birding...

The Isles of Scilly, known locally as the Fortunate Isles, lie twenty-eight miles to the south-west of mainland Cornwall, acting as the first and last landfall for many migrant birds. Over the years Scilly has developed an enviable reputation as Europe's premier rarity locality, being a magnet for birds originating from all points of the compass. To date over 400 (411 by the current BOU list) species have been recorded: new species continue to be added - Spectacled Warbler in 2000 for instance. This total beats any other single site in Europe (as far as we are aware!)being made up primarily of vagrants.

The islands are accessed by sea or air - plane and helicopter - and have become a popular destination for autumn birders, polarised around the first two weeks in October. At times a thousand birders nearly outnumber the locals as they hunt for rarities among the small enclosed flower fields and tamarisk bushes. The scene is gelled by rapid information updates by CB radio and pagers throughout the day. No one should miss the birds! In the evening the local pubs bustle with field weary birders discussing the days highs and lows.

Each morning boats set out from St.Mary's for the off islands of Tresco, St.Agnes, St.Martin's and Bryher. The first two usually have a few birders staying on them, and Agnes has a resident birder, but the others still provide a challenge for the intrepid.

It's not just about October however. A visit to the islands at most times can be rewarding. The summer sees internationally important numbers of seabirds breeding on the islands, including Puffins, but most notably European Storm-petrel, with possibly as many as 17,000 on the archipelago. The problem is that even with so many birds they are nigh on impossible to see unless you are in a boat! In spring many species overshoot from the south with Woodchat Shrikes and Hoopoes being regular along with southern herons such as Night Heron and Little Bittern. Long hours of daylight, warm weather, blooming flowers and few birders can make this a particularly memorable time.

Contrary to popular belief there are opportunities to get away from the crowds and find your own birds at whatever season. Contact the local Tourist Information Centre on Scilly for a free brochure with all your holiday needs (TEL: 01720 424031) or tic@scilly.gov.uk

How to find out where the birds are…
Scilly is an impossible place to divide up in any coherent way. The whole archipelago is a glorious place to go birding! So, any birder - local or visiting - heads for the ISBG bird boards outside the back door of the Pilot's Gig restaurant. These boards carry all the information recorded for that and the previous day, specifying the birds and their approximate locations. It generally functions very well and everybody drops in to check on the latest info. People are very good at passing on news via mobiles and from pagers etc, and it all gets put on the boards, which is good news for all those of us without the technology! There is a similar, if less extensive, bird board outside St Agnes Post Office. The other reliable places for the latest bird news are, of course, the local pubs - home to many a tall tale in the evenings!