Finders in the Field: Bobolink, St.Mary's, Isles of Scilly
John Mercer
News had broken of a Northern Parula on the Isles of Scilly, so having lots of annual leave left to take, I decided to organise a trip down with some friends. Unfortunately, one of them could not go until the end of the week, by which time the Parula would almost certainly have vanished. I love Scilly so it wasn’t about damage limitation; just about enjoying the peace and tranquillity.
After arriving on St Mary’s, we dropped off our luggage at the digs and started our walk towards Normandy to see a Pink-footed Goose which was a Scilly tick for me. Although tens of thousands pass over our home in Lancashire, I still thought it would be nice to see a friendly face this far away. Whilst walking, a message came out at 16:50 on 29th September (2023) reporting that the nightingale had been seen again briefly and, with this being a lifer for my friend Chris, the two of us headed in the direction of the airport. On arrival at High Cross Lane, several birders had observed it down the sloping track around 10 minutes before we arrived. The other birders then left, leaving Chris and me in the hope that it would re-appear. Sure enough, with less disturbance, it showed well. By this time, it was late afternoon and the light was starting to dim a little so I decided to put down the tripod legs, leaving Chris to take a photograph of it. I walked back a short distance and decided to scan the fields and hedges on the right hand side of the airport with my bins. As I did, a hawfinch-sized, bunting-like bird was perched on a Pittisporum hedge. This bird was different to any I had seen before and my heart started to pound. I couldn’t get my scope set up quick enough!
Panicking, and with a few expletives, I managed to set the scope up without extending the legs and squatted down to view this bird. It was frustrating, as the vegetation was in the way. Then, bingo, the bird was visible and a wave of adrenaline kicked in. Luckily, the bird was side-on and I could see the dark crown, buff central line, eye-stripe and large pinkish bill. No obvious markings on the nape, but dark brown streaking on the back and flanks, with a lovely yellowy finish to the breast area: BOBOLINK!!??
Luckily, Chris was just walking back. I told him excitedly “I’ve just found a Bobolink; it’s defo a Bobolink.” Chris looked. “It is a Bobolink, isn’t it?” I asked as I just wanted confirmation whilst putting the news out. My head was all over the place as I’d not seen one before.
Unfortunately, a two second glance was all Chris managed to get as it flew down to the right and disappeared into a field with no general access. As we stood awaiting another sighting, the light was starting to diminish along with any chance of seeing it again that afternoon.
I was made up but, as more birders appeared, frustration and self-doubt started to take over my all but brief moments of delight as neither of us had had the chance to get a photograph of it for proof of ID.
The following day, the Bobolink was thankfully located there again on the Pittisporum from Mainland Marketing, only this time, amazingly, there were now two of them!
John Mercer
5 October 2023
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