The weather looked good, so I took a chance on a late september visit to cape this year. Gerard Murray made the trip down with me this year.
The wind was mainly easterly but Wilsons Warbler had made it to Dursey a few days earlier so anything was possible.
The few days were warm enough but low cloud and some drizzle set the scene for the four day stay.
On arrival the bird obs was locked and they were not taking in guests. It was sad to see the place locked up during peak autumn migration.
It was quiet enough on monday. A brisk north easterly kept most birds down and out of view. The best bird a very elusive Reed Warbler in Cotters and a Spotted Flycatcher. We could here a couple of Chiffchaff calling but did not see one...
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| Spotted Flycatcher |
Day two saw the wind drop and with some rain overnight we were hopefull. There were lots of migrants around with at least 4 Pied Flycatchers and 10 Spotted Flys. 4 Whitethroat were a bit of a surprise. A promising start but still nothing rare.
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| One of four Reed Warblers present |
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| Whitethroat |
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| Pied Flycatcher |
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| Pied Flycatcher (Gerard Murray) |
The following day the sun eventually shone and day tripper Julian Whylie found a Wryneck in the bog. Most of the other birds were still around as low cloud at night was preventing anything leaving the island.
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| Wryneck (Gerard Murray) |
On the last full day more new birds. Starting with a Common Rosefinch on the low road and in the waist. Followed by two Wryneck in the bogs and a late evening rush with the light fading Redstart and Wood Warbler on the hill behind cotters. The day finished off nicely with an excellent meal in Cotters (Thai night) served up by ex bird obs warden Steve Wing.
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| Redstart (Gerard Murray) |
We left early the following morning and managed to twitch the Red-backed Shrike at Galley Head. A successful if not spectacular few days....
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| Great Skua |
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| Red-backed Shrike (Gerard Murray) |
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| Red-backed Shrike |
