Isles of Scilly trip October 2020.

Indigo Bunting .3rd record for Britain and a first for England and the Isles of Scilly.

After the news of a Rose Breasted Grosbeak had been found the afternoon before on Gugh we decided to head for St Agnes to see if the bird was still there the next morning ,although there was no sign of the Grosbeak we did get to see a cracking Red Eyed Vireo another rare American vagrant .Feeling more than satisfied with our  day little prepared us for what was about to happen in the afternoon when this first winter bird was found and Kerry and i were first on the scene ,what a moment when it flew out of a wood pile and onto the grassy track in front of everyone giving great views.

This small Bunting was obviously starving from its epic journey across the Atlantic , it was seen for a few hours the next day but then disappeared not looking very well .

This Short eared Owl roosted for a few days in a hedge at Harrys Walls ,St Marys.

Nightingale ,Porthloo ,St Marys.this long staying bird showed very well at times although it did go missing for long periods like Nightingales do. A very rare bird in the southwest so it was a real treat to see one so well.

A very fresh Meadow Pipit.

Red Eyed Vireo enjoying the sunshine after its long journey the start of an epic day on St Agnes.

Eastern type Lesser Whitethroat ,Holy Vale St Marys ,this bird appeared very pale to me and was heard to give a churring call .

Note the very sandy upperparts with the brown invading the nape, crown ear coverts and lores also the very short primary projection with p2 not longer than p6 and the warm buffy wash to the flanks It also appeared long tailed.

Without in hand examination or DNA its not easy to identify to race.

Blythi or Halimodendri ? answers on a postcard,if i had a guess i would plump for the latter.

There were reasonable numbers of Redwings on the islands for a few days including this handsome bird.

Lesser Yellowlegs ,this rare American vagrant turned up on Tresco on the same weather system as the  Indigo Bunting ,Rose Breasted Grosbeak and two Red Eyed Vireos.

This bird gave great views as it fed franticly along the Abbey Pool shoreline.