After yesterdays binge on megas' our second day was bound to be a slight anticlimax, but that doesn't matter on Scilly and gave us time to spend a bit more of a relaxing day enjoying the scenery and finding our own stuff. The weather wasn't too bad, occasional sun, occasional rain but a very strong SE wind made birding hard work. I decided to find some sheltered areas and headed for Carreg Du gardens, taking in a Whinchat on Porthmellon Beach en-route. The gardens were indeed quiet and sheltered and afforded me good views of at least three Firecrests and a Yellow-browed warbler whilst picking through the Chiffchaffs for a trisitis type.
I left the gardens and headed for Salakee farm, taking a detour along the Tremelethan Trail. Two Pink-footed Geese flew in from the north and alighted on Porth Hellick pool, so i headed back to get a better look. Quite a scarce bird on Scilly and only my 5th and 6th after the four on Tresco at the beginning of the year. I decided on a seawatch from nearby Giant's Castle and hunkered behind a rock I recoreded, 11 Bonxies, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Pomarine Skua (juv), which was a Scilly tick, a juv Med Gull, 9 Kittiwakes and over 150 Gannets in an hour. By now the rain had set in and I decided to head back to Hugh Town for a cuppa. Ten Ringed Plover (no Semi-palmated after scrutinsing the juvs!), a Golden Plover, a Dunlin and four Turnstone were on the airfield and 17 further Turnstone and 120 House Sparrows (!) were counted in Old Town.
After a cuppa back at the ranch I ventured up to Peninnis Head with 20-30 others where a 'possible' Nighthawk (or kestrel!) had been reported the previous evening. No sign of it after waiting til dark but a Woodcock flew over the house in Hugh Town as I arrived home. Tired and ready for a pint!
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