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St Mary's - Isles of Scilly

Cornwall  >  United Kingdom

Largest island (2.5sq mi) in remote archipelago, 30 miles west of Land's End, Cornwall. Noted for transatlantic and other rarities.

Added* by Iain Crawford
Most recent update 6 december 2022

Description

The Scilly islands ticklist runs to 453 species inc 63 waders, 44 warblers, 28 finches and buntings. St Mary's is an unmissable component in autumn with a ticklist of 369 species. These include Vándorfüzike, vastagcsőrű füzike, Kékfarkú, Függőcinege, Kis légykapó, királygém, Kerti geze, Terekcankó, Cankópartfutó, Havasi lile and Kék vércse.

Best locations are; Lower moors pool, Porthellick pool, the Garrison, the airport (from outside the perimeter only), golf course (members only inside the perimeter), Telegraph hill, Porth Cressa and Porthloo. All day guided walk with Will Wagstaff is just £14, see link below. For seawatching or whalewatching, go to Peninnis or Giants Castle, or take a pelagic trip on the MV Sapphire (£50), see link below.

Details

Access

St Mary's is accessed by ferry from Penzance, or by air from Penzance airport. From March to November the ferry from Penzance sails once a day - generally leaving Penzance at 9.15am and arriving on St. Mary's (the main island) at 12noon, and departing again at 4.30pm arriving back in Penzance at 7.15pm.

The easiest way to get around the island is on foot – there are some lovely, scenic coastal and inland walks (pick up a map from the Tourist Information Centre). If you walk the entire coastline of St. Mary’s, you’re likely to cover some 9 or 10 miles depending on the tide! For more ways to get around the island see link below.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Plateau , Wetland , Plain , Canyon/cliff , Lake , Beach , Mud flats , Reedbeds , Sea , City/village

Conditions

Flat , Sandy , Wet , High water possible , Rocky , Hilly

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round , Spring , Autumn

Best time to visit

Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car , Boat , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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