Bird Sightings

An unprecedented total of 37 Cory's Shearwater were seen by multiple observers over the day - for perspective there are only two previous Lundy records, both involving individual birds, in 2011 and 2023. In addition to the Cory's, a marked increase in all seabirds saw four Great Northern Diver, an Arctic Skua, 106 Gannet, 70 Kittiwake, four Fulmar, 15 Manx Shearwater, five Puffin, seven Razorbill, and 113 Auk sp. recorded from the island, and two Little Gull seen from the MS Oldenburg. An Ortolan Bunting was found on Castle Hill in the morning, and continued to feed around the Castle for the remainder of the day. A Great White Egret was picked out during the 'Cory's fest' coming in off over South Light, the fifth record for Lundy. Another Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped and colour-ringed in Millcombe. 773 Chaffinch were recorded today as passage steadily increases, with a single Brambling found on the deck among them. Three Black Redstart, six Ring Ouzel, two Wheatear, a Whinchat, four Grey Wagtail, two Golden Plover, and two Teal were seen elsewhere.

Ortolan Bunting feeding on Castle Hill ©Richard Campey

A foggy day delivered a selection of scarcer migrants through the morning before rain set in. A Wryneck was seen briefly on Castle Hill, a Hawfinch at the top of Millcombe Woods, and a late Sedge Warbler in Smelly Gully. At least five Black Redstarts were seen across the island, and six Ring Ouzels were similarly widely distributed. The first Woodcock for the autumn was seen on the East Sidelands. Four Yellow-browed Warblers seen is the highest day count for the autumn so far, including a new bird colour-ringed in Millcombe. Two Firecrest were seen on the East Sidelands, two Teal at Pondsbury, and a Black-headed Gull in the Landing Bay. 

Wryneck on Castle Hill ©Richard Campey

Three Common Scoter were seen in the morning off the south end, the first record for October. In Millcombe a Manx Shearwater was heard in flight pre-dawn, along with two Yellow-browed Warbler, three Ring Ouzel, three Reed Bunting, a flyover Grey Wagtail, and a late Reed Warbler ringed over the day. In addition, an unringed Reed Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, and two Firecrest were recorded along the East Sidelands. A Wheatear was around Jenny's Cove, and eight Lesser Black-backed Gulls equals the highest count so far for October, on the 13th. Chaffinch passage continued through the day with a total of 598.

The 12th October saw the largest passerine passage of the month so far, with the 13th and 14th feeling much quieter in comparison. Peak counts on the 12th included 250 Meadow Pipit, 375 Chaffinch, and 114 Redwing, along with other good birds in lower numbers including two Ring Ouzel, Brambling, Reed Warbler, and three Yellow-browed Warblers, with one being trapped and ringed. Three Yellow-browed Warblers were also present around Millcombe on the 14th, with none recorded on the 13th. Four Reed Bunting on the 13th represents the peak count for the autumn so far. Two Whinchat ranged south of Quarter Wall on the 14th. A bedraggled Stock Dove has been seen around the Village since the 12th, and the first Jack Snipe of autumn was seen today in Southwest Field. Merlin numbers appear to be on the increase with at least 4 birds on the 13th and 3 on the 14th. The long-staying Short-toed Lark appears to have departed with no sightings since the 11th of October.

Merlin beneath Benjamin's Chair ©Tom Williams