However for me it was one of the best years for a while, again I took up residence in The Cabin on St Agnes, great views every day of 6 whooper swans and Rosey Starling from my window, now that cannot be bad.
Had many a visitor and we soon polished off a bottle of Bowmore, and as for my book made great headway on it, and interviewed the last people I needed to, I also discovered a new book cover that Hilda Quick designed in 1969, that no one knew about.
St Agnes is a fantastic place, and the anticipation was there everyday, yes if I am been honest I did consider coming off to go to South Shields, but I didn,t and I am glad, roll on Scilly 2010.
Keep Birding that made in japan bird is somewhere!
Just returned from a great week and a half on the islands staying on the Garrison campsite, St Mary's. This was my first stay on the islands after daytripping for a couple of years previously. A very healthy trip list was accumulated from birding before dawn till dusk every day and although true rarities were relatively (/completely!) absent I saw Red-throated Pipit (self-found on Mary's), Radde's Warbler, Cattle Egret, Little Bunting, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Common Rosefinch, Tawny Pipit, Richard's Pipit, Wryneck, Yellow-browed Warblers, Yellow-legged Gull, Whooper Swans, and Spoonbills amongst others. In summary, a great alround trip with the weather (bad for rarities, good for the tan), wildlife, people and food for under £300. The Law of Averages theory makes me think next year could be a corker... Henry.
I do feel somewhat compelled to pay a visit this year as it would be the 30th Anniversary of my first visit, kicking off with a Radde's Warbler on St. Agnes on 20th October 1979. Standby.
Just to whet the appetite of the Scilly hopefulls check out this blog from some islands a bit further south-west http://www.corvo2009.blogspot.com/
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Updated birding videos on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/c/PeteHinesbirding
Just received by email what will be their last newsletter - if anyone would like to read about the mouth-watering list of birds they had January-June, PM me privately.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!