Got up at 7am this morning, and thankfully, it had stopped raining. The plan was today to head over to the Garrison to try and see the Melodious warbler, which was found yesterday and a morning's birding on Bryher. Walking up towards Buzza tower, I had a close encounter with a Peregrine, which just zipped over me as I was taking a photo of the town.
Hugh Town from Buzza Hill
Walking down from Buzza Hill towards Porthcressa beach
The Black necked Grebe was still present in Porthcressa Bay, along with a juvenile Mediterranean Gull
Black Necked Grebe
Meeting up with Higgo in town, we headed up to the Garrison, where we soon connected with the Melodious Warbler, which was happily flitting around gardens in Sallyport.
Melodious Warbler
Cracking birds, these and a few years since I'd seen my last one. A Pied Flycatcher and a Reed Warbler were also present in the gardens. Moving on from here, we headed down to the harbour where we got the boat over to Bryher for our morning birding.
On arrival, we headed straight for the old post office, where we soon found the Common Rosefinch just sitting out in the sun.
On arrival, we headed straight for the old post office, where we soon found the Common Rosefinch just sitting out in the sun.
Common Rosefinch
There were plenty of Butterflies around as we walked across the campsite, and 7 Whinchat were seen.
Small Copper
Peacock
Red Admiral
7 Whinchats were around the campsite
Moving on to Shipmanhead Down, we found a male Snow bunting on the top path, which showed down to a few feet.
Snow Bunting
The views from Shiphead Down were fantastic. What a tranquil place the Scilly Isles are.
Higgo on his favourite Bryher
Looking over towards Tresco
Leaving Bryher behind and dropping Higgo off at St Mary's, I got the next boat to St Agnes for an evening's birding. On arrival, I headed straight for the parsonage in the hope of seeing two, yes two, Red-eyed vireos! I sat on the steps across from the parsonage, and it wasn't long before I got my first glimpse of a Vireo, and then the second bird joined the other. What a sight, they were so hard to photograph as they were both so active, but I managed to get two reasonable record shots.
Red Eyed Vireo
Leaving the Vireos to it, I called in at the coastguards, where I got cracking views of a Red-backed Shrike.
Red-backed Shrike
The sun was now starting to go down on St. Agnes, so I quickly got down to the big pool where the Lesser yellowlegs and Curlew sandpiper showed really well.
Lesser Yellowlegs
Curlew Sandpiper
I couldn't resist a few island shots of St. Agnes, as this is one of my favourite islands on Scilly.
The evening soon drew to a close with a fantastic sunset after a quality day's birding.
