Scillies 4th WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN!

Common Tern in the Tresco Channel

  Higgo does it again! Returning from Bryher mid-afternoon, after finding WOODCHAT SHRIKE, 3 GOLDEN ORIOLE, 6 Turtle Dove and 10 Spotted Flycatcher, he observed from a distance, a tern showing characteristics of a White-winged Black Tern! Half an hour later, Joe picked Robin, Big Al, Higgo and myself from the quay and within 5 minutes we were at the area to where Higgo had seen the tern. We could only find a small group of Common Terns and then the others were dropped of at Carn Near, Tresco. Myself, I had a flight coming in very shortly. As they walked the track towards the Abbey Pool, Higgo spotted a tern and sure enough it was an adult WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN! 4th record for Scilly! However, when they reached the pool, there was no sign of it and it was never seen again.

 While waiting for a plane to come in, I quickly had a look at Tony's WOODCHAT SHRIKE in fields between the airport and Ennor Close. It showed well, but was always distant. Before this, there were 2 interesting Yellow Wagtail feeding on the grass next to the airport carpark. One had a greyish head, but kept to the farside of the field. I took some pics and then alerted others. I just dropped the boss off at the golf course when Robin called to say that Mark Prestwood had just found a SHORT-TOED LARK at the Telegraph/Porthloo junction. A minute later I was looking through Robin's scope at the lark as it fed inbetween the forrows.

A possible Grey-headed Wagtail at the airport?

Any ideas?

Robin Mawer

WOODCHAT SHRIKE at the airport

SHORT-TOED LARK at Telegraph

  At 17.30 I got Graham from Old Town and relocated the RED KITE over the pines at Sandy Lanes. We then checked out Maypole/Green Farm area and saw singles of Sedge and Grasshopper  Warbler and Whitethroat. We headed towards Holyvale and discovered a male WOODCHAT SHRIKE in the horse paddocks. A few minutes later, at Porth Hellick pumping station, a very brief flight view of a GOLDEN ORIOLE, a redpoll in song flight, 1 Yellow Wagtail and a pair of Willow Warbler nest building.

Male WOODCHAT SHRIKE at Holy Vale

  Will found the RED KITE over St Agnes before it was spotted on St Mary's where it toured the island. Ren flushed a Quail on the Garrison and earlier this morning there was a female Black Redstart at the Woolpack. The WOODCHAT SHRIKE was still at Telegrah and Graham saw his first GOLDEN ORIOLE of the year in the gorse at Giants Castle and was very pleased with himself. However, when Martin went up to get some pics of it, he discovered that there were 4 female type birds feeding in the gorse. Another GOLDEN ORIOLE was on St Martins where the immature male Hen Harrier was noted. On St Mary's there was a large arrival of hirundines with at least 300, over 35 Swift were also present and 8 Turtle Dove. Also, the 2nd summer Iceland Gull was first seen at the tip before later turning up on Tresco.

1 of the 4 female 'type' GOLDEN ORIOLE at Giants Castle

1 of 2 Wood Sandpiper on Higgo's Project Robin Mawer

This evening Graham cooked a cracking bean curry

Do I have to eat this crap?

It is crazy! There is only over 300 views to this amazing song by Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr.'s band and The Mooney Suzuki, Bo steps out on his own to make this soulful blend of Beatles/Big Star pop with shades of Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin and Neil Young. Reno Bo 'You're Not Feelin' Me Tonight'