St.Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

Thursday 18 September

Our last port of call, Hugh Town on St Mary's in the Scilly Isles.  Dry and relatively calm albeit on the dull side so local tender ashore. Long ride on this occasion as we were anchored well away from the town in calm, deep waters.  But having wandered through the town we eventually took the local community bus for a grand circuit of the island and whilst Jenny took full advantage, I hopped off at Telegraph Hill to visit the local Neolithic barrow then walk the beach below as far as Bar Point.

Having already noted many Barn Swallows and House Sparrows whilst in Hugh Town along with the local Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons), finally a number of Starlings as I made my way to the barrow and there, immediately in front of me, a couple of Wheatear to add to the Robins seen on the path as I made my way from the bus stop. Continuing on down to the beach path I noted a couple of Carrion Crow and, resting on a distant small island, both Great Black-backed Gull and a handful of Shags. However, closer inspection of the photograph also revealed resting Black-headed Gulls and a few Sandwich Terns.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus and company

Closer inspection revealed both Black-headed Gulls L.ridibundus and a Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus at the far right

Plus also a few Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis

Time to peruse the beach in general which revealed more Great Black-backs plus many Black-headed and a few Herring Gulls.  No shortage of Oystercatchers plus both a Heron and Little Egret but also a Whimbrel accompanied by three Bar-tailed Godwits.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta with Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Moving on and more gulls and Oystercatchers but also a pair of Pied Wagtails.  A sight of our anchored cruise ship as I found a small path leading up and through the woods until I finally found myself near the flower shop at Trenoweth.  What to do next?  Wait for the bus which was due any minute, always assuming I was on the right road!

Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus

Instead, a couple of fellow cruise passengers stopped in their hired golf cart and offered me a lift via a coffee stop at the Carn Vean Cafe having just passed flooded edge pf the road where a small group of Mallards and a couple of Moorhen were feeding on something near the road.  Whilst at the cafe plenty of feeding House Sparrows but also at least one Tree Sparrow.

Shags Leucocarbo aristotelis with Great Black-backed L.marinus

Back in Hugh Town I said my goodbyes and made my way up the Star Castle for a short clifftop walk where I found many feeding Starlings along with a Blackbird.  Then, making my way back down to the port to catch the return tender to the ship, first a passing Woodpigeon as I approached the Gate and, on the other side, a Collared Dove resting on the wires above, so raising my final tally of the day to 25.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Birds seen:

Mallard, Cormorant, Shag, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Wheatear, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Belladonna Lily all over the island

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