Highest autumn count of recent years

25 Oct – Two on this date remains the only autumn occurrence of more than one in a day since 2006 (the last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy book). This is in contrast to the years prior to 2007, when such records were more regular (e.g. four on 5 Nov 1994, two on 23 Oct 1996, two on 10 & 11 Nov 1998, three on 26 Oct 1999, three on 3 & 4 Nov 2001 and two on 31 Oct 2003). Although the Lundy sample size is extremely small, there is at least a hint here of a genuine change in status during autumn passage through the island.

Mid-winter record

14 Jan – The first of two January records since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2022).

Not recorded at all during the year for the first time since at least 1985 (when the current format of Lundy logbook, with a 'daily register' of birds observed was established).

No records for the second year running. The 'blank' seasons in 2013 & 2014 might, to some extent, reflect gaps in coverage, though there is no evident difference from other years around the same time. Stock Doves have been logged in every year since, from 2015 to 2024, inclusive.

Highest spring count of recent years

1 May – Four on this date is the highest count during spring passage (or at any other time of year) since publication of The Birds of Lundy. There is some evidence that Stock Dove is now more regular (and more numerous) in spring than in autumn than was the case some decades ago, though this partly reflects an apparent decline in autumn, rather than a big increase in spring sightings (see comments above for 2007).

Mid-winter record

14 Jan – Only the second January record since publication of The Birds of Lundy (see also 2008). Apart from these and one in early Feb 2023, there have been no other recent records for the period 15 December to 15 February, underlining the species' rarity during the core of the winter months.

Summary

Winter – One on 8 & 13 Feb was only the third recent record for the period 15 December to 15 February (see also 2008 & 2022), underlining the species' continuing rarity during the core of the winter months.

Spring – Single birds recorded on 18 dates between 2 Mar and 13 May.

Autumn – The only record was of one on 16 Oct.

Summary

Autumn – Single birds on seven dates from 3 Oct to 3 Nov (inclusive) were the only records for the whole year.

Summary

Winter – One on 16 Jan over the Village and later in Millcombe (Luke Marriner, Joe Parker) became the fourth winter record in recent years, following others in 2008, 2022 & 2023.

Spring – One in Millcombe on 21 Mar was followed by two on 8 Apr, then what seems likely to have been a single long-staying individual in the Barton Field area 10-21 April (inclusive), with a second bird seen flying north off North Light on 20th.

Autumn – One was photographed at Stoneycroft on 13 Oct (Myra Allen).

Unusually high count

11 Jun – An estimated 50 flying north from the Quarries were intercepted above Halfway Wall by two Peregrines, which separated a single pigeon from the flock; the result was not observed (Alan & Sandra Rowland).

Summary of all records

Highest monthly counts (and number of days logged): 

Jan 1 (1); Feb 0 (0); Mar 0 (0); Apr 2 (5); May 6 (18); Jun 24 (27); Jul 17 (18); Aug 3 (10); Sep 3 (24); Oct 2 (13); Nov 0 (0); Dec 2 (1).

Summary of all records

Highest monthly counts (and number of days logged): 

Jan 0 (0); Feb 0 (0); Mar 0 (0); Apr 2 (11); May 7 (26); Jun 12 (29); Jul 4 (28); Aug 4 (8); Sep 11 (27); Oct 2 (2); Nov 1 (1); Dec 1 (1).

Summary of all records

Highest monthly counts (and number of days logged): 

Jan 0 (0); Feb 0 (0); Mar 0 (0); Apr 0 (0); May 14 (22); Jun 300 (26); Jul 10 (24); Aug 6 (27); Sep 12 (20); Oct 2 (6);

The exceptionally high count of 300 in Jun involved flocks flying along the West Side on 15^th.

Exceptional autumn influx

10 Nov – A remarkable influx of 100; part of a major movement that brought thousands moving along the south coast of mainland Devon.

Breeding confirmed

1 & 9 Jun – Seven on 1 Jun included a independent juvenile, providing confirmation of successful breeding. An adult was seen nest building in a small oak tree in upper Millcombe on 9 Jun and song was heard in Millcombe around the same date.

Breeding confirmed

7 & 8 Jul – Successful breeding was confirmed when a fledgling was seen in Millcombe (Alan & Sandra Rowland, Andrew Jewels).

Breeding confirmed

Apr to Jul – Successful breeding confirmed: a pair were mating in Millcombe on 29 Apr (Tim Jones) and a recently fledged juv was seen near Millcombe House on 5 Jul (Mike Archer).

Breeding confirmed

Jun & Aug – Successful breeding was confirmed when a fledgling was seen in Millcombe on 20 Jun (Zoë Barton & Dean Jones), followed by a juvenile on 25 Aug (Rebecca & Richard Taylor).

High spring count

22 Mar – A count of 22, coinciding with the arrival of other migrants, including a strong passage of Redwing, remains the highest spring count since publication of The Birds of Lundy. The highest spring count on record is 36 on 2 May 1973.

Unusual location for spring migrants

13 May – Two, presumed migrants, were in the incongruous setting of Long Roost (Tim Davis).

Breeding confirmed

Jun & Sep – Successful breeding was confirmed when two newly fledged young were in Millcombe on 10 Jun. A further two young, which fledged prematurely (perhaps due to the presence of two Sparrowhawks) from a rather late nest, were huddling together underneath one of the memorial benches in Millcombe on 12 Sep.

Summary of all records

Spring maxima: 14 on 31 Mar and 16 on 21 Apr.

Breeding confirmed

Young were seen in Millcombe.

Exceptional autumn-passage flock

23 Nov – A count of 20 on this date was notable for November but dwarfed by the total logged just two days later...

25 Nov – A flock of 250 over the Village coincided with large movements on the North Devon mainland and was the second-highest number ever recorded on Lundy (the highest was 400 on 1 Nov 1975).

Highest monthly counts (and number of days logged):

Jan 1 (7); Feb 2 (13); Mar 14 (23); Apr 16 (30); May 14 (31); Jun 12 (29); Jul 8 (29); Aug 10 (28); Sep 8 (30); Oct 10 (22); Nov 250 (10); Dec 2 (1).

Summary of all records

Spring maxima: 16 on 25 Mar, 21 on 26 Mar and 15 on 13 Apr.

Birds were present as usual throughout the spring and summer and breeding is highly likely to have occurred, though there was no definitive evidence by way of a nest or fledged young.

Exceptional late-autumn passage flocks

10 Nov – A total of 145 logged, including an exceptional 141 during morning census (Brenning Hughes); the second year running for unusually high numbers during late-autumn passage.

3 Dec – A further remarkable total of 64 was potentially the highest count ever for the island during the month of December, comprising flocks of 22 and 8 flying through during the morning, at least 32 charging backwards and forwards around Millcombe mid-afternoon, and one at Knight Templar Rock (Tim Davis & Tim Jones, Joe Parker).

Highest monthly counts (and number of days logged):

Jan 2 (2); Feb 8 (9); Mar 21 (30); Apr 15 (30); May 8 (31); Jun 8 (29); Jul 8 (29); Aug 10 (30); Sep 9 (30); Oct 13 (28); Nov 145 (20); Dec 64 (13).

Summary of all records

Highest monthly counts (and number of days logged):

Jan 10 (19); Feb 6 (9); Mar 14 (22); Apr 17 (29); May 15 (31); Jun 8 (29); Jul 4 (23); Aug 12 (29); Sep 13 (27); Oct 2 (10);

The peak spring counts were 14 on 25 Mar (all in Millcombe), 17 on 6 Apr (nine in Millcombe, four at Quarter Wall Copse, and four elsewhere, including singles at Pondsbury and along the West Side) and 15 on 2 May (all between Millcombe and the southern end of the Terrace). A count of 12 on 10 Aug included nine in Millcombe.

Earliest and latest since 2006 (last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy): Earliest 18 Apr 2014 (one); Latest 11 Oct 2018 (one).

New records

27 Apr to 7 Jun – In line with this species' poor showing in recent years, the maximum daily count did not exceed one during spring passage, with records of single birds on 13 dates. There were no autumn sightings reported.

New record

Not recorded in spring for the first time in many years. One autumn record:

24 Sep – One; the only record of the year.

New records

28 Apr to 3 Jun – Singles recorded on 16 dates; a slightly better showing than in recent years but still pitiful by the standards of LFS records from the 1950s until the mid-1990s. There were no autumn records.

New records

6 to 26 May – Singles on 6, 23, 24 & 26 May, plus two on 7 May. There were no autumn records.

New record

18 May – One photographed outside Brambles; the only record for the year.

Not recorded

Not reliably recorded during either spring or autumn passage (though there was an unconfirmed report of one on 18 Jun). Apparently the first completely blank year since LFS records began.

New records

18 Apr to 13 Jun – One on 18 Apr (High Street and campsite area) was followed by records of ones and twos on a further 19 dates up to and including 13 Jun. Three were present on 25 May. Not recorded during autumn passage.

New records

27 Apr to 25 May – During spring migration, single birds (involving probably only one or two long-staying individuals) were reported on 27 Apr (Quarter Wall gate) and on 15 dates 2–25 May, including singles in Millcombe on 3rd, 16–19th & 23rd. Two sightings on 11 May, around the farm at 15.00 hrs and in Millcombe half-an-hour later may have been of different birds. Not recorded during autumn passage.

New records

4 to 28 May – Records on seven days: one on 4th at the top of Puffin Slope; another was by Government House on 5th – probably the same bird seen in the vicinity of the Lighthouse Field (Tim Smith) on the same date. There were further singles on 8th (Millcombe, John Turner), 9th (on track by Tillage Field) and 10th & 12th (Millcombe, Tim Smith) and all of these sightings could conceivably have related to just one individual. Another by the dung heap in the Lighthouse Field on 28th seems likely to have been the same bird that flew up from the west sidings to land by the wall running up to the Old Light (Paul Holt, Richard & Rebecca Taylor).

10 Sep – One, location not specified, was the only autumn record.

New records

Not recorded in spring. Two records in autumn:

24 Aug – One seen briefly in Millcombe and St John’s Valley (Rosie Hall, Rebecca & Richard Taylor, Tony Taylor).

8 Oct – A first-winter bird was photographed by the main track on this unusually late date (Julian Arkell).

New records

20 May to 3 Jun – There were records of single spring migrants on at least eight dates (which could conceivably all relate to the same individual): one feeding on the main track just north of Quarter Wall on 25 May (Ken & Joan Saul); one in the Lodge enclosure on 27 May (Tony Taylor); one at The Battery on 28 & 30 May (Tony Taylor); and in Millcombe and St John’s Valley on 1-3 Jun – heard singing on 2^nd (Tim Davis, Ivan Lakin et al.).

11 Oct – The only autumn record, as in 2017 on an unusually late date, was of one by the Tillage/Brick Field pigsty during a period of strong southerly winds (Dean Jones).

New records

1 to 31 May – Three records: one around the Lambing Shed/Bull’s Paradise consorting with a Collared Dove on 1^st (Tim Davis & Tim Jones) was present until 8^th; one on 14^th (location not reported); and a late migrant at the Terrace on 31^st (Dean Jones).

There were no autumn records.

New record

7 May – A singing male in Millcombe (Dean Jones). The only record during the year.

New records

31 May – One next to the Lambing Shed during the late afternoon (Rebecca & Richard Taylor).

3 Jul – One at Quarter Wall Copse and Quarry Cottages (Sam Bosanquet).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

Not recorded

For only the second time ever, there were no records at all during the year.

New records

Logged on five dates in spring and early summer, from 29 Apr to 1 Jul:

29 Apr – One was in Barton Field; it was later seen flying down into St Helen's Copse (Rob Duncan, Stuart Cossey).

5 May – One at Quarter Wall (Luke Marriner).

9 Jun – One photographed at Halfway Wall (Richard Berridge).

28 Jun – One flying over the Village towards Millcombe (Joe Parker).

1 Jul – One near Brambles (Luke Marriner).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

Not recorded in spring. One record in autumn:

15 & 16 Sep – One flushed near Tibbetts by the Feral Stock Management Team on 15^th (and seen shortly afterwards in bracken near Threequarter Wall by Joe Parker), seems likely to have been the same individual seen flying from the Upper East Side Path by Barton Field towards the Tavern and former stonecrusher area but then lost to view on 16^th (Angus Croudace), and photographed on the main track between Pondsbury and Tibbetts later that evening (Jackie Macbeth). Sadly, these were the only sightings of the year.

New Record – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

22 May – One photographed on the track to the Castle at 09:05 hrs (Amber Homersham) was flushed a few minutes later from below St John's crossroads by a vehicle on the track heading down the valley. It flew towards trees on the edge of Millcombe, above Brambles, but was not seen again (Carol & Chris Baillie).

19 Sep – One at North End seen by the Feral Stock Management Team.

2 Oct – A flighty individual was seen around the Airfield and Quarter Wall (Ezra Sherwell).

High counts

16 & 17 May – Counts of 14 on both dates remain (as of May 2025) the second-highest recorded since publication of The Birds of Lundy. There were no further double-digit counts until May 2024!

High count

30 May until early Jun – Nine; among the higher totals of recent years, equalled in 2021 and only exceeded in 2008 & 2024.

Unusual locations for spring migrant

6 Jun – One at The Battery.

Unusual locations for spring migrants

22 May – A total of six included five at Long Roost and one at Gannets’ Combe.

Notable early-spring record

27 Feb – Two in Millcombe. This remains (as of May 2025) the earliest spring-passage record since publication of The Birds of Lundy (though see Jan 2022 record below).

Unusual locations for spring migrants

16 May – One was sitting on top of Lametor.

Unusually late autumn migrant

4 Nov – One on this date remains (as of May 2025) the latest in autumn since publication of The Birds of Lundy

High count

1 Jun – Nine were logged; among the higher totals of recent years, equalled in 2012 and only exceeded in 2008 & 2024.

First mid-winter record for over 20 years

19 Jan – One in the Village was the first mid-winter (Dec/Jan) record since 2000.

Unusual locations for spring migrants

14 Apr – One at The Cheeses, Jenny's Cove, was flushed by a Peregrine...

Summary of all records

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 0 (0); Feb 0 (0); Mar 0 (0); Apr 0 (0); May 5 (22); Jun 7 (17); Jul 1 (2); Aug 0; Sep 1 (1); Oct 0 (0); Nov 0 (0); Dec 0 (0).

Logged on a total of 42 dates, from 2 May (one) to 6 Sep (one), with the great majority of records (39 of the 42 days) during May & Jun. Peak counts were five on 5 May and seven on 18 Jun.

Unusual locations for spring migrants

21 May – One at North End.

Summary of all records – including highest count since publication of The Birds of Lundy

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 0 (0); Feb 0 (0); Mar 1 (2); Apr 2 (4); May 15 (30); Jun 9 (29); Jul 7 (26); Aug 2 (17); Sep 1 (1); Oct 0 (0); Nov 0 (0); Dec 0 (0).

Logged on the unusually high number of 109 dates, from 30 Mar (one) to 20 Sep (1), with the most frequent records and highest counts once again being in May & Jun. There were 15 on 26 May, nine on 14 & 29 Jun, and nine counts of seven (between 25 May and 18 Jul). The  count of 15 on 26 May was the highest since publication of The Birds of Lundy in 2007. The highest count ever for the island is a staggering 80, on 8 Jun 1991.

Summary of all records

Spring passage – Singles were recorded in Millcombe and the Village area on 10, 16 & 17 Mar, on six dates 9–16 Apr, and again on 30 Apr. These included one ringed in the Lambing Shed during the evening of 10 Apr and one seen flying in off the sea from the south-east on 12 Apr (later seen around the Village). In May, singles were logged on 12 dates 1^st to 16^th (including one at North Light on 5^th), plus two on 11^th & 18^th, and three on 19^th. Jun brought three scattered records of single birds: in Middle Park and later in the Village on 3^rd; in Millcombe on 8^th; and at Paradise Row on 15^th.

Summer & autumn – One was in Millcombe on 28 Jul.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 0 (0); Feb 0 (0); Mar 1 (3); Apr 1 (7); May 3 (15); Jun 1 (3); Jul 1 (1); Aug 0 (0);

New record

13 Nov – One was heard screeching over the Village (Stuart Cossey) – only the 10th record for the island and the first since 1981. Four of the previous nine records were also in November.

New record

6 Jan – Amazingly, one was spotted in lower Millcombe from the housekeeping landrover by staff-member Tiina Pehkonen during the late afternoon. Voluntary Bird Observatory Assistant Luke Marriner, who happened to be driving, stopped the vehicle – in his own words – "very abruptly" (!) and was able to capture a video of the Barn Owl emerging from the gas store and flying down to the Beach Road turn at 'Windy Corner' and up over the flank of Castle Hill. It was not seen again, but left a souvenir in the form of a small pellet, found in the gas store. The pellet was dissected by Luke, who identified a Pygmy Shrew jaw-bone among other tiny bones, suggesting that the owl had managed to feed on the island. It seems possible that it had been displaced from the mainland by heavy snow blanketing most of Wales and central/northern England, whilst south-west England experienced less cold conditions, remaining largely snow free. This was the 11th Lundy record and only the second this century.

22 Mar – A male was heard hooting in Millcombe at 23.00 hrs (E. Sterns & P. Atkin). This is the first record since 1978 and only the 11th ever for the island. 

Earliest and latest since 2006 (last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy): Earliest 18 Apr 2020 & 2023 (singles); Latest 30 Aug 2013 (one, juv).

Summary of all records

26 Apr to 4 Jun – Single adults on eight dates, plus two mobbed by Meadow Pipits on 1 Jun. A juvenile was seen on 8 Aug – the first confirmation of breeding since 1999.

Summary of all records

23 Apr to 26 Jun – Single adults on eight dates, plus two adults on 4 May.

2 Jun – Successful breeding confirmed; juvenile being fed by Meadow Pipits near the Terrace Heligoland Trap.

25 & 26 Jun – A juvenile, perhaps the same as on 2 Jun, was seen in Millcombe; there was no indication that this bird was still being fed by its host parents.

Summary of all records

9 May to 11 Jun – Single adults on four dates, plus two on 11 & 12 May. No indication of breeding.

Summary of all records

3 to 30 May – Singles recorded on nine dates, plus two on 4^th & 5^th (including an exhausted female on the latter date). No indication of breeding.

Summary of all records

1 May to 13 Jun – Single adults on ten dates.

9 to 11 Jul – Breeding was confirmed for only the third time this century when a juvenile accompanied by its host parent, a Meadow Pipit, was seen at Tibbetts on 9th and below the Upper East Side Path between the stile in Halfway Wall and the northern end of the Terrace on 11th (R. Charlwood).

Summary of all records

16 May to 20 Jun – Adults recorded on nine dates.

23 Jul – One (age not given) reported at Halfway Wall.

30 Aug – A fully grown juvenile, thought more likely to be a passage migrant than a Lundy-hatched bird, below the Terrace.

Summary of all records

Apr to Jun: Two on 21 Apr (one calling at the Cheeses; one in North Quarry), one on 13 May (calling near Quarter Wall, in flight over Millcombe and at South End) and one on 20–22 Jun (Millcombe).

Jul/Aug: Singles were reported on 31 Jul and 21, 23 & 29 Aug.

Summary of all records

23 Apr to 16 Jun – There were spring and early summer records on 13 dates between 23 Apr (one calling and perched on gate post by Blue Bung) and 16 Jun. Most involved single birds, but two were in St Helen’s Copse on 30 Apr and there were two calling males (Millcombe/St John’s Valley area) on 15 & 16 Jun. Observation of plumage suggested that these were second-year birds.

24 Aug – The only autumn record, of a juvenile in Millcombe. It seems likely that this was a passage migrant fledged elsewhere.

Summary of all records

21 Apr to 20 Jun – Recorded on 11 dates from 21 Apr to 20 Jun, but there was no evidence of breeding. After one or two males in Millcombe on 21 Apr, there were no further reports until 30 May, when one or two were seen at different times north of St Helen’s Copse, above Benjamin’s Chair and in Millcombe. Single birds were seen daily for the next five days, up to and including 4 Jun, all in the vicinity of Millcombe. One was on the Terrace on 8 Jun, whilst the final three records of the year were on 13^th, 18^th and 20^th Jun, when one flew from Millcombe to St Helen’s Copse, mobbed by Meadow Pipits and Carrion Crows.

Summary of all records

28 Apr to 24 Jul – Singles on 28–30 Apr, two on 5 May, one on 29 May and a juvenile on 23 & 24 Jul (not necessarily a Lundy-bred bird) were the only records in what appears to have been a very poor year for this species.

Summary of all records

21 May to 26 Jul – A male calling in Millcombe on 21 May was chased off by territorial Blackbirds (Dean Jones, Tony Taylor). A male calling in St Helen’s Copse on 27 May flew into Millcombe (Rob Andrew). On 6 Jun a female sitting on Quarter Wall and staking out Meadow Pipit nests in the rushes in the north-west corner of Brick Field was seen to fly down to the ground and possibly lay an egg, and what was thought probably to be a second female was at Threequarter Wall (Tim Davis & Tim Jones). One heard calling at the top of Millcombe on 1 Jul (John Hutchinson). One flew over Millcombe on 10 Jul. A rufous-phase female was around the quarries on 20 Jul, at Gannets’ Combe on 21^st, in Millcombe on 22^nd and on the Terrace on 26^th (Tim Davis, Dean Jones, Warren Shipman). One was around the Terrace and Quarries on 19 Aug, with presumably the same individual also logged on 18^th. There was no indication of age but a bird this late in the year is most likely to have been a juvenile.

Summary of all records

22 Apr to 11 Aug – In spring, recorded on 25 dates between 22 Apr and 16 Jun. An adult male heard calling outside the Tavern on 22 Apr was the first of the year. Two were flying together from upper Millcombe around to the East Side on 10 May. A male was by the Airfield and a probable female at Halfway Wall on 16 May. Late adults were logged on 3 Jul (one in Millcombe) and on 31 July (two: one flying south past the Battlements; one over Ackland's Moor and past Old Light). A juvenile was seen in Millcombe on 11 Aug but there is no evidence to suggest that it was a Lundy-bred bird.

Summary of all records

18 Apr to 23 Jul – Single birds were recorded on 16 dates, from 18 Apr (along the Terrace) to 23 Jul. Both males and females were seen in May, so it's possible that breeding occurred. A juvenile was seen below the Ugly on 15 Jul but nothing hinted at it being a Lundy-reared individual as opposed to a dispersing/passage bird from the mainland.

Summary of all records

20 Apr to 24 Aug – Recorded on a total of 22 days. During spring and early summer, single birds were logged on 16 dates from 20 Apr (a calling male that ranged widely from Quarter Wall Copse to St John’s Valley) to 30 Jun (one on Threequarter Wall mobbed by Meadow Pipits). Later in the summer, a juvenile was present from 25 Jul to 2 Aug, being seen in various locations, but there was no evidence that this was a Lundy-reared individual rather than one dispersing from the mainland. Feathers of a (different) predated Cuckoo were found along the Lower East Side Path on 1 Aug. The last of the year was another juvenile on Brick Field fence on 24 Aug.

Summary of all records

1 May to 12 Aug – Cuckoos were recorded on only 14 dates compared to 22 in 2021. The first of the year was calling by Old Light on 1 May. One or more single males were seen regularly along the East Side and in Millcombe during May. The last was one on 12 Aug.

Summary of all records

18 Apr to 12 Aug – Ones and twos recorded on 21 dates. Two were trapped and ringed – the first since 2009 – a female in the Terrace Heligoland on 5 May, and a male in the 'slope net' on the side of the Ugly in Millcombe on 23 May.

Summary of all records

19 Apr to 17 Jul – The first, on 19 Apr, was a clearly tired migrant that flew in and landed in the middle of Brick Field before tucking itself into the lee of Quarter Wall to shelter from a cold northerly wind. Thereafter, recorded on a further 15 dates, up to and including 6 Jun, with two final sightings logged on 28 Jun and 17 Jul, the latter a juvenile photographed at Benjamin's Chair. All records were of single birds, apart from two on 22 Apr (calling males in both Millcombe and Quarter Wall Copse), and 13 & 21 May.

Summary of all records

Spring – Following one at North Quarry and along the Lower East Path at its intersection with Halfway Wall on 1 May, there were records on a further eight dates in May: one was calling south of the Terrace on 2^nd (Kathy Weston); one was seen at the eastern end of Quarter Wall, in Quarter Wall Copse, and in Millcombe on 4^th; two different birds were at Jenny's Cove and Millcombe on 8^th, with the Millcombe bird still present on 9^th; records on 10^th from Millcombe, Quarter Wall Copse over Barton Field, and at Benjamin's Chair were thought to involve two individuals; two during census on 13^th included a presumed male in Millcombe and a female apparently prospecting for Meadow Pipit nests on the sidelands above Quarter Wall Copse; one was calling in St Helen's Copse on 17^th; and two different individuals on 18^th included one with a regrowing tail seen in Smelly Gully (lower Millcombe) with a full-tailed bird seen in Millcombe later.

Autumn – One (age undetermined from the views obtained) was in the willow clump along the Lower East Side Path just south of the Terrace on 27 Jul.

2007 to

2014

Summary

Small numbers recorded annually during this period; details to be added.

New records

16 Oct to 1 Nov – There were records on eight dates during this period, mainly involving single birds, but there were two on 20^th & 21^st.

New records

20 Apr – One north of Pondsbury.

29 & 30 May – One flushed from rough grassland between QuarterWall and Pondsbury on 29^th and at Tibbetts Hill on 30^th.

2 Oct – One; the only autumn record.

New records

1 May – One.

8 to 31 Oct – Singles on three dates.

New records

26 Sep to 30 Oct – There were records of single birds on six dates at widely scattered locations during this period.

New records

8 Feb – One seen by rabbit counters when lamping at night.

18 Oct – One flew out over the Landing Bay from near 'Windy Corner' (the bend at the top of the Beach Road) before turning back and concealing itself in vegetation below the Beach Road (Tim Davis).

New records

8 & 22 Oct – One flushed near to the top of the ‘Steps of Doom’ (that run between the Ugly and the Lower East Side Path) on 8^th (Ken Ebsworthy), followed by one flushed by the feral livestock management team near Pondsbury on 22^nd.

New records

12 & 17 May  – Singles (perhaps one and the same individual) were logged during spring passage on 12^th, flying out of Gannets’ Combe (Michael Williams), and during the evening of 17^th, flushed from the Rocket Pole area (David Nadin).

15 Dec – One was over the sidelands near Montagu Steps at about 09:00 hrs (Stuart Cossey).

New records

14 to 22 Sep – One flushed close to the Stonecrusher on the morning of 14^th flew south off Benjamin’s Chair (Stuart Cossey). One was seen by the Old Light building conservation team on the main track to Tibbetts during the evenings of 21^st & 22^nd (Charlie Smith, Rachel Thompson).

New records

12 Oct to 5 Nov – Two on 12 Oct were followed by sightings by multiple observers of ones and twos from 13th to 16th, 21st to 25th, 31st & 1st, and finally on 5 Nov, across much of the island. The best showing since 2015.

New records

2 Apr – One flew over Millcombe being mobbed by Herring Gulls as it slowly headed north up the island but was lost to view behind the Ugly around 08:45 hrs (Thomas Weston).

29 Apr – One between Pondsbury and the main track at 08:20 hrs (Richard Campey).

6 & 7 Oct – One was trapped and ringed on the Airfield during the night of 6/7 Oct (Joe Parker & Tom Williams). Only the third to be ringed on Lundy; the two previous ringing records date back to 1964 & 1966!

New record

25 & 26 Oct – One seen at night on 25th sitting on wall near the site of the old incinerator (between Castle Hill and Benjamin’s Chair). Allowed approach to within c.20 feet, then flew off. A long-winged owl seen flying over Millcombe at dusk on 26th was presumably the same individual (R.J. Taylor et al.). This constitutes the 19th Lundy record and the 2nd for 2007, following one in May. Record accepted by the Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

28 Oct – One was trapped and ringed in Millcombe (R.A. Duncan et al.). This constitutes the 20th Lundy record. Record accepted by the Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

28 & 29 Sep – One seen and photographed at roost in pines on the northern side of Millcombe on 28 & 29 Sep (Andy Jayne et al.). Attention was first drawn to it by scolding Goldcrests and Chaffinches. The owl seemed entirely unperturbed by people passing within two metres of it on the nearby path. Record accepted by the Devon Bird Recorder; the 21st for Lundy. Photo © Andrew Cleave.

New record

24 Mar – One landed on the windowsill of Pigs’ Paradise during the afternoon (Grant Sherman & Shelley Southon). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the 22nd for Lundy. Photo © Grant Sherman.

New record

18 Nov – One was flushed from the top of Millcombe on 18 Nov and flew below Brambles after being mobbed by Carrion Crows (Stuart Cossey). It was ringed in St John’s Valley during the evening, enabling it to be confirmed as a first-year female. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the 23rd for Lundy.

New record

10 Nov – One was seen briefly at dusk, perched on a wall near the crossroads at the head of St John’s Valley (Richard Campey). It dropped onto the ground for a couple of seconds, before flying down the valley towards Brambles and was not seen again. This is only the fifth record for Lundy after singles in 15 Jun 1933, 7 Nov 1944, 1 Jun 1955 and 1 Jun 1984. Richard's original sketch and notes are reproduced below.

New record

17 May – One disturbed from its roost on a rock among rhododendrons along the Lower East Side Path, just south of the Terrace, during the late morning, quickly flew out of sight (J. Diamond). It was seen briefly in flight over rhododendrons in the same general area at dusk the same day, having perhaps been attracted to Nightjar song and calls being played from a notebook computer (T. Jones). This is only the 7th occurrence since 1970.

New record

25 May – One seen at dusk on 25 May, near the gate between the Upper East Side Path and the top of Millcombe. The bird circled low over scrub close to the observer, then flew off north along the East Side (Mike Jackson). The 8th record since 1970.

New record

9 May – One was flushed from ground cover halfway along the main track to the Castle (R. Campey); the 9th record since 1970.

New record

28 Mar to 5 Apr – One watched flying around South West Point for about 15 minutes on 28 Mar (Grant Sherman & Shelley Southon), and swooping low around Stoneycroft for about four minutes before heading off north-east on 29 Mar (Richard Brown & Robert Pugh). A swift that seems highly likely to have been the same bird was seen over Pondsbury on 25 Mar (Darrin Dowding & Paul Bullock). It was subsequently reported from the Rocket Pole area on 31 Mar (anonymous) and 3 Apr (Rod & Liz Thomas) and over Goat Island on 5 Apr (Joshua & Martin Harris). Record accepted by DBRC – the sixth Lundy record and the first since 1976.

New record

8 Jun – One over North Quarry and the Terrace at 14.50 hrs – “A striking bird with ‘presence’ and a joy to see” (Chris & Carol Baillie). The 7th record for the island. Record accepted by DBRC.

Earliest and latest since 2006 (last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy): Earliest 17 Apr 2014 (one); Latest 28 Sep 2007 (three).

2008 to 2011

Summary

Numbers were generally low during this period, with the highest spring count being 166 on 11 May 2010 and the maximum ‘autumn’ count just 50, on 7 Aug 2008. The Breeding Birds Survey index for Swift declined by 29% in England between 1995 and 2008 (source: www.bto.org), with the factors responsible thought to include loss of nesting sites and a decline in the abundance of insects due to the widespread use of pesticides (source: www.rspb.org.uk). A run of generally cool, damp summers from 2007 – 2011 in much of western Britain may have also depressed breeding success and/or made Lundy unattractive as a late-summer feeding area. 2011 was perhaps the worst year on record for this species, with LFS logbook entries for just 17 dates and only one count reaching double digits: 10 on 2 May, though under-recording in summer may also have been an issue.

Exceptional spring-passage count

30 Apr – An estimated 1,000 passed through the island in poor weather, probably displaced much further west than normal during strong easterly winds. Seven were trapped (by flick-netting) and ringed, exceeding the total of six Swifts ringed on Lundy during the whole of the period 1947-2011. Only 50 were seen a day later, on 1 May, but numbers increased again to 200 on 2nd, returning to much lower, more normal levels thereafter.

Late dates in autumn

11 & 28 Sep – Two birds were seen on both dates. The latter equals the latest record since The Birds of Lundy book was published in 2007.

Notable spring-passage count

5 May – A high count of 145, including many flying in off the sea along the West Side during a period of strong easterly winds, which appeared to have displaced arriving migrants further west than intended (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

Unusual behaviour – possible prospectiing for nest sites

10 Jun to 2 Jul – On 10 Jun twelve were “seemingly prospecting for nest sites on the Church. Seen numerous times flying in close to parts of the tower and fluttering as if looking for a nice spot to land in the slats of the north face” (Dean Jones). In addition, 29 were wheeling around the Church tower on 2 Jul (Dean Jones) – the highest count of the year.

Highest count of the year

12 May – 50 was the peak count of spring passage and the highest count of the year.

Highest count of the year

25 Jun – 62 was the highest count of the year.

Highest count of the year

22 May – 50 was the peak count of spring passage and the highest count of the year.

Highest count of the year

10 Aug – 90 was the peak count of autumn passage and the highest count of the year.

Summary of all records

Recorded on 80 dates, from 18 Apr (one) to 15 Sep (one), with a maximum of 138 on 23 May – the highest spring count since 145 on 5 May 2017. During spring passage, the first notable influx was of 36 on 7 May but the main arrival period was not until the second half of the month, when there were 38 on 17th, 138 on 23rd, 33 on 24th, and six additional double-digit counts (all in the range 10-20 birds). There were further high counts during the second half of Jun and early Jul, including 45 on 22 Jun, 41 on 23 Jun and 33 on 8 Jul, these likely involving a mix of feeding movements and the start of more definite return passage. From 9 Jul onwards, all counts were in single digits, with ones and twos only during Aug & Sep, apart from three on 9 Sep.

Highest montly counts (and number of days recorded) – Apr 1 (3); May 138 (31); Jun 45 (20); Jul 33 (13); Aug 2 (7); Sep 3 (6).

Summary of all records

Spring – Logged on four dates in Apr and 22 dates in May, with the first of the year on 20 Apr (a total of nine), and maxima of 22 on 6 May and 25 on 9 May.

Summer/autumn – Logged on 35 dates during the period Jun to Sep, with peak counts of 21 on 26 Jun and 30 on 18 Jul. Following one on 30 Aug, the last autumn migrants were four on 1 Sep.

Summary of all records

Spring – The first of the year was a single bird flying north over Quarter Wall Pond on 21 Apr (Paul Holt). There were eight on 25 Apr and seven on 26^th. Logged on most days in May with single-digit counts on all except 9 May, when a total of 117 were counted heading out to sea over North Light, mainly between 13:00 and 16:00 hrs, coinciding with a day of significant northbound Swallow and House Martin passage.

Summer/autumn – Logged on 33 dates during the period Jun to Sep. A series of notable counts in Jun included 29 on 11^th, 55 on 18^th, 69 on 25^th and 28 on 30^th. The 69 logged on 25 Jun included 67 heading north at North End. After 36 on 1 Jul, other records during the month involved single-digit counts on five days, and 10 on 11^th. In Aug, two flew south over Ackland's Moor on 13^th, followed by one over the Village on 15^th, nine on 19^th, three over South West Point on 20^th, six on 21^st, three on 22^nd, an unusually high total for so late in the summer of 11 on 23^rd (mainly over Millcombe and the Village, plus two over South West Field); and one on 24^th. Later still, during a period of strong southerly winds, there were two on 7 Sep (singles heading south over the farmyard and later at North Light) and one over the Campsite and South West Field on 9 Sep.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded) – Apr 8 (5); May 117 (27); Jun 69 (16); Jul 36 (7); Aug 11 (8); Sep 2 (2)

First for Lundy

25 Oct – One over Millcombe (Chris Baillie, Justin Zantboer et al.) was the first for Lundy. Record accepted by BBRC. See here for full details

New record

16 Nov – One was watched and photographed over Millcombe and the Landing Bay area during the late morning and early afternoon (Brennig Hughes, Luke Marriner). Record accepted by BBRC; the second for Lundy.

New record

27 Jun – One called several times off North End between Puffin Gully and the North Light landing steps. The bird was then seen flying about 50m into Puffin Gully and back out again (Stephen Westcott). This is the 14th LFS record and the first since Jun 1999.

New records

A record year with four sightings, probably all relating to dispersing juveniles. All 14 previous records involved just one sighting in a given year, so 2015 was exceptional.

25 Jun – One flew in and landed next to a rockpool at Brazen Ward, staying for 30 seconds (unattributed).

13 to 27 Sep – One flew past North Light landing stage and into Kittiwake Gully on 13th (Sue & Rob Waterfield). One, calling in flight, flew south below North Light and disappeared from view towards the bottom of Puffin Slope on 18th (Tim Jones). One flew past Pyramid Rock on 27th (Sue & Rob Waterfield). These sightings could potentially refer to a single long-staying bird.

New record

16 Aug – One was seen in the vicinity of the Devil’s Kitchen (Alex Foy).

New record

7 Oct – One “zoomed through Hell’s Gate and disappeared round Rat Island” (Martin Thorne).

New record

7 Aug – One flashed past Montagu Steps.

New record

13 Sep – One in the Landing Bay (Joe Parker – bird seen whilst observer was swimming!).

New record

6 Jun – One, seen and heard calling in Millcombe, perched on treetops and fence posts, though constantly harried by Starlings, a Blackbird and a Meadow Pipit before flying off after about half-an-hour (Tim Davis & Tim Jones). Record accepted by DBRC. This is only the fifth record for Lundy, but four of these have been since 2002.

New records

27 Mar to 7 Apr – Two birds were seen at various locations, including Pig’s Paradise and the water tanks near Stoneycroft, on 27 Mar (Roger Fursdon et al.), with one remaining in the Millcombe area until last seen on 7 Apr. Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

6 to 8 May – One was first seen in flight near the western end of Halfway Wall at Jenny’s Cove on 6th and then further east, along the main track near Halfway Wall Gate, on 7th & 8th (Simon Dell, Grant Sherman et al.). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

10 to 26 Mar – One was in Millcombe gardens during the early morning of 10 Mar and later that day at Benjamin’s Chair, near the Church, in St Helen’s Field and perched on the wall in front of Barton Cottages (Pete Lambden, Beccy MacDonald et al.). It remained on the island until 26 March, frequenting the areas mentioned above, as well as the track to the Castle. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

Photo: Hoopoe outside the Tavern (!), 10 Mar 2014 © Grant Sherman

New records

12 to 15 Apr – One near Mousehole & Trap at 13.00 hrs on 12th (Phil & Pat Johnson) was probably the same individual photographed feeding on the ground and seen in flight on the northern side of Gannets’
Combe on 15th (Tim Jones).

13 May – One seen and photographed in and around Millcombe (Chris & Carol Baillie, Lisa Ostenson et al.).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

3 May – One was in Gannets’ Combe (Tim Davis). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

10 Apr – One was flushed from the main track next to Pondsbury at around 11:45. From here it showed very well for a few minutes or so before disappearing in the long sward above the Quarries (Dean Jones). The bird was then seen again later in the afternoon feeding back along the main track (Rosie Ellis).

5 Nov – One feeding on the short turf of Castle Parade was watched from the window of Castle Cottage before it flew off over the wall, in line with South Light (Elizabeth & Jonathan Williams).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

27 Apr – Two were on and around the Terrace during the afternoon, at times chasing each other, much to the delight of visiting day-trippers (names unknown) who later alerted Rob Duncan & David Kightley who were ringing in Millcombe. Island staff who shot along to the Terrace after sending off MS Oldenburg were treated to spectacular prolonged views of at least one Hoopoe that remained foraging in the area until dusk (Ben Arkless, Jo Farrow, Dean Jones & Matt Stritch). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

3 May – One near the Old Hospital (Luke Marriner).

9 to 11 Sep – One first seen at the western end of Quarter Wall on 9^th (Angus Croudace), was reported near Old Light around mid-day on 11^th, then trapped, ringed and photographed at approximately 23:00 hrs on the night of 11^th/12^th (when dazzling at night on the plateau for Skylarks, Wheatears & Meadow Pipits etc.) as it roosted on top of bracken between the junction of Quarter Wall/Airfield Wall and the gate at the western end of Quarter Wall (Angus Croudace, Joe Parker et al.).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

6 to 11 Apr – One, first seen at Benjamin's Chair at 08:39 hrs on 6^th (Ezra Sherwell) was still present there the following day. From 8^th to 11^th, there were daily sightings by multiple observers at various locations in the south of the island, including the western end of Quarter Wall, the Airfield and the Castle but there was no conclusive evidence that more than one individual was involved. The final sighting was at the Castle at 16:50 hrs on 11^th. This was Lundy's share of a major infux of 'overshoooting' Hoopoes into the UK, especially the south-west of both Britain and Ireland, in March/April 2025, potentially involving more than 1,000 individuals according to BirdGuides.

New records

31 Aug – A first-year bird around the walls of the Tillage Field and later in the village area was trapped and ringed (N. Croton, A.M. & R.J. Taylor).
13, 14 & 17 Sep – one in Millcombe (A. Williams). Records accepted by the Devon County Recorder.

New records

4 May – One was flushed from the Upper East Side Path just below Quarry Cottages (John Horton).
4 Sep – A first-year bird was trapped, ringed and relased in Millcombe (Richard Taylor, Tony Taylor).
10 & 11 Sep – What was probably a different bird to that on 4 Sep (there being no obvious sign of a ring), was in Quarter Wall Copse (Malcolm Shakespeare, Richard Taylor).
Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

19 Apr – One in Lower Millcombe (M. Langman).
9 Sep – One in Millcombe (R. Taylor) and one in Gannets’ Combe (D. Leech).
Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

1 Oct – One in Millcombe (J. Diamond et al.).
2–6 Oct – One on Terrace just south of Heligoland Trap and another along Lower East Path between Quarter Wall Copse and St. Helen’s Copse on 2 Oct, both of these birds remaining in the same locations until 6 Oct (J. Diamond et al.)Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

Photo: Wryneck, October 2011 © Tom Bedford.

New records

26 Aug – One in Millcombe (Richard & Rebecca Taylor).

24 & 25 Sep – One in Millcombe (Chris Dee, Jan Swan, Andy Turner).

4 to 6 Oct – One mist-netted in Millcombe and ringed on 4th (John Haddaway & John Horton) was still present on 5th & 6th.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

19 to 26 Sep – One along the Lower East Side Path about 200 m south of Quarter Wall Copse on 19th remained until 22nd (Andy Jayne), with the same or another in the same general area on 26th (Chris Dee). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

8 Apr – One trapped in Millcombe was ringed and photographed (Rob Duncan, Martyn Roper). This bird was part of a significant influx to western England and Wales in early Apr. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

Recorded on eight dates in early autumn, from 31 Aug to 23 Sep:

31 Aug – One in Millcombe (Dave Jones, Rebecca & Richard Taylor).

9 Sep – One in Millcombe (Rosie Hall, Rebecca & Richard Taylor).

14 to 17 Sep – Two together in Millcombe on 14th & 15th; one stayed to 17th, when it was trapped and ringed (A.J. Bellamy, Peter Slader & Nik Ward).

20 Sep – One on Lower East Side Path north of St Helen's Combe (Andy Jayne).

23 Sep – One on rocks along the West Side, south of The Cheeses on 23 Sep (Justin Walker & Jan Swan).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

22 Sep – One was perched on gorse next to the Lower East Side Path just north of St Helen’s Copse (Chris Dee & Justin Walker).

Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

23 to 25 Aug – One was on the fence and track outside Brambles on 23rd before flying up into Millcombe Wood and out of sight (Tony Taylor et al.). Likely the same bird on 25th flew out from Smelly Gully and up to the rocks behind the walled gardens where it hopped around for a few minutes before disappearing back into the gully (Dean Jones et al.).

22 Sep – One perched in willows just south of the Terrace (Derek Baggott & Ben Rousseau).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

22 Sep – One along the Terrace (Dean Jones).

Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

29 Aug – One was trapped and ringed in Millcombe (Jamie Dunning & Dean Jones).  Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

5 Sep – A very showy, unringed individual was photographed as it perched prominently on the Terrace Trap (D. Doorly, Dean Jones).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

Recorded on eight dates in autumn, from 12 Sep to 11 Oct, including two on 21 Sep:

12 Sep – One on the Terrace (Stuart Cossey).

14 Sep – One near Pondsbury (Tom Wright, Angus Croudace).

18 to 21 Sep – One in Smelly Gully (lower Millcombe) from 18th to 21st, joined briefly by a second bird on 21^st (David Oddy et al.).

10 & 11 Oct – One in and around gorse clumps by the Rocket Pole (Tom Wright, Angus Croudace et al.).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

3 to 29 Sep – In a remarkable series of records, there were frequent sightings in multiple locations – including Millcombe, Lower East Side Path, the Terrace, Pondsbury, Stoneycroft and the Rocket Pole area – involving a minimum of five individuals, of which four trapped and ringed between 6^th & 10^th alone and at least one unringed bird seen subsequently (Angus Croudace, Luke Marriner, Joe Parker et al.).

8 Oct – A ringed individual was seen in Millcombe (Luke Marriner).

Number ringed during the year: 4

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

28 Aug to 17 Sep – One was in Millcombe on 28 Aug and others were flushed along the Lower East Side Path near Three Quarter Wall stile, and near North Quarry on the same date (all records Angus Croudace). There were further sightings as follows: 30 Aug – One above Quarry Beach (Angus Croudace); 4 Sep – One Quarry Cottages (Oliver Smart); 6 Sep – One, Terrace (Angus Croudace); 7 Sep – One St John's Valley (Angus Croudace); 12 Sep – One, Smelly Gully, Millcombe (Angus Croudace); and 17 Sep – One on the main track by the Battlements, Millcombe (Joe Parker). It is impossible to know the exact number of individuals involved in the multiple sightings in the Terrace/quarries area and in the Millcombe/St John's Valley area.

16 to 23 Oct – One sitting on a post on the flank of Castle Hill, before flying down towards lower Millcombe, was watched and photographed from Brambles West on 16^th (Carol Baillie & Richard Campey). Potentially the same individual was seen regularly feeding along the wall running the length of the Upper East Side Path and bordering Barton, Tillage and Brick Fields, 19^th to 23^rd. It was wary and elusive, often flying into the dense cover of gorse bushes on the ridge running down from the boundary wall between Tillage and Brick Fields (multiple observers).

Another excellent year for this classic drift migrant.

Number ringed during the year:  0

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

8 Apr – One was seen in Turkey Oaks below the Old School (Blue Bung) at 08:20 hrs (Joe Parker), in the same area at 10:35 hrs (Chris Baillie), and at Brambles East at 13:30 hrs (Mike Tibbetts). Occurring during a period dominated by high pressure with frequent east or south-easterly winds, this was the first spring record since 2015 – remarkably, also on 8 April!

19 to 27 Aug – One found on the Terrace on 19^th (Andy Jayne) was caught in the Heligoland Trap and ringed (Ezra Sherwell). It was aged as a first-year bird and was presumably the same individual seen in the vicinity of the Terrace on 21^st & 23^rd. Two were in lower Millcombe on 25^th, one in Millcombe Wood on 26^th, and one near Quarter Wall Copse on 27^th.

19 to 25 Sep – One photographed in 'Smelly Gully' (lower Millcombe) by Angus Croudace at 16:05 hrs on 19^th was still present on the morning of 20^th (Paul Holt); one was seen and photographed along the Upper East Side Path between Tibbetts and Halfway Wall at about 15:20 hrs on 21^st (Tom Coldwell & Jackie Macbeth); one was ringed in Millcombe on 22^nd (Nik Ward), with an unringed bird seen at the top of VC Quarry later the same day (Kevin Hale); one was seen on scree below the Terrace on 23^rd. and one was seen near 'Rüppell's Quarry' on 25^th (Paul Holt).

New record

18 Oct – A male seen on the Terrace during the morning was relocated in the small copse below Hanmers late in the afternoon (J. Diamond et al.). This represents the 15th occurrence on Lundy.

New records

25 Jul to 26 Sep – A juvenile was seen along Quarter Wall on the evening of 25 Jul and along the wall dividing St Helen’s and Tillage Fields on the afternoon of 26th. On 27 Jul a juvenile that appeared to have a broken wing was seen on the Upper East Side Path – the remains of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, thought to have been a juvenile, were found there on 31 Jul. Surprisingly, a second juvenile was seen at various locations along the East Side on five dates between 4 & 11 Aug, followed by the same or another juvenile on four dates between 20 & 26 Sep. The Jul sightings were the first for Lundy in that month. 2008 makes a run of five consecutive years, from 2004 onwards, in which Great Spotted Woodpeckers have been seen on the island. Assuming a minimum of two individuals in 2008, these constitute the 16th and 17th records overall.

New records

26 Sep to 26 Oct – One between VC Quarry and the Heligoland Trap on 26 Sep (A. Cleave et al.). One flew over Government House on 29 Sep. A female flew south along the main track on 7 Oct, alighting briefly on the corner of Barton Cottages before dropping down into Millcombe, where it was still present on 8th (A. Jayne et al.). A male was seen in Millcombe and around the Terrace Heligoland Trap from 23 to 26 Oct, and was trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 25 Oct when it was found to be a first-year bird (R. Duncan, T. Palmer, O. Slessor et al.). It is impossible to know for sure how many individuals were involved, but there was clearly at least one female (perhaps accounting for all sightings from 26 Sep to 8 Oct) and one male at the end of Oct. These therefore constitute at least the 18th and 19th records for the island.

New record

1 Oct to 10 Nov – A female on the Terrace on 1 Oct (J. Diamond). Presumably the same bird was seen on a gate post at Old Light, then in Millcombe on 3rd (T. Bedford et al.). It was trapped and ringed on 13th and found to be a first-year bird (T. Ball et al.) and remained until at least 10 Nov (A. Rowland). It was retrapped on 19 Oct. About the 20th record for the island, half of which have been during the last 15 years.

New records

30 Apr & 1 May – One in Millcombe on 30 Apr and 1 May (L. Armstrong, Colin McShane).

9 Sep – 18 Oct – A first-year female initially seen along the Terrace, in the willows of the southernmost quarry, on 9 Sep (Richard Taylor) had relocated to Millcombe by 11th (Michaela Cozens et al.). Two were reported on 16 Sep (Mike Townsend et al.). One was in St Helen’s Copse on 18th, while on 24th, one was seen flying from the Tent Field, past the Church and into Millcombe (Andy Jayne et al.). One was in Quarter Wall Copse on 27th. There is no evidence that more than two mobile birds were present, and it is assumed that these were the two individuals trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 7 Oct. The female was retrapped on 10 & 13 Oct (Tim Ball et al.). They continued to range as far as the Terrace over the next few days. Finally, one was seen on the Terrace on 17 Oct and one near Brambles on 18 Oct (Tony Taylor), the last record of the year. There have now been well over 20 occurrences of this seemingly unlikely species on the island, with a notable increase in frequency since the mid to late nineties, in line with national population trends.

New record

27 Jul – A juvenile was seen from the Marisco Tavern on the post to the left of the blue door to Government House (Chris & Sharron Blackmore).

New record

3 to 5 Oct – One was heard and then watched as it fed among the crevices in rocky outcrops above the Terrace between North Quarry and VC Quarry on 3 Oct (Keith Dean, Andy Turner). What was presumably the same bird was heard calling in Millcombe on 5 Oct (Luke Phillips, Tony Taylor).

New record

9 & 10 Sep – A juvenile, first seen near The Ugly on 9th (Elisabeth Price) was trapped and ringed near Brambles the following day (Nik Ward et al.).

New records

6 to 13 Apr – A female in Millcombe (Zoë Barton, Dean Jones et al.) was also seen in the tree outside the Laundry (!) on 7th.

30 Sep to 7 Oct – A juvenile was trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 30 Sep (Chris Dee et al.). It ranged widely along the East Side, as far north as VC Quarry, until it was last seen, back in Millcombe, on 7 Oct (many observers).

16 Oct to 31 Dec – A female first seen in Millcombe on 16 Oct (Richard Campey & Malcolm Davies) remained on the island until the end of the year and into 2019 (many observers). On 2 Nov it was seen visiting a nestbox in Millcombe on several occasions during the morning, “going inside and working to make the entrance bigger” (Stéphane Jenser). The great majority of other sightings were in Millcombe, but on 13 Nov and 10 & 19 Dec the woodpecker was in St Helen’s Copse, whilst on 23 Nov she was visiting the bird feeders outside 1 Paradise Row.

Overwintering female

Jan & Feb – The female first seen in Millcombe on 16 Oct 2018 was still present on 4 Jan and was last recorded on 6 Feb (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

New records

15 to 20 Oct – A male and female appeared in Millcombe on 15th, with both still present on 18th and the male remaining until 20th (Tim Davis, James Diamond et al.).

5 & 6 Nov – A male, thought to be different to that seen in Oct, was first seen working its way along fence posts in Barton Field on 5th, remaining until 6th, when it was in Millcombe (Dean Jones).

New records

24 to 26 Apr – A female was trapped and ringed in Millcombe during the evening (Rob Duncan, David Kightley et al.), remaining until 26^th when it was seen in the courtyard sycamore outside Old House North.

7 to 15 Sep – A juvenile male turned up in the willows at ‘Rüppell’s Quarry’ on 7^th (Dean Jones) and had moved to St Helen’s Copse and then Millcombe by 8^th, where it remained until 15^th, being trapped and ringed on 14^th (Chris Dee et al.). Half of Lundy’s 34 records of this once exceptional rarity have been since 2010.

New record

29 Mar to 18 Apr – A female was in the vicinity of the Terrace and Quarter Wall Copse (Neil Trout, Stuart Cossey, Laura Pirateque).

19 Oct – One flew east over the Village  (Tim Worfolk).

More than half of Lundy’s 36 or so records of this once exceptional rarity have been since 2010.

New record

12 to 16 Jul – A juvenile photographed in upper Millcombe on 12th (Paul St Pierre), was still in Millcombe on 13th, along the Terrace on 15th, and back in Millcombe (at Smelly Gully) on 16th.

New record

18 to 23 Sep – Singles (like involving the same individual) were seen flying south at Old Light on 18^th (Rahael Dixey), in Millcombe on 22^nd (Angus Croudace) and over the Village on 23^rd (Joe Parker).

New record

14 to 20 Sep – One along the fenceline of Brick Field at 10:40 hrs on 14^th was flushed by Carrion Crows and dropped down towards Quarter Wall Copse (Ezra Sherwell). On 16^th, there were two in Millcombe, including a male in adult-type plumage (though potentially a first-year bird that had completed its post-juvenile moult); later in the day, one of the two was watched from Brambles as it attempted to head out over the sea and away from the island. One was seen on the Terrace on 17^th to 19^th with a second bird in Millcombe and St Helen's Copse on 18^th and Milllcombe on 19^th & 20^th (confirmed as a/the male again on 20^th). The eighth consecutive year that 'Great Spots' have been recorded on Lundy.

12 Oct – A female was seen in lower Millcombe (Kathleen Powers & Ezra Sherwell).

Update – confirmed breeding

A pair bred at a site near Quarry Beach (Trevor & Karen Dobie); the first confirmed breeding since 1982.

Probable overwintering

Dec 2011 to Feb 2012 – It appears that at least one bird overwintered, as up to two were seen in Dec, with singles reported in Jan & Feb.

Probable breeding

May to Aug – A pair was observed around the cliff above Quarry Beach (the site of the last successful breeding attempt in 2005) on 6 May, and both the male and female were seen in the Quarry Beach area over the following five days (Tim Smith). There were regular sightings, mainly of one or two birds, throughout the rest of May, Jun and Jul. Circumstantial evidence of successful breeding came on 20 Aug when Joshua Harris observed four Kestrels (a female, two juveniles and either another juvenile or a male) hunting around the rock buttresses below Tibbetts.

Displaying birds in spring

Feb & May – Two were displaying and calling over Millcombe and the Beach Road on 14 Feb (Alan Rowland) and a displaying pair, behaving extremely territorially, were seen near Old Light on 16 May (Tim Davis & Tim Jones). However, there was no subsequent evidence that a breeding attempt took place.

Confirmed breeding success

May & Jun – Two chicks fledged from a nest along the West Side, being seen at the Battery on 30 Jun.

Summary of all records – including confirmed breeding success

May & Jun – Adults were taking food (including many Pygmy Shrews) to chicks at a nest along the East Side cliffs and two fledged young were seen around the Village in Jun.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 1 (3); Feb 0 (0); Mar 2 (15); Apr 2 (26); May 3 (30); Jun 3 (24); Jul 3 (24); Aug 2 (25); Sep 2 (26); Oct 5 (30); Nov 1 (18); Dec 0 (0).

Logged on the high total of 221 days across 10 months of the year.

Summary of all records – including confirmed breeding success

Logged in every month and on the very high total of 244 days – a record for this century, though likely exceeded when up to three pairs may have bred in the late 1950s. Two pairs bred sucessfully in 2024, both rearing young to fledging, from sites at the northern and southern ends of the island.

The autumn maxima were seven on 24 Sep and nine on 21 Oct.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 1 (1); Feb 1 (5); Mar 2 (14); Apr 3 (27); May 7 (30); Jun 2 (22); Jul 5 (26); Aug 5 (25); Sep 7 (30); Oct 9 (31); Nov 4 (23); Dec 2 (10).

Summary of all records

First winter-period –A single bird was logged on 11 dates in Jan, whilst a single male was seen on 12 Feb.

Spring – There were singles on ten dates from 10 to 30 Mar, plus two on 31^st. Most of those where the bird's sex was recorded were males; the only definite female logged was the bird on 30^th. Recorded almost daily during April, with two reguarly (including both male & female), whilst five on 8^th and four on 25^th indicated the likely presence of passage birds moving through.

Late summer and autumn passage – Following regular counts of one to three during much of Aug, there were four on 29 & 31 Aug, followed by five on 6 Sep (two females and an immature male along the East Side, a female type at North End, and an adult male at Jenny's Cove) and four on both 14 & 16 Sep. Daily records to the end of Sep included further counts of five on 18^th and four on 19^th & 22^nd.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 1 (11); Feb 1 (1); Mar 2 (11); Apr 5 (27); May 4 (28); Jun 2 (23); Jul 4 (23); Aug 4 (21); Sep 5 (28)

Ringing movement

Ringing control: A Kestrel ringed as a pullus (nestling) on 18 Jun 2009 (Finnish ring no. S248850) at Vesilahti, Hame, Finland (61° 16’N 23° 41’E), was controlled on Lundy on 21 Sep 2009 (95 days; 2,070 km; WSW 238°). This is only the second Kestrel ringing movement involving Lundy and the first featuring a foreign-ringed bird.

New record

18 May – A second calendar-year male was first seen in flight during the late morning between Quarter Wall and Pondsbury. It flew north as far as Gannets’ Combe but then settled for around three hours in Middle Park, where it put on a superbly aerobatic display, feeding almost continuously on Emperor Moths, which it caught, dismembered and ate in flight, using main track marker stones and gorse bushes near Tibbetts as lookout perches from which to launch its sorties (Tim Davis, Dean Jones, Tim Jones et al.). The falcon continued to feed until 14:20 at which point it flew north over Threequarter Wall, circled to gain height, and left the island to the north-west. The 8th Lundy record, the last being in May 2003. Subject to acceptance by Devon Birds Rarities Committee.

Record set for highest count ever

14 Oct – A new Lundy record of at least six individuals on a single day was set. Four were recorded daily from 20-22 Oct.

Record equalled for highest count ever

10 Nov – A count of six individuals equalled the record set in 2008.

 Female Merlin, October 2013 ©Richard Campey.

Potential Icelandic-race female

27 Oct – A large female was considered a good candidate for the Icelandic race F. c. subaesalon (Mark Darlaston, Adele Rennells), probably a rare annual visitor to Devon, though confirmation requires in-hand measurements (2016 Devon Bird Report).

Overwintering bird

Dec to Apr – A female overwintered from Dec 2021 to Apr 2022.

Overwintering bird

Dec to Mar – A female (or immature) again overwintered from Dec 2022 to mid-Mar 2023.

Summary of all records

Late winter & spring passage – Logged on 53 dates from 1 Jan to 28 Apr. All records involved single birds, with clear evidence of a long-staying overwintering female, except for two on 1 Jan.

Autumn & early winter –  Records on 32 dates from 4 Oct (one) to 25 Nov (1), with a maximum of five on 19 & 25 Oct.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 2 (8); Feb 1 (11); Mar 1 (17); Apr 1 (17); May 0 (0); Jun 0 (0); Jul 0 (0); Aug 0 (0); Sep 0 (0); Oct 5 (22); Nov 2 (10); Dec 0 (0).

Summary of all records

Late winter & spring passage – Records on 44 dates from 7 Jan to 12 May, inclusive. All counts of two or more as follows: two females on 18 & 29 Feb and 16 Mar; two males on 8 Apr; a male & female on 18 Apr; three (one male & two females) on 12 & 14 Apr, and at least two females on 9 May.

Autumn & early winter – Logged on 63 dates from 3 Sep (one) to 28 Dec (one), with at least one female overwintering into 2025. As usual, the highest numbers were recorded in Oct, with a maximum of four on 13^th and daily from 18^th to 20^th, inclusive.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 1 (5); Feb 2 (8); Mar 2 (15); Apr 3 (13); May 2 (3); Jun 0 (0); Jul 0 (0); Aug 0 (0); Sep 1 (8); Oct 4 (27); Nov 3 (16); Dec 2 (12).

Summary of all records

First winter-period – Recorded on 21 dates, 1 Jan to 18 Feb. All records were of single birds, except for two females on 12 Jan.

Spring passage – Logged on 30 dates from 5 Mar to 7 May, inclusive. Again, all records of single birds, other than two on 5 & 6 Apr (though at least three different individuals, 2f & 1 m, were logged across these two days).

Autumn passage – One was near Old Light on 18 Sep but there were no further sightings until three on 9 Oct, two on 10^th and singles on 11^th & 12^th.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 2 (15); Feb 1 (6); Mar 2 (14); Apr 2 (13); May 1 (3); Jun 0(0); Jul 0 (0); Aug 0 (0); Sep 1 (1); 

New records

1 May to 11 Jun  – Spring records of single birds on six dates.

11 Sep – The only autumn record.

New records

7 May to 1 Jun  – Single birds on three dates.

16 Sep to 26 Oct – Single birds on three dates.

New records

21 Apr  – One.

26 Aug to 6 Nov – Single birds on four dates to 25 Sep, followed by an exceptionally late individual on 6 Nov. The latest ever was on 8 Nov 2004.

New records

21 May  – One.

18 Oct – One.

New records

7 May  – One.

14 Oct – One.

New records

8 & 27 May  – Single birds on both dates.

New records

21 May  – One.

10 to 12 Aug – One.

New records

5 to 11 Jun  – Single birds on three dates.

New records

30 May to 10 Jun  – Single birds on three dates.

8 Oct – One.

New records

20 to 22 May  – One daily.

26 Sep & 5 Oct – Single birds on both dates.

New records

29 May & 4 Jun – Single birds on both dates.

New records

10 Sep – One hunting over Lighthouse Field (Tony Taylor et al.)

New records

29 May – One flew past the island off South West Field during the afternoon (Rebecca & Richard Taylor)

23 Jul – An adult was hunting over Barton and St Helen’s Fields at 09:50 hrs and near St Helen’s Copse at 15:00 hrs (Philip Lymbery)

8 Sep – One flew south past Millcombe during the late morning (Tony Taylor).

2022

New records

11 to 28 May – There were seven spring sightings, all in May. The first bird was over Millcombe on 11^th (Richard Campey). One flew southeast over the Tavern Garden on 15^th (Richard Campey, Tim Davis, Tim Jones). What seems likely to have been the same individual was seen three times on 16^th off VC Quarry and the Terrace and over the Battlements (Stuart Cossey, Tim Davis, Tim Jones) and again over Millcombe on 17^th (AJ Bellamy). One flew north over Ackland’s Moor on 28^th (Rebecca Taylor, Richard Taylor).

19 & 20 Oct – Relatively late dates for the sole autumn record. The bird was first seen during the evening of 19^th and roosted overnight in Millcombe (Stuart Cossey, Angus Croudace, Tom Wright) before leaving to the south early on 20^th (Greg Conway, Tom Wright).

New records

Spring passage

4 to 9 Apr – One first seen over the Old Hospital on 4th (Luke Marriner) remained until 9th, being seen over the Terrace and in Millcombe.

Autumn passage

11 Sep – One was seen briefly around the Landing Bay (Rory Akam & Adam Day).

New records

Spring passage

9 to 13 May  – There were single migrants on three dates during this period: one flew east over Quarter Wall and Brick Field (seen from near the main track gate) at 11:54 hrs on 9th (Tim Jones); one drifted south-east over the Landing Bay and South Light at 10:20 hrs on 11th (Tim Jones); and one was over MIllcombe at 07:30 hrs on 13th (Joe Parker).

12 Jun – One flew in off the sea at Benjamin's Chair and continued north (Thomas Weston).

Autumn passage

16 Sep – One flew south past Tibbetts.

23 Oct – One flew south over Millcombe, towards the Castle (Greg Conway).

New records

Spring passage

19 Apr – One stooping at passerines over Barton Field before heading off north.

13 May – Single migrants heading north were seen over Millcombe at 11:40 and 16:39 (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

17 May – One over the Campsite (Adam Hobbs).

27 May – One over the Sugar Loaf (Robin Ward).

Autumn passage

 6 Sep – One flew directly south-east over Millcombe just after 08:00 hrs (Tim Jones).

22 Sep – A first-year bird was photographed circling over Millcombe at 14:20 hrs before it drifted off north along the East Side (Angus Croudace).

Correction The reference to Upton 1980 on p.86, line 8, should read "(Upton 1968)". The full reference for Gurney 1921 on p.86, which is missing from the bibliography, is: Gurney, J.H. 1921. Early Annals of Ornithology. London: H.F. & G. Witherby.

Photo: Peregrine from the Terrace, 25 Apr 2014 © Richard Campey

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully, but only one young known to have fledged.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfuly. Five occupied territories; three pairs fledged a total of six chicks. Three chicks were fitted with blue colour-rings (the first time that Lundy Peregrines have been colour marked) on 6 Jun.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully.

Bred successfully, with five territories occupied and good productivity.

Ringing movement

Colour-ring sighting: An individual carrying a metal ring on its right leg and a yellow ring marked with black ‘H2’ on its left leg was photographed by Nicola Saunders (Lundy Warden) along the Lower East Side Path on 11 Apr 2008 (653 days). The bird had been ringed as a chick, hatched on 28 May 2006, on the north coast of the Cornish mainland between St Ives and Portreath (R. Hunkin, pers. comm.). This is the first direct evidence of dispersal to Lundy by a known mainland-bred Peregrine.

Additional record

11 & 12 Jun – A female was in Millcombe (A. Matthews, Peter Reay, Mark Worden). This record was not included in the 2005 LFS Annual Report, instead being listed in an appendix of records rejected pending receipt of a description or other supporting information. Its subsequent acceptance and publication in the 2005 Devon Bird Report (presumably on the basis of notes submitted directly to Devon Birds) was overlooked when compiling The Birds of Lundy.

New record

18 May – A male was seen and photographed on the Millcombe side of The Ugly, and later in the area cleared of rhododendron between The Ugly and St Helen’s Combe (S. Barnes, R. Fowling). Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

2 Jun – A male just west of the main track at Quarter Wall (T. Davis & T. Jones et al.).

7 Oct – A first-winter bird was close to the main track near Gannets’ Combe (A. Williams, I. Lakin).

Records accepted by the Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

31 Aug – A first-year bird was in Millcombe (Dave Jones, Rebecca & Richard Taylor). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

Red-backed Shrike, Millcombe, 31 Aug 2016
© Richard Taylor

New record

26 & 27 Sep – A juvenile was in upper Millcombe during the late afternoon and early evening of 26th. It was seen briefly near Millcombe House on the morning of 27th, but not subsequently (Tim Davis & Tim Jones et al.). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

6 Jun – A female was near St Helen’s Copse (Chris & Carol Baillie). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

12 Sep – A juvenile was in the vicinity of Quarry Cottages, the Terrace and the track to Quarry Beach during the early afternoon (Tim Davis & Tim Jones et al.). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

9 Sep – A juvenile/first-winter bird was well-watched and photographed in upper Millcombe during the late morning and early afternoon (Angus Croudace, Thomas Weston et al.)

16 & 17 Oct – One, first seen in flight over St John’s Valley (James Diamond, Tim Jones et al.) and hovering at height near the Church in the early morning of 16th, flew north-west over the village but could not be found again that day in spite of intensive searching. It was relocated in Millcombe, on the south-facing slopes of The Ugly, on the morning of 17th (Ivan Lakin, Kevin Rylands et al.) and showed well in the same area for the rest of the day, perching prominently on blackthorn to watch intently for passing bumble-bees, which it seized in flight. This bird was part of a significant and unusually early influx of Great Grey Shrikes to Britain, primarily along the east coast, with at least ten in Norfolk alone on 16th. This constitutes only the second occurrence for Lundy, the first dating back some 41 years when a first-year female was trapped and ringed on the Terrace on 22 Oct 1974. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

27 Jun – One was seen at Quarter Wall and on the wall between the Brick Field and main track on 27 Jun (K. Sawyer, C. Wood et al.). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

17 May – One in upper Millcombe (D. Illing, Enslin family). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

19 May – A male photographed as it perched on Threequarter Wall (R. Morris). Record accepted by DBRC. Photo © Rick Morris.

New records

12 May – A male at the North End on 12 May was found by David Collins, who noted: “The bird was first seen in the vicinity of the ‘rail tracks’ which lead from the North Light to the top of the cove where the landing place is on the east shore. It then flew up towards the plateau and was seen perched on the little bridge just before you descend to the lighthouse. It was then observed feeding from rocks along the cliff-top on the east side before we lost it. It caught and ate a large beetle.”

27 to 31 May – A male on 27 May, first seen near the Old Light and making its way south along the walls, was later perched on a fence to the west of the Church. On 28^th it was seen in St John’s Valley, close to the Church again, and on the fence-line between the top of Millcombe and St Helen’s Field (where it was watched taking beetles and caterpillars). It was in the same area on 30^th, while by 31^st it had moved to the western end of Quarter Wall (P. Holt, Richard Taylor, Tony Taylor et al.)

Records accepted by DBRC.

It is possible that all of these records refer to a single long-staying bird, but it seems more probable that two individuals were involved given the lengthy gap between sightings of what is a pretty conspicuous species.

New record

24 to 28 May – One was at Quarter Wall, initially just east of the main track on 24^th (Ken & Joan Saul), but had moved to the western end of the wall by 27^th (Rebecca & Rich Taylor, Tony Taylor et al.) and was still present there on 28^th (Martin Thorne). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

6 Sep – A juvenile/first-winter bird was found along the Upper East Side Path between Millcombe and the fenceline dividing Barton Field and St Helen's Field (Angus Croudace et al.). Record accepted by DBRC.

New records – subject to acceptance by DBRC

18 Apr – One was first seen perched on barbed wire along the top of the fenceline between the start of the Upper East Side Path in upper Millcombe and St Helen's/Barton Fields at about 09:00 hrs. It remained in this general area for much of the day, for a time moving a little further south, being seen close to Government House. It was feeding well, frequently dropping onto the ground to catch beetles, and was last reported at about 16:45 hrs, back by the fenceline between St Helen's and Barton Fields. It was not seen on 19^th (or subsequently).

14 May – One was seen briefly, just west of the main track gate in Quarter Wall (Chris Baillie). It moved off east but couldn't be relocated.

Subject to formal acceptance, only the third & fourth occurrences during the last decade.

New record – subject to acceptance by DBRC

30 Apr – A male was found perched on gorse between Quarter Wall Pond and the Old Hospital at 13:20 hrs (Ezra Sherwell). It remained in the same area, moving a bit closer to Quarry Cottages ('Belle Vue'), until at least 17:00 hrs (Mark & Sandie West) but could not be found the next day.

New record

19 to 22 Oct – One showed well in Millcombe on 19th (Dean Jones et al.). What is presumed to be the same bird, but conceivably a second individual given the number of Nearctic landbirds appearing in Britain and Ireland during the second half of Oct 2018, was seen briefly near Brambles on 22nd (Andy Jayne). Record accepted by BBRC. This is the 8th Lundy record; the last was in Sep 2005.

Red-eyed Vireo, Millcombe, 19 Oct 2018
© Dean Jones

New record

13 Oct – A first-year bird, initially seen in flight, settled on an exposed branch of an ash tree on the northern edge of Quarter Wall Copse for a couple minutes at about 13:30 hrs. This afforded excellent telescope views from a range of 20 metres before the bird dropped back and out of sight. It was relocated at about 15:00 hrs feeding in the canopy towards the south-east corner of the copse, loosely accompanied by a group of Goldcrests and Firecrests, and was last seen about 30 minutes later (Tim Davis, James Diamond, Martin Elcoate, Andy Jayne, Tim Jones). The 9th Lundy record, and the second consecutive year after one in Millcombe in Oct 2018. Record accepted by BBRC.

New record

16 Oct – One was found by Jac Turner-Moss at about 08:30 hrs just above the walled gardens of Millcombe, where he was ringing alongside Rob Duncan. Just moments later, but before other nearby birders arrived, the bird dropped out of sight. Happily, after a few slightly anxious minutes' wait, it was relocated in 'Smelly Gully' (lower Millcombe) by Tim Davis. It was then seen well by most observers, at times prominently perched in full sun, before again disappearing for a short time. It reappeared near Millcombe House before taking several long flights around the valley at around 10:15 hrs, moving between the tree nursery adjoining the ‘Secret Garden’, the tops of Turkey oaks west of Brambles, and the Battlements sycamores. Record accepted by BBRC; Lundy’s tenth Red-eyed Vireo, and the third during the last four years.

New records

20 to 26 Sep – One was trapped and ringed in Millcombe at approximately 15:20 hrs (Luke Marriner, Tony Taylor et al.). It was retrapped in Millcombe during the morning of 22^nd when it was found to have put on 0.1g in weight (Luke Marriner et al.) and later photographed – complete with ring – in Smelly Gully (lower Millcombe) at about 10:45 hrs on 26 Sep (Angus Croudace). This is the 11th Lundy record, the earliest by some eight days and the seventh to be ringed on the island.

22 Sep – Approximately two hours after the bird ringed on 20 Sep was retrapped, a second, unringed, individual was seen along the path from the pines to the Ugly on the north side of Millcombe at about 11:30 hrs (Chris Baillie). The 12^th Lundy record.

23 & 25 Sep – Single birds were seen in Millcombe and though observers were unable to confirm the presence or absence of a ring on either date, it is assumed – there being no evidence to the contrary – that these sightings involved either or both  individuals confirmed as being present on 22^nd.

9 Oct – An unringed bird, first seen in trees near the Casbah (south side of Millcombe) at about 09:45 hrs, was trapped and ringed later that morning (Luke Marriner, Joe Parker et al.). The 13^th Lundy record and the eighth to be ringed.

Records accepted by BBRC.

New records

28 Apr to 5 May – One in Millcombe on the evening of 28 April (S. Wheatley) and caught and ringed the following day (C. McShane et al.) was found to be an immature male in a rather emaciated state. It was retrapped on 2 May and (presumably the same bird) was still present on 5 May, when seen in the field (J. Horton & P. Simpson). Between initial capture and retrapping, the bird's weight increased from a poor 54g to a rather healthier 64g. A photograph of the bird in the hand is included in the 2008 LFS logbook. Record accepted by DBRC.

22 May – An immature male was seen in Millcombe (M. Shakespeare). Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

10 to 16 Apr – A male was in Millcombe (I. Campbell, E. Dowding et al.).

7 to 10 May – A female or immature in Millcombe (S. Barnes, E. Davis, J.W. Leonard et al.)

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

3 to 30 May – In spite of (or perhaps because of) the atrocious spring weather, 2012 was an exceptionally good year for this species on Lundy, with several different individuals – probably five or more – occurring in May. A male first seen and photographed in Millcombe on 3rd (D. Fox, L. Jones et al.) was trapped and ringed there on 4th (S. Petrek) and was still present on 5th. A female was reported about 500 m north of South West Point on 4th. Two birds, a male and a duller female/immature male, were in Millcombe on 6th (J. Leonard, D. Powell). A male was still in Millcombe on 7th & 8th (I. Searle) and what may have been the same bird was seen a few hours later on a wall by the forge; it flew off south when disturbed (I. Searle). Early on 9th, two birds (male and female/immature male) were seen and photographed outside Government House (G. Cooper). A comparison of the available images suggests that the males photographed on 3/4 and 9 May were two different individuals, with the first a much brighter, more strongly marked bird. What seem likely to have been the same two birds as seen on 9th continued to be recorded in the Millcombe area until 12 May, on which date the same or another male was “between Old Light and pond” (M. Vacker). A first-summer male was in St John’s Valley, Millcombe and St Helen’s Copse on 20th (R. Andrews & G. Saul, M. Jones et al.) and a female or immature male was in Millcombe on 29 May (R. Skeates) and in Quarter Wall Copse on 30 May (T. Davis & T. Jones). Records accepted by DBRC.

Golden Oriole, near Government House, 9 May 2012 © Graham Cooper

New record

23 Apr – A male was in the St John’s Valley and Millcombe area (David Clifton, Rob Skeates et al.). Record accepted by DBRC.

What were possibly the remains of a Golden Oriole were found on the Lower East Side Path, between Millcombe and St Helen’s Combe, on 8 May.

New records

24 & 25 May – One was in and around Millcombe on 24 & 25 May (Ian Hartley, Paul Holt, Richard Taylor). Record accepted by DBRC. What seems likely to have the same bird was reported on 18 & 21–23 May but no supporting information was received by either the Lundy or Devon Bird Recorders. Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

10 & 13 May – What seems likely to have been the same female or immature male was in the St Helen’s Copse area on 10th (Brian Thompson et al., Devon Birds day trip) and in Millcombe on 13th (Chris Baillie/A Rocha group). Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

12 May – One in Millcombe (Tim Smith).

12 & 15 Jun – One in Lower Millcombe (Alan & Sandra Rowland) on 12th, whilst a sound recording was made of a calling bird in Quarter Wall Copse on 15th (Malcolm Gibbs).

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records – including exceptional autumn occurrence

31 May – A male in Millcombe was singing first thing and last seen flying high across the valley to the north at around 10.30 hrs (Tony Taylor et al.).

4 & 5 Sep – A female or immature was in Millcombe (Rebecca & Rich Taylor, Tony Taylor et al.). Only the second autumn record for Lundy, the first dating back as far as 11 Oct 1967!

Records accepted by DBRC.

New record

21 Jun – A male in full song in upper Millcombe was periodically seen in flight, as it crossed from one side of the valley to the other (Dean Jones & Zoë Barton). Dean related the encounter in the LFS logbook: “I heard a brief call which sounded good for Golden Oriole. I made my way slowly and quietly to where the call had come from and the bird then burst into full song from the top of an old oak tree at the top of Millcombe. It sang here for about 20 minutes allowing me to get some recordings on my phone, but then stopped singing and began moving through the canopy where I was able to see the bird periodically through the foliage.”

Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

8 & 9 May – A singing male in Millcombe (Dean Jones et al.) Reporting the sighting on the Lundy Birds blog, Dean wrote on 8th: "The unquestionable highlight of the day came in the form of a male Golden Oriole which was singing and calling in Millcombe just above the Casbah first thing. Although the bird was being very vocal, I didn’t manage to actually see it until later in the day due to the now lush-green canopies in Millcombe providing perfect camouflage. Luckily though, come the afternoon, Tom was driving down the Valley in his ATV, after his umpteenth lamb check of the day, and flushed the bird, allowing brief but spectacular views in flight. Thanks Tom!" On 9th Dean noted that: "Highlights included the male Golden Oriole for his second day (much showier today but I still didn’t manage a photo)."

20 May – A female or 2nd calendar-year male in Millcombe (Dean Jones): "Observations were again limited to brief fly-bys as the bird moved from both sides of the valley".

18 Jun – A sub-adult male in Millcombe (Dean Jones): "A rather miserable and wet morning’s census was brightened enormously by the occurrence of a sub-adult male Golden Oriole singing from a fog-clagged Millcombe first thing. Luckily the mist lifted just enough for a decent but brief view of the bird on top of the Secret Garden Sycamore before it shot off down the valley and out of sight."

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records

11 to 15 May – An elusive sub-adult male was calling and singing in Millcombe in the early morning of 11^th. As more observers arrived and were able to watch and listen in different parts of the valley, in became clear that two birds were in fact present – the relatively greenish sub-adult seen earlier and a much brighter-yellow, more adult individual. Both birds remained in the vicinity of Millcombe and St Helen’s Copse until 14^th, with the brighter bird also seen on the morning of 15^th (Dean Jones et al.). This is the fourth consecutive year that Golden Oriole has occurred on Lundy, with at least 16 individuals occurring in the past decade alone.

Records accepted by DBRC.

New record

24 to 27 May – An elusive female-type bird was present in Millcombe (Paul Holt, Jamie Dunning, Stuart Cossey).

Record accepted by DBRC

New records – subject to acceptance by DBRC

13 to 20 Apr – An adult male was first seen in Millcombe on the morning of 13^th (Tony Taylor), coinciding with a notable early influx of Golden Orioles to South West England, as well as the arrival of two Night Herons on Lundy. It was seen intermittenly – at times showing extraordinarily well – over the next week, though could be typically elusive for long periods, frustrating the efforts of many searching for it. Sightings were nearly all in Millcombe, though also occasionally in St Helen's Combe. It was last seen in Millcombe on 20^th. Although completely silent during almost all of its prolonged stay – perhaps surprisingly for an adult male – it was heard sub-singing very briefly once or twice. During the evening of 19^th it was watched for about 15 minutes as it hunted for large caterpillars in the blackthorn scrub between the Ugly and the top of the walled gardens in Millcombe, perching shrike-like to scan for prey, then pouncing once located and taking its prize back to the cover of a nearby sycamore tree to knock off coarse hairs before consumption. This sequence was repeated at least three or four times.

Subject to formal acceptance, the 12^th record of the last decade, eleven of which have been in spring. It was also the second earliest Golden Oriole ever recorded on Lundy (the earliest being one on 10 Apr 2011 – see above).

11 to 19 May – Following reports of a male and a female in Millcombe on 11th, and a female-type seen on 12th, there were daily records in the Millcombe area from 14th to 19th, with up to three individuals present – a male (singing at times) and two female-type birds (multiple observers). One of the latter was trapped and ringed in Millcombe on the morning of 18th (multiple observers).

New record – subject to acceptance by DBRC

29 Apr – A female was seen in Millcombe, initially near the Casbah at 08:41 hrs (Flo Turner) and about half-an-hour later flying up the valley and landing in Millcombe Pines (Joe Parker). It was not seen again.

18 May – A female was seen in Millcombe (Kathleen Power, Ezra Sherwell).

22 to 24 May – A male was in Millcombe on 22^nd (Carol & Chris Baillie), whilst two – a male and female – were in Quarter Wall Copse and later Millcombe on 23^rd (Kathleen Power), and a male flew out of St Helen's Copse, pursued by a Peregrine at 12:20 hrs on 24^th (Shaun Barnes & Ken Ebsworthy).

New record

5 Sep – One was seen briefly in the Tent Field, between the Black Shed and the helipad, during the early afternoon (Shaun Robson). This is the first record of an extremely rare bird for Lundy since May 1996!

New record

29 Oct to end of year – What was thought to be a calling Chough was heard from the direction of South West Point during an early morning migration watch from Castle Hill on 29 Oct (Tim Jones), but without visual confirmation. Tony Taylor later reported glimpsing for a second or two what he thought was a Chough in the same area. An adult was seen and photographed at Shutter Point on 30 Oct (Paul Barrett). What is presumed to be the same bird was seen near the Rocket Pole on 15 & 16 Nov and also near Benson’s Cave on 15th (James Leonard, Ed & Ellie Bassett et al.). It was again at Shutter Point on 18 Nov (Andrew Taylor) and on the southern edge of Castle Hill on 21 Nov (Kay Easton). There were no further reports until 9 Dec, when it was foraging and in flight just east of the Devil’s Limekiln (David Oddy). On 18 Dec it was seen from the (upstairs) living room of Square Cottage (Keith Lugg). Finally, it was photographed sitting on the Church on 27 Dec, when it was also seen in flight being mobbed by a Raven (A. McGibbon). This is the first record since one off the East Side on 28 Dec 2000, though there was an unconfirmed report of one near the Devil’s Slide on 1 Sep 2010. Record accepted by DBRC.

Photo: Chough near Shutter Point, 30 Oct 2012 © Paul Barrett.

New records

1 Jan to 30 Mar – The bird that arrived in Oct 2012 continued to be seen regularly up to and including the last record on 30 Mar, when it was feeding in St Helen’s Field. All logbook entries for Jan–Mar involved sightings in the south of the island, from Old Light, to St Helen’s Field, Millcombe/St John’s Valley, Tent Field and South End. St Helen’s Field and the paths between the Tavern and Millcombe appeared to be especially favoured feeding areas from mid-Feb onwards.

18 & 19 May – There were further sightings (presumed to relate to other individuals, since the overwintering bird was not seen in April, in spite of thorough searching) reported in mid-May: one feeding in field just north of High Street gate and seen and heard in flight near Jenny’s Cove on 18 May (N. & D. Downie, J. & S. Buchanan) and one seen and heard calling over Millcombe on 19 May (Viv Phillips, Kim Atkinson & Jan Ozyer).

All the above records accepted by DBRC. In addition there was an unsubstantiated report of two on 8 May.

Photo © Mike Jones, March 2013.

2023

New record

15 Oct – One was seen on the island’s north-west coast by a visiting climber (U. Bauer) familiar with Choughs. Though not reported until a couple of days later, a very good description was provided. There was no sign later in the week when the area was searched by birders.

Record accepted by DBRC.

New record – subject to acceptance by DBRC

19 Sep – One at North End, reported by the Feral Stock Management Team.

Report assessed as not proven

23 Oct – A report of two over the Landing Bay was assessed by DBRC as 'not proven'.

New record

18 Oct – A notable influx of 31 birds (the fourth-highest total ever recorded) occurred, together with 18 Rooks. The mixed flock arrived during the morning from the north and circled high over the South End. Most birds landed in the Tillage Field, but all had left by early afternoon.

New record

23 Apr – One feeding in the Tillage Field.

New records

14 & 15 Mar – Four flying north landed amongst sheep in the Brick Field on 14th, remaining to 15th.

16 Apr – Five in Middle Park.

6 to 8 May – Four on 6th, unspecified number of 7th and six on 8th (locations not recorded).

New records

13 to 20 May – Daily sightings of a single bird, with two on 15th, then one on 26 & 28 May and on nine dates from 5 to 25 Jun (possibly just one long-staying individual?).

13 to ?? Jul – Two on 13th and a single bird on three dates at the end of the month.

4 Sep – One around the Village.

New records

28 & 29 Apr – Four on 28th were seen leaving the island with three Carrion Crows, flying high to the south-east towards Hartland Point at 18.05 hrs on 29th.

27 & 30 May – One sitting on eastern end of Halfway Wall on 27th and on Tillage Field wall on 30th.

New record

26 Apr – Two in the south of the island (Jeremy Barker).

New record

23 May – One (Neil Trout).

New records

27 Apr – One on roof of Black Shed and later feeding in Tillage Field and St Helen’s Field (Richard Campey).

8 Jul – Two were around the Landing Bay on what is an unusual date for this species on Lundy (Cambridge Conservation Volunteers).

Photo: Jackdaw in Tillage Field, 27 Apr 2014 © Richard Campey

New records

10 May – One (P. Treen).

27 May – One at Brazen Ward and in the Brick/Tillage Fields (Philip & Helen Lymbery).

6 Jun – One  in the Tillage Field and later over the Airfield (Richard Campey).

New record

31 Jul – One near Jenny's Cove.

New records

24 to 27 Mar – Two on 24th & 25th, three on 26th and four on 27th (Tim Davis & Tim Jones et al.). All four birds were seen flying north above the Terrace on the latter date, apparently leaving the island.

29 Apr to 1 May – One on 29th & 30th, followed by two in the Lighthouse Field on 1st (Neil Trout).

New records

22 Feb – One in Barton Field (Dean Jones).

16 Mar – One with roosting flock of Carrion Crows (Dean Jones).

25 & 26 Mar – One Tent Field on 25th and St Helen's Field on 26th (Tony Taylor)

New records

2 to 7 Feb – One first seen in the upper Lighthouse Field on 2 Feb (Tim Davis & Tim Jones) was present until 7th,
frequenting the Tillage and Brick Fields and also the pigsty.

22 Oct – Three on the main track at Quarter Wall on took off and flew north (Sam Bosanquet).

New records – unprecedented spring influx

26 Feb to 25 May – One calling from Millcombe Wood on 26 Feb, with two present on 27th; one in High Street Field on 13 & 14 Mar; one over Millcombe on 24 Mar; three on 26th; two foraging in Lower Aerogenerator Field (Lighthouse Field) on 28 & 29 Mar; 14 parachuting into Tent Field on 30 Mar; seven in High St Field on 31st; 11 on 1 Apr; an exceptional mass arrival of 59 on 2 Apr; 11 on 3rd & 4th; one over the Village on 11th; two calling loudly over the Village on 12th; 11 in Lower Aerogenerator Field on 25th, in Helicopter (Tent) Field on 26th, and on the roof of Old House South on 27th; six over Jenny's Cove on 1 May; and – finally – two calling from the roof of the Barn on 25 May (Dean Jones et al.).

This is by far the most significant and sustained influx to the island of recent years. It is thought that prolonged spells of settled weather, particularly in Apr, may have been a contributory factor. The flock of 59 birds on 2 Apr exceeded the previous record spring count of 53, set way back in the early years of LFS, on 25 Apr 1948! However, the all-time record still stands at a collossal 250 on 20 Oct 1983.

New records

1 Mar to 17 Apr – Single birds were logged on 13 dates from 1 Mar to 1 Apr, followed by two on 2 & 3 Apr and further singles 14,15 & 17 Apr (Dean Jones et al.). All sightings were in the south of the island, mainly High Street Field and Ackland’s Moor but also in Brick Field and the Campsite.

9 Oct – Four were over the South End and Village on 9 Oct (Paul Holt).

17 Dec – One was reported along the Goat Path, above the Beach Road (Kevin Waterfall). 

New record

22 Oct to 31 Dec – A single bird first seen in Brick Field on 22 Oct (Paul Holt) remained until the end of the year and into 2023 feeding in the Village and the East Side fields.

New records

1 Jan to 2 Apr – The long-staying bird from autumn 2022 remained on the island throughout the winter and early spring. It was joined by two fresh arrivals on 27 Mar, with all three seen together in flight over the East Side and later in Brick Field. These three continued to be seen daily, up to and including 1 Apr, but only one, thought to be the original singleton, remained the next day.

13 May – One heard calling over Millcombe.

New records

25 Mar – One in Brick Field.

11 Apr to 1 May – One was outside around the village on 11 & 12 Apr; two were in upper Lighthouse Field on 13^th; one was perched by the Upper East Path at Brick Field on 14^th, with two arriving high over Benjamin's Chair and flying N, plus one around the Lambing Shed on the same date; two over Millcombe on 16^th; two calling over the Ugly, one in upper Lighthouse Field, and two in High Street Field, then flying towards the village on 17^th, two in upper Lighthouse Field on 18^th; and three in flight together on 20^th, which appeared to arrive very high from the N. They came down lower over the village, did a circuit of the Church then returned NE gaining height until almost lost to view, apparently trying to leave the island to the E. Singles were logged on 23^rd & 26^th, then three again on 28th. Finally, one was logged on 1 May.

New records

8 Jun – One was calling near the Church.

New record

18 Oct – A notable influx of 18 occurred, together with 31 Jackdaws. The mixed flock arrived during the morning from the north and circled high over the South End. Most birds landed in the Tillage Field, but all had left by early afternoon.

New records

5 & 6 Feb – One in Lighthouse Field.

13 & 15 Mar – One in Brick Field

14 Sep – Two (circumstances unknown).

New records

22 Mar – One seen from Brazen Ward.

10 May – One around Brick Field and Airfield.

30 May – Ten (no location given).

16 Jul – One.

New record

19 Apr – Four flew north past lower Millcombe, calling as they went, before turning west, rising over the fields and out of sight (Tony Taylor).

New records

16 Apr – One calling as it circled high over the Village (Tim Jones).

10 May – One at Quarter Wall.

30 May – One (location not given, B. Boyland/BirdTrack).

New records

1 to 10 Jun – One, first seen in the Tillage Field on 1st was recorded on six further dates up to 10th (Paul Holt, Richard & Rebecca Taylor & Tony Taylor).

13 Sep to 11 Oct – A single bird was seen on eight dates from 13 to 25 Sep (Andy Turner et al.), followed by the same or another on 11 Oct.

New record

May to Aug – One on 29 & 30 May (Chris Townend) and, what was considered to be the same long-staying individual, on a further 19 dates up to and including 26 Aug (Dean Jones, Richard & Rebecca Taylor, Tony Taylor et al.). Most sightings were from the vicinity of the Tillage Field and pig-sty.

New record

4 to 8 Apr – One first reported on 4th (Jo King) was outside Paradise Row on 6th and feeding with Carrion Crows in Tent Field on 8th (Dean Jones).

New record

20 Apr – One in upper Aerogenerator Field/Lighthouse Field (Dean Jones).

New records

30 Mar – Two, foraging with Carrion Crows in South West Field (Dean Jones).

26 Apr – One in Tillage Field, also alongside Carrion Crows (Dean Jones).

New record

14 Mar – One being mobbed by Crows over the Village in the morning and then heard by Brick Field in the afternoon.

New record

2 Apr – One flew over the Village during the early evening.

New records

1 Apr – One came in off the sea at the South End and circled the Church twice, calling, around 08:15 before heading north up the island (Thomas Weston). It was not seen again. Amazingly this seems likely to have been the same individual watched by Tim Jones as it flew out to sea and towards Lundy from Bull Point, on the North Devon mainland around 07:30 hrs, meaning it took about 45mins for the bird to make the crossing. The date was also remarkably similar to the only record of 2023!

18 Apr – One calling over Castle Hill was presumably the same individual seen feeding shortly afterwards in upper Lighthouse Field (Tim Jones, Thomas Weston).

21 Apr – One flew south over Quarter Wall (Thomas Weston).

23 Apr – Two were seen over Jenny's Cove apparently attempting to leave the island to the north-west (Thomas Weston).

New records

12 Mar to 20 Apr – Records of single birds on five dates, with two in flight over Ackland's Moor on 5 Apr. One flew SE out to sea from Castle Hill on 20 Apr (Paul Holt).

9 & 10 Jun – A juvenile was in Brick Field (Flo Turner).

Maximum counts

30 Apr – The highest spring count: 55.

12 Nov – The highest autumn count: 47.

Maximum counts

28 Feb – The highest late-winter/early-spring count: 57.

19 Oct – The highest autumn count: 54.

The population remains at a high level in comparison with preceding decades; from 1960 to 2006 counts of 50 or more had been made on only a handful of occasions.

Maximum counts

16 Apr – The highest spring count: 52.

25 Aug – The highest autumn count: 60.

Maximum counts

8 May – The highest spring count: 47.

28 Oct – The highest autumn count: 44.

Maximum counts

29 Apr – The highest spring count: 63.

7–9 Nov – The highest autumn count: 40.

Maximum counts

31 May – The highest spring count: 52.

23 Oct – The highest autumn count: 64.

Maximum counts

22 May – The highest spring count: 48.

24 Nov – The highest autumn count: 59.

Maximum counts

24 Apr – The highest spring count: 50.

31 Dec – The highest autumn/winter count: 70. This matches the previous all-time record high count, when an estimate of the island's population gave a "likely total in excess of 70 individuals" in spring 2007.

Maximum counts

May – The highest spring count: 49.

10 Oct – The highest autumn count: 75. This sets a new record high count for the island.

Maximum counts

3 Apr – The highest spring count: 60.

20 Oct – The highest autumn count: 68.

Maximum counts

22 Mar – The highest spring count: 49.

9 Oct – The highest autumn count: only 48, suggesting indifferent to poor breeding productivity.

Maximum counts

24 Mar – The highest spring count: 41.

12 Sep – The highest autumn count: 53.

Maximum counts

3 Feb – The highest pre-breeding/spring count: 42.

27 Sep – The highest autumn count: 64, suggesting good breeding productivity.

Maximum counts

19 Jan – The highest pre-breeding/spring count: 57.

7 Sep – The highest autumn count: 43.

Maximum counts

3 Jan – The highest pre-breeding/spring count: 43.

Aug to Dec – Maximum post-breeding counts were between 22 and 29 from early Aug to late Dec, when 44 were logged on 28 Dec (Matt Stritch), perhaps suggesting an influx from the mainland.

Maximum counts

11 Apr – The highest pre-breeding/spring count: 47.

25 Oct – The highest autumn count: 31.

Summary

5 Feb – The highest pre-breeding/spring count: 47.

28 Aug & 4 Oct – The highest autumn count: 45.

Highest monthly counts:

Jan 30; Feb 47; Mar 40; Apr 43; May 33; Jun 38; Jul 25; Aug 45; Sep 39; Oct 45; Nov 37; Dec 18.

Summary

1 May – The highest pre-breeding/spring count: 51.

2 Oct – The highest autumn count: 62.

Highest monthly counts:

Jan 19; Feb 22; Mar 38; Apr 43; May 51; Jun 23; Jul 26; Aug 22; Sep 49; Oct 62; Nov 52; Dec 26.

Summary

11 Mar – The highest pre-breeding/spring count: 47.

16 Sep – 55 were logged during morning census. There were four other counts of ≥45 during Sep, indicating high breeding-season productivity.

Highest monthly counts:

Jan 14; Feb 29; Mar 47; Apr 27; May 35; Jun 21; Jul 22; Aug 37; Sep 55;

New records

25 Mar – One with Carrion Crows in the Brick Field (K. Welsh).

29 & 30 May – One (P.J. Lymbery & H. Engelen).

29 Jun – One between Pondsbury and Halfway Wall (H. McLiffe).

New record

17–28 May – One photographed on the West Side, just north of the Devil’s Slide on 17 May (M. Jones) remained until 28th and was seen by many observers at a variety of locations (though all south of Quarter Wall). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

14 to 16 Jun – One was in and around the Brick Field (Adam Bainbridge, Shaun Barnes, Kevin Welsh et al.). Record accepted by DBRC.

Hooded Crow in Brick Field on 16 Jun 2014 © Grant Sherman

Possible hybrid individual

20 to 28 Mar – One, initially seen on Ackland's Moor on 20th (Rob Waterfield), was at Quarter Wall on 21st (Dean Jones). Presumably the same individual was in Tillage Field on 28th (Grant & Shelley Sherman). Dean Jones noted "Obvious contrast in colouration of head and wings to the rest of the bird's body but body colouration much darker than typical Hooded Crow." As a consequence, DBRC considered that this individual may have been a hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow, rather than a pure Hooded Crow.

New record

5 May – One was in flight with six Carrion Crows heading north past the Church in the early morning. Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

13 & 14 Mar – Two were with Carrion Crows and Jackdaws in High Street Field and on Ackland's Moor on 13th, one remaining on 14th when it was seen in Brick Field (Dean Jones).

1 & 15 May – Singles in Tent Field (Dean Jones). With no sightings between 2 and14 May, it seems probable that either two different birds were involved on 1st & 15th, or the same individual visited the island twice but disappeared to the mainland in the intervening period.

Records accepted by DBRC.

New record

2 & 12 May – There were sightings of single birds in Lighthouse Field on 2 May (Rachel Bedwin, Laura Piratique) and in Lighthouse/Aerogerator Fields on 12 May (Richard Campey, Tim Davis, Tim Jones).

Record accepted by DBRC as referring to one individual, though the possibility that two different birds were involved can’t be excluded.

New records

10 to 14 Mar – One first seen and photographed near Tibbetts on 10^th and again in Middle Park before flying north over Three-quarter Wall on 12^th (Ester Spears), was last seen flying over the Church on 14^th (Andy Jayne).

30 Apr & 1 May – One flew over Quarter Wall and landed near Pondsbury on 30^th, and was present in Brick Field the following day (Stuart Cossey et al.).

12 to 24 May – Two were seen in Lighthouse Field and by the Water Tanks on 12 & 13 May. One remained in Brick Field on 14^th and continued to be seen daily up to and including 24^th, associating with Carrion Crows, and spending its time mainly in Tillage Field or around the Water Tanks, but venturing as far as Quarter Wall on 19^th (Stuart Cossey et al.)

Records accepted by DBRC.

New records – subject to acceptance by DBRC

18 Apr – One flew in from the north past the Tavern and over the Black Shed at 07:20 hrs (Tim Jones). It continued SSW in the direction of Tent Field but was not seen again. Record shots taken. Subject to formal acceptance, the seventh Lundy record during the last decade and the 12^th since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

26 May to 22 Jun – A presumed hybrid Hooded Crow x Carrion Crow was seen regularly in the vicinity of the Water Tanks, Airfield and Brick Field (Thomas Weston et al.)

New records – subject to acceptance by DBRC

16 to 23 Apr – One first seen at Halfway Wall by Lundy Ranger, Matt 'Roger' White, was logged daily on the farm in-fields, up to and including 23 Apr (multiple observers).

30 Apr to 12 May – One in Brick Field and then regularly in the Ackland's Moor and Airfield area (Jimmy Hair et al.) was joined by a second individual on 7^th (Tim Jones), which showed plumage features consistent with a Hooded Crow x Carrion Crow hybrid (e.g. rather dusky grey nape, mantle and underparts, with blotchy blackish markings on the lower belly and vent). Two birds, one a possible hybrid, were seen flying past North Light on 12^th and with no further records after that, it looks as if this was the long-staying Hooded Crow leaving the island, potentially with the hybrid logged on 7th.

The gap in Hooded Crow records for a week in late April is intriguing and likely to reflect genuine absence (rather than a long-staying bird being overlooked), given that the Observatory team was conducting a daily census (taking in all the key areas for feeding crows), and there was intensive additional coverage from visiting birders. Did one individual leave the island and later return, or did multiple individuals pass through? And if the second, possible hybrid, seen on 12^th was the same as that logged on 7^th, where did it go in the meantime?

Maximum counts

13 Sep – A count of 14 was one of the higher totals of recent years (which also include 14 in Oct 2005, and 19 in Oct 2002).

Maximum counts

11 Oct – A count of 20 was the highest since 19 in 2002.

Maximum counts

29 Apr & 14 Oct – Counts of 16 on both dates were the highest of the year.

Maximum counts

11 Apr – A count of 16 was the highest of the year.

Maximum counts

28 Aug – A count of 17 was the highest of the year.

Maximum counts

Jun – A count of 14 was the highest of the year.

Maximum counts

Mar & Oct – Counts of 13 were the highest of the year.

Maximum counts

6 Oct – A count of 17 was the highest of the year.

Maximum counts

16 Sep – A count of 20 was the highest since 2010 and involved “a mobile gang of presumed adolescents flying over the village area in at least two separate groups calling very loudly” (Dean Jones).

Commencement of breeding

1 Feb – A pair were carrying sticks to a nest site at Halfway Wall Bay.

Maximum counts

29 Aug – A count of 20 equalled the highest total recorded since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Commencement of breeding

1 & 3 Feb – A pair were carrying sticks to a nest site at Halfway Wall Bay on 1st – precisely the same date as in 2018! They were seen carrying nest-lining material on 3rd.

Maximum counts

3 Feb – A count of 13 was the highest of the year.

Commencement of breeding

26 Jan – One was carrying nesting material along the East Side.

There were four successful nests: at Benjamin’s Chair, the cliffs just west of Old Light, Halfway Wall Bay, and Long Roost. The first fledglings were seen at the South End on 12 May.

Maximum counts

8 Mar – A count of 20 was the highest of the year.

Commencement of breeding

Early Feb – A territorial pair at the South End were gathering nesting material in the first week of Feb. However, chicks only fledged from this nest on 22 May – an unusually late date for a traditionally early nester. It seems likely that a replacement clutch may have been laid following failure at an earlier stage in the season.

Maximum counts

Peak autumn totals were 14 on 17 Sep and 15 on 13 & 14 Oct, followed by 23 on 11 Nov – by far the highest count of the year.

Late fledging

The first fledglings were not seen until the late date of 24 May.

Maximum counts

The highest count of the year was 21 on both 17 Sep and 16 Oct. 

Summary of all records

Breeding: Adults were gathering nest material on 16 Feb. Fledged young were seen at Benjamin's Chair, Middle Park and Long Roost.

Highest monthly counts:

Jan 12; Feb 14; Mar 17; Apr 18; May 22; Jun 24; Jul 12; Aug 13; Sep 15; Oct 19; Nov 12; Dec 6.

The peak count of the year was 24 on 25 Jun (with 23 logged on 9 Jun and 22 on 21 May).

Summary of all records

Highest monthly counts:

Jan 9; Feb 16; Mar 13; Apr 18; May 29; Jun 14; Jul 12; Aug 17; Sep 20; Oct 16; Nov 12; Dec 10.

The high count of 29 on 19 May comprised 21 adults and 8 juveniles (i.e. young of the year).

Summary of all records

Breeding: Fledged young were seen in early May at Benjamin's Chair and at Long Roost.

Highest monthly counts:

Jan 9; Feb 11; Mar 9; Apr 13; May 14; Jun 8; Jul 9; Aug 12; Sep 23;

New record

20 Oct – An adult male spent about an hour (from 09.00hrs) in upper Millcombe, when it was watched and photographed at close range as it fed on berries. At one point it called and flew off strongly to the south-east, disappearing over the mouth of Millcombe and was thought probably to have left the island. However, it was relocated briefly at the mouth of St Helen’s Combe at 10.30hrs, but could not be found later in the morning (Tom Bedford, Richard Campey, James Diamond & Tim Jones). This is only the fifth LFS record, the previous four having been in Nov 1990, May 1997, Oct 2004 and Jan 2005. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder. Photo below ©Richard Campey.

New records

28 Oct to 3 Nov – An adult male, first seen near the Ugly mid-morning on 28 Oct remained in Millcombe until the late afternoon and was still present at first light the next morning (Angus Croudace, Joe Parker et al.). It was photographed near the Timekeeper's Hut at 08:12 hrs (Andy Jayne) but flew down towards the Terrace a few minutes later and had returned to Millcombe by shortly after midday, when it was watched feeding on the ground in the 'Secret Garden' and further excellent photos were taken (Angus Croudace, Mandy Dee et al.). It remained in Millcombe from 30 Oct to 3 Nov, being trapped and ringed on 31st (Chris Dee et al.) – the first Waxwing ever to be ringed on the island.

9 Nov – One seen in Millcombe (Angus Croudace) was thought likely to be a different bird to the individual present earlier in the month.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

1 May – One was watched and photographed around the buttresses at Jenny's Cove (Sue Nightingale & Janet Reynolds).

Subject to acceptance, the 8th record for the island (assuming that the 2023 records detailed above are also accepted and treated as two different individuals by Devon Birds).

New records

17 to 21 Oct – One on 17 Oct was joined by a second bird on 18^th & 19^th, with a final sighting of a single bird on 21^st. All records were from either Millcombe or Quarter Wall

New record

11 to 23 Oct – Recorded on ten dates, with two on 11^th, three on 12^th, two on 13^th & 14^th and singles on the remaining days. Four birds, all believed to have been of the continental race P a. ater were trapped and ringed during this period.

New records

31 Mar – One in Millcombe (Derren Fox).

13 to 11 Nov – A small influx in mid-Oct involved at least five different birds. One was seen at the Castle early in the morning of 13 Oct and later in Millcombe (Ivan Lakin, Kevin Rylands). Two were trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 14 Oct, with a third individual trapped there on 15^th. During the morning of 16 Oct, two were seen at St Helen’s Copse, plus an unringed bird at Quarter Wall Copse. Two were in St John’s Valley that afternoon, one of which was unringed (Richard Taylor & Tony Taylor). Over the next several days, individuals were seen regularly along the East Side, from Millcombe to the Terrace Trap, including Quarter Wall Copse and Quarry Pond. All those seen well enough in the field were carrying rings. The maximum count was three on 16 & 17 Oct, with ones and twos thereafter until 28^th (many observers). However, new individuals were trapped and ringed in Millcombe on 20 & 21 Oct (Tony Taylor). There were two records of single birds in Millcombe in Nov, on 8^th & 11^th (Andrew Cleave, James Leonard) – perhaps one of the Oct birds that had remained otherwise undetected?

New record

18 to 20 Apr – A single bird was reported daily in Millcombe (Martin Thorne); Coal Tits are particularly rare on the island in spring.

New records

4 Oct to 22 Nov – There were autumn records on the unusually high total of 23 dates between 4 Oct (three birds) and 22 Nov (two), with a maximum count of four on 14 Oct, though ringing information indicated that there were at least two long-staying individuals, rather than a continuous turnover of new arrivals. Observer coverage was very low during much of Nov (and the weather largely dreadful!), so whilst there was a long gap between sightings from 2 to 22 Nov, it is possible that birds were present throughout that period. The great majority were seen in Millcombe but one was at Quarter Wall Copse on both 15 Oct and 22 Nov. Three were ringed in early Oct (one on 3^rd, two on 4^th); all were identified as belonging to the British subspecies P. a. britannicus and all were first-year birds. Two of the three individuals were retrapped between 28 & 30 Oct.

New record – including presumed overwintering

22 Feb to 27 Apr – Records of a single bird in Millcombe on 19 dates are likely all to have been of the same overwintering individual: a bird trapped on 3 Apr had been ringed on 3 October 2015. It was “singing heartily” in Millcombe on 3 Mar (Neil Trout).

There were no autumn records.

New record

29 Oct to 30 Dec – Sightings, probably involving just one long-staying individual, were made on 14 dates from 29 Oct (Millcombe and also feeding with Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests along a wall above Benjamin’s Chair – Andy Jayne & Dean Jones) to 30 Dec (in Quarter Wall Copse – Dean Jones & Zoë Barton). Most reports were from Millcombe, with one additional sighting in Quarter Wall Copse on 14 Nov. This bird overwintered, being seen again in late Jan and early Feb 2018.

New records – including presumed overwintering

26 Jan to 1 Feb – One in Millcombe and St Helen's Copse was presumed to be the same individual present at the end of 2017 (Tim Davis & Tim Jones et al.).

31 Mar to 3 Apr – One very active bird, calling frequently, in Millcombe on 31^st, 1^st & 3^rd (Dean Jones, Tony Taylor, Neil Trout). This appears most likely to have been a newly arrived migrant, it seeming improbable that the bird seen in late Jan would have avoided detection for two months.

New record

1 to 5 May – A singing male of the continental race Periparus ater ater was in Millcombe, 1 to 5 May (Tim Jones et al.) Record accepted by DBRC.

New records

10 Oct to 31 Dec – A mid-Oct arrival brought daily records from 10^th to 18^th, including a peak of five on 15^th (in Millcombe, St Helen's Combe, and in willows above Quarry Beach). There were two on 12^th, 17^th & 18^th, and singles on the remaining dates. The first bird to arrive, on 10^th, showed plumage features consistent with the Irish-breeding race of Coal Tit P. a. hibernicus, having noticeably yellowish cheeks, a similar yellow wash on the underparts, and distinctly cinnamon flanks. However, no definite conclusion about the bird's origins can be drawn on plumage alone as there are known to be intergrades between Irish and British Coal Tits in the north-east of the island of Ireland. This particular individual, which was ringed in Millcombe on 15 Oct, was seen regularly in Millcombe through the rest of Oct and Nov, then more sporadically in Dec, but was still present at the end of the year and into early 2021.

Overwintering on the island

10 Jan to 12 Mar – The bird ringed on 15 Oct 2020, showing plumage characteristics suggesting that it might belong to the Irish-breeding race P. a. hibernicus, overwintered on the island and was logged on 18 dates from 10 Jan to 12 Mar, mainly in Millcombe but also at Quarter Wall Copse on 17 Feb.

New records

28 Sep – One.

20 Oct to 9 Nov – Recorded on 13 dates during this period; mostly single birds (one ringed on 20th), but two were seen on 25 & 27 Oct (in Millcombe/St John’s Valley on latter date).

New record

31 Mar – One in Millcombe (Norma & Trevor Dobie).

New record

10 Apr – An adult female was trapped and ringed in Millcombe (Rob Duncan).

New record

5 Oct – Two were seen in the Ugly/St Helen's Copse area (Shaun Barnes).

New record

16 Sep – One reported from Millcombe.

New record

15 & 16 Aug – One.

New records

23 Apr – One in Millcombe.

28 Sep – One (location unknown); the same date as a Blue Tit was also reported.