By Thomas Weston
The start of the day was census filled. I started the day with one of our travel meetings to discuss the coming day.
A census highlight, a Whinchat at Stoneycroft by Thomas Weston
Eleanor had the morning off before her Tavern shift so joined me for census. It was a breezy --> strong, southernly wind with a bit of cool in the air. The birds of Millcombe had reacted to this and either hid, or departed overnight. Two Yellow Wagtails over the Tavern were the first species recorded on census as we stepped out. This then was followed by a flock of 4 Ravens, and the usual Carrion Crows who have now flocked together with 48 noted including 39 just in Brick Field. A single Blackbird and 2 Blackcap were the best from the top of Millcombe. Yesterdays Blackcap flocks had left and gone south overnight probably taking every other warbler with them as there were only one Chiffchaff, and 2 Willow Warblers too. Overhead, a little Meadow Pipit migration was ongoing, though was pretty few and far between with 40 noted altogether. Back in Millcombe and 10 Robins keeps the double-figure count of this species still going. In the trees 2 Firecrest, single Goldcrest and a Sand Martin overhead were nice migrants. Two Tree Pipits migrating from the North were a surprise, as was the one on the Airfield later along the route. Out in the Landing Bay, 2 Rock Pipits and a migrant Grey Wagtail were both seen and heard. Gulls have been few recently as they have migrated off, although 10 Great Black-Backed Gulls and 2 Herring Gulls with a passage Lesser Black Backed Gull the best. In the water, 6 Shags were enjoying a calmish Landing Bay, and in the calmest parts of Millcombe, 3 Chaffinches, 2 Dunnocks, 3 Wrens, and 2 Goldfinches hid in the bushes. There was a very sad looking Feral Pigeon near the ringing bench, summing up the ringing that went on around it whereby the few birds around the valley was similar to those heading into the nets. Another look from Battlements Corner saw 8 Gannets between here and Benjamin's Chair. The windy St Johns Valley yielded a female Stonechat with a small flock of House Sparrows plus 6 Linnets overhead which were the only ones seen this morning. Walking round the windy South, SW Field had a Alba Wagtail heading south over the south coast, and a Peregrine just north of Old Light. A surprise came in the form of a Whinchat on the Stoneycroft Paddock wall, amazing to see this species before Wheatear and even more odd to see only 4 Wheatears on the whole route! Though one was a Greenland Wheatear which was lovely and big. Over the Airfield 8 Swallows were the best of the birds, and it took until the last field before the Village (Highstreet Field) before 2 Skylarks were recorded. Walking back through the Village to finish the census route, 118 Starlings was the highest count since last winter, and 4 Mallards in Bartons Field were the best from the rest. Overall, many species, but not many birds again!
Somewhere out there, there will be a Bunting again. However, today, a Wryneck at the Terraces with 2 Pied Flycatchers were the best from Greg, and a seawatch at North End by visiting Tom saw a nice flock of 70 Manx Shearwater, Arctic Skua, and a Sandwich Tern too. This was in addition to 2 Grey Herons who flew down the east coast, being seen by Adam later who added Dunlin to the day list with a high flying bird seen this morning pre-census.
Afternoon saw the weather deteriorate, with an admin afternoon had. Success.
By Thomas Weston
I awoke to do census and got up and ready. The wind being a NW is great for new arrivals on the island and today I was not disappointed.
Lapland Bunting in Brick Field by Thomas Weston
On census there was Blackcaps everywhere, there had obviously been a big fall of birds and counts in Millcombe were above 50 birds (more likely 100+) - a good start to the day. The damp, cloudy conditions did not do much for the other species though, who in fact kept themselves hunkered down in the bushes. However, there were two Goldcrests, a few Willow Warblers and a small increase in Chiffchaffs, as well as brief views of a Firecrest in the trees above the Casbah. Walking along the southern section of the island and a flock of Ravens were the most noteworthy, as well as a couple of Skylark in the Airfield. As I was walking back into the Village, a single House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, and 3 Swallows were the only hirundines seen. However, Ian had spotted something in Brick Field and I could see from a distance he was trying to work out where this bird was. On arrival, even before asking a Lapland Bunting was heard, and then seen hopping around the floor near the gate before moving onto the main track nearby. This rather active bird was a lovely spot, and a first for the census this year. Having at least 2, possibly up to 7 Lapland Buntings on the island yesterday, it was great to see this one. It certainly was active, and if reading about the species, it was a strong flyer, getting up and heading south to Benjamin's Chair where it spent the remainder of the day feeding. Elsewhere, another Lapland Bunting was seen at North End, the Western Bonelli's Warbler was still in Millcombe, but no sign of the Common Rosefinch, or Wryneck today.
It will be interesting to see how the ringers got on today, and other sightings from elsewhere at the daily log in the Tavern tonight!
By Kirsty Cox
It started as a very wet day. After a lot of rain overnight, it continued into the morning. Obviously the rain is very welcome as water is definitely needed here to top up the dwindling supplies on the island. It did make for a very damp run for me first thing but it was incredibly refreshing and a real change after all the sunshine!
My morning was spent on the East Coast surveying the seals for the weekly population count. I have been off island for just over a week and since I came back I have been trying to get my head around the seal pup arrivals. It feels very inconsiderate that while I was away the pups kept arriving and the ones that were already here kept getting bigger so that now I am back I am having to slowly put together the jigsaw pieces to work out who is who! It’s like a crazy 3D puzzle taking into consideration probable age, size, markings, location, and Mum IDs! The first part of my survey took in the usual Pup Check beaches so I started with some more 3D puzzling before the sun came out and I carried onto the rest of the survey further up the East Coast. There were a total of 95 seals including several pups and most of the seals were congregated around the middle to north of the island where it is quieter for them, although rougher seas today meant there were less hauled out at the far north end than usual. 
Seal and Pup by Kirsty Cox
After completing the survey it was back to the office to upload all the photos and data to the spreadsheets for ID processing later, and then I headed down to the Landing Bay to take up position as ‘Pup Police’ in time for visitors leaving on the Oldenburg. We still have pups making use of the Landing Bay Beach so we need to ensure that there is as little disturbance as possible and it is also a great chance to chat to people about seals and the work that we do to support the population here on Lundy.
Once my patrolling was complete I headed back to the office for more 3D Pup Puzzling and ID work which carried on into the evening. Another long but productive day on Lundy!
Elsewhere on the island there were some great sightings. During the morning Greg saw a Ringed Plover, a Western Bonelli’s, a Juvenile Rosefinch and another Wryneck. 
Juvenile Rosefinch by Greg Lee
While Thomas and Eleanor spotted a Lapland Bunting and a Golden Plover. 
Lapland Bunting by Greg Lee
Lundy map - click to enlarge