General news

Thanks to funding from Devon Birds, Lundy Bird Observatory commenced a colour-ringing programme for large gulls in 2025, to help understand migratory movements, dispersal and recruitment of Lundy-bred birds into the breeding population. Due to limited resources and a late breeding season only five gulls were colour-ringed in 2025. So it is pleasing to report that a Lesser Black-backed Gull was re-sighted in Agadir, Morocco on 17 March 2026. This is not an unusual movement, as many Lesser Black-backed Gulls from northern Europe winter in North Africa – and enthusiastic gull colour-ring readers also flock there in winter.

Lesser Black-backed Gull 'black 203·L' Agadir, Morocco 17 Mar 2026

We were pleased to welcome Simon Parker to the island at the start of the year as the new Head Warden following Joe's departure in December. Along with his wildlife knowledge, Simon brings with him experience of small island living, having previously served as the warden on Flat Holm for three years. Thanks are due to Joe Parker for all his work in getting the Bird Observatory through its three year probationary period. 

We are also pleased to announce the allocation of additional resource to the Conservation Team with a new Bird Observatory Warden role; a permanent part-time position split with General Assistant duties. Thomas Weston, who served as the 2024 Long Term Volunteer, has been appointed and will start in early March.

This year's Long Term Volunteers have also been appointed and we look forward to welcoming them to Lundy too.

Following a three year probationary period, a Lundy Bird Observatory delegation comprising Joe Parker (2025 warden), Simon Parker (current warden), Tim Jones (LFS representative on Lundy Bird Observatory Organising Committee) and Tim Davis (previous joint Lundy Bird recorder with Tim Jones) attended the Bird Observatories Council AGM on 7 Feb 2026 to seek full accreditation. This was subject to fulfulling a requirement to undertake daily bird census during key migration periods and undertake a regular programme of rinigng. Joe provided an operational status update. This was well received and there were no significant questions, so we are pleased to report that Lundy has now been accepted as a fully accredited member of the British & Irish bird observatory network.

The Lundy Bird Observatory accreditation received in February 2023, was subject to a three year probationary period, with a requirement to provide an operational status update at the Bird Observatories Council AGM each year. On 1 February 2025, the Warden, Joe Parker, the ringing group leader, Chris Dee, and two of last years long-term volunteers; Lucy Pécasse and Thomas Weston attended the meeting at the BTO headquarters in Thetford. Joe's presentation explained how we are meeting the requirements for being recognised as a bird observatory and that the operational aspects were working smoothly. This was well received and there were no questions, so we are pleased to report a successful second probationary year and that we are still on course for full membership in 2026.

Joe Parker presenting to the 2025 Bird Observatories Council AGM