A.W.Birder: Always on the lookout for fine birds...: Scillies 2012 Trip Report

Saturday 27 October 2012

Scillies 2012 Trip Report - Part 2 Bryher

After the distraction of some East Coast birding this week I'll carry on with my Scillies Trip Report. I posted Part 1 a few days back: Part 1: The Journey South (excellent views of Paddyfield Warbler). Here is Part 2:

Uncle Albert and I had a few ciders in the Youth Hostel on Friday night as we were expecting a nice relaxing 15 minute flight to St Mary's, however when we got up the next morning to find that the flight had been cancelled due to 'waterlogged airfield' (!) the fear set in... 3 hours on the boat! Ouch! The crossing was generally OK, the middle was a bit rough and it was birdless! A few sausage sandwiches were consumed to soak up the cider and I was relieved to reach dry land!

Fortunately/Unfortunately while on the Scillonian news came out that the Blackpoll Warbler and Solitary Sandpiper were still on Bryher. That meant one thing... another boat ride! We ditched our bags in the harbour, jumped into another boat and shot across to Bryher where we spent the afternoon dipping the Blackpoll Warbler and dodging the heavy showers. On the plus side we did score with the Solitary Sandpiper on the muck heap. This bird was showing almost as well as the bird we had at the Dump Clump on St Mary's last year so it was at least nice to see that well. We also saw a Hooded Crow and some Pink-footed Geese.

The next day there was only one thing to do, hop back onto another boat and head back to Bryher! Thankfully we had a bit more luck on this visit as after a little over 20 minutes back on the island we were enjoying excellent views of the (very bright) bird as it fed out in the open in the sun. It was a little too far for my camera but I managed a couple of record shots. This was the first time in 4 days that it had actually showed to more than a few people. After our visit over the following days it apparently showed really well, even coming out onto the beach! We also had some Whooper Swan and a Spoonbill. Was good to meet Scilly Spider here too. A bit disappointed we didn't catch up with the Irish Coal Tits though.

Solitary Sandpiper © Andy Walker 2012

Blackpoll Warbler © Andy Walker 2012

2 comments:

naturebites28 October 2012 at 08:00
You made the fatal mistake and survived! Do not go downstairs on the scillonian after too many bevvies the night before!
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Andy30 October 2012 at 11:54
Was feeling not the best! Will be more cautious next year!
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