10th to 16th Jan – Some spring weather come early

10th January

Dense fog all day with peak visibility of 1km in the afternoon.

With poor visibility all day, very few species were recorded. At Jenny’s Cove and along the west coast 92 Fulmars were on the cliffs with 100 Guillemots. As expected, a Peregrine was also perched up high keeping an eye out for an easy lunch.

 

Fulmar, Jenny's Cove, 10 Jan © Stuart Cossey

11th January

Overcast with light easterlies.

Despite there being clear skies and easterly winds there was little obvious migration. Two Skylarks were recorded flying over the Village, with a further three recorded in South West Field. A Fieldfare was still by Stoneycroft and the Merlin was seen again over Lighthouse Field. A total of 12 Chaffinches were recorded in Millcombe along with two Goldcrests. A Great Northern Diver was off Quarry Beach and a Pied Wagtail came to roost in Barton Field in the late afternoon. 

12th January

Light northerlies with warm sunshine and no clouds.

A spring-like feel was in the air with the first Skylarks singing in South West Field. Some finch migration was noted with three Lesser Redpolls flying over Millcombe, a flock of 17 Linnets over Old Light (24 seen in total) and a Brambling was heard over Rocket Pole Pond. Large flocks of Starling were recorded moving over the island, with a total of 380 seen in flocks of up to 140.

A flock of five Golden Plovers were on the Airfield. A Lapland Bunting over Barton Field takes the Lundy year list to 50.

 

Golden Plover, Airfield, 12 Jan © Stuart Cossey

13th January

Clear with little wind and mild temperature. Cold overnight with light frost in places.

The calm weather continues and with it came a few more Linnets with 19 recorded across the island. The first Kestrel of the year was a female seen hunting Starlings around St Helen’s Church. A Golden Plover was on the Airfield and two Pied Wagtails were seen.

14th January

Mild and clear with light easterly winds.

Another first for the year turned up today with a Stock Dove in Millcombe along with three Woodpigeons. Also in Millcombe were two Goldcrests and a Water Rail. 

 

The first Stock Dove of the year, Millcombe, 14 Jan © Stuart Cossey

A large feeding flock was seen off the East Side, comprised of 300 Kittiwakes, 70 Razorbills, 30 Guillemots, 60 Gannets and 12 Common Gulls.

15th January

The mild spring-like weather continues.

The dawn chorus in Millcombe is slowly building with Dunnock, Song Thrush, Robin and Wren all singing. Also in Millcombe were four Woodpigeons, a Water Rail and five Redwings.

16th January

Overcast and cold in the morning but turning mild with a light wind from the north.

Millcombe was busy this morning with a flock of seven Chaffinches, a Siskin and a female Bullfinch. Bullfinches are an occasional visitor to Lundy but January records are rare. A Merlin was seen over St John’s Valley and two Golden Plovers flew over Ackland’s Moor. At Pondsbury there were 11 Teal, three Snipe and the male Reed Bunting.

Observations by Stuart Cossey.