11th November 2019
I managed to see up to 4 Firecrest today including this belter at Carn Friars
Yesterday the BROWN SHRIKE was very briefly seen near to the pump station at Porth Hellick. Despite a few of us searching throughout the rest of the day from 12.00, there was no further sign of it. Jo and I walked to Pelisry stables where we got a glimpse of the Hen Harrier. We returned to Porth Hellick and Graham Gordon let me know that he had heard a Dusky Warbler near to the pumping station. It wasn’t long until he relocated near to the start of the loop trail and that’s where most of us heard it. We also saw a single Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 2 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Merlin, heard the Cetti’s Warbler in the area and on the pool, a Little Grebe.
This Little Grebe at Porth Hellick is the only one I’ve seen this year on Scilly
Grey Heron
This morning, I didn’t get to Porth Hellick until nearly 10.00 as the wagon broke down outside the COOP. Graham and Higgo were already in the area trying to find the very elusive Brown Shrike when I arrived and again I walked the fields to the stables. There was a single White Wagtail and 2 Swallow flew east and the Mistle Trush was still present. Back at Porth Hellick, the Tufted Duck turned up after goin missing for a few days and the Yellow-browed Warbler was in between the two hides. At Carn Friars, a Firecrest gave me stunning views with 3 Chiffchaff and at the loop trail there were also another 2 Firecrest. Returning home there was a single Black Redstart at Old Town Bay with another 3 birds at Little Porth.
Firecrest at Carn Friars
Not many Chiffchaff around at the moment and I only got less than ten birds.
This White Wagtail was at the stables with Pied Wagtails
In the garden there was only a single Redwing feeding and it turned out to be a Icelandic Redwing. At 16.00, Jo and I were at Morning Point where there were 2 Yellow-legged and a single Common Gull. It was almost dark when we returned home and heard a Firecrest in the campsite garden.
Icelandic Redwing showing well in front of the bedroom window.
There were 2 Yellow-legged Gull with the 150+other gulls including 3 Lesser-black backed and a single Common Gull.
SCILLYSPIDER 2 