9th May 2020
It really felt like I was in the Mediterranean today and it wasn’t the hot weather. Subalpine Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Golden Oriole, 4 Turtle Dove and at Trenoweth, this impressive Bee-eater.
Up and around the Garrison this morning and after seeing a Whitethroat, I relocated the male Western Subalpine Warbler in sub-song but out of sight deep in the gorse on the top path just east of the Steval. It didn’t take long for it to surface and activity fed showing well at times. However, not as well as when I left as it gave crippling views throughout the day for those who came up to see it. Yesterday evening, Jaclyn Pearson was lucky to have 3 Bee-eater fly past her while she was near the archway on the Garrison. They must of been an ear-shot from my garden. So after breakfast, I made my ways up north of the island as Darren Mason had already seen 2 Bee-eater fly from Pelistry towards Peace Haven. It was not until 12.30 that I was at the top west fields of Trenoweth that I searched through some 20 House Martin hoping for the Red-rumped Swallow that was seen earlier at Pelistry. A quick scan at the wires in the bottom fields and bingo! There was a Bee-eater! I rushed down I got some awesome views before it flew off SSE and later on it was relocated at Carn Friars. Over two hours later, I heard, then saw the Bee-eater returning from the direction of Carn Friers heading north over Maypole.
After goin missing for a day, I relocated the male Western Subalpine Warbler in the same area as where I originally discovered it
Whitethroat
This Bee-eater showed well at Trenoweth
The 11 wheatear on the golf course appeared to be all of the Greenland race
I reached Green Farm and there I found a Woodchat Shrike in fields sloping north towards Watermill. Robin and Scott succesfully twitched it. At Peace Haven, a female ‘type’ Golden Oriole flew across the paddock to the large pines at the north side. A few minutes later it confirmed itself as a 1st summer male when it sang very briefly. It was now 18.30 and as I passed the junction to Carreg Dhu Gardens off Telegraph Road, a quick look in the bare fields produced 4 Turtle Dove. I also had 2 Spotted Flycatcher nearby and the female Merlin dashed through. Nearly home and the Hen Harrier put in an appearance over Sandy Banks being mobbed by 2 Carrion Crow to finish off what was an awesome day!
The Woodchat Shrike that I found at Green Farm with St Martins in the distance
3 of the 4 Turtle Dove that I had near to Carreg Dhu Gardens
These 2 Carrion Crow were giving this Hen Harrier a hard time over Sandy Banks
today there were 7 Willow warbler, 20+Blackcap and 10 Chiffchaff, including this individual at Maypole
I had 6 Swallow today that appeared to be juveniles, including these two different individuals. . Seems too early for them to be out of the nest even if they bred further south in Spain maye? Or maybe it’s not?
Some 50 Swallow were seen today
Good numbers of Goldfinch around
This female Blue-tailed Damesfly at Porth Hellick was the first of the year
I also had up to 12 Silver Y Moth scattered around including four at the golf course where this individual was
Sunset from Star Castle this evening
Labour MP Nadia Whittome was Sacked as a Care Worker for Speaking Out. This is the Truth They Don’t Want You to Hear
SCILLYSPIDER 2 