Bird Sightings

Mallards on Bartons Field. ©ThomasWeston

The Mallards of Barton's Field have been a regular feature throughout the census.

Ringing

On a boat day there is always a lot to do. However, a ringing session and split census before boat work resulted in the first two Whitethroats caught in the post-breeding period, another Lundy-born Blackcap, a little fall of Willow Warblers with 18 caught and a new Linnet. There was not much to report after this although some more Willow Warblers were seen in the evening, and this was believed to be a good sign for the coming day. However, spoiler alert, it did not quite turn out like this.  

Seawatch Site at SW Point. ©ThomasWeston

A foggy start to the day with poor visibility all round. The weather was warm and humid and very windy in the afternoon. A brief seawatch from SW point resulted in 2500 Manx Shearwaters, about 78+ Gannets, a single Guillemot and a nice passage of Kittiwakes. Birds on the land included 3 Peregrines, 2 Kestrels, Meadow Pipits, Stonechat, Oystercatcher and flocks of Linnets.

Ringing

Goldfinch in Millcombe. ©ThomasWeston

Today was the annual Air Day on the island where up to 80 aircraft came and left Lundy for the day. The slightly breezy SW conditions and partly clear skies were ideal for take-off and landing on the island with planes arriving from all across country. The parallels between this event and migration is verry apt as this morning ringing in Millcombe resulting in another little movement of Willow Warblers, a new Sedge Warbler and the capture of a few more of our resident breeding juveniles who were born on the island. Census was also completed today and resulted in 3 Mallards, 3 Woodpigeons, a single Great Black-backed, 6 Herring and a single Lesser Black-backed gull, 22 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Gannets, 4 Shags, 3 Kestrels, 6 Carrion Crows, 8 Ravens, 2 Skylarks, 2 Swallows, single Blackcap, single Sedge Warbler, 37 Willow Warblers, single Chiffchaff, 7 Wrens, 55 Starlings, 5 Blackbirds, single Robin, 4 Wheatears, 2 Stonechats, 2 Dunnocks, 14 House Sparrows, 3 Pied Wagtails, 17 Meadow Pipits, 2 Chaffinches, 51 Linnets and 5 Goldfinches.

Sedge Warbler on bracken near the Airfield. ©Thomas Weston

A boat day today meant a busy day for the team. As a result, census was split but was very productive. The area in Millcombe was covered during ringing so a nice mix of residents and migrants were recorded. Outside of Millcombe sightings included 3 Mallards and 3 Woodpigeons in Barton’s Field; 3 Great Black-backed gull, 9 Herring Gulls, 2 Stonechats and 3 Wheatears in SW Field; 4 Carrion Crows and 12 Meadow Pipits on the Airfield; a mixed flock of 32 Linnet and 4 Goldfinches mostly in Brick Field; a single Swallow over the Village; a nice arrival of 4 Sedge Warblers and 20 Willow Warblers feeding in Bracken between Pointless Wall and Quarter Wall; 5 Wrens in bushes throughout the second half; and 29 Starlings and 18 House Sparrows in the Village.   

Ringing

Alongside census, Millcombe ringing was productive with Willow Warblers making the majority of the catch but a Sedge Warbler were all caught before 07:30. An evening wander around the Village resulted in 5 Wheatears caught and ringed that was very productive.