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The Scilly Isles; over one hundred islands, only six of them inhabited, enveloping visitors in a magical time warp. To get there from the mainland you must either board the helicopter, a skybus (which is much smaller than it sounds) or the seasonal Scillonian ferry that makes the crossing once a day between March and November. Only the main island - St Mary's - has cars and such is the scenery and the solitude that walking here is a relaxed and enchanting departure from the norm. The sky seems bluer, the sun shines longer and the cuckoo sings louder - one local counted 140 consecutive calls at 4.30am last year!

Celebrating their unique setting, Scilly is in the midst of its first walking festival. Taking place between 26th March and 1st April, WalkScilly07 is giving visitors an opportunity to discover many different aspects of the islands (apart from the noisy cuckoo who you'll be pleased to know doesn't start disturbing the peace until mid April).

Will Wagstaff, resident ornithologist and naturalist on the islands, is no stranger to sharing his knowledge. Taking groups around the islands every year between March and October, Will is also one of the main guides at the festival.

St Martin's

He describes some of the discoveries people can expect on a walk around Samson: "There is an extra intrigue to Samson, it being the uninhabited isle and its history as well as its wildlife is fascinating. The Woodcocks and the Webbers were the last families to leave - that was back in 1855. It was subsistence living, a tough life. When we walk around the shore line at low tide, the old field boundaries can be seen and up in the middens thousands of limpet shells have been unearthed, a food that would have been part of their staple diet."

Volunteering his familiarity with the islands' history, Will's specialism is however the flora, fauna and wildlife and anyone joining his walks can expect a wealth of knowledge about what can be seen here. Accompanied by his telescope, the main focus at this time of year will be the spring migrants, Scilly being the first land mass for birds arriving from Europe.

Will says "If we are in luck, Scilly can be treated to some rare sightings; we are like the motorway services - the migrating birds need to refuel and we are often their first port of call. Some exceptional sightings at this time of year have included the Southern European Black-Crowned Night Heron however this bird is crepuscular, meaning it is only active during the twilight hours, making it even harder to spot."

Round Island

Whilst the secretive Night Heron may be making itself scarce there are plenty of other fascinating discoveries to be made. Will takes walkers along the shoreline searching for cowries and the more unusual Wendle Trap shell. He knows which side of the island the waders will be feeding and where the black backed gulls will be strutting their stuff to attract a mate. Edible plants growing along the shoreline are pointed out and throughout the whole two hour stroll the fine white sandy beaches and crystal clear sea is never far from view.

Wherever you choose to walk on Scilly the delights are endless and whether you are fascinated by history, nature or just love the solitude of miles of empty shoreline there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Chloe Wild

View from Halangy Down bronze age site towards Tresco

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