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

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.

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.

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 records

16 to 21 Oct – One flushed between the main track and Pondsbury at 15:40 hrs on 16^th (James Diamond) settled back into cover just east of Pondsbury. There were further records of what seems likely to have been the same individual between Pondsbury and Tibbetts on 18^th & 19^th (Lundy Feral Stock Management Team). One flushed from the quarry at the north end of the Terrace at 16:00 hrs on 20^th flew east out to sea (Lundy Feral Stock Management Team). Finally, one was seen briefly over Barton Field at 07:59 hrs on 21^st (Ezra Sherwell) appeared to drop down towards the sidelands along the Upper East Side Path.

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.

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 in spring 25 Mar 2012 (one), Latest in spring 30 May 2014 (one); Earliest in autumn 14 Aug 2014 (one); Latest in autumn 1 Nov 2023 (one).

New records

4 Sep – One drifted south down the East Side (Richard Taylor).

4 Oct – A first-year bird was seen flying up and down the East Side, at one point landing briefly on a tree in St Helen's Copse, before being chased off by mobbing gulls (Phil Abbott, Ernie Davis, Kevin Hale et al.).

The 17^th & 18^th LFS records (of which eight have been during autumn migration, Jul–Oct).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

26 Apr – One mobbed by gulls over the Landing Bay/Millcombe, seen from Brambles on 26 Apr (Colin McShane). The 19^th LFS record (of which 11 have been during spring migration). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

15 Oct – One on the afternoon of 15 Oct seen to fly in from the sea over the Landing Bay, before turning north and flying up the East Side, then crossing the island near Quarry Cottages (Tim Ball et al.). Seen a few minutes later as it flew south along the West Side past Tim Davis & Tim Jones who were standing on the southern side of Jenny’s Cove. Record subject to acceptance by DBRC. The 20^th LFS record (of which nine have been during autumn migration). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

25 Mar – One gliding high from the south on passed straight over an LFS working party at Quarter Wall, then headed rapidly north-east (Louise Cookson & K. Williams).

3 May – One over Millcombe (Derren Fox, Colin McShane).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

20 Apr – One flew north along the East Side, mobbed by gulls and corvids (Paul Bolland, Kevin Rylands, Rob  Skeates et al.).

15 May – One heading north over Pondsbury was seen to join up with a second Osprey heading north up the West Side (Mike Jones).

17 May – One first seen over Rat Island flew north up the East Side before crossing the island near the Old Hospital. The same observers saw what was presumably the same bird repeat the circuit ten minutes later. On the same date, a “probable Osprey”, mobbed by crows as it flew up the island north of Old Light, was reported independently by other observers and presumed to be the same bird, although the possibility of two cannot be ruled out.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

Photo: Migrating Osprey mobbed by gulls and corvid off East Side, 20 Apr 2013 © Paul Bolland

New records

30 May – One being mobbed by gulls over Castle Hill flew north up the East Side (Pete Clabburn, Charles Crundwell, Suzanne Long).

14 Aug – One flying south just off the East Side on 14 August was watched from the Upper East Side Path alongside the Tillage Field. The bird continued south over Lametor and on towards Hartland Point, circling a couple of times to gain height over the open sea (Tim Jones).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the 26^th & 27^th LFS records. The ratio of spring to autumn records for the island now runs at 17:10.

New records

There were four records of single birds; three in spring and one in autumn:

3 Apr – One flew high over the island having arrived from the West Side at Ackland's Moor (Martyn Roper).

5 Apr – One flew over the jetty (Mark & Claire Tims).

5 May – One flew north over Quarter Wall (Tim Smith).

14 Sep – One passed south along the West Side (A. Turner).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the 28^th to 31^st LFS records.

New records

There were three spring records of single birds:

27 Mar – One flew past the Castle, over the mouth of Millcombe and along the East Side, mobbed by gulls and corvids, on 27 Mar (Tim Davis, Tim Jones, Tony Taylor).

2 Apr – One flew quickly north off the Terrace (Solomon Gilbert).

28 Apr – One was mobbed by Great Black-backed Gulls as it flew east over Shutter Rocks (Martin Thorne).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the 32^nd to 34^th LFS records. The ratio of spring to autumn records for the island now runs at 23:11.

New records

23 May – One, seen from Old House South, flew north along the East Side, mobbed by Ravens as it went. It was later over Threequarter Wall, still being mobbed by Ravens (Rob Andrew, Dean Jones et al.).

4 Oct – One in the Landing Bay at around 19.00 hrs (Darrin Dowding & Ken Ebsworthy).

The 35^th & 36^th LFS records.

New records

18 Apr – One along the East Side on (Pete Lambden).

17 Sep – One arriving from the north-west, crossing the island and continuing south down the East Side (John Lane).

The 37^th & 38^th LFS records.

New record

28 Mar – One over Brick Field was wearing a blue darvic colour-ring (Dean Jones). Indications are that this bird had probably been ringed as a nestling in Scotland.

The 39^th LFS record.

New record

8 May – One was seen in flight off Quarry Beach during the afternoon, coming as a huge surprise on a day of persistent rain and blustery winds. It was initially picked up due to the cries of the many gulls and Carrion Crows mobbing it. With a Peregrine in tow as well, the bird headed for shore, only to experience a near miss with Lundy Warden Dean Jones standing on the path to Quarry Beach! It then headed back out to sea.

The 40^th LFS record.

New records

There were four occurrences (the 41st to 44th for the island), two in spring and two in autumn:

25 Apr – One flying over Millcombe (Stuart Cossey).

27 May – One in flight over Rat Island and along the East Side (Stuart Cossey, Paul & Jackie Holt).

2 Sep – One flew south past Gannets’ Rock (Zach Wait).

13 Sep – One seen heading south towards Lundy from Pennard Cliffs on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales, at 10:30 hrs (Richard Dann) was seen two hours later off the Castle (Chris Dee et al.) and over the arriving MS Oldenburg (Tom Wright, Angus Croudace).

New records

10 Sep – One flew in off the sea and over Millcombe (Rory Akram, Adam Day).

18 Sep – One flew over the Landing Bay (Angus Croudace).

7 Oct – One over the Landing Bay as MS Oldenburg prepared for departure (Angus Croudace, Joe Parker et al.).

1 Nov – One seen from the Ugly (Angus Croudace). This is the latest ever recorded on the island; the previous late date in autumn being 27 Oct 2001.

The 45^th to 48^th dated Osprey records for the island to 48.

Records published in Devon Bird Report.

New records

11 May – One was watched flying in off the sea and north over Millcombe at 18:44 hrs (Thomas Weston).

15 May – One was photographed in flight, high over the East Side at 14:30 hrs (Carol & Chris Baillie).

19 Sep – One was mobbed by Ravens as it flew south off the East Side and over the Landing Bay at 08:21 hrs (Angus Croudace).

The 49^th to 51^st dated records for the island (of which 31 in spring, Mar to Jun; and 20 in autumn, Jul-Nov).

New record

26 Sep – One flew south over the Landing Bay and past Rat Island at aboiut 17:40 hrs (Angus Croudace).

This brings the total number of dated Osprey records for the island to 52 (31 in spring, Mar to Jun; and 21 in autumn, Jul-Nov).

As Ospreys have, happily, become regular passage visitors to Devon, records are no longer subject to acceptance by the County Bird Recorder. However, given that the species remains scarce on the island, occurrences will continue to be assessed by the Bird Observatory and visitors lucky enough to see an Osprey are encouraged to submit as much detail as possible, including photos if available, when reporting future sightings.

Correction The record of one on 27 Apr remained subject to acceptance by DBRC at the time of publication of The Birds of Lundy. The record has since been determined as 'not proven', so this entry should be deleted.

New records

3 to 7 May – One over Millcombe on 3 & 4 May (D. Clifton, G. Middleton, R. Skeates et al.) and one, presumed the same, seen over the East Side heading out to sea on 7 May (T.E. Baldwin). Record accepted by DBRC.

20 May – One flew in over the Landing Bay from the south-east and circled briefly over Millcombe before reappearing a few minutes later heading in a south-easterly direction back towards the mainland, past the South Light (T.J. Davis, J.R. Diamond, T.A. Jones). Record accepted by DBRC.

These sightings constitute the 6th and 7th records for Lundy.

New record

29 May – A female flew low over Millcombe House, being mobbed by corvids, at 12.51 hrs. It flew south-west towards the Rocket Pole before tracking back east along the South End and being lost to view (P.J. Lymbery). It was independently reported being mobbed by crows off South West Point. Record accepted by DBRC; the 8th for the island.

New record

2 Jun – A very pale individual with a strongly barred tail flew north-east over the island, from Old Light and across Ackland's Moor, harassed by Herring Gulls (Stuart Cossey). It was also reported (as a 'buzzard') by visitors who independently saw it from the East Side Path just north of Halfway Wall – from where it was pushed south along the East Side by three Herring Gulls at 10:24 hrs; and over St John's Valley at 11:00 hrs.

Record accepted by DBRC; the 9th for the island.

New record – subject to acceptance by BBRC

29 & 30 Apr – An 'interesting raptor' was first seen at noon, flying over Millcombe and towards the Village, by Jimmy Hair, who was birding on the south-west coast, near the Rocket Pole. Jimmy alerted other observers and Joe Parker was able to take a series of photos as the bird flew over Barton Field and the Village a few minutes later. Joe posted back-of-camera images to the Lundy Birds WhatsApp group, quickly confirming that they showed a dark-morph Booted Eagle! The bird remained in view for much of the rest of the afternoon, and was seen well by multiple observers as it thermalled over the Village, Ugly, Tent Field and Rocket Pole areas until last observed (by Jimmy) over the Village just before 17:00 hrs. With a lengthy sea-crossing required for a return to the mainland but thermals waning, it looked as if the eagle might roost on the island, and this proved to be the case when it reappeared just south of Quarry Pond at 09:35 hrs on 30^th, again seen by Jimmy. It flew south towards Millcombe and was seen regularly during the morning moving along the east coast, between Quarter Wall and Castle Hill. With strong thermals and light winds, and the mainland clearly visible (after poor visibility out to sea on 29^th), the eagle looks to have left the island in the early afternoon, having last been reported in flight along the East Side at about 13:20 hrs (Teresa Davies). There were no further sightings to the disappointment of those hoping to come over for it on the following day's sailing of the Oldenburg.

A staggering first for Lundy and Devon, Booted Eagle only being formally admitted to Category A of the British List by BOURC in August 2025. The species was formerly (and controversially) listed in Category D on the strength of a long-staying individual in 1999/2000, which has now been accepted, retrospetively, as the first British record. 2024 brought an unprecedented three individuals: a dark-morph bird in Cornwall in May 2024, with a different dark-morph individual photographed in the Chilterns in Oct/Nov 2024, whilst a pale-morph bird was in Cornwall in October 2024 and again in January 2025.

Overwintering bird

Dec 2011 to Mar 2012 – Unusually, one overwintered, causing havoc among the House Sparrows and Starlings around the Village.

Notable autumn-passage count

27 Sep – Five, the highest count of the year, were seen leaving the island for the mainland, all in view at the same time (John Horton).

Long-staying, non-breeding bird

Mar to Jul – What seems highly likely to have been a single, long-staying, non-breeding female was noted
on at least 15 scattered dates from 4 Mar to 2 Jul.

Overwintering bird

Nov to May – It seems probable that multiple records of a single female in Nov and Dec 2018 and from Jan to May 2019 (last sighting on 14th) refer to just one overwintering bird.

Highest autumn-passage count of recent years

28 Sep – Six were logged; the highest day-total since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Overwintering bird

A female seen regularly in Dec remained until spring 2023.

Summary of all records

Spring – The female from Dec 2022 stayed throughout the winter and was still present into the third week of Apr 2023, being logged for the final time on 20^th. In addition single males were seen on 2, 10, 14 & 16 Apr. There were further sightings of single birds on 16 & 24 May and 9 Jun, with the two later dates again involving a female (no sex was recorded for the first observation in May).

Autumn – Logged on 75 days from 1 Jul (one) to 21 Nov (one), with a maximum of two on ten dates from 18 Oct to 1 Nov. Intriguingly, for the 65 days on which just one bird was logged, all those that included a note of the bird's sex referred to a female, possibly suggesting that the long-staying spring bird had returned to the island.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 1 (9); Feb 1 (12); Mar 1 (17); Apr 2 (19); May 1 (2); Jun 1 (1); Jul 1 (12); Aug 1 (11); Sep 1 (17); Oct 2 (25); Nov 2 (10); Dec 0 (0).

Summary of all records

Spring – Recorded on 17 dates from 2 Mar (one) to 14 May (one), with a maximum of two on 18 & 21 Apr.

Autumn – After an isolated single bird on 26 Jul, logged on a further 35 dates from 14 Sep (one) to 25 Nov (one). All were again single birds, except for two on 6, 11 & 16 Oct.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 0 (0); Feb 0 (0); Mar 1 (7); Apr 2 (6); May 2 (4); Jun 0 (0); Jul 1 (1); Aug 0 (0); Sep 1 (6); Oct 2 (15); Nov 1 (14); Dec 0 (0).

Summary of all records

Spring – A female in the St Helen's Combe and Millcombe area on the evening of 26 Mar was the first of the year. A female was hunting Meadow Pipits over the helipad and flying towards the Landing Bay on 24 Apr, with possibly the same individual seen over Millcombe on 25^th and again on 28^th.

Autumn – Post-breeding dispersal and autumn passage began in the second half of Aug, with one at the Terrace on 19^th (thought to be a male) and potentially the same bird, a juvenile male, at the Rocket Pole on 20^th, at North End on 21^st and over Millcombe on 22^nd. Two were together over the Campsite on 23^rd, then two (confirmed as male & female) over Quarter Wall Copse on 24^th, and likely same two birds on both 25^th & 26^th, with a single bird logged daily from 27 Aug to 3 Sep, then further records of both a male and female from 5 to 8 Sep, one bird on 13^th, two females flying south on 14^th, and daily sightings from 17 to 30 Sep, with ones and twos on most dates but three on 27^th & 28^th and four on 22^nd (two males and two females). Oct brought almost daily sightings of one to three birds (with three logged on six dates from 6^th to 17^th.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 0 (0); Feb 0 (0); Mar 1 (1); Apr 1 (3); May 0 (0); Jun 0 (0); Jul 0 (0); Aug 2 (13); Sep 4 (23); Oct 3 (29); Nov 2 (9); Dec 0 (0) – but coverage minimal after mid-Nov.

Summary of all records

First winter-period – Singles were logged on five date 6 to 27 Jan.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 1 (5);

Ringing movements

Ringing control: A first-year male ringed on 14 Sep 2009 (ring no. DA63697) at Nitten Field, Mewslade, Glamorgan, Wales was controlled on Lundy on 03 Oct 2009 (19 days; 51 km; SSW 212°). It was retrapped on Lundy, on both 11 and 27 Oct 2009.

New record

2 May – One, thought to be a female, flew north over the Terrace from above Quarry Cottages (C. Baillie). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the seventh Lundy occurrence – the majority of which have been in spring – and the first since May 1991.

New record

15 Sep – During an afternoon of deteriorating visibility due to gathering fog, a male flew in off the sea and perched briefly in VC Quarry (Richard Campey). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the eighth for the island.

New record

19 & 20 Oct – A juvenile, initially identified in flight over the quarries at 12:12 hrs (Tim Davis & Tim Jones) ranged widely over the island on 19^th (multiple observers). At one point it was seen to predate a Common Snipe, which it settled down to consume on Ackland's Moor (Angus Croudace, Luke Marriner et al.). It was seen at dusk at Pondsbury that evening (Tim Davis, James Diamond) and again in the same area early on the morning of 20^th, when it was watched flying fairly high to the south shortly after 08:00 hrs until lost from view (Helen & Ross Bower et al.). The bird evidently left the island at this point as it was not seen again. Many photos were taken on 19^th, including a series of outstanding images by Eden Davies of the harrier over upper Millcombe – see here for examples.

Record accepted by BBRC – the first for Lundy.

New record

12 & 13 May – A ringtail was seen at various locations in the southern half of the island (C. McShane, F. Stuart & A. Woolley). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

2 Jun – A ringtail soared briefly over North End before flying NNE out to sea over North Light (Tim Davis & Tim Jones). Record accepted by DBRC.

Summary

Autumn – Just one record: a 'ringtail' (= female or immature) on 1 Nov.

Summary

Autumn – Singles on four dates: 17 & 18 Sep, 24 Sep and 17 Oct. The latter two were ringtails; the bird on 18 Sep was a male. No age/sex was given for the bird on 17 Sep but it seems probable it was the male seen the following day.

Summary

Winter – One on 7 Feb.

Spring – One on 15 Mar and two on 16^th.

Autumn – Not recorded.

Summary

Spring – A probable female on 18 Apr and a second calendar-year male on 9 & 10 Jun.

Autumn – Two on 11 Oct, one on 17 Oct (no details of age/sex).

Summary

Autumn – Two ringtails were seen quartering the Pondsbury area at dusk on 13 Oct, having apparently arrived – along with other diurnal migrants – when murky conditions gave way to a clearance during the afternoon. Both left soon after first light the following morning, one circling up high over Tibbett’s, the other flying south at island-plateau height, just to the east of Castle Hill (Tim Davis, Tim Jones). A ringtail was seen daily from 12 to 14 Nov.

Summary

Autumn – An adult (or near-adult) male flew over Millcombe on 21 Oct (Luke Phillips); the bird’s identity and age/sex were only confirmed thanks to Luke’s careful examination of a series of photographs that he quick-wittedly rattled off as the bird flew high over the valley into a strong headwind. A ringtail was seen between Quarter Wall and the Airfield on 8 Nov.

Summary

Winter – A male at Pondsbury on 4 Feb.

Spring – A ringtail on 26 May.

Autumn – Single ringtails, potentially just one individual, seen daily from 2 to 4 Oct.

Summary

Spring – Single males on 14 & 25 Apr.

Autumn – An adult female on 16 Sep.

Summary

Spring – A ringtail flew NW on 25 Apr.

Autumn – During autumn passage, ringtails were recorded on nine dates between 12 Oct and 26 Nov. One on 12 Oct, first seen over the Airfield at 10.00 hrs, later circled high over Castle Hill and left the island to the south-west at 12.30 hrs; two (thought to be an adult female and a first-year bird) ranged widely between Tibbetts and the Airfield on 15 & 16 Oct; one flew in to the South End, apparently off the sea, on 17 Oct; one was over Halfway Wall on 18 Oct; one was along the East Side on 27 & 28 Oct; and further singles were sighted near Pondsbury on 4 Nov and flying south along the West Side near Halfway Wall on 26 Nov. Most Hen Harriers seem to pass through Lundy rather quickly (as shown by the bird on 12 Oct), whereas others may linger for a day or two, occasionally longer, so it is impossible to say how many different individuals were involved in this autumn’s relatively strong showing.

Photo: Male Hen Harrier being pursued by Raven over South West Field, 25 Apr 2014
© Richard Campey

Summary

Autumn – Recorded on four dates: 14 Sep (male), 15 & 18 Oct (no information on age/sex), and 24 Oct (male).

Summary

Autumn – Just one record: a ringtail on 8 Oct.

Summary

Spring – Three one-day records: on 25 Feb, 25 Mar and 16 Jun.

Autumn – A ringtail was reported on nine dates from 18 Oct to 4 Nov, followed by another on 26 Nov.

Summary

Autumn – Two one-day records of ringtails, on 15 Oct and 17 Nov.

Summary

Spring – One record of a male on 27 Mar.

Autumn – One record of a ringtail on 5 Nov.

Summary

Autumn – Three one-day records between 20 Sep and 10 Oct.

Summary

Autumn – Two records of first-year birds in autumn: one flew south on 18 Oct; a second, long-staying individual was seen regularly from 23 Oct to 18 Nov.

Summary

Autumn – Ringtails were logged on 2 Sep, and 13-16 & 19 Oct.

Summary

Autumn – A ringtail was regularly seen quartering over an area between the Airfield, Brick Field and Quarter Wall north to Halfway Wall, from 1 to 6 Nov (multiple observers). It was seen to flush a flock of 47 Skylarks on 6^th.

Summary

18 Jan – A ringtail flew north over the High Street at 13:20 hrs (Joe Parker) – a notable winter record, being the first since Feb 2013.

19 Oct – An adult male at dusk over the sidelands near the Sugar Loaf (Lundy Feral Stock Managemnet Team).

New record

29 Apr – A ringtail quartering over Pondsbury.

Crossing record

No records from the island itself, but two migrants (one thought to be an adult female, the other a juvenile) flying south were seen from MS Oldenburg about half-way between Lundy and the mainland on 18 Sep (J. Adams, Ernie Davis).

New record

22 Jul to 19 Aug – A female first seen over Castle Hill flew across St John’s Valley and Millcombe and up the East Side on 22 Jul (Grant Sherman & Shelley Southon). What is presumed to be the same individual remained on the island and was seen on a further 11 dates until at least 19 Aug. It ranged widely, though was most often seen along the East Side, and was enjoyed by many different observers. Record accepted by the Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

28 Sep – One flew low over the moorland and heathland south of Halfway Wall and towards Pondsbury. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

25 Apr – A soaring male, seen from Castle Hill, drifted north over the Rocket Pole being mobbed by a Raven at 09.45hrs (Richard Campey). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

8 May – A female or immature flew north along the West Side (seen from Quarter Wall) during the annual Devon Birds day trip to Lundy (Jon Turner). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

22 Jul to 31 Aug – A juvenile ranged widely over the island during this period (Philip & Helen Lymbery, Zoë Barton & Dean Jones et al.). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

21 Jun to 26 Jul – A long-staying female, first seen in the Gannet's Combe area, ranged widely over the island (Jill French et al.).

New records

1 Apr – A female flew high to the south-east, over the Quarries and on out to sea towards the mainland at 13.00 hrs (Andrew Cleave & Michael Foord).

15 May – A female drifted over Millcombe at 08.55 hrs and was later seen over South End, Tillage/Brick Field (being mobbed by crows), and quartering over Pondsbury. It was last seen flying north over Threequarter Wall at 14.55 hrs. (Tim Davis, Tim Jones et al.)

New records

24 Jul to 12 Aug – A female or immature first seen over Pondsbury on 24 Jul (M. Smith) remained on the island for some time, being logged periodically up to and including 12 Aug (multiple observers). It was mostly seen either around Pondsbury or quartering the slopes and combes in the north-east of the island. However, it travelled further south on 11 Aug, when it was photographed – perched on a recently deceased sheep on Ackland's Moor – by Marisco bar manager Ash Garfoot from his bathroom window in Old Light Cottage!

15 Oct – One flew in off the sea from the south-east, appearing to make landfall somewhere around the Terrace, at 08:50 hrs. It was later quartering near Pondsbury at 11:05 hrs and then at various locations across the island, before thermalling and heading off for the Welsh coast in the mid-afternoon (Paul Holt, Tim Jones et al.).

New records

There were three records, two in spring and one in late summer/early autumn:

17 Apr – A female/immature flew over Quarter Wall towards Pondsbury (Stuart Cossey, Zach Wait).

18 May – A female/immature was gained height above Tibbett’s Hill before heading off west (Tim Davis, Tim Jones).

8 Aug – A female/immature flew south over Barton Field (Stuart Cossey).

New records

17 Apr – One flew over the island.

3 May – One in the vicinity of Quarter Wall (Rob Duncan, Luke Marriner).

9 Sep – A first-year bird came in off the sea towards the East Side over the Sugar Loaf and headed north (Adam Day).

New records

26 Sep – One flew 'in off' over the Landing Bay at 12:05 hrs. It drifted high along the south coast and was lost to view towards Benjamin's Chair (Joe Parker).

3 Oct –  One was photographed as it flew high towards the south off South End at 09:25 hrs (Neil Barnes & Adam Hobbs).

27 to 29 Oct – A dark, juvenile/first-winter bird came 'in off' the sea over Millcombe and was lost to view drifting north over Barton Field at about 16:30 hrs (Ross Bower). It was seen about 20 minutes later hunting along Quarter Wall, where it flushed a Common Snipe (Joe Parker). It was resighted the following day, flushing Snipe from Barton Field, and later at the Terrace, where it landing right next to the Heligoland Trap in the fog! It was seen again over the Terrace during the morning of 29^th, but not subsequently.

New records

11 May – A female or immature flew north along the East Side at about 09:15 hrs (Chris Baillie).

20 & 21 May –  A female flew north off the Terrace at 13:25 hrs on 20^th (Ross Bower). It was also seen at Tibbetts and at Jenny's Cove, and was still in the area west of Pondsbury at 15:30 hrs (Kathleen Power). What was presumed to be the same female was seen at 'Pointless Wall' (the wall runnning north from the Airfield towards Quarter Wall) at 16:50 on 21^st (Ezra Sherwell), and later heading towards Millcombe past the southern end of the Upper East Side Path at 17:30 hrs (Amber Homersham).

14 to 18 Oct – One high over Millcombe at 08:35 hrs on 14^th drifted north along the East Side (Angus Croudace). One, thought to have arrived 'in off' the sea at 17:12 hrs on 15^th (James Diamond) flew fairly low up Millcombe, over the Village and towards Old Light (where it was photographed by Mark West). One was photographed distantly in flight over Tibbetts at 10:53 hrs on 18^th (Tim Jones), appearing to leave the island to the east. Although this cluster of sightings may appear to suggest a single lingering individual, the circumstances indicate a strong likelihood that these were three different migrants. None was seen for more than a few minutes and there were no intervening sightings in spite of the presence of multiple observers achieving good daily coverage of the island. Persistent anticyclonic weather conditions, with a moderate east or south-easterly airflow, were also favourable for the arrival of migrant Marsh Harriers.

As Marsh Harriers have, happily, become much more regular in Devon, records are no longer subject to acceptance by the County Bird Recorder. However, given that the species remains scarce on Lundy, records will continue to be assessed by the Bird Observatory and visitors lucky enough to see Marsh Harrier on the island are encouraged to submit as much detail as possible, including photos if available, when reporting future sightings.

New record

13 to 24 Mar – A wing-tagged bird first seen and photographed over the Airfield on 13 Mar was seen regularly until 24 Mar (N. Dalby, S. Wheatley et al.). The wing tags (blue on the left wing, bearing the letter ‘d’ in black; purple on the right wing bearing the letter ‘d’ in white) showed that this bird, a female, had been collected as a chick from a nest in mid-Wales on 10 Jun 2007 and transported to County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. After rearing in an aviary the bird was released as part of the Irish Red Kite reintroduction programme on 20 Jul 2007. In 2009 she was one of only two females to have bred (though unsuccessfully) – the first in Ireland for over 200 years. Thanks to Damian Clarke, Red Kite Project Manager, Wicklow Mountains National Park for these details. What was likely to have been the same bird was reported daily on Lundy from 11 to 13 Apr. Tony Cross of the Welsh Kite Trust later reported the bird to be on Bardsey Island on 17th Apr. This was the 7th occurrence since LFS records began in 1947.

New record

9 Jun – One initially seen from Castle Cottage being mobbed by gulls high over Millcombe at 07.00 hrs was seen again in the same area an hour later, then near the Old Hospital at 10.00 hrs (S. & M. Rosser). In spite of the rapidly growing British (and now Irish) populations, Red Kite remains an extremely rare bird on Lundy. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the 8th for the island.

New record

26 Mar – Two circled over Ackland's Moor for at least 10 minutes at around 10.40 hrs before drifting off to the north (Andy Jayne). The 9th record for Lundy.

New record

8 May – One toured the island after first being seen over South West Field (Stuart Cossey, Rob Duncan, LFS Work Party). Another drifted north over South West Point on 8 Oct (Martin Thorne). Only the 10th island record.

New record

13 May – One flying noth-east over Lighthouse Field (Chris Baillie) was seen at North End shortly afterwards, where it settled on the ground in murky, overcast conditions (Jamie Dunning).

5 June – One made repeated attempts to leave the island from North End (Thomas Weston).

Red Kites are now frequent visitors to the Devon mainland (especially during late-spring and early-summer influxes of wandering immature birds from UK breeding populations) and records are no longer subject to acceptance by the County Bird Recorder. However, kites remain extremely rare on Lundy and all reports for the island will continue to be assessed by the Bird Observatory. Please therefore submit full details of sightings, including photos where available.

Correction The Black Kite recorded on 10 May was also seen at 08.55 on the morning of 11 May. Mobbed by gulls, it soared over the South Light, gaining height, before heading off south towards the mainland. The dates are given correctly in the 1989 LFS Annual Report, the 1989 DBR and the 1989 BBRC report.

New record

27 Apr – One drifting south-east off The Ugly (C. McShane et al.) Record accepted by DBRC – the 4th for Lundy.

New record

15 Apr – A kite flew in from the south near Goat Island and continued north just offshore before turning inland over the Battery and heading north-east over the island plateau. Remarkably, it was seen and photographed – entirely independently – by two observers, Joshua Harris and Martyn Roper. Close examination of Joshua’s photos by Mike Langman and of Martyn’s photos by renowned raptor expert Dick Forsman (see June 2014 issue of Birdwatch magazine), dispelled lingering doubts about the species of kite involved and confirmed that the bird was an adult Black Kite. This showed the value of ‘record shot’ photos (even those taken at considerable distance and in tricky light, as was the case here) in pinning down the final identification of a bird as big and apparently ‘obvious’ as a kite. Record accepted by DBRC – the 5th record for the island. Photo © Martyn Roper.

Escaped bird

16 & 17 Apr – To the amazement of island staff (during the closure of Lundy due to Covid-19), an escaped Black Kite, sporting leg jesses, was sitting on the allotment wall outside Paradise Row in the late evening of 16th. Despite its captive origin, the kite created much excitement in the Village, with Paradise Row turning into one giant bird hide, with most of the Lundy residents able to enjoy the bird from their kitchen and living room windows! It was seen again on the afternoon of 17th, battling through strong winds and hordes of upset gulls in Jenny’s Cove, and later seen over the Village by Sue Waterfield.

New record

16 Oct – A juvenile over Ackland's Moor mid-morning, then later soaring off the East Side before heading SE towards Hartland Point at 13:00hrs (Tim Davis & Tim Jones et al.) – the first White-tailed Eagle to be recorded on Lundy for 140 years! This bird, a young male, bearing colour-ring 'G471', had been released as part of the Isle of Wight reintroduction programme led by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and the Forestry Commission, in August 2020. G471 left the Isle of Wight reintroduction area on 11 October and headed west along the south coast of mainland England, reaching east Devon on 13th. On 14th he flew steadily north-west, arriving on the north Cornish coast near Bude on 15th, the eve of his day-trip to Lundy. After leaving Lundy in the early afternoon of 16th, G471 crossed back to Hartland Point and roosted overnight in woodland near Clovelly, before spending two weeks in the upper Tamar valley, again close to Bude. On 4 November he flew further south-west, roosting close to Stithians and then overflying Penzance and on towards Land's End on 5th, before doing an about turn and roosting near Camborne on the night of 5th/6th. As of 10 November 2020, G471 remained in Cornwall.

New record

9 Nov to 7 Dec – A first-winter bird was seen regularly at various locations along the East and West Sides in the northern half of the island until 29 Nov (D. Beavans, J.W. Leonard et al.). There were two final reports on 6 & 7 Dec. It was photographed, being mobbed by Ravens, by island resident Stuart Leavy on 11 Nov. Record accepted by DBRC – only the 7th for Lundy, the last being in Oct 1997.

Photo below taken on 11 Nov 2008 © Stuart Leavy.

Record assessed as not proven

1 Nov – The record of one along the West Side north of Tibbetts was considered by DBRC as 'not proven'.

Summary for 2007 to 2022 – Recorded in all years, except for 2008 & 2009, with a marked peak in spring, a smaller, secondary peak in late summer and early autumn, and occasional late-autumn and winter sightings. All records of ones and twos only.

Summary of all records

Logged on five dates in spring, with one on 17 Mar, two on 4 Apr, one on 8 Apr, one on 25 Apr and two on 2 May.

Summary of all records

Two soaring near Tibbetts on 19 April turned out to be the only record for the year.

Summary of all records

Not recorded during the first seven months of the year.

20 & 21 Aug – A first-year bird first seen being mobbed by a Raven over Millcombe at 15:44 hrs on 20^th (Andy Jayne), flew north along the East Side over Barton Field and was later seen over Quarter Wall Copse at 18:54 hrs. It was seen thermalling and flying north along the East Side, from St Helen's Copse, being mobbed by a family of Ravens again at 09:58 on 21^st (Flo Turner).

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 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 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 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).

Number ringed during the year: 2

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 & 13 Oct – A female was seen in lower Millcombe (Kathleen Power & Ezra Sherwell). One was heard calling during morning census on 13^th but remains of what seems likely to have been the same individual, presumably predated by a Peregrine or Sparrowhawk, were found at Gannets' Combe later the same day.

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.

Number ringed during the year: 0

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).

Number ringed during the year: 0

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. Sightings continued on an almost daily basis throughout Oct, with a maximum of at least eight on 17^th on 22^nd On 17^th these included four hunting over the sidelands north of Threequarter Wall, which were all in view at the same time as other observers confirmed two over Millcombe and two at Quarter Wall.

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) Oct 8 (29); Nov 2 (6); Dec 1 (4) – but coverage minimal after mid-Nov.

Number ringed during the year: 1 (the first since 2020, bringing the all-time ringing total for Kestrels on Lundy to just 29)

Summary of all records

First winter-period – Singles logged on five scattered dates from 1 to 18 Jan, plus two on 2^nd.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 2 (6);

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.

Exceptional autumn count

14 Oct – A new Lundy record (at the time, though exceeeded in Oct 2025) of at least six individuals on a single day was set. Four were recorded daily from 20-22 Oct.

Exceptional autumn count

10 Nov – A count of six individuals equalled the record set in 2008 and only beaten by the seven logged on 22 Oct 2025 (see below)

 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 – record set for highest count ever

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, after which there were almost daily sightings for the remainder of Oct, with singles on 10 dates, two of seven dates, three again on 14^th & 19^th, and a record seven individuals on 22^nd, including one leaving the island to the south-east at 11:10 hrs and four over Millcombe at noon. The previous highest count for Lundy was six on 14 Oct 2008.

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); Oct 7 (25); Nov 1 (10); Dec 0 (0) – but coverage minimal after mid-Nov.

Summary of all records

First winter-period – Single birds were logged on four dates 1 to 11 Jan.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 1 (4);

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).

19 & 20 Oct – One flew from Ackland's Moor towards Pondsbury at abou 16:15 hrs on 19th (Ezra Sherwell). A probable Hobby (and likely the same individual) was seen from the Terrace, heading south along the East Side, during the late morning of 20^th (Ross Bower).

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.