Bird Sightings

By Greg Lee

Hello everyone!

My name is Greg Lee and I’m very pleased to be joining the team as the Voluntary Bird Observatory Assistant for the season until early November. Previously, I’ve had several experiences at UK-based Bird Observatories including internships at Sandwich Bay and Spurn before becoming Assistant Warden at Sandwich Bay from 2022-24 and then spending last season as one of the Assistant Wardens at the brilliant Bird Observatory on Bardsey Island in North Wales. Having really enjoyed my season spent on Bardsey and on a remote island, I caught the island bug and jumped at the chance to apply to spend some time on Lundy this year. Until my arrival on Monday 23^rd, I had never set foot on Lundy, having a rather unfortunate experience of trying to visit on a day trip whilst on a holiday in North Devon in early July 2024 (looking at the Heddon Valley High Brown Fritillaries etc.). Typically, though, the winds became strong, the sea became choppy and our boat got cancelled. No bother, we booked for the next day, only to get cancelled again! So, I was very pleased to finally arrive on the island by helicopter, getting very unique views of up to four enormous Basking Sharks loafing in the waters off the south coast of the island, my first ever. Over the season, I’ll be assisting the team in conducting the censuses, ringing and various conservation projects as well as helping the island community with the upkeep of various tasks. I’m a very keen naturalist in several areas, so as well as the birds, I’ll also be keeping an eye out for Lepidoptera, Odonata and plants (including the Lundy Cabbage) so I’m excited to see what the island delivers this season. If you are visiting the island, you will see me doing the rounds in the morning or assisting with the ringing, or you may even see me brandishing my microphone doing some sound-recordings so please feel free to say hi!

Overnight was pretty noisy on the island, an F7 wind roared in swinging round to the north-west and bringing a healthy dosage of hail which hammered down on our windows in the small hours along with a fair bit of creaking in our various accommodation. However, it is not enough to dampen our spirits and first thing in the morning, I joined Thomas and Eleanor for only my second morning census. Even though the sea was very choppy, and we were being buffeted as we walked, the sun was shining and there were some birds to be had on our patrol. Down in Millcombe, a Blackcap, Firecrest, five Goldcrests and six Chiffchaffs were using the sheltered valley for respite (had they really moved in overnight?). At first the Landing Bay also seemed quite quiet, but patience paid off with the long-staying Red-necked Grebe and two Great Northern Divers sighted on the surface of the sea. It proved to be a bit of a raptor-fest as well, with the Sparrowhawk, Merlin and one of the Peregrines all zooming past on the high winds. Near Quarry Cottages, a bit of close-in Gannet activity offshore caught our eyes. In my experience, the Gannets are usually following something else and sure enough, a pod of at least 20 Common Dolphins were breaching the surface. 

After a bit of a thaw out in the office, I then turned my attention to some of the mandatory health and safety training, which gave time for the wind to die down a bit before Thomas and I headed out to check on the nets and ringing equipment in Millcombe Valley. On our way over, we detoured over to the Castle where we sighted a decent feeding frenzy of seabirds far offshore including Kittiwakes, Shags, Herring Gulls and Manx Shearwaters, though what they were following was never determined. In the Landing Bay, one of the Great Northern Divers was still lingering and a few Razorbills were close in.  A White Wagtail also flicked over whilst down on the cliffs a Wheatear was singing. The wind is due to die down tomorrow so what the birds will do in response, we shall see!

By Simon Parker

The return of some strong winds meant census was a wild affair again, Millcombe was quiet but small numbers of Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Wood Pigeon and a lone Willow Warbler were spotted.  The wind never stopped and visibility was poor as the low cloud covered the island, not the best day to look for birds.  Heading across the island, the wind didn't get any better and even the gulls looked like they were fed up.  But the sheep feeding area normally attracts a crowd and today didn't disappoint.  Over 130 Herring Gull, 15 Crow and 12 Mallard were spotted near the water tanks feeding,  Other notables were the Meadow pipits, still dotted around and now on nesting territories and the Pied Wagtails, mostly bunched around the Bartons area.

On returning from Census it soon became apparent that a Black Stork had been reported flying North around the Tibbets area on the 23rd. Thomas and Gregg both set out to see if it might still be on the island, perhaps trapped by the strong winds but to no avail.  This is being submitted as a rarity with at least 4 people confirming, one of which being familiar with the bird.

It's windier than it looks, believe me

A lot of buzz was created and I spent the afternoon calming down by working on emails and policies for the coming season,  The Bird Observatory committee then gathered online for our update meeting to discuss the year ahead. Many exciting things are in the pipeline so be sure to watch this space...

But the day was wrapped up with another online meeting with the Lundy Ambassadors, a team of dedicated volunteers who offer tour guides and educational outreach.  The combined knowledge and love for Lundy was evident and everyone is raring to go for the season, boats begin on the 31st March! (fingers crossed).. The only question that was left unanswered is how Tara manged to get the kitchen to send her a chocolate cake upstairs, a privilege I am not yet entitled to but one which I will be pursuing.

Overall, a quiet day for birds but a lot was achieved and the season ahead is looking good!

By Thomas Weston

Following on from the amazing posts of the fellow Conservation/Bird Obs Team, today was a day of east winds vs west winds. The weekend started nicely with east winds gracing the island, a pleasant warm arrival gateway for species. However, Sunday changed and a weak front from the west came into play and colder conditions came from the Atlantic. Move onto today and we awoke to a very warm and calm conditions over the island. A slight east/south east wind was a very lovely wind and the migrants reacted too.

Hawfinch in Millcombe. Thomas Weston

Census started well, birds seemed to be on territory in Millcombe and this included the Song Thrush belting out its song. However, nearby a second Song Thrush and a Redwing (possibly our last of the winter season) was seen on the path round to the Ugly. The conditions in the Landing Bay were nice and calm, though the breeze did produce to odd wave from the east. Here I was greeted by a Red throated Diver and a flyover Siskin which was much appreciated. Walking around the Ugly, I heard the Water Rail on territory in the bramble who during this section gave a few pig squeal calls. Moving just a few metres more and to my surprise a female/second calendar year Hawfinch jumped out of the Blackthorn and sat on the top feeding on the buds. Amazing! A species so secretive and subtle in a forest/woodland environment and it was great to see at such a close range. To my excitement, I dropped my pen and the sound caused the bird to hop below, allowing me to continue onwards. In total I saw this bird a few times within a few minutes and it seemed to slowly make its way up the hill towards the Ugly but with no sign half an hour later I am not sure where it went.

Skylark in South West Field. Thomas Weston

Moving onwards, there were 5 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps in the valley and a few Goldcrest heading into the Pines. Onwards and upwards towards Brambles Villas and a few more residents singing was very lovely to hear in such calm conditions. Through this section 4 Woodpigeons were heard and a flock of 4 Goldfinches too. At Benjamin’s Chair the rafting Razorbills showed well and moving on round the sky was full of Skylark and Meadow Pipit song. The Airfield held a few Pied Wagtails but the best birds here were the pair of Wheatear males seen chasing flies across the landing strip. A small flock of Sand Martins were the best from the rest of census before an afternoon of Tavern called. A great start to the day!

Spot the Basking Sharks (2 or 3 in pic). Tara McEvoy-Wilding

During my Tavern shift, Tara alerted me to the fact that some of the guests on the helicopter had seen some cetaceans. She was lucky enough to get a free trip to the mainland and back to confirm there were at least 4 Basking Sharks and a lone Minke Whale moving between Lundy and Hartland Point. Incredible!!! More exciting news came from the lectures of a visiting course trip who had great views of a Black Stork moving North up the island from Quarries onwards. This record is being submitted to the Lundy Bird Observatory and County recorder for acceptance. And to round off this post, we welcome our new Bird Observatory volunteer Warden Greg Lee who will be joining the team until November. Greg will be out completing census, helping with ringing, some of the socials and finding some good species along the way. Watch this space….

By Simon Parker

Feral is one of my favourite words, it's often been used in the past to describe my past lifestyle choices or appearance.  But today it was counting Feral animals, not looking or behaving like one.

The annual Feral stock count is carried out once a year to give an idea of how many animals are on the island.  On a small island, large numbers of herbivores can easily damage the vegetation if their numbers are too high.  Equally, if the numbers are too low, the Islands vegetation can get out of hand.  How do we count the feral stock on Lundy? What a great question! Read on...

Essentially, we gather in a line that spans the width of the island.  Using radios to stay in contact, we slowly walk North and push the animals with us.  When the animals eventually run past us South, we count them.  Once we reach the North Light, it's time for Tunnocks and tea.

Walking the line

On Lundy, the Feral stock consists of Sika deer, Soay sheep and Goats.  Goats are the least numerous with around 30 on the island, Sika at around 100 and Soay are up around 250.  All three of these animals are tied to the Island through heritage, tourism, grazing and supply for the tavern.  Anyone who has had the game pie, will of been eating one or more of these animals in the tavern.  After some complex maths, the numbers that we have will dictate our management plan for the coming winter.

We also used this opportunity to count the breeding birds as part of a new project.  This year we plan on mapping the terrestrial breeding bird population to give us an idea of what's breeding, where they're breeding and what birds are being successful or not. 

No treasure was found

So... Bird wise, we managed to spot 5 pairs of Peregrine, 22 Meadow Pipits, 10 Skylarks all singing and on territories, Mallard, Wren and Teal were spotted around Pondsbury along with the Grey Heron.  Red-throated and Great Northern Diver were also spotted down in the Landing Bay.  On the West coast, we had numerous Razorbill, Guillemots and Puffin all making the most of the calm weather.  Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Firecrest have all been spotted up in Millcombe valley but not in large numbers.  A successful weekend's counting!