Snow Bunting in Hugh Town

31st March 2020

Running down to meet Richie Aston at the COOP in town and kicked this stunning male Snow Bunting off from the slope next to the main entrance to Tregarthen’s Hotel

In the last few days, I’ve ventured around The Garrison and in the bitter cold easterlies and seen nothing of note. However, early this evening I was running down, you know, trying to keep fit, to meet up with Richie Aston at the COOP, who was doin my shopping as I’m two weeks in isolation after returning back from the mainland. As I was approaching the main entrance of Tregarthern’s Hotel, I almost stood on a Snow Bunting. Fortunately the bunting flew up and landed on the nearby roofs. I stopped, not to look at the bird but to get my breath back. With no bins or camera, I took a pic of what I could with my mobile and then called Richie and also put the news out. He answered but didn’t say aythin for a while as he was trying to work out if he was listening to a dirty phone call. ‘It’s me you pratt!’ He paused ‘My names not Pat’ I told him that I was breathing heavy down the phone because I’m recovering from the minute run from my home I did twenty minutes ago! The COOP was only a two second walk from where the bunting was but by the time Richie and Higgo arrived, it had disappeared and Richie asked me whu did I call him Pat? It wasn’t long until the bunting was relocated back on the track where it gave typical superb views for this species at close range for the next 45 minutes before flying off to roost.

As Snow Bunting are pretty rare in the spring on the islands, this being only my second on Scilly, this male is more than likely the individual that was seen briefly at Peninnis six days ago.

Large numbers of House Sparrow in the garden with some having a good ole dust bath

Starlings and Collard Dove coming into drink and bath in the trough just in front of the window

I also had 3 Linnet, 2 Black-headed Gull and a single Meadow Pipit and a record count of 31 Wood Pigeon from the house. I’ve never stared out from a window so much. Elsewhere, the Rook was relocated today at Mount Toddon and the LESSER KESTREL was still present at Porth Hellick Down

Looking over the bird table at Lesser and Great-black backed and mostly Herring Gull. from yesterday. Also had the female Merlin dash through three days ago

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