Bird Sightings
6th November - Good pickings at sea and in the fields
Up to 26 Snow Bunting were feeding in Southwest Field again today. 6 Common Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 2 Golden Plover and a Lapwing made for pleasant company. 51 Skylark loitered, along with 18 Linnet, the highest count for a good while. Although harder to spot due to the building wind and waves, seabirds continued to feed to the east of Lundy, including at least 118 Herring Gull, 67 Gannet, 60 unidentified Auks and 35 Great Black Backed Gulls. At North Light, 6 Razorbill were joined by a single Porpoise, all under the watchful gaze of a Black Redstart. The Hen Harrier patrolled the island, alongside 4 Kestrel and a pair of Peregrines. Finally, for the little birds: 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest and a single Swallow showed for us.
Snow Bunting eyeing up the banquet of grass seeds before it
5th November - Buntings and Manxies
The tenth and final Yellow-browed Warbler was ringed on Lundy today. 23 Snow Bunting were found feeding in Southwest Field, where two Manx Shearwater were heard calling at night. 8 Golden Plover peeped about the place, and a trio of Woodcock shuffled around the fields at dusk. 2 Firecrest persisted in Millcombe. 163 Redwing, 68 Chaffinch, 18 Fieldfare, 9 Siskin and 2 Brambling were logged.
Chaffinch and Brambling
4th November - Yellow-browed Warbler re-sighting and a new seal pup
A Yellow-browed Warbler was present outside Government, and another bird was seen slightly further south west in the Isles of Scilly … The latter bird was ringed on Lundy 11 days prior, and represents the furthest recovery of a Yellow-browed Warbler in this year’s nationwide colour ringing scheme! Let’s hope this is the first of many re-sightings of the 9 (so far) Lundy ringed birds. 2 Jack Snipe were ringed today, one during an early morning Redwing session, and another whilst dazzling at night. 10 Common Snipe were seen, and 10 Snow Bunting to boot. Down to singles of Golden Plover and Lapwing. 113 Redwing and 23 Fieldfare were scattered amongst the fields. Two late Swallows were seen, but the late Whinchat seems to have left us for good. Speaking of late, another Grey Seal pup was sighted today, making it the 70th of the season.
A late pup at Lametry Bay
3rd November - Lingering Whinchat and a returning Jack Snipe
The Whinchat is still here! Back at its usual spot along Quarter Wall. The Hen Harrier showed well at various points around the village. We continue to enjoy the company of visiting waders, with 4 Golden Plover and 4 Lapwing logged. Like many visitors, we suspect they are also susceptible to the Lundy bug, causing them to return year on year. For the first time we can prove winter site fidelity for Jack Snipe on Lundy, having recaptured a bird originally ringed on the island on the 15th October 2023. 7 Common Snipe were also encountered, a species which we know returns each winter in good numbers. Passage remained steady, with 345 Redwing, 60 Chaffinch, 21 Fieldfare, 5 Brambling and a single Ring Ouzel seen. 867 Starling were tallied after a flock was photographed in mid flight, proving the likelihood of underestimating their numbers when feeding in the long grass. A single Snow Bunting and two Black Redstart were also logged.
What 346 Starlings look like