Bird Sightings

By Thomas Weston

The start of the day was census filled. I started the day with one of our travel meetings to discuss the coming day.

A census highlight, a Whinchat at Stoneycroft by Thomas Weston

Eleanor had the morning off before her Tavern shift so joined me for census. It was a breezy --> strong, southernly wind with a bit of cool in the air. The birds of Millcombe had reacted to this and either hid, or departed overnight. Two Yellow Wagtails over the Tavern were the first species recorded on census as we stepped out. This then was followed by a flock of 4 Ravens, and the usual Carrion Crows who have now flocked together with 48 noted including 39 just in Brick Field. A single Blackbird and 2 Blackcap were the best from the top of Millcombe. Yesterdays Blackcap flocks had left and gone south overnight probably taking every other warbler with them as there were only one Chiffchaff, and 2 Willow Warblers too. Overhead, a little Meadow Pipit migration was ongoing, though was pretty few and far between with 40 noted altogether. Back in Millcombe and 10 Robins keeps the double-figure count of this species still going. In the trees 2 Firecrest, single Goldcrest and a Sand Martin overhead were nice migrants. Two Tree Pipits migrating from the North were a surprise, as was the one on the Airfield later along the route. Out in the Landing Bay, 2 Rock Pipits and a migrant Grey Wagtail were both seen and heard. Gulls have been few recently as they have migrated off, although 10 Great Black-Backed Gulls and 2 Herring Gulls with a passage Lesser Black Backed Gull the best. In the water, 6 Shags were enjoying a calmish Landing Bay, and in the calmest parts of Millcombe, 3 Chaffinches, 2 Dunnocks, 3 Wrens, and 2 Goldfinches hid in the bushes. There was a very sad looking Feral Pigeon near the ringing bench, summing up the ringing that went on around it whereby the few birds around the valley was similar to those heading into the nets. Another look from Battlements Corner saw 8 Gannets between here and Benjamin's Chair. The windy St Johns Valley yielded a female Stonechat with a small flock of House Sparrows plus 6 Linnets overhead which were the only ones seen this morning. Walking round the windy South, SW Field had a Alba Wagtail heading south over the south coast, and a Peregrine just north of Old Light. A surprise came in the form of a Whinchat on the Stoneycroft Paddock wall, amazing to see this species before Wheatear and even more odd to see only 4 Wheatears on the whole route! Though one was a Greenland Wheatear which was lovely and big. Over the Airfield 8 Swallows were the best of the birds, and it took until the last field before the Village (Highstreet Field) before 2 Skylarks were recorded. Walking back through the Village to finish the census route, 118 Starlings was the highest count since last winter, and 4 Mallards in Bartons Field were the best from the rest. Overall, many species, but not many birds again!

Somewhere out there, there will be a Bunting again. However, today, a Wryneck at the Terraces with 2 Pied Flycatchers were the best from Greg, and a seawatch at North End by visiting Tom saw a nice flock of 70 Manx Shearwater, Arctic Skua, and a Sandwich Tern too. This was in addition to 2 Grey Herons who flew down the east coast, being seen by Adam later who added Dunlin to the day list with a high flying bird seen this morning pre-census.

Afternoon saw the weather deteriorate, with an admin afternoon had. Success.

By Thomas Weston

I awoke to do census and got up and ready. The wind being a NW is great for new arrivals on the island and today I was not disappointed.

Lapland Bunting in Brick Field by Thomas Weston

On census there was Blackcaps everywhere, there had obviously been a big fall of birds and counts in Millcombe were above 50 birds (more likely 100+) - a good start to the day. The damp, cloudy conditions did not do much for the other species though, who in fact kept themselves hunkered down in the bushes. However, there were two Goldcrests, a few Willow Warblers and a small increase in Chiffchaffs, as well as brief views of a Firecrest in the trees above the Casbah. Walking along the southern section of the island and a flock of Ravens were the most noteworthy, as well as a couple of Skylark in the Airfield. As I was walking back into the Village, a single House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, and 3 Swallows were the only hirundines seen. However, Ian had spotted something in Brick Field and I could see from a distance he was trying to work out where this bird was. On arrival, even before asking a Lapland Bunting was heard, and then seen hopping around the floor near the gate before moving onto the main track nearby. This rather active bird was a lovely spot, and a first for the census this year. Having at least 2, possibly up to 7 Lapland Buntings on the island yesterday, it was great to see this one. It certainly was active, and if reading about the species, it was a strong flyer, getting up and heading south to Benjamin's Chair where it spent the remainder of the day feeding. Elsewhere, another Lapland Bunting was seen at North End, the Western Bonelli's Warbler was still in Millcombe, but no sign of the Common Rosefinch, or Wryneck today. 

It will be interesting to see how the ringers got on today, and other sightings from elsewhere at the daily log in the Tavern tonight!

By Kirsty Cox

It started as a very wet day. After a lot of rain overnight, it continued into the morning. Obviously the rain is very welcome as water is definitely needed here to top up the dwindling supplies on the island. It did make for a very damp run for me first thing but it was incredibly refreshing and a real change after all the sunshine!

My morning was spent on the East Coast surveying the seals for the weekly population count. I have been off island for just over a week and since I came back I have been trying to get my head around the seal pup arrivals. It feels very inconsiderate that while I was away the pups kept arriving and the ones that were already here kept getting bigger so that now I am back I am having to slowly put together the jigsaw pieces to work out who is who! It’s like a crazy 3D puzzle taking into consideration probable age, size, markings, location, and Mum IDs! The first part of my survey took in the usual Pup Check beaches so I started with some more 3D puzzling before the sun came out and I carried onto the rest of the survey further up the East Coast. There were a total of 95 seals including several pups and most of the seals were congregated around the middle to north of the island where it is quieter for them, although rougher seas today meant there were less hauled out at the far north end than usual. Seal and Pup by Kirsty Cox

After completing the survey it was back to the office to upload all the photos and data to the spreadsheets for ID processing later, and then I headed down to the Landing Bay to take up position as ‘Pup Police’ in time for visitors leaving on the Oldenburg. We still have pups making use of the Landing Bay Beach so we need to ensure that there is as little disturbance as possible and it is also a great chance to chat to people about seals and the work that we do to support the population here on Lundy. 

Once my patrolling was complete I headed back to the office for more 3D Pup Puzzling and ID work which carried on into the evening. Another long but productive day on Lundy!

Elsewhere on the island there were some great sightings. During the morning Greg saw a Ringed Plover, a Western Bonelli’s, a Juvenile Rosefinch and another Wryneck. Juvenile Rosefinch by Greg Lee

While Thomas and Eleanor spotted a Lapland Bunting and a Golden Plover. Lapland Bunting by Greg Lee

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By Greg Lee

Census this morning on what was quite a foggy and overcast start to the day. Things started pretty dramatically though when I heard the contact/flight-call of a Common Rosefinch flying over Millcombe. Fortunately, the bird was quite vocal, and I was able to pick it up in flight and see that it was a typical juvenile/1^st-winter bird, which is often the case at this time of year. This species is a near-annual scarcity on Lundy with at least one record per year, though they can occur in both late spring and autumn. The sweet “pleased to meet you” song is definitely worth learning as spring birds and even young autumn birds can be singing.

The top of Millcombe initially seemed quite quiet, with a Goldcrest squeaking in the Pines and a couple of Willow Warblers. As I rounded the Ugly, I looked down into the Lower Millcombe where the visiting Stour Ringing group from Dorset had set up some nets. In the Secret Garden, there appeared to be lots of movement, so I quickly wandered over to investigate. When I reached the garden, there were a few Phylloscs flitting around the bushes and trees, mostly Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs but then, a pale-bellied warbler briefly caught my eye before vanishing into the recesses of the mature Sycamore tree. I had an inkling what it was but needed confirmation and a proper view. After five minutes, the bird appeared again, where I was able to make out the gleaming white belly, light brown head and mantle and rather vivid green wings and tail. It was a Bonelli’s Warbler! Amazingly, this was the 3^rd on the island this year and the second I had encountered on my travels around Lundy. However, although seeing it is one thing, the next part of was pinning down which Bonelli’s Warbler species it was. Both previous birds this season have been Western and it was very likely this was too, but I wanted confirmation. Rushing around the corner, I came across Alex who was sitting on the bench waiting for the time for his next net round. He was up like a shot when I told him there was a Bonelli’s Warbler flitting above his head in the Sycamore, though the bird proved to be quite pesky and elusive. It then seemingly disappearing although a Firecrest was a minor consolation. Smelly Gully was also busy too with a Pied Flycatcher and a Spotted Flycatcher sharing the venue.

Western Bonelli's Warbler by G. Lee

Since I needed to finish census, I had to be on my way, though I had managed to get some good record shots. The rest of census was quite damp but enjoyable, with the female Teal again seeking respite on Quarter Wall Pond, two Whinchats at Rocket Pole, five Ringed Plovers and a Tree Pipit calling overhead. Afterwards, I decided to also check the Terrace as it can be a productive area for migrants, and it certainly was with a few Willow Warblers in the bracken and sallows. Once down on the Terrace, I spotted some activity down in the willows to the south which I thought was worth investigating. As I walked down the path leading past the Heligoland trap, a brown bird took off from the ground on the right-hand side of the mouth of the trap and zipped down towards the catching area. I was quite amazed to see it was a Wryneck! Despite the Perspex window to the catching box being left open (as it always is when the trap isn’t in use), the bird seemed more intent on trying to escape through the Chicken Wire. Sensing an opportunity, I immediately contacted Thomas to let him know that a Wryneck was in the trap and if I had permission to set it and try and catch the bird. Luckily, I managed to get through despite my less than reliable phone signal, and Thomas granted me permission to set the trap. Fortunately, the Wryneck didn’t escape, and I was able to process it and ring it. The bird was aged as a 1^st-year due to the patterning of primary-coverts, dull brown iris colour and the condition of the secondaries. A very nice addition to an already productive morning and the first time I had seen this remarkable and cryptic drift migrant up close. Luckily, I didn’t forget about the birds in the Sallows either and I was pleased to see they were two Pied Flycatchers.

Wryneck (ringed and handled under licence) by G.Lee

Wryneck wing (handled under licence) by G.Lee

Perhaps unsurprisingly, I headed back down to Millcombe after census to try and relocate the Bonelli’s Warbler. As I was walking the path leading to the Casbah, I heard a sweet, disyllabic, upturned hou-eet, slightly more drawn out than Willow Warbler, which I recognised as the contact-call of a Western Bonelli’s Warbler. With the species confirmed, I enjoyed watching the bird flit energetically high up in the canopy feeding with a mixed flock of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Spotted Flycatcher, Firecrests and Goldcrests, the white belly sticking out like a sore thumb. Even better still, other birders including Thomas and Eleanor got to see and enjoy this sprite of southern European woodlands. They also reported our first juvenile Woodpigeon of the year using the area! Up in the north, Tara came across a Purple Sandpiper at the North End, our first record of autumn for this species of rocky coastal areas.