19th July 2020
This 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull had no problem with me only a few meters from it in my kayak while it was sat on Skirt Island, Tresco
Nothin like the perfect conditions from last week but I had to get back in the water and mid-morning I found myself kayaking my way towards Tresco in a 15 mph NNE. I spent a few hours on the latter island and the highlight was a juvenile Cuckoo. On the South Shore, the Sanderling had increased from 21 last week to 66 but only 10 Turnstone. Also, there were 7 Dunlin 3 Whimbrel, 21 Sandwich Tern and 6 Mediterranean Gull. On the Great pool, there were 1 Green and 2 Common Sandpiper, 13 Greenshank and 4 Redshank and along Pool Road I heard a single Crossbill and also got the first returning 2 Willow Warbler. Like last week, there appears to be less large gulls commuting with Abbey Pool and South Beach. And again, like last week, no juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls.
I just caught this juvenile Cuckoo before it disappeared over the dunes towards Skirt Island.
There were up to 6 Mediterranean Gull feeding on South Beach All photos taken from kayak
Juvenile Stonechat
Near to the green shed along Pool Road, I came across a family of Willow Warbler which included four youngsters and always in the shade
I was soon back in the kayak and as I was in Tresco Channel, I could see a crow flying just over the water towards me coming from Samson. It turned direction heading towards Tresco and I could see that it looked like a Hooded Crow. However, I couldn’t rule out hybrid as I observed it with my naked eye.
After seeing the seals at the west side off Bryher, I decided to head towards Samson for calmer waters as it was getting a little lumpy with the wind increasing slightly. There were just too many folks on Samson and I decided to return to St Mary’s. By now the wind was blowing 20mph NNE and proved to be a pretty choppy crossing. I came into Porthloo and drifted towards 4 Mediterranean Gull and with them was my first juvenile Herring Gull of the year. Nothin else of note and I was back at Sharks Pit by 18.00.
You just have no idea what your goin to come across while out kayaking. I could see a small group of Greater black-backed Gull squabbling over somethin about a half a mile away from me just off Green Island. By the time I had reached the gulls there were only two still present having a tug-a-war with some species of fish. At close range they continued to fight before the smaller of the two let go leaving the larger individual to fly off with it’s prize.
This Kittiwake flew over the kayak while I was returning back to St Mary’s in The Roads
Kayaking in Porthloo Bay and I got some cracking views of 4 Mediterranean Gull
There were up to 30 Black-headed Gull
I also had my first juvenile Herring Gull of the year
I kayaked from st Mary’s to Tresco, Bryher, and Samson and was kinda surprised when I didn’t come across a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull. I had the first juvenile of the year two days ago, 17th, in the harbour before it flew off over town towards Porthcressa
This Green Sandpiper has been at Lower Moors for the last few days
This Swallow was in the garden on a dull foggy day
This young Song Thrush was thinking about coming into the house
Herring Gulls
SCILLYSPIDER 2 