Bird Sightings

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!

By Tara McEvoy-Wilding

This weekend the Feral Stock team are over to count the Sika, Soay and Goat populations, so me and Simon went along to help. It is important that we get an accurate idea of their population each year so we know how many we will need to cull in the winter to prevent the island being overgrazed. In order to count them, we spread out in a long line and walk slowly across the whole island, recording everything that passes us to the left. The weather was amazing and the birds were making the most of it- I passed lots of singing Skylarks, and two Wheatears at Jenny’s Cove. Jenny’s Cove was a hive of activity with 10 Puffins and lots of Guillemots on the slopes and cliffs!

Now I’m sure you’ve all been wondering where the marine content has been… so look no further! Today was one of the lowest tides of the year so I hoofed it back from three-quarter wall to go rockpooling! Spring has sprung in the marine world- new seaweed was growing out the rocks and fresh kelp was shining in the sunlight!

New Thong weed (Himanthalia elongata) growth near Rat Island

My old favourites the Celtic sea slugs were out in force- I managed to find 8 very tiny ones, ranging from 2-5mm in size. Celtic sea slugs are an unusual species of sea slug as they breathe air a bit like us whereas most other sea slugs have gills like a fish.

The underappreciated Celtic Sea Slug

The real highlight was the 128 Scarlet and Gold Star Corals that I found in 4 locations- one of which was new to me! They are usually not seen whilst rockpooling as they prefer slightly deeper water, but as the tide was so low I was able to view them.

Scarlet and Gold Star Coral under the Jetty

I also recorded 7 species of crab, 5 species of anemone, a funky worm that I believe to be Alentia gelatinosa as well as a seaspider Nymphon sp. Overall a successful rockpool!

Back in the birding world Thomas and Eleanor were finally able to open up the mist nets in Millcombe Valley and ringed the first Willow Warbler of the year! Let’s hope this good weather stays!

By Eleanor Harris 

It really does fell like spring is coming upon us quickly with the weather warming and the island starting to become busy. Today the island looked rather beautiful with signs of spring around. It was one of the first busy travel days of the season with Tara helping with Helicopters and Thomas on Housekeeping. The weather is changing with the Oldenburg arriving yesterday to drop of much needed supplies before the busy sailing season commences at the end of the month. 

Today marks the first day of our new Terrestrial Breeding Bird Survey which will be running monthly from the 20th to the 23rd. This survey aims to understand a little more about our breeding birds and how they are fairing on the island, taking into consideration breeding areas and numbers. It is an exciting time for the island to understand a little more about our local and migrant birds. We look forward to keeping you posted with updated and our findings but if any of you would like to get involved on your next visit it would be great to have your help. 

Today started with census which covered three of our squares. It was great to be out and enjoy the sunny weather before work. It was a busy morning with the sky full of birdsong on such a beautiful morning. Some of the highlights for census was pairs of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks plus a Goldfinch showing well. It was a busy morning with the warm weather bringing in some new arrivals so we will keep you posted over the next few days. After the survey was completed I headed to work. 

Meanwhile Thomas was housekeeping with some of the highlights being two Siskin and some Sand Martins. The real highlight came with a Black Redstart spotted in the village which later flew over the staff accommodation and into the camping field. On my break between shifts I was lucky to see the Black Redstart and enjoy some of the evening sun before returning to work. 

Overall it was a great day all round with migration and arrivals. We all look forward to seeing what the next few days and months bring and how Lundy changes with the coming Spring. 

Black Redstart in the Village TW

By Thomas Weston

Chiffchaff in Millcombe. ©ThomasWeston

Migration was strong today and it was noted throughout the day that birds were arriving. Eleanor and I found a Blackcap with 3 Chiffchaff in Millcombe before census. Unfortunately, the wind being so easterly meant that Millcombe was unringable this morning. However, census with Simon went really well. We noted the warblers noted above, a range of resident species, and an even higher count of Razorbill then yesterday with now nearer 300!

White Wagtail in Barton's Field.© ThomasWeston

Wheatear in Barton's Field. ©ThomasWeston

Moreover, we noted some migrants. These included 4 Cormorants North, Sand Martins, Wheatears, White Wagtails with an increase in Pied Wagtails, and more Meadow Pipits annoying the local males who have now set up territory.

I was in the Tavern this afternoon working so the core migrants were not seen and it seemed they just kept coming with sightings from members of the public. Today was also a good day for butterflies with Peacock Butterfly, Small Tortoiseshell, and Red Admiral seen as well as Buff-tailed Bumblebees.

After the Tavern shift, Eleanor and I had the crazy idea to go nightcatching with the calmer weather. We ended up seeing 16 Snipe and 5 Jack Snipe. We caught a Jack Snipe from October 2025 and a new Snipe too! We heard an Oystercatcher and at least 4 Manx Shearwaters too. A great, but rather long day today.