Bird Sightings

A dawn check of Barton’s Field was marked by the absence of the Barnacle Goose, a sad day for Lundy, but a detour on census to the Terrace revealed a Pallas’ Warbler, a consolation of sorts. The ‘flying sugarcube’ showed well, flitting from bramble to bracken, in search of juicy Lundy craneflies. At dusk it was seen again, weaving its way through willows with a Yellow-browed Warbler. Despite the faltering light, its head glowed like torchbeams from three eagre dazzlers, guiding its beak along each branch. A second Yellow-browed Warbler was found nearby in Rüppell’s Quarry. 6 Water Rails railed whilst 2 Firecrests fed on the ivy at Millcombe, a welcome source of nectar for 5 Red Admirals. 3 Brambling shared the trees with 191 Chaffinches. 113 Redwing stüüüfed in the air and fields.

Pallas' Warbler enjoying a big juicy cranefly

Despite the continuing warm weather, Autumn steadily progressed with an increase in thrushes seen over the past 4 days. 352 Redwing were counted on the 27th, and the first Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare of the autumn were encountered on the 26th and 28th respectively. Swallow numbers gradually decreased to single figures. The influx of Hawfinch into southern England produced 4 on the 25th, and 3 on the 26th, including one ringed. Sightings of Yellow-browed Warbler became more sporadic, although a further 2 were colour ringed. Chaffinch numbers decreased compared to the previous week, with a high count of 315 on the 26th, although the proportion of Brambling increased, with 8 seen the same day, and a further 7 the following day. 8 Woodpigeon barreling into Millcombe stunned onlookers on the 27th. Later that day a Marsh Harrier came off the sea, lingered along the foggy eastside of the island on the 28th, before disappearing for good. Meanwhile, a Little Egret flying north along the east side of the island might have noticed 3 Firecrest and a Willow Warbler in Millcombe, and 2 Purple Sandpipers at Brazen Ward. The Barnacle Goose was seen everyday in Barton’s Field, despite being flushed out to sea temporarily by a plane. At Quarter Wall the lingering Whinchat revealed itself occasionally. 

Non-avian highlights include a potential Mauve Stinger jellyfish seen off the jetty on the 26th, and a leach in a puddle on the 28th.

 Firecrest prospecting the ivy in Millcombe ©Ross Bower

 Marsh Harrier entering the village. If you want the pub, it's on the left. ©Ross Bower

The highlight bird of the day was a Red-breasted Flycatcher found flycatching at Quarry Pond in the morning, relocating to Quarterwall Copse in the afternoon, the second record for the island this autumn. Three Yellow-browed Warbler were seen across the island, with another bird trapped and colour-ringed, the sixth ringed this autumn. A Firecrest was also seen in Millcombe. 687 Chaffinch were logged, along with 3 Hawfinch, four Brambling, and a Redpoll. 173 Redwing and 4 Ring Ouzel were recorded, along with a Whinchat, a Wheatear, four Black Redstart, and a Stock Dove. The Barnacle Goose continues to feed in Barton's Field throughout the day. 4 Snow Bunting were recorded including a juvenile female ringed at night in Southwest Field.

Red-breasted Flycatcher at Quarry Pond ©Ross Bower

A Moorhen was seen in St John's Valley is the first record for the autumn, as was a Hobby seen over Millcombe late afternoon. The Wryneck was still around the Upper East Side Path. A Siberian Chiffchaff was seen and subsequently ringed in Millcombe, five Yellow-browed Warblers were also seen across the island with one ringed in Millcombe, and three Firecrest. A Great Northern Diver and three Common Gull were seen in the Landing Bay. A Jack Snipe was in Barton's field and two Woodcock were in Millcombe early morning. The Barnacle Goose continues to hang around with domestic Geese in Barton's Field. 736 Chaffinch were recorded, alongside 69 Siskin, 2 Greenfinch, a Brambling, and a Hawfinch. 220 Redwing is the highest count of the autumn so far, and one Ring Ouzel was also seen. Three Snow Bunting, six Grey Wagtail, two Whinchat, and four Black Redstart were also recorded. 

Siberian Chiffchaff ringed in Millcombe ©Tom Williams