Lesser Florican - August 2023

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Saturday 18 April 2015

Isles of Scilly 18/4/15

A very hectic day with Jake which included four boat journeys, over 650 miles of driving and if this wasn't enough a cheeky run for the Heron which decided to fly off around the corner just prior to our arrival, though thankfully remained in view from other angles, though trying to watch it whilst trying to catch our breath wasn't ideal.

We then got much closer and we watched the Heron for around an hour where for most of the time it stayed motionless. A superb bird to see and even better I wasn't feeling at all ropey on the Scillionian Crossing despite the appalling NE winds.

Bryher
GREAT BLUE HERON - 1 first winter (2nd for Britain)
Great Northern Diver - 3 including 1 in full breeding plumage

Quite a few close Manx Shearwaters on the Scillionian Crossing close to Lands End, but little else.

 Great Blue Heron on Bryher - the only other record of this species was also from the Scillies from 2007, and amazingly was found by the same observer.
 from one boat to another. After a rough three hour scillionian crossing, we all squeezed into the 'Golden Spray' to Bryher. On the return trip on this same 'vessel', we all got absolutely covered in 'Golden Spray/seawater' as we powered through the choppy channel back to St. Marys.
Bryher: the Big Pool visible in the distance where the GB Heron has been frequenting, but not on our arrival as it flew round to the bay in the top left of the image, leading to a wacky races event.....I won!!
 Great Blue Heron - what a beast
The Garrison on St. Marys - seen some decent birds here with the best being a Black-eared Wheatear back in 2010.