Good numbers of migrants

Don't see this on Scilly often. Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and on the bramble, Redstart. Two seconds before this shot was taken, there were 2 Whitethroat, 1 Wheater and another 2 Spotted Flycatcher on these posts,

  Strong SE overnight continued throughout the day and a morning walk around the Garrison found 1 Tree and 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Blackcap, 2 Wheater, 1 Stonechat, 5 Spotted Flycatcher and 50+Swallow. A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at Morning Point. Mid-morning I had a brief look at Trenowth and found a Redstart, 4 White Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff and nearby I could hear the BEE-EATER.

Spotted Flycatcher on the Garrison

  At 13.45, I made my second visit to the Garrison, this time with Bryan and it was obvious that a lot more migrants had arrived. There were 4 Spotted Flycatcher on the dead pine walk, however, walking on the top path between The Steveal and Woolpack, things lived up a little. Scanning the posts ahead of us, lined up on the wires, were, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Whinchat, Wheatear and Whitethroat. It gave me an idea of what Portland or Spurn must be like when they get a fall of common migrants. My half an hour was up and had to get a move on back to work and left Bryan with the birds.
  All together we saw 2 Redstart, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler and 7 Spotted Flycatcher.

Bryan Thomas

This Redstart showed very well near the Woolpack, Garrison

In the evening I drove past Bishops View and saw my only Pied Flycatcher of the day. This was followed by a walk from Higher Moors to Porth Hellick Beach. At the former site there were, 5 Blackcap, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Reed Warbler. On the loop trail at Porth Hellick there were 3 Whinchat and 1 Sedge Warbler. On the pool, 1 Dunlin, 9 Greenshank, 2 Kingfisher and coming into roost, 20+alba Wagtail and a Scilly record for me, 12 Yellow Wagtail! 6 was the most that I had seen before this.

A group of 3 Whinchat were at Porth Hellick

1 of the 12 Yellow Wagtail in a flock coming to roost at Porth Hellick

2 Rusty-dot Pearl have just entered the house, 23.45.

A few of the other birders had a better day than me in finding scarce birds. On St Martins, Will and Big Al found 2 different WRYNECK, while on St Agnes, Gray also had a WRYNECK and on Gugh, ORTOLAN BUNTING. Of the latter species, Gray thinks that it's the same bird he had yesterday on the criket pitch, as it's dull looking. So the one on the Golf Course yesterday, is a different bird as it's a brighter individual. Robin got 2 Curlew Sandpiper on Tresco Great Pool.   

The BEE-EATER getting some jip from a young Swallow at Maypole

Beautiful and calm off Porthloo this evening