Scilly '23 - Day 0

Little Egret - Marazion - 29th September

Salubrious sleeping accommodation to kick off proceedings; three people in one Nissan Quashqai, parked in a Port Talbot industrial estate. I mean - what more could you want? I slept on the back seat with my torso stretched out and everything below the waist folded into a 10 pence piece sized space by the passenger side door. It was so elegant.

After a fulfilling three hours sleep we made the most of the situation by clearing up some endemics like:

• Welsh Wren Troyolodytes Cambrianensis

• Welsh Kite Milrus Taffyensis

• Welsh Thrush Turdus Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

• Magnolia Warbler Setophaga Glamorgan magnolia

Magnolia Warbler - Briton Ferry - 29th September 2023

My man Robin Sandham, of Great North Dove Run fame, and all round Welsh birding legend, was in the house!

Having lifered off in a severe and hysterical manner we then continued on our south-westerly mission. Crossing the Bristol Channel, Somerset and Devon we pressed onwards like greased weasels. Weasels eager to feast our eyes on Lesser Grey Shrike… and feast we did:

Lesser Grey Shrike - Caradon Hill - September 29th 2023

The supporting cast on Caradon Hill came courtesy of some friendly Devonian birders and a Wheatear. Nice.

Wheatear - Caradon Hill - September 29th 2023

We then wrestled with the A30 to reach our destination; Marazion Marsh. Marazion Marsh is excessive and needs to chill out. The birding there was fantastic:

• 13 Pale-bellied Brent;

• Water Rail

• Sanderling, Dunlin and Turnstone on the beach

• Hoopoe

• Kingfisher

• Peregrine

• Raven

• Cetti’s Warbler

• Whinchat; and

• Several Stonehcat.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese - Marazion Beach - 29th October 2023

Woodchat Shrike - Marazion Marsh - 29th September 2023

Woodchat Shrike - Marazion Marsh - 29th September 2023

Sanderling - Marazion Beach - 29th October 2023

Pale-bellied Brent Geese - Marazion Beach - 29th October 2023

Peregrine - Marazion Marsh - 29th September 2023

Stonechat - Marazion Marsh - 29th September 2023

Whinchat - Marazion Marsh - 29th September 2023

Hoopoe - Marazion Marsh - 29th September 2023

I was personally affronted by how good it was. The Penzance Youth Hostel is magnificent and I would award it 10/10. We dined and slept like pros. Ready for the Scillonian crossing and our final boat to St Agnes…

Everyone lifered off on day 0 and we’ve decided to lifer every day of the trip.