31st October A trip to the tip resulted in a first-winter Caspian Gull and six Yellow-legged Gulls as well as three adult Mediterranean Gulls. Unfortunately the Caspian Gull was not photographed as I was helping to set up with ringing net at the time.
Later in the afternoon I stopped off for the Ring-billed Gull at Westcliff and Rossi duly obliged in cracking close up photos again.
24th October After finally getting off Scilly following poor weather raced back to Surrey where saw the Brown Shrike which had been around for a couple of weeks now.
22nd and 23rd October Both of these dates were basically none events on Scilly with one of them spent in the flat and trying to get off the islands ahead of the approaching weather front.
21st October Another slow day but did see the Common Rosefinch at Carn Gwarvel again followed by a good 1st winter Richards Pipit along Porthlow Lane which I scrutenised closely which was joined briefly by a male Ring Ouzel. The rest of the day was spent in between showers seeing pretty much the usual birds.
20th October The theme of tough birding on Scilly on 2009 continued with the westerlies yesterday not producing the goods. I stomped around the Garrison all morning with a few Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs to show for it. This was then followed by the Rosefinch again at Carn Gwarvel and a host of Black Redstarts across the island. There were three Snow Buntings and a Peregrine at Giants Castle and then a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Mt. Todden on the west side of the island before I called it quits for the day.
19th October A colder and windier day today with strong winds rapidly increasing from the southwest in the afternoon. There was a scattering of bits and bobs with 60+ Gannets off the Garrison, the four Spoonbills over on Samson, a Jack Snipe at Shooters Pool with two at Porth Hellick, including a bird so close it was basically under the hide. There was a Little Grebe and the two Whooper Swans on Porth Hellick and several small flocks of Siskins whilst at Porthcressa were eight Mediterranean Gulls and a first-winter Common Gull, a local scarcity. With the winds and incoming rain looking promising there is a little expectation of something good in the next few days.
18th October Another not so good day on St. Martins with a double no show on the Raddes Warbler or Little Bunting at Little Arthur Farm with a Ring Ouzel by the cricket pitch being the highlight. Everything was now closed on the island so unable to get pasties or a cuppa tea. Had a dash back to St. Mary's for the Cattle Egret that was new in and was added to my Scillies list at Porth Hellick Pool where is was seen well though not for long before it flew off to tour the island. Little else noted though the two Whooper Swans were still present. A slow day but still had my second Scillies tick of the trip, one more to go for my target for the week.
17th October After not photographing the Raddes Warbler yesterday I got up early and headed off to Sandy Lane. En-route I saw the Whooper Swans flying off over Longstones and found a Firecrest mid way along Sandy Lane in the hedge. There was no sign of Raddes, that'll teach me to not carry my camera at all times. From here I birded around the eastern end of the island but saw little apart from two remaining Whoopers on the pool and a showy Water Rail. Met up with Griggsy and Martin at Porth Hellick and then headed to Old Town where a cream tea was nice. Failed then to see the Wryneck again but did have a two Jack Snipe at Shooters Pool, a Merlin over Old Town Church and then a streaky Common Rosefinch at Carn Gwarvel. It was another pleasant day weather wise but birding again slow.
16th October Decided on a bird race today as not much around which meant I could leave the camera behind and not lug it around all over the place. I teamed up with Lee and started with a Black Redstart at Porthcressa, two more were seen later at Porth Thomas, and then dipped the Yellow-browed Warbler again on Lower Broome. Went right around the Garrison and scoped the three Spoonbills on the islands off Samson. We then had a detour when we were at Lower Moors when a Raddes Warbler was located near Longstone, suffice to say it was not there when we arrived. We lunched at Longstone when a Red-throated Pipit flew over calling and four Lapwing went over. We toured Watermill and Green Farm picking up Fieldfares and Redwings a plenty but as we got to Carn Vean had to head back to Holy Vale as the Raddes Warbler was relocated where it showed down to mere feet, some of the best views I have had of the species in the UK.
After this had a Merlin over Kittidown and then the ten Whooper Swans, a Jack Snipe and a Little Egret at Porth Hellick and then the Wryneck again well on the seaward side of the airport very well. Not a huge listing day but at least had good birds and must get back to photograph the Raddes tomorrow if its still there.
15th October I missed the early morning boat over to St. Martins because my alarm didn't go off which cost me Raddes Warbler. I went over on the normal morning boat and was still able to catch up with the Little Bunting at Little Arthur Farm. This however was the highlight as only a handful of migrants were seen including a male Redstart by the cricket pitch, three Fieldfare and a Mistle Thrush. I did search for the Red-throated Pipit on the eastern side of the island and found an interesting pale pipit which looked a good candidate with a flock of Meadow Pipits which I put out on the CB. I only saw the bird for a few seconds before the flock took flight but they soon settled. I was joined by a few birders and we located the pale looking pipit again which face on looked very good but the upper-parts wasn't a strong supporter, a very pale, frosty and well marked on the breast Meadow Pipit I believe was the final conclusion.
On the boat back to St. Mary's the weather had changed and it was now cold, over cast and with just a little rain in the air, hopefully this will bring some news birds in.
14th October Another blistering day weather wise which meant birding was slow but at least saw more than yesterday. Boat trip over to Bryher today resulted in nice scenic shots being taken and flight only views of Richard Pipit and two Ring Ouzels. Only a handful of other interesting birds were seen with two Greenshanks and a fly over Peregrine the best of the rest. Back on St. Mary's managed to see the four distant Spoonbills from the Mermaid car park. Another pleasant evening drew in.
13th October Again stunning weather today with birding in T. Shirt however there were very few birds about with the highlights being a Peregrine over Content Farm with a couple of Blackcaps there and a ringtail Hen Harrier seen distantly from Telegraph which was a year tick. Butterflies were numerous with Peacocks, Red Admirals, Painted Ladies and Small Coppers.
12th October Better day overall today. The weather was spectacularly splendid again today and there were even birds to look at. I started off walking the track from Porth Mellon past the dump to Old Town picking up a couple of Chiffchaffs on the way. A Firecrest was elusive at the churchyard. After meeting up with the Clacton guys a Wryneck was found at Giants Castle which we headed for but a Rose-coloured Starling was found as we headed that way which was seen before scuttling off for the Wryneck which showed well on a boulder before becoming elusive. There were five Wheatears and a Whinchat also here however a Basking Shark was found close inshore and was clearly the trip highlight so far. It was large and only a few metres off shore, super. After a Cream Tea at Tolman Café with Paul Baker I headed off to Porthlow where I found a Spotted Flycatcher and a nice photogenic Wheatear and four Bar-tailed Godwits on the beach. After an hour or so here in the beautiful weather I headed slowly back to town finding a Black Redstart at Porth Thomas on the way. Not a bad day really.
11th October A change in weather along with me not feeling well for some reason meant I didn't see that much, not that there was much to see. I walked from Old Town round to Giants Castle and down to Porth Hellick Pool on St. Mary's with not a great deal to show for it however the ten adult Whooper Swans made up for it as they were showing very well. Also at Porth Hellick was a Water Rail and six Greenshank. From here went to Longstone for lunch and then slowly birded back to town in worsening late afternoon weather with Grey Wagtail being the best bird seen on the way.
10th October No time for birding in West Cornwall as needed to get an early morning flight to Scilly. On the flight over we noted the ten Whooper Swans on Porth Hellick. It was glorious sunny weather on arrival and actually hot and it was a case of T-shirt conditions. Grabbed the 12.15pm boat to Tresco for the Long-billed Dowitcher which we saw well but proved a little distant for photographing but at least it was a Scilly tick. On the boat over two Common Scoters were noted. A Peregrine flew over whilst I was here and a Grey Wagtail also appeared. The return boat ride was very pleasant but nothing bird wise whilst the rest of the day was shopping and settling into the flat.
9th October Stopped off on the way down to Scilly with Paul, Neil and Lee at Shapworth Heath where we had distant views of a Great White Egret but no sign of Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis or the two Pectoral Sandpipers. The rest of the drive was in poor weather.
3rd October The wind was far to strong today from the west so Gunners Park was not a winner first thing. Better success was had with Rossi the Ring-billed Gull at Westcliff where he again showed very well along with five adult and a second-winter Mediterranean gulls