16th August 2020
3 Mediterranean Gull hanging out with below, a single Black-headed Gull, in Tresco Channel
While kayaking off Samson at low tide this morning, I counted 30 Mediterranean Gull. Later on, off Tresco, I identified a 1st winter that I didn’t see off Samson making it a Scilly record of 31 Mediterranean Gull!! They were all juveniles except for 7 adults and a single 2nd winter. I think before this the record was 26 birds at Porthloo. Throughout the day while kayaking or on land, Med Gulls seemed to be all over the shop and I reckon there are probably 40-45 individuals knocking around the islands. Who knows, but it’s more than 31 and there’s a good chance the record could be short-lived. I also had 11 together on Tresco Abbey Pool, although birds were moving in and out of the pool and Ren also had 15 at Porthcressa, St Mary’s. There’s be an obvious large arrival of Mediterranean Gull on Scilly in the last day. I also had 4 Little Egret off Samson.
In the last day there has been a largest arrival of Mediterranean Gull on Scilly All photos taken while kayaking
This adult appeared came acroos as a hybrid MediterraneanxBlack-headed Gull
Yesterday after work, I kayaked over to Tresco and in the evening light I had a handful of juvenile Mediterranean Gull fly catching around Tresco abbey Pool. One of the individuals appeared to be a MediterraneanxBlack-headed Gull hybrid
After counting Mediterranean Gulls, I made my ways towards Bryher. After walking around for two hours the highlight was a Redstart in the garden west of the pool where there were 2 Dunlin. Otherwise it was hard work with only 2 Willow Warbler and Blackcap and single Chiffchaff.
Just got a record shot of this Redstart before it disappeared
And only 2 Willow Warbler while on Bryher
Robin
A short kayak to Tresco to check out the pools and the only waders were 11 Greenshank, 8 Redshank, a single Common Sandpiper and Kingfisher. No sign of the Whinchat or the Wood Sandpiper that flew south towards St Mary’s that I had here two days ago. On the South Beach, there were still good numbers of waders. 3 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull isn’t unusual but a 2nd winter is for this time of year on Scilly.
Yesterdays Whinchat in the evening light flycatching next to the David Hunt Hide
There were up to 3 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull on the south Beach
And with them and 100s of other large gulls I picked out this 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull All photos of gulls taken while kayaking.
Migrants Are Not Your Enemy. Corrupt Politicians Are | Professor John Ashton
SCILLYSPIDER 2 