By Greg Lee
The rain swept in overnight with the horizontal element to the downpour causing an early wrap-up to our LFS Manx Shearwater evening, the strong precipitation would last well into the morning putting a curtail to census in the adverse conditions.
However, with the rain subsiding late morning, members of the Conservation Team were able to join the RSPB in counting the gull colonies along the southwestern corner of the island. Despite the strong breeze, it was good work out there with the stunning scenery and landscape complemented by carpets of Thrift and the familiar scent of the emerging Bracken along with some of the Mint that grows on the slopes. We have recently acquired something to record a rare moth associated with Thrift and hopefully we can report on some success when the weather begins to calm. Some Bluebells still remain in flower, a plant I normally associate with woodlands still emerald green from freshly-emerged leaves at this time of year, but on Lundy seems quite content on growing around Ackland Moor and elsewhere on the island. On the other hand, the purple-blue of emerging Devil’s-bit Scabious battled to outshine the Bluebells in terms of who can claim the title of superior blue flower.
Thrift by G.Lee
Back on to the birds and it was a positive turn out for the gulls, with the Lesser Black-backed Gulls perhaps doing slightly better than expected, their smart yellow legs glowing as they sat amongst their colonies. A couple of Great Black-backed Gull nests were also spotted, these overlords of the cliffs often choosing isolated areas away from the other gull species, who aren’t keen on being close neighbours with their brutish cousins. Interestingly, there seemed to be a good number of Razorbills about, possibly suggesting that they are spreading around the island to new areas, with many birds whirring off the cliffs and over the waters close by. Gazing out to sea, a constant stream of Manx Shearwaters was also evident, having probably appreciated the foul conditions the previous night to return to the cliffs. A good flying demonstration by a pair of Peregrines was also appreciated. Over near Old Light, a lone Painted Lady was being thrashed about by the winds.
Later on, with the winds ramping up, a report of a possible interesting bird had us scouring the airfield, though perhaps sensibly, apart from a few Meadow Pipits, most birds were laying low. However, a consolation was a lone Ringed Plover feeding nicely on the turf near the Water Tanks, these birds being fairly scarce visitors to the island in most years.
Ringed Plover by G.Lee