Isles of Scilly 2017

Isles of Scilly Birding 2017

As we, Mark and I set off for a weeks birding on the magical Isles of Scilly, there had already been some great migrants stopping off on their various routes south. Well that's not entirely true there were 3 Bee-Eeater's on Tresco, they had traveled north. I love these islands and the anticipation that comes with visiting these islands. When going at this time of year species numbers are lower than August and September, the birds that are present or may turn are in small numbers, apart from possibly Meadow Pipits and Starlings. I love going in the hope of finding an uncommon bird or possibly a real rarity.

Below are a few of the  birds that we saw.



This is Mark and I looking at Dolphins



We saw 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Davidstow Airfield on our drive down to Penzance

 





This poor juvenile Gannet flew past Pendeen Lighthouse


We saw this distant American Golden Plover near Sennen


These Mediterranean Gulls were in Sennen Cove



Rook in Nanquidno Valley



Raven and Chough at Botallack Mine



Sparrowhawk


Isles of Scilly


We managed to get distant views of this Cedar Waxwing that turned up on St Agnes the morning of the day we arrived. We returned to the island and got slightly better images.








Isabelline Wheatear on the airfield








Northern Wheatear for comparison below






Cliff Swallow





Barn Swallow for comparison below



American Golden Plover at Porthellick Beach






Lesser Whitethroat on a beach on St Agnes 











juvenile Peregrine Falcons hunted over the islands




Wryneck


Firecrests could be found on all the islands






Common Redstart






Rosy Starling





Willow Warbler







Pied Flycatcher (above) Spotted Flycatcher (below)






White Wagtail


Yellow Wagtail












Spotted Crake


Common Snipe at Lower Moors





Jack Snipe at Lower Moors



Kestrel chasing pipits over Porthellick


6 Pink-footed Geese flew over the lighthouse on St Agnes







Portugese mano war were almost everywhere



Our digs were in Harbour Lights


View from our back door (above)


Porthcressa Beach early morning


Looking towards Samson, Bryher and Tresco Islands

Comments

Arjun Dutta said…
Awesome photos, I feel so jealous.