By Thomas Weston
Hello! Welcome to a slightly new set up to the blog. We thank the Tims for updating the website over the past few months and the previous observatory staff for updating the website too. However, we have slightly changed the format of the blog this month with the aim to provide a more interactive, educational, and social space to allow staff and volunteers to showcase the amazing work of Lundy Bird Observatory, as well as some of the birding highlights too. Of course, we will be posting out Lundy highlights and rarities, but also the accounts of the author’s day, experiences whilst on the island, and some nice pictures along the way too. The new format hopes to make you, the reader, feel more connected from the comfort of your home (or whilst on the island!) So, sit back and enjoy….
Me in the field by Eleanor Harris
Today’s blog comes from me, Thomas Weston, a previous Lundy Bird Observatory volunteer assistant in 2024 whereby I lived on the island between March and October completing census, undertaking a range of ringing, found a range of species from common to rare, helped with the seabird surveys, worked with Housekeeping and Tavern, and interacted with a lot of the visitors to the island. I used to write the blog daily, but within my new role as Bird Observatory warden, with the help of the fellow staff on the island and the volunteers who will be arriving soon, we have arranged to change the blog author daily which hopefully will provide a varied range of posts.
Starlings on Quarters - Look out for colour rings!
Today started foggy, we met for our travel day meeting and it was Simon who was undertaking the census today whilst Eleanor and I undertook housekeeping. The cloud base dropped to a few hundred metres, so helicopters were delayed for about an hour or so. Alas, there were not many species seen around the Village this morning, however 92 Starlings were a highlight on the Quarters accommodation. Simon didn’t mention any highlights on census apart from drizzle and bad visibility, though he did spot the Great Northern Diver and the Red-necked Grebe in the Landing Bay around 10:30. It is great to have these species around, and we hope to catch up with them soon whilst they transition to summer plumage. During Housekeeping, I noted a nice Stonechat male in St John’s Valley, and a flock of 30 Meadow Pipits near Castles. In the Village, a Chaffinch and a couple of Wrens were very vocal around the Laundry. However, the undoubtably highlight was a Rook who flew in off the sea over the Castles before heading over the Village North at around 12:20. This is the first of the year and a Lundy scarcity. This afternoon, Steve noted a female Merlin around the Landing Bay whilst Eleanor reported a few more small flocks of Meadow Pipits near Old Light, before having amazing views of the female Merlin hunting a flock over the Village this afternoon. A great way to end the day and I even saw it too! Perfect! A quick chill, some dinner and Wildlife Log at 20:00 is the plan.