Our annual trip to the Isles of Scilly this year coincided with a variety of weather systems, which generally failed to produce the expected megas and rarities. Most of the arrivals appeared following SE winds. The trip was however made towards the end of what has turned out to be an excellent year for seabirds around the islands, sea watching in the right conditions provided a bigger variety of birds than usually encountered this late in the year.
What follows is an annotated checklist of the birds seen personally on the islands. Unless specifically noted all records relate to St Mary's. Other observers present at some of the sightings were Dave Gray, Phil Holloway, Neil Howes and Tony Sheppard.
Great ShearwaterPuffinus gravis 16 heading SE past Peninnis between 09.10 and 09.20 on the 9th following a CB message of a large flock off Gugh. A quick run back to the lighthouse finally allowed me to catch up with this long desired addition to my British List.
Sooty ShearwaterPuffinus griseus
1 past Peninnis on the 9th between 09.10 and 09.20.
Gannet Morus bassanus
1000+ logged of Peninnis Head in two hours on the 8th; good numbers were seen around the islands on most days.
ShagPhalacrocorax aristotelis
Large numbers daily around the islands.
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
On the 10th 1 flew over Newford Duckpond. 1 Porth Killier, St Agnes on the 11th.
Mute SwanCygnus olor
A mobile pair was first seen in Old Town Bay on the 12th.
WigeonAnas penelope
One female at Porth Hellick pool on the 17th.
Common TealAnas crecca
female on Porth Hellick pool on the 12th
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
2 females sheltering in Porth Conger opposite the Turks Head Pub.
Ring-necked DuckAythya collaris
A 1st winter male was seen briefly in the Harbour from Porth Mellon beach before flying off towards Old Town on the 9th.
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus
A female over Four Lanes End on the 12th was the only record.
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Seen in small numbers around the islands with 1 on the 9th on the south side of Peninnis.
MerlinFalco columbarius
A female flew over the crowds looking for the Barred Warbler on the Garrison 14th.
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus
A juvenile over Carn Vean tearooms 12th.
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Only one this year seen being chased by a Moorhen at Porth Hellick pool on the 12th, others heard around both Lower and Higher Moors.
CorncrakeCrex crex
My final non-BBRC rarity was finally ticked off on the 10th following an organised flush of a bird found on the NE side of Giants Castle below the airport runway, the bird finally gave stunning views as it reluctantly left the cover of its favoured patch of gorse. It was seen running and occasionally flying before returning to the safety of the gorse! Another bird showed briefly and occasionally at Porth Hellick Downs on the 15th.
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Common around ponds first recorded at Newford Duckpond on the 10th.
Coot Fulica atra
Only recorded from Porth Hellick pool on the 12th.
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
Seen around most of the islands coastlines from the 9th.
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula
Seen in small numbers daily in suitable habitat.
Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
7 flew over Porth Hellick Down on the 17th.
LapwingVanellus vanellus
4 distantly over islands from incinerator on the 16th and 1 over Normandy on the 17th being good records for the islands.
SanderlingCalidris alba
Small numbers in sandy bays with 3 at Porth Mellon on the 8th. Also recorded on Porthloo Beach on the 12th.
Dunlin Calidris alpina
The only birds recorded were 6 at Porth Killier, St Agnes on the 11th.
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimus
A single bird showed down to 6ft in front of the south hide in Lower Moors on the 9th. It allowed prolonged views of its cryptic, camouflaged plumage and peculiar bobbing action when feeding.
Common SnipeGallinago gallinago
1 fed alongside the Jack Snipe at Lower Moors on the 9th allowing the differences between the two species to be seen. 1 again by the hides at Lower Moors on the 10th. A bird flushed from the rough grass on Peninnis on the 12th was most probably this species, flight zigzagging but strangely kept low.
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopus
1 was seen on the rocks in Old Town Bay on the 9th.
CurlewNumenius arquata
1 on the 11th at Porth Killier, St Agnes. 2 Porthcressa 16th.
Redshank Tringa tetanus
First recorded at Porth Killier, St Agnes on the 11th. 1 on the 12th Porth Hellick and another in Lower Moors.
GreenshankTringa nebularia
2 on the 12th at Porth Hellick. 1 on the rocks in Porthcressa bay 16th.
TurnstoneArenaria interpres
Seen around most sandy and rocky bays.
Arctic SkuaStercorarius parasiticus
1 dark phase bird past Peninnis Head on the 8th. Another this time pale phase past Peninnis on the 9th.
Great Skua Catharacta skua
On the 8th a single bird off Peninnis Head.
MediterraneanGullLarus melanocephalus
On the 16th a beautiful adult and a scruffy juv/1W roosted in Porthcressa Bay.
Little GullLarus minitus
My first for the islands 3 (2 adults and 1 immature) SW past Peninnis Head on the 8th.
Black-headed GullLarus ridibundus
Common throughout the islands.
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus graellsii
1 with a mixed gull flock off Castella Down, St Agnes. A couple more on the rocks in Porthcressa Bay on the 16th.
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Common, confident and confiding. Seen on all days.
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus
Good numbers on all days around the islands.
KittiwakeRissa tridactyla
Small numbers recorded from sea watches with 4 on the 8th. A flock of 29 birds was seen roosting on the rocks in Porthcressa Bay on the 16th.
Sandwich TernSterna sandvicensis
8 were seen on the 9th in the Roads from the Garrison.
RazorbillAlca torda
This was the only auk species recorded with 2 passing Peninnis on the 12th.
Stock Dove Columbia oenas
2 with Woodpigeon at Carn Vean on the 12th.
WoodpigeonColumbia palumbus
Common around most agricultural habitat.
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Increasingly common around habitation, particularly Hugh Town.
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur
1 was "twitched" from the Bishop and Wolf on the 9th. The bird was consorting with a flock of 40+ Collared Dove on and around the roof of the Scillonian Club in Hugh Town.
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus
A bird was seen roosting in the pine belt along Sandy Lane on the 10th and remained faithful to the same perch until at least the 15th. Another bird was seen being mobbed flying over the Big Pool, St Agnes.
Wryneck Jynx torquilla
One on the 17th at the junction of Telegraph Road and Longstones was a showy if sometimes elusive bird.
Woodlark Lullula arborea
One on the 15th showed well in the field adjacent to the Corncrake near Porth Hellick Burial Chamber.
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
Seen in better numbers than the past few years including 2 on Peninnis on the 9th. On the following day 20+ flushed of the airfield by a plane. At Porth Minick 6 were below the airfield on the 12th.
Sand MartinRiparia riparia
2 in a mixed hirundine flock in the Carn Vean/Holy Vale area on the 15th.
Swallow Hirundo rustica
On the 12th 5 were hawking insects over Porth Hellick Bay.
House MartinDelichon urbica
3 on the 15th were in the mixed hirundine flock around Carn Vean.
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
Commonly seen on a daily basis.
Rock PipitAnthus petrosus
Common around most shoreline environments.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
A juvenile bird on the 12th over Porthloo Lane/Rocky Hills.
Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii
Common around the islands notable for absence of any of nominate race alba, White Wagtail this year.
Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
The commonest bird on the islands, consequently recorded daily.
Dunnock Prunella modularis
Abundant seen all days.
RobinErithacus rubecula
Abundant and confiding, seen daily.
BluethroatLuscinia svecica
Another scarce species to feature multiple birds, the first being a female/imm on Castella Down, St Agnes on the 11th. A different female/imm caused a temporary break in breakfast in Old Town Café 12th, when it was seen in gardens across the road this bird later settled around the Tolman café and was seen there on the 13th. The superb male on St Agnes was finally seen showing exceptionally well by the Cricket Pitch and the Porth Killier on the 14th.
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochruros
Excellent numbers of this species this year most birds female/imm type, the first seen on the 11th at Little Porth. Possibly as many as 6 birds on Castella Down, St Agnes, 11th included a superb male. 1 unusually on the track at the Higher Moors pumping station on the 12th.
WhinchatSaxicola ruberta
1 from Sussex hide at Porth Hellick on the 12th.
StonechatSaxicola torquata
Common on all islands.
Northern WheatearOenanthe oenanthe
5 Peninnis Head on the 8th. On the 9th 2 again on Peninnis and 1 on the airfield by the windsock. 3 feeding in fields along Pungies Lane on the 10th. On St Agnes 1 on Castella Down on the 11th.
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatus
A very good year for this species starting with 2 on the airfield on the 9th. 1 female flushed from Peninnis lighthouse on the 12th. An immature type seen above Porth Minick in allotments on the 12th. A pair male/female were on the Garrison football pitch on the 14th. On the 16th 2 (1 male, 1 1W male) in fields at Peninnis Head. This had the honour of being the final species seen with one at Parting Carn farm from the airport shuttle bus on the 17th.
BlackbirdTurdus merula
Seen daily with larger numbers following SE winds.
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
1 at the back of Holy Vale on 17th.
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
One of the commonest birds on the islands, again numbers boosted by continental immigrants in suitable weather conditions.
Redwing Turdus iliacus
2 on Peninnis Head on the 12th started a run of increasing numbers culminating in flocks of 30-40+ being recorded on the 17th.
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
One was heard then seen flying from fields along Pungies Lane on the 10th, this bird appears to be becoming increasingly scarce on the islands.
Locustella Warblersp.
1 flushed in rough grass on Peninnis by the allotments could not be relocated despite extensive searching.
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
Only one record from outside the Sussex hide at Porth Hellick on the 12th.
Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
1 seen briefly along track through Lower Moors, constantly calling with a rolling harsh rrrrrchack call. 2 on 17th at Higher Moors.
Common WhitethroatSylvia communis
A singleton by the Cricket Pitch, St Agnes on the 11th being the only record.
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
1 male seen on track through Porth Hellick on the 9th. Another male on the 10th feeding in the elms at Holy Vale. 1 male in the Parsonage, St Agnes 14th.
Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus
In what can only be described as my best year yet for this species the first a very bright bird was seen by the track to the Pottery on the Garrison on the afternoon of the 9th. 1 Trenoweth on the 10th. On the 12th 1 associated with the crest flock at Holy Vale cottages. The only one seen on St Agnes was showing well around the Parsonage on the 14th. A final individual showed brilliantly well below the Garden Battery on the Garrison giving probably the best views ever of this species.
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrix
The only bird recorded was on the 14th around the Parsonage, St Agnes.
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
1 Lower Moors and 1 Trenoweth on the 10th started a run of good records for this species with increasing numbers seen on most days. On St Agnes on the 14th 10+ feeding around trees near the Post Office and a further 7-8 in the Parsonage. A grey Scandinavian type bird was on the Love Lane Trail on the 15th. 10 around Holy Vale on the 17th.
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Single birds or small flocks seen on all dates from the 9th when the first was seen by the track to Peninnis Head.
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillus
A single bird joined the Yellow-browed warbler and the Goldcrests in Holy Vale first seen on the 12th and last on 15th.
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata
1 around the Dump Clump on the 8th in appalling conditions. Another showed well alongside the Red-breasted Flycatcher on the Garrison 14th and 15th.
Red-breasted FlycatcherFicedula parva
Initially somewhat difficult to connect with however on showed well in the pines on the Garrison 14th and 15th. Another was typically elusive in Holy Vale on the 17th.
Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleuca
Scarce this year with the only record coming from Trenoweth on the 10th.
Blue TitParus caeruleus
Seen mainly around sallows in areas like Lower & Higher Moors, common.
Great Tit Parus major
Commonly seen on most days, definitely under recorded.
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
Small flocks seen daily around the islands.
Carrion/Hooded Crow hybrid Corvus corone/cornix
1 seen on the 10th with a flock of 3 Carrion Crow along Pungies Lane.
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Seen daily in good numbers on all islands.
Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus
A juvenile was first seen roosting in a Pittisporum hedge below the Coastguards Cottages, St Agnes on the 11th, the same bird was seen again on the 14th feeding on fallen apples in the gardens of Seagull Cottage, St Agnes. The head still appeared downy and the bird showed signs of retaining its gape.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Commonly seen around the islands primarily around habitation.
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Strangely scarce this year 2 females were in Old Town Churchyard 12th.
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Small flocks seen most days in suitable habitat.
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Small flocks frequent the islands and recorded daily.
SiskinCarduelis spinus
6 over Porthcressa Bay towards the Garrison on the 16th and on the 17th 5+ at Porth Hellick Down and a superb male/female down to 3ft on Telegraph Road were the highlights for this species.
Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Common around the islands, flocks are always worth checking for rarer or scarce species.
Lesser RedpollCarduelis cabaret
2 over Porth Hellick Downs 15th.
Lapland BuntingCalcarius lapponicus
2 (1male, 1female/imm.) on the 9th around the windsock on the airfield. 1 on the 11th in fields below Troy Town, Castella Down, St Agnes. Another male showed down to a few feet on Peninnis on the 12th.
Ortolan BuntingEmberiza hortulana
A superb individual showed well in fields and bushes along the west side of the track along Peninnis Head on the 9th at 11.20. A most welcome addition to my British List so soon after the Great Shearwaters. Like Corncrake you wait years for the first the two come along together, this time a 1W bird on Castella Down, St Agnes. The bird was more showy than the St Mary's bird but not as well marked.
Rustic BuntingEmberiza rustica
The long staying male was seen at Normandy Corner perched in the Pittisporum hedge adjacent to the road on the afternoon of the 9th with a flock of 10 House Sparrow.
