Return to Scilly

Cream-coloured Courser

I'm quite excited about a mini-trip to the Isles of Scilly from next Saturday for a few days. My last visit to the islands was in 2005 so it's over 20 years since I've been there. I've been meaning to revisit for a while now but between the Azores and Bulgaria there was never enough time. However this year seems to present a window of opportunity so, with the help of Ian, I have jumped through it, 

My first visit there was in 1991 and then I visited again in 1992, 1996 and 1997 and then annually between 1999 and 2005 with two visits in 2004. 

I've had some great trips out there and below is a concise summary of the highlights from previous trips:

15th to 19th October 1991- Highlights with Johnny Daniel included an Eyed-browed Thrush, Grey-cheeked Thrush, Bobolink, Sora and Spotted Crake together, 2 Rose-coloured Starlings, Golden Oriole,  Richard's and Tawny Pipit together, Siberian Stonechat, Red-breasted Flycatcher and found a Barred Warbler.

23rd to 27th October 1992- Highlights with Johnny Daniel were  Blackpoll Warbler, Swainson's and Grey-cheekd Thrush, Upland Sandpiper, Isabelline Wheatear, 3 Olive-backed Pipit, Bee-eater, Melodious Warbler and Radde's Warbler. 

Blackpoll Warbler

30th September to 4th October 1996- another trip with Johnny. Highlight was a juv Rock Thrush, Buff-bellied Pipit, Red-eyed Vireo, American Golden Plover and found a Semipalmated Sandpiper 

13th to 17th October 1997- Did a few days in Cornwall before with Kate and had American Wigeon on the Hayle and a few seabirds and then met up with Jaffa, Sam and Lee and we went over to Scilly. A fairly quiet week with highlights including Common Yellowthroat, Blackpoll Warbler, Black Duck, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Wryneck and Yellow-browed Warbler (a good bird at the time).

8th to 15th October 1999- what a year with the Uni gang. Highlights included Siberian, White's and Blue Rock Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Short-toed Eagle, 2 Upland Sandpiper, 2 Radde's Warblers, Richard's Pipit, Short-toed Lark, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Siberian Stonechat and Wryneck. The year of a night at the Kavorna bakery, a story that stays on Scilly.    

Short-toed Eagle

14th to 17th October 2000- a short trip with Jaffa and Cherry Bakewells to twtich the Solitary Sandpiper and also had Red-eyed Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Spectacled Warbler, 3 Ring-necked Duck and Yellow-browed Warbler. 

3rd to 9th October 2001-Highlights on this solo trip included Yellow-breasted Bunting, found a Buff-breasted Sandpiper and also had Ring-necked Duck, Dotterels, Yellow-browed Warbler and Red-backed Shrike. 

11th to 16th October 2002- A pretty quiet week with Bluethroat, Yellow-browed Warblers, Lapland Bunting, Barred Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Corncrake.

30th September to 5th October 2003- Highlights were Booted Warbler, Lesser Yellowlegs, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Dotterel, Hoopoe, Red-backed Shrike, Ortolan, Lapland Bunting, Wryneck, Yellow-browed Warbler. Also had a Death's Head Hawkmoth, my only one ever. 

29th to 30th September 2004- This was a twitch with Johnny Allan and Sam for the Cream Coloured Courser on St. Martin's. Also had 3 Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Common Rosefinch.

25th to 30th October 2004- The Cream Coloured Courser was still present when I returned for my planned trip with Kate and the gang. Highlights included Ovenbird, Pallid Swift, Red-backed Shrike, Pallas's and Yellow-browed Warblers,  co-found an Olive-backed Pipit, a fall of 100+ Black Redstart was impressive. We also had two Waxwings at Kenidjack on the way back. 

30th September to 3rd October 2005- Highlights included Sora, Blackpoll Warbler, Greenish Warbler, and Corncrake.  

Sora