Shropshire Birder: Scilly Pelagic - Wilson's at last :-)

How could the spectacular events of the previous evening be followed? I was hoping it would be third time lucky for Jim as we set off from St Mary's at 11.00 for a six hour pelagic steaming south west. It was hoped that the Cory's would still be in the general area and who knows what else with them?

The temporary 'crew' of Sapphire, Rob was wide awake!!

That fishy smelling suet / bread mix is just too good to resist!

My final target species (Wilson's) was always going to be the trickiest of the trilogy and after quickly encountering one or two Cory's Shearwater......

This one was taking it easy as we cruised by!

But not for long!

The sharp eyed among you have already spotted the ring!

Numbers were well down on the previous evening (c5 for the session!) you could almost think disappointing but it was still magic to witness the odd one at close quarters.

There was quite a swell now and standing was difficult enough - never mind trying to keep the camera locked on a fast flying bird......

An inevitably a few got cropped by wave troughs etc. I'll spare you the occasional 'shark fin' shot!

Consummate masters of the elements here, zipping in and out of the waves....

Great Shearwater numbers (5) were also well down, this was the best encounter.....

We had picked up several Storm Petrels but then at 12:30, a call from Bob set my heart pounding "Wilsons flying in". I picked it up immediately (phewwwwww) - got those toes protruding, then managed to get my lens on it , firing off a couple of record shots.....

They aren't going to set the world on fire, rubbish really but in the scheme of things, an essential memory of bird of the year for 2014. YAY!! Wilson's Petrel (257) well and truly nailed for the list :-) Sadly it was a very brief showing and was gone in less than a minute!

There was a late burst of activity when 2 Balearic Shearwater (258) took some interest in us....