Isles of Scilly - 8th October 2023

A truly bonkers day that will go down as one of my best Scilly experiences, and probably one of my best birding experiences. Expect the unexpected is the way things go on these Isles. Feeling energised after a cheeky lie-in, the rosy starling was present, after a brief attempt yesterday, sitting up on residential dwellings at Little Porth.

Feeling buoyed by this, I headed for the quay. A few hours on Agnes was the plan on another warm, glorious sunny day. The buff-breasted sandpiper was typically confiding, scampering around the assembled crowd. Not particularly desperate to see anything in particular, I watched the sea for a bit and then walked the coast path toward Coastguards.

This is when the fun started. A morning boat had already set off for Bishops Rock, a speculative visit to the lighthouse with the hope of some interesting seabirds and the outside chance of something a little more scarce.

And then the news came through that it was there. The red-footed booby was there!! I legged it toward the quay while constantly checking my phone. Boats were being arranged for a pick up in a couple of hours. Not being a great sailor and still mentally scarred by a previous pelagic where I was very sick on the boat, a very kind birder just happened to have a sea-sick tablet with them - the magic pill to quell the anxiety and vanquish the expected nausea.

On the walk down past the Parsonage, a pied flycatcher and a bonus Siberian chiffchaff were active within the woodland.

The journey took around 30 minutes to Bishop's Rock. As we approached, the diagnostic shape of the booby came into view. The booby was there, preening, and generally quite dormant, red-feet visible in great light. The boat circled the lighthouse a few times, enabling those with cameras to get their shot of this mystical bird. No nausea. Absolutely epic!

On arrival back at St. Mary's at around 4.30pm, birding was sacked off for the day. I joined the Naylors for a couple of drinks, reflecting on the joys of seeing this mega bird on these magical Isles.

Steps: 11,729 (9.2 km)