Scilly 01-23/10/2021
As usual we drove down on the Friday (1st) before travelling to Scilly on Saturday (2nd). We visited the Hayle estuary where we year-ticked Ruff and had lunch at the Old Quay House. The we went to Marazion where we year-ticked Spoonbill, before checking in fairly early in the afternoon at the Engine Inn, Nancledra.
Saturday 2nd: After a simple early breakfast we got to the Scilly Parking place for our transfer to the harbour. Our arrival there coincided with Ben's arrival - he had been on the night train from Paddington. After dire warnings of a rough crossing, the conditions turned out to be not bad. We had a reasonably successful sea-watching session: Balearic Shearwater, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, Manx Shearwater, 3 British Storm-petrels, 2 Kittiwake and several groups of Guillemot being seen along with a small number of Harbour Porpoise.
After docking at St Marys we did our usual shop and taxi ride to Peacehaven.
After docking at St Marys we did our usual shop and taxi ride to Peacehaven.
A Balearic Woodchat Shrike had been present on Helvear for the best part of a month prior to arrival. Helvear is a grassy horse paddock area just behind where I am standing to take the above photo. Almost unbelievably the shrike was still there when we arrived, and it remained for another 5 days. Seeing this was our first short outing after arrival. Although I have seen several Woodchat Shrikes in Britain before, I had not seen the Balearic race (ssp badius). This differs from the nominate race (ssp senator) mainly in lacking a white primary patch. It never came close enough to get a great photo, but good enough to confirm the ID.
Later in the afternoon Ben and I went to Porth Hellick to see a Glossy Ibis skulking in the reeds on the far side of the pool.
On Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th we stayed on St Marys, had a nice walk around but didn't see much of special interest.