Bird Sightings
4th November - Yellow-browed Warbler re-sighting and a new seal pup
A Yellow-browed Warbler was present outside Government, and another bird was seen slightly further south west in the Isles of Scilly … The latter bird was ringed on Lundy 11 days prior, and represents the furthest recovery of a Yellow-browed Warbler in this year’s nationwide colour ringing scheme! Let’s hope this is the first of many re-sightings of the 9 (so far) Lundy ringed birds. 2 Jack Snipe were ringed today, one during an early morning Redwing session, and another whilst dazzling at night. 10 Common Snipe were seen, and 10 Snow Bunting to boot. Down to singles of Golden Plover and Lapwing. 113 Redwing and 23 Fieldfare were scattered amongst the fields. Two late Swallows were seen, but the late Whinchat seems to have left us for good. Speaking of late, another Grey Seal pup was sighted today, making it the 70th of the season.
A late pup at Lametry Bay
3rd November - Lingering Whinchat and a returning Jack Snipe
The Whinchat is still here! Back at its usual spot along Quarter Wall. The Hen Harrier showed well at various points around the village. We continue to enjoy the company of visiting waders, with 4 Golden Plover and 4 Lapwing logged. Like many visitors, we suspect they are also susceptible to the Lundy bug, causing them to return year on year. For the first time we can prove winter site fidelity for Jack Snipe on Lundy, having recaptured a bird originally ringed on the island on the 15th October 2023. 7 Common Snipe were also encountered, a species which we know returns each winter in good numbers. Passage remained steady, with 345 Redwing, 60 Chaffinch, 21 Fieldfare, 5 Brambling and a single Ring Ouzel seen. 867 Starling were tallied after a flock was photographed in mid flight, proving the likelihood of underestimating their numbers when feeding in the long grass. A single Snow Bunting and two Black Redstart were also logged.
What 346 Starlings look like
2nd November - A Rosefinch and lots of Crows!
Yellow-browed Warbler continue to grace the island, with one ringed (the 9th of the year) and another unringed bird logges. A juvenile Common Rosefinch almost passed by unseen, but was heard calling and spotted briefly in the afternoon. Only 58 Chaffinch were logged, with 5 Brambling among them. Fieldfare numbers continue to increase very gradually with a dozen seen, and 194 Redwing. 52 Carrion Crow is the highest count of the year. Murder! The Hen Harrier remains, now identified as an adult female. 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin and 4 Peregrine also. 2 Lapwing and 6 Golden Plover drew eyes upwards as they regularly completed circuits around the south of the island. 7 Snipe were encountered during a nighttime wander.
Kestrel playing its part in the ongoing raptor fest.
1st November - Snow Buntings, Gulls and Cetaceans
The seafood buffet to the east of Lundy continued to draw in punters, including 216 Razorbills, 264 unidentified Auks, and 56 Kittiwakes. The stars of the show were the gulls, with 168 Herring Gull, 59 Great Black Backed Gull, 12 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 13 Black-headed Gull and 6 Common Gull present. 4 Yellow-browed Warblers called the island home for the day, one in Millcombe, and three further along the east coast. 358 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare and a single Ring Ouzel also paid a visit. Beyond Quarter Wall, the first Hen Harrier of the year was seen, along with a large flock of 44 Snow Buntings. 3 Merlin, 3 Peregrine and 2 Kestrel shared the now crowded airspace.
The prolonged spell of calm weather produced excellent conditions for spotting cetaceans. 9 Harbour Porpoise were seen off Rat Island, South-west Point and North Light. Yesterday 13 Common Dolphins were feeding to the west, and earlier, on October 27th, 8 Bottlenose Dolphins lingered playfully in the same area.
Part of the Snow Bunting mega flock
