Scilly has a special place in my heart. I first visited in 1986 and have returned perhaps 30 times. Hopefully I always will. Basking in the glow if the catbird success, and knowing there were both decent birds and good friends on Scilly made it a complete no brainer for Andy and I to make the short hop over from Lands End and stay for a few days. Sadly it wasn't feasible to stay on St Agnes, so we made do with Mary's.
It was to be a very odd few days, life changing in fact. However that is not the subject of this blog and I'll leave it there. That at least explains why we did less birding than intended. Socially, however, it was really good to catch up with old and valued friends Laurence Pitcher, Graham Gordon and - very briefly Lee Amery. I really need to be better at staying in touch.
Birding highlights were very brief views of the Grey-cheeked Thrush on St Agnes (found by Loz and Graham the day we arrived) and a rather splendid Melodious Warbler (my first in 10+ years, probably longer). We have a brief flyover Red-throated Pipit whilst eating soup on Agnes too, seen better by GG minutes later. That aside it was the usual combination of Yellow-browed Warblers, Black Redstarts and a scattering of commoner migrants. Pleasant although not exceptional bird-wise, but an unending pleasure to be back on the islands.
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