By Thomas Weston
Today has been a day of wind, wind, wind! Gusts of up to 40mph have battled the island from the west and resulted in low cloud and drizzly outbursts of rain too making Lundy particularly wet and windy today.
However, wind did not stop census today. It was a quiet one for sure with nothing more than 6 Woodpigeons, a single Wren who flew into my legs, and a female Sparrowhawk perched by Old School being the only species of note in Millcombe – in fact the only species seen in Millcombe!! It is amazingly hard to imagine that deep in the undergrown there are Robins, Dunnocks and Blackbirds thinking about breeding soon. Not to mention all those migrants waiting to come over to the island and pass through to breeding grounds further North!
Lesser Black-backed, Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls at the Watertanks. ©ThomasWeston
The strong west winds resulted in a sheltered Landing Bay with a small flock of Shag hidden close to the shore and a single Oystercatcher on the rocks. Alas no sign of the Great Northern Diver today, though it could well be out there somewhere amongst the waves. Walking into a blown-out St John’s Valley, and eye watering views over Benjamin’s Chair resulted in no birds being seen, however some impressive big waves and being intermittently blown sideways was the ‘highlight’. Southwest fields yielded a couple of Meadow Pipits, though they stayed low and sheltered. The Lighthouse Fields and the Watertanks Pool was productive for gulls, with large flocks totalling 288 Herring Gulls, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 11 Great-Black Backed Gulls. There were a few Mallards on the Pool and a few suspect pairs in prime breeding areas so we hope they are soon to be sat on eggs when the weather warms up! Back to the Airfield and the usual Skylark was seen, not singing his heart out but hunkered in some long grass looking rather cold. Quarter Wall and the walk back into the Village was wet and windy, though invigorating to be out in weather so extreme.
The Conservation Team then met up for hot drinks and a chat about some upcoming projects, exciting times ahead and we look forward to bringing more updates to you when we can. However, with the weather closing in even more and cloud cloaking the island, this afternoon’s bird reports are few and far between, though a female Merlin at Castles was seen by one of the staff.