Birder Special Pelagics

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The July-September Birder Special Pelagic schedule is now an established fixture in the British birding calendar. The main aim is to ensure great views and excellent photographic opportunities.

'Megas'
Scilly Pelagics has established a reputation for turning-up mega seabirds including Zino’s Petrel, Desertas Petrel, Barolo Shearwater, Scopoli’s Shearwater, Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel, Band-rumped Storm-petrel, South Polar Skua, Red-footed Booby and Brown Booby.

Wildlife
Short-beaked Common Dolphin is regular; while occasionally seen are Fin Whale, Humpback Whale, Minke Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin and Risso’s Dolphin; with single sightings of Orca (two females) and Cuvier’s Beaked Whale.

Scilly Pelagics was formally launched in 2006 to cater for the growing interest in seabirds and ocean wildlife found in Scillonian waters. The concept of Scilly Pelagics is a long weekend – Friday to Monday inclusive – with daily cruises to maximise the chances of seeing and photographing as many specialities as possible. We recommend (if possible) that participants join a full-weekend of pelagic trips.

The weekend begins with a 5-hour trip on Friday evening. We often use this first evening trip to have a shot at Wilson’s Storm-petrel and to enjoy European Storm-petrels as they return to their colonies in the islands. The trips can attract other seabirds, including the large shearwaters. The Saturday trip runs from 8.30am to about 3.30pm-ish. Daytime trips give the opportunity to explore Scillonian waters widely, visiting reefs, looking for trawlers that attract seabirds, and tracking down dolphin or tuna feeding frenzies that act as a magnet to nearby seabirds. We may drift for Wilson’s Storm-petrel. The Sunday trip (8am - 3pm, returning in time for the Scillionian III to Penzance) is shaped by the results of the Friday and Saturday pelagic trips, targeting species we haven't seen or wish to see again. We round off with a Monday evening trip 5pm.

The Scilly Isles are found 29 miles west of Land’s End, England, in the Southwestern Approaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, we are at sea shortly after departing St Mary’s Quay and our pelagic trips are soon amongst seabirds and other ocean wildlife. Our many years of experience ensure that we visit the best places for seabirding on any particular day. Undersea features are found near Scilly at Pol Bank three miles southwest of Bishop Rock and at Seven Stones Reef nine miles northeast of St Martin’s. Reefs generate an upwelling that brings nutrients and food items to the surface, which benefits seabirds and other sea creatures. Pol Bank and Seven Stones reefs are magnets for seabirds and prime locations for our pelagic trips. In addition, we search out trawlers, and dolphin and tuna feeding frenzies, and when found spend time investigating and observing the seabirds and other wildlife that they draw in.

The 2026 schedule

Weekend 1
Friday 31 July 17:00 to 22:00ish (£65)
Saturday 1 August 08:30 to 15:30ish (£110)
Sunday 2 August 08:00 to 15:00 in time for ferry (£110)
Monday 3 August 17:00 to 22:00ish (£65)

Weekend 2
Friday 7 to Wednesday 12 August, private charter (contact oriolebirding.com)

Weekend 3
Friday 14 August 17:00 to 22:00ish (£65)
Saturday 15 August 08:30 to 15:30ish (£110)
Sunday 16 August 08:00 to 15:00 in time for ferry (£110)
Monday 17 August 17:00 to 22:00ish (£65)

Weekend 4
Friday 21 August 17:00 to 22:00ish (£65)
Saturday 22 August 08:30 to 15:30ish (£110)
Sunday 23 August 08:00 to 15:00 in time for ferry (£110)
Monday 24 August 17:00 to 22:00ish (£65)

Weekend 5
Friday 28 August 17:00 to 22:00ish (£65)
Saturday 29 August 08:30 to 15:30ish (£110)
Sunday 30 August 08:00 to 15:00 in time for ferry (£110)
Monday 31 August 17:00 to 22:00ish (£65)

It is a requirement to arrive 15 minutes before departure time (thanks for your cooperation).

History of Wilson's Storm-petrel off Britain

The following article provides a detailed insight in to how this once 'legendary mega' tubenose became an achievable target in British waters.

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Preparing for your pelagic

Correct preparation for your time in Scilly and at sea will ensure that you get the absolute most out of your Scilly Pelagic experience. The link below will take you to a printable document which covers all you need to know for your time with us, including clothing and optics recommendations, and Isles of Scilly travel and accommodation information.

View Document