Scillies 2013 - Day 1 - Sat 5th October

I arrived at St Mary's on the Scillionian III at just after 12.45pm, with very little seen from the boat except for a Balearic Shearwater and a handful of Common Dolphins. I met up with Jay at the quay and then we also met his mate Paz who was on the ferry and we headed back to the flat to drop of the bags.
We had a quick cup of tea and a catch up and formed a plan for the rest of the day. The key part of the day was to get up to Newford Duckpond at the northern end of St Mary's to try and see the Arctic Warbler which had been found earlier in the day.

After a short wait the bird flew into flew and was actively feeding in the Sallows at the back of the pond. With patience good views were had of this bird though for most of the time you were looking into the sun which was a shame. Also had nice views of a Peregrine being mobbed by a couple of Sparrowhawks which was entertaining.
Once we had got our fill of the Arctic Warbler we headed back down the island via Lower Moors. Here we had a quick look in at Shooters Pool and I was lucky enough to see the Spotted Crake almost instantly as it ran out a flew a short distance to the back of the pool.

All too soon it was beginning to get dark so we had a look round Old Town Bay and then wandered slowly back to the flat going through Old Town Churchyard and over Buzza Hill. Very little else was seen except a few Common Snipe from the ISBG hide at Lower Moors and a Chiffchaff by Shooters Pool.