Friday 10 October 2014

A Lark or Two

Started the day with two failed attempts for the Blyth's Pipit, before and after breakfast. Four Water Rail and 3 Wheatear were the best seen.

The wind has dropped a bit and with blue sky the trip across to St Agnes was fairly pleasant. An hour spent in vain waiting for a Rustic Bunting was halted by news of an Ortolan Bunting further across the island. Another dip, but consolation in the form of good views of a Short-toed Lark feeding with Meadow Pipit and Linnet.

Short-toed Lark on St Agnes
Little else was seen with several Stonechat and Wheatear along the coast and a glimpse of a Scilly Shrew at the top of a beach.

Stonechat
Wheatear
On return to St Mary's I walked up to the air field in hope that the Blyth's Pipit would be on there. Scanning through the 50+ Meadow Pipit I picked up 6 Wheatear and then Snow Bunting by the turning circle. A very pale bird on the newly recovered runway caught my eye and through the scope was clearly a Short-tailed Lark. I stupidly put out the news before taking a photo, as the bird flew off just as pulled the camera from the bag. It looked like I would be stood like chump with no bird and no photo when people arrived, but luckily it flew back and I rattled off a few shots.

Short-toed Lark on St Mary's
Short-toed Lark in flight






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