Scilly - 13.10.14

The morning started off at Porthcressa beach with at least 7 Swallow and singles of Wheatear and Stonechat. We then headed up to the Garrison where we added Spotted Flycatcher to the trip list followed by the strange sight of a Spoonbill flying east towards the airport!


We then headed over to Tresco for a potential Scilly tick. 15 Little Egret were in the Tresco channel which was an important sighting for me as this group took me past the 1,500 Little Egret seen in the UK mark! We set off for the north end of the island but despite there being 30-40 other birders present we couldn't find the Dotterel that had been present for a few days. On the walk back we saw the Buzzard and the assorted ducks etc on the great pool including the 4 Whoopers. News then broke of a Monarch butterfly by the abbey gardens so I steamed off ahead of the others but again there was no sign on arrival. A Yellow-Browed Warbler was calling from inside the gardens but didn't show itself. Just then someone became excited and as I turned around there flying towards us was a large butterfly. It was the Monarch! It flew up into a group of trees and despite seeing where it landed nobody could re-find it. Not exactly the views I'd have hoped for with my first UK Monarch but views all the same.