Bird Sightings

No sign of the Pallas Warbler in the morning, although a Yellow-browed Warbler milled around Millcombe Pond. Instead, the day was dominated by a six thrush Lundy special. 1253 Redwing, 75 Fieldfare, 28 Song Thrush, 25 Blackbird, 6 Ring Ouzel, and 2 Mistle Thrush made themselves known. A Lapwing called over the Airfield, and Ringed Plover poo-eeped over Millcombe. 8 Snipe and a pair of Jack Snipe were seen in the evening. Out at sea, 20 Gannets fed to the east, including a high proportion of young birds. To the southwest a flock of 10 Common Scoter flew east. An Olive Tree Pearl Moth escaped the keen eyes of 11 Chiffchaffs and 2 Firecrest. 

Fieldfare and Song Thrush

A dawn check of Barton’s Field was marked by the absence of the Barnacle Goose, a sad day for Lundy, but a detour on census to the Terrace revealed a Pallas’ Warbler, a consolation of sorts. The ‘flying sugarcube’ showed well, flitting from bramble to bracken, in search of juicy Lundy craneflies. At dusk it was seen again, weaving its way through willows with a Yellow-browed Warbler. Despite the faltering light, its head glowed like torchbeams from three eagre dazzlers, guiding its beak along each branch. A second Yellow-browed Warbler was found nearby in Rüppell’s Quarry. 6 Water Rails railed whilst 2 Firecrests fed on the ivy at Millcombe, a welcome source of nectar for 5 Red Admirals. 3 Brambling shared the trees with 191 Chaffinches. 113 Redwing stüüüfed in the air and fields.

Pallas' Warbler enjoying a big juicy cranefly

Despite the continuing warm weather, Autumn steadily progressed with an increase in thrushes seen over the past 4 days. 352 Redwing were counted on the 27th, and the first Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare of the autumn were encountered on the 26th and 28th respectively. Swallow numbers gradually decreased to single figures. The influx of Hawfinch into southern England produced 4 on the 25th, and 3 on the 26th, including one ringed. Sightings of Yellow-browed Warbler became more sporadic, although a further 2 were colour ringed. Chaffinch numbers decreased compared to the previous week, with a high count of 315 on the 26th, although the proportion of Brambling increased, with 8 seen the same day, and a further 7 the following day. 8 Woodpigeon barreling into Millcombe stunned onlookers on the 27th. Later that day a Marsh Harrier came off the sea, lingered along the foggy eastside of the island on the 28th, before disappearing for good. Meanwhile, a Little Egret flying north along the east side of the island might have noticed 3 Firecrest and a Willow Warbler in Millcombe, and 2 Purple Sandpipers at Brazen Ward. The Barnacle Goose was seen everyday in Barton’s Field, despite being flushed out to sea temporarily by a plane. At Quarter Wall the lingering Whinchat revealed itself occasionally. 

Non-avian highlights include a potential Mauve Stinger jellyfish seen off the jetty on the 26th, and a leach in a puddle on the 28th.

 Firecrest prospecting the ivy in Millcombe ©Ross Bower

 Marsh Harrier entering the village. If you want the pub, it's on the left. ©Ross Bower

The highlight bird of the day was a Red-breasted Flycatcher found flycatching at Quarry Pond in the morning, relocating to Quarterwall Copse in the afternoon, the second record for the island this autumn. Three Yellow-browed Warbler were seen across the island, with another bird trapped and colour-ringed, the sixth ringed this autumn. A Firecrest was also seen in Millcombe. 687 Chaffinch were logged, along with 3 Hawfinch, four Brambling, and a Redpoll. 173 Redwing and 4 Ring Ouzel were recorded, along with a Whinchat, a Wheatear, four Black Redstart, and a Stock Dove. The Barnacle Goose continues to feed in Barton's Field throughout the day. 4 Snow Bunting were recorded including a juvenile female ringed at night in Southwest Field.

Red-breasted Flycatcher at Quarry Pond ©Ross Bower