight for Peninnis. We arrived and sure enough the Wryneck (left) was there the most elusive bird of the trip finally there on our last day. On the stroll back a Sparrowhawk flew over the track. For the last night we went back to the Bishop I had Gammon again which was lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11^th October 2008 – As no rare to see had a relaxing day in the sun due to the long drive home over night. Only bird really seen was a Fulmar on the ferry back.

 

 

Goodbye Scilly's - Till next time