Friday 14Th August Scillonian Crossing and Afternoon Pelagic

Friday 14th August Scillonian crossing and afternoon pelagic

The tour met this morning on the quayside at Penzance for our annual pelagic weekend on the beautiful Isles of Scilly. The crossing was smooth and despite and mist and drizzle in the air was an enjoyable experience as we notched up our first Manx Shearwaters and EUROPEAN STORM-PETRELS of the trip as well as a BALEARIC SHEARWATER seen by some. Northern Gannets, Northern Fulmars and European Shags were also in evidence and cetaceans were represented by seven Harbour Porpoise and two unidentified Dolphins. We were met on the quay at St Mary’s by Dr Robert Flood and with his colleague Ashley Fisher and skipper of the Sapphire, Joe Pender, raring to go we checked in at Mincarlo Guest House before meeting again at 1330 for our afternoon pelagic. Following a briefing from Bob about what was hopefully in store we steamed east towards the Seven Stones Reef, with immediate chumming activities bringing in large numbers of particularly Great Black-backed Gulls and a few Northern Gannets. EUROPEAN STORM-PETRELS became common and around thirty were seen during the afternoon, while two Manx Shearwaters briefly kept us company on the trip out. Once at the reef, we began a drift and chum technique which allowed much closer views of the petrels to be obtained, along with fantastic views of a SOOTY SHEARWATER at close range. It was during this period that the first of three WILSON’S STORM-PETRELS were picked out and over the next hour we enjoyed superb views of this ocean wanderer. On our way back in, two GREAT SKUAS gave close views and other species noted included Common Tern, Ruddy Turnstone and Eurasian Curlew. Back on St Mary’s, we had arranged for a local taxi to take us down to Porth Hellick where, from the hide, we had great views of the adult LESSER YELLOWLEGS present for several days. Eight Common Greenshank, two Green Sandpipers, two Common Sandpipers, Common Kingfisher and an obliging Water Rail rounded off the day, with Willow Warbler noted by some in the bushes.

Saturday 15th August full day pelagic

Today we set sail on board Sapphire at 0730 for our full day of seabirding to the south of the Scilly archipelago. Steaming out of harbour we noted our first Whimbrel along with Common and Sandwich Terns, and once we started steam and chum techniques then the ever present Northern Gannet and Northern Fulmar arrived in numbers. The latter were very numerous today, and as we neared ten miles offshore we had also added five Manx Shearwaters and an adult Arctic Tern. Our first drift produced decent numbers of EUROPEAN STORM-PETRELS and two Great Skuas, though a Blue Shark which was caught and tagged on board was a highlight for many! At 130lb and about 6ft in length it was a fine specimen, expertly landed by our skipper Joe. A Trigger Fish was also seen, hiding among floating wrack to no doubt try and hide from the watchful eye of all the Northern Gannets! The first shout of a WILSON’S STORM-PETREL then followed, with a total of three different birds identified on this drift and chum by their different moult patterns and wing bar intensities. On the horizon, a trawler was spotted and so once the shark was safely back in the water it was full steam ahead to the horizon. On approach to the trawler, a fine SOOTY SHEARWATER followed us for a while but this was quickly forgotten as a GREAT SHEARWATER was picked out among the feeding throng and we moved in closer. Over the next half an hour we enjoyed a fabulous seabirding experience as hundreds of birds fed behind the trawler and we were able to ‘steal’ a few birds into our own wake. Two GREAT SHEARWATERS performed brilliantly, flying past at close range and also sitting on the water, while the slick was dancing with over seventy EUROPEAN STORM-PETRELS which included a feeding group of about thirty together. Another WILSON’S STORM PETREL was picked out here and two more Great Skuas were harassing the gulls. Behind the trawler, as it pulled in its nets, Northern Gannets were plunging arrow like into the water to grab scraps and the whole experience was quite exhilarating. As the trawler left us behind we began steaming and chumming in its wake for a while before performing a second drift. This was again successful at attracting EUROPEAN STORM-PETRELS with many excellent photographic opportunities as the birds fed within a few feet of the stern. Our WILSON’S STORM-PETREL tally now reached six with some absolutely amazing views of this southern wanderer, passing so close that we could see the yellow webbing between its toes! A BLACK TERN over the slick kept us awake but as things quietened down we began to steam back in, chumming as we went. On the horizon, a flock of Northern Gannets drew our attention to a feeding pod of COMMON DOLPHINS and so we changed our course immediately. On arrival, the water seemed to be churning with animals and they broke off from their feeding frenzy to come alongside our boat and many began to bow ride, leaping clear of the water just feet away from us! These stunning animals stayed with us for about ten minutes before breaking away and purposefully heading off, leaving us all spellbound from the experience. An Ocean Sunfish paled into insignificance at this point! Now we headed back toward St Mary’s, thinking we had had the best from the day, but on these pelagics its never over until your back in harbour and a BALEARIC SHEARWATER appeared in our wake. Finding the last of our mackerel supply, we were able to stop the boat and attract this rare seabird to within inches of the stern, and camera shutters fired continuously as it fed among the gulls, plunge diving into the water and swimming like an auk to grab pieces of fish that had sunk below their reach. Yet another awesome experience on the Sapphire!! On our way back in, we added a Sanderling and three MEDITERRANEAN GULLS (two juveniles). A walk up along the coast past Old Town to look for a Melodious Warbler was unsuccessful, and feeling weary we headed back to Mincarlo before enjoying a social evening at the Pilot’s Gig restaurant.

Sunday 16th August St Mary’s and afternoon pelagic

A pre-breakfast walk for some group members produced brief views of the MELODIOUS WARBLER accompanied by a Willow Warbler, though further searches for the remainder of the morning were unsuccessful, producing only a flyover Peregrine and Tree Pipit. However breaking news soon reached us that Bob had found a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER on the airfield and all of the group had superb views of this smart wader feeding at the edge of the runway. Clearly a small arrival had taken place here as fifty Northern Wheatear fed on the grass and elsewhere Pied Flycatcher and plenty of commoner warblers were noted. As this morning was essentially free time people headed in different directions, with some catching up with a Wood Sandpiper at Porth Hellick along with the LESSER YELLOWLEGS, Green and Common Sandpiper, Water Rail and Ruff. Meeting on the quayside at 2pm for our final pelagic, hopes were high as news filtered through of sightings off Cornwall of Cory’s Shearwater and Sabine’s Gull. We steamed out in a north-easterly direction, and unbelievably we picked up the first of nine CORY’S SHEARWATERS just a short distance from the islands. Heading towards a trawler, we had fantastic views in particular of two birds which cruised right past our boat! An Arctic Skua was new for the trip and heading off towards another boat we added another GREAT SHEARWATER to our tally. Over the seven stones reef, we spent a while drifting and chumming, seeing another GREAT SHEARWATER and also having very good views of a SOOTY SHEARWATER. Two Manx Shearwaters were also noted, along with our first Black-legged Kittiwake. The first of two WILSONS STORM-PETRELS then appeared, giving superb views in the excellent light conditions, though the star of the show and a bird to round off an amazing weekend, was a first summer SABINE’S GULL picked out superbly by Ashley Fisher. This beautiful seabird glided right over the stern of our boat, and although it didn’t linger everyone had great views. Finally another Blue Shark, measuring 6ft 2 inches, was tagged and other wildlife noted included Harbour Porpoise and Ocean Sunfish. Steaming back to land everyone agreed that this had been a quite incredible experience once again, and we thank Bob, Ashley and Joe for their efforts in making this such a successful tour.

Monday 17th August St Mary’s/Tresco and Scillonian crossing

A very warm day in the Isles of Scilly saw some folk head out before breakfast to look for the now near-mythical MELODIOUS WARBLER at Porth Minack, though only one or two succeeded in getting brief glimpses. After breakfast most of the group headed over to Tresco where we spent time checking the beaches for shorebirds, the pool for ducks and waders and the wooded groves and fields for passerines. We noted a reasonable selection with about fifty Ringed Plover, twenty Dunlin, four Sanderling, six Little Egrets, female Marsh Harrier, two Stonechat, Rock Pipit, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common Teal, Gadwall, two Common Redshank and six Common Greenshank noted. Back on St Mary’s, the remainder of the group had stunning views of the MEDLODIOUS WARBLER though unfortunately a Barred Warbler found in the same spot did not linger. A Pied Flycatcher was in Holy Vale and again the LESSER YELLOWLEGS and Wood Sandpiper were on Porth Hellick Pool. Boarding the Scillonian at 1630 for the crossing back to Penzance, we set sail across a flat calm sea with the sun now beating down. On the crossing, a small selection of seabirds included about seven Manx Shearwaters, fifteen EUROPEAN STORM-PETRELS, two Great Skuas, two juvenile Arctic Terns and several sightings of Harbour Porpoise, Common Dolphin and our first Bottle-nosed Dolphins.

Tuesday 18th August Marazion, Nanquidno, Cot Valley and Hayle Estuary

An early morning visit to Marazion was necessary to beat the dog walkers and see what shorebirds were around. Approximately fifty each of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Sanderling were noted, as well as a brief first-winter MEDITERRANEAN GULL and a few Eurasian Curlew. On the marsh, things were very quiet other than Little Egret, Common Snipe and Sedge Warbler, with a Eurasian Sparrowhawk perched up in the pines. Longrock beach was less disturbed and a Whimbrel was bathing here, joined by a juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit and two Eurasian Curlew. Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Ruddy Turnstone were about, though the highlight was the eleven Black-tailed Godwits which dropped in, comprising nine juveniles all of the race islandica. After breakfast, we made for Nanquidno seeking some shelter from the brisk southerly wind. A good smattering of common migrants included six Common Chiffchaff, eight Common Whitethroat, two Garden Warblers and a Blackcap, and along the stream several Beautiful Demoiselle were on the wing. Southern Hawker was also seen and ten species of Butterfly here included Wall Brown, Small Copper, Common Blue and SMALL PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARY. Other birds included five Stonechats, Common Kestrel and two CHOUGH which flew over the ridge calling. In Cot Valley we enjoyed lunch with a passing tit flock containing around ten Common Chiffchaff. In the valley, a nice Spotted Flycatcher was noted along with a few more Common Chiffchaff and a Golden-ringed Dragonfly by the stream. Calling in at Drift on the way back towards Penzance we added Little Grebe to the trip list before moving on to Hayle Estuary for the high tide. The numbers of waders was disappointing, with the tally from Lelant saltings including thirty Common Redshank, nine Black-tailed Godwits and twenty Eurasian Curlew. Twelve Little Egrets and ten Common Shelduck were also here. From the hide at Ryan’s Field, Eighty three Eurasian Curlew were roosting and we also noted two Common Sandpipers and a brief Common Kingfisher.

Wednesday 19th August Land’s End and Kenidjack

A very quiet day with the fresh southerly wind persisting. A Whimbrel flying over the farm during breakfast was about the highlight! A walk at Land’s End cycle track towards Sennen Cove produced about twelve Common Whitethroat, five Stonechat and two Common Raven. Moving on to Kenidjack in the hope of seeking a bit more shelter, wecould only find another five Common Whitethroat, five Common Chiffchaff and a juvenile Green Woodpecker which gave great views feeding in the willows at the bottom of the valley. The tour concluded at lunchtime for the long drive home.