So far, February has seen a continuation of the prolonged spell of unsettled weather conditions that dominated in January. A persistent south-easterly airflow, between a large 'blocking' area of high pressure over Scandinavia and low pressure systems trying to move in from the Atlantic, brought fairly mild but often dull, wet and windy weather, with only fleeting drier, brighter slots. However, there were signs of a change towards the end of the reporting period, with the Scandinavian high finally shifting and more typical westerly winds returning to south-west Britain.
It has been an unsurprisingly quiet time for birds, though Lundy Warden Simon Parker has braved the elements to keep morning census ticking over, alongside other contributions to the bird log from island residents and visitors alike. A single Woodpigeon was seen on 4th and 12th, up to six Oystercatchers have been recorded regularly, whilst large gull numbers peaked at 23 Great Black-backs on 4th and 234 Herring Gulls on 12th. Offshore, an estimated 1,000 auks, mainly Razorbills were seen on 8th, six Gannets on 7th, and a single Great Northern Diver on 5th. Raptors have been represented by single Sparrowhawk, Merlin and Peregrine, reflecting a seasonal dip in prey availability, with Starling being the only passerine recorded in any number during morning census, reaching a maximum of 67 on 12th. Other landbirds have included single Skylark, Chiffchaff and Song Thrush, up to six Meadow Pipits (on 8th) and a scattering of Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird and Chaffinch, alongside the resident House Sparrows, the latter wisely spending most of their time hunkered down around the farm buildings.
The vast majority of Lundy's breeding Shags move away from the island in winter, with eight on 8th January being the highest count of the year to date and only ones and twos logged so far in February. Sadly, one of the Shag chicks ringed at Long Roost, in the far north-west of the island, on 22nd June last year, was found dead (together with other seabirds) on the coast of south-west Jersey, Channel Islands, on 1st February – likely a victim of the protracted stormy weather, which makes feeding difficult, with inexperienced first-year birds particularly vulnerable to exhaustion and starvation.
The latest update from Eleanor Grover:
A very rainy period – resulting in the appearance of several Lundy Lakes! Around the 29th the wind finally broke out of its strong southeasterly phase, with some lighter and more westerly winds arriving.
The highest Oystercatcher count for the month of January occurred on 25th with a total of 34, comprising high-tide roosts at Brazen Ward (28) and Miller’s Cake (6). After four previous fruitless searches, the Purple Sandpipers at Brazen Ward finally gave themselves up on 28th – six birds hunkering down and looking mildly disgruntled at the regular salt showers they were getting from the sea-spray.
One of the elusive Purple Sandpipers at Brazen Ward © Eleanor Grover
Two more Purple Sandpipers, keeping a beady eye on their observer! © Eleanor Grover
Kittiwakes are regularly seen feeding off the east coast, and on 31st 145 birds were joined by three summer-plumage/transitioning adult Black-headed Gulls. On the same day, a further Black-headed Gull (this one a winter-plumaged adult) was present with the gull roost near the water tanks, and this individual moved to Barton Field the next day. The aforementioned gull roost finally hit triple figures on 29th peaking at 191 on 1st. The first returning Lesser Black-backed Gull of the year was seen on 27th, with four present on 31st.
Razorbills are also starting to build up offshore (the vast majority in their smart breeding plumage), especially off Benjamin’s Chair – with a peak of 166 there on 29th. The switch in wind direction on 29th brought with it a surprise: a (the?) Slavonian Grebe was once again present off Miller’s Cake, after an absence of over two weeks.
Song Thrushes were seen every other day, favouring the area above the gas store in Millcombe. Their winter cousins, Redwing, were less frequent, with one on 24th and five on 26th. A single Goldfinch flew over on 25th, with a further two on 28th. Water Rails were heard only – with a tremendous racket of squealing, shrieking and rustling indicating that a territorial dispute took place on 31st! Sightings of Sparrowhawk and Peregrine are less regular, but the remains of their kills continue to indicate a strong presence. Goldcrest and Pied Wagtail are also sporadic but are far more frequent than at the beginning of January; another little hint of the spring to come.
One of only a handful of Redwings seen during January © Simon Parker
We are bidding farewell (for now!) to Eleanor who has been supporting the Bird Observatory and the wider Conservation Team for the last month in a voluntary capacity. In addition to keeping coverage of the island going during a period of the year when there are few visiting birders, Eleanor has kept the Tavern logbook and its digital counterpart up-to-date, as well as continuing with the mammoth task of digitising data contained in logbooks from years gone by. Eleanor returned to the mainland on 2nd February, taking with her our grateful thanks and warmest best wishes.
All the latest bird news from Lundy, summarised by Eleanor Grover.
Another week of winter wind – switching to the southeast and bringing warmer temperatures but with it regular squalls, making for challenging birding conditions.
The rougher weather saw more attention directed at seabirds, with three Red-throated Divers flying past SW Point on 16th, and a 1st-winter Common Gull was with 131 Kittiwakes feeding off the Landing Bay on 17th. A seawatch on 21st was slow, with totals as follows: Kittiwake 284, Black-headed Gull 1 (adult, winter plumage), Common Gull 1 (adult), Razorbill 59, Razorbill/Guillemot 39, Guillemot 13, Fulmar 1, Shag 4 and Gannet 58. A final Red-throated Diver provided splendid views on 22nd when it was feeding close inshore off the Landing Bay.
Winter allows time to appreciate Lundy's hardy resident birds, including this ringed female Mallard
© Eleanor Grover
Gulls have started to increase in number, with 50 Herring Gulls and 30 Great Black-backed Gulls counted on 18th. Song Thrushes and Blackbirds, however, have dropped off since the start of the year. Small flocks of Redwing still make sporadic appearances, with singles on 17th & 19th and three on 18th. The 18th was a calm day and also saw flyovers of Linnet and Siskin.
With little movement occurring, more attention went to the resident species. Snipe sightings are dependent on them roosting near a path during the day, with only one bird flushed this week (on 19th). Raptor sightings are predominantly Sparrowhawk and Peregrines, Ravens have been seen carrying nesting material, and 33 Fulmar were arguing over ledges on Gannet’s Rock on 18th.
Smaller species such as Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Goldcrest and Pied Wagtail are irregularly recorded as they hunker down, their calls blown away on the wind. And whilst often dismissed as ‘ever present’, ring reading has revealed a Mallard ringed at Pondsbury in 2024, and many of the Starlings are also Lundy birds, with just under 20 colour-rings read so far.
Many of Lundy's resident breeding Starlings are colour-ringed; photographing them is
a great way to read individual rings © Eleanor Grover
Each blue ring has a unique three-character code in white, beginning with 'L' for Lundy.
Here, Starling 'LJ3' gives itself up (just!) © Eleanor Grover
Lundy map - click to enlarge