Bird Sightings

A Great Northern Diver has been frequenting the Landing Bay, although appearances have been sporadic. Further offshore, distant auks actively commuting and feeding with a minimum count of 500 Guillemot and 200 Razorbill was logged on Boxing Day. A big clearout of passerines has left Millcombe feeling like a ghost town, only the calls of squeeling Water Rail and ever present Robin song break the silence. Two Woodpigeon are remaining faithful to the valley as well as the small Woodcock roost. Pondsbury remianed quiet. activing as a day-time roost site for Snipe and peaking at 11 Teal on 13th. Nocturnal surveys have become less frequent as focus turns to the desk. However, a spell of ringing sessions in the run up to new year resulted in a last minute flurry of activity, including a star bird and another all-time ringing total broken (for Jack Snipe)! Over two evenings, 7 Woodcock, 8 Jack Snipe, 4 Common Snipe and a Snow Bunting were ringed marking the perfect ending to a sensational year on Lundy!

First-year female Snow Bunting trapped and ringed on 30th Dec © Luke Marriner

We've been very busy behind the scenes. Let's bring you up to speed...

Early November saw the sad departure of our two excellent Bird Obs volunteers Luke Marriner and Angus Croudace. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the both of them for their stellar effort, enthusiasm and time in the field! 2023 has been a sensational season for so many reasons and I'm sure everyone will join us in wishing both of these birding machines the very best for the future! There has also been further staffing changes on the island with Joe Parker (Bird Obs Warden) recently appointed as Head Warden following Rosie's recent departure from the Trust. Visitors to the island over the last two summers may be familar with Tara McEvoy-Wilding, and we are delighted to announced that Tara will be joining the conservation team as Assistant Warden from mid-March.

We're thrilled to launch the brand new Lundy Bird Observatory website! The new site hosts detailed information about the Obs, various project work and importantly a new calendar for bird ringing group visits. Landmark Property Bramble Villa East is usually held back during spring (April/May) and autumn (September/October) for Bird Observatory bookings until around six months in advance. To take advantage of this and reserve part of this block booking, explore our Visiting Lundy page and contact the Bird Observatory Warden by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The old blogspot will become inactive but remain online to act as a historic archive and there are also plans to integrate the excellent Birds of Lundy website in the near future, so watch this space!

We have also just launched our seasonal volunteer positions for 2024. We're looking of a cohort of volunteers to join our team to gain experience in conservation while living on a remote island and enjoying the stunning array of wildlife, land and seascapes across the high-profile reserve. Sounds ideal right? Well then what are you waiting for - apply now! The roles range from a Bird Observatory Assistant Warden, Seabird Assistant Warden, Atlantic Grey Seal Assistant Warden and Assistant Ranger. This is a fantastic opportunity for a bird ringer to join the recently re-accredited Observatory after enjoying a sensational season this year! Full information about all of the roles and how to apply can be found on the Landmark website here.

Discover more information about the roles and how to apply here.

Time in the field has drastically reduced on a skeleton team. Birding highlights kick started with a Short-eared Owl flushed from Gannet's Combe on 5th November, shortly followed by a Waxwing (likely a different to the individual ringed on 31st Oct) seen in Millcombe on 9th November before an interesting Redpoll put in a brief appearance in the valley. Water Rail can be heard frequently around Millcombe and a small but consistent Woodcock day roost is located below Millcombe House. It's been very quiet with waders, largely represented by four Golden Plover passing west over the helipad on 13th November between flights and 6 Purple Sandpiper at Brazen Ward and a Lapwing at Pondsbury on 2nd December. Barton's Field has been a magnet for Jack Snipe but nocturnal surveys have largely been non-existent oweing to inclemment weather or full moon phases. Divers have been thinly distributed along the east coast with an adult Great Northern Diver off Brazen Ward and a juvenile around the Landing Bay along with a Red-throated Diver. Feeding parties of 60 Gannet have been a feature off Lundy's shores, sometimes featuring a pod of 20 Common Dolphin. Merlin are a regular (if fleeting) sight over the village, along with Kestrel and Peregrine. A first-year Yellow-legged Gull tracked north along the east coast on 11th November, Skylark have now cleared out, peaking at 16 birds on 11th November and a large movement of Woodpigeon in North Devon in late November resulted in a noteable flock 250 individuals over the village on 28th November. It's also very quiet on the finch front, with a handful of Brambling records logged between 8-15th November.

Angus Croudace birding Millcombe on 10th November

Luke Marriner seabird monitoring on 5th June

Decent candidate for Arctic Redpoll, Millcombe on 9th November © Angus Croudace

Did you catch us chatting seabirds with BBC Radio Devon on 13th November? Catch up on BBC Sounds here!

Fairly windy and a lot of rainfall throughout this period with very few birds around or moving on some days. A bit of respite on 30th saw a little more passage before a series of storms blew in from the Atlantic, with Storm Ciarán arriving in the evening of 1st November.

After one previous record on 16th November 1956, only the second Lundy record of Surf Scoter was found off the east coast on 27th. The female-type bird was initially picked up beyond Rat Island but obligingly moved closer into the Landing Bay, allowing better observation and confirmation of its ID. Unfortunately, a Great Northern Diver resurfaced beside the scoter and spooked it, causing it to fly back out to sea. Unfortunately, it was not seen again. An adult female Shelduck was present on the flooded ground beside the water tanks during the daily census on 3rd November. Three Teal were seen over the sea from the east coast on 1st, later seen sitting in the calm waters of the Landing Bay. The following day they had joined our single bird on Pondsbury, and on 3rd another two birds had joined the flock, making a total of six. 

Record shot of the female-type Surf Scoter in the Landing Bay © Andy Jayne

 Adult female Shelduck near the Water Tanks © Angus Croudace

A check of Brazen Ward on 28th October found a flock of 32 Oystercatcher, the highest count since spring. A single Golden Plover overflew the Airfield on 30th and was calling high over Millcombe on 31st, and heard again over the water tanks on 3rd.

Nocturnal survey efforts continue, made somewhat easier by the changing clocks. Another three Woodcock were ringed on 30th with two other birds seen and another single flushed in daylight on the Lower East Side Path. Unfortunately one carcass was found in SW Field on 3rd; likely a Peregrine Falcon kill. Three Jack Snipe were found on 30th, with one ringed, and another was found near Quarter Wall in daylight hours on 31st. The island is holding a large amount of surface water at the moment with plenty of excellent areas for Snipe to roost or feed, so they're turning up all over the place, not just in a few key areas that were typically frequented earlier in the autumn. Barton Field has contained a Jack Snipe on every survey since mid-October, but now we're encountering them in places such as the Airfield too. High counts of six Snipe were recorded on 30th and 2nd, with two separate observations of a bird being pursued by a Peregrine on 29th and 30th. 

The storms saw seabirds gathering to feed in weather windows in the lee of the island towards the end of this period, with 500 Kittiwake on 31st and over 1500 on 1st November. Over 100 Gannet and 80 auks amongst them. Our long-staying winter plumage Great Northern Diver was joined by another, complete with much of its glorious summer plumage, on 28th. A third bird was also seen with them on 30th and at least one has been seen daily since. Single Cormorants flew over the island on 28th, 31st and 1st. A Grey Heron is still seen occasionally and up to three Water Rail can still be heard calling in Millcombe.

Summer plumage Great Northern Diver in the Landing Bay © Angus Croudace

Up to seven Chiffchaff were recorded daily, although typically just three in Millcombe and a couple along the east coast. The long-staying Yellow-browed Warbler showed very nicely at Quarter Wall on 27th but has not been seen since. A little more movement occurred on 30th with 18 Blackcap new in after a couple of blank days. Similarly for Goldcrest with nine on 30th and 12 on 31st. A very showy Firecrest was easily seen and heard from the Beach Road at Windy Corner on 29th and 30th before two were then trapped and ringed on 31st.

Firecrest, Beach Road © Angus Croudace

Another influx of at least 100 Starling joined our longer-staying birds on 30th, but had moved on again by the next day. A Ring Ouzel has been recorded every day except 27th, with two males dropping in below the Timekeeper's Hut on 30th amongst a small flock of Fieldfare. Fieldfares remained in single figures until 30th when 70 were recorded in a couple of larger flocks. Around 20-30 have been around since, with some birds frequenting the water tanks and another flock around the top of Millcombe. The second highest count of Redwing for the autumn occurred on 30th at 110 (after 700 on their big arrival day on 12th October). Half of these birds erupted out of the Beer Garden shrubbery and left the island shortly after sunrise. After a couple of blank days at the start of this period, we've recorded between 5 and 10 Song Thrush daily since 30th. A flock of 10 Blackbird was seen along High Street on 2nd. A Mistle Thrush was rattling about the Village on 30th and 31st, and a single Woodpigeon was in Millcombe on 31st and 3rd, the first record since 23rd October. 

Excitingly, an adult male Waxwing was seen during the daily census on 28th and is still present, favouring the lower gardens in Millcombe, although it was also photographed by the Timekeeper's Hut above the Terrace. It evaded the mist-nets at our first try, but another go on 31st in calmer conditions was successful, making this bird (the sixth record of this species for Lundy) the first Waxwing to be ringed on the island! Waxwings are annual visitors to the UK in winter, but some years an 'irruption' sees a huge influx when food is scarce or the weather is unusually harsh on their preferred wintering grounds. It looks like being a Waxwing winter this year, with huge numbers already seen across the east coast of the UK, and a few odd records of smaller numbers making it as far west as Lundy and Ireland. 

Waxwing among the limited selection of berries currently on offer in Millcombe © Joe Parker

 Waxwing in Sycamores above the Battlements © Angus Croudace

 Waxwing in the hand © Luke Marriner

A couple of late Swallow were followed by six 31st, some of which roosted overnight, with three picked up again on 1st. A single bird was recorded struggling in gale force winds over the Airfield on 2nd – we were pleased to see that it had survived through to the 3rd, flying around the Village. The biggest movement of Skylark was a flock of nine on 30th, otherwise just a couple of singles – a big contrast to Skokholm a bit further north which reported several hundred moving through on 31st! A Woodlark was found sheltering from the 60mph gusts in the heather around Rocket Pole during the morning of 2nd.

Stonechat numbers have been notably low this week, often in low single figures. A late Northern Wheatear was in Brick Field on 30th. Three days in this period have seen no wagtails of any species, otherwise just a few single alba/Pied Wagtails recorded, with one Grey Wagtail on 27th.

Chaffinch numbers have been around 225 throughout 27th-31st except for 401 on 29th. This was also likely an undercount as birds were moving through in modest numbers, but we lacked the coverage to monitor the full extent. Nearby, at Bull Point on the N Devon coast, in excess of 5,000 were recorded on the same morning, although we suspect that some showers out to sea to the north of Lundy meant that the birds moved up the Bristol Channel before making the crossing, hence lower numbers over us despite favourable winds. Passage had stopped by 1st, with just a score or so found feeding on the tracks or in Millcombe. Just four records of Brambling this week, including a female ringed in Millcombe. We noted about 80 Siskin daily until Storm Ciarán, after which just single figures were to be found. A small flock of 8 Linnet has been feeding in St John's Valley this week, with a couple of singles picked up elsewhere. Two Lesser Redpoll on 27th are currently the last record in the logbook, and on the same day three Snow Bunting were seen on the wall around Tibbetts, although sadly not resighted since.

Male Brambling in Sycamores above Millcombe pines © Angus Croudace

 Female Brambling ringed in Millcombe © Luke Marriner

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The most notable weather patterns this week were some strong easterlies 17th-19th and another period of lighter south-easterlies 22-23rd. The 25th brought light north-easterly winds before they dropped to nothing for the afternoon. More typical autumnal sunshine and showers from south westerlies returned on the 26th.

Juvenile Pallid Harrier © Eden Davies

Initial Views of juvenile Pallid Harrier over Quarries © Tim Jones

Juvenile Pallid Harrier © Eden Davies

First-winter male Wigeon at Barton Field © Tim Jones

Common Scoter off of North Light on the 19th © Tim Jones

Jack Snipe Barton Field © Luke Marriner

A couple of Common Gull were sighted around the coastline with three below Quarry Beach on the 21st. A flock of 25 Herring Gull with a single Common Gull were loafing in the Landing Bay on the 25th, later seen flying in smaller parties around the north end. A good day count of 30 Lesser Black-backed Gull on the 23rd. A first-winter Yellow-Legged Gull was found feeding on a carcass of an Atlantic Blue-fin Tuna on the 17th, both good Lundy records. We also received a belated report of a fantastic observation this week – a single Chough was seen and heard north of Jenny's Cove by a visiting climber!

 

A Red-throated Diver was seen from the MS Oldenburg 10 minutes after it departed the Landing Bay on the 21st. A Great Northern Diver has been picked up almost daily since the 21st, feeding off of the Landing Bay. Typically around 40 Gannet are recorded off of the coastline daily. Several records of Cormorant this week, which is a fairly scarce visitor to the island. In this period three on the 19th, six on the 22nd, one on the 23rd and two on the 24th. Up to two Grey Heron have still been seen fishing around the coastline, which is presumably proving more fruitful than Pondsbury – many previous visiting herons have seemed strongly attached to the various small freshwater bodies across the island, often appearing to struggle to find sufficient food for maintaining condition. A small flock of three Grey Heron drifted over Tibbetts from the east on the 24th.

 

At least two Yellow-browed Warbler were found along the east coast on the afternoon of the 20th, with one bird continuing to the 26th, typically seen in Quarter Wall Copse. A Red-breasted Flycatcher also turned up at Quarter Wall Copse on the 20th, detected late in the day and not seen subsequently. 

 

Yellow-Browed Warbler Quarter Wall Copse © Angus Croudace

 

We've seen quite a few late records of some species passing through, likely due to the very mild autumn. It started to feel like September again when another Common Whitethroat, a striking male Common Redstart and a male Pied Flycatcher were picked up on the 22nd! A late Eurasian Reed Warbler was seen regularly in Millcombe 19th-23rd, moving between the back of Millcombe House and the Lower Garden. A single late Whinchat was at Quarter Wall on the 26th. A late Tree Pipit was seen on the deck by Quarry Cottages on the 19th and one was also heard in flight by two observers on the 20th heading north over the Terrace. On the same day a Richard's Pipit was heard and seen in flight leaving the island over the Castle. 

 

A stunning male Common Redstart at Stoneycroft © Angus Croudace

 

Typically around a hundred Meadow Pipit were recorded daily at the start of this period, moving over in small groups or individually, with a high count of 394 on the 22nd before numbers decreased more recently with 42 on the 25th and 29 on the 26th. Skylark passage continues with up to about 30 heading south most days although just three on the 26th. The 20th saw a few late hirundines moving through with 230 Swallow and 16 House Martin. Up to 30 Swallow are recorded on most other days although a complete absence on the 19th and 26th are an indication that their passage is petering out. 

 

About 18 Chiffchaff daily 19th-22nd, dropping to 5 by the 26th. A small arrival of 22 Blackcap on the 22nd although these quickly moved through with just half a dozen remaining on the 26th. Firecrest continue to be seen almost daily, with a high count of five on the 20th, including one that was observed arriving 'in-off' in the company of 25 Goldcrest. There was another large influx of Goldcrest on the 22nd, with 112 recorded and 74 ringed in Millcombe in the morning. The second Treecreeper of the year was heard calling in the bottom of Millcombe on the 21st.

 

Firecrest ringed in Millcombe © Luke Marriner

 

We had a noticeable arrival of migrant Robin on the 20th with a high day count of 39. Two Black Redstart were found on the west coast on the 23rd with one bird working its way from Old Light to the Lodge on the 25th. After a small hiatus in records a few Wheatear were sighted at the end of this period, with two daily since the 21st, and a high count of five on the 25th. Single Grey Wagtail over daily since the 22nd with three on the 23rd. Three sightings of White Wagtail on the 19th, 21st and 22nd. 

 

Female type Black Redstart by Lambing Shed/Lodge © Angus Croudace

 

As warbler and hirundine passage dwindles, the baton passes over to thrushes and finches. Autumn finch passage on Lundy is a spectacle to behold in the second half of October, with small flocks constantly streaming past the island on some days. Starling also move, with our typical early October counts of slightly over 100 birds joined transiently by flocks of migrants. Several hundred were recorded daily between 18th-26th with two high counts of 414 on the 20th and 478 on the 24th. 

 

The 20th and 25th saw moderate thrush arrivals. Whilst most days have recorded at least one Ring Ouzel this week, we had a high count of 8 on the 20th and three on the 25th. 40 Fieldfare on the 20th and 51 on the 25th. There were 92 Redwing on the 20th with about 40 most other days, and they can occasionally be heard calling as they pass over at night too. Most notably on the 25th was a large arrival of Blackbird and Song Thrush with day counts of 39 for both species. Mistle Thrush are uncommon on Lundy in autumn and so it was nice to have one at the North End on the 23rd and at least one rattling around the top of Millcombe on the 25th.

 

Fieldfare Millcombe © Tim Jones

 

After the first initial push of c1500 Chaffinch already reported on the 16th, we saw this scale up somewhat. A couple of hundred were recorded daily 17th-21st before 550 moved through on the 22nd, 4031 on 23rd and 3114 on 24th! The biggest push coincided with the south-easterlies, which is typical for Lundy. Chaffinch seem to prefer flying into a light to moderate headwind. Valuable ringing records have proven that some – perhaps most – birds passing through Lundy in autumn breed in Fennoscandia or even as far east as Russia. From these breeding grounds they migrate south-west along a relatively narrow corridor through Denmark, Germany and the low countries (in preference to crossing the North Sea) before either crossing the English Channel to the UK and Ireland, or continuing south-west into France and Iberia. The big flocks passing Lundy recently were perhaps readjusting their course to a more south-westerly course, having been pushed further north and west than intended by strong easterly/south-easterly winds.

 

Siskin scaled up proportionally, with around one hundred daily but 810 on 22nd, 1157 on 23rd and then a drop to 334 on 24th where they were significantly outnumbered by the Chaffinch. Among the finches a couple of Brambling have been picked out on most days, usually detected by their nasal, wheezing call. There was a good high count of 14 on the 23rd. A single Greenfinch was recorded on 17th, 22nd and 25th. Lesser Redpoll have been picked up typically as singles with a couple a day but high counts of five on the 23rd and eight on the 25th. Linnet numbers have dropped significantly from the 168 recorded in early October. We're now only reaching tallies of 20-40 birds recorded daily, with similar numbers of Goldfinch. These are typically in very small flocks with none of the large groupings seen earlier in the season. 

 

A Lapland Bunting toured the island on the 20th-22nd as seen/heard by many observers. The second Snow Bunting of the autumn was elusive around Middle Park on the 23rd, having first been seen perched atop a prominent rock at Dead Cow Point, where it narrowly avoided the clutches of a Merlin! We're hoping that some more classically confiding individuals drop in before the season is out. Nice Reed Bunting passage has been recorded with between one and six birds daily, usually as singles calling overhead or dropping into favoured areas such as the willows below Government, and Pondsbury/Ackland's Moor/Quarter Wall.

 

Ringing station in Millcombe with (L-R) Luke Marriner, Joe Parker and Paul Morton © Tim Jones