From the east

All it took was some over night cloud and the birds arrived. First up was the Standing Stone Field at Lower Moors where a Little Bunting quickly turned into two. Excellent scope views, but a bit distant for photos. News of an Arctic Warbler at the Garrison had us moving back across the island. No sign in the hour we spent there, but some excellent views of a Firecrest.

News broke of a Red-flanked Bluetail on St Agnes, so we shot down to the quay. While waiting for the boat an Osprey drifted over and a Peregrine moved through.



Osprey

Straight off the boat and down to Cove Vean where the Bluetail was seen on arrival, giving excellent views on the ground and flitting up into tamarisk.



Red-flanked Bluetail

 

 

 

The sun was now out, so it was down to Browarth where a Red-backed Shrike was showing and the Schmitii form of Small Copper was out, having survived last week's stormy weather.

 

Red-backed Shrike

Small Copper



Back on St Mary's we tried again for the Arctic Warbler, but had to make do with a Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler. At Porthcressa the Black Redstart was showing well along with a first winter Mediterranean Gull.

With the weather closing in tonight with spitting rain it is looking good for tomorrow.