BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER-BRYHER-ISLES OF SCILLY-15/10/2022

News broke early afternoon on the 13th of October that a first-winter male Blackburnian warbler had been found at Popplestone Fields on Bryher, Isles of Scilly. This species has been recorded on just three previous occasions: 

2009-Outer Hebrides-St Kilda, Hirta, probably a first-winter male, 12th to 14th September.

1988-Shetland-Fair Isle-Furse, first-winter male, 7th October.

1961-Pembrokeshire-Skomer-Age and sex uncertain, 5th October.

This was an absolute mega bird, and there has never been a twitchable one in Britain before. I couldn't go the next day due to work commitments, but thankfully, the bird went to roost on Friday night, so plans were made to visit the archipelago the next morning with Dave Mack.

I left Little Sutton at 4.00am, and we arrived at Penzance Heliport at 9.00am. And there was no news on the bird. And then the news came out; there was no sign! You know that feeling you get when you feel a major dip coming on!🤬 Thankfully, news came out from my good friend Higgo on the islands that the bird was still there just before we boarded the helicopter😜

We were off!

We soon arrived and got picked up by Higgo at the St. Mary's airport, and we made our way down to the quay and boarded the boat to Bryher.

The short walk across the island, and we arrived with the bird being picked up immediately among the masses watching it!

What a bird!

The next couple of hours were spent watching this magical bird. I couldn't believe how well it was showing! I never thought this little Jem would be on my list and would be so easy to see.

ME AND THE MACK! IT'S ON!

We left the bird around 3.30pm and started the long journey home, and arrived back in Cheshire just after 10.30pm. What a day, and what a bird! Typically, as I sit here writing this, the bird is still showing well a week later! Don't know what the rush was😎