Rose-coloured Starling in garden

13th June 2021

In the very hot calm conditions, I Kayaked some 17 miles today and a great surprise was when I came across 30-40 Common Tern off Great Crebawethan, Western Rocks

Four days ago, 9th June, as usual, with my naked eye, I scanned the 60 Starling feeding in front of the Castle obs window hoping to see a Rose-coloured Starling with them. Nothin there and I opened the window to throw some scraps out out. Big mistake! As all the Starling got up, with them flew off a bloody Rose-coloured Starling. With 2 other Starling, I watched it fly off 100 mile down road towards Trinty Cottages/Christmas House! I went in search of it but never saw it again after that. So pleased that I saw it in front of the obs window but cursing now that I didn’t spot it when it was on the deck.

This morning I set off from St Mary’s just before 08.oo in my kayak and Some 40 minutes later, I was rounding the east side of Annet where I saw my first of 40 to 50 Puffin of the day. I continued south towards the Western Rock’s and one by one I slowly took my time passing them, now heading NW. More Puffin and good numbers of both Razorbill and Guillemot were all over the shop. It was when I reached the last island, Great Grebwithen, that I came across 4 Common Tern feeding at close range. Last year only 6 pairs bred on Rosevean nearby. So when 30+ Common Tern came off Grebwithen, I was kinda taken back. Some were carrying fish but were they all breeding? I left them in peace and as rowed out north towards Gunners Rock as more Common Tern were coming in to join the other terns. Near to the Bishop and Wolf lighthouse, a single Swallow flew south and while I was 3miles west of Samson, a vocal Siskin flew east. I stopped off briefly at the latter island with nothin of note before moving onto to Tresco.

First of the Western Rocks, Gorragan rocks looking from Annet

Between Annet and Nundeeps there were up to 40-50 Puffin

Both Razorbill, above, and Guillemot were in very good numbers, particular around the Western Rocks

A great sight was up to 30-40 Common Tern were present on Great Grebwithen

Only a handful of Fulmar wree on the water

There was a large swell as I passed the Bishop Rock lighthouse to the south

On Tresco, I spent enough time to cover the two pools and the South Beach. 2 Black-tailed Godwit were on the Great Pool . Hawking above were some 30 Swift and 20 House Martin, including a presumed SwallowxHouse Martin hybrid. The highlight on the Abbey Pool were 3 female Pochards with 7 ducklings. Also 8 Grey Heron and the pale-headed Iceland Gull. The beah produced 35 Turnstone, 3 Sanderling and single Dunlin and White Wagtail.

Hopefully these Pochard will make it to flying stage

Up to 30 Swift hawking over the Great Pool

This presumed SwallowxHouse Martin hybrid, always stayed high above the Great Pool

White Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

Robin

Dunnock

This single Dunlin was feeding with 3 Sanderling

Part of the flock of 35 Turnstone on the South Beach

Before I left home this morning, ‘Billy’ was in front of the Castle obs window and I returned home 12 hours later, to find it still in the garden.

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