We aimed to visit the island of Bryher today but the tides didn't permit an early boat. So after a few hours birding on St Mary's, we travelled over to the private island of Tresco on the 10.15am boat and then caught a boat from there at 12.30pm to make landfall on the small island of Bryher.
A Yellow-browed Warbler called continually again around our chalet first thing. A quick walk around the Great Pool at Tresco yielded another Yellow-browed Warbler, this time showing itself well in Sycamores, a Jack Snipe was flushed from the track and other birds included Stonechat, Wheatear, an apparent migrant flock of 9 Blue Tits, Reed Warbler and common waders and wildfowl.
On to Bryher and a good walk around the north-west end of the island produced a couple of Ring Ouzels, half a dozen Wheatears and a Black Redstart. Plenty of Rock Pipits inhabited the beaches and a small flock of waders included a rather oddly-plumaged Little Stint. A further wander around other areas of the island provided a Whinchat and another Black Redstart but not much else.
Scanning the waters and island just off Bryher provided plenty of gulls including a Mediterranean, common waders, plenty of Little Egrets and the usual Grey Seals. The very warm conditions and strong sunshine made we wish I hadn't bothered with a coat!
On our return to St Mary's we walked around the Garrison and saw a stunning adult male Back Redstart, which interestingly was ringed on its right leg.
After a fish and chip supper on Porthcressa Beach it was time to retire to our chalet and bed down two very tired collies!
Neil M
Beware! Female birder
and Bazra the collie
on Bryher!
Bryn - still full of
energy as always!
Little Stint