Scillies October 2009 has gone down as the quietest in all of the visits I have ever done since the mid eighties. I was lucky to basically get all the birds that were on offer with the exception of Yellow-browed Warbler, perhaps my first year of not seeing this species on the islands. The first weeks weather was hot and clear whilst the second week was unsettled and often very wet but brought in zero new birds. Many days I didn't take the camera out with me thus not all of the half decent birds were photographed. Here is a selection of those that I did photograph.

Cattle Egret, Porth Hellick Pool, St. Mary's

A Scillies tick. Just like the Little Bittern in the spring I was on St. Martins when this bird was found and had to make a mad dash back to St. Mary's where I saw it for a few minutes from the Stephen Sussex Hide. For more pictures of this bird click here.

Whooper Swan, Porth Hellick Pool, St. Mary's

Ten arrived on the pool a few days before I arrived and lingered well into the next week. Stunning. For more images of these birds click here.

Peregrine, Abbey Pool, Tresco

Water Rail, Porth Hellick Pool, St. Mary's

Jack Snipe, Porth Hellick Pool, St. Mary's

Got so close to the hide that at one point it was under it, stunning bird. For more images click here.

Long-billed Dowitcher, Abbey Pool, Tresco

Managed to get this bird onto my Scillies list on its last day. It was a difficult bird to photograph.

Wheatear, Porthlow Beach, St. Mary's

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Mount Todden Battery, St. Mary's

A heavy crop of a mobile bird.

Common Rosefinch, Carn Gwarvel, St. Mary's

This bird often showed very well but I never had my camera with me at the time, this is the best images I could get against the light.

click here.