Visual migration or “vismig” was the theme of the week with high numbers of hirundines passing. There was 6200 Swallow, 286 Sand Martin and 139 House Martin on the 22nd, with 3000, 66 and 98 of the same species respectively recorded on the 23rd. 2 Yellow Wagtail were seen passing on the 23rd and 26th, along with Grey Wagtails recorded every day at counts of up to 7, 3 White Wagtails every day from the 22nd-24th and passage of up to 20 “alba” wagtails. Skylark passage peaked at 48 this week, Meadow Pipit numbers increased to 363 on the 28th, with all day of the week above 100. 3 Tree Pipit were recorded on the 25th, a Lapland Bunting seen flying over the Airfield on the 26th, 2 Redpoll on the 28th, Siskin passage every day, with daily counts up to 11 and 2 Chaffinch seen migrating off the Island from Benjamin’s Chair.
Warbler numbers were at some of the highest for the Autumn with 114 Chiffchaff on the 22nd and 90 on the 23rd, and 225 Blackcap on the 22nd and 81 on the 23rd. Other warblers present included a Sedge Warbler on the 22nd and 25th, a Reed Warbler on the 24th, 26th and 28th, a Grasshopper Warbler on the 23rd, up to 2 Garden Warbler on the 22nd, 24th, 26th and 28th, a Whitethroat on the 22nd and 28th and up to 6 Willow Warbler gradually declining in number throughout the week. Firecrest numbers were up, with high counts of 15 on the 25th and 28th, with Goldcrest numbers also high, rising to 74 on the 28th.
The initial signs of thrush passage was evident this week with the first Redwing of the Autumn recorded on the 25th with 5 birds present. A single Redwing was also recorded on the 26th, with a Ring Ouzel spotted on the 22nd and a Song Thrush on the 28th.
Other notable passerine sightings this week included a Treecreeper spotted in St Helen’s Copse on the 28th, a Wryneck ringed in Millcombe on the 22nd, with a single bird also seen on the Terrace on the 22nd, 23rd and 25th. Redstart were observed on the 23rd, 25th and 26th, with 1, 3 and 2 seen on these dates respectively. Whinchat were also present this week with individuals seen on the 22nd, 23rd, 26th and 27th, with the highest count of 3 on the 22nd. A single Reed Bunting was seen on the 23rd and 27th, and Greenfinch noted every day from 23rd-28th, with the highest recorded count at 11. A Red-breasted Flycatcher was spotted on the Terrace on the 26th, being harassed by the Robin and Pied Flycatcher in the area. Low numbers of both Spotted and Pied Flyactcher were also present. The highest ever single day count of Rock Pipit on the island was recorded on the 26th, with 64 birds noted from a full island count.
Red-breasted Flycatcher P. Holt
The first Osprey of the year was recorded flying out over Rat Island on the 26th, and a Hobby was seen on the 22nd flying over Millcombe, likely following the high numbers of hirundines. The number of Sparrowhawk on the island is now up to 4.
Hobby A. Croudace
Wader passage was lower this week, although still produced a nice selection of species including Snipe every day and Ringed Plover every day except the 27th, with counts of up to 7 and 4 respectively, a Green Sandpiper and Golden Plover on the 22nd, a Curlew on the 24th and a Lapwing on the 25th. The highlight was a Curlew Sandpiper heading south around 0920 on the 28th, heard from the track by the Lambing Shed and glimpsed in flight. The same bird was also flushed from a puddle on the track above St John's around 2100 on the same day in the dark, but has not been seen again. This is the first record since 2004, with very little suitable habitat on Lundy. In a year with a notable national autumn influx, presumably as a result of a successful breeding season for this species, it certainly felt like the best chance in a while Lundy was going to have of recording this lovely wader again, and so it is pleasing to see this come through.
Strong passage of Kittiwake and Auk was observed between the 22nd and 26th, with high counts of 846 Kittiwake and 501 Auk noted on the 25th. 7 Razorbill were seen off the North End as well as a Pomarine Skua on the 25th, as well as single Skua Sp. passing distantly on the 24th and 25th.
Other notable species included a Teal on the 27th, up to 3 Water Rail back on the Island encountered every day, Grey Heron every day, with a high of 8 on the 24th, including a passing flock of 7, and Cormorant flyovers every day from the 22nd-26th, culminating in the passage of 21 birds on the 26th.