Well I am back and in need of some rest, after walking miles on the Isles of Scilly in search of a rarity or two. It was very quiet indeed bird wise and birder wise. Though having fewer means the chance of some birds going undetected is greater, it makes it much more peaceful.
While away the only real day with passage birds from Europe passing through the park was Thursday. This was due to the wind finally swinging around to the south-east. A direction that we had been waiting for on the Isles of Scilly.
Birds seen in the park 7th included: Ring Ouzel, 9 Redwings, 50 Blackbirds, 20 Meadow Pipits, 20+ Swallows and Yellow Wagtail.
Birds seen today 9th;
1 Common Snipe flushed from grass in the wetland pen, 30 Redwings, 26 Song Thrush, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and Kingfisher(seems to be resident)
Below are a few snaps from The Isles of Scilly, more can be found on the link to my galleries.
St Mary’s from one of the Skybuses as we head home.
The Lookout B&B one of the nicest B&B’s that I have ever stayed in.
Looking south towards St Agnes at dusk (above) and Porthcressa beach as the sun comes up (below).
American Golden Plover over Porthcressa, it eventually relocated to the airport. A very elegant long winged wader.
American Golden Plover and Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Lower Moors is a good place to see Greenshanks up close 
Peregrines were seen daily, the one below to me looks a little bit different to the ones that I normally see.
Common Buzzards are not seen that often on the isles
Sparrowhawks don’t breed on the islands, though we had four in the air together
Kestrels could often be seen hanging in the breeze
Outside the sheltered waters of the islands the Atlantic waves pound the small rocky islets. My decision to go on a pelagic was not one of my best decisions I have made. Having never been sea sick before I thought this would give me the opportunity to get some sea bird photos, wrong. I was fine for the first two hours but then it hit me. For the next four hours I was either laying on a bench or hanging my head over the side. I did manage to see on of 21 Bonxies and a school of Common Dolphins, but missed Manx Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Gannet and Fulmars. So I thank my friend Mark for letting me use some of his pictures.
This juvenile Shag is another victim of rubbish in our seas
What race of wagtail do you think this is?
Thanks again to Mark for this shot of a Red-breasted Flycatcher
This Grasshopper Warbler sunning him/herself alongside a Sedge Warbler.
This Blackbird has been present on the Garrison for several years and House Sparrows will swipe and unguarded piece of bread or cake from your plate.
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