The Scilly Isles 6th and 7th Oct

Hello

Like much of the country, the Isles of Scilly have been hit with continual blustery easterly winds which has produced large numbers of migrants. In particular the Robin is particularly numerous and there must be hundreds of of them on the islands. A little ringing next to our chalet during the last three days has produced 29 different individuals.

Yesterday (6th) was very enjoyable, the high-point being just past noon when we discovered a Caspian Tern in flight over the Porthcressa Bay on St Mary's. This bird quickly moved to the east of the island and settled at Porthellick where most locally-based birders managed to catch up with it.

Other interesting birds included the two Cattle Egrets again, a confiding Black-necked Grebe, a Wryneck, the Red-backed Shrike on the Garrison, several Firecrests and Yellow-browed Warblers, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Merlin, a couple of Black Redstarts and plenty of insects including Hummingbird Hawk-moths and Painted Lady butterflies in good numbers.

Today (7th) and much the same weather conditions but with a much-reduced wind provided good ringing conditions and individuals trapped and ringed included Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Firecrest and Grey Wagtail. Eleanor saw up to four different Wrynecks on St Mary's today, including two or three together. Yellow-browed Warblers were everywhere and both Porthellick and Lower Moors hosted ridiculous numbers of Jack Snipe. The Cattle Egrets remained mobile and most of the birds from the day before were seen again. A pulse of fresh-in warblers included a new wave of Blackcaps.

And tomorrow's forecast is looking good too...!

Regards 

Neil M

Firecrest

Common Redstart

Black Redstart

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Little Bunting

Rock Pipit

Red-backed Shrike

Black-necked Grebe