Breeding census

Eighteen territorial pairs were estimated during the breeding seabird census in late May – exactly the same number as in 2004 – with the majority of territories north of the Battery on the West Side and north of Halfway Wall on the East Side (D. Price et al./RSPB). Other pairs included those on Miller's Cake, Rat Island and Dead Cow Point.

Breeding census

The RSPB seabird census resulted in a breeding population estimate of 18 territorial pairs, which – remarkably – is exactly the same number found by the 2004 and 2008 surveys. Pairs are invariably found in the same locations from census to census, the majority occupying sites along the West Side and around the North End as far as Tibbetts Point along the East Side (information contributed by David Price).

Notable spring-passage count

9 Apr – An exceptionally high spring count of 48 must have included at least some passage migrants, as the island’s entire breeding population is less than 20 pairs.

Winter surveys

The third national BTO Non-Estuarine Waterbird Survey (NEWS) took place on Lundy – during a period of SW to W gales and heavy rain – between 23 & 28 Jan. The 18 Oystercatchers recorded were all along the relatively sheltered East Side.

Notable summer counts

A flock of 24 birds was at Brazen Ward on the unusual date of 24 Jun, whilst high counts during July included 22 on 11th and at least 30 on 29th. The highest count of the year was of 50 at Brazen Ward on 19 Aug; presumably a mixture of adults and young of the year.

Winter count

30 Jan – A total of 27 counted during a walk of the entire island perimeter (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

Notable winter count

3 & 6 Feb – A total of 52 counted during a walk of the entire island perimeter. Feb 2018 was unusually mild and several pairs were already defending breeding territories along the East Side on 6th (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

Notable post-breeding count

26 Jul – A count of 60 at Brazen Ward (Josh Harris) remains (as of the end of 2023) the highest total logged since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Notable winter count

30 Jan – A total of 58 counted during a walk of the entire island perimeter (Tim Davis & Tim Jones) was the highest winter count of recent years. A count on the same date in 2018 resulted in less than half this number, showing that there can be considerable year-to-year variation, likely related to prevailing weather conditions and – correspondingly – how early or late in the season breeding territories are reoccupied. The weather on 30 Jan 2022 was calm and mild. See also notes above on the 2016 NEWS survey.

Highest monthly counts

Jan 25; Feb 33; Mar 41; Apr 53; May 27; Jun nn; Jul 12; Aug 14; Sep 31; Oct 32; Nov 28; Dec 12.

The peak figure for the year, of 53 on 26 Apr, was derived from an all-island count.

Number ringed during the year: 0

Highest monthly counts

Jan 16; Feb 28; Mar 32; Apr 35; May 27; Jun 16; Jul 32; Aug 20; Sep 19; Oct 55; Nov 18; Dec 22.

The highest count of the year was 55 on 20 Oct.

Number ringed during the year: 0

Summary of all records

Breeding: Concerted land-based recording and mapping during the breeding season, coordinated by Flo Turner from the Observatory team, yielded 12 confirmed nests and/or broods in May and Jun. These comprised sites at Long Roost; North Light; Gannets' Bay; Quarry Beach; Shutter Rock; Victoria Beach; Rat Island and Lametor/Lametry Bay. Four chicks were ringed in Jun from three nests at sites above Victoria Beach and on Lametor. These were the first Oystercatchers ringed on the island since 1976! The survey work clearly established that the population of full-grown Oystercatchers present during the breeding season was significantly higher than could be accounted for by the 12 nesting pairs located. It is likely that some nest sites would only be readily visible during boat-based surveys, whilst some of the adults present may be non-breeding birds. The Observatory is hoping to undertake more detailed census work in future years, including boat-based surveys, to shed further light on some of these open questions.

Highest monthly counts (log data):

Jan 22 (on 25^th); Feb 12 (on 5^th); Mar 9 (on 15^th & 29^th–31^st); Apr 30 (on 23^rd); May 29 (on 7^th); Jun 25 (on 29^th); Jul 17 (on 27^th);  Aug 21 (on 27^th); Sep 40 (on 15^th); Oct 36 (on 25^th); Nov 23 (on 8^th); Dec 10 (on 26^th) – but coverage minimal after mid-Nov.

The Jan maximum included a flock of 18 at Brazen Ward. In autumn, the Sep maximum included 39 roosting at Brazen Ward, whilst the Oct maxmimum comprised 21 roosting on Miller's Cake and 15 at Brazen Ward.

Number ringed during the year: 4 (all chicks – see above for details)

Summary of all records

Highest monthly counts (log data):

Jan 34 (25^th);

Ringing

Colour-ring sighting: An Oystercatcher ringed and colour-ringed as an adult (aged 2+ years) on the Gann Estuary, Dale, Pembrokeshire on 17 Feb 2018 (ring combination, right leg: orange ring with black digits 52; left leg: plain orange ring over BTO metal ring no. FJ06160) was identified from its colour-rings at Gannets Bay, Lundy on 6 Jun 2018 (109 days; 68 km; SSE, 149°). This bird was also seen on the Gann Estuary on 02 Apr 2018, 11 Nov 2018 and 10 Dec 2018.

New record

7 May – Two.

New record

8 May – One.

New record

25 Mar – One heard calling in flight over Ackland’s Moor (Stuart Cossey).

New record

24 Oct – One photographed in flight over Quarry Pond (Tom Williams).

New record

7 Apr – One calling in flight over the Water Tanks/Airfield area at approximately 09:30 to 10:00 hrs was heard independently by both Chris Baillie & Flo Turner.

Hard-weather influxes

6 Jan – A count of 50 (associated with hard weather) was the third highest mid-winter total recorded for the island (after 100 in Jan 1955 and 85 in Dec 2000).

Nov/Dec – A notable arrival at the end of Nov coincided with the start of a prolonged cold spell, with 20 on 28th and 30 on 29th. Unusually high numbers continued to be seen through Dec, with a max of 40 on 12^th and 20 or more on nine other dates during the month.

Notable spring-passage count

7 Mar – A count of 11 remains (as of Jun 2025) the highest spring-passage day-total since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Notable spring-passage count

30 Apr – A day-total of nine is one of the higher spring-passage counts of recent years (see also Mar 2010 & May 2019).

Hard-weather influx

28 Feb to 6 Mar – There was a small but noticeable hard-weather influx associated with the ‘Beast from the East’, consisting of records on five dates between 28 Feb (three) and 6 Mar (three), and a maximum of 10 on 1^st at South West Point.

Highest autumn-passage count of recent years

16 Nov – 40 were over the Airfield; this remains (as of Jun 2025) the highest autumn-passage count since publication of The Birds of Lundy. See also Sep 2021 & Oct 2023.

Notable spring-passage count

2 May – A day-total of eight is one of the higher spring-passage counts of recent years (see also Mar 2010 & Apr 2014).

Notable autumn-passage count

13 Sep – A count of 20 is the third highest autumn-passage total of recent years (see also Nov 2018 & Oct 2023).

Hard-weather influx in December

Dec – Arrivals reached 18 on 15 Dec, increasing to 47 on 16th and 49 (on the Airfield) from 17th to 19th. Thirty-two were still present on 20^th, dropping back to five on 22^nd. The peak count of 49 was the highest since Jan 2010 and the fourth highest on record for Lundy.

Summary

First winter-period – Logged on 12 dates between 9 Jan (one) and 25 Feb (one), with a maximum of three on 22 Jan & 21 Feb.

Spring – There were records on 17 dates from 2 Mar (one) to 17 May (one). The highest count was 15 on 4 Mar.

Autumn – Following one on 24 Jul (likely an early returning failed breeder) there were further records on a further 27 dates from 2 Sep (one) to 13 Nov (four). A count of 29 on 12 Oct was the second highest autumn-passage total of recent years (see also Nov 2018 & Sep 2021). 22 were logged on 13 Oct.

Ringing – Five Golden Plovers were ringed during the year; a record for the island, following a marked increase in noctural survey and ringing effort.

Summary

Spring – Migrants were recorded on 13 dates from 3 Apr to 23 May, with a maximum of six on 8 Apr. One was singing and displaying to a second individual at Pondsbury on 23 May.

Autumn – Logged on 42 dates from 1 Sep to 18 Nov, with a maximum of eight on 5 Nov.

Early winter – In Dec, there were singles on 27^th & 29^th, and three on 28^th.

Ringing – Six were ringed in 2024, setting a new island record for the second year running.

Summary

Late winter – Recorded on six dates 9-22 Jan (inclusive) & 19 Feb. The peak counts were ten on 9 Jan and seven on 19 Jan.

Spring passage – Two were encountered on the Airfield during nocturnal surveying on the night of 30 Mar, with one calling in flight over the East Side the following day. One was calling over High Street Field on 17 Apr. One was heard calling on 31 May.

Autumn passage – One in flight over Ackland's Moor on 6 Sep, was followed on 18 Sep by one flying south near Halfway Wall and later feeding in Brick Field, in company with a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, with both birds seen together at Brick Field and elsewhere on 19^th, the same day that three more Golden Plovers were over Millcombe. One on 20^th was followed by five over Millcombe and later in Lighthouse Field on 21^st, then further singles on 22, 29 & 30 Sep. There were ones & twos on 12 days in Oct, plus three on 28^th and a flock of six (during census) on 7^th.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days logged):

Jan 10 (6); Feb 1 (1); Mar 2 (2); Apr 1 (1); May 1 (1); Jun 0 (0); Jul 0 (23); Aug 0 (0); Sep 5 (8); Oct 6 (14); Nov 0 (0); Dec 0 (0) – but coverage minimal after mid-Nov.

New record

31 Aug & 1 Sep – Two confiding juveniles were at the North End, between John O’Groats and the top of North Light steps (E. Price). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder. This is the first accepted record since 2005. Photo © Elisabeth Price.

New record

11 to 16 May – One with damage to its left leg was seen and photographed just south of Tibbetts (S. Barnes, B. Canavan, J.W. Leonard et al.). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

11 to 13 May – Two were showing well west of the main track, opposite the brick Field silage heap, from 11 to 13 May (C.G. Marcol, B. Tuck et al.). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

16 Sep – A juvenile was seen in flight near Old Light at 15.00hrs, then between the Rocket Pole and the Devil’s Limekiln from 18.00hrs until dusk (Andy Jayne). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder. Photo © Andy Jayne.

New record

2 Oct – A juvenile was on the Airfield (Tim Cleeves, Martin Kerby). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

18 to 22 Sep – A juvenile was at the North End on 18th and then on the Airfield 20th to 22nd (Julian Bowden et al., Andy Jayne). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

24 Aug – A juvenile was on the Airfield on 24 Aug (Rosie Hall, Dean Jones, Richard & Rebecca Taylor et al.).

27 Aug – Two juveniles were photographed at North End (David White & Alice Hasted).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

19 to 21 May – A female was at Shutter Point (Kim Brett, Barbara Harrington et al.). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

13 & 14 May – A female was at North End on 13th (Tim Davis) and two were in Middle Park the following day (Alan & Sandra Rowland).

6 to 13 Oct – A juvenile, first seen by the Old Hospital on 6 Oct (Paul Bullock et al.), remained in the general vicinity of Quarter Wall, being seen at Quarry Cottages and at the eastern end of the Airfield, until 13th.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

27 Sep – A juvenile was photographed in South West Field by Lundy Ranger Matt Stritch during the late afternoon.

11 Oct – One seen and heard calling in flight over the Terrace (Dean Woodfin Jones, Zoë Barton). The bird appeared to come down in the vicinity of Quarry Cottages or Brick Field, but could not be relocated.

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New records

25 May – One was seen over South West Field (Tony Taylor) and later flying back towards South West Field from the Airfield (Luke Marriner), when it appeared to land near Old Light but could not be relocated.

22 Aug – One was photographed feeding near to the memorial to Wendy Mitchell on the western edge of South West Field (Judith & Julian Law).

15 Sep – A first-winter individual dazzled in landrover lights was ringed at North End (Joe Parker).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

First for Lundy

16 Mar – One was found near Stoneycroft during the late afternoon of Monday 16th March (Neil Trout).

The following is a transcript of Neil's entry in the LFS logbook (see photo below):

"16/3 16.20 to 16.40 hrs. Killdeer. Initially in Stoneycroft Meadow but flew to temporary pond on Ackland's Moor, beyond water tanks. From distance, thought to be a Ringed Plover but closer inspection allowed the following notes to be recorded: – Bulky plover, larger than ringed plover with longer tail. Double wide, black breast bands with lower part of lower breast band more mottled. White breast band between the 2 black bands was a brighter white than the belly. Upperparts mid-brown to greyish brown. Legs greyish flesh. Bill black with length of half the head width. White supercilium flaring towards rear of ear coverts. White on lores extending onto side of face. dark eye with thick black line between eyes, over loral area. White collar broadening onto chin and upper breast. Call a 'Klee-oo'. Flight details too brief to note anything. 10x40 binoculars, down to 30 yards."

On Tuesday 17th, Assistant Lundy Warden Rosie Ellis reported that the island plateau was shrouded in claggy low cloud, with "shockingly poor visibility" and the bird was not seen by those out peering through the murk (in spite of rumours on social media to the contrary). Neil's initial sighting therefore turned out to be both the first and the last.

Record accepted by BBRC. There have been two previous BBRC-accepted records in Devon, and about three further historical (pre-BBRC) records.

Spring

One on 1 May.

Autumn

Singles on five dates 7 Sep to 14 Oct.

Spring – earliest spring-passage record of recent years

Singles on four dates 16 Mar to 18 May, plus two on 8 May. The individual on 16 Mar was the earliest spring-passage migrant since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Autumn

Singles on seven dates 4 Sep to 12 Oct, plus three on 9 Sep and two on 27 Sep.

Spring

One on 14 May.

Autumn

Singles on six dates 11 Aug to 13 Sep.

Spring

Ones and twos on five dates 11 Apr to 8 Jun.

Autumn

Ones and twos Singles on 16 dates from 31 Aug to 15 Oct.

Spring

Ones and twos on six dates 27 Apr to 3 May.

Autumn

Logged on seven dates from 13 Aug to 28 Sep, with peaks on three on 13 & 23 Aug, and four on 1 & 4 Sep.

Spring – latest spring-passage bird of recent years

Logged on seven dates from 4 Apr to 19 Jun, with a maximum of six on 4 May; all other records of ones and twos only. The bird on 19 Jun was the latest spring-passage migrant since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Autumn

Ones and twos ogged on seven dates from 11 Aug to 11 Sep.

Spring

Logged on eight dates, 26 Mar to 5 Jun, including two on 26 Mar and 17 May; all other records of single birds.

Autumn

Recorded on four dates from 25 Aug to 23 Oct, with four on the first date but all other records of single birds.

Spring

Ones and twos logged on five dates, 26 May to 2 Jun, including two on 26 Mar and 17 May; all other records of single birds.

Autumn

Recorded on three dates from 28 Aug to 10 Sep, with three on the first date and both other records of single birds.

Spring

Logged on three dates: singles on 7 & 21 Apr, and three on 8 May.

Autumn

Singles on four dates 12 to 19 Sep.

Spring

Recorded on five dates, 10 May to 7 Jun, with two on 10 & 11 May and singles on all other days.

Autumn

Ones and twos on three dates, 5 to 13 Sep.

Spring

Logged on three dates, 5 to 10 May, with four on 10^th and ones and twos on the other days.

Autumn

Singles on three dates, 3 to 16 Aug.

Spring

Records on three dates from 13 Apr to 24 May, with a peak of four on 17 May and singles on the other two days.

Autumn

Singles on four dates, 31 Aug to 9 Sep.

Spring – highest spring-passage count of recent years

Logged on 12 dates from 25 Mar to 23 May, with a maximum of eight in Middle Park on 14 May – the highest spring count since publication of The Birds of Lundy. The highest spring count ever was 10 on 31 May 1991.

Autumn

Records on 14 dates, 9 Aug to 22 Sep. All records were of single birds, apart from two on 9 Aug and 18 Sep.

Spring

Ones and twos recorded on four dates from 8 Apr to 13 May.

Autumn

Ones and twos – mostly calling 'flyover' birds – recorded on 12 dates from1 Aug to 30 Sep, plus three on 10 Sep.

Spring

The first spring migrants were three on 23 Apr (including two foraging with five Dunlin in South West Field) followed by four on 24^th and six on 25^th (all in South West Field), then one at Quarter Wall on 4 May.

Autumn – earliest and latest autumn-passage birds of recent years

Autumn migrants, many of which were calling ‘flyovers’, were logged on 14 dates from 2 Jul (one over North End) to 13 Oct. All were single birds except for two on 21 Aug and 29 Sep. Finally, a late bird was calling during the morning of 20 Nov. The Jul and Nov records were the earliest and latest autumn-passage occurrences since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Unusual winter date

There was an unusual winter record when one flew over the Village calling on 22 Jan (Stuart Cossey).

Spring

There were only three spring records, all of single birds, on 23 & 27 Apr and 18 May.

Autumn – highest autumn-passage count of recent years

The first autumn migrants passed through in Aug and there were 22 records of single birds including one that stayed around Tent Field from 9 to 13 Sep. Two small flocks were logged: three on 16 Aug and seven on 2 Sep. The last was one heard in flight on 20 Oct. The flock of seven on 2 Sep is the highest autumn-passage count since publication of The Birds of Lundy. The highest autumn counts ever were 12 on 24 Aug 1973 and at least 30 flying over the island at night on 12 Sep 1956.

Spring

Ones and twos on at least 18 dates 7 Apr to 25 May, plus three on 26 May.

Autumn

Logged from 15 Aug to 30 Sep, with a peak of five north of Quarter Wall on 5 Sep.

Spring

One flew north-west over Tillage & Brick Fields on 17 Mar – the second earliest of recent years (after one on 16 Mar 2008). Two seen in lower Lighthouse Field (with a Little Ringed Plover) on 21 Apr, were trapped and ringed on the night of 21/22 Apr – only the fourth and fifth ever ringed on the island! During May, there were records of ones and twos on 10 dates from 8^th to 26^th, inclusive.

Autumn

Logged on 28 dates dates from 24 Jul (one) to 9 Oct (one), with a peak of four on 6 Sep.

Spring

A single bird, was logged almost daily from 1 to 12 Apr (except for 6^th), mainly in the area around Kistvaen Pond, the Rocket Pole and South West Point, but also visiting Pondsbury and Threequarter Wall. Further single birds were recorded on 24 Apr (heard calling at night), 26 Apr (on main track near Pondsbury) and 27 Apr (at Belle Vue/Quarry Cottages). In May, recorded on eight dates 6^th to 19^th, including three on 17^th but ones & twos on the other days. The last of the season was a singe bird on 2 Jun.

Autumn

Recorded on 21 dates from 30 Jul to 10 Oct. One flew south over the Rocket Pole area on 30 Jul; one was heard over Quarter Wall Copse on 1 Aug; one was in Tent Field on 16 Aug; one flew over the western end of Quarter Wall on 20 Aug; one flew north over the Quarries on 21 Aug and was likely the same bird seen at North End turning circle shortly afterwards; and two called as they flew below Smelly Gully on 22^nd. In Sep, one was on the Main Track on 1^st, two were at North End on 18^th, and one called over Barton Field on 20^th. Daily records from 21 to 26 Sep included five on 21^st and four on 22^nd and the month was rounded out by further singles on 28^th & 29^th. During Oct, there were singles daily, 8^th to 13^th, plus one on 16^th.

Unusual winter date

In an echo of the bird seen in Jan 2022, a vocal individual was "wheeling round above the Lambing Shed, before moving on to repeat its behaviour above Old Light" on 15 Jan, a notably calm and settled day (Eleanor Grover).

New records

2 May – One at Pondsbury with four Dunlins (Tony John, Richard Campey).

15 Sep – One in Brick Field (M. Shakespeare).

Records accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the third and fourth for Lundy, following those in May 1998 and Apr 2000.

New record

23 Apr – One on heather moorland just north of Pondsbury, and later by puddles on the main track at Halfway Wall, on 23 Apr (Kevin Rylands). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the fifth for Lundy.

New record

26 & 29 Mar – One in St Helen’s Field (M. Jones). Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the sixth for Lundy. Photo © Mike Jones.

New record – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

20 & 21 Apr – One initially heard and then seen with a Ringed Plover and two Dunlin in Lighthouse Field on 20^th, was also heard calling during the evening of 21^st (Stuart Cossey, Luke Marriner et al.).

Subject to formal acceptance, this is just the seventh record for Lundy.

New records – subject to acceptance by Devon Bird Recorder

21 Apr – One, with two Ringed Plovers, was photographed in lower Lighthouse Field (Myra Allen).

10 May – One calling in flight, heading south over Quarter Wall, near Quarry Cottages, at 09:05 hrs (Thomas Weston) was relocated feeding with two Dunlin and a Ringed Plover, in Lower Lighthouse Field at 09:45 hrs (Tim Davis & Tim Jones et al.). It was also seen near the Water Tanks later in the morning, and (using a thermal imager) in that same area  –together with the Ringed Plover and two Dunlin – at about 22:40 hrs (Joe Parker et al.). It was last heard calling over Lower Lighthouse Field just after midnight on the night of 10th/11th.

Subject to formal acceptance, the island's eighth & ninth records.

Notable autumn-passage count

31 Oct – A flock of 40 was the highest count on the island since Dec 2000.

Hard-weather influxes

Jan – The hard weather early in the year brought notable influxes to Lundy, with records on nine dates from 5 to 20 Jan, including 44 on 7th, 64 on 9th and 37 on 17th.

Nov/Dec – The severe winter weather of late Nov and most of Dec brought unusually high numbers to the island, some of which were in emaciated condition and could be picked up. There were five on 28 Nov, 63 the next day, then almost daily records in Dec, with maxima of 50 or more on nine dates, including 100 on 12th and 150 on 14th. Seventy were still present on 29th. The count of 150 was the highest for many years, but still some way off the record of 400 on 24 Oct 1958.

Hard-weather influx

26 Feb to 8 Mar – Following a single bird on 3 Feb, the 'Beast from the East' led to a small hard-weather influx at the end of that month and into early Mar. On 26 Feb, a flock of 26 flew north over the helipad area and were later found in the lower aerogenerator field (Pete Lambden). The following day a flock of 18 flew north over Pondsbury, whilst two additional birds flew in from the direction of Old Light and settled near the water tanks (Zoë Barton & Dean Jones). There were nine on 28th, five on 1 Mar (including two on rocks off Shutter Point) and ones and twos on three other dates to 8th.

Poorest year since LFS records began

Single Lapwings were seen on just five days (2 & 6 Jan, 1 & 2 Feb and 1 Dec), making 2019 the worst year since LFS records began in 1947 and illustrative of the widespread and catastrophic decline of this beautiful and once common plover.

Summary

Spring – One 19 to 25 Mar.

Autumn – Singles on 15 Oct and 6 & 7 Nov; two on 8 Nov.

Summary

First winter-period – A small cold-weather movement early in the year brought sightings on eight dates from 8 to 20 Jan, with a maximum of eight on 10^th & 11^th in Tillage and High Street Fields. These were followed by two on 10 Feb and one from 12 to 14 Feb.

Autumn – One on 15 Oct, three on 22 Nov.

Summary

First winter-period – One 26 Jan to 2 Feb.

Autumn – One on 29 Aug, followed by records on eight dates from 17 Sep to 12 Nov. Most of these involved ones and twos but six were in Tillage Field on the morning of 20 Oct and seven flew over the Village that evening.

Cold-weather influx in Dec – Arrivals were noted on 9th (four) and from 14^th to 20^th, with maxima of 80 on 16^th and 101 on 17^th (Stuart Cossey, Matt Stritch). The count of 101 was the highest since 2010.

Summary

Spring – Singles on 4 & 5 Mar and 28 May.

Autumn – Singles were logged on 14, 23 & 25 Oct.

Summary

Spring – Single birds were logged on 11 & 30 May.

Autumn – A single bird in Barton Field on 23 & 24 Jul was followed by a long gap until three on 4 Oct, with ones and twos logged on a further nine dates from 5 Oct to 12 Nov.

Summary

Spring – A single bird flew west over High Street Field during the early evening of 16 Apr (Joe Parker). This was followed by one flying west over the Airfield on 6 May (Joe Parker), with likely the same individual photographed in Brick Field during the early evening of 7^th (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

Autumn – Singles were at Halfway Wall on 13 Aug; calling over Brick Field on 23 Aug (Flo Turner); and heading south-east over the Airfield and High Street Field on 25 Sep (Angus Croudace). Three were at North End on 14 Oct (Adam Hobbs). A single bird flew high SE over Millcombe and Castle Hill at just after 08:00 on 15 Oct, whilst presumably the same group of three seen on 14^th were also over upper Millcombe shortly after (Tim Jones), and heading north over Pondsbury in the late morning (James Diamond). Two were over the Village at about 09:30 on 23 Oct (Ezra Sherwell) and three were resting in Tillage Field at 17:15 hrs on the same date (Tim Jones). Into Nov, two were at the Airfield on 8^th (Joe Parker) followed by one at Quarter Wall Gate and Tillage Field on 10^th.

Second winter-period – Singles using grassland in the south of the island – mainly South West Field & Tillage Field – were logged daily 26 to 28 Dec, with two present on 29 & 30 Dec (Luke Marriner et al.).

Summary

Firs winter-period – Two lingering from the end of Dec 2025 were logged for the last time on 1 Jan. They were followed by one near Quarry Cottages ('Belle Vue') on 9 Jan.

Notable spring-passage count

3 May – A count of 15 was the highest since May 2004, but far short of the record 105 seen on 4 May 1967.

Strong spring passage

Apr & May – Recorded on 27 dates during a significant visible migration of this species through Devon and elsewhere in western Britain, perhaps a consequence of flocks being delayed and/or displaced by the poor spring weather. After the first individual on 21 Apr, further ones and twos occurred on most of the next few days, followed by six on 28^th and 21 on 30^th, then 15 on 2 & 8 May and 16 on 6^th, but only ones and twos from 10 May onwards, the last a single bird on 28 May.

As of the end of 2023, the count of 21 on 30 Apr 2012 remains the highest recorded during either spring or autumn since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Summary of all records

Spring passage: Logged on 25 dates from 9 Apr (one) to 28 May (one), with a peak of four on 10 May.

Autumn passage: The only record was of a single bird on the Airfield, with a flock of Golden Plover, on the unusual date of 13 Oct.

Summary of all records

Spring passage: Logged on 32 dates from 18 Apr (one) to 26 May (one), with a maximum of six on 4 & 5 May.

Autumn passage: Singles on 23 Jul and on four dates between 19 & 29 Aug, with two on 28 & 30 Aug, followed by further singles on 10 & 25 Sep.

Summary of all records

Spring passage: The first of the year was a single bird in the Landing Bay/Rat Island area on 17 Apr. There were records on a further 27 dates in Apr & May, with maxima of six on 26 Apr, and four on 21, 22 & 25 Apr and again on 6 May.

Autumn passage: one flew over the Castle, Benjamin's Chair and Stoneycroft on 14 Aug; and one flew south calling at Halfway Wall on 22 Aug, and one was calling over the Church on 26 Aug. Further singles were logged on 28, 29 & 30 Aug and 1-3 Sep, followed by another on 17 to 19 Sep (St John's Valley and St Helen's Field on 17^th, near the Castle on 18^th and over St Helen's Combe on 19^th).

Summary

Recorded on 21 dates, with a maximum of three on 3 Feb.

Summary

Recorded on 17 dates, with a maximum of three on 16 & 23 Oct.

Summary

Recorded on 18 dates, with a maximum of five on 5 Aug.

Summary

Ones and twos recorded on 17 dates, plus three on 24 Oct.

Summary

Ones and twos recorded on 21 dates, plus three on 12 Nov.

Summary

Ones and twos recorded on 21 dates, plus three on 5 May.

Summary

Ones and twos recorded on 12 dates, plus four on 2 Aug.

Summary

Ones and twos recorded on 16 dates in total.

Summary

Ones and twos recorded on seven dates in total.

Summary

Single birds recorded on eight dates in total.

Summary

Ones and twos recorded on eight dates in total.

Summary

Ones and twos recorded on 10 dates, plus four on 26 Jul.

Summary

Recorded on 16 dates in total (11 in spring and five in autumn).

Notable spring-passage count

28 Apr – A count of four was one of the higher spring counts of recent years.

Notable autumn-passage counts

25 & 26 Aug – Passage flocks of 10 and 12 birds were over South West Field on 25th (the flock of 12 also seen over Millcombe and Castle Hill) and a flock of seven was seen over Old Light the following day (Rich Taylor, Martin Thorne et al.). These are by far the highest counts since publication of The Birds of Lundy in 2007.

Summary

Singles recorded on eight dates (one in Apr, four in Jul, one each in Sep & Oct).

Summary

Recorded on 15 dates in total: singles on 14 dates from 28 Jun to 10 Nov, plus two on 3 Sep.

Summary

Recorded on 14 dates in total. In spring, singles on three dates in Apr & May, plus two on 1 May. In autumn, records of single birds on eight dates Jul-Sep, plus two on 27 Jul & 24 Aug.

Summary

Spring – Recorded on five dates from 5 Mar (one) to 14 May (two).

Autumn – Singles daily from 22 to 25 Jun, and again on 27 Jun, are presumed to refer to one or more early-returning failed breeders. These were followed by records on just three further dates, with singles on 8 Jul and 9 & 20 Aug.

Summary

Spring – Recorded on six dates from 2 Apr to 21 May. Most records were of single birds but two were logged on 24 Apr.

Autumn – Singles on 23 & 30 Jun were most likely to have been early-returning failed breeders. These were followed by single birds on a further six dates from 24 Jul to 7 Oct.

Summary

Spring – One calling over the Landing Bay area during morning census on 4 April (Flo Turner); one calling near the Watertanks on 22 Apr (Amber Homersham).

Autumn – One calling near Mousehole & Trap on 9 Jun seems much more likely to have been an early-returning failed breeder than a late northbound bird. There were also single birds logged on 21 Jun, 19 & 29 Jul, seven dates from 12 to 29 Aug, and on 1, 7 & 24 Sep. In Oct, two flew north over the Ugly on 5^th, one was heard calling near the Old Hospital on 6^th, one was calling near South Light on 11^th, and one was near Ponsbury on 21^st.

Summary

First winter-period – Unusually for mid-winter, there were records of singles on 2 & 15 Jan, the latter in Tillage Field.

New records

7 Feb – One at the North End (A. Liker); an unusual date.

25 & 26 Oct – Two flying over South West Field and the Lighthouse Field on 25 Oct (Tim Davis) arrived at the same time as three Brent Geese during a period of strong north-easterly winds. A total of 14, in three small groups, were seen flying over the sea off North End the following day (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

New records

6 Jul – One was heard calling in flight over the campsite at approximately 23.30hrs (Kevin Rylands).

27 Aug – Two or three heard calling in flight over the village at 02.10hrs (Richard Taylor, Tony Taylor) were probably the same as three straight-billed waders reported by non-birdwatchers as having been near the Rocket Pole the previous evening.

New record

1 to 5 May – One in South West Field on 1st (Neil Trout) was seen again at Pondsbury on 2nd (Martin Thorne) and 5th (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).

New record

15 Apr – A bird in partial breeding plumage was photographed resting on the tideline at Hell’s Gates (Peter Newman).

New record(s)

30 Apr to 9 May – One in Devil’s Kitchen during the afternoon of 30 Apr (Frances Stuart). What was probably the same individual was then in Barton Field with a Greenshank from 4 to 7 May (Rob Duncan, David Kightley), in High Street Field with a Whimbrel on 8 May, over Millcombe on 9 May, and again in High Street Field later that day (Stuart Cossey).

New record

9 Oct – One was over Millcombe with a flock of nine Golden Plover and a single Snipe!

New record

20 to 22 Apr – One, probable male, in partial breeding plumage, was feeding in Tent Field and lower Lighthouse Field at about 11:00 hrs on 20^th (Tim Davis & Tim Jones).  It was trapped and ringed during the night of 21/22 Apr and confirmed as a 2nd calendar-year male (Joe Parker, Thomas Weston et al.).

24 Apr – Three were logged, including one at Brazen Ward.

Only the fifth and sixth records during the last decade and the ninth and tenth since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

New record

18 Mar – Two spring migrants in breeding plumage were at Pondsbury (S. Wheatley). These were perhaps most likely to have been birds from the Icelandic population returning north to their nesting grounds.

New records

24 Mar – One in breeding plumage was at the pond outside Barton Cottages (Kevin Welsh, Grant Sherman).

10 Jul – One at Pondsbury (Andrew Jewels).

New record

4 Jun – One was in the Brick Field at approximately 19.00 hrs (D. Mantijay).

New record

9 Aug – One, closely followed by a Dunlin, flew south past Rat Island on 9 Aug (Dean Jones).

26 Aug – One “loosely associated with seven Curlews” flew past Old Light calling (Richard Taylor).

New record

8 Aug – One flew south, close inshore past Rat Island, together with three Oystercatchers, at about 07:00 hrs (Dean Jones)

New records

21 Aug – One flew southeast near Halfway Wall with four Whimbrel (Alan McCarthy, Jenny Coomes).

3 Oct – A juvenile was photographed at Pondsbury during stormy weather (Darrin Dowding, Paul Bullock).

New record

6 Aug – One.

New record

7 & 8 May – Two photographed at Pondsbury during the morning of 7th were still present in the same area on the afternoon of 8th, when they flew from Pondsbury and dropped down into Punchbowl Valley (Chris Baillie).

Insights from thermal imaging

The concerted use of thermal imaging equipment – during the day, as well as at night – revolutionised understanding of the true status of this hitherto under-recorded passage migrant and winter visitor to the island.

Record annual ringing total – surpassing the combined total of all previous years

Oct to Dec – As a result of thermal imaging surveys, an astonishing 20 Jack Snipe were ringed between 13 Oct and 30 Dec 2023, easily exceeding the total ringed for all previous years (1947 to 2022) combined, which stood at 13! Eight of the 20 were ringed on just two nights, 29 & 30 Dec.

Number ringed during the year: 20

Nocturnal winter counts & ringing

Jan to Apr – Nocturnal surveys (using thermal imaging equipment) of the 'in fields' around the Village, as well as South West Field and Ackland's Moor, combined with a few day-time encounters, revealed one to four birds present on 20 dates between 8 Jan and 26 Apr, with a maxima of seven on 27 Jan and four on 11 Mar. Eight birds were ringed during this period, bringing the total ringed during the autumn and winter of 2023/24 to 28.

Oct to Dec – The first of the season (a single bird) was logged on 14 Oct, followed by ones and two on a further 13 dates to 15 Dec, and three on 28 Dec. In contrast to 2023, only four were ringed during this period, bringing the 2024 ringing total to 12.

Number ringed during the year: 12

Record high count in autumn

Jan to Mar – In contrast to the same period in 2024, there were records on just six dates (singles on 6 Jan & 4 Feb, two on 22 Feb, one ringed on night of 24 Feb, and singles seen on 15 & 30 Mar). However, nocturnal survey coverage was reduced, partly due to unfavourable conditions.

Oct to Dec – Easterly winds brought an unprecedented influx during the third week of Oct, with two at Pondsbury on 14^th, rising to 12 on 15^th (including nine at Pondsbury); and a record Lundy total of 20 on 16^th (of which 11 at Pondsbury, three in Barton/St Helen's Fields, and two at Quarters Pond, with singles in South West Field, Brick Field, at the head of Gannets' Combe, and along the main track). Numbers fell to a still notable seven on 17^th but none could be found on 18^th. Subsequent records comprised one on 19^th and three on 29^th. Nocturnal surveying on the night of 10 Nov located singles in Barton and Brick Fields; two were found during nocturnal surveying on 16 Nov. Not recorded later in Nov or in Dec but coverage minimal during this period.

Number ringed during the year: 7

Summary

Jan to Mar – Two were logged on 1 Jan, followed by one on 7 Jan.

Peregrine predation

28 Oct – One was seen being attacked by a Peregrine over Quarry Beach: “After short grapple, Woodcock flew down into kelp at the water’s edge. Peregrine sat approx 40 feet up on ledge for 10 mins then left N. Woodcock flew to cliff bottom after further 10 mins” (T. & K. Dobie).

Strong autumn passage

23 & 24 Oct – The first autumn migrants of the year were two on 23 Oct, followed by a very good count of eight the following day – the highest number in one day for many years, coinciding with a general influx of migrants from the north-east.

Unusual record in Apr

Singles on three days in late Mar and unusually in Apr (one flushed at Pondsbury on 4th) were most likely migrants passing through on their way back to breeding grounds.

Strong autumn passage

Recorded on 21 days between 19 Oct (two) and 19 Nov (one), with a max of eight on 11 Nov.

Peregrine predation

The remains of two Peregrine-predated Woodcocks were found by Luke Sutton on 4 Apr, whilst Richard & Rebecca Taylor watched a Peregrine carrying a Woodcock over Millcombe and up the East Side on 8 Nov.

Nocturnal record

22 Jan – Three located by torchlight at night in Brick & Tillage Fields (Dean Jones).

Nocturnal record

4 Jan – Three were in Tillage Field and on the Airfield during a late-night walk (Dean Jones).

Late spring record

13 May –  One flew over Pondsbury pursued and then taken by a Peregrine (Tim Jones, Tim Davis, Stuart Cossey). This is the second latest record for the island (after one on 14 May 2007).

Summary of all records

Late winter & spring – Singles logged on ten dates from 20 Jan to 23 Mar.

Autumn and early winter – Recorded on at least 13 dates from 17 Oct (one) to 30 Dec (two), with a maximum of four on 30 Oct and 4 Nov.

Number ringed during the year: 15

Record ringing total

Oct to Dec – Use of thermal imaging equipment at night resulted in a record annual total of 15 Woodcocks being ringed – all of them trapped between 17 Oct and 30 Dec, with no fewer than seven of these on the nights of 29 & 30 Dec alone. The all-time ringing total for Lundy for the years 1947 to 2022, inclusive, stood at just 18!

Summary of all records

Late winter & spring – Logged on 14 dates from 7 Jan to 22 Mar, inclusive. Three birds were ringed at night during Jan & Feb, bringing the ringing total for autumn/winter 2023/24 to 18 individuals. Use of thermal imaging equipment resulted in a maximum count of six on 26 Feb.

Autumn and early winter – Logged on 32 dates from the first of the season on 16 Oct (a single bird) up to and including 30 Dec (four). The highest counts were seven on 7 Nov, six on 14 Nov and five on both 13 & 28 Dec.

Number ringed during the year: 16

Another record ringing total

Following a further 13 ringed between 31 Oct & 30 Dec, the cumulative 2024 ringing total of 16 just beat the record set in 2023!

Summary of all records

Late winter & spring – Logged on seven dates from 3 Jan to 16 Mar: ones and twos on four dates 3-9 Jan, inclusive; one on 2 Feb, two on 22 Feb; and three on 16 Mar (at Quarter Wall, Terrace and Upper East Side Path). In addition, Woodcock tail-feathers were found near 'Pointless Wall' (the wall running north from the Airfield to join Quarter Wall) on 3 Apr.

Autumn and early winter – The first of the season was flushed above Pilot's Quay on 14 Oct, with further singles – at widely scattered locations – logged on four dates from 15 to 21 Oct. These were followed by two in Millcombe on 23^rd and one in Quarter Wall Copse on 29^th. Into Nov there were singles in lower Millcombe and above Motagu Steps on 7^th, one in the walled gardens, Millcombe on 8th, and a notable six on 10^th (one flushed at the eastern end of Threequarter Wall, and five located and ringed at night, using thermal imagery, with singles in Barton, Brick & Tillage Fields, and two on the Airfield). Two were flushed from 'Rüppell's Quarry' (between the Terrace Trap and VC Quarry) on 12^th. A single bird flushed from the sidelands at Old Light shearwater colony on 15 Nov and one elsewhere on 17 Nov were the last of the year, though coverage was minimal after mid-Nov.

Number ringed during the year: 5

Ringing movement

Ringing recovery: A first-year bird ringed on Lundy on 13 Oct 2010 (ring no. EX62011) was hunted (presumably shot) at Wirwignes, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, north-easternmost France, close to the Channel coast, on 03 Jan 2013 (813 days; 453 km; E 97°). This recovery perhaps hints at a continental wintering destination for some of the autumn migrants passing through the island.

Hard-weather influx

Dec – A major influx during the severe cold spell in Dec peaked at 70 on 27th, with an estimated 50 on each of the following two days. James Leonard wrote in the logbook for 22-24 Dec: “Basically Snipe everywhere, particularly at South End on banks warmed by sun. On 23rd one apparently sat on the front of the fire truck by the helicopter landing pad. It didn’t move when the siren was played but did when the door opened.”

Notable autumn-passage record

23 Oct – 25 were around the edge of Pondsbury at dusk (Richard Taylor).

Insights from thermal imaging

The concerted use of thermal imaging equipment greatly enhanced understanding of the true status of this otherwise under-recorded passage migrant and winter visitor to the island, though the whereabouts during daylight hours of the significant numbers located at night remain something of a mystery.

Record annual ringing total – surpassing the combined total of all previous years

Oct to Dec: As a result of nocturnal thermal imaging surveys, 119 Snipe were ringed between 12 Sep and 30 Dec 2023 – well over twice the total ringed for all previous years (1947 to 2022) combined, which stood at 49! A staggering 90 of the 119 were ringed during the five-day period 13 to 17 Oct, including 46 on 14 Oct alone.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 9 (9); Feb 3 (9); Mar 6 (20); Apr 1 (7); May 0 (0); Jun 0 (0); Jul 0 (0); Aug 1 (2); Sep 5 (17); Oct 26 (24); Nov 12 (7); Dec 1 (2).

Number ringed during the year: 119 (see above for details).

Summary

First winter-period & spring passage – Logged on a total of 55 dates from 7 Jan (20) to 12 May (one). Nocturnal surveys (using thermal imaging equipment) of the 'in fields' around the Village, as well as South West Field and Ackland's Moor, generated an excellent series of high counts of overwintering and spring-passage birds, including: 32 on 10 Jan, 33 on 29 Jan, 20 on 1 & 4 Feb, 25 on 7 Feb, 21 on 11 Mar, 26 on 17 Mar, and 32 on 3 Apr. A total of 23 new Snipe were ringed at night during this period, bringing the total for autumn/winter 2023/24 (Sep to Apr) to an amazing 142.

Autumn passage & second winter-period – Logged on 85 dates from 18 Jul (one) to 30 Dec (two), with maxima of ten on 6 & 7 Sep, as well as on 7, 8 & 12 Oct, and again on 4 Nov, followed by 23 on 11 Dec, 12 on 13 Dec, and 16 on 28 Dec. Forty new birds were ringed, bringing the cumulative 2024 ringing total to 63.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded):

Jan 33 (8); Feb 25 (13); Mar 26 (18); Apr 32 (14); May 1 (2); Jun 0 (0); Jul 1 (1); Aug 5 (2); Sep 10 (23); Oct 10 (26); Nov 10 (23); Dec 23 (7).

Number ringed during the year: 63

Summary

First winter-period & spring passage – Numbers were significantly lower than in 2024. By far the highest count for Jan & Feb was 23 during a nocturnal survey on 22 Feb. The only double-digit count logged in Mar & April was 11 on 30 Mar, including ten encountered during nocturnal survey work. The last of the spring was one on 30 Apr. In contrast to 2024, only two were ringed – on 22 Feb and 2 Apr.

Autumn – The first returning birds during post-breeding dispersal and autumn passage were a single bird just above Quarry Pond on 6 Jul, and another encountered by Storm Petrel ringers at night at North End on 24 Jul. These were followed by singles on 7 & 17 Aug, two at Pondsbury on 19 Aug, two (Quarter Wall Pond and the western end of Quarter Wall) on 20 Aug; three at Pondsbury on 21 Aug; one over Millcombe on 22^nd; and two at Pondsbury on 23 Aug. In Sep, there was one at Pondsbury on 6^th, one on Pondsbury Heath on 14^th, one flying over Barton Field on 16^th, two on 18^th, one on 20^th, then an influx of six on 21^st (3 in South West Field; singles Airfield, Quarter Wall & Earthquake), seven on 22^nd, and one to five daily, up to and including 29 Sep. There were records on most days in Oct, with a marked peak of 13 on 8^th – the only double-digit cout of the month. Nocturnal surveying on the night on 10 Nov located 12 individuals across Barton, Tillage, Brick & High Street Fields and the Airfield, whilst 26 were seen with a thermal imager on the night of 16 Nov, mainly in the Airfield area. There were no further records until one at Pondsbury on 29 Dec, although coverage of the island was minimal after mid-Nov.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded)

Jan 6 (7); Feb 23 (13); Mar 11 (12); Apr 6 (12 ); May 0 (0); Jun 0 (0); Jul 1 (2); Aug 3 (7); Sep 7 (14); Oct 13 (26); Nov 26 (6); Dec 1 (1) – but coverage minimal after mid-Nov.

Number ringed during the year: 10

Summary

Highest monthly counts (and number of days recorded)

Jan 11 (5);

Earliest and latest since 2006 (last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy): earliest and latest in spring 13 Apr 2010 (one) and 30 May 2014 (one); earliest and latest in autumn 26 Jun 2012 (one) and 21 Sep 2021 (one).

Summary

Spring – Singles on 21 Apr & 3 May.

Summary

Autumn – Singles on 14 & 16 Sep.

Summary

Autumn – One on 25 Aug.

Summary

Spring – Singles on 13 &19 Apr and 14 & 19 May.

Summary

Spring – One on 1 May.

Autumn – Two on 12 Aug.

Summary – notable spring count

Spring – Recorded on seven dates from 26 Apr to 22 May; mostly singles but two on 26 Apr, four on 30 Apr and two on 2 May. The count of four on 30 Apr remains (as of the end of 2023) the highest spring day-total since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Autumn – Singles on 26 Jun (assumed to be an early-returning failed breeder) and 31 Aug.

Summary

Spring – One on 16 Apr.

Autumn – One on 31Aug.

Spring – Two on 20 Apr and one on 30 May.

Autumn – Recorded on five dates from 8 Jul to 8 Aug, with a maximum of three on 4 Aug.

Summary

Spring – One on 16 Apr, two on 4 May and three on 5 May.

Autumn – Recorded on four dates from 6 Jul to 9 Sep, with a maximum of three (in the Landing Bay) on the first date.

Summary

Spring – Singles on 28 Apr and 8 May.

Autumn – One on 3 Aug and two on 10 Aug.

Summary

Spring – One on 4 May and two on 5 May.

Autumn – Singles on 13 & 25 Aug and 18 Sep.

Summary

Spring – One on 29 Apr.

Autumn – Recorded on nine dates from 6 Jul to 4 Sep; mainly ones & twos but a maximum of five roosting together in the Landing Bay at high tide on 20 Jul. This count of five remains (as of the end of 2023) the highest autumn day-total since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Summary

Spring – Singles on 25 Apr and 14 May were the only records for the whole year.

Summary

Spring – Singles on 26 & 29 Apr and 9 May.

Autumn – Digital recordings of nocturnal migrants were made from Brambles on the nights of 8/9 and 9/10 Aug; two were calling at North Light on the night of 26/27 Aug.

Summary

Spring – Singles on 28 & 29 Apr and 25 May.

Autumn – One on 8 Aug, two on 23 Aug, and further singles on 5 & 21 Sep.

Summary

Spring – Singles on six dates from 23 Apr to 13 May.

Autumn – Recorded on seven dates from 21 Jul to 31 Aug; all were singles except for two on 18 Aug.

Summary

Spring – Three on 21 Apr (Rat Island), two on 3 May and one on 23 May.

Autumn – Two on 21 Jul were followed by singles on 24 & 26 Jul and 6 & 8 Sep.

Summary

Spring – Singles were recorded on three dates from 14 to 29 Apr.

Autumn – Logged on 13 dates from 12 Jul to 7 Sep; mainly single birds but there were two on 1 Sep and three on 7 Sep.

Summary

Spring –  Logged on nine dates, from 10 Apr to 10 May. Five at the Landing Bay on 10 Apr, were followed by single birds there on 12 & 19 Apr. Three were photographed over Pondsbury on 25 Apr, with two seen there on 29^th, then four in a wet flush on the western side of Middle Park on 30 Apr, plus one in the Landing Bay (logged from the back of a landrover!) on the same day. In May, there were two on the south side of Rat Island on 1^st, one at North Light on 6^th, and one in Punchbowl Valley on 10^th.

Autumn – The first returning migrant was one on the shoreline of Rat Island on 16 Jul. This was followed by two on 19 Jul and further singles on three other dates to the end of the month, all in the Landing Bay area, apart from one at Brazen Ward on 30^th. In Aug, one was on the edge of Rat Island on 2^nd and one was calling in the Landing Bay at just after midnight on the night of 14th/15^th. Later in Aug, one was calling at North End on 21^st and two were around the Landing Bay on 29^th. One was heard calling, and seen briefly, on rocks below North Light on 7 Sep; one was below the Terrace on 10 Sep; and one was at Miller's Cake on 20 Sep.

New record

6 Oct – One feeding close inshore in the lee of Rat Island was watched from the jetty (R.J. Campey). This constitutes the 12th sighting since organised bird recording was established by the LFS in 1947, and the first since Oct 2005. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

11 Oct – One seen and photographed from MS Oldenburg during a round-the-island trip (Steve McAusland/MARINElife) – the 13th LFS record. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder. Photo © Steve McAusland.

New record

11 Feb – The fresh corpse of an adult was found along the Lower East Side Path above White Beach (Mr & Mrs Vincent per Dean Jones). This followed a period of Atlantic gales, when winds reached 70 mph on 9 Feb as Storm Ciara bore down on the island. It seems probable the bird was a victim of weather-related exhaustion and starvation. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder; the 14th for the island.

New record

12 Apr – A single bird was rafting with Kittiwakes off Jenny’s Cove (Stuart Cossey, Chris Dee et al.) – the 15th Lundy record and first occurrence in Apr. Record accepted by Devon Bird Recorder.

New record

23 Sep – A juvenile on Pondsbury (Andy Hauser & Jean Shotter) was only the third record for the island, following single birds as long ago as Nov 1955 and Oct 1960. Record accepted by DBRC.

Earliest and latest since 2006 (last year covered in full by The Birds of Lundy): earliest and latest in spring 17 Apr 2010 (one) and 2 May 2009 (one); earliest and latest in autumn 1 Jul 2014 (one) and 23 Sep 2020 (one).

Summary

Autumn – Singles 23 Aug and 13 Sep.

Summary

Spring – One on 2 May.

Autumn – One on 24 Aug.

Summary

Spring – One on 17 Apr.

Autumn – One on 24 Aug.

Summary

Autumn – One on 28 Aug.

Summary

Spring – One on 19 Apr.

Autumn – Singles on 11 & 19 Aug.

Summary

Autumn – One on 20 Jul.

Summary

Autumn – Singles on 1 Jul and 27 Aug, plus two at Quarter Wall Pond on 8 Aug.

Summary

Autumn – One on 19 Sep.

Summary

Autumn – One on 8 Sep.

Summary

Spring – At least two on 20 Apr (initially two over Millcombe; later one at Barton Pond and two flushed from Rocket Pole Pond) followed by one on 22 Apr.

Autumn – One on 16 Aug.

Summary

Autumn – One on 6 Sep.

Summary

Autumn – Single birds were logged on seven dates 20 Jul to 23 Sep. Of these, individuals on 30 Jul and 8 & 9 Aug were detected by ‘nocmigging’ – the deployment of digital sound-recording equipment to capture nocturnal flight calls of migrant birds (Jamie Dunning, Tim Jones).

Summary

Autumn – Logged on five dates from 23 Jul to 3 Sep: two flew over the Village on 23 Jul; one was at Aztec Bay (west coast) on 26 Jul; one flew south past the Landing Bay on 18 Aug; three were logged overhead on 31 Aug (Jamie Dunning); and one flew over the Village during the early morning of 3 Sep.

Summary

Autumn – Logged on four dates from 29 Jul to 31 Aug: three on 29 Jul, including two on Rocket Pole Pond and one at Quarter Wall Pond; two flying off Pondsbury on 14 Aug; one at Pondsbury on 29 Aug, and two there on 31 Aug.

Summary

Autumn – Singles on 25 Jul (Pondsbury) and 9 Aug (calling over Barton Field).

Summary

Spring – A single bird was flushed from Brambles Pond, landing a short distance away in St John's Valley, before flying down into Millcombe at c.17:00 hrs on 15 Apr. What was likely the same individual (though also potentially a new bird, given that there were no sightings on 16^th and mid-April is the peak spring-passage period for Green Sandpiper on Lundy) was seen along the stream in St John's Valley at 08:20 hrs on 17 Apr, then being pursued by a Peregrine over the Ugly at 09:00 hrs on the same date. The remains of a presumed Peregrine kill – including confirmed Green Sandpiper tail feathers – were found nearby along the Lower East Side Path on 18^th.

Autumn – Two at Pondsbury on 23 Jul and one in Barton Field on 30 Jul, were followed by further singles on 19 & 30 Aug and 1 & 5 Sep.

Summary

Spring – A single bird was recorded calling in flight at the Rocket Pole in the late afternoon of 11 Apr (Kathleen Power); and one called in flight over the Beach Road on 28 Apr (Ezra Sherwell).

Autumn – One was heard calling in flight over North East Point on 11 Jul (Ezra Sherwell), two were at Pondsbury on 20 Aug, and one was in Barton Field on 22 Sep.

New records

9 & 15 Aug – A noisy individual flew low over the Jetty and Rat Island at about 13:30 hrs on 9^th. Another flew low over the Village at about 08:00 hrs on 15^th, circling low between the Castle and the Village, allowing good views before it gained height and left the island to the south-east (both records Dean Jones). A remarkable ‘double whammy’ given that the most recent previous occurrence was as long ago as 2000!

New record

30 Aug – One was heard calling in the Landing Bay during the early evening (Stuart Cossey).

New record

28 Aug – One calling in flight (and even singing at one point!), headed west over the Terrace at 13:50 hrs (Dave Fairhurst).

Summary

Spring – Singles on 8 & 9 May and 23 Jun.

Autumn – Not recorded.

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – One on 29 Aug.

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – One on 11 Oct.

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – Singles on 13 Jul and 27 & 28 Sep.

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – One on 8 Aug.

Summary

Spring – One on 15 & 16 Apr.

Autumn – Singles on 17 Sep & 14 Oct.

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – Singles on 6 Jul and 14 Aug.

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – At least two calling over Pondsbury on 19 Oct.

Summary

Spring – One on 14 May.

Autumn – Singles on 10 & 26 Aug.

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – Records on three days, 29 Jul to 15 Sep, including two on the first date.

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – Singles on 28 & 30 Aug.

Winter – One on the unusual date of 12 Dec, feeding at a pool on the West Side (Jaclyn Pearson).

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – Recorded on six dates from 8 Jul to 6 Sep. All single birds apart from two on 30 Jul.

Summary

Spring – One, 12-16 Apr.

Autumn – Singles on 10 Jul and 30 Aug, followed by a long-staying juvenile from 13 to 24 Oct, which became the first Redshank ever ringed on Lundy, when it was dazzled during the evening of 16 Oct. It was retrapped on 19th, when it was found to have dropped in weight from 150g to 120g but was subsequently seen feeding well and flying strongly.

Summary

Spring – Not recorded.

Autumn – Singles on 31 Jul, 30 & 31 Aug and 6 Sep.

Summary

Spring – One was heard calling at White Beach at 10:30 hrs on 6 Apr (Flo Turner).

Autumn – One was in the Pondsbury area on 18 & 19 Aug (Flo Turner et al.). Four flying up St John's Valley and towards the Rocket Pole at 14:30 hrs on 5 Oct (Shaun Barnes) were later heard (Neil Barnes).

New record

27 Aug – Three; the first since July 2007 and only the second since Oct 1996.

New record

16 & 17 Sep – A calling bird flew high over Quarter Wall and Ackland’s Moor during the late afternoon of 16th (Dean Jones). It was still present on 17th, when it was heard and seen in flight over the Airfield and later near Pondsbury (Richard Campey).

Summary

Autumn – One on 7 Sep.

Summary

Autumn – One on 17 Oct.

Summary

Autumn – One on 24 Sep.

Summary

Spring – One on 17 May.

Autumn – One on 22 Sep.

Summary

Spring – Two over Middle Park on 14 May.

Autumn – One on 26 Aug.

Summary

Autumn – Singles on 11 & 24 Aug and 6 Sep.

Summary

Autumn – One on 26 Aug.

Summary

Spring – One was present from 2 to 7 May, mainly in Barton Field.

Autumn – One on 22 Aug.

Summary

Spring– Singles on 2 & 4 May.

Autumn – One was over the Village on 24 Jul, and one was logged on 7 Sep, flying out over Millcombe and away high to the east.

Summary

Spring– One heard at night (03.45 hrs) on 4 May called frequently, circled twice over lodge garden, then continued north. One was heard calling off Punchbowl Valley on 10 May.

Autumn – Two flew over the Rocket Pole area and south out to sea at just after 18:00 hrs on 20 Aug.

Notable series of early-autumn migrants

11 to 23 Aug – Between one and three birds recorded on six dates, including three in Brick Field on 14th and two there on 11th and 16th. While Turnstones are regularly seen feeding on short, coastal grassland at other sites around the UK, this is an unusual occurrence for Lundy, where most previous sightings have been of birds on rocks at, or close to, sea level (though in Birds of Lundy (1980), Nick Dymond notes that Turnstones sometimes shelter on the plateau in severe weather). Subsequent sightings were of seven on 2 Sep and five on 10th, then two on 8 Oct and one on 12th. Altogether, this is one of the best showings by this species for many years.

Notable series of late-summer and autumn migrants

25 Jul to 21 Oct – Recorded on five dates in late summer and autumn. The first was on 25 Jul when a single calling bird flew over the Landing Bay. Two flew past South West Point on 31 Aug, followed by two over Millcombe on 4 Sep and a single calling bird on 6 Sep (all records Stuart Cossey). The last of the year was one on Rat Island with three Oystercatchers on 21 Oct (Paul Holt).

Not recorded

All records

24 Aug – A calling bird flew north off the East Side.

6 Sep – One at the Landing Bay.

All records

1 May – A breeding-plumaged bird was seen (from a kayak) on the back of Rat Island (Joe Parker & Flo Turner).

6 May – One in flight at North Light (Richard Campey).

20 & 26 Aug – Two were on rocks between the bottom of Montagu Steps and the southern end of Goat Island on 20^th and one was roosting with Oystercatchers on Miller's Cake on 26^th (both records Andy Jayne).

29 Aug – Two at North End.

31 Oct – One Rat Island (Ezra Sherwell).

New record

26 Aug – One remarkably tame juvenile was seen around the village until 7 Sep. It was so unconcerned about people that it presented a tripping hazard!

New record

18 Sep – One was on the track south of Old Light.

New record

29 & 30 Jul – One in the Landing Bay was reportedly following people up and down the Jetty on 29th (R.M. MacDonald et al.).

New record

15 Sep – Three were seen on White Beach (A.J. Bellamy). This is the highest number recorded on Lundy in recent times; the only higher count being of four birds, half a century ago, in Sep 1967.

New record

30 Aug – The remains of a predated bird were found by the gate between South West Field and Tent Field (Tony Taylor & Denise Wawman).

New records

30 Aug – A juvenile was seen in flight over the Campsite and later photographed at Rocket Pole Pond (Pete Clabburn & Charles Crundwell).

3 Sep – A juvenile was roosting on Rat Island during the evening (Jamie Dunning).

13 Sep – One was with Golden Plover on the Airfield (Louisa Bartlett, Chris Dee et al.).

New record

15 Aug – On a busy boat day, an adult in breeding plumage was initially seen at the Devil's Kitchen, later moving around to the peace and quiet of Lametry Bay (Luke Marriner, Joe Parker).

New record

19 Sep – A juvenile was photographed on the track in the Village between the post box and the Black Shed before it flew off over Old House (Elise & Steve O'Donnell).

New record

10 Sep – Two at Pondsbury (Nik Ward) were the first for the island since Aug 2007.

New record

28 Aug – A juvenile was on the pond outside Barton Cottages at 08.00 hrs (Beccy MacDonald) and in the Brick/Tillage Field area at 20.00 hrs (Ryan Burrell, Luke Sutton).

New record

26 Oct – One was in Lighthouse Field near Stoneycroft (Gavin Bennett, Dean Jones).

New record

9 & 10 Aug – A juvenile was seen and photographed at Pondsbury (Shaun Barnes et al.).

New record

13 & 14 Sep – A juvenile male watched and photographed at Pondsbury on 13^th (Eleanor Harris & Thomas Weston) was still present the following morning (Ezra Sherwell).

New record

28 Sep – One was heard calling and glimpsed in southbound flight over the High Street from near the Lambing Shed at around 09:20 hrs (Angus Croudace). In spite of efforts to relocate it, there was no further sign until it was flushed – in the dark – from a puddle on the track above St John's at around 21:00 hrs that evening (Nik Ward).

With very little suitable habitat on Lundy for this species it is unsurprising that are fewer than 20 records ever for the island, most of which were during the period 1955 to 1995. This is only the second more recent record and the first since 2004, with Lundy looking to have benefited from a significant influx to the UK in autumn 2025, on the back of a productive breeding season combined with favourable weather conditions for migrants to pass through further west than usual.

New record

2 to 4 Sep – A juvenile at North End. Describing their initial sighting, David & Elisabeth Price and Peter Slader wrote: “Three waders flew in from the north over the sea into the North End (John O’Groats) and a Turnstone call was heard. However, the leading bird was not a Turnstone. They pitched down onto the short turf and heather and immediately began feeding on the insects in the vegetation. Two were indeed Turnstones, but the third bird was a juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper. The Turnstones soon left, but the Sandpiper remained, allowing close views and much photography”. On 4 Sep James Leonard commented: “Buff-breasted Sandpiper (juvenile) feeding happily on grass at the Quarter Wall around the footings of the cottages. It found one really large orange worm, which it downed with great relish. Not fazed by passing people or the landrover.” This is the 14^th Lundy record, and the first since Sep 1983. Record accepted by DBRC. Photo © Elisabeth Price.

New record

11 & 12 Sep – A juvenile was on the Airfield (Tim Frayling, Dean Jones, Mark Worden et al.). The 15^th LFS record. Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

9 to 12 Sep – Two juveniles frequented the main track end of the Airfield and Brick Field. Although news of their presence was first widely reported on 11th, when they were seen by Gareth Bradbury, an entry in the LFS logbook showed that they had first been seen on 9th by Celia & Tony Sawbridge. Both birds were still in the same area on 12^th (David & Elisabeth Price, Peter Slader & Nik Ward), but could not be found on 13^th, following a fine, clear night with light NW winds. The 16^th LFS record. Record accepted by DBRC.

Buff-breasted Sandpipers, 11 Sep 2018
© Gareth Bradbury

New record – subject to acceptance by DBRC

18 to 21 Sep – A juvenile first seen at North End at 11:40 hrs on 18 Sep (Eleanor Harris & Thomas Weston) was relocated in Brick Field at about 15:40 hrs in company with a Golden Plover (Angus Croudace et al.). It was still present, again associating closely with a Golden Plover, on the morning of 19 Sep but mobile around the south of the island, being seen in Tent Field, Brick Field and in flight. Later in the day it was watched feeding on its own in Stoneycroft paddock. After a 'blank' day in fairly atrocious weather conditions for birds and birders alike on 20^th, it was relocated feeding in High Street Field on the morning of 21^st.

Subject to formal acceptance by DBRC, the 17^th record for Lundy.

New record

16 May – One at Pondsbury.

New record

27 May – One, on the main track near Quarter Wall, was photographed by Nicola Saunders (Lundy Warden). These are only the 11th and 12th spring records for the island. In addition, one was seen in flight alongside MS Oldenburg about 15 minutes prior to the boat's arrival in the Landing Bay on 2 Sep.

New record

27 May – One seen and photographed near the jetty (S. Barnes). The 13th spring record for the island.

New record

5 May – One in the Lighthouse Field.

New record

1 to 9 Sep – One was seen in various parts of the island during this period. It was west of Brambles, presumably on the main track up St John’s Valley (Connor Willmott) and on the main track near Threequarter Wall (D. Rudge) on 1st; feeding on the main track up from the Lambing Shed on 4th (Richard & Rebecca Taylor); on the Beach Road on 5th; and on the roof of the pig shed (!) in the Tillage Field on 9th (Steve Rosser).

New records

27 May – Seven were on rocks below North Light (Martin Thorne). This is the highest count ever recorded in spring and the second highest ever for the island (eight were seen on  29 Aug 1977).

21 Sep – A juvenile was at North End (Dean Jones).

New records

19 Apr – A bird still in non-breeding plumage was along the main track (Dean Jones).

16 May – Two were on the eastern side of Rat Island during the afternoon (Dean Jones & Rob Waterfield). These are the 16^th and 17^th spring records for the island.

New record

12 Apr – One at Pondsbury (Stuart Cossey, Chris Dee). The 18^th spring record for Lundy.

New record

7 Sep – One flew over Quarter Wall; the first autumn record since 2018.

New records

25 Jul – An adult in partial breeding plumage was photographed on the Landing Beach (Kirsty Cox per Ezra Sherwell).

3 Sep – One flying north seen from North Light (Joe Parker).

15 Sep – Two seen in flight, together with three Dunlin, during a seawatch from The Battery (Eleanor Harris & Thomas Weston).

5 Oct – A first-year bird briefly seen and photographed on the track between St John's crossroads and The Castle at 09:07hrs was flushed by a passing quad-bike (Angus Croudace).

Notable spring-passage count

16 May – A count of 15 birds was a high total for spring, numbers usually being fewer than 10. The highest spring count on record is 30 on 15 May 2019 (see below).

Notable autumn-passage count

31 Aug – A count of 20 remains (as of Jun 2025) the highest number logged for autumn passage since publication of The Birds of Lundy.

Strong spring passage – new record count for Lundy

22 Apr to 22 May – Spring passage birds were logged on 15 days between 22 Apr (one) and 22 May (one), with unusually high counts in mid-May. Four in full summer plumage in company with two Ringed Plovers were feeding on bare ground by the West Side track above Devil’s Slide on 13 May. Peak counts were more than 20 on 14 May in multiple locations including the Airfield, Pondsbury, Middle Park, Middle Park Pond and North End, with at least 30 present the following day. This remains (as of Jun 2025) the highest total ever recorded for the island.

Summary of all records

Spring passage – Logged on 20 dates from 3 Apr (one) to 5 Jun (one), with a maximum of eight on 26 May.

Autumn passage – Records of single birds only, on 14 dates from 17 Aug to 2 Nov.

Summary of all records

Spring passage – Recorded on 17 dates from 21 Apr (1) to 22 May (one), with a peak count of seven on 10 May.

Autumn passage – Logged on ten days from 14 Aug (one) to 17 Nov (one), with a maximum of three 18-20 Sep.

Number ringed during the year: 3 (the first Dunlins ringed on Lundy since 1997!)

Summary of all records

Spring passage – In Apr & May, recorded on 24 dates, from 1 Apr to 28 May inclusive, with maxima of six on 1 Apr, four on 30 Apr & 1 May, and nine on 9 May. All other counts were of one to three, with most involving single birds only.

Autumn passage – The first returning birds were logged in mid-Aug. A juvenile flew east over South West Field on 11^th; two birds flew south over High Street Field on 13^th; one was at the Landing Bay on 15^th; one was in Tent Field on 16^th; singles were at Quarter Wall Pond and Pondsbury on 17^th; and singles flew below Smelly Gully and past the Battlements on 22 & 23 Aug, respectively. One was heard calling in flight at night over the Old Ligh Manx Shearwater colony on 3 Sep. Two flocks, totalling 34 individuals, flew past Rat Island on 14 Sep and three were seen in flight, (together with two Sanderling), during a seawatch from The Battery on 15 Sep. These were followed by two on 20^th (one flying south over St John's Valley and one on the main track near Halfway Wall) and one on 21^st. The only record in Oct was of one on 16^th.

Highest monthly counts (and number of days logged):

Jan 0 (0); Feb 0 (0); Mar 0 (0); Apr 6 (11); May 9 (13); Jun 0 (0); Jul 0 (23); Aug 2 (7); Sep 34 (5); Oct 1 (1); Nov 0 (0); Dec 0 (0).

Number ringed during the year: 3

New record

10 Mar – A count of eight at Virgin’s Spring equalled the previous highest count for Lundy on 2 Jan 1988.

New records

5 Feb – Two.

8 Apr – Two.

New record

25 Oct – Two birds were circling MS Oldenburg as she approached the Landing Bay (Gavin Bennett, Rob Duncan, Justin Zantboer et al.).

New record

14 May – Four at Brazen Ward (Dean Jones).

New records

16 to 23 Feb – Four were on rocks in the Devil’s Kitchen/Hell’s Gates area on 16th, followed by two in the same general location on 19th, then two at Gannets’ Bay on 23rd (Martin Thorne).

11 Dec – One was photographed (very unusually) on grassland on the West Side (Jonny Morgan).

New records

30 Oct – One was photographed on the rocky perimeter of Rat Island, a few metres away from a bottling Grey Seal (Rosie Ellis).

13 Dec – Three were in the Devil’s Kitchen (Martin Thorne).

20 Dec – One was flushed from pools by Quarter Wall (Kevin Waterfall).

New records

15 May – One was roosting at Brazen Ward at high tide (Zach Wait et al.).

8 Nov – One on Rat Island (Stuart Cossey).

20 Dec – Two at Brazen Ward (Paul Dean).

New records – exceptional overwintering flock, lingering late into spring

1 Jan to 23 May – Four at Brazen Ward on 1 Jan, increased to nine on 14 Jan, and eleven on 1 Feb (Stuart Cossey) – a new record count for the island (though exceeded in 2024); the previous maximum being eight on 2 January 1988. A single bird was seen at Hell's Gates (between Rat Island and Lametor) on 4 Mar. Nine were still present at Brazen Ward on 5 & 25 Mar, followed by six there on 3 Apr, five on 19 Apr, three on 26 Apr, and two on 3 May. The last of an unprecedented season were single birds at Brazen Ward (Joe Parker) and North Light landing stage/'seal steps' (Paul Dean) on 17 May, and a final singleton at North Light on 23 May.

Late autumn & early winter – Prolonged spells of poor weather, capacity limitations for the Observatory, and few visiting birders, meant that it was not possible to check Brazen Ward regularly during this period. However, six Purple Sandpipers were seen there on 2 Dec (Joe Parker).

New records – a record high count for Lundy

2 Jan to 17 Apr – New record counts for the island were made when 13 were at Brazen Ward on 2 Jan, followed by 14 there on 13 Jan (both records Joe Parker). Subsequent counts of 13 were made on 28 Jan & 15 Feb. Five were still present at Brazen Ward on 14 Mar, with a single bird there on 16 & 17 Apr. The site was checked on 24 Apr but none seen.

Autumn & early winter – The first of the autumn were two at Brazen Ward on 18 Oct and again on 27 & 28 Oct, followed by five there on 7 Nov, eight on 18 Nov, and five on 14 Dec.

New records – another record high count for the island!

4 to 30 Jan – Four were at Brazen Ward on 9^th (Luke Marriner) but none present there on 11^th, 12^th or 29^th. A flock of 34 flew west past North Light, close-in to the shoreline, at 13:03 hrs on 25^th (Luke Marriner) more than doubling the previous highest count for Lundy, following the 14 logged at Brazen Ward in Jan 2024. Finally, 16 were on rocks at North West Point on 30^th (Luke Marriner).

There were no records from Feb to Apr, although coverage of key areas (e.g. Brazen Ward, North End, Devil's Kitchen) during the late-winter period was limited.

17 May – One was photographed on rocks at the Battery.

Autumn & early winter – The first of the season were three at Brazen Ward on 27 Oct.

New records

1 & 28 Jan – At Brazen Ward, there were five on 1^st (Luke Marriner) and six on 28^th (Eleanor Grover).

New record

10 Sep – One was seen and photographed just south of Halfway Wall, staying until 12 Sep (Chris Flower, Stuart Leavy, Grant Sherman). About 20 individuals of this North American breeding species have now occurred on Lundy since the first in 1950; the last was in Sep 2004. Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

24 & 28 Sep – A first-winter bird was at Pondsbury on 24th (Mike Stephen) and at Halfway Wall and Pondsbury on 28th (J. & M. Bowden, C. Dee et al.). Record accepted by DBRC.

New record

4 & 5 Sep – One near the Brick Field silage heap (A. Mottahedin-Fardo, D. & E. Price, P. Slader). Record accepted by DBRC.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Sep 2013
© Elisabeth Price

New record

12 & 13 Sep – A juvenile frequenting Quarter Wall and Brick Field Ponds on 12th and during the morning of 13th (David & Elisabeth Price, Peter Slader, Nik Ward et al.), was relocated at Quarters Pond during the afternoon of 13th (Andrew Jewels et al.) and was again at Quarters Pond on 15th (Tony Sawbridge). Record accepted by DBRC.

Pectoral Sandpiper, 13 Sep 2018
© Tim Jones

New records

13 to 15 Sep – One near Quarter Wall Gate was the first since Aug 2004.

14 Oct – One.

New record

27 Aug – A juvenile was on the pond in front of Barton Cottages (Richard Taylor, Tony Taylor). Photo © Richard Taylor.

New record

5 Sep – One was seen and heard during the early evening as it circled over the Village, calling repeatedly for about ten seconds before flying off to the south-west. Though it was already dark, it was thought possible the bird was attracted by artificial light (Dean Jones).