These last four days have had minimal migration movements through Lundy, however we did have a pulse of Willow Warbler on the 6th, with c.50 ringed in Millcombe and 30 seen on census and along the Upper Eastside Path. Two Chiffchaff and four Sedge Warbler were also processed on the 6th, along with a single Blackcap and Whitethroat. An adult and two juvenile Whitethroat were also seen in Millcombe on the 8th, and on the 9th a Garden Warbler was seen in Smelly Gully. On the topic of migration, three Spotted Flycatcher were counted on the 6th.
A nice recent wader record was a single Snipe in Bartons Field on the 7th, the first bird since the 24th of July, one of only two that month.
Juvenile Shag are now adventuring from their nest sites and gathering with adults in roosting flocks on rocks along the shores. Birds have been seen in large numbers around Brazen Ward, Mouse Island, Battery Point, and Hens and Chickens. It is good to see so many successfully fledged chicks. The juvenile Peregrine Falcon are also doing well, with pairs of young birds continuing to be very vocal as they practice hunting around Old Light, Gannets Combe, North End and Southwest Point.
A check of our monitored Manx Shearwater nest boxes on the 9th revealed that the 10 chicks have developed by a notable amount, with the oldest chick sporting just a light fuzz of down over the body, much like a waistcoat, whilst its wings are almost completely fully grown! Another exciting seabird update, just 25 minutes after departing Lundy on the Oldenburg on the 5th, Ezra Sherwell and Chris Baillie spotted and Leach's Storm Petrel! A fantastic record for this time of year.
In non-birdy news, a new Grey Seal pup, our second for the season, was seen on Ladies Beach on the 6th. One Emperor Dragonfly and two Ruby-tailed Wasp were also seen on the 6th, and a Clouded Yellow butterfly was recorded on the 9th.
The oldest Manx Shearwater chick from our monitored nest boxes. F. Turner, August 9