Bird Sightings

Today's highlight was a Yellow-browed Warbler ringed in Millcombe this morning - the first to be ringed on the island this autumn, and now sporting a unique combination of colour rings as part of a national monitoring project. Two Ring Ouzel were seen on census, with one bird on the edge of Millcombe and another on the Upper East Side Path. A Grey Wagtail, two Siskin, and two Firecrest were also seen in Millcombe this morning. Female Merlin, five Wheatear, a Common Ringed Plover, and four Golden Plover were recorded elsewhere. The Short-toed Lark continues to feed along the main track by Halfway Wall.

Short-toed Lark © Shaun Barnes

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Barnacle Geese were the highlight of the day, with a flock of 3 seen flying around the south end early morning, and a flock of 4 picked up mid-afternoon ranging between Pondsbury and the village. This is the 13th record of Barnacle Goose for the island and the first since 2022. 33 Redwing were recorded, the highest count of these migratory thrushes of the autumn so far. A Ring Ouzel was also briefly seen and heard at the Timekeeper's Hut in the evening. At Pondsbury a Reed Bunting, Teal, and Whinchat were recorded, with an additional Whinchat recorded on Ackland's Moor. A single Lapwing and 3 Golden Plover were the highlight waders, and 5 Firecrest were recorded in Millcombe.

Barnacle Geese © Adam Hobbs

Redwing at Old Light © Tom Williams

A good day for waders with singles of Dunlin, Curlew, and Lapwing, as well as five Golden Plover and ten Common Snipe. A Short-eared Owl was seen in the afternoon around Halfway Wall following one being ringed the previous night, the first ringed on Lundy since 1966. A Great Northern Diver was seen in the Landing Bay alongside an adult Black-headed Gull, later in the day a first-winter Black-headed Gull was in Barton's Field. A Snow Bunting was seen at the north end , 2 Whinchat were on Ackland's Moor, and 3 Wheatear were logged across the island. in Millcombe a late Spotted Flycatcher joined a Lundy Field Society work party, and 4 Firecrest were recorded on census. The Short-toed Lark was seen today for the 15th day, after not being seen on the 6th. 

Kestrel preening above Mousetrap © Neil Barnes

The highlight bird of the day was a juvenile Purple Heron seen in the afternoon flying north approximately 1km off the east coast of the island. This is the second record of this species on the island this year, a first in Lundy history. Three juvenile Grey Heron were seen in various locations, with two having roosted in Millcombe. A mobile Cormorant was seen throughout the day. A late Spotted Flycatcher was seen in the village and later ringed in Millcombe. Seven Firecrest were recorded in Millcombe and St Helen's Copse. Two Whinchat were seen at Ackland's Moor in the morning. Three Water Rail were recorded in Millcombe including a showy bird on the pond. Two Sparrowhawk and a Merlin were also seen.

Juvenile Purple Heron, seen distantly from Millcombe flying north up the east coast © Tom Williams