Mainly Norfolk Birding with Gary White

 

It was a new day we awake in Penzance after staying in a B&B after the drive down the day before which had us doing a brief stop to see the Brown Shrike at Staines (see diary), we all get on the ferry with no problems and a still calm day was ahead of us.

This year the cast of this trip consisted of 'the birders' Philip-from last year, Adam - excited newbie and myself, also in tow were one 'half birder' the wife Claire and two 'non birders' Laura and Bjorn best friend and partner of Claire's.  

The sailing was smooth and the first birds of note were a Buzzard over the mainland as we went past. A few Guillemots also flew though as we approached the open ocean and Gannet became more numerous the further we went. About half way Adam spotted a Shearwater sp fly past the front of the boat which I then picked up and got great views of a Sooty Shearwater.

We then headed to the Scillonian III bar and got a pint and added Gannet to our birds from a Pub list. Whilst on the boat news of a Melodious Warbler on St Agnes meant that we would be heading straight there as soon as we got off, mainly because Melodious is the only 'commoner' migrant that is yet to grace my life list.

We arrived on time met the man at the cottage and left our cases to get the next boat to St Agnes. During the crossing we sailed through a large flock of Shag more than 350 strong and as we came in the harbour two Grey Herons flew through.

 

 

A message stating there was no further sign of the Melodious Warbler meant we changed our plan slightly and went over the top of the Island to Castella Down (right), on the way we had Goldfinch, Starling, House Sparrow, Song Thrush and Robins. We arrived at the Nags Head (a rock not a pub) and within 5mins our target bird flew out of some brambles and into some bushes above it. It took a couple more minutes until the Rose-Coloured Starling (below-left) was on full show but the show was short lived as it then flew into bushes that had the sun directly behind them and made viewing difficult.

 

 

 

 

Also on the down were a small flock of Meadow Pipits and a Grey Wagtail flew over, but with limited time on St Agnes we then headed straight to the area the Melodious Warbler had last been seen. We went round via Troy Town where I got this picture of a Goldfinch (left). In amongst the flock of Goldfinch were a handful of Linnets and a Chaffinch.

 

 

We headed along the track from Troy Town to the Great Pool where we saw Wren, Stonechat and Chiffchaff. I then went over to the Great Pool to take pictures of the Whooper Swans that were on it, in the field/cricket pitch were a few more Meadow Pipits and in addition to the Whooper Swans on the pool were Coot, Moorhen and a Single Common Snipe.

Just as I had finished taking my snaps I got a shout from Phil and Adam thinking that they had had the Melodious Warbler (to be fair they had only had brief views and new the Warbler wasn't a Chiffchaff) I ran over and soon identified it a Yellow-browed Warbler, it was a very nice little bird that had no fear of us and enjoyed very much flying round and round in circles after little insects. Below Whooper Swans on the Great Pool and the Yellow-browed Warbler.

After a load more searching we then headed back towards the key and by the Lighthouse five Swallows, Great Tits and a few more Chiffchaff.

We then popped into the Turk's Head (a pub not a rock) and I extended my pub list further by adding to it to my surprise a Peregrine that sat on the rock at the end of Gugh, a Kestrel the flew over Gugh, a Robin, Guillemots that flew through the roads, Shag that sat on the rocks and a Common Gull that flew through the sound.

We arrived back at the quay just in time to see four Spoonbills flying between Tresco and Bryher. Me and Adam decided to head up to the Air Field to try and see the Wryneck that had been seen up near there. We went from the quay up via the allotments, in the allotments were Dunnocks and Robins and another Chiffchaff and a Pied Wagtail also flew over. At the top of the hill a message appeared on the pager with regards to a Little Bunting at Lower Moors so we decided the Wryneck would wait another day and we went for the Bunting instead.

We got to he Lower Moors to find that the Bunting had flown but could not be relocated so we stayed and searched the area, a Redwing flew over and a few Wood Pigeons were heading through. Then a small bird perched on the wires but it was only a Greenfinch, it was getting late in the day so we headed back and as we were walking back through Lower Moors a Water Rail called.

We went round via Porth Loo beach where we had Curlew and Turnstone, we then got to watch the sun setting over the harbour at Hugh Town before we headed to the pub for tea.

Nice.

 

I didn't fancy to much of an early start as felt quiet tired from the previous two days travelling so we decided to wait on news of the Radde's Warbler that was seen an St Martins the evening before. We got up about 7.30 anyway and headed out.

Phil needed cold and flu stuff so he popped into the Co-op me an Adam went up the harbour wall to scan out, straight away I was on an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Kittiwake. Also in the harbour and out in the channel were Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Shag, Turnstone and Oystercatcher.

I then got a message about some Dolphins off Peninnis Head so I went back and got Claire because I knew she would love to see some. Claire wasn't sure the best way to get to Peninnis so I went to meet her at the cottage and Adam and Phil went by themselves, me and Claire arrived in double quick time as both of us had different boats to catch (mine to St Martins and Claire's to Tresco), no sign of any Dolphins but Gannet, Wheatear and Black Redstart made up for it.

On the way back to the quay a few Redwings flew over and we got there in plenty of time to catch the next boat, from which we had Grey Heron and Little Egret.

We finally arrived at St Martin's at Lower Town Quay this meant we had to walk the length of the Island before getting to Little Arthur's Farm but on the way from just past Middle Town on St Martin's flats we had Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Black-tailed Godwit.

We then walked around the Goose fields where a Red-throated Pipit had been seen a few days before plenty of Meadow Pipits but no sign of any Red-throated. We finally arrived on a track at the top of Little Arthur's Farm and we could see the birders below looking around but no where in particular. There were a few Chiffchaffs flicking around and one that caused a brief moment of excitement as it appear rather pale (in fact almost white underneath) but never the less it was only a Chiff.

Then we heard over the radios around us about a Minke Whale off the Day Mark which was just along from where we were standing so we went round for a look. We got there and sure enough there it was this huge mammal which seemed to like chasing the resting Gannets off the sea, the Whale disappeared for a moment when a small boat came through but at this point I then picked up on a pod of 8/9 Common Dolphin. The Whale resurfaced further out to sea and as we watched a Peregrine came steaming through.

Left the Day Mark and Right the typical St Martins habitat

With the Whale gone we returned to our spot at the top of the Hill and continued to look down onto the farm.

It wasn't many minutes we stood there when I spotted the Little Bunting on bushes between us and the other birders I shouted to the others and they had just got onto it to the views were only brief as it dropped down out of site, we knew the others were on it still as they seemed to be looking directly at us.

We then caught the Little Bunting flying off towards the farm building but we could not locate it from where it landed.

 

We hung around for another hour or so and had a Fieldfare fly over whilst we waited, then news of a Tern near the Day Mark sent us just round the corner to have a look, at first it was difficult to clinch the id but once the bird took off we were happy with it being an Arctic Tern.

 

 

We then decided to head round to the bottom of the Island where a Redstart had been seen and we thought it would be worth a look. Around the Western side of the Island we had a few more Fieldfare and a handful of Swallows. I sat on English Island Point for 10 mins just scanning around but saw nothing other than a couple of Skylark.

 

 

 

We then arrived at the Cricket pitch and it wasn't long until we were watching the Redstart flick around some allotments, this was in the company of 3/4 Blackcaps and a few Chiffchaffs. News of a Red-throated Pipit on St Mary's had us catching the next boat back but as soon as the boat we caught left the quay (right) the Red-throated Pipit had flown off apparently towards St Martins (typical). On the boat back we had a Kittiwake on the sea and a Mediterranean Gull flew past.

 

 

 

 

 

With nothing to do we thought a quick drink in the Atlantic would be in order, here we watch the Herring Gulls fly by when all of a sudden a 1st Winter bird decided to join us and then proceeded to try to get into the pub.

 

 

 

We finished our drinks and decided to head up to Old Town Church yard to see what we could find, on the way I had a Linnet but before we even made it to the Church Yard there was news of a second Radde's Warbler but this time on St Mary's which had us heading up to Carreg Dhu Gardens. We got there as fast as we could but the bird had not been seen for 20mins by the time we arrived, we searched the area until dusk and only had a Wren that got me all excited for a few minutes.

Sorry no luck for this one.

With feeling not that well the even before due to being very sunburnt didn't get up all that early but was out of the door by about 7.30 Phil was also suffering with a cold and didn't get up either but met us later on.

Adam and I headed up Peninnis Head and said we would go round to Old Town Church Yard, heading up the track we didn't come across much a Grey Wagtail flew over and a small flock of Swallows went round also. We had a look through the Meadow Pipits on the head and had a brief sea watch where only a few Gannets flew through.

 

 

From Peninnis Head we took the track straight down towards Old Town Church and came across this project that had obviously been completed by someone with plenty of time on there hands, there must of been nearly 100 stacks in all. We did re-visit later in the week and saw that the high tides had claimed many of the stacks back to the ocean.

 

 

 

In Old Town Bay there was a lone Little Egret and a couple of Oystercatchers, also from the track was a lovely little Robin that was singing from some dead twigs. The Church yard it self had a Chiffchaff and a few House Sparrows.

                                                             

We then walked round to Porth Hellick pool and went into the hide and watched 10 Whooper Swans swimming around, a moorhen, a Heron, and a Cormorant that was fishing in about 3 inches of water. It was very amusing every time it came across a fish it would kick like mad almost running rather than swimming. After a few more minutes in the hide I then found the Jack Snipe hidden behind some grass quite close to us, and not long after that I found a Water Rail running through the reeds at the back of the pool. During our time in the hide we saw 4 Lapwing fly over and a Stock Dove flew through also, and just before we were about to leave I found a second Jack Snipe on the far side of the pool.

 

As we left the hide we exchanged details of the location of the Jack Snipe with some Firecrest news and went look for them towards the end of the track. We searched in the area and I heard a Crest call in the distance but could not get a direction on it, Philip than gave me a shout as he had just located our first House Martin in a small flock of Swallows. We stood around a little longer before we decided to head off to look for the Wryneck near the airfield. Walking back along the track we approached the same hide from earlier when I then heard the distinctive call of the Firecrest in the Pines above our heads we watch for a while as two Firecrest flicked around the trees.

We then left Porth Hellick and headed up to the airfield turning circle, walking through Salakee Down we came across a few Wheatears and many Meadow Pipits. We then arrived at the runway which now seems to have a traffic light system in place and some very to the point signs.

 

 

We went over the end of the runway and could see a small group of birders looking into the brambles and this is where a wonderful Wryneck sat, initially Philip missed it but then got rewarded 10mins later when it landed within metres of him. I was feeling the burn (sun) so said I was going to return to town to pick up my sun hat we walked through Lower Moors and got a really close views of this Snipe we then carried on to head back to town but before we even got there a message on the pager informing us of the Radde's Warbler being sighted again along the track towards Longstones Cafe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided that my hat could wait and headed straight there with Adam and Philip this proved fruitless as by the time we arrived the bird had gone. We scanned around for about 45mins before I decided that I really needed my hat and I headed back to Hugh Town leave Philip and Adam to it. Right - Radde's hunt take two. Leaving those two was half a mistake, I say half because while they were tucking into there Ploughman's Adam went to the toilet and Philip sat outside and was lucky enough to pick up a Red-throated Pipit as it flew over.

 

 

 

Anyway I got some lunch, well sausage rolls and donuts from the bakery went to the cottage got my hat and took some headache tablets and headed out again with the view of relocating the Radde's Warbler. Claire, Laura and Bjorn joined me as I headed up to Longstones as they wanted to have a look at Carreg Dhu Gardens. But before we had hardly left Hugh Town a message about a Common Rosefinch at Porthloo Duck Pond sent me away in the other direction. Adam and Philip had left Longstones and happened to be just around the corner when I called them about the message, we all headed down the road together and followed a small track behind the pond. It was here where we had to crawl under some trees to get the views of a Common Rosefinch which briefly landed very close to us but most of the time was on the ground and could hardly be seen. The birded only stayed for a 10mins before it flew off over the hedges, not a great shot I know but the bird is identifiable.

 

 

At this point Adam and I decided to head up to the north of the Island in the hope of finding some of our own stuff and maybe coming across the Red-throated Pipit that flew that direction. We walked up to Longstones Cafe and got a drink and had a Kestrel and Sparrowhawk soaring around together. We then left and continued along the track towards Maypole. It was at this point that we had our biggest stroke of luck for the trip and as we walked around a corner we notice two birders looking in the hedge and then another ran around the corner come up to us and said 'have you seen it?' I asked him 'seen what?' he replied with 'the Radde's'. Well we hadn't seen it but missed it my about 10secs we stood for a minute and could see a Warbler flicking around in the back of some bushes it then came into view at about 3m away a super little Radde's Warbler (right), I took a brief film as by now we had 50 birders behind wanting to see it and we thought we should get out of the way.

 

 

 

We then walked up to the Maypole and headed to the North of the Island at Chambered Cairn we took different tracks to double our chance of finding rare. I took the track along the sea edge and found Stonechat, Wheatear and a Peregrine. I then got to Bar Point when Adam called me and said he had a Ring Ouzel fly my direction we then looked around all the fields in the area but could not relocate the bird. Left - Ring Ouzel in there somewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

We then started to head back and went via Telegraph the area was seriously bird less the only things we got were Starlings, Sparrows and Greenfinches. We then walked down past Porth Loo beach and had Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher. It was now the end of they day so we retired to the Pub.

 

 

 

We decided to catch the 'early birder' boat at 8.15 on the hope to find some rare on Gugh and St Agnes. We arrived at 8.30 and headed straight for Gugh as most other people headed across the island.

The birds were slow Oystercatcher, Wren, Starling and a few Swallows pushed through. I then had a Kingfisher from the sand bar that flew into Cove Vean. We then took the track that went around the South of the Island. Not much happening here either with only a single Chiffchaff a few Dunnock and Rock Pipits. We then had a Male and Female Sparrowhawk soaring over Agnes. A few minutes later a Kestrel flew out over Agnes and a Wheatear along the track.

I then took the track over the top of Gugh as Adam and Philip made there way to down the East side of the Island, from the top I could scan the whole Island but again didn't pick up on anything other than a Pied Wagtail and a Stonechat. I continued back down the hill and could see Adam and Philip entering some rather favourable looking bushes so I started to head over to join them. On the way a Water Rail called from Dropnose Porth and at that moment I then looked up and could see a Thrush Sp flying over the top of the hill, I got my bins on it and confirmed that it was indeed a Ring Ouzel. This appeared to go down behind the bushes near to were Adam and Philip had gone into.

 

I then found Adam and Philip but they had not seen the Ring Ouzel although they did have many Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap in the bushes. Then a flock of Thrushes flew over and headed around us, some dropped into the bushes and some kept flying round, this was a mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare. I then heard a close Water Rail so went for a quick look and spooked the bird next to Dropnose Porth, A few Skylarks flew around also.

Me and Adam then went around the North of the Island to the top of the hill (view right) in search of the Ring Ouzel (which we never found), a Grey Wagtail flew over and from here you could see the Whooper Swans on the Great Pool of St Agnes.

 

 

 

On the Sea were a large flock of Shag 350 (a few left) strong and a flock of around 50 Goldfinch flew around us also. We sat up here for 30 mins or so scanning the sea but failed to find anything else other than Gannets.

 

 

We walked back down the hill towards the sandbar to head back over to St Agnes. On the way just on the rising tide next to the sandbar a Lesser Black-backed Gull (below left) was feeding at the waters edge this was our only LBB Gull for the whole holiday. A few more Swallows were flitting around also. We then received a tip off with regards to a Whinchat (below right) just around the corner which we then located with ease. Just before we headed off Gugh a Mistle Thrush flew over from St Agnes.

We arrived on St Agnes and headed straight to the post office for a pasty (which was yummy) on the way we found a few more Chiffchaff and a two more Mistle Thrush flew over. Whilst sat outside eating my pasty I heard the distinctive call of the Siskin and found it as it flew over our heads.

 

 

We left the Post Office and headed our separate ways in the hope that the 3 of us spread across the Island will hopefully find more than the three of us together. No sooner had I left them I found a Black Redstart (right) in a garden next to the Lighthouse, tried to call them but neither had any signal, typical. The Black Redstart showed well for 20mins until I then left it and headed further along the track.

 

 

 

 

 

I then headed down to Castella Down and had a quick look through the Starlings there but there was no sign of the Rose-coloured Starling amongst them, although the Cow's seemed to show an interest though was no other birds to see.

 

 

 

 

I headed off and went round by the campsite and Chapel finding nothing other than Chiffchaff. I had another look at the Whooper Swans and saw Bar-tailed Godwit on the beach in company with Curlew. I then sat beyond the Great pool looking over the fields and Porth Coose and scanned over towards St Martins where I could see Claire, Laura and Bjorn on the Beach (only just though). Philip then phoned to say he had some Redshank in the next bay along so I headed that way and after a while managed to find them. We then headed up to the Turks head for a spot of lunch. We had a drink and scanned for more 'birds seen from a pub' this time we picked up on Grey Heron, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Stonechat, Sparrowhawk, Carrion Crow, Wren and Chaffinch. Left is the wonderful view from the Turk's Head beer garden.

 

 

We spent the rest of the day on St Agnes hoping to find something worth shouting about I wondered down to Cove Vean and across Wingletang Down then back to the Campsite and Tennis Courts to see what I could find basically it was nothing. The only bird I found was a Peregrine sat on Annet viewable from near the Campsite.

 

We then caught the last boat back, when we arrived at the quay I decided to hang on and wait for Claires' boat to arrive from St Martins from here I picked out a Med Gull across the harbour. Claire arrived and we where then heading back when news of the Common Rosefinch at the school nr Old Town came on the pager, Claire wanted to go and look so came along. We arrived at the site in time for me to take this picture (right) and heard news of a Swift Sp over Peninnis Head so we did a quick turn around and headed along the farm track across the top.

 

 

 

 

We arrived on the top at the end and had seen no Swift (later found out it drifted to St Agnes not long after being seen), we stayed up here to have a look around. A few Linnets flew around and many Stonechats, Rock Pipit and Song Thrush's were also about.

 

 

 

 

 

I scanned out to sea and found a single Harbour Porpoise which we all managed to see. We hung around here for a while and watched the sun go down over St Agnes (right). We called it a day and headed back.

 

 

 

Just when we thought the day had finished a group of very excited children shouted us over 'look what we've got' so we did and found this little fella.

 

 

 

The day started like all the others with glorious sunshine across the millpond sea. Me and Adam were up and headed off the Garrison on the way we saw 4 Common Scoter in the roads. We also had a few friendly Stonechats popping around near us this one sitting up for a few minute for me to get a rather nice photo.

 

 

 

We then went over the top of the Garrison in search of Philip who was now up here somewhere. We walked along the tracks seeing Redwing, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest. Then all of a sudden news of a Basking Shark between the Garrison and St Agnes got us racing round the corner to where we then met Philip. We scanned for 15mins put could not see where this could be. We went for another look for the Common Scoter so Philip could see them when the Basking Shark was reported again but this time just off Peninnis Head, we dashed back across the top of The Garrison just in time to see this huge beast going around the back of Peninnis Head heading in towards Old Town. With this Adam and I decided to try to get on the end of Peninnis so that I might be able to get some footage of it. On the way down to at Morning Point 2+ Crossbills flew over. (Right view from the Garrison looking towards St Agnes)

 

 

I had phoned Claire about the Shark who had headed straight up the Peninnis, I called her again and asked if it was still there she said yes but it's a Minke Whale. I couldn't believe it the Shark had gone and a Minke Whale had come in its place. We continued to fast walk down to Peninnis head and finally made it. The Whale unbelievably was only 100 yards off the head land, I took in the view and got a brief video before the Whale decided to depart. Here are some video grabs below.

After what I calculated to be about a 4 mile gauntlet we were worn out and needed a rest, luckily Adam had some Maryland Cookies with him that managed to keep me going.

Adam and I had decided to catch the 2.15pm boat to Bryher to look for the Hooded Crow as Adam wanted one more bird to reach 250 (well actually he didn't because after miss counting 250 was achieved two days before with the Radde's Warbler). This gave us just enough time to head back have some lunch and catch the boat.

But with birding every best made plan comes up trumps and before we had even made it back to the cottage news of the Cattle Egret near the telegraph got us running off in the other direction.

We finally got good directions on the Cattle Egret and ended up on the Higher Lanes by Sage House the Cattle Egret had flown from the field it was in out of sight. Adam and I really fancied Bryher so didn't want to hang around to long. Then the Cattle Egret had been relocated just down the road viewable from Trewince.

We dashed down and were one of the first there and sure enough there it was in the middle of the Cattle field the bank was high and it wasn't easy for 'little' Adam to see it but he found a Toad Stool or something to get the extra height to see the bird. More and more birders came which made the Egret uneasy and it finally flew off. Below - Cattle Egret and the people that saw it.

Lucky for us we still had time for a spot of lunch and time to catch the boat to Bryher. Even better for us was the fact the Cattle Egret did not settle all afternoon and some birders didn't even get on it.

 

 

Anyway we arrived on Bryher seeing two Med Gulls on the way, we headed straight for Gweal Hill after a tip off as to this is where is favourable for the Hooded Crow. Just past the Vine Cafe we had a brief look for the Rose-Coloured Starling, no sign of it but a Pheasant sat in the field. We then got to Gweal Hill and walked around the bottom, we then decided the best option would be to sit on the top and scan everywhere (right). We sat watching for about an hour with nothing to show other than a few Carrion Crow, Rock Pipit and a Curlew. I then spotted a Grey Seal pup on Gweal Island and said well that must of been there all that time and we hadn't seen it the Hoodie could be anywhere. We decided to sit it out until we had to catch the boat.

 

 

I then spotted a Crow on Gweal Island but the light wasn't very good which I thought may have been giving it the grey tinge it had. We watched it for five minutes and came to the decision that it was only a Carrion Crow. I then knocked my scope and one scopes width right of the Carrion Crow the Hooded Crow (left) sat feeding on the shore. We could believe our luck there it was.

We then had a small amount of time to walk slowly back to the boat, this gave us the chance to see the Bryher Rose-Coloured Starling it didn't show well but we saw it a few times.

We then got the boat back and went past Puffin Island where 22 Grey Herons were roosting, we then went via Green Island also, Here four Spoonbill sat and this was the end of our birding day.

NBBBBA - No Bloody Birds But Bloody Amazing

The day started before dawn I had been awake since 5.30 so got up and headed to Peninnis at around 6.45, it was still dark but was very windy the Sea had a serious swell on it .

The birds were the normal, Gannets, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit and Stonechat. I did a brief sea watch and then headed to Old Town Church yard, on the way down I picked up a Merlin heading over the Airfield.

I went through the Church Yard fairly quickly getting on nothing other than a Chiffchaff, I then walked though Lower Moors and heard a Water Rail.

I then got back to the Cottage to find Adam and Philip had gone, Adam was on The Garrison and Philip was ahead of him also, Adam waited up for me and we decided to headed up along to Morning Point for a Sea Watch.

It wasn't long when news of a Basking Shark off Peninnis Head came over the radio and sure enough there it was in the bay, I phoned Claire and she came up with Laura and Bjorn. They arrived 15mins after we had seen it and had lost. They hung around on the point for about an hour and then headed back. Within 5mins of them leaving there it was again right in the bay at Porth Cressa they rushed back and got some great views. Although this Basking Shark was much smaller than the previous days Shark it was nice to get a good look at it. Below is the best picture I could get.

It was now lunch time so we headed into town to get some food, we met up with Philip and we decided to go up to Long Stones cafe to check out the moths that had been caught overnight.

We arrived and were lucky enough to be shown the Blair's Mocca Moth (below) and a Kent Black Arches Moth.

With this done I still felt that the Sea would be worth watching so Adam and I headed back to Morning Point.