Isles of Scilly - 9th October 2020

A much more sedate day after the carnage of yesterday which was quite a relief.  It's great seeing rare birds but the associated mad dash and in some cases - the lack of distancing - makes the event less enticing than what would be expected during 'normal' times.

Heading first to Penninis where a couple of vocal Crossbill flew over and a couple of Raven drifted by.  This Peregrine put in an appearance while battling a stiff breeze.  A Wheatear was seen near Pulpit Rock.

An attempt to connect with the Swainson's Thrush were all in vein as the bird wasn't sighted at all today. An amusing chat with Rob Lambert and Cliff Smith made my morning as we watched a showy Yellow-browed Warbler bounce thorough the willows near Nowhere. A vocal tail-dipping Chiffchaff was present there too. A Small Copper basked in the strong sunlight.

We then took a long walk around the island - hugging the coastline and taking in the backdrop.  A couple of Grey Seal were seen close in to the beach at Watermill and a Wheatear appeared on a rock at Porth Hellick Down.  Unexpected showers frequented during the afternoon, but despite these metrological inconveniences, a lively Common Redstart was seen in the field directly behind Porth Minnick.