4th Oct – Four Little Egrets and the first Yellow-browed Warblers of autumn

The day started off with the amazing sight (for Lundy) of four Little Egrets flying past the Landing Bay from the north-east, rounding Rat Island and continuing south-west – watched from the lofty vantage point of Castle Cottage by Chris & Carol Baillie.  Although Little Egrets have been virtually annual since 2007, with only 2012 drawing a blank, this was the highest ever count for the island, the previous maximum being three on 16 May 2002.

Today also brought two Yellow-browed Warblers, the first showing well in Millcombe throughout the morning and the second in bracken along the East Side Path just north of the quarries during the late afternoon. The second bird had much broader whitish fringing to the tertials than the first, confirming them as two different individuals.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen again, once more dividing its time between Millcombe and the Terrace. Also continuing its stay was the Great Northern Diver, still largely in breeding plumage.

Other notable sightings for the day included two Merlins, two late Sand Martins, an equally tardy Whitethroat and three Firecrests.

Visible migration was less evident than on 3rd, but totals included 73 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 5 alba wagtails, 280 Meadow Pipits, 53 Linnets, 105 Goldfinches, a Greenfinch, 4 Redpolls, 10 Siskins and a Reed Bunting. Other migrants were represented by 22 Chiffchaffs, 11 Blackcaps, 12 Goldcrests, 5 Stonechats and 21 Robins.

Records contributed by Carol & Chris Baillie, Tim Davis, Darrin Dowding, Ken Ebsworthy, Tim Jones and Ryan Miller.

Whitethroat, Upper East Side Path, 04 Oct © Tim Jones

Record shot of Yellow-browed Warbler, Millcombe 04 Oct © Tim Jones