An Unexpected Twitch by David Knight
We have been to the Scilly Isles three times on holiday each time at different times of the year. The last time was Autumn 2004. When we booked, the only vacancy offered at that time was 17th.September to 1st. October . We were happy to accept those dates knowing that any later would involve sharing those lovely islands with hordes of birdwatchers!As usual we walked the various islands enjoying the fantastic scenery and wildlife. Migration was just underway and a few good birds were seen but with only a few other birdwatchers around.
On the Tuesday 28th. September we went for a leisurely stroll round St. Martins as I was still feeling slightly queezy after a stomach churning Palegic the previous day on Alan Hick’s boat, the Kingfisher. We did, however, see two Leach’s Petrels off the Sevenstones Lightship so it was worth the pain. We came back to St.Mary’s about 3p.m to be met on the harbour wall by a ever growing crowd of telescope wielding birders. One of them, who I had met earlier in the week, shouted that they were off to St Agnes as a Cream-Coloured Courser had been reported. I was very tempted but declined and all the way back to our flat wondered if I should have gone. It would have been another lifer! The first in the Britain for some twenty years! I gritted my teeth and persuaded myself I had done the right thing. After all it was my wife’s holiday as well and I should consider her!
So next morning we decided to go to Tresco and on the way to the harbour we called to look at the bird newsboard outside the Pilot Gig restaurant - a daily ritual for all those interested in the birds. Brian Thomas, the owner of the restaurant, is a very accomplished bird photographer and spends more time birding than cooking. That aside, I was somewhat relieved that there was no mention of the Courser on the newsboard. It was gone and there was no point thinking about it any more. Move on.
Next day, Thursday 30th. September, was a beautiful warm sunny day and another trip to St. Martins was decided on. A quick look at the board at the Pilot Gig on the way revealed in large letters that the Cream-coloured Courser had been relocated - this time on St. Martins. How lucky is that? As we approached our boat there were birders everywhere. They had already sent one early boatload out and we were soon to follow. There was lots of smiling faces about. Mine included. Val had already decided that if you can’t beat them you might as well join them.
Due to the state of the tide, we landed at Lower Town and the bird was reported to be in sheep fields at Turfy Hill towards Higher Town -the opposite end of the island. So we were faced with a walk of a couple of miles which for some reason was covered in record time. We didn’t know exactly where Turfy Hill was, but all you had to do was follow the crowd. We finally reached our sheep field to see excited birders, several deep, looking over a five-foot stone wall. Cameras, telescopes, bins and mobiles were everywhere. We managed, after a bit of elbowing, to get a place on the wall and there it was. It strutted around the field quite oblivious to all the attention it was getting. It was, overall, a beautiful, rich, sand colour and when it eventually flew to an adjoining field it revealed its sharply contrasting black underwings and black outer upperwings. It was, we were advised, a first winter adult. It was, no doubt,a special bird in a special place and all totally unexpected.