Bird Sightings

By Thomas Weston.

A day off today which started with a swim before a trip through Millcombe and a walk along the track to the East Side Path. We got back to the Village where the weather turned and went rather foggy.

Here are a few pics!

Juvenile Robin in Millcombe

Blue-tailed Damselfly – by Thomas

Needing a moult Wheatear – by Thomas

By Eleanor Harris 

Today marks the official Lundy air day, a day which celebrates small planes flying into the island. Historically its been very hit and miss if it goes ahead but today we were lucky with the weather on Lundy, however, the mainland was a very different story. Though Lundy was calm, still and clear parts of the mainland were shrouded in fog resulting in fewer planes landing but overall it was a very lovely day. Today was also a special boat day so a change of routine for all.

Lundy Air Day Eleanor Harris

The plan today was to head over to the Airfield to see the happening of our very own Lundy ‘airport’. Those who arrived yesterday set up tents under their planes making it look rather charming whilst those who arrived today parked up to explore the island. It was a great atmosphere and even the Lundy Fire crew were enjoying themselves relaxing on inflatable ducks!

Inflatable Ducks Photographer Unknown

Taking a slow walk towards the west we bumped into flocks of Linnets showing nicely around Acklands Pond whilst Meadow Pipits and Skylarks sang around the scrubby areas. Heading towards the west it was notable that the weather was changing, with a cold westerly wind descending – in contrast to the calm experienced this morning. A lunch spot was found in Jenny’s Cove; an ideal place to watch seabirds with a good number of Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots and Fulmars still around. If you are still keen to see Lundy seabirds this year we encourage you to come in the next few weeks before they leave Lundy for the year. Whilst at Jenny’s we also showed a group of day visitors some of these species, which made their day.

Starling Eleanor Harris

Heading back to village, we checked on the air day proceedings and headed back for a cup of tea. In the afternoon we decided to open the walk-in traps to catch Starlings and House Sparrows with the help Lucile. A good number of juvenile Starlings were caught, plus a new sparrow for the project, so a very successful little session.

A chilled evening was had supporting Simon in the Tavern, playing music with a group of visiting musicians.

By Thomas Weston

Happy World Seabird Day today!

Please see our General News Page here for a World Seabird Day Special: https://lundybirdobs.org.uk/news-and-sightings/general-news

by Greg Lee

An interesting and long day on the island with my main duty being the seabird station at the Battery. Today was a great day with the Puffins, with many birds perched on the grassy slopes with great views to be had from the Battery for day-trippers and staying visitors alike. Every so often, the Puffins would choose to take off the cliff and swirl around in a Puffin cyclone, a spectacular sight. it seems hard to believe that they will be mostly gone within the month! Excitedly, the Shag Ringing Team currently on the island also sighted a Puffling, with hopefully many more to appear soon.The Razorbills were also on display with many birds rafting on the water, with others still looking after their large chicks in the various crags and gullies on the cliffs. Every so often a Great Black-backed Gull would pass over, much to the Puffins annoyance. Distantly offshore, a Manx Shearwater was riding the waves along with some Gannets, though I couldn’t sight any cetaceans or other marine-based predators on this occasion, despite a feeding party of Kittiwakes being spotted. On the way back, some Wild Thyme in flower caught my eye, with clumps of these attractive purple flowers to be found across the island currently.

Puffins at the Battery by G.Lee

Thyme in flower by G.Lee

For some members of the Conservation Team, it was a late night with another session undertaken with the Storm Petrels. Despite the bright Strawberry Moon, we managed to process 50 birds, many of which were new, though some sported BTO rings, potentially from elsewhere, whilst one had a ring from Jersey! Likely from Alderney. A collection of 18 Oystercatchers nearby was also an interesting sight and possibly a post-breeding flock taking a break after a busy spring.

Strawberry Moon rising by G.Lee