Long-eared Owl ringed at Porth Hellick

19-28th September 2022

Early morning on the 20th got me down to Porth Hellick to see this stunning Long-eared Owl in the hand that Jim had trapped and ringed.

In the last week it’s been reasonably quiet for this time of year with the usual scarcities being recorded around the islands. I managed to connect, on it’s second day and after three attempts, a Nightingale at Peninnis Head, 20th and two days later, the highlight of the week, a Long-eared Owl in the hand at Porth Hellick. When released, it circled a couple times before heading off NE towards Normandy. On the 25th, I had a Ring Ouzel on the airfield in the morning and by later afternoon, I discovered the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn at the entrance of the campsite and it proved to my earliest record by two days. With in the hour of this individual turning up, singles were at Lower Moors and Watermill. Half an hour after work on the 27th, at Higher Moors produced another Yellow-browed Warbler, the vocal Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Northern ‘type’ Willow Warbler.

Long-eared Owl trapped and ringed at Porth Hellick before being released

This Ring Ouzel was at the airfield, 25th

I discovered the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn at the campsite, 25th and was my earlist sighting by two days. In the next hour two more turned up on St Mary’s

Two days later I had this individual at Higher Moors

When photos were uploaded on the wildlife Whatsapp group of this Clathrus ruber (Red Cage or the Latticed Stinkhorn) on the path at the Dump Clump, Like others, Dulcie and I went to have a look at it, 28th. For both of us, it was a first of this impressive alien looking species of fungi. Pic by Dulcie

This Kingfisher performed very briefly at Porthloo Duckpond

There were up to 5 skylark at the airfield hanging out with some 60 Meadow Pipit

At the beginning of the week there were still low numbers of Spotted Flycatcher knocking around

This single Golden Plover was at the airfield and could appear different in the light

Wheatear are now in very low numbers

While Sparrowhawk are moving through and I made out that there were three different individuals on the 25th.

While searching for the Nightingale, I came across this partially albino Linnet at Penninis.

A few days later I had it at Green Farm.

On the 19th, this Grey Wagtail arrived in the garden. Later in the week it was joined by another individual

Mediterranean Gull

Chiffchaff

Sedge Warbler

Grey Heron

Stonechat on the Garrison

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Bonelli’s Warbler sp at Helvier

14-18th September 2022

This Short-toed Lark showed off at the airfield on the 15th and was still present today

Mid-afternoon on the 14th, I found myself braking my neck backwards searching for Steve Holloways Bonelli’s Warbler sp that he turned up in the pines at Helvier. He only went and discovered it in the tallest pines on Scilly but after a good twenty minutes I relocated it only to loose it again. A small crowd had now gathered and I went looking elsewhere. I picked it up again and got the others on it but unfortunately it never called in all the time it was observed until dark. Nearby there were also 3 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipit and 3 Whinchat. The following morning I was at the Standing Field hoping to get better views of Robin Mawers Common Rosefinch that I saw briefly two days ago. No sign but the Wryneck showed briefly before I had to return to work. It was after Work, I made my way up to the airfield to see if yesterdays Short-toed Lark was still present. The lark was still there and with it was an Ortolan Bunting. Presumably the same individual that Mark Anderson discovered a few days ago nearby at Salkee. There were also new in up to 40 Wheatear and 80 Meadow Pipit.

Although the Bonelli’s Warbler sp was not heard to call it’s more than likely a Western than an Eastern and proved very elusive sticking high up in the top of the pines

If only the Bonelli’s could of shown like this Willow Warbler in the same pines

There were 2 Tree Pipit….

and up 3 Whinchat nearby

This Wryneck that’s been at the Standing Stones field for the last few days finally showed well for me very briefly

This Ortolan Bunting was more than likely the individual that was discovered by Mark Anderson at nearby Salkee

Short-toed Lark

Both the Ortolan Bunting and Short-toed Lark spent a lot of time feeding together and performed well at the airfield

There was a slight increase in Wheatear with some 40

While searching for a Lapland Bunting at Giants Castle on the 17th, I kicked this Wryneck on top of the carn

Good numbers of Blue Tit have been on the Garrison

where I also had this Pied Flycatcher

And up to 3 Spotted Flycatcher

Willow Warbler

Chiffchaff

And for a change, I observed a Humming Bird Hawkmoth settled instead of zipping around

Today, as it was so calm at sea, Dulcie and I set up scope off Giants Castle and scanned for cetaceans. Up to 3 Harbour Porpoise and jumping Tuna was all we could manage. On the bird front, a Hobby flew in off the sea followed by 2 alba wagtail. Before all this, to get to Giants Castle we skipped across the airfield where there were 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 25 Wheatear, 30 Meadow Pipit, single Golden Plover, Tree Pipit, Whinchat and both the Ortolan Bunting and Short-toed Lark were still showing well. Late in afternoon, I was at Green Farm where I flushed up yesterdays Wryneck only to be followed by another individual. Not much else goin on but as I drove past Porthloo boatyard, I ended up searching for another bloody Wryneck that turned up yesterday here. Three of us ended up getting some cracking views of it before it flew off and disappeared into a nearby garden to finish off an awesome day.

Both the Ortolan Bunting and Short-toed Lark were still present on the airfield

Unusual sighting was to see 3 Spotted Flycatcher on the airfield itself

Wheatear

So far I’ve seen up to 8 Wryneck this autumn including three today and this individual has been the show off at Porthloo Boatyard

Comma Butterfly

Painted Lady

Looking east towards Cornwall

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My video last week about Liz Truss and her suitability for the highest office in the land had hundreds of comments, of which a small handful were of the “give her a chance” variety. Well, I’ve given her another week, and despite parliament being put on hold, the new prime minister has already made too many stupid decisions to cover in one video. But I’ve done my best, so do take a look. I’m a one-person team with no financial backers. I really appreciate my viewers sharing this video to get the word out there. Together, let’s bring this extreme right wing government to an end. I appreciate the generosity of Superthanks contributors, which helps meet some of the costs of my expenses in making these videos, but I’m equally appreciative of viewers who post a link to this video on their favourite social media platforms. Hitting the Like button and subscribing to the channel is also really helpful to me, as it tells YouTube to share my videos with a wider audience. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/c/TruthToPowe… Follow me at Twitter.com/TruthToPowerTV Facebook.com/PowerKnowsSHOW LESS

Baird’s Sandpiper on Tresco

9th September 2022

Just over two hours on Tresco and connected with the Baird’s Sandpiper and this Citrine Wagtail on the Great Pool

Finished work reasonably early and arrived at Tresco South Beach just after 16.40. I was soaked to the bone after kayaking across from St Mary’s in the very choppy conditions. The Abbey Pool was very quiet with only 3 Black-tailed Godwit and an unusual sightings for this time of year, a juvenile Common Gull with some 12 Mediterranean Gull. However, just across the road, in a few minutes of scanning there were the Spotted Crake, 2 Ruff, 4 Green Sandpiper and to my surprise, got the Citrine Wagtail that turned up a few days ago. The wagtail was hard to get as it played hide and seek in the foot of the reeds at the edge of the water. It was while trying to obtain pics of it that I could see the Spotted Crake in the east side of the pool. It wasn’t long until I was in the Swarovski Hide, skipping past the David Hunt Hide because of time, and from the former hide to the left was the Pectoral Sandpiper and a single Snipe . It was in the far SW corner that I could see a group of waders distantly. They were all silhouetted from the sun but I could still make out the mixed bunch. With 7 Dunlin were 2 Curlew Sandpiper, single Little Stint and the Baird’s Sandpiper. This was confirmed when they circled the pool only to return to the same feeding area as where they had took off from.

The Citrine Wagtail never came out into the open. Instead spending in the few minutes that I observed it, at the foot of the reed stems.

This Spotted Crake has been present in the same area of the SE of the Great Pool for nearly month now with another individual still being uncounted from well Cover

Unusual record for this time of year was this juvenile Common Gull on the Abbey Pool with 12 Mediterranean Gull

Out of the 2 Pectoral Sandpiper from the last week, only this individual has remained on the Great Pool

There were only a handful of Dunlin on the two pools

Green Sandpiper

Before hitting Tresco, I got a brief view of the Red-backed Shrike at Carn Friars

Small numbers of Kestrel have arrived in the last week or so

Chiffchaff

Sedge Warbler

Linnet numbers are starting to build up

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Great White Egret at Porth Hellick

3rd September 2022

Wrynecks are superb little woodpeckers and so far I managed to discover up three this autumn including this individual on the coastal path below the golf club house where it was on show for others to see throughout the day, 31st.

As usual, I could take off half an hour to an hour off during the days of working and as a result it turned out to be not a bad few days. Mid-morning on the 31st, I had a quick look along the coastal path, west of the golf club house produced 2 Wheatear, 3 Whinchat and single Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Whitethroat and in the last field north of Juliet’s garden, a Wryneck showing off feeding out in the open. Those twitching the Wryneck found another individual further north along the coastal path. Later on after work at Bishops View there were 3 Pied and 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat followed shortly afterwards along the Dead Pine Walk there were a single Tree Pipit and 3 Pied Flycatcher.

Out the 3 Wryneck that I’ve come across so far, this individual is the only one that showed well

I had up to 7 Pied Flycatcher including this individual on the Dead Pine Walk

Where I also had this Tree pipit and is only individual that I’ve observed on the deck from the small numbers overhead throughout the last few days

The following day, I got out in the evening and was rewarded with a Great White Egret flying high west over Porth Hellick. With less than ten Scilly records, this was only my fifth I’ve seen on the island. Also at Porth Hellick there were 15 Sand Martin and single Swift. At Carn Friars there were 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipit and still present, the Red-backed Shrike. This was also the last day that the Ruff in the garden was seen after a three day stay. The next morning, I was back at Porth Hellick briefly where I had up to 20 Willow Warbler, a single Graden Warbler, the first Firecrest of the autumn and 3 flyover Tree pipit. Also heard the Great Spotted Woodpecker nearby. In the evening walking the airfield, 2 Green Sandpiper flew west and appeared to come down at Lower Moors. This was followed by 4 very vocal Wood Sandpiper high SW out to sea. on the Dead Pine Walk there were a single Pied and 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat, Reed Warbler and a flyover Tree Pipit.

The Citrine Wagtail on Tresco is now believed to be a possible Eastern Yellow Wagtail after better images were posted on the WhatsApp group. This would explain that why it didn’t sound like a Citrine Wagtail when I heard it flying off from the right of the Swarovski Hide and never saw it on the deck.

Only just got onto this Great White Egret in over cast skies, high west over Porth Hellick, to never be seen again and is only the second sighting this year after an individual in the spring

Willow Warbler

To my surprise, the Ruff that arrived on the wader scrape on Tuesday, stuck around for three days All images taken from the window

And throughout the three days, the Ruff also commuted with Lower Moors and there it joined another individual

At the same time, up to 3 Green Sandpiper and a single Snipe were also on the pool

This Dunlin has been at Porth Hellick for a nearly a week now

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Ruff and Bar-tailed Godwit in the garden!

30th August 2022

A Ruff turned up at Porth Hellick this morning but I was out kayaking and wouldn’t be back until almost dark. Got home and there it was with a Bar-tailed Godwit only meters away in front of the window only to discover that there was still a Ruff at Porth Hellick !!!

As there were only two taxis, I was given the day off. After seeing the Red-backed Shrike at very close range at Carn Friars, while havin me breakfast, a vocal flava wagtail flew east over the garden. At 10.00, I arrived at Tresco and parked the kayak up at South Beach. Yesterday new in on the island there were 4 Little Stint, Citrine Wagtail and now 2 Pectoral Sandpiper. Some twenty minutes later, news came on that the Citrine flew past the David Hunt hide. An hour later, I had counted some 10 White Wagtail between the Abbey and SE end of the Great Pool but no sign of the target species. By mid-day, all I had seen were 1 Wood, 4 Green and 2 Common Sandpiper and 7 Black-tailed Godwit. From the Swarovski Hide the 2 Pectoral Sandpiper were distant throughout with just a single Little Stint. A Wood Sandpiper was performing well and over an hour later, so was the Little Stint. It was nearly two hours later that I alerted others in the hide that I just heard the Citrine Wagtail call once distantly to the right but nothin after a scan along the muddy edges. It was while trying to approve on getting better pics, because of the light, of the stint, that I heard the Citrine Wagtail again and we observed it fly up very close to the right of the hide and fly off towards Simpson’s Field, still very vocal, where we lost it. How long had the wagtail been there? After hearing the wagtail, I thought it sounded harsher and more raspier than that of Citrine Wagtail but despite scanning all over the shop, there was no sign of it.

The Red-backed Shrike showed very well this morning at Carn Friars.

The 2 Pectoral Sandpiper always stayed distant from the Swarovski hide

Only this single Little Stint remained from yesterdays four birds

Wood Sandpiper showing well but light was not on my side

Some 20 White Wagtail were spread out on both pools.

An hour passed and all we could add onto what we had already seen, were more White Wagtail and a single Whinchat. I made my ways to the David Hunt hide and was rewarded with a Spotted Crake out in the open opposite the hide with 2 Water Rail and a single Wood Sandpiper. It wasn’t long until the hide was full and everyone present enjoyed good views of the crake. You could clearly see it was a different bird from the individual(s) that were present over two weeks ago by a brighter looking bill. Returning to the Abbey Pool and there were single Spotted and Pied Flycatcher and Whinchat, 6 Little Egret, 4 Mediterranean Gull and new in maybe, 2 Little Stint. Perhaps I overlooked them earlier on. While I was on Tresco, news came that there was a Ruff at Porth Hellick. Would it stick around until tomorrow? However, I returned home and the first thing I did was feed the pigs only to see a Bar-tailed Godwit fly off from the wader scrape and out SE as I climbed over the fence to get into the field! Shite! But I could see another wader in the field and shot indoors. When I looked out from the window, the wader turned out to be a Ruff that was now feeding in the wader scrape at very close range. Two species I never thought I would get on the scrape. The Ruff was still present when it was almost dark. Maybe a Pectoral Sandpiper this week on the scrape!

You can clearly see that this Spotted Crake is a different bird from the individual(s) that were present over two week ago by a brighter looking bill.

Only a single Pied Flycatcher

and Spotted Flycatcher

There were 2 Little Stint on the Abbey Pool

Also on Tresco there were 2 Migrant Hawker and including this individual, 2 Common Darter

Only a single Painted Lady

Although I had just seen 2 Pectoral Sandpiper, 3 Little Stint and found a Spotted Crake on Tresco, this Ruff in the garden was the highlight of the day this evening

Yesterday up to three Wryneck were discovered and I found this individual at Borough Farm. I also had 4 Tree Pipit, 2 Pied and Spotted Flycatcher and a single Whitethroat on the golf course.

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Boris Johnson wants to talk about his legacy. Okay, let’s talk about his legacy.