By Thomas Weston
Following on from the amazing posts of the fellow Conservation/Bird Obs Team, today was a day of east winds vs west winds. The weekend started nicely with east winds gracing the island, a pleasant warm arrival gateway for species. However, Sunday changed and a weak front from the west came into play and colder conditions came from the Atlantic. Move onto today and we awoke to a very warm and calm conditions over the island. A slight east/south east wind was a very lovely wind and the migrants reacted too.
Hawfinch in Millcombe. Thomas Weston
Census started well, birds seemed to be on territory in Millcombe and this included the Song Thrush belting out its song. However, nearby a second Song Thrush and a Redwing (possibly our last of the winter season) was seen on the path round to the Ugly. The conditions in the Landing Bay were nice and calm, though the breeze did produce to odd wave from the east. Here I was greeted by a Red throated Diver and a flyover Siskin which was much appreciated. Walking around the Ugly, I heard the Water Rail on territory in the bramble who during this section gave a few pig squeal calls. Moving just a few metres more and to my surprise a female/second calendar year Hawfinch jumped out of the Blackthorn and sat on the top feeding on the buds. Amazing! A species so secretive and subtle in a forest/woodland environment and it was great to see at such a close range. To my excitement, I dropped my pen and the sound caused the bird to hop below, allowing me to continue onwards. In total I saw this bird a few times within a few minutes and it seemed to slowly make its way up the hill towards the Ugly but with no sign half an hour later I am not sure where it went.
Skylark in South West Field. Thomas Weston
Moving onwards, there were 5 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps in the valley and a few Goldcrest heading into the Pines. Onwards and upwards towards Brambles Villas and a few more residents singing was very lovely to hear in such calm conditions. Through this section 4 Woodpigeons were heard and a flock of 4 Goldfinches too. At Benjamin’s Chair the rafting Razorbills showed well and moving on round the sky was full of Skylark and Meadow Pipit song. The Airfield held a few Pied Wagtails but the best birds here were the pair of Wheatear males seen chasing flies across the landing strip. A small flock of Sand Martins were the best from the rest of census before an afternoon of Tavern called. A great start to the day!
Spot the Basking Sharks (2 or 3 in pic). Tara McEvoy-Wilding
During my Tavern shift, Tara alerted me to the fact that some of the guests on the helicopter had seen some cetaceans. She was lucky enough to get a free trip to the mainland and back to confirm there were at least 4 Basking Sharks and a lone Minke Whale moving between Lundy and Hartland Point. Incredible!!! More exciting news came from the lectures of a visiting course trip who had great views of a Black Stork moving North up the island from Quarries onwards. This record is being submitted to the Lundy Bird Observatory and County recorder for acceptance. And to round off this post, we welcome our new Bird Observatory volunteer Warden Greg Lee who will be joining the team until November. Greg will be out completing census, helping with ringing, some of the socials and finding some good species along the way. Watch this space….