First Wheatear of the year

Yesterday, this male Wheatear at Carn Moval, was the first Scilly arrival of the year.

 Today, Ren and I had a scout around the Garrison and every bird of note that we saw, had probably arrived in the last 24 hours in the SE winds. This included, 2 White Wagtail, 4 Black Redstart, 9 Chiffchaff, 2 Woodcock, 1 Water Rail, 7 Redwing and 15+Continetal Robin, 30+Blackbird and 7 Song Thrush. Just before a heavy downpour came in, at the point of The Steval, high in off the sea, were a single alba wagtail, 2 minutes later, 10 Meadow Pipit, quickly followed by 4 Skylark.

Up to 4 Skylark came in off the sea

 

9 Chiffchaff were enjoying the sun

 

7 redwing were at the campsite

  In the afternoon, I had to do a short tour around the island for some guest staying at the hotel. Birds seen at places we stopped at were, a single Black Redstart at Porthloo, 28 Skylark flying around the golf course and at Bants Carn, a male Continental Stonechat.  Also on Tresco, visiting birder Geoff Dent had the first Swallow of the year.

Male Continental Stonechat at Bants Carn showing off it's white rump. I never got close enough to this bird and I couldn't say to the guests 'I'm just going off for a few minutes to chase a bird all over the shop. You carry on looking at the village that looks like rocks in the ground.'

 

And here are the rocks. I mean village

 

27 of the 28 Skylark at the golf course. Yesterday, Bob Dawson had an impressive number of 40 on the airfield!

  

Nick Drake (19 June 1948 – 25 November 1974) was an English singer-songwriter and musician, known for his gentle guitar-based songs. He failed to find a wide audience during his lifetime but his work has gradually achieved wider notice and recognition  Drake signed to Island Records when he was 20 years old and a student at the University of Cambridge, and released his debut album, Five Leaves Left, in 1969. By 1972, he had recorded two more albums—Bryter Layter and Pink Moon. Neither sold more than 5,000 copies on initial release. Drake's reluctance to perform live, or be interviewed, contributed to his lack of commercial success. Drake suffered from depression and died from an overdose of amitriptyline, a prescribed antidepressant; he was 26 years old. Whether his death was an accident or suicide has never been resolved