Last day on St Mary's

Determined to end the week's holiday on a high I headed off to Higgo's Pool at dawn this morning in the hope of seeing the Northern Waterthrush one last time. Although it was barely light, I enjoyed my best views yet of the bird. The ring on its right leg, applied several weeks ago during one of its forays to Porth Hellick, can be seen clearly.

Northern Waterthrush

Returned to Lower Moors today for a more leisurely look at the first winter Northern Waterthrush, now well into its second month on St Mary's. I know several people who have day-tripped and dipped this bird - some more than once - due to its habit of appearing early morning and late afternoon and going missing for long periods in between. The last couple of days would have been a good time to try again, however, as it has been seen on Shooters Pool and elsewhere at Lower Moors reliably throughout the day. This is thought to be due to several other pools drying up, reducing its feeding options to this one area. Lower Moors itself is surprisingly dry, and Newford Duckpond doesn't have a duck on it on account of the lack of water.

Although the Waterthrush's harsh, loud tzinc call could at times be heard just feet away when it was at the pool just in front of the screen, it could not be seen from this position other than briefly in flight, but it did show readily on a more distant pool where this picture was taken.

Only on Scilly...

...could you see and photograph Northern Waterthrush, Upland Sandpiper, two Olive-backed Pipits and a Wilson's Snipe in two hours car-free birding and still feel hard done by for missing a Scarlet Tanager. But that's how I spent the rest of our first day after my double-dip on the latter.

Northern Waterthrush at Lower Moors

Upland Sandpiper at Borough Farm

Olive-backed Pipit at Watermill

Wilson's Snipe at Lower Moors