Egyptian Vulture on Scilly, June 2021, the first British record since 1868
An account by Will Wagstaff
Mid June on Scilly is not known for its rarities so the news on our WhatsApp group of a large bird being seen in the fog off Peninnis Head on Monday 14th was intriguing to say the least. As I was getting ready for work and meeting my group I didn’t have time to look on my phone and download the photos to see what it showed but did see the range of species being suggested included Osprey, eagle sp, Black Stork, Magpie Goose (!) and Egyptian Vulture.
The fog was still thick as I headed for Tresco with my group so I thought I was going to the wrong island and that whatever the mystery bird was it would be re-found on St Mary’s. I didn’t think much more about it as I spent a while wandering around the Great and Abbey Pools with my group, seeing not much more than a few Grey Herons and a White Wagtail, I was heading back towards the far end of the Great Pool when I became aware of the local gulls making a fuss about something. I assumed it would be one of the Grey Herons coming back but looked up to see a large bird coming low towards me that was not a Grey Heron. A quick look with my bins revealed an Egyptian Vulture. To stay I was stunned was an understatement. I apparently remained quite calm as I said to my group that it was an Egyptian Vulture that was flying overhead, but in my head I just could not believe what I was seeing but the yellow face, black and white wings and that tail shape were unmistakable.
The bird continued low over us and over the east end of the Great Pool before perching in the pines along Middle Down. I took a few long range shots before we steadily worked our way nearer until we were on the Pool Road where we could see it really well. Having put the news out as we moved my phone was now going mad with messages as those on St Mary’s got themselves to the Garrison for some distant views or onto the Guiding Star to head to Tresco.
I met Nigel Hudson (ex BBRC secretary and IOS Editor) and his wife Danni who were out for a walk and had not heard about the bird so put my scope on it to give them a view before continuing my walk. As I only had people for the morning, I was able to return to get a better view, by which time those who had got to the boat were already at the viewing point. The bird seemed quite happy sat on the bare branches, preening and looking around and was not being bothered by any crows or gulls. After just over 90 minutes it decided to fly, as if going hunting. It was bombed by a couple of crows before coming back over the ponds and then vanishing from our view. We continued looking for the bird but with no luck until we gathered that it had relocated to St Mary’s where it did a tour of the island before dropping past the golf course and out of sight again. We later gathered that it may well have been perched on the west side of Bryher later that day but this news was only found out late on Weds.
To see a vulture in the UK was incredible and see one this well was even more amazing. Scilly has this ability to astound, even after all the time I have been here. I can (and will) argue that I have seen two wild vultures in the UK as I also saw the Black Vulture in mid Wales in the 1970’s which I feel was a wild bird- looked wild to me:)
Will Wagstaff
16 June 2021
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