Ever since the Red-footed Booby was first seen off the Isles of Scilly on 7th August – only Britain’s second record of this tropical oceans wanderer – I’ve been willing it to stay long enough so we might get a chance to see it during our pre-booked holiday to Cornwall. Fortunately the bird has remained and adopted a pattern of roosting on Bishop’s Rock lighthouse. When we arrived on Saturday I started making enquiries of the local boat-owners on Scillies about possible trips out to see the bird. Unfortunately the special birders excursions have stopped – the boats being used for more general wildlife and whale watching – and other than special charter, the options looked bleak. Day trips on the Scillonian only arrive at mid-day and give you around four hours on the St Mary’s before departing back to the mainland. The bigger charter boats don’t go very fast, so even if one became available during the time window available it would be tight to get out to the rock and back in time. The only options that seemed remotely viable were an overnight stay on St Mary’s during peak holiday season or, according to some, viewing Bishop’s Rock distantly from St Agnes with a scope! Then came the break-through we were hoping for, Dave McBride had a fast rib and a two hour break in his schedule. So yesterday we boarded the Scillonian in the hopes of finding more ‘tail-end Charlie’ birders who wanted to see the bird and would share the cost. Eventually – between some excellent sea-watching from the boat – we found four other takers and I confirmed our booking with Dave. The Scillonian docked in St Mary’s, we transferred to the rib and within twenty minutes we were circling Bishop’s Rock – and the Red-footed Booby roosting on the top! A whoop of relief (plenty of birders have required multiple trips to connect with the bird), a few record shots from the boat and it was back for a celebratory pint in Hugh Town. Thanks to Dave McBride for making it happen, Dave (incredibly a fellow NENBC member!) & Keith and their partners for sharing the hire but most of all to the Red-footed Booby for staying around!

Heading for Bishop’s Rock on the rib – with growing nervous anticipation

A couple more record shots taken from a ‘rubber-ring’ rib bouncing on the Atlantic Ocean!