Bird Sightings

By Thomas Weston and Eleanor Harris

Today started relatively breezy, but gradually the wind gained in speed. It was our day off today so we thought we would get on with some painting and DIY tasks in the house before heading for a walk later. However, whilst working on our house, the weather turned and the rain was relentless and persistent, not ideal to be out. Reports from visitors and our Bird Obs Volunteer Greg noted few birds around the island. Island scarcities included Treecreeper in Millcombe, 2 Cormorants who were seen flying North, as well as the lingering White Wagtail who presumably cannot head on further North due to the weather. We made a trip to the Ugly where we had a little seawatching session. Our highlights included close Gannet, a Fulmar, and a pod of Common Dolphins who were active off Rat Island. Back in time for tea and cake before the weather closed in even more and turned to fog in the evening and visibility on the way to our 8pm Wildlife Log was less than 50m. Hopefully tomorrow is a sunnier day with better weather. 

In the meantime, the Lundy Bird Observatory is providing an exciting opportunity for up to 14 Young Birders aged 18-25 to come over to the island from the 1st to 8th August 2026, staying in The Barn. Ringers, birders and moth enthusiasts are encouraged. Cost will be £300 per person, which includes boat fares and accommodation. However, with the BTO Young Bird Observatory Visitors (YBOV) programme it may be possible for participants to obtain grant of £250 towards their costs. Applications for the YBOV grants close on 31 May 2026 - more details on how to apply can be found here. Food will be an additional cost. If interested drop an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By Tara McEvoy-Wilding

Due to foggy weather on Friday, the helicopter day was moved to Saturday, which altered by plans for the day as I had to do ground crew!

Because of my tie to the helicopters wildlife encounters were few and far between... but I did keep a 'luggage list' (list of bird spotted whilst collecting and delivering luggage!).

• On the way to Old Light I saw 10 Mallards, many Herring Gulls and lots of Starlings attempting to steal the sheep's breakfast
• There was a Pied Wagtail by the shop 
• A Peregrine was sat on a Chimney at the Castle
• A Skylark and 2 Meadow Pipits were hanging out by Hamners

Meanwhile Simon conducted the weekly Butterfly transect, but sadly saw no butterflies. The Treecreeper remained in Millcombe throughout the day, and was spotted by Eleanor, Thomas and Greg at various times. Greg also spotted a Common Dolphin pod feeding behind Rat Island!

After the last helicopter (hopefully the last of the season!) had left and we had delivered all the luggage I did the 'Above and Below the Waves' talk in the wheelhouse, it had been very well advertised today so the room was full!

In the evening we all met up to see if we could catch and ring any Manx Shearwaters on the west coast. We walked carefully through the colony but unfortunately the moon was too bright so most of the Manxies were reluctant to come into land or to come out of their burrows due to the risk of predation. We did get a glimpse of a couple flying past us though! Because the visibilty was so good we could see all the way down to the rocks below and as the waves were breaking they were sparkling- it was the bioluminescence! This is caused by phytoplankton creating light through a chemical reaction in their tiny bodies, they typically use this for defence, so when they are spun around in a breaking wave they mistake it for something swimming along trying to eat them. Despite the lack of Manxies it was a good trip out and made a good practice run- now we just have to wait a couple of weeks for the new moon!

My only (not very good) photo from the day- the West Coast Slopes at Night! Red lights are used so we and the Manxies don't lose our night vision

By Thomas Weston

A very wet and windy start to the day with low cloud base and persistent rain from the West. A day where you could stay in bed all morning and wait for the fronts to pass. Though, not today, census called, and waterproofs were put on ready for the drenching. The visibility was less than 50m and was better than first thing this morning where staff members reported visibility down to 5m! Crazy.

Treecreeper in Millcombe. Photo by Thomas Weston

Millcombe involved walking through the cloud. The Ugly was not the best vantage point over the Landing Bay as I couldn’t see the Landing Bay from this spot. However, walking on round, Chaffinches, Dunnocks, and Wrens were singing from the brambles and in Smelly Gully. A look from the first bend on the Shore Road just below the Gas Store resulted in the Landing Bay becoming visible. The first Sandwich Tern of the year was feeding around Rat Island, the wintering Great Northern Diver was nearby, and a small flock of Shag fed in the Landing Bay near the Jetty. Walking towards Brambles accommodation, a small flock of Blackcap were in the trees above the Gas Store and our recently arrived Treecreeper was feeding with them which was a great little spot. A couple of Goldcrest were recorded before heading back into the cloud and onwards. Benjamins Chair, Rocket Pole Pond and the Airfield held 10 Meadow Pipits, 19 Carrion Crows, 8 Mallards, and 102 Herring Gulls plus a full drenching. The Village was not much busier so back into the office for some admin and waiting for the storm to pass.

By Eleanor Harris 

Today started with Greg conducting our daily census. The weather was mild and relatively calm, but with a slight chill in the air from the west so it will be interesting to see what today brings. On the route some of Greg’s highlights where a Firecrest, two Water Rails and a Siskin all present in Millcombe. 

Lighthouse View EH

Meanwhile, as it was our day off, me and Thomas completed some much needed housework ahead of meeting Greg to check the Manx Shearwater boxes. Walking to the West it was beautiful to be out in the calm, sunny weather, but it was certainly noticeable that the weather was slowly changing before the low fog and cloud predicted for tomorrow. Due to the predicted weather forecast, tomorrow’s helicopters have been postponed till Saturday as visibility will be rather poor so a real change from today. 

On our way to the colony we spotted several colour-ringed Wheatears, a rather out of place Woodpigeon on the Airfield, Merlin and Peregrine. On your next visit keep an eye out for colour-ringed birds, especially Wheatears, as data collected by you contributes to wider scientific study and understanding. It was great to show Greg the Manx Shearwater boxes with checks being successfully carried out and breeding signs evident in the colony. The boxes will be monitored throughout the season so we will keep you all posted on any updates. 

Swallow Pondsbury Thomas Weston

After checking the boxes we took Greg on a tour of the West showing him the Earthquake, Jenny’s Cove and Pondsbury. It was great to see 37 Swallows and 16 Sand Martins along our route being some of the highest numbers so far this year. Back into the village we checked Barton’s Field with 2 Pied Wagtails and 2 White Wagtails seen so a good walk overall. 

Treecreeper in Millcombe Thomas Weston

As it was such a beautiful day, me and Thomas headed to Millcombe to open a few nets and enjoy some Minstrels. Dropping down into Millcombe it was noticeable that the wind had dropped with the valley being a sheltered haven. Once down in the valley we bumped into the university students and lecturers who are currently staying on the island so offered to give them a ringing demonstration. Birds ringed were 6 Goldcrest plus a retrap, as well as a retrap Chiffchaff from Saturday’s session. Whilst down in Millcombe we spotted a Treecreeper which was a great find, and a Lundy rarity. Whilst we were down in Millcombe the weather started to turn with light rain showers so we decided to packed up and head back for dinner. No Minstrels were had as we got slightly distracted! 

Today has been a productive day in many ways with some lovely weather ahead of tomorrow’s wash out!