Bird Sightings

The last few days have seen cold North-westerly winds, but this changed overnight with a shift in the wind direction to the South resulting in slightly warmer weather and frequent showers. As a result, the Lundy Bird Observatory team, and fellow visiting birders Andy and Tim, were out early this morning in search for anything new. The shift in wind led to some birds hunkering down, but there were some signs of movement throughout the morning before the rain came in heavy.

The first bird recorded this morning on census was a Wren at the top of Millcombe Valley. This was the first of 12 recorded this morning involving 10 singing individuals across the census area. The next species spotted were the Robins, with 8 individuals seen throughout Millcombe with 6 singing individuals recorded. Species came quick with a fly over female Sparrowhawk, 2 Linnets North, an ‘alba wagtail’ over North, 4 Blackbirds, 3 Chaffinches, one of yesterday’s Greenfinches in the pines, the highest count of Woodpigeons for the year with 12 noted, 5 Goldcrest (all unringed), and 4 Dunnocks were spotted. Visiting birder Andy was stationed at the Ugly and was primarily recording Manx Shearwaters passing SW with a total of 190 individuals seen between 07:30 - 08:30. Census counts from the Ugly included a Great Northern Diver (2 seen today by allcomers), 8 Shag, 4 Ravens, 29 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Gannets, 10 Great Black-backed Gulls, 50+ Auk spp SW, 2 confirmed Razorbills, single close Guillemot, 6 Kittiwakes and a pair of Oystercatchers. Walking to Benjamin’s Chair was relatively sheltered with a few Meadow Pipits noted (13 seen on census). The view to the south was very blustery with a Peregrine and a single Porpoise spotted off Benjamin’s Chair. Nearby, a pair of Mallard were on Rocket Pole Pond with another pair seen on Brick Field and a single on Quarters Pond. In Southwest Fields/Ackland Moor/Airfield, 3 Skylarks were the only birds of note. The only Chiffchaff of the morning was seen along ¼ Wall, whilst on the way back to the Village, 135 Herring Gulls, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 70 Starlings, and a flock of 16 Carrion Crows were in Tillage Fields. A total of 4 Pied Wagtails and 14 House Sparrows were seen in the Village.   Green-Winged Teal still at Pondsbury. ©Thomas Weston

A walk down to the Terraces resulted in a Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinches, a pair of Swallows in off the sea, a singing male Stonechat, 2 Blackbirds, 6 Wrens, 2 Ravens, 4 Herring Gulls, 2 Shag and 4 more Manx Shearwaters though counts of the latter were undercounts of the actual number passing. Walking up to Pondsbury resulted in a single male Wheatear, 4 European Teal, the American Green-winged Teal, a single Carrion Crow, another Raven, and a single male Mallard.

Other sightings from today included 12 Puffin off the Battery this morning, but there was no sign this afternoon. However, an afternoon search resulted in 53 Fulmar, 5 Gannet and 4 Kittiwake passing the Battery in abysmal weather. Drenched already, a seawatch from the Ugly this evening resulted in 10 Guillemots, 6 Razorbills, 12 Manx Shearwaters, 14 Shag and a couple of Great Black Backed Gulls.  

Another lovely sunny day with weakening North-westerly winds throughout the day. The island felt quite birdy this morning, but the wind direction means it was quite tricky for birds to come across to the island from the mainland. However, as the title suggests, a few eager migrants are pushing through, and it will be interesting to see what the afternoon holds as the wind eases even more.

Census started with a small flock of Goldfinches at the top of Millcombe. This flock split several times and it was difficult to judge how many there were at times but 6 was the best count and seemingly involved a pair, a lone male, and a small flock of 3 individuals. Other bits in Millcombe included 6 Chaffinches, 5 Robin, 10 Wrens (13 seen in total), 9 Dunnocks, 2 Goldcrests, 4 House Sparrows (30 seen in total), the singing male Song thrush, 6 Woodpigeons, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbirds and 2 Greenfinches (scarce here) found by Andy that were finally caught up with near Millcombe House. A Firecrest was also seen in the pines but was not picked up on census. Off the Ugly, 5 Gannets, 8 Shag, 2 Kittiwake, 4 Oystercatchers, 18 Herring Gulls (127 seen in total), 3 Great Black Backed Gulls and 7 Lesser Black Backed Gulls. Likewise, a Red-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver were subsequently seen from the Ugly but not picked up on census unfortunately.

Meadow Pipit in front of Old Light. ©Thomas Weston

Walking to Benjamin’s Chair was quiet with a pair of Ravens (4 see in total) noted. At Benjamin’s Chair, 3 Porpoise, 2 Fulmar, a Rock Pipit, 2 Wheatear males (1 singing), and a flyover flock of 3 Goldfinches and a single Siskin were nice additions to the census. Rocket Pole Pond had no birds on the pond itself but the regular pair of Stonechats and the sound of territorial Skylarks and Meadow Pipits singing in SouthWest Fields were nice to hear. Checking Lower Lighthouse Field resulted in a White Wagtail that was initially feeding alone with the sheep, then joined by 4 Pied Wagtails where great comparisons were had, before all birds took flight as a flock of Starlings came through. Unfortunately, the wagtails were lost to view. Moving towards the Airfield and a Meadow Pipit was showing really nicely on the wall by Old Light (see above). The Airfield was quiet but a couple more Stonechat and Skylark were noted and a Snipe was flushed from the wet verges in front of ¼ wall.

Spot the Wheatears on The Terraces. ©Thomas Weston

A quick break from the census heading towards The Terraces resulted in a flock of 4 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff and a House Martin hanging around Quarry Pond as well as a single Goldcrest and the usual Stonechats, Dunnocks, Robins and Blackbirds on The Terraces.

Back to the census and Brick Field had an interesting flock of 9 Skylarks which could well be new in migrants as the ‘normal’ birds noted on census are either singing or hanging around favoured males territories. A pair of Mallard, flocks of Herring Gulls, 14 Carrion Crows (20 seen in total) and 108 Starlings were the best between here walked back to the Village.

Other bird sightings today involved:

• Small flock of Puffins off North Light.
• Manx Shearwaters passing the East Coast in low numbers.
• American Green-winged Teal still on Pondsbury.
• Highest count of the year of Wheatear with 21 spotted including 8 colour ringed birds.
• Sand Martins, Swallows and House Martins all arriving off the South Coast.

 One of the eight colour-marked Wheatear arriving back today. This male was originally ringed as a second calendar-year bird in June '22, but not encountered in '23, so it's nice to have him back! © Joe Parker

A cool Northwesterly wind graced the island again but a few migrants were getting through, even if they looked very tired...

Tired male Blackcap in Millcombe. ©Thomas Weston

The day started with the census. Counts included 3 Mallard, 8 Woodpigeon, single Oystercatcher, 137 Herring Gulls, 19 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 2 Fulmar, 3 Gannet, 5 Shag, 2 Peregrine, 38 Carrion Crow, 5 Raven. 4 Skylark, Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 6 Wren, 27 Starlings, 8 Blackbirds, Song Thrush, 5 Robins, single Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 6 Dunnock, 10 House Sparrows, 2 Pied Wagtails, single ‘alba wagtail’, 12 Meadow Pipits, 5 Chaffinches, Linnet and 6 Goldfinches.

Thank you to fellow birders Andy and Tim for their sightings today that included the American Green-winged Teal male still on Pondsbury with 5 Eurasian Teal, a Red-throated Diver off the Ugly, a Great Northern Diver off The Terraces, at least 41 passing Manx Shearwaters off the North/East Coast, an arrival of Wheatear with at least 10 seen involving two colour ringed birds near the Battery, and a singing Greenfinch (scarce here) in Millcombe. There was no sign of the Purple Sandpipers today at Brazen Ward. However, the Lower East Path was the most sheltered spot throughout the day and therefore the best place to see Stonechats, Blackcap (see photo above) and Chiffchaff all feeding in the bracken and ivy.

A change in wind direction led to a cool North Westerly wind pushed away the humid, foggy conditions we have had the last few days leading to a sunny day and cooler temperatures. Due to it being a changeover day, the census was split with Joe and Thomas taking half the census each.

Census counts included a single Water Rail, 6 Woodpigeons, 3 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 12 Wrens, a Song Thrush, 3 Blackbirds, 3 Robins, 6 Dunnocks, 8 Chaffinches, a single Linnet, 3 Goldfinches, a single Fieldfare, and 32 Redwing were in Millcombe. Interesting sightings from the Ugly included a flyby Woodcock and Cormorant whilst in the Landing Bay 2 Guillemot, 3 Fulmar, 2 Gannet, single Red-throated Diver and a single Great Northern Diver were seen. Off Benjamin’s Chair, 38 Razorbills, a Peregrine, and 10 Shag were sheltering from the wind. At Rocket Pole Pond, a Mallard, and a small flock of 15 Redwing were seen whilst a Kestrel was on the Church for the second day in a row. Between Southwest Fields and the Airfield, 8 Skylarks, 3 Stonechats, 4 Pied Wagtails and 26 Meadow Pipits were seen. Moving northwards, in Tillage and Brick Fields, a Chiffchaff and 28 Carrion Crows were spotted with counts from The Village included 4 Ravens, a pair of Blackbirds, 30 House Sparrows, and 42 Starlings. Gulls seen throughout the census included 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 99 Herring Gulls and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

A singing Dunnock on the Terraces. ©Thomas Weston

A quick check of The Terraces and Heligoland Trap resulted in a small flock of Redwing, a couple of Dunnocks, a pair of Blackbirds, a Chiffchaff, and a pair of Stonechat. It's always good to record any breeding behaviour of birds seen on the island as demonstrated by this Dunnock above. With jobs needing to be completed this afternoon, highlights between tasks included a Siskin over Millcombe and 2 Gannets off South Light. With new guests on the island, it was great to  hear that the American Green-winged Teal was still with 6 European Teal on Pondsbury.