The latest update from Eleanor Grover:
A very rainy period – resulting in the appearance of several Lundy Lakes! Around the 29th the wind finally broke out of its strong southeasterly phase, with some lighter and more westerly winds arriving.
The highest Oystercatcher count for the month of January occurred on 25th with a total of 34, comprising high-tide roosts at Brazen Ward (28) and Miller’s Cake (6). After four previous fruitless searches, the Purple Sandpipers at Brazen Ward finally gave themselves up on 28th – six birds hunkering down and looking mildly disgruntled at the regular salt showers they were getting from the sea-spray.
One of the elusive Purple Sandpipers at Brazen Ward © Eleanor Grover
Two more Purple Sandpipers, keeping a beady eye on their observer! © Eleanor Grover
Kittiwakes are regularly seen feeding off the east coast, and on 31st 145 birds were joined by three summer-plumage/transitioning adult Black-headed Gulls. On the same day, a further Black-headed Gull (this one a winter-plumaged adult) was present with the gull roost near the water tanks, and this individual moved to Barton Field the next day. The aforementioned gull roost finally hit triple figures on 29th peaking at 191 on 1st. The first returning Lesser Black-backed Gull of the year was seen on 27th, with four present on 31st.
Razorbills are also starting to build up offshore (the vast majority in their smart breeding plumage), especially off Benjamin’s Chair – with a peak of 166 there on 29th. The switch in wind direction on 29th brought with it a surprise: a (the?) Slavonian Grebe was once again present off Miller’s Cake, after an absence of over two weeks.
Song Thrushes were seen every other day, favouring the area above the gas store in Millcombe. Their winter cousins, Redwing, were less frequent, with one on 24th and five on 26th. A single Goldfinch flew over on 25th, with a further two on 28th. Water Rails were heard only – with a tremendous racket of squealing, shrieking and rustling indicating that a territorial dispute took place on 31st! Sightings of Sparrowhawk and Peregrine are less regular, but the remains of their kills continue to indicate a strong presence. Goldcrest and Pied Wagtail are also sporadic but are far more frequent than at the beginning of January; another little hint of the spring to come.
One of only a handful of Redwings seen during January © Simon Parker
We are bidding farewell (for now!) to Eleanor who has been supporting the Bird Observatory and the wider Conservation Team for the last month in a voluntary capacity. In addition to keeping coverage of the island going during a period of the year when there are few visiting birders, Eleanor has kept the Tavern logbook and its digital counterpart up-to-date, as well as continuing with the mammoth task of digitising data contained in logbooks from years gone by. Eleanor returned to the mainland on 2nd February, taking with her our grateful thanks and warmest best wishes.