The Scilly adventure got off to an excellent start. On the Scillonian we started hitting Manx Shearwater not far out of Penzance and then started to pick up Storm Petrel. Just past half way I picked up my first Cory's Shearwater close to the boat. Stupidly the camera was still in the bag, so by the time I managed to pull it out all I could mange were some distant record shots.
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| Cory's Shearwater |
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Manx Shearwater
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Further on we passed a trawler being mobbed by gulls. Amongst them were more Storm Petrel and a cracking Great Shearwater. Another 20+ Storm Petrel were strung out behind. A bit of a lull then a Sooty Shearwater shot past and a hunting Peregrine, still 45 mins from Scilly. A splashing Sun Fish and a few Common Dolphin made for an excellent crossing.
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| Great Shearwater and Storm Petrel |
On to St Mary's where after dropping the bags we headed to Lower Moors. The only bird of note was a Kingfisher so it was off to Porthellick.
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| Kingfisher |
Giants Castle held 5+ Wheatear and the pine belt 2 Pied Flycatcher and plenty of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. Porthellick Pool was looking superb with loads of mud and hence plenty of waders. 2 Wood Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, a Dunlin and 15+ Greenshank. A Pied Flycatcher also kept dropping onto the mud in front of the hide.
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| Greenshank |
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| Common Sandpiper |
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| Wood Sandpiper |
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| Snipe |
Cracking.
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