Isles of Scilly
Updated 6 October 2026
What birds can you see on the Isles of Scilly?
Spring (March to May)
Southerly winds bring overshooting migrants from the Mediterranean, such as hoopoe, golden oriole and woodchat shrike. Puffins return to the uninhabited island of Annet, and wheatears and willow warblers move through the fields.
Summer (June to August)
Seabirds are the draw. Manx shearwaters and storm petrels breed on the islands, and the Wildlife Trust runs a seabird recovery project to protect them. Pelagic trips from St Mary's start in July and target Cory's shearwater, great shearwater and Wilson's storm petrel.
Autumn (September to November)
September brings American waders such as buff-breasted sandpiper, pectoral sandpiper and lesser yellowlegs, along with wrynecks. October is the month for rare passerines: yellow-browed warbler is expected, and red-eyed vireo, olive-backed pipit and Pallas's leaf warbler are the sort of birds people travel for. Firecrests and goldcrests fill the cover.
Winter (December to February)
The ferry does not sail and few birders visit. Those who do can find great northern divers in the sounds between the islands and black redstarts on the beaches.
Isles of Scilly recent sightings: where to check
Most people searching for Scilly sightings want today's birds. We do not have a live feed for the islands. These sources are updated by people on the ground:
- Isles of Scilly Bird Group: what's been seen: the local bird group's public sightings log, and the best single source for the islands.
- Scilly Pelagics: trip dates and booking for the seabird boat trips from St Mary's.
- Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust: reserve pages and seabird news from the body that manages around half of the islands.
- eBird hotspot map: zoom to the islands for hotspot checklists.
- BirdGuides: national bird news. Rarities on Scilly are reported fast. Some details are for subscribers only.
Our own tools: the sightings map shows what our users have logged nearby, you can log a sighting in under a minute, and species alerts in the app flag birds on your list.
Best time to visit the Isles of Scilly
For rarities, go in October, with the last week of September and the first week of November as the shoulders. Wind direction decides the birds: westerlies after Atlantic storms bring American species, and easterlies bring Siberian ones. For seabirds, go between July and September. Scilly pelagics include evening trips and multi-day birder specials, with August and early September the core of the season. For spring overshoots, go in April and May. Tide matters for the inter-island boats, whose times shift with it, so check the day's sailings on St Mary's quay.
Islands, hides and viewpoints
There is no single reserve. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust manages around half of the land, with more than 85 km of paths across ten islands.
- Lower Moors, St Mary's is a Wildlife Trust wetland reserve with hides, close to Hugh Town.
- Higher Moors and Porth Hellick Pool, St Mary's is the island's other main wetland, also with hides.
- Peninnis Head, St Mary's is a headland reserve for sea-watching and newly arrived migrants.
- Tresco has the Great Pool, for wildfowl and waders.
- St Agnes is the most south-westerly inhabited island and has a long record of American vagrants.
- Bryher and St Martin's are quieter, with fewer observers.
- Annet holds the puffin colony. View it from a boat trip.
Getting there and facilities
The Scillonian III passenger ferry sails from Penzance to St Mary's in about 2 hours 45 minutes, from spring to early November. Its replacement, Scillonian IV, is due to enter service in March 2027. Skybus flies to St Mary's from Land's End, Newquay and Exeter, and Penzance Helicopters flies to St Mary's and Tresco. Visitors travel without cars. You walk or cycle, and open launches run between the islands from St Mary's quay.
Stay on St Mary's for the widest choice of boats. Hugh Town has shops, cafes and public toilets. Book October accommodation up to a year ahead.
There is no entry fee for the islands or for the Wildlife Trust's nature reserves. Transport is the main cost. Keep dogs under close control near livestock and nesting seabirds. Details change each season, so check the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and Isles of Scilly Travel sites before you travel.
What to bring
Bring a scope: it is close to essential for sea-watching and for scanning waders on the pools and beaches. Our spotting scope guide covers light models that suit a week of walking. Our field guides round-up lists books that cover vagrants.
Nearby places to bird
Nothing is close to Scilly, but these fit a trip through the South West to Penzance:
- RSPB Ham Wall: Somerset reedbeds, close to the M5.
- RSPB Arne: Dorset heath and Poole Harbour.
- Rare birds guide: how rarities are found and reported in Britain.
Isles of Scilly FAQ
When is the best time for birdwatching on the Isles of Scilly?
October for rare migrants, with late September and early November also good. July to September is best for seabirds and pelagic trips. April and May bring spring overshoots such as hoopoe.
What are Scilly pelagics?
They are boat trips from St Mary's into the open sea to look for seabirds that rarely come near land, such as Cory's shearwater, great shearwater and Wilson's storm petrel. They run from July to September. Book through the Scilly Pelagics website.
Where can I check recent bird sightings on Scilly?
The Isles of Scilly Bird Group publishes a public sightings log called What's been seen. BirdGuides and eBird also carry Scilly records. We do not run a live feed for the islands.
Do you need a car on the Isles of Scilly?
No. Visitors travel without cars. You get around on foot or by bike, and open launches run between the inhabited islands from St Mary's quay.