Sunday 7 October 2018

Penzance, Scillonian crossing and St. Mary's

Ian, Mag, Phil and I set off in the early hours to meet with the Scillonian II at Penzance, a day later than planned due to rough seas the previous day. A drake Eider in the harbour was a nice send off from the mainland but the crossing was quiet with just singles of Bonxie and Manx Shearwater featuring alongside the usual Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Guillemots and Gannets.

adult drake Eider at Penzance harbour

After a very quick drop-off at our digs up on St. Mary's at Buzza, we got straight into the birding, connecting with the Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the airfield (distantly with two Golden Plovers) then the first-winter Barred Warbler at the bay end of Porth Hellick. Two Yellow Wagtails dropped onto rooftops in Hugh Town and other bits logged during the day included two Water Rails, seven Greenshanks, eight Snipe, a Kingfisher and two House Martins.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the airfield

1CY Barred Warbler at Porth Hellick

Greenshank at Lower Moors