Scillies 2012 - Part 1 - Journey South and Paddyfield Warbler

Last Friday morning Dave and I set off for our annual Scillies trip in the hope of some American passerines, or anything else that we 'needed'! It was going to be hard to live up to last years two adventures there in September and October 2011. However we gave it a good go!

Back in February we'd had a successful weekend twitch for the Spanish Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Paddyfield Warbler. Great views of the first two, but only satisfactory views of the latter. So news that there was a Paddyfield Warbler 'showing well' on the Lizard was cool and we decided to drop in and take a look on our way to the Lands End YHA.

Unlike at Pagham Harbour where we waited for hours in the freezing cold for brief views we literally rocked up at Church Cove to be greeted by the bird showing well down to about 12 feet in blazing sun! I managed the following photos. It was great to be able to really study this bird.

Paddyfield Warbler © Andy Walker 2012

Paddyfield Warbler © Andy Walker 2012 

Paddyfield Warbler © Andy Walker 2012 

Paddyfield Warbler © Andy Walker 2012 

Paddyfield Warbler © Andy Walker 2012 

Paddyfield Warbler © Andy Walker 2012 

Paddyfield Warbler © Andy Walker 2012

After enjoying the Paddyfield Warbler we headed to the Youth Hostel in the Cot Valley where a short walk near dusk produced a couple of Firecrest (between 3-4 I'd guess) a Blackcap and a Pied Flycatcher. A couple of Raven flew over, as did a Merlin. We were expecting a nice flight to the Scillies in the morning so a few ciders couldn't hurt could they...