tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59577120360867770812024-03-14T06:18:17.815+00:00Lundy Bird Observatory Sightings ArchiveBird and wildlife news from Lundy Bird Observatory (discontinued Nov 2023). For the latest island updates visit www.lundybirdobs.org.ukChris Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02994425111656237267noreply@blogger.comBlogger867125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-41569634900322126552023-12-08T18:21:00.008+00:002023-12-09T17:53:50.979+00:00We're migrated to a new website...This blogspot is no longer active and will continue to be hosted online as an archive. But never fear, all of your favourite island news and more and can now be accessed on the new Lundy Bird Observatory website! We'd like to take this opportunity to thank every contributor for sharing observations and images over the years. Please continue to share your records and media with the Bird Observatory Warden by <a href="mailto:birdobs@lundyisland.co.uk">email</a>.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://lundybirdobs.org.uk">lundybirdobs.org.uk</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy birding,</div><div>The Lundy Bird Observatory Team</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5dkXljl4DZUL5YgCMVoP9JRz35AlscXBLS1oaJLGfCIg_ERMYE9zP8hJrFOj4HUR8e6fTMpoMIrkRb7O7TdV3nZg9tEZhNzhCQY4JgsU5EbPN1ic-c3EoC6i6VeUD3xECgsTPWeZc7OSFQJ9tL4L2tXnqSiJviXZYCpshMRPiZ7vqBOm14GA8cuTBsSD/s2539/Lundy%20Bird%20Observatory%20Logo%20(Round)%20Large.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2539" data-original-width="2539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5dkXljl4DZUL5YgCMVoP9JRz35AlscXBLS1oaJLGfCIg_ERMYE9zP8hJrFOj4HUR8e6fTMpoMIrkRb7O7TdV3nZg9tEZhNzhCQY4JgsU5EbPN1ic-c3EoC6i6VeUD3xECgsTPWeZc7OSFQJ9tL4L2tXnqSiJviXZYCpshMRPiZ7vqBOm14GA8cuTBsSD/s320/Lundy%20Bird%20Observatory%20Logo%20(Round)%20Large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-81571328967485002152023-11-03T22:14:00.008+00:002023-11-05T18:37:33.122+00:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update 27th Oct - 3rd November<p><i>Fairly windy and a lot of rainfall throughout this period with very few birds around or moving on some days. A bit of respite on 30th saw a bit more passage before a series of storms blew in from the Atlantic, with named Storm Ciaran arriving in the evening of the 1st November.</i></p><p>After one previous record on 16th November 1956, just the second Lundy record of <b>Surf Scoter</b> was found off of the east coast on the 27th. The female type bird was initially picked beyond Rat Island but obligingly moved closer into the Landing Bay allowing better observation and confirmation of the ID. Unfortunately, a <b>Great Northern Diver </b>resurfaced beside the scoter and spooked it. The <b>Surf Scoter</b> flew straight back out to sea and was not seen again. An adult female <b>Shelduck</b> was present on census on the flooded ground beside the water tanks on the 3rd. Three <b>Teal</b> were seen over the sea from the east coast on the 1st and later sitting in the calm waters of the Landing Bay. By the 2nd they had joined our single bird up at Pondsbury, and on the 3rd another two birds had joined the flock making a total of six. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9gXhxHWoAAfVY-?format=jpg&name=small" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="604" height="595" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9gXhxHWoAAfVY-?format=jpg&name=small" width="529" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Record shot of female type <b>Surf Scoter</b> in Landing Bay © Andy Jayne</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTdVSemHuBvJwjwdhUh7cJDlxku091Fsel2FP1MeEJnvXZeNebKmBiuQ_XL1zuHSaYFXmTkyVd6R0053da6MecTGSlMOennDpMhtzovTxJ_cYU2WFYkcdhfaVGaedGXNqb_aCpyf7Bi1nZeywqVonVNCciDiSrsyozbo0kv1RgWU71qgZmJVyYilAdaMh/s2689/DSC07725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="2689" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTdVSemHuBvJwjwdhUh7cJDlxku091Fsel2FP1MeEJnvXZeNebKmBiuQ_XL1zuHSaYFXmTkyVd6R0053da6MecTGSlMOennDpMhtzovTxJ_cYU2WFYkcdhfaVGaedGXNqb_aCpyf7Bi1nZeywqVonVNCciDiSrsyozbo0kv1RgWU71qgZmJVyYilAdaMh/w573-h365/DSC07725.jpg" width="573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult female <b>Shelduck </b>near to the Water Tanks © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A check of Brazen Ward on the 28th found a flock of 32 <b>Oystercatcher </b>which is the highest count since spring. A single <b>Golden Plover </b>overflew the airfield on 30th and was calling high over Millcombe on the 31st, and heard again over the water tanks on the 3rd.</p><p>Nocturnal survey effort continues, made somewhat easier by the changing clocks. Another three <b>Woodcock </b>were ringed on the 30th with two other birds seen and another single flushed in daylight on the Lower East Coast Path. Unfortunately one carcass was found in SW field on the 3rd; likely a <b>Peregrine Falcon </b>kill. Three <b>Jack Snipe</b> were found on the 30th with one ringed, and another was found near Quarter Wall in daylight hours on the 31st. The island is holding a large amount of surface water at the moment with plenty of excellent areas for snipe to roost or feed, so they're turning up all over the place, not just in a few key areas that were typically frequented earlier in the autumn. Barton Field has contained a <b>Jack Snipe </b>on every survey since mid October, but now we're encountering them in places such as the airfield too. High counts of six <b>Common Snipe</b> were recorded on the 30th and the 2nd with two separate observations of a bird being pursued by a <b>Peregrine Falcon</b> on the 29th and 30th. </p><p>The storms have seen seabirds gathering to feed in weather windows in the lee of the island towards the end of this period, with 500 <b>Kittiwake</b> on the 31st and over 1500 on the 1st November. Over 100 <b>Gannet</b> and 80 auks amongst them. Our long staying winter plumage <b>Great Northern Diver</b> was joined by another which retained much of its glorious summer plumage on the 28th. A third bird was also seen with them on the 30th. At least one has been seen daily since. A single <b>Cormorant</b> flew over the island on the 28th, 31st and 1st. A <b>Grey Heron</b> is still picked up occasionally and up to three <b>Water Rail</b> can still be heard calling in Millcombe Valley.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL46F5oFVdzfmnUKoU6vm-ynbi5_QL1BgN0UARQGtqjw-P8LB0-hlsf8UV13Bk9r_Iu3b9WI-vQ2qRwfreZmEpoA0kJ42Nhi3kpu0XqppqVHBGymp80vZjAjuVx2DlIcBALNZo74D39kUkPUq72D7t_SepbedqpxGtc-PuBq_mufR6F2aLt3CYG9akR6w/s1580/DSC07974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1580" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL46F5oFVdzfmnUKoU6vm-ynbi5_QL1BgN0UARQGtqjw-P8LB0-hlsf8UV13Bk9r_Iu3b9WI-vQ2qRwfreZmEpoA0kJ42Nhi3kpu0XqppqVHBGymp80vZjAjuVx2DlIcBALNZo74D39kUkPUq72D7t_SepbedqpxGtc-PuBq_mufR6F2aLt3CYG9akR6w/w593-h398/DSC07974.jpg" width="593" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Plumage <b>Great Northern Diver </b>in the Landing Bay © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We enjoyed excellent island coverage in much of October, but with most visiting birders away, as well as our Bird Obs Warden Joe, the north of the island has contributed far fewer records to the log book. Raptor records are significantly down after fantastic numbers last week. This is likely partially due to reduced coverage but also a result of some raptors having moved on now that the bulk of the migrant passerines and waders that they were feeding on have passed through. Both a male and female </span><b style="text-align: left;">Sparrowhawk </b><span style="text-align: left;">are still seen occasionally, just one male </span><b style="text-align: left;">Kestrel</b><span style="text-align: left;"> recorded in this period and up to four </span><b style="text-align: left;">Peregrine Falcon</b><span style="text-align: left;">. At least three </span><b style="text-align: left;">Merlin </b><span style="text-align: left;">were still present on the 28th, but hereafter none were recorded until a single bird from Tibbet's on the 3rd. After a period of no sightings since the 25th, a </span><b style="text-align: left;">Short-eared Owl</b><span style="text-align: left;"> was again seen in Lighthouse Field on the 31st and watch flying on Castle Hill by two visitors on the 1st. Notably a late </span><b style="text-align: left;">Osprey </b><span style="text-align: left;">flew south into strong winds a fair distance off of the east coast on the 1st November. This is our fourth record of the autumn and the latest for Lundy by five days, with one previously on 27th October 2001, at a time when the species was no-where near as well established as it is today. It's fantastic to see them thriving in the UK again, and our records this year perhaps reflect this recovery, with previously only one, occasionally two birds recorded on passage in the autumn.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;">Up to seven <b>Chiffchaff</b> are recorded daily, although typically just three in Millcombe and a couple along the east coast. The long staying <b>Yellow-browed Warbler</b> showed very nicely at Quarter Wall on the 27th but has not been seen since. A little more movement on the 30th with 18 <b>Blackcap </b>new in after a couple of blank days in the log book. Similarly for <b>Goldcrest </b>with nine on the 30th and 12 on the 31st. A very showy <b>Firecrest </b>was easily seen and heard from the beach road at Windy Corner on the 29th and 30th, before two were then<b> </b>trapped and ringed on the 31st</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXYhczTgZnrE4y1-U15kI-VmZgVhAKn0fykkcfNq07fYpX6jXzqR__z7L_aVoebKKnbvedJrvnSUOosLPLuc2UZuzC9BptRlAV5BCxhzBfZH2NKtqa6k0hyphenhyphenaMTmEJvJ5sJ69Dv0umx_JKPGwFk-_ZpYQdIgPN-ZT7Ocs_fNs2AL_35iF7b0jiildbvX9o/s3476/DSC06613.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2429" data-original-width="3476" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXYhczTgZnrE4y1-U15kI-VmZgVhAKn0fykkcfNq07fYpX6jXzqR__z7L_aVoebKKnbvedJrvnSUOosLPLuc2UZuzC9BptRlAV5BCxhzBfZH2NKtqa6k0hyphenhyphenaMTmEJvJ5sJ69Dv0umx_JKPGwFk-_ZpYQdIgPN-ZT7Ocs_fNs2AL_35iF7b0jiildbvX9o/w576-h404/DSC06613.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Firecrest</b>, Beach Road © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Another influx of at least 100 <b>Starling</b> joined our longer staying birds on the 30th, but had moved on again by the next day. A <b>Ring Ouzel</b> has been recorded everyday except for the 27th, with two males dropping in below the Timekeeper's Hut on the 30th amongst a small flock of <b>Fieldfare</b>. <b>Fieldfare </b>remained in single figures until the 30th when 70 were recorded in a couple of larger flocks. Around 20-30 have stuck around since, with some birds frequenting the Water Tanks and another flock around the top of Millcombe. We had the second highest count of <b>Redwing</b> for the autumn on the 30th at 110 (after 700 on their big arrival day on the 12th October). Half of these birds erupted out of the beer garden shrubbery and left the island shortly after sunrise. After a couple of blank days at the start of this period, we're recording between five to ten <b>Song Thrush </b>daily since the 30th A flock of ten <b>Blackbird</b> was seen along High Street on the 2nd. A <b>Mistle Thrush </b>was rattling about the village on the 30th and 31st. A single <b>Woodpigeon</b> has been seen in Millcombe on the 31st and 3rd, the first record since the 23rd. </p><p>Excitingly, an adult male <b>Waxwing</b> was picked up on census on the 28th and is still present, favouring the lower gardens in Millcombe, although it was also photographed by the Timekeeper's Hut above the Terrace. It evaded the mist nets at our first try, but another go on the 31st in calmer weather was successful, making this bird the first <b>Waxwing </b>ever to be ringed on Lundy! It is just the sixth record of this species for Lundy. They are an annual visitor to the UK in winter, but some years an 'irruption' sees a huge influx when food is scarce or the weather is unusually harsh in their preferred wintering grounds. It's looking like a <b>Waxwing</b> winter this year, with huge numbers already seen across the east coast of the UK, with a few odd records of smaller numbers or individuals making it as far west as Lundy or Ireland. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9hugAIXQAAG4R5?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="405" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9hugAIXQAAG4R5?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" width="606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Waxwing </b>among the limited selection of berries currently on offer in Millcombe © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9jCDFMWEAAn4lR?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="800" height="429" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9jCDFMWEAAn4lR?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" width="615" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwing in Sycamores above the Battlements © Angus Croudace<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9xl1srWkAAeIhQ?format=jpg&name=large" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="800" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9xl1srWkAAeIhQ?format=jpg&name=large" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Waxwing</b> in the hand © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A couple of late <b>Swallow</b> with six on the 31st, some of which roosted overnight with three picked up again on the 1st. A single bird was recorded struggling in the gale force winds over the Airfield on the 2nd, and we were pleased to see that it had survived through into the 3rd, flying around the village. The biggest movement of <b>Skylark </b>was a flock of nine on the 30th with a couple of singles otherwise. A big contrast to Skokholm a bit further north who reported several hundred moving through on the 31st! A <b>Woodlark </b>was found sheltering from the 60mph gusts in the heather around Rocket Pole in the morning of the 2nd.</p><p><b>Stonechat </b>numbers have been notably low this week, often in the low single figures. A late <b>Northern</b> <b>Wheatear</b> was in Brick Field on the 30th. Three days in this period have recorded no wagtails of any species, otherwise just a few single <b>Alba/Pied</b> <b>Wagtails</b> recorded with one <b>Grey Wagtail</b> on the 27th.</p><p><b>Chaffinch </b>numbers have been around 225 throughout 27th-31st except for the 29th with 401. This was also likely an undercount as birds were moving in modest numbers but we lacked the coverage to monitor the full extent. Nearby, at Bull Point in excess of 5000 were recorded on the same morning, although we suspect that some showers out to sea to the north of Lundy meant that the birds moved up the Bristol Channel before making the crossing, hence lower numbers over us despite favourable winds. Passage had stopped by the 1st, with just a score or so found feeding on the tracks or in Millcombe. Just four records of <b>Brambling</b> this week, including a female ringed in Millcombe. We noted about 80 <b>Siskin</b> daily until Storm Ciaran after which just single figures were to be found. A small flock of 8 <b>Linnet </b>has been feeding in St Johns Valley this week, with a couple of singles picked up elsewhere. Two <b>Lesser Redpoll</b> on the 27th are currently the last record in the log book, and on the same day three <b>Snow Bunting</b> were seen on the wall around Tibbet's, although sadly have not been resighted.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFVTsSy5uLcDku5PH_V5cWKKX2mL42bSrns4GjyxWYP6jbTbMDDNI3nNoFwTuQFPEvQVIjtt-DqgoVm6FSwRYSP4e7b2qYCPbwT3fg7ELaVLdu1j3m-3p8M1enLM2QtolbPq69xegfPU3pAMccl8MHI7YsmYVeKOm43iOaFSnKH0tuLz3RIgUPEzgeRAF/s3466/DSC06792.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2193" data-original-width="3466" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFVTsSy5uLcDku5PH_V5cWKKX2mL42bSrns4GjyxWYP6jbTbMDDNI3nNoFwTuQFPEvQVIjtt-DqgoVm6FSwRYSP4e7b2qYCPbwT3fg7ELaVLdu1j3m-3p8M1enLM2QtolbPq69xegfPU3pAMccl8MHI7YsmYVeKOm43iOaFSnKH0tuLz3RIgUPEzgeRAF/w600-h379/DSC06792.jpg" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male <b>Brambling</b> in Sycamores above Millcombe Pines © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9xTbMZXAAAiK6T?format=jpg&name=medium" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="800" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9xTbMZXAAAiK6T?format=jpg&name=medium" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female <b>Brambling </b>ringed in Millcombe © Luke Marriner<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally for this week, a wee video from Storm Ciaran, taken in a very windy SW field.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='533' height='443' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx5U9cbKjTRf1Ov8iOPNFXL7N9l1YUusOv5r7QhzrWp6YIFUapbngWi4296sgMidaMPRQyutjyNeDWWSN8qRQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-88642359720824125152023-10-26T21:02:00.004+01:002023-10-27T09:33:51.748+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update 17th - 26th October<i>The most notable weather patterns this week were some strong easterlies 17th-19th and another period of lighter south-easterlies 22-23rd. The 25th brought light north-easterly winds before they dropped to nothing for the afternoon. More typical autumnal sunshine and showers from south westerlies returned on the 26th.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>The island has become a frenzy of hunting raptors this week with <b>Merlin</b> a constant presence. Up to five individuals counted, as well as an autumn high count of five <b>Kestrel</b>. Up to eight <b>Peregrine Falcon</b> were recorded this week, and a male <b>Sparrowhawk</b> has joined the long staying female with the two birds usually seen hunting along the east coast. A ringtail <b>Hen Harrier </b>was present on the 19th and up to two <b>Short-eared Owl </b>have been picked up 21st-25th. Our highlight of this week was undoubtedly a stunning juvenile <b>Pallid Harrier </b>on the 19th, the first record for Lundy. It was seen by many at locations across the length and breadth of the island. It was watched carrying away a <b>Common Snipe </b>and later roosted by Pondsbury, but unfortunately for us was observed leaving the island shortly after dawn on the 20th.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F85eDSAXUAIx4-T?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="800" height="473" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F85eDSAXUAIx4-T?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" width="598" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile <b>Pallid Harrier</b> © Eden Davies<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL5MzsIsiByntv_UHfsBesdn3EscxdlzNG6LIrpFQJR99VHX_8CjGFO1D5-EdHQXQgTEicV06ylSya4L7PqOzjlFHgdWzOuYMOKmkULNlt69L9euz7RFvc7CcwVhQoILZ-yYimqHyveAvy02vR7WL4HpmAfzrdtQQUcRNpFks7JAcI5-6CVKkth68rlE0/s1836/Our%20initial%20sighting%20of%20the%20Pallid%20Harrier%20over%20the%20quarries%20on%2019Oct.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1836" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL5MzsIsiByntv_UHfsBesdn3EscxdlzNG6LIrpFQJR99VHX_8CjGFO1D5-EdHQXQgTEicV06ylSya4L7PqOzjlFHgdWzOuYMOKmkULNlt69L9euz7RFvc7CcwVhQoILZ-yYimqHyveAvy02vR7WL4HpmAfzrdtQQUcRNpFks7JAcI5-6CVKkth68rlE0/w607-h458/Our%20initial%20sighting%20of%20the%20Pallid%20Harrier%20over%20the%20quarries%20on%2019Oct.jpg" width="607" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial Views of juvenile <b>Pallid Harrier</b> over Quarries © Tim Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F85eGQVWQAAv5dL?format=jpg&name=large" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="800" height="429" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F85eGQVWQAAv5dL?format=jpg&name=large" width="601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile<b> Pallid Harrier </b>© Eden Davies</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A single first-winter male <b>Wigeon</b> was present on Barton Field on the 19th and then Pondsbury 20-21st. A few <b>Teal </b>arrived on the 18th with a high count of four. A female type <b>Common Scoter </b>was seen off of Benjamin's Chair on the 18th and then North Light on the 19th. Up to five <b>Water Rail </b>have been heard calling this week, all in Millcombe/St John's except for a bird below St Helen's Copse. <b>Woodpigeon</b> numbers have dropped from eight to zero, likely falling prey to the raptor influx, with at least one carcass found at the north end of the island. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAlkIopVhB0YYxlr266TPw0s9mf8RyKSDUhYX7H3Xj23mJhIq16UoP1L9qmu9WVbiGzjriAyj_Ayhxx5FfixYC84vJrsbcve7OnsK3-crbn4WrcGlOun2YQfPEIHaPRmnitLruprzJPVwCAit1nA8NIc1sIQV4bzKHoNcU282DWzibI1fJa25JwNVbDG-/s2500/Wigeon%20Barton%20Field%2019Oct.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="2500" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAlkIopVhB0YYxlr266TPw0s9mf8RyKSDUhYX7H3Xj23mJhIq16UoP1L9qmu9WVbiGzjriAyj_Ayhxx5FfixYC84vJrsbcve7OnsK3-crbn4WrcGlOun2YQfPEIHaPRmnitLruprzJPVwCAit1nA8NIc1sIQV4bzKHoNcU282DWzibI1fJa25JwNVbDG-/w587-h391/Wigeon%20Barton%20Field%2019Oct.jpg" width="587" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-winter male <b>Wigeon</b> at Barton Field © Tim Jones<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhby_1WXEVN2CTlTvsaAPh-_tN7jFlDOvPirGMfjtFQrbWIcptU8XIhX3mT3qr-uZXNh0rOwpKwQV5uIim1-WQUsSe9vsbdBEeeGmQfTzGfSUNzP8parq1Tr4c1Wc72TskZqpll9vqb0SuP80l5tHylua3ejAvqqcPhT-9BtCdBnz7A2hLutox5Tn7wGJ/s2034/Common%20Scoter%20off%20North%20Light%2019Oct.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2034" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhby_1WXEVN2CTlTvsaAPh-_tN7jFlDOvPirGMfjtFQrbWIcptU8XIhX3mT3qr-uZXNh0rOwpKwQV5uIim1-WQUsSe9vsbdBEeeGmQfTzGfSUNzP8parq1Tr4c1Wc72TskZqpll9vqb0SuP80l5tHylua3ejAvqqcPhT-9BtCdBnz7A2hLutox5Tn7wGJ/w575-h444/Common%20Scoter%20off%20North%20Light%2019Oct.jpg" width="575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Scoter </b>off of North Light on the 19th © Tim Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A single <b>Lapwing </b>was seen on the 23rd with another single bird seen on the 25th around the Airfield. The last date <b>Golden Plover</b> were recorded was the 20th, with two birds heard calling. A single <b>Dunlin</b> was picked up around the island between 16th-20th, usually around the Airfield. The first <b>Woodcock </b>of autumn was ringed on a nocturnal survey on the 17th in south-west field with another two recorded on the 22nd and one bird flushed from Quarry Pond on the 26th. <b>Jack Snipe</b> have become fairly regularly recorded, with five ringed in the past week and a high count of seven on the 20th. Records of <b>Common Snipe</b> have decreased after the large influx in the middle of the month, with typically around eight birds recorded daily in this period. The <b>Redshank </b>continues its stay, although it was recaught on the 18th and worryingly had dropped from 150g to 120g. It has been seen feeding on worms since the 18th though and so is now finding more suitable places to feed than cattle grids and vehicle tracks!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheG72Rvafaip_c2SIX1QRTWpHPCPsB-4MAqcNgc-J8AoEVoaiaYn1vf56SqeKpJAU4UX87HGYYoS7YC_K05fgnEQgEP1jc14AdykH9pan4BjCXyOw21GpPvO_6HrurHnMRqSxlB-Xz0uLHVBIG_eblZSih0l3jsj8dRLbxQGEtlBHxlJGzAwATaOW5jpPH/s1600/IMG-20231015-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheG72Rvafaip_c2SIX1QRTWpHPCPsB-4MAqcNgc-J8AoEVoaiaYn1vf56SqeKpJAU4UX87HGYYoS7YC_K05fgnEQgEP1jc14AdykH9pan4BjCXyOw21GpPvO_6HrurHnMRqSxlB-Xz0uLHVBIG_eblZSih0l3jsj8dRLbxQGEtlBHxlJGzAwATaOW5jpPH/w594-h445/IMG-20231015-WA0001.jpg" width="594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jack Snipe</b> Barton Field © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A couple of <b>Common Gull</b> were sighted around the coastline with three below Quarry Beach on the 21st. A flock of 25 <b>Herring Gull</b> with a single <b>Common Gull</b> were loafing in the Landing Bay on the 25th, later seen flying in smaller parties around the north end. A good day count of 30 <b>Lesser Black-backed Gull</b> on the 23rd. A first-winter <b>Yellow-Legged Gull </b>was found feeding on a carcass of an Atlantic Blue-fin Tuna on the 17th, both good Lundy records. We also received a belated report of a fantastic observation this week – a single <b>Chough </b>was seen and heard north of Jenny's Cove by a visiting climber!</div><div><br /></div><div>A <b>Red-throated Diver</b> was seen from the MS Oldenburg 10 minutes after it departed the Landing Bay on the 21st. A <b>Great Northern Diver </b>has been picked up almost daily since the 21st, feeding off of the Landing Bay. Typically around 40 <b>Gannet </b>are recorded off of the coastline daily. Several records of <b>Cormorant</b> this week, which is a fairly scarce visitor to the island. In this period three on the 19th, six on the 22nd, one on the 23rd and two on the 24th. Up to two <b>Grey Heron</b> have still been seen fishing around the coastline, which is presumably proving more fruitful than Pondsbury – many previous visiting herons have seemed strongly attached to the various small freshwater bodies across the island, often appearing to struggle to find sufficient food for maintaining condition. A small flock of three <b>Grey Heron</b> drifted over Tibbetts from the east on the 24th.</div><div><br /></div><div>At least two <b>Yellow-browed Warbler</b> were found along the east coast on the afternoon of the 20th, with one bird continuing to the 26th, typically seen in Quarter Wall Copse. A <b>Red-breasted Flycatcher </b>also turned up at Quarter Wall Copse on the 20th, detected late in the day and not seen subsequently. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3j-_xdxmlqYp5m-hlYZqVeplj0aD16JgthKAGK5t3GBcY1TGRnI_yG6HY7mWNstW_7hpl_ZfYE3Q0lgzROTd8-BeRafyKx238lxXQmSZr1jyBNRDOJE3o0sxm3iZ6LqJ79Cbc2t96wdRN7klWwQJ07dQZ13qc2yQrogO5DTZyrDs3VLIZq2-2ima_hXW/s4145/DSC04136.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4145" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3j-_xdxmlqYp5m-hlYZqVeplj0aD16JgthKAGK5t3GBcY1TGRnI_yG6HY7mWNstW_7hpl_ZfYE3Q0lgzROTd8-BeRafyKx238lxXQmSZr1jyBNRDOJE3o0sxm3iZ6LqJ79Cbc2t96wdRN7klWwQJ07dQZ13qc2yQrogO5DTZyrDs3VLIZq2-2ima_hXW/w591-h405/DSC04136.jpg" width="591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Yellow-Browed Warbler</b> Quarter Wall Copse © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We've seen quite a few late records of some species passing through, likely due to the very mild autumn. It started to feel like September again when another<b> Common Whitethroat</b>,<b> </b>a striking male <b>Common Redstart</b> and a male <b>Pied Flycatcher </b>were picked up on the 22nd! A late <b>Eurasian Reed Warbler</b> was seen regularly in Millcombe 19th-23rd, moving between the back of Millcombe House and the Lower Garden. A single late <b>Whinchat </b>was at Quarter Wall on the 26th. A late <b>Tree Pipit </b>was seen on the deck by Quarry Cottages on the 19th and one was also heard in flight by two observers on the 20th heading north over the Terrace. On the same day a <b>Richard's Pipit </b>was heard and seen in flight leaving the island over the Castle. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mDT56LOb57eep2UC2GbfMXz21NQ_SbCdP3vIE8hWMhHMDkc85Ti5dr-jdtpZsoxK_VJfjEGBQNmSr_IcduOI8CRH0lJJIqfFed_jBQ3Kr851deUPW6kD8ZYrkT-kldZEnokxdIUtLA2bIUyGdCbNeXSlteiwVCMYpYQGvrknUVPNrK6juxYc9JHp2a6b/s2640/DSC04546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1849" data-original-width="2640" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mDT56LOb57eep2UC2GbfMXz21NQ_SbCdP3vIE8hWMhHMDkc85Ti5dr-jdtpZsoxK_VJfjEGBQNmSr_IcduOI8CRH0lJJIqfFed_jBQ3Kr851deUPW6kD8ZYrkT-kldZEnokxdIUtLA2bIUyGdCbNeXSlteiwVCMYpYQGvrknUVPNrK6juxYc9JHp2a6b/w579-h405/DSC04546.jpg" width="579" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stunning male <b>Common Redstart</b> at Stoneycroft © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Typically around a hundred <b>Meadow</b> <b>Pipit</b> were recorded daily at the start of this period, moving over in small groups or individually, with a high count of 394 on the 22nd before numbers decreased more recently with 42 on the 25th and 29 on the 26th. <b>Skylark </b>passage continues with up to about 30 heading south most days although just three on the 26th. The 20th saw a few late hirundines moving through with 230 <b>Swallow </b>and 16 <b>House Martin</b>. Up to 30 <b>Swallow </b>are recorded on most other days although a complete absence on the 19th and 26th are an indication that their passage is petering out. </div><div><br /></div><div>About 18 <b>Chiffchaff </b>daily 19th-22nd, dropping to 5 by the 26th. A small arrival of 22 <b>Blackcap</b> on the 22nd although these quickly moved through with just half a dozen remaining on the 26th. <b>Firecrest </b>continue to be seen almost daily, with a high count of five on the 20th, including one that was observed arriving 'in-off' in the company of 25 <b>Goldcrest</b>. There was another large influx of <b>Goldcrest</b> on the 22nd, with 112 recorded and 74 ringed in Millcombe in the morning. The second <b>Treecreeper </b>of the year<b> </b>was heard calling in the bottom of Millcombe on the 21st.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5sMESi41pDRZgrGwq7bYtcSxBFuDZ01fNd4N-3T_I931QWxRlp5lzFvXSndQiqz9HZM4Gypp7UKwzAmdMDdSdGF6qsIaHfUz5sex6S8yfxb4GSyYPRR9S2lDJcqVapSURvQPjr7PwoQ7gyZCYHhvfq1KCVisQp79nKKTXXoBlp7Lvd_tZIi3ud2qPPO1/s1536/firecresrt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1536" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5sMESi41pDRZgrGwq7bYtcSxBFuDZ01fNd4N-3T_I931QWxRlp5lzFvXSndQiqz9HZM4Gypp7UKwzAmdMDdSdGF6qsIaHfUz5sex6S8yfxb4GSyYPRR9S2lDJcqVapSURvQPjr7PwoQ7gyZCYHhvfq1KCVisQp79nKKTXXoBlp7Lvd_tZIi3ud2qPPO1/w574-h434/firecresrt.jpg" width="574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Firecrest </b>ringed in Millcombe © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We had a noticeable arrival of migrant <b>Robin</b> on the 20th with a high day count of 39. Two <b>Black Redstart</b> were found on the west coast on the 23rd with one bird working its way from Old Light to the Lodge on the 25th. After a small hiatus in records a few <b>Wheatear</b> were sighted at the end of this period, with two daily since the 21st, and a high count of five on the 25th. Single <b>Grey Wagtail</b> over daily since the 22nd with three on the 23rd. Three sightings of <b>White Wagtail</b> on the 19th, 21st and 22nd. </div><div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ioNiRhu-QaCftYBM7Ui_stro1yhXSI2_GDmZawgIhsQtsaovF_6c6JkIFJO4L9JdZ9vXsYABHIZzO7gewmui4wZbHyC3NgFnxYWAPvtpKLu1xFHo32zQrkrT9IMhKE61WA2W3RkGWsm8lnk3ErzT7cnV5RIeZuz5AU0njcvf7Nive27nKnRi_6JhsJLX/s3358/DSC05156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2242" data-original-width="3358" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ioNiRhu-QaCftYBM7Ui_stro1yhXSI2_GDmZawgIhsQtsaovF_6c6JkIFJO4L9JdZ9vXsYABHIZzO7gewmui4wZbHyC3NgFnxYWAPvtpKLu1xFHo32zQrkrT9IMhKE61WA2W3RkGWsm8lnk3ErzT7cnV5RIeZuz5AU0njcvf7Nive27nKnRi_6JhsJLX/w575-h384/DSC05156.jpg" width="575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female type <b>Black Redstart </b>by Lambing Shed/Lodge © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div></div><div>As warbler and hirundine passage dwindles, the baton passes over to thrushes and finches. Autumn finch passage on Lundy is a spectacle to behold in the second half of October, with small flocks constantly streaming past the island on some days. <b>Starling</b> also move, with our typical early October counts of slightly over 100 birds joined transiently by flocks of migrants. Several hundred were recorded daily between 18th-26th with two high counts of 414 on the 20th and 478 on the 24th. </div><div><br /></div><div>The 20th and 25th saw moderate thrush arrivals. Whilst most days have recorded at least one <b>Ring Ouzel</b> this week, we had a high count of 8 on the 20th and three on the 25th. 40 <b>Fieldfare </b>on the 20th and 51 on the 25th. There were 92 <b>Redwing</b> on the 20th with about 40 most other days, and they can occasionally be heard calling as they pass over at night too. Most notably on the 25th was a large arrival of <b>Blackbird</b> and <b>Song Thrush </b>with day counts of 39 for both species. <b>Mistle Thrush</b> are uncommon on Lundy in autumn and so it was nice to have one at the North End on the 23rd and at least one rattling around the top of Millcombe on the 25th.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosJsqC8HZJiBYf3x5KlKKY6siISBKVh9OOoFFlQ0rZufMnfT6tsyHV3FfEBSJyzlF0X2Yylv4a7vtopGvz3CAMSifCivJ4xJEEWhJOB5XqaqaQW7xzvtyFD6xGnmauCSAF61OA5qgrcgjRbqrTd8eTlSNB293mTytpN9mxbIOong5bPR43x1p1ury_ZoD/s1896/Fieldfare%20Millcombe%2017Oct.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1896" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosJsqC8HZJiBYf3x5KlKKY6siISBKVh9OOoFFlQ0rZufMnfT6tsyHV3FfEBSJyzlF0X2Yylv4a7vtopGvz3CAMSifCivJ4xJEEWhJOB5XqaqaQW7xzvtyFD6xGnmauCSAF61OA5qgrcgjRbqrTd8eTlSNB293mTytpN9mxbIOong5bPR43x1p1ury_ZoD/w590-h387/Fieldfare%20Millcombe%2017Oct.jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Fieldfare </b>Millcombe © Tim Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>After the first initial push of c1500 <b>Chaffinch </b>already reported on the 16th, we saw this scale up somewhat. A couple of hundred were recorded daily 17th-21st before 550 moved through on the 22nd, 4031 on 23rd and 3114 on 24th! The biggest push coincided with the south-easterlies, which is typical for Lundy. <b>Chaffinch</b> seem to prefer flying into a light to moderate headwind. Valuable ringing records have proven that some – perhaps most – birds passing through Lundy in autumn breed in Fennoscandia or even as far east as Russia. From these breeding grounds they migrate south-west along a relatively narrow corridor through Denmark, Germany and the low countries (in preference to crossing the North Sea) before either crossing the English Channel to the UK and Ireland, or continuing south-west into France and Iberia. The big flocks passing Lundy recently were perhaps readjusting their course to a more south-westerly course, having been pushed further north and west than intended by strong easterly/south-easterly winds.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Siskin</b> scaled up proportionally, with around one hundred daily but 810 on 22nd, 1157 on 23rd and then a drop to 334 on 24th where they were significantly outnumbered by the <b>Chaffinch</b>. Among the finches a couple of <b>Brambling </b>have been picked out on most days, usually detected by their nasal, wheezing call. There was a good high count of 14 on the 23rd. A single <b>Greenfinch </b>was recorded on 17th, 22nd and 25th. <b>Lesser Redpoll </b>have been picked up typically as singles with a couple a day but high counts of five on the 23rd and eight on the 25th. <b>Linnet</b> numbers have dropped significantly from the 168 recorded in early October. We're now only reaching tallies of 20-40 birds recorded daily, with similar numbers of <b>Goldfinch</b>. These are typically in very small flocks with none of the large groupings seen earlier in the season. </div><div><br /></div><div>A <b>Lapland Bunting</b> toured the island on the 20th-22nd as seen/heard by many observers. The second <b>Snow Bunting </b>of the autumn<b> </b>was elusive around Middle Park on the 23rd, having first been seen perched atop a prominent rock at Dead Cow Point, where it narrowly avoided the clutches of a <b>Merlin</b>! We're hoping that some more classically confiding individuals drop in before the season is out. Nice <b>Reed Bunting </b>passage has been recorded with between one and six birds daily, usually as singles calling overhead or dropping into favoured areas such as the willows below Government, and Pondsbury/Ackland's Moor/Quarter Wall.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDqeSsWo_iGPINZoja2JIhKXB726GcTliwptZGDYsxxhmVK8hPXtdXPRT5LMcwlvZ0N8r4hsO_mzavUfhHUwhbro2GJhTSio7YRZoKM459aA1AYvo2Nry5YCONhccAIQz52gUMCMLujgNcV-GoVAKnE7FeBzRxS5_iferGNnl0ucg4sqSYjs_zmIWWoc9/s1500/Ringing%20on%20the%20day%20of%20the%20Goldcrest%20fall%20in%20Millcombe%2022Oct.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDqeSsWo_iGPINZoja2JIhKXB726GcTliwptZGDYsxxhmVK8hPXtdXPRT5LMcwlvZ0N8r4hsO_mzavUfhHUwhbro2GJhTSio7YRZoKM459aA1AYvo2Nry5YCONhccAIQz52gUMCMLujgNcV-GoVAKnE7FeBzRxS5_iferGNnl0ucg4sqSYjs_zmIWWoc9/w628-h471/Ringing%20on%20the%20day%20of%20the%20Goldcrest%20fall%20in%20Millcombe%2022Oct.jpg" width="628" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringing station in Millcombe with (L-R) Luke Marriner, Joe Parker and Paul Morton © Tim Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-3458705656506141832023-10-16T22:39:00.004+01:002023-10-17T09:17:26.413+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 11th - 16th October<i>Prevailing south-westerlies carrying heavy rainfall overnight start this period. A bright, still and warm day on the 12th played host to our first large thrush passage. The winds subsequently swung north-west causing the temperature to drop on Saturday 14th before then becoming moderate easterlies on 15th-16th.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>A single <b>Redshank</b> has been present since the 13th and observed in all sorts of quirky places including the puddle outside Castles on the road; the drainage ditch by the Church; in flight low amongst Millcombe; most notably, stuck in the cattle grid by the Black Shed! Upon discovery, Lundy regulars Julian and Mark quickly enlisted a nearby plank, providing a ramp for it to ascend out of its predicament safely. It was seen feeding again on Barton pond on the 16th, and was caught and ringed on the evening of the 16th - the first <b>Redshank</b> ringing record for Lundy. We are amazed that it hasn't yet met the sharp end of one of our <b>Peregrine Falcons</b>, unlike a single <b>Stock Dove</b> which arrived on the 16th but didn't last beyond lunchtime. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexBBwyZ_p34H7oBv_P_hLE2yJWYhRDyXFZPar3u9SDbSC9TFrXPtQrX0CQEn9adsg5w5bZOGNX4H__ceRlfKhXMF9ANrhT4QI20Ssq1jsnFFpFCapGUTOjhuANd_eazwdmwqdhtdMBYF3PeTvmdG1vU5idTcK8V_1f-jYFq2WQscPmUODmNznvhQRZaA7/s1747/Redshank%2016%20Oct%20Barton%20R%20Campey.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1747" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexBBwyZ_p34H7oBv_P_hLE2yJWYhRDyXFZPar3u9SDbSC9TFrXPtQrX0CQEn9adsg5w5bZOGNX4H__ceRlfKhXMF9ANrhT4QI20Ssq1jsnFFpFCapGUTOjhuANd_eazwdmwqdhtdMBYF3PeTvmdG1vU5idTcK8V_1f-jYFq2WQscPmUODmNznvhQRZaA7/w536-h350/Redshank%2016%20Oct%20Barton%20R%20Campey.jpg" width="536" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Redshank</b> Barton Field © Richard Campey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A female <b>Teal</b> has been picked up on Pondsbury each day, with two new in <b>Mallard</b> on the 15th adding to our typical count of 13. A single female <b>Common Scoter</b> was in the Landing Bay on the 16th, with 16 seen on a seawatch on the 13th. An arrival of <b>Water Rail</b> on the 14th led to an autumn high count of five birds, including one above Quarry Beach with the rest in Millcombe. One <b>Lapwing</b> flew around the village around dawn on the 14th. A large amount of <b>Golden Plover</b> arrived with a max count of 29 on the 12th, with one flock joined by a <b>Whimbrel</b> on the 13th on the airfield. Several <b>Jack Snipe</b> arrived on the 13th and have been recorded daily since.</div><div><br /></div><div>Frequent flocks of <b>Common Snipe</b> were an unusual sight for Lundy, seen all over the island during this reporting period, with a maximum flock size of 26 on the 12th. Singles were flushed all over the island far more regularly than is typical including in Millcombe Wood and the Upper East Coast Path, hinting that there might be a substantial increase in numbers. Another two nights dazzling shone a whole new light on the scale of Snipe passage through Lundy. On the night of the 14th Joe and Luke ringed an incredible 55 <b>Common Snipe</b> as well as single <b>Jack Snipe</b> and five <b>Golden Plover</b>. In one night, this smashes previous all-time records for the island of 46 Common Snipe ringed 1947-2022 and 5 <b>Golden Plover</b> in the same timeframe. On the night of the 15th a further 20 <b>Common Snipe</b> and another <b>Jack Snipe</b> were ringed, and then another 10 <b>Common Snipe</b> and a third <b>Jack Snipe</b> on the 16th! These efforts were all south of Quarter Wall, there were no retraps on the first night and just a couple on the efforts of the next two evenings. Thus, it is clear that Lundy is absolutely swimming in Snipe at the moment! Our logbook reads 55 which is already an record breaking autumn day count, but could numbers even be in excess of 200 in reality?! The previous autumn passage record was a flock of 30 birds in November 1985.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiVjwr1znMAFFPRExFT7BLfGxenvNIQGVKSVqwIfZE2GnTAw6BRPgTQ3eZoZm0HGxzyuG5_Rk0bpHyVD1Mvh84wVZ_Txnzjhhyphenhyphen6YvsA5bp_2_PSpRx13PifBzVjzAeutaoJJE0pyGNqppb3LI3D6y8UgS5wqyKU7RFFObGCBonvQkon_YxBT1fwIAPvUi/s3849/DSC03026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2577" data-original-width="3849" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiVjwr1znMAFFPRExFT7BLfGxenvNIQGVKSVqwIfZE2GnTAw6BRPgTQ3eZoZm0HGxzyuG5_Rk0bpHyVD1Mvh84wVZ_Txnzjhhyphenhyphen6YvsA5bp_2_PSpRx13PifBzVjzAeutaoJJE0pyGNqppb3LI3D6y8UgS5wqyKU7RFFObGCBonvQkon_YxBT1fwIAPvUi/w544-h363/DSC03026.jpg" width="544" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Snipe </b>flock over Airfield © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDr47pO3RgTIAFKckk21UhA7_ebh30lD9S62FbHFZy1ZfoYpN1jVJGAvnAuy2bK9yHgrDmzMS3rgGqexPb_RIuh0EfZWkt1cAUQZxq0v8ksZsudMwhb2FYv5rzBeJVpdHi7HPsZ9A0dc7hD14m3VUu_TEUbcFtyVKlJf-JC_FfyTsxT9LGH9prX2sT7MW/s2493/DSC03059.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="2493" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDr47pO3RgTIAFKckk21UhA7_ebh30lD9S62FbHFZy1ZfoYpN1jVJGAvnAuy2bK9yHgrDmzMS3rgGqexPb_RIuh0EfZWkt1cAUQZxq0v8ksZsudMwhb2FYv5rzBeJVpdHi7HPsZ9A0dc7hD14m3VUu_TEUbcFtyVKlJf-JC_FfyTsxT9LGH9prX2sT7MW/w542-h365/DSC03059.jpg" width="542" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Snipe</b>, Millcombe Drive © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The 13th and 14th saw a lot of seabirds loafing or feeding off of the island, with 2270 <b>Kittiwake </b>on the 13th and 1000+ on the 14th. A <b>Mediterranean Gull </b>and six <b>Common</b> G<b>ull</b> close in below the Terrace on the 15th. Singles of dark-morph <b>Arctic Skua</b> were seen off of the east on the 14th and the 16th. A <b>Great Northern Diver </b>was again in the Landing Bay on the 11th, 13th and 16th,</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSsGRhNWugaXNXmzrb4pQStatNxzl2yeSWdh2SwtvMEs2fn4Iyj6upIbX3h0MfmBmN8Llx39LbYlEAs7mPXGducv5YrA009BzqoZ7tCAbvS2Q-hJ-NOkqGWTQ9DopColRkAkWGNRyecb8dZO1f9aD-Ht5xpvkrBw-o5X039P0Z1pgk8ayvSOp4gVNbrjC/s3393/DSC03142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2258" data-original-width="3393" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSsGRhNWugaXNXmzrb4pQStatNxzl2yeSWdh2SwtvMEs2fn4Iyj6upIbX3h0MfmBmN8Llx39LbYlEAs7mPXGducv5YrA009BzqoZ7tCAbvS2Q-hJ-NOkqGWTQ9DopColRkAkWGNRyecb8dZO1f9aD-Ht5xpvkrBw-o5X039P0Z1pgk8ayvSOp4gVNbrjC/w523-h348/DSC03142.jpg" width="523" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Great Northern Diver </b>Landing Bay © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>It has become substantially busier on the raptor front, with several <b>Merlin</b> individuals arriving with the <b>Redwing</b> on the 12th, resulting in a day count of four birds and several daily since. Two <b>Short-eared Owls</b> have been present since the 12th also, although are very unpredictable and elusive, with sightings ranging from the bracken on the east, cliffs in the Landing Bay, gorse in South-west field as well as in the heathland in the north. A ringtail <b>Hen Harrier</b> has been picked up at Quarter Wall/Pondsbury since the 13th. To add to these headliners are our continuing supporting cast of three <b>Kestrel</b>, up to eight <b>Peregrine Falcon</b> and a female <b>Sparrowhawk</b>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2GjIellR5IXYozcDEGuNO9AjcBUh9Rg7QF4Gxmxjzbpe8xSM-nPQvWBNG0paO7Wyl-TZPQyfTfAYBOtNk1YYigIqafXzOELJXJNr2fpLXf-6oRHxyQ6KCz5_r4hYT9xZQ6pCnxA3lInoSMjbCFSXBByTwibKAGCWoP4chwLAKlsxqjUIDuod06vtbtUy/s2029/Merlin2%2016%EF%80%A210%20Jennys%20R%20Campey%20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2029" data-original-width="1928" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2GjIellR5IXYozcDEGuNO9AjcBUh9Rg7QF4Gxmxjzbpe8xSM-nPQvWBNG0paO7Wyl-TZPQyfTfAYBOtNk1YYigIqafXzOELJXJNr2fpLXf-6oRHxyQ6KCz5_r4hYT9xZQ6pCnxA3lInoSMjbCFSXBByTwibKAGCWoP4chwLAKlsxqjUIDuod06vtbtUy/w562-h590/Merlin2%2016%EF%80%A210%20Jennys%20R%20Campey%20.jpg" width="562" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Merlin</b> Quarter Wall © Richard Campey</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSU1WPzEdxFUWvUP_8ldRiufKHmf2Fl8a3C3gJ5M5leAVYFYtTz7Cddi1xQYRr9v6BT5aRsrSFxlmtOPdTh-SWglc4yYpO3Y471Bd_15YxjVI0X1M_30m-RK7_9eFPPmqmt4UpbUH8CC_i0ncu-HyRPS9BhP6tNi8awwT7_d_6b7VuV3gjVlAJkGJTCWR/s1950/Short-eared%20Owl%20pic2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1950" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSU1WPzEdxFUWvUP_8ldRiufKHmf2Fl8a3C3gJ5M5leAVYFYtTz7Cddi1xQYRr9v6BT5aRsrSFxlmtOPdTh-SWglc4yYpO3Y471Bd_15YxjVI0X1M_30m-RK7_9eFPPmqmt4UpbUH8CC_i0ncu-HyRPS9BhP6tNi8awwT7_d_6b7VuV3gjVlAJkGJTCWR/w564-h375/Short-eared%20Owl%20pic2.jpg" width="564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Short-eared Owl</b> Lighthouse Field © Tim Jones<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKp67DS0NNtMxgDDhQQgOpf_YkKCPQp8LoGIPpxnUN2nLDM1t0wGApZ33hL9_XHeuLdscy9VTCPpUC3K2-44g5l6_Q_D8iDFUCzf2auWCBstaD7PC2_sOwiWP31PWhqhk14tPXls6HWL2r7a36U5Mb1H9q6e2JLEHgLISkxVTCdNgEulO1Gv8w42T5keAJ/s1567/DSC02884.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1567" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKp67DS0NNtMxgDDhQQgOpf_YkKCPQp8LoGIPpxnUN2nLDM1t0wGApZ33hL9_XHeuLdscy9VTCPpUC3K2-44g5l6_Q_D8iDFUCzf2auWCBstaD7PC2_sOwiWP31PWhqhk14tPXls6HWL2r7a36U5Mb1H9q6e2JLEHgLISkxVTCdNgEulO1Gv8w42T5keAJ/w571-h354/DSC02884.jpg" width="571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Merlin </b>double act at the North End © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Redwing </b>'tseeped' overhead through the night of the 11th, with counts starting from 6.30am resulting in a total of 700 birds recorded during the day across the island. 47 <b>Fieldfare </b>were amongst them. Since, about ten <b>Fieldfare</b> have been recorded daily and small numbers of <b>Redwing</b> (72 on 13th, and about 20 daily since). Amongst the thrush arrival on the 12th were 16 <b>Ring Ouzel</b>, 22 <b>Song Thrush </b>and one <b>Mistle Thrush</b>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYawOAhElL9j8LR2gAv30evUej0JbDzJelPf62n4akcsEgFwuyFkBRObbBqzsaVyv8gvyH0aT1pvb13Qzkqya13c4PeupJtkW0ROEsjMRZf3C3uHl4vZpIiPv_XlS7glGUuXE6atoxFoSM-BdHGBb6Q5hicgweU9gAE5eVGjPx81FbXRD589lAzsY2Rcz/s3330/DSC03122.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="3330" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYawOAhElL9j8LR2gAv30evUej0JbDzJelPf62n4akcsEgFwuyFkBRObbBqzsaVyv8gvyH0aT1pvb13Qzkqya13c4PeupJtkW0ROEsjMRZf3C3uHl4vZpIiPv_XlS7glGUuXE6atoxFoSM-BdHGBb6Q5hicgweU9gAE5eVGjPx81FbXRD589lAzsY2Rcz/w565-h376/DSC03122.jpg" width="565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-year Male <b>Ring Ouzel </b>in Millcombe (note the worn tail feathers) © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW-Y_Y5BcmqQA4I5VSeN7WXua53Io-gB0BP0H4SnRx5aZeBiyccQamxVyY9-Zbywu61ZjXg14FWMd3gPDamKbxAHBxRlSXh6C13DGTKDGJYnAb_eX7hEF0yz3w8BmGDFh7uDxwUplXpUMY_IfL7LhoRScKGiBLXoMy1Vptrl4y-MG_TmLxR8j5vegJXgc/s1814/Ring%20Ouzel%20Jenny's%20Cove%2016Oct%202023%20pic5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1814" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW-Y_Y5BcmqQA4I5VSeN7WXua53Io-gB0BP0H4SnRx5aZeBiyccQamxVyY9-Zbywu61ZjXg14FWMd3gPDamKbxAHBxRlSXh6C13DGTKDGJYnAb_eX7hEF0yz3w8BmGDFh7uDxwUplXpUMY_IfL7LhoRScKGiBLXoMy1Vptrl4y-MG_TmLxR8j5vegJXgc/w567-h404/Ring%20Ouzel%20Jenny's%20Cove%2016Oct%202023%20pic5.jpg" width="567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ring Ouzel</b> Jenny's Cove © Tim Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Some <b>Skylark</b> continue to move overhead with some flocks of up to 20. High day count in this period of 85 on the 12th, but typically 30-50 recorded each day. 530<b> Meadow Pipit </b>around or over on the 12th with around 150 record daily since. <b>Swallow</b> have milled around again with over a hundred recorded each day but no real devotion to pushing forward. The <b>House Martins </b>observed have almost all been in small flocks that are more clearly pushing south, including a total of 52 on the 14th.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first <b>Yellow-browed Warbler</b> of the autumn was very elusive in Millcombe on the 15th and almost completely silent. <b>Chiffchaff </b>day counts typically break 20, and we have enjoyed a late <b>Reed Warbler</b> by Millcombe House. On the fine day that was the 12th there was another arrival of <b>Blackcap</b>, with 45 across the island, mostly in Millcombe, around a dozen have stayed for a few days to feed on the now dwindling blackberries. A <b>Lesser Whitethroat </b>showed well on the gorse by Rocket Pole on the 15th, and a late <b>Common Whitethroat</b> was above Smelly Gully on the 14th. A <b>Firecrest </b>was in Millcombe along with two long-staying <b>Spotted Flycatchers</b>. These birds (finally) left in the clear skies of the 14th to continue their long journeys, with the possibility that the flycatchers may well be destined as far as South Africa! <b>Goldcrest </b>counts have typically been 20 with a peak of 37 on the 14th.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqgLCXec562REJXMlRVd3BcuE6906snwohqQKZZHj61herXL5cwk6Vd90HpHq1r-0i5wx_nX0ceApHsyVbp3pgKqd6nQNWN3k2ZKASgtXpesH1UqIhALF-YK20B3sR8O2_31iCa0_xoHp43tvO1sobu_W2sXpSXrbpce6Z94dpyeypOH16o_j8KSwWqj2/s1732/Lesser%20Whitethroat%20Rocket%20Pole%2015Oct2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1732" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqgLCXec562REJXMlRVd3BcuE6906snwohqQKZZHj61herXL5cwk6Vd90HpHq1r-0i5wx_nX0ceApHsyVbp3pgKqd6nQNWN3k2ZKASgtXpesH1UqIhALF-YK20B3sR8O2_31iCa0_xoHp43tvO1sobu_W2sXpSXrbpce6Z94dpyeypOH16o_j8KSwWqj2/w555-h402/Lesser%20Whitethroat%20Rocket%20Pole%2015Oct2023.jpg" width="555" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lesser Whitethroat</b> Rocket Pole © Tim Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A <b>Black Redstart </b>was at North Light on the 11th. Between one and six <b>Wheatear</b> have been recorded daily in this period. One <b>Grey Wagtail </b>over on the 15th as well as a <b>White Wagtail </b>in Barton Field on the 14th.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd34ujI1ELDMjaRTh7axqiNkAS4sKqvEDA7qi-TWFWVWjrC4pV8449UnEKRaWpiNqMDNIuS-Z_oylHfN4a0cUGlW42SfZNdShWsSZ5KndDTp796rgOYLmlyAscPC8F3lmq-_opfmLQWqjWaGJ49tXrtfar8LUQc7DKrEB3uH8DtZhUMtq143H5zXkSZs1U/s1660/White%20Wagtail%20St%20Helen's%20Field%2014Oct2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1660" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd34ujI1ELDMjaRTh7axqiNkAS4sKqvEDA7qi-TWFWVWjrC4pV8449UnEKRaWpiNqMDNIuS-Z_oylHfN4a0cUGlW42SfZNdShWsSZ5KndDTp796rgOYLmlyAscPC8F3lmq-_opfmLQWqjWaGJ49tXrtfar8LUQc7DKrEB3uH8DtZhUMtq143H5zXkSZs1U/w561-h410/White%20Wagtail%20St%20Helen's%20Field%2014Oct2023.jpg" width="561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>White Wagtail</b> Barton Field © Tim Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Finally, the 16th was the first day of notable <b>Chaffinch</b> passage this season, with 50 emerging from roost in Millcombe and departing as the sun rose. Throughout the day a fairly constant stream of small flocks were moving south, mostly sheltering from the easterlies in the lee of the west coast. The total figure was c1500 for the day. Among were 4 <b>Brambling </b>(after the first of the autumn was heard on the 11th) and two <b>Greenfinch</b>. A group of four <b>Lesser Redpoll</b> feeding in Millcombe on the 12th, 11 across the island on the 15th and four on the 16th. The first <b>Lapland Bunting</b> of autumn was around Pondsbury on the 16th and a couple of <b>Reed Bunting </b>have passed through each day, with a high count of five on the 14th.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsRYGAZi2mL78re_OBFjoOff5ROfluofGUlmjrBrcTE62QOTUiexp8fCOIB-R4WPOQmoOleEvvgO8wJpOIZRdSBi2Iv7sOORPHza2UTPYBkYHoUUtahTAUGxpcjqhsZuRuqfZc_0DcvAPfU1tVSlqlemNfpDk6UYe9POjvPTwfGnyx3PI7aHQFKMO10UU/s4942/DSC03254.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3330" data-original-width="4942" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsRYGAZi2mL78re_OBFjoOff5ROfluofGUlmjrBrcTE62QOTUiexp8fCOIB-R4WPOQmoOleEvvgO8wJpOIZRdSBi2Iv7sOORPHza2UTPYBkYHoUUtahTAUGxpcjqhsZuRuqfZc_0DcvAPfU1tVSlqlemNfpDk6UYe9POjvPTwfGnyx3PI7aHQFKMO10UU/w535-h361/DSC03254.jpg" width="535" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lesser Redpoll </b>Lower Garden, Millcombe © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CzBlY9sn0tTHWr7hjf-4OYQCYhhxKly5BN7cxaEHVoIJj4GGvOGE0uTYdWg5fryo0CL6T4jqhVEfnJMeSC04HukQL3-f-8Lhrx7LZYbGhGDykz0drMTiHU7SmT503qYq4kMXnBOnI0_Su30RUnGDsAXxvIOlA9M0w9I4oozdr8jFLP_MZGaBUImnaeBo/s2510/Reed%20Bunt%20Pondsbry%2015th.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1628" data-original-width="2510" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CzBlY9sn0tTHWr7hjf-4OYQCYhhxKly5BN7cxaEHVoIJj4GGvOGE0uTYdWg5fryo0CL6T4jqhVEfnJMeSC04HukQL3-f-8Lhrx7LZYbGhGDykz0drMTiHU7SmT503qYq4kMXnBOnI0_Su30RUnGDsAXxvIOlA9M0w9I4oozdr8jFLP_MZGaBUImnaeBo/w532-h345/Reed%20Bunt%20Pondsbry%2015th.jpg" width="532" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Reed Bunting</b> Pondsbury © Richard Campey</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A couple of late <b>Clouded Yellow</b> butterflies, notable<b> Red Admiral p</b>assage with over a hundred on the 12th and a couple of <b>Painted Ladies</b>, <b>Small Copper </b>and <b>Hummingbird Hawk-moths</b> each day are the best of the Lepidoptera. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ICr0I2BM71ma7EGONj_oHDQe_FcEXUi0uqdnavAE_LGAl5TfQsMpjUeCwZ7hAEquxMf7w33zqbF_V1n8OezE6COZZLzOdEu42tIgUcCgn28MbsbdTETeAlqw-YleZsD6J5exoz8d3EeLG1rRq6ZuDblfQjgzxI9M1-41I8qlKFOUyJmyw1QqVHx5zx-a/s1710/Small%20Copper%20North%20Quarry%2015Oct2023a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1710" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ICr0I2BM71ma7EGONj_oHDQe_FcEXUi0uqdnavAE_LGAl5TfQsMpjUeCwZ7hAEquxMf7w33zqbF_V1n8OezE6COZZLzOdEu42tIgUcCgn28MbsbdTETeAlqw-YleZsD6J5exoz8d3EeLG1rRq6ZuDblfQjgzxI9M1-41I8qlKFOUyJmyw1QqVHx5zx-a/w554-h407/Small%20Copper%20North%20Quarry%2015Oct2023a.jpg" width="554" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Small Copper </b>butterfly at North Quarry © Tim Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuE_VklWAVn_GACJWkHhriygoq_H_7-ryTZB2hYNasHrU0CQ7J2t3fEOVmDtJpRMgMiqNglNG8CAEHEWHuzcITzNNIIZKJx2NT8dcDf6i1KY6eIPlz4rCuEAL3ds19l_mRFaxJdSRUshCqH7PGzlzFnOrWNiGy4OFxYQTHXF6zrS2IWslTV8CN38HM19l/s5472/DSC03551.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuE_VklWAVn_GACJWkHhriygoq_H_7-ryTZB2hYNasHrU0CQ7J2t3fEOVmDtJpRMgMiqNglNG8CAEHEWHuzcITzNNIIZKJx2NT8dcDf6i1KY6eIPlz4rCuEAL3ds19l_mRFaxJdSRUshCqH7PGzlzFnOrWNiGy4OFxYQTHXF6zrS2IWslTV8CN38HM19l/w546-h364/DSC03551.jpg" width="546" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pale Tussock Moth </b>caterpillar meets a migrant <b>Blackbird</b> © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNZui8BK5OVvGWNBTRuehnXlb0g5Qkciz_vtEaXX6IcMzhc7lphjjocN_j5Dc39f8AOfPj8e83gIIe_yLcvo_FRDgDpsTiwYidvSVE-Q4YlnmxO09FTH9x2fiz0FHuvH8V5TWV20vRDZxdajG5WRT1ded95XehmQlpUNMNV9fTiF9HOHY8-dauVlcHw5a/s5472/DSC02971.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNZui8BK5OVvGWNBTRuehnXlb0g5Qkciz_vtEaXX6IcMzhc7lphjjocN_j5Dc39f8AOfPj8e83gIIe_yLcvo_FRDgDpsTiwYidvSVE-Q4YlnmxO09FTH9x2fiz0FHuvH8V5TWV20vRDZxdajG5WRT1ded95XehmQlpUNMNV9fTiF9HOHY8-dauVlcHw5a/w539-h358/DSC02971.jpg" width="539" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The race is on, <b>Merlin </b>vs <b>Sika Doe</b> Pondsbury © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-60700875655170237432023-10-10T22:18:00.006+01:002023-10-11T12:21:25.459+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 3rd - 10th October<p> <i>The weather has been fairly consistent for 3-6th October, with moderate winds from the south-west limiting any passage on a large scale over Lundy. The tail end of this week featured much lighter winds and glorious sun on the 8th, with some extended periods of heavy fog on the 9th-10th.</i></p><p><b>Golden Plover</b> records have been almost daily in this period, with an autumn high count thus far of nine over Millcombe on the 9th, with the flock interestingly led by a single <b>Bar-tailed Godwit</b>, and tailed by a single <b>Snipe</b>! A flock of 24 <b>Oystercatchers</b> was seen at Quarry Beach on the 4th. </p><p>A single <b>Great Northern Diver</b> was in the Landing Bay on the morning of the 7th. On an island-wide seal survey on the 4th two <b>Arctic Skuas</b> were picked up, a pale morph from North Light and a dark morph causing havoc in a <b>Gannet</b> feeding flock east of the Landing Bay. A <b>Mediterranean Gull</b> was picked up in the Landing Bay on the 5th and another off of the east with 115 <b>Kittiwake</b> on the 7th. A first-winter <b>Yellow-Legged Gull</b> was present in the Landing Bay on the 10th. After the fog cleared on the 9th and 10th the seabirds started feeding in earnest, with a lot of <b>Gannet </b>activity - 120 recorded off of the east feeding on the 9th. Our second autumn flock of presumably dispersed, roving <b>Grey Heron</b> was picked up on the 10th, with 17 east of the Landing Bay shortly after dawn making quite the spectacle, albeit at a distance!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A6ibhNs6jkMZGqs6FjzICinl5KJuXbgpR6Ku5BYEMUpT4Pvp_bMzn2TV6Twamtc8nbONH1DugqkovPii_XEp68TmkVU-RZe4COjCYOZBuaIgSfu-xviVJMQHGVUSk63cvdI96QlCSG40ltcxqLFZoQDYs50To22rFcZZCvrb0osO2wn93idwJrMJjwzH/s3555/DSC00910.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2409" data-original-width="3555" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A6ibhNs6jkMZGqs6FjzICinl5KJuXbgpR6Ku5BYEMUpT4Pvp_bMzn2TV6Twamtc8nbONH1DugqkovPii_XEp68TmkVU-RZe4COjCYOZBuaIgSfu-xviVJMQHGVUSk63cvdI96QlCSG40ltcxqLFZoQDYs50To22rFcZZCvrb0osO2wn93idwJrMJjwzH/w572-h388/DSC00910.jpg" width="572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Golden Plover</b>, Airfield © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Whilst it was too windy to ring in Millcombe early in the week we were out dazzling every night, with great success. Seven <b>Common Snipe</b> have been ringed. Using the thermal has been invaluable in helping us record how many snipe we actually have, with daytime records typically of single birds. Now that quite a few are ringed, with further effort across the autumn and winter, we'll be able to get a better handle on how many birds stick around for a while, or whether there is much turnover of individuals. We're also looking forward to mid-October, when we should begin to pick up <b>Jack Snipe</b>, which are two thirds the size of <b>Common Snipe </b>and flush much much later, and are thus very tricky to find! Another 6 <b>Wheatear</b> as well as over 20 <b>Skylarks</b> have also been ringed in these sessions, which have focused on SW Field, Brick Field and the Airfield, with one foray north to Middle Park. Notably a <b>Common Redstart</b> was also caught near to the Stonecrusher on the evening on 4th, two days after it was first found on a morning census.</p><p>In the light winds at the end of the week we could open the nets in Millcombe. The most productive session was on the 9th, when we caught 51 Siskin and a dozen other common migrants, as well as another <b>Red-eyed Vireo</b> which had been picked up in the field by Luke in the morning. This bird weighed 20.3g, a lot more than the previously ringed bird at 15.6g. It's clearly been feeding well since arriving (presumably) among the large UK influx two weeks ago, before arriving in Millcombe.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6muujvQRZ3oys8BOKmw1ZtUXFNbQ_S_gCOA0UsRUVYgo1WJItuX9i1S00dZUTuI2OQQsDDnvL7Q9kbHs5EkldECR82WO3fo9RkDP4eWI9eq0tEG8rqZ3uYAGujqWz-VhUU6K9cMkgw3drhd2_DeUIdrm-xJnMz-XbRB10JGkoIQ0WMgmwhukIc02MBLfG/s3648/DSC01727.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2581" data-original-width="3648" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6muujvQRZ3oys8BOKmw1ZtUXFNbQ_S_gCOA0UsRUVYgo1WJItuX9i1S00dZUTuI2OQQsDDnvL7Q9kbHs5EkldECR82WO3fo9RkDP4eWI9eq0tEG8rqZ3uYAGujqWz-VhUU6K9cMkgw3drhd2_DeUIdrm-xJnMz-XbRB10JGkoIQ0WMgmwhukIc02MBLfG/w571-h403/DSC01727.jpg" width="571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Red-eyed Vireo </b>caught and ringed in Millcombe © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPm8XaTn1pM9drqUkI8FwYvou0_M3ue9O1iUUQuwFezc_oC164jd5HrhNzwTwGn_kCxFvNc9NrZ-Ix3iTILtYHEhPCMJ_8fzZ1MLmqITytU4MuhYHQkQznLgUnQvyOPlkjWJ6laFkc754mkOYPpb5BArfWPtf6IL1504Ye5ozC3_rl8q6u3r-AByugXVQF/s1536/IMG-20231010-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1536" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPm8XaTn1pM9drqUkI8FwYvou0_M3ue9O1iUUQuwFezc_oC164jd5HrhNzwTwGn_kCxFvNc9NrZ-Ix3iTILtYHEhPCMJ_8fzZ1MLmqITytU4MuhYHQkQznLgUnQvyOPlkjWJ6laFkc754mkOYPpb5BArfWPtf6IL1504Ye5ozC3_rl8q6u3r-AByugXVQF/w567-h405/IMG-20231010-WA0001.jpg" width="567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male <b>Siskin</b> caught and ringed in Millcombe © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Unsurprisingly, the <b>Pied Flycatcher</b> caught in Millcombe on the 2nd with very low fat and muscle scores stuck around until the 6th, selecting to feed up around the Oak below the Beach Road. <b>Spotted Flycatchers</b> can also still be seen feeding from the tops of the Sycamores in Millcombe daily, with a max count of five on the 9th. At least one <b>Firecrest</b> has picked up in Quarter Wall Copse and or Millcombe daily, with a high count of 7 on the 7th. The first <b>Black Redstart</b> of the season appeared in the Lodge garden on the 8th. </p><p>A late <b>Tree Pipit</b> was heard calling from the Terrace as it moved south on the 6th, and two <b>Siskin </b>were picked up on the 4th and the 6th. As the winds changed later in the week <b>Siskin </b>numbers increased dramatically with at least 60 each day 8th-10th. As the east coast of the UK witnessed a huge autumn fall after favourable strong easterly winds, we also received our first thrushes, although in somewhat more modest quantities with five <b>Fieldfare</b>, three <b>Redwing</b> and a <b>Song Thrush </b>arrived on the 9th. A single <b>Greenfinch </b>arrived into Millcombe on the 9th too, and has remained present on the 10th.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAghyphenhyphensRjuhJd-HTPxb7j7kDss6c5MeLC6OoeC1nvaC1jJmF5YM5KRBj87hLVwNafr29-nCJp_2TMfoAT4CAgEQM96xWVb6MkmyLuMuJC-ZowXUqCZgyTVzNSt-nZBgsTqzGNSTP7lHevbgep_SiO9VPdWpj-gl9hBMmbFtP972orcEB3lvWBpIuEn61eI9/s3909/DSC00725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2665" data-original-width="3909" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAghyphenhyphensRjuhJd-HTPxb7j7kDss6c5MeLC6OoeC1nvaC1jJmF5YM5KRBj87hLVwNafr29-nCJp_2TMfoAT4CAgEQM96xWVb6MkmyLuMuJC-ZowXUqCZgyTVzNSt-nZBgsTqzGNSTP7lHevbgep_SiO9VPdWpj-gl9hBMmbFtP972orcEB3lvWBpIuEn61eI9/w576-h393/DSC00725.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Spotted Flycatcher</b>, Millcombe © Angus Croudace<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qAboyXWcOv7qD53b8mPMImTDAXCW9me7LADwHecLrJ-H2-pwQUarzvZ2AXTqfYkijA9-f_nq4uZxaiClRa1_Xr3vH1qroVjhkEQFIJoBBZLLk7ws590LOTMvO5msvpmDTxsQYUHxh_AvcHgHDsecryY6MzZYJbDY1-x3LJDWTbogPE0Yh87MisSEu8CJ/s4577/DSC02421.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3058" data-original-width="4577" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qAboyXWcOv7qD53b8mPMImTDAXCW9me7LADwHecLrJ-H2-pwQUarzvZ2AXTqfYkijA9-f_nq4uZxaiClRa1_Xr3vH1qroVjhkEQFIJoBBZLLk7ws590LOTMvO5msvpmDTxsQYUHxh_AvcHgHDsecryY6MzZYJbDY1-x3LJDWTbogPE0Yh87MisSEu8CJ/w574-h384/DSC02421.jpg" width="574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Firecrest </b>in lower Millcombe © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Our first <b>Merlin</b> of the autumn also finally arrived on the 4th October, a month later than last year's first on the 5th September. The third first year <b>Osprey </b>of the autumn headed south on the 7th, seen along the east coast, and fortuitously flying directly over the M.S. Oldenberg as it was boarding, allowing all of our visitors excellent views too.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F77s9xzXoAA0gru?format=jpg&name=large" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="431" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F77s9xzXoAA0gru?format=jpg&name=large" width="575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Merlin</b>, Three-quarter Wall © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A second <b>Ortolan Bunting </b>of the autumn was picked up in Millcombe on the 7th behaving as if it had just arrived, moving about the valley a lot and associating with various other finches. It was found again feeding with <b>Meadow Pipits</b> around Acklands Moor on the 8th in the morning. It showed very well on both occasions, and was calling frequently. A <b>Snow Bunting</b> was found around the west end of Three-quarter Wall on the 4th, and offered only two very brief flight views. <b>Reed Bunting</b> singles were in Millcombe on the 5th and above Benjamin's Chair on the 10th. A ringed <b>Wryneck</b> was seen in Millcombe on the 8th as well, the first sighting since the 29th.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F726XQUWMAAIX-P?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="800" height="355" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F726XQUWMAAIX-P?format=jpg&name=4096x4096" width="565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ortolan Bunting</b>, © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F77s9x1XQAA2mIB?format=jpg&name=large" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F77s9x1XQAA2mIB?format=jpg&name=large" width="571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringed <b>Wryneck</b> below Millcombe House © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>In terms of other common migrants, <b>Water Rail</b> continue to call in Millcombe daily, with three recorded on the 10th. We're still picking up good numbers of <b>Skylark</b> with a high count of 54 on the 8th. A couple of <b>Chiffchaff </b>were picked up each day until the winds changed when they numbered around 15 each day from the 8th. <b>Goldcrest</b> numbers have declined in two stages - the week started with an influx of 41 after which we tended to record about 20, and finishing with just four on the 10th. A few late <b>Reed Warblers</b> arrived at the end of the week, with a high count of three on both the 8th and 9th, two of which were caught and ringed. <b>Swallow</b> counts are typically about 60 each day all week, with a few bunches of <b>House Martin</b>, including 44 on the 8th. No <b>Sand Martin</b> since two on the 4th. <b>Wheatear</b> numbers are much reduced, with just four on the 10th. </p><p>There have been small numbers of wagtails recorded, with a single <b>Grey Wagtail</b> on the 8th and 10th. A couple of <b>Pied Wagtail</b> most days and a couple of small groups of <b>Alba (Pied/White) Wagtails</b> in flight, totalling 13 birds moving on the 8th. <b>Chaffinch </b>numbers remain below ten. Two <b>Grey Heron </b>and female <b>Sparrowhawk </b>are still present, and one <b>Teal</b> has been seen on Pondsbury on the 4th and 9th.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSehyWt7sgtZ8kt6i1xPOwd7s8WmMW3fmhHY_a47DrMzeKEN8aOhHNE04eAfjD2H1MHQCAu-CHg4zt-FQaOThgcGER6VWIynQtkoKfdAfxG6AgDL016NNm2zzXQyfDX5QSzAzvsCUCbAFuaoQj7iSHHXSsKpvsBBMXYnYhdu_ot6vCX5XoJk_kCmDTuJZ5/s5472/DSC01908.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSehyWt7sgtZ8kt6i1xPOwd7s8WmMW3fmhHY_a47DrMzeKEN8aOhHNE04eAfjD2H1MHQCAu-CHg4zt-FQaOThgcGER6VWIynQtkoKfdAfxG6AgDL016NNm2zzXQyfDX5QSzAzvsCUCbAFuaoQj7iSHHXSsKpvsBBMXYnYhdu_ot6vCX5XoJk_kCmDTuJZ5/w563-h374/DSC01908.jpg" width="563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A misty west coast on the 9th as the island appeared above the fog © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-10660150010078105802023-10-02T18:26:00.000+01:002023-10-02T18:26:40.106+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 28th - 2nd October<p><i>The 28th was a fine, sunny day, but strong winds have continued this week. They have mostly been southerly meaning that even Millcombe Valley, typically sheltered from the prevailing winds, was blustery with limited activity much of the time. The island was cloaked in a clingy mist for the entirety of 1st October. Come the 2nd, the mist lifted, revealing an eerily still morning where finally ringing in Millcombe could resume before the mist returned late afternoon. </i></p><p>60 <b>Blackcaps</b>, 20 <b>Goldcrests</b> and a rather late <b>Pied Flycatcher</b> were all ringed on the 2nd. The flycatcher was scored low on fat and muscle, which is perhaps telling of it's late arrival. Conditions here are still very mild with a lot of insects still very active so there should be plenty of food to allow this bird to feed up and improve it's condition for the onwards journey.</p><p>Throughout this week two <b>Water Rail</b> continue to call in Millcombe and a <b>Grey Heron</b> is seen daily moving between waterbodies. A <b>Golden Plover </b>was heard around the airfield on the 29th-30th. On the 29th a single <b>Ringed Plover </b>was on the ground at the north end, along with a <b>Dunlin. </b>Another <b>Ringed Plover </b>was heard flying over Millcombe on both the 29th and 30th. </p><p>Three <b>Cormorants </b>were seen out to sea on the 28th, and another three flew south over the airfield on the 29th - could these be the same individuals? Interestingly earlier in the month 12 <b>Cormorants </b>were seen flying south off of Rat Island, whilst four days later another 12 were picked up. It's difficult to know if these are again repeat sightings of this fairly scarce Lundy visitor, or just coincidences! <span style="text-align: center;">A seawatch on the still morning of the 2nd produced quality if not quantity, with two </span><b style="text-align: center;">Arctic Skua </b><span style="text-align: center;">heading north as well as <b>Great Northern Diver</b>.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7jYQe-SQ4WhgoWbti1SNULec-CgMbLpmlMLvl8Ngnx_VTzy-NKxErJyXiies6rffdrE672OzVNSClLEY30rdJHR0cf0eRpP6R-OGussEM2NssbmJ9MFLwopTh2CKDuLU2hOBoyNFbtWQoLkkVgFIhHt6KOaO0Fyq6iNtfDTNo8SiTWQqIeKwHRq1pl6X/s2945/DSC00159.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2945" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7jYQe-SQ4WhgoWbti1SNULec-CgMbLpmlMLvl8Ngnx_VTzy-NKxErJyXiies6rffdrE672OzVNSClLEY30rdJHR0cf0eRpP6R-OGussEM2NssbmJ9MFLwopTh2CKDuLU2hOBoyNFbtWQoLkkVgFIhHt6KOaO0Fyq6iNtfDTNo8SiTWQqIeKwHRq1pl6X/w546-h372/DSC00159.jpg" width="546" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three <b>Cormorant </b>heading south, seen from the Airfield. © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A high count of 40 <b>Rock Pipit </b>was recorded on the 28th, with a few around the village but most picked up on the west coast on the plateau above Brazen Ward. This could be a mixture of migrant birds dropping onto the plateau, or perhaps a more local movement of our local breeders seeking more shelter for the winter. We had high counts of 566 <b>Meadow Pipit</b> and 39 <b>Skylark</b> on the 29th in this period. An evening dazzling on the 29th caught 11 <b>Skylark</b>, along with one of the 21 <b>Wheatear </b>recorded on the same date.</p><p>Four buntings have been added to the Lundy year list in just over a week, with an <b>Ortolan Bunting </b>picked up on census near the Stonecrusher on 30th. Much alike the <b>Little </b>and <b>Yellow-breasted Buntings </b>from earlier in the week, despite concerted efforts it was not refound later in the day. <b>Reed Bunting </b>singles were recorded both in Millcombe and at Pondsbury on the 2nd.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMW3pdxurTI996a83dgD6ilR9KOE7T1fFnSQHIW100wf-I6uLQkCZzBnVEe6cjAP-hhwH2nvqrsxr7-ntSBWL41APYBQe1sd1RCOwGbZMrUH7rgvw_hosz9l1x5yEmUqY3W4iDB-5W19LEjf4NXyIatFTpKkR4ueNEjqMgTOblRN5yWeXhncO4l_FvcDMN/s2620/DSC00448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="2620" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMW3pdxurTI996a83dgD6ilR9KOE7T1fFnSQHIW100wf-I6uLQkCZzBnVEe6cjAP-hhwH2nvqrsxr7-ntSBWL41APYBQe1sd1RCOwGbZMrUH7rgvw_hosz9l1x5yEmUqY3W4iDB-5W19LEjf4NXyIatFTpKkR4ueNEjqMgTOblRN5yWeXhncO4l_FvcDMN/w530-h358/DSC00448.jpg" width="530" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Reed Bunting</b>, Pondsbury © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The 29th saw another push of hirundines including 594 <b>Swallow </b>and 132 <b>House Martin</b>. Among them Chris Baillie picked up a juvenile <b>American Cliff Swallow</b>, a vagrant visitor that, if accepted, will be the first record of this species for Lundy. This record is part of a major influx to the Western Palaearctic this autumn after they were initially displaced by strong winds on the North American continent in late August.</p><p>We've had another two waves of <b>Blackcaps </b>this week after just seven being left on the 28th; 78 on the 30th and 100 on the 2nd. A second young <b>Barred Warbler</b> of the autumn was seen around the top of Millcombe on the 29th. Luke also managed to catch and ring our long-staying <b>Whinchat</b>, which never strays far from Barton's Fields. On the 2nd two <b>Common Crossbills </b>were observed coming into Millcombe and feeding in the pines for ten minutes before departing as quickly as they arrived.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRPshVn-9LcMcOX1w9LUZTBB6BbBzC2sq1uw9ZhkBrLaAEH2DOa38V8BTQAoIDlKIfwM9IGhaLO2rT8opgzm8SYlkU4jAhFTaBUe36FkorY1_5tp1e9iTv3JDPMDIcn_Om2AyRVY5bkzLXrvkgbQs1FNV8F-1sb9hCb35uYwHHCKbaFw1UMvOjEwzBE3C/s2345/DSC00338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="2345" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRPshVn-9LcMcOX1w9LUZTBB6BbBzC2sq1uw9ZhkBrLaAEH2DOa38V8BTQAoIDlKIfwM9IGhaLO2rT8opgzm8SYlkU4jAhFTaBUe36FkorY1_5tp1e9iTv3JDPMDIcn_Om2AyRVY5bkzLXrvkgbQs1FNV8F-1sb9hCb35uYwHHCKbaFw1UMvOjEwzBE3C/w497-h344/DSC00338.jpg" width="497" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Crossbill</b>, Millcombe Pines © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNRgd3-nfWWjnNk1JtIPbVYPttPq6UUpKjuN-2BwYjpzMwTyXPV0ge8x_AJctqYiSfGdMF93UYi8gcatjLhPACDfLsT9uRyOGPr4XkLQSJqjazczNi86IxqM9evGChujvgkIRjQlNqEYU1tJrTCnrHuRH20XjjlBYup0JBvTlystT4-3J8Ootjwg0tMj5/s2048/IMG-20231001-WA0004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNRgd3-nfWWjnNk1JtIPbVYPttPq6UUpKjuN-2BwYjpzMwTyXPV0ge8x_AJctqYiSfGdMF93UYi8gcatjLhPACDfLsT9uRyOGPr4XkLQSJqjazczNi86IxqM9evGChujvgkIRjQlNqEYU1tJrTCnrHuRH20XjjlBYup0JBvTlystT4-3J8Ootjwg0tMj5/w497-h662/IMG-20231001-WA0004.jpg" width="497" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First winter female <b>Whinchat</b> © Nicola Dunkin</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The first <b>Lesser Whitethroat </b>of Autumn was picked up in the willows on the Terrace on the 28th and refound at Quarter Wall on the 29th. A <b>Sedge Warbler</b> was present at Pondsbury on the 28th and a <b>Reed Warbler</b> on the 2nd. A couple of <b>Spotted Flycatchers</b> have been hanging on in Millcombe, with a high count of three on the 29th. Two <b>Tree Pipit</b> were seen on the 29th, one on the ground in SW field, and the other calling around Millcombe. On the 30th six <b>Siskin </b>were bombing around Millcombe first thing, with another two singles picked up later in the day. Another single <b>Song Thrush</b> was seen in Millcombe on the 29th and a <b>Firecrest</b> was in Smelly Gully on the 1st, the first since the 22nd.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTMS8lDmQaVGW51PJiosV8jSk_ywlwjK2nPOej1Y0bsmuIUyXEvpTCj-G-YHOPe9ANlLbRHvDxrLmVdjGiF7C04DLSJfUKWq7sjfXBZ3ILLa6Q9cu40ug5DUoNkHmDynUO0ujA7fFMv83bdRPlxS2FZPOhrxfVnwBl8QoOhoWTAXBfLpYfZvQ1Jqd19nU/s2756/0M2A6317-Enhanced-NR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1837" data-original-width="2756" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTMS8lDmQaVGW51PJiosV8jSk_ywlwjK2nPOej1Y0bsmuIUyXEvpTCj-G-YHOPe9ANlLbRHvDxrLmVdjGiF7C04DLSJfUKWq7sjfXBZ3ILLa6Q9cu40ug5DUoNkHmDynUO0ujA7fFMv83bdRPlxS2FZPOhrxfVnwBl8QoOhoWTAXBfLpYfZvQ1Jqd19nU/w561-h373/0M2A6317-Enhanced-NR.jpg" width="561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lesser Whitethroat</b>, Quarter Wall © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHFGy_T-foy-Wg9G8HKXTo6blP0AtCUwDtuBCVlGgZ8SdJiUlIgSPwnVG8-Ob1WuPYv9-7kTY6C4cK_iHhczaHxFY6FihiokZmzuUbmIvB10N7vXPrCA6S1jpFQGy2xxuaq_fh6aaplmc1J0LtpCnU3iTzvqhImTrvcXZFMtSXTgmbuec3vz2xzJvtPJM/s5472/0M2A6321.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHFGy_T-foy-Wg9G8HKXTo6blP0AtCUwDtuBCVlGgZ8SdJiUlIgSPwnVG8-Ob1WuPYv9-7kTY6C4cK_iHhczaHxFY6FihiokZmzuUbmIvB10N7vXPrCA6S1jpFQGy2xxuaq_fh6aaplmc1J0LtpCnU3iTzvqhImTrvcXZFMtSXTgmbuec3vz2xzJvtPJM/w563-h375/0M2A6321.jpg" width="563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wheatear</b>, Stonecrusher © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-44886851280231282612023-09-27T20:59:00.003+01:002023-10-02T15:34:00.716+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 24th - 27th September<p>Strong winds have prohibited any ringing this week. Despite the large westerly weather systems of late, Luke managed to uncover a <b>Yellow-breasted Bunting </b>between the pigsty and airfield associating with Meadow Pipits. This is a bird breeding in the far east, Siberia, and is the third record for Lundy after two in the 1980s. The large gap in records followed the species' catastrophic collapse in range and population due to massive over-harvesting (for food) in the wintering grounds, particularly in China. As a particularly exciting record, a small twitch assembled on the 26th, but unfortunately it hasn't reappeared for anyone other than Luke, the original finder.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p2LJmk5WeE3UmEIVEbTp-OeWSK8k5pnuieH2Ju8HBqtDqLLNPR6q21bg14nbVOxpsJAdiMstIqkB-SZFG-oCsmm9uVgKeXitXaHb4Z-VYs978lj6D4P4EuFHqhrT3924jDCOfPXLXe1ue1w-rd_kCpUY6seVH8-TYcKaUO5WbOi9UT98zsrKWspgIP9V/s2048/yellowbreastedbunting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p2LJmk5WeE3UmEIVEbTp-OeWSK8k5pnuieH2Ju8HBqtDqLLNPR6q21bg14nbVOxpsJAdiMstIqkB-SZFG-oCsmm9uVgKeXitXaHb4Z-VYs978lj6D4P4EuFHqhrT3924jDCOfPXLXe1ue1w-rd_kCpUY6seVH8-TYcKaUO5WbOi9UT98zsrKWspgIP9V/w592-h445/yellowbreastedbunting.jpg" width="592" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mega record of a first winter <b>Yellow-breasted Bunting </b>with a Meadow Pipit. © Luke Marriner<div class="wDYxhc NFQFxe viOShc LKPcQc" data-md="25" lang="en-GB" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 8px; clear: none; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div aria-level="3" class="HwtpBd gsrt PZPZlf kTOYnf" data-hveid="CCIQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiy75vKzcqBAxUY_bsIHaA-BJIQtwcoAHoECCIQAA" role="heading" style="padding: 0px;"><div class="yxAsKe" style="color: #70757a;"></div></div></div><div class="wDYxhc" data-md="61" lang="en-GB" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br />At least one <b>Red-eyed Vireo</b> has remained in Millcombe, along with one ringed <b>Wryneck</b>, both seen on the 26th. The <b>Rose-coloured Starling</b> appears to have left us now, with no sightings in the week since the 20th.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAnF_IvvJ1gCRYmLZWqah6DVLgS7ZgN_q4_aERFctrcotD0S-V8bI9w5zIESpHoNQKV0D-1aA8F0QDvTeQKMzvy5YHgNVfGmJsxxZHuCxgX5AOGMyVWU0IaiIWS7RPg97ZC-mA2nXFIyt6hLLiJJuVaL86OD3WAv0z_2n4lFAtc2QVqdWvgjT9pe7kVqH/s2247/DSC00052.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2247" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAnF_IvvJ1gCRYmLZWqah6DVLgS7ZgN_q4_aERFctrcotD0S-V8bI9w5zIESpHoNQKV0D-1aA8F0QDvTeQKMzvy5YHgNVfGmJsxxZHuCxgX5AOGMyVWU0IaiIWS7RPg97ZC-mA2nXFIyt6hLLiJJuVaL86OD3WAv0z_2n4lFAtc2QVqdWvgjT9pe7kVqH/w590-h402/DSC00052.jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringed <b>Red-eyed Vireo </b>in Smelly Gully. © Angus Croudace </td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div><div>At least two <b>Water Rail</b> are still heard calling daily in Millcombe, with an individual heard up near Quarters as well on the 26th. A single <b>Ringed Plover </b>which appears to have been around most of the month was again picked up calling over the east/Millcombe. A <b>Turnstone</b> was seen from the Landing Bay on the 26th. Two <b>Grey Heron</b> are still present.</div><div><br /></div><div>A seawatch from the castle in the very windy Storm Agnes on the 27th produced around 80 each of <b>Great Black-backed Gull </b>and <b>Gannet</b> heading south down the east coast and then turning into the wind at the castle, as well as two <b>Cormorant</b>, a single <b>Manx Shearwater </b>and most excitingly a single <b>Balearic Shearwater </b>which is the first of the year for Lundy. <b>Lesser Black-backed Gull </b>have started to be picked up a little more this week, with four on the 24th, and 17 on the 26th. </div><div><br /></div><div>A female <b>Sparrowhawk</b> is still seen regularly between Old Light and the village, as well as along the east coast. At least two <b>Kestrel </b>and three <b>Peregrine </b>are also still seen regularly.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Skylark</b> started moving through in nice numbers at the end of last week with a peak of 56 on the 22nd. We are still recording about 20 birds south of Quarter Wall each day this week, although these are mostly birds that are sticking around the airfield and SW field - they haven't moved on yet, possibly remaining local until favourable weather presents itself again for them to move on. <b>Meadow Pipit </b>counts have been a couple of hundred each day with large flocks around the airfield.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The small hirundine trickle continues, and we are still surprised not to have had a big day of passage yet, especially seeing as not too far away on the mainland there have been some large movements recorded. The 26th saw our highest totals since the 22nd, with 120 <b>Swallow</b>, 7 <b>Sand Martin</b> and 11 <b>House Martin</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Millcombe has been much quieter since the <b>Blackcap </b>fall last week, with 15 <b>Blackcaps</b> left on the 24th and just two on the 27th. One <b>Chiffchaff</b> has remained in the lower garden, and counts of <b>Goldcrest </b>south of Quarter wall have been around a dozen each day. One <b>Ring Ouzel</b> was picked up on the 24th and 25th. A <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b> has been present since the 25th, with another on the terrace on the 26th. About twelve <b>Crossbills</b> were reported flying low over Millcombe on the 26th. Above Millcombe a <b>Whinchat </b>and <b>Yellow Wagtail</b> remain in Barton's Field, and one <b>Grey Wagtail</b> also flew overhead on the 26th.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYEa66by6IvaKHgFvDI_-2rOZ04XG3QPUhTaalK-dixDzTLIOaidPcA8omJChNfIwJQzRW3WOV0rY5xiuOoII_RElBVBBddM5s6AZECPq_Szj09wyE-8CheIRQQ5Uq978VXuYOwY5yp0Y9uIIGSYRkC0PS7AUIuMqAS7ZeRr_LIeEH5-CNXiXUgUW9rZo/s3692/DSC00029.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2360" data-original-width="3692" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYEa66by6IvaKHgFvDI_-2rOZ04XG3QPUhTaalK-dixDzTLIOaidPcA8omJChNfIwJQzRW3WOV0rY5xiuOoII_RElBVBBddM5s6AZECPq_Szj09wyE-8CheIRQQ5Uq978VXuYOwY5yp0Y9uIIGSYRkC0PS7AUIuMqAS7ZeRr_LIeEH5-CNXiXUgUW9rZo/w548-h351/DSC00029.jpg" width="548" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Spotted Flycatcher</b>, Millcombe © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div></div>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-33456214384804568622023-09-24T18:50:00.004+01:002023-10-16T18:00:02.126+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update 18th-23rd SeptemberStrong winds have been a feature of the past week. We watched the weather charts at the start of the week with interest as a fast moving warm front zipped across the Atlantic. Off the back of this system (the remnants of a hurricane) the west coast of UK and Ireland have received a record breaking influx of American vagrants in the past few days, which have all been carried off course by the strong winds. Lundy has shared a small part of the fall with two individual <b>Red-eyed Vireo</b> landing in Millcombe Valley on 20th. One was ringed, and then retrapped three days later having put on one gram of weight. These are the 11th and 12th records for Lundy, the one that entered the nets was the 7th to be ringed, and they are the earliest records by 8 days.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaSgtwYaw59CPeQwalta-UJUwfhjSTKB1lYWkclHo4Aq8CjSUvoE32IBB4SFoKtYeSnMvU_vOyeZdsYEDyExRl4BTQCKmdMWrVfRnDimdx5SfLullQalMlBwyJi9JT_uHTEGU1AQUVdTMKKR0FUkT48KmfW4bVrtdoatEM9UBbMGLsdAMWjKFRbzjsVJi/s2048/IMG-20230924-WA0019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaSgtwYaw59CPeQwalta-UJUwfhjSTKB1lYWkclHo4Aq8CjSUvoE32IBB4SFoKtYeSnMvU_vOyeZdsYEDyExRl4BTQCKmdMWrVfRnDimdx5SfLullQalMlBwyJi9JT_uHTEGU1AQUVdTMKKR0FUkT48KmfW4bVrtdoatEM9UBbMGLsdAMWjKFRbzjsVJi/w594-h446/IMG-20230924-WA0019.jpg" width="594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Red-eyed Vireo</b> in Millcombe © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym0pwn91MPYX4OTEMv-05KIH6QflG2zuGDJl5wf3oM4BSMW9wb1PoB7re9VuiZ9J5C7eqKMSibxTP3caxOfRj8MJrQIwYflsjPUBap7lZ2dBwN0JvPcrxpka-ftxNX45ZOHGqVBzY_Qh-P_5Af41wLZYMsCo82bvvw1BfZbe_wOlKdKv4uKvUtnsWVkN7/s3201/DSC09269.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2144" data-original-width="3201" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym0pwn91MPYX4OTEMv-05KIH6QflG2zuGDJl5wf3oM4BSMW9wb1PoB7re9VuiZ9J5C7eqKMSibxTP3caxOfRj8MJrQIwYflsjPUBap7lZ2dBwN0JvPcrxpka-ftxNX45ZOHGqVBzY_Qh-P_5Af41wLZYMsCo82bvvw1BfZbe_wOlKdKv4uKvUtnsWVkN7/w596-h399/DSC09269.jpg" width="596" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Red-eyed Vireo </b>in the hand at Brambles Villa © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div>Up to four <b>Wryneck </b>continued their stay until the 21st, but haven't been picked up since. The last day the <b>Rose-coloured Starling </b>was seen was the 20th, but there's a good chance it is still here - the focus has been on ringing in Millcombe and covering the rest of the island away from the village on the hunt for vagrants! Other miscellaneous records of note this week include a <b>Sandwich Tern </b>heard calling from Millcombe on the 23rd, a first-year <b>Osprey </b>headed south over Rat Island on the 18th. The first-year <b>Barred Warbler </b>which was ringed on the 17th was still present on the 18th around the Lower Garden. A very smart <b>Wood Warbler </b>was caught in Millcombe on the 21st. A <b>Little Bunting</b> was seen feeding with a small flock of <b>Linnet</b> on the track near the Lambing Shed on 23rd. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhffvzRCG_QK1BwI8Y24Q0tOhi8J2EB1l0uZbz-Qah2WHGiXEgH5sIjWN7Q5cac-vgbQoNmDxHEvSvQQP1-ATpY6_nFLX8pFMMXHW198sGbwUtZ7PmA4fAs9sxn0atRszCN734Ps7UHt8VbWcUs-XV6TvdEpjwE-tDFfd_HwAwMiFgEplHZzYUhjEr2Yot/s1600/IMG-20230924-WA0013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhffvzRCG_QK1BwI8Y24Q0tOhi8J2EB1l0uZbz-Qah2WHGiXEgH5sIjWN7Q5cac-vgbQoNmDxHEvSvQQP1-ATpY6_nFLX8pFMMXHW198sGbwUtZ7PmA4fAs9sxn0atRszCN734Ps7UHt8VbWcUs-XV6TvdEpjwE-tDFfd_HwAwMiFgEplHZzYUhjEr2Yot/w594-h335/IMG-20230924-WA0013.jpg" width="594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wood Warbler</b> ringed at Millcombe © Brittany Maxted</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIH3iCL5E6z6pfuqSUDvMu8kr7ZNfIb5HGPnKMGNQPfi7SwbLXEmcve1R0ApZ2ASrlJnzYGKc5mqQDH8rg3yNWe4as_zRdlgERAtcs-wqka_SC5Gi9-u65PJsR9VygM-MvboUb9BSXb6XuZUyKjiOYucFHSmk-62cWAxP0sC1jmJ0u21HCZrH01ge16J_/s1795/DSC09892.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1795" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIH3iCL5E6z6pfuqSUDvMu8kr7ZNfIb5HGPnKMGNQPfi7SwbLXEmcve1R0ApZ2ASrlJnzYGKc5mqQDH8rg3yNWe4as_zRdlgERAtcs-wqka_SC5Gi9-u65PJsR9VygM-MvboUb9BSXb6XuZUyKjiOYucFHSmk-62cWAxP0sC1jmJ0u21HCZrH01ge16J_/w604-h412/DSC09892.jpg" width="604" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A record shot of <b>Little Bunting</b> (centre) with <b>Linnet </b>© Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>After the strong westerlies, the weather calmed a little bit allowing our more typical migrants to continue their journey south. On the 21st we had a big fall of <b>Blackcap</b> with 350+ on the island and over 160 ringed. The bracken was alive with 'flocks' of them making their way along the east coast and ending up in Millcombe. This number had approximately halved by the 22nd, with birds being ringed on day two mostly lighter and with lower fat and muscle scores. This nicely evidences the trend of stronger birds moving on more quickly, with those in less good form remaining to feed up for a another day or two. </div><div><br /></div><div>A small supporting cast of four <b>Common Whitethroat</b>, three <b>Reed Warbler </b> and three <b>Grasshopper Warbler </b>on the 21st. One of the <b>Reed Warbler </b>had been here a little while, retrapped after originally being ringed a fortnight ago, with a whopping weight gain of 10g - 14.5g, and fat/muscle scores of 1 increasing to 6 and 3 respectively! <b>Willow Warbler</b> numbers have decreased dramatically with 20 on the 18th but none on the 23rd. <b>Chiffchaff </b>numbers<b> </b>have been a little steadier with five on the 18th and four on the 23rd, with a peak of 11 on the 21st</div><div><br /></div><div>The same ringed <b>Pied Flycatcher </b>and single <b>Whinchat </b>above Millcombe have remained present all week, along with a <b>Yellow Wagtail</b> in Barton's Field. Two late <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b> joined on the 21st and 22nd, and two <b>Grey Wagtail</b> on the 21st. About 8 <b>Wheatear</b> most days with a peak of 17 on the 21st. Three <b>Siskin </b>were picked up both the 18th and 23rd with an additional single on the 19th. There were three <b>Firecrest</b> on the terrace on the 20th, with singles in Millcombe on the 18th and 22nd. <b>Goldcrest </b>have numbered around 20 at the start of the week, but by the 22nd we had 38 birds recorded. A <b>Song Thrush </b>was in Millcombe on the 22nd and the first <b>Ring Ouzel</b> of the season were seen above Government House on the 23rd, with three individuals including one male. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgyHgOGVGgoX44_pdgOXutEBa3j2igqxX8s3XyFnx4HiRAOu0ZOXfjwXsHNWTxp8rK8MZ4JJu1Z6GLL1ofdRou9df6ZiOUGhREfafTWRAuY8KaCNymmKS15_HPfoi15nuBt5-jKkg5PvoxlEqHFdTLJsMfHvLASnBJsOjSRXvfDzulV0fr954C4LMhSEe/s4331/DSC09218-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2920" data-original-width="4331" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgyHgOGVGgoX44_pdgOXutEBa3j2igqxX8s3XyFnx4HiRAOu0ZOXfjwXsHNWTxp8rK8MZ4JJu1Z6GLL1ofdRou9df6ZiOUGhREfafTWRAuY8KaCNymmKS15_HPfoi15nuBt5-jKkg5PvoxlEqHFdTLJsMfHvLASnBJsOjSRXvfDzulV0fr954C4LMhSEe/w607-h409/DSC09218-2.jpg" width="607" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skulking <b>Pied Flycatcher</b> which has outstayed all others by over a week. © Angus Croudace<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItldMd5Mxc0d8RtNpQtAjJIgAfJKO5RO-dHNI48EClsURfHKn4F49xDB7C69S9UrpaW-k_v_ZThuzsX4vttgU1WulbBcZngC--YtqGnlrc8Jk7-4aUgdAy30vkZiE6esJZllxLr7HF7ysP7ocK0dhOUz3fWrLza26V6AVavNeSkxdWw5BMaY8IcSCMMNq/s4302/DSC09431.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2891" data-original-width="4302" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItldMd5Mxc0d8RtNpQtAjJIgAfJKO5RO-dHNI48EClsURfHKn4F49xDB7C69S9UrpaW-k_v_ZThuzsX4vttgU1WulbBcZngC--YtqGnlrc8Jk7-4aUgdAy30vkZiE6esJZllxLr7HF7ysP7ocK0dhOUz3fWrLza26V6AVavNeSkxdWw5BMaY8IcSCMMNq/w601-h403/DSC09431.jpg" width="601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Whinchat </b>still above Millcombe most days (here at the allotments) © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q0aG011iXM3G_rWswpFB1-w0sl-SwIqXNLB_9CToEwPt882VLxM6CGuxdNiZ0z33ktk8F50hyk0v2aMaVS-wO1Rewz8yijQAMel-EPMIQE4pvhIZ3T8F8rUUZyc5C5H-bmVX_UjraghgLp9q0L3F9b4fKprO-e8bi3wX4LAWGDAyKJWF6umtcXai3hhT/s2434/DSCN9999%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="2434" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q0aG011iXM3G_rWswpFB1-w0sl-SwIqXNLB_9CToEwPt882VLxM6CGuxdNiZ0z33ktk8F50hyk0v2aMaVS-wO1Rewz8yijQAMel-EPMIQE4pvhIZ3T8F8rUUZyc5C5H-bmVX_UjraghgLp9q0L3F9b4fKprO-e8bi3wX4LAWGDAyKJWF6umtcXai3hhT/w591-h444/DSCN9999%20(2).JPG" width="591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ring Ouzel</b> north of Castle Cottage © Chris Blackmore</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A bit of a Hirundine push midweek with 450+ <b>Swallow </b>and 54 <b>House Martin</b> on the 21st and 250/70 respectively on the 22nd. There were 13 <b>Sand Martin</b> picked up on the 21st and 31 on the 22nd. <b>Swallows </b>continued to move a little on the 23rd with 110 recorded, but single figures of Martins.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Water Rail</b> have been calling intermittently in Millcombe, with up to two birds calling each day since the 18th. A <b>Teal</b> is still occasionally picked up around Pondsbury/Quarter Wall. The <b>Grey Heron</b> is still regularly seen, often flying over the castle down to the Landing Bay. A flock of 12 <b>Cormorant </b>were seen heading south off of the east coast on the 18th with an identical sized flock also seen on the 21st. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the 18th 27 <b>Oystercatcher</b> were picked up moving north along the east coast. A flock of 5 <b>Snipe </b>were in the flash in SW Field on the 20th. A <b>Turnstone</b> was heard and seen flying over St John's Valley on the 21st. <b>Rock Pipits</b> have been sheltering in the village this week, perhaps because of the relentless strong winds on the coast, first from the east, then the west and currently from the south! Five were seen from the Lambing Shed to the church on the 22nd.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAeiuV6USpaIhhj7425QEglKCFqzv-5xnUcsei_uckyGUGa9fphKTT03-nVSJFil5367vZlhTCEKx3yDZwdJE6asM3pDCuYbBMPWw6yFjoKQr3WRwkHX7f_E2agRw5IKK_rpDIFBY-OMD4atGjBMwxy2Ge6-taixhzmwn7cGx-Jltutvh-20IzbhBZ7bw/s5472/DSC09445.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAeiuV6USpaIhhj7425QEglKCFqzv-5xnUcsei_uckyGUGa9fphKTT03-nVSJFil5367vZlhTCEKx3yDZwdJE6asM3pDCuYbBMPWw6yFjoKQr3WRwkHX7f_E2agRw5IKK_rpDIFBY-OMD4atGjBMwxy2Ge6-taixhzmwn7cGx-Jltutvh-20IzbhBZ7bw/w600-h399/DSC09445.jpg" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a lot of rainbows between squalls this week. © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-32285587692496161372023-09-18T10:31:00.000+01:002023-09-18T10:31:08.107+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 13th-17th September<div><br /></div><div>A period of northerly winds overnight saw a fairly substantial fall of <b>Blackcaps</b> on the 13th with over 60 ringed and 76 recorded. However, clear skies and low winds quickly beckoned them onwards and a mass exodus left us with very few birds at the end of the week. Strong easterlies over the weekend brought a few new birds in, but most sensibly hunkered down. In the only short lull on Sunday evening feeding activity resumed, and a stunning first-year <b>Barred Warbler</b> dropped into the slope net in Millcombe.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdnAY1671wvfu4NX2w66nXK95Ud1Abq9Wk-j6NI9jP9sDx2uTIaHJqNK3lY1XWnOyA8w2b9sPOpU4b30qYkT8YOF3eIntakVnhQWac8uIxMM_8eL1inOu0CEP2mRiVKNYIOsYIy-7bQKk96g39q6f-mOSsUxuPBMCSjy_J6-IzOf_JevPqzcPTfBFqe3T/s1600/barred.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdnAY1671wvfu4NX2w66nXK95Ud1Abq9Wk-j6NI9jP9sDx2uTIaHJqNK3lY1XWnOyA8w2b9sPOpU4b30qYkT8YOF3eIntakVnhQWac8uIxMM_8eL1inOu0CEP2mRiVKNYIOsYIy-7bQKk96g39q6f-mOSsUxuPBMCSjy_J6-IzOf_JevPqzcPTfBFqe3T/w363-h485/barred.jpg" width="363" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-year <b>Barred Warbler </b>ringed in Millcombe on 17th © Anna Sutcliffe</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A pair of <b>Teal</b> were present on Pondsbury on the 13th, although just the male has been picked up subsequently at Quarter Wall pond. A <b>Water Rail</b> was heard calling in Smelly Gully on the 13th and 15th. One <b>Cormorant</b> was seen on the 13th. The first-year <b>Grey Heron</b> has still been present each day, with a raiding party of six further first-years riding the thermals along the east coast on the 15th.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhv-C4FzHNruVYqVPjmuQJaYXR8BDadMxo-3Z94KTcIHpM2JZRviOkmL3YmnitPfCrULzkZiOB3e0oKJySh8eJTmY60RZISwz5liTaOc5MQi43sQLVp-1DvfjXIGtMmmaoPvnp5VAUjR61sj6gqn2ciaRGTtDdolpp4y83Abi28fbJW8yz8IRL9bu6xZT/s5472/DSC08258.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhv-C4FzHNruVYqVPjmuQJaYXR8BDadMxo-3Z94KTcIHpM2JZRviOkmL3YmnitPfCrULzkZiOB3e0oKJySh8eJTmY60RZISwz5liTaOc5MQi43sQLVp-1DvfjXIGtMmmaoPvnp5VAUjR61sj6gqn2ciaRGTtDdolpp4y83Abi28fbJW8yz8IRL9bu6xZT/w604-h402/DSC08258.JPG" width="604" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six first-year Grey Heron along the east coast on the 15th © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In terms of waders, a single <b>Ringed Plover</b> was heard on the 13th. Three <b>Snipe </b>on the 13th including two by Rocket Pole and one at Pondsbury on 15th. A <b>Snipe </b>was also ringed in the night of the 17th. <b>Greenshank </b>single picked up calling as it flew over Millcombe by Tony Taylor on 14th. A <b>Dunlin</b> was feeding on Barton's Pond on the 15th. Two <b>Golden Plover</b> over the Airfield on the 14th and a single calling on 16th and 17th. On the 15th also Joe successfully dazzled and rung a first-year <b>Dotterel </b>at the north end, just the seventh bird ringed on Lundy!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3Ferl7KZozwGebxw0bYLa_ImMT9cAkjXaW5LCbP6PNMHn8IR1-bmJvN0a0JdcXlx2M_ANN1UApTw5Q-E_WFYTNtPYZdJNyL_L5M6DOC0yKZaE12OMrtW_lGtN2vuJvbfZilof3Zn_hS8FH-M41pHbjyMCvjhxpihqbXf2Q4bpW4fMnofrCuuUcAi4oDa/s1600/IMG-20230915-WA0000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3Ferl7KZozwGebxw0bYLa_ImMT9cAkjXaW5LCbP6PNMHn8IR1-bmJvN0a0JdcXlx2M_ANN1UApTw5Q-E_WFYTNtPYZdJNyL_L5M6DOC0yKZaE12OMrtW_lGtN2vuJvbfZilof3Zn_hS8FH-M41pHbjyMCvjhxpihqbXf2Q4bpW4fMnofrCuuUcAi4oDa/w606-h454/IMG-20230915-WA0000.jpg" width="606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-year <b>Dotterel</b> ringed at the north end of the island on 15th September © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The northerly winds on the 13th that brought the arrival of <b>Blackcaps </b>also carried hirundines over our shores, with a push of 120 <b>Sand Martin</b>, 136 <b>Swallow</b>, and 67 <b>House Martin</b>. Passage was minimal at the end of the week, but one <b>Swift </b>was picked up over Barton's on the 15th. We're still awaiting a big <b>Swallow</b> push this season, perhaps to come at the end of this week when winds turn more favourable for large scale passage.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Willow Warbler</b> also moved out, with 12 on the 13th, but just 3 of both <b>Willow Warbler </b>and <b>Chiffchaff </b>the rest of the week. A <b>Sedge Warbler</b> was present on the 13th along with three <b>Reed Warbler </b>and five <b>Whitethroat</b>. <b>Goldcrest</b> are one of the few migrants that remained when seemingly everything else deserted us, with 18 on the 13th and 14th, and 10<b> </b>on the 15th. One <b>Garden Warbler</b> was present on the 15th and a <b>Firecrest </b>was feeding in an Oak in Millcombe on the 17th.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had four <b>Spotted Flycatchers </b>and just one <b>Pied Flycatcher</b> on the 13th before none were recorded on Thursday or Friday. A single of each species was detected over the weekend in Millcombe. Single <b>Whinchat</b> on the 13th, 15th and 17th at Barton's Field. A total of 18 <b>Wheatear </b>were present on the 13th but this had reduced to just a couple at the end of the week. Two <b>Wheatear </b>were ringed on the 17th, including one of the Greenland race <i>leucorhoa</i>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNdPSr15xFvhnMEpxct8jBfjyHH-dAp_hWUE2SDiTADq1HzvIX2p_-Bup1G5qsD3qH3enjKqxUqlRD-MFjNjirORrNcEKDSUMbVNIbMmrkxGrO5MwipbPK4zReK5WCXbyS583MMF8P8QlV5PXbM4gdjoVAna5DDjpWg2Z2oZjzE0kJeQVY1DPNrOKsarg/s3397/DSC08568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2227" data-original-width="3397" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNdPSr15xFvhnMEpxct8jBfjyHH-dAp_hWUE2SDiTADq1HzvIX2p_-Bup1G5qsD3qH3enjKqxUqlRD-MFjNjirORrNcEKDSUMbVNIbMmrkxGrO5MwipbPK4zReK5WCXbyS583MMF8P8QlV5PXbM4gdjoVAna5DDjpWg2Z2oZjzE0kJeQVY1DPNrOKsarg/w591-h388/DSC08568.jpg" width="591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Whinchat</b> and <b>Meadow Pipit</b> at Barton's. © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>There have been one, sometimes two <b>Yellow Wagtail</b> around the village all week and a <b>Grey-Headed Wagtail </b>(Yellow Wagtail subspecies <i>m.f.</i><i>thunbergi</i>)<b> </b>in St Helen's Field on the 15th. Two <b>Tree Pipit</b> flew over on the 13th. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt78EHRv2JAdvjfLVilTaeEMv9jb8BIYWpsakoM0_1yygBC5H4AroYhmALU9mcNCWy0zWTiio6ZyBi0ffH9yxr4LkBWpPIpblOb4F35iV8MY3xGi21JqQdY4LGaQFkODPYmt1EEsfRib-HWXxiWIH678AAEERo_-FsVBIMQchgtmavYZFRGwFZZ_VD-spM/s2403/thunbergi.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1802" data-original-width="2403" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt78EHRv2JAdvjfLVilTaeEMv9jb8BIYWpsakoM0_1yygBC5H4AroYhmALU9mcNCWy0zWTiio6ZyBi0ffH9yxr4LkBWpPIpblOb4F35iV8MY3xGi21JqQdY4LGaQFkODPYmt1EEsfRib-HWXxiWIH678AAEERo_-FsVBIMQchgtmavYZFRGwFZZ_VD-spM/w589-h442/thunbergi.jpg" width="589" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Grey-headed Wagtail </b><i>m.f.thunbergi</i><b> </b>in St Helen's Field on 15th. © Shaun Robson</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A couple of <b>Wryneck</b> continued their tenure on Lundy on the east and around Millcombe, with one unringed individual also new-in on census at Rocket Pole on the 14th. Two birds at Terrace and Millcombe still on the 17th. The first-year <b>Rose-coloured Starling</b> is also still present around the village.</div><div><br /></div><div>Numbers are dwindling in the last remaining seabird colonies and a late season <b>Manx Shearwater </b>ringing attempt at North Light only gained three new birds, whilst another fledged bird was located by the Tavern the same night. Another two fledged young turned up in the village on the 17th (see previous blog for an explanation). Two teams setup at The Battery and North Light mist netting <b>Storm Petrels </b>on the 15th caught 4 birds between them, and although numbers were low, excitingly they included a control. Finally for this week, about 30mins away from Lundy Anna and Steve Sutcliffe observed a dark-morph <b>Arctic Skua</b> from the MS Oldenburg on the 16th. </div>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-19847040822982606792023-09-12T21:08:00.002+01:002023-09-12T21:26:28.785+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 9th-12th September<p>The easterly winds continued over the weekend before switching to prevailing south-westerly on Monday 11th and a moderate northerly on Tuesday 12th.</p><p>It's been a rollercoaster of a weekend, burning the candle at both ends (and in the middle) with nets open at dawn in Millcombe and a late night <b>Storm Petrel/Manx Shearwater </b>session in between two nights of dazzling effort which concluded with a <b>Hoopoe </b>and a <b>Common Snipe</b>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB5x88woAYK50XP1D61_hozDAWEdVXrNEKrPeT9NoV0Zv3ZD9a99A9raDthzgkh1qThSE76lrl2aUXI5gB0uKHNc6HjGXhxddyQZvSivy9alVUBa8bEAtzWKvogZVLT3TO9U7QuOwJTau6hetVVFfK3xDuCuyFXEVvqRFjNaEght5XJsrgg-bqqi6Ofrj/s1920/hoopoe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB5x88woAYK50XP1D61_hozDAWEdVXrNEKrPeT9NoV0Zv3ZD9a99A9raDthzgkh1qThSE76lrl2aUXI5gB0uKHNc6HjGXhxddyQZvSivy9alVUBa8bEAtzWKvogZVLT3TO9U7QuOwJTau6hetVVFfK3xDuCuyFXEVvqRFjNaEght5XJsrgg-bqqi6Ofrj/w603-h452/hoopoe.jpg" width="603" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second year <b>Hoopoe</b> ringed © Adam Day</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After a slow autumn on the raptor front, the past few days have seen single sightings of first year <b>Marsh Harrier</b> in off and north at the Terrace on the 10th, first year <b>Osprey</b> in off and then south at Millcombe on the 11th and <b>Hobby</b> briefly around the Landing Bay on 11th. Our visiting ringers Adam Day and Rory Akam are credited with all of these records, so we're very glad to have them on the island.</p><p>We continued to swarm with <b>Wryneck</b>, with four individuals ringed to date, and at least a fifth unringed bird observed on the 12th. Stayers in Brambles Villa were even able to admire and photograph a <b>Wryneck</b> from their living room. The <b>Rose-coloured Starling</b> is still present, although there have been no further sightings of the <b>Pintail. </b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO1FxfaETMoI4-2HqslMuyNor3wWcPaH3V6EdZGorO6F6L06ZP8TmqZUtxmBx_W6qUQjjhNgHfGYK9QuFZhtKBPpC7lxXL1w5GbKkIynyt8kM5i9nPdJBrNijROjmVSg5zd98PRtNHokiSTRG7NOJT1f5-83ZEm_3fW9GH-HDkK82qiyJUPtsclPfOcJ3/s5184/IMG_2220.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO1FxfaETMoI4-2HqslMuyNor3wWcPaH3V6EdZGorO6F6L06ZP8TmqZUtxmBx_W6qUQjjhNgHfGYK9QuFZhtKBPpC7lxXL1w5GbKkIynyt8kM5i9nPdJBrNijROjmVSg5zd98PRtNHokiSTRG7NOJT1f5-83ZEm_3fW9GH-HDkK82qiyJUPtsclPfOcJ3/w593-h394/IMG_2220.JPG" width="593" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First year <b>Wryneck</b> from Brambles Villa Living Room © Clive Couzens</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Two<b> Golden Plover </b>separately at opposite ends of the island on the 11th, a <b>Ringed Plover </b>over the east on the 11th, <b>Dunlin</b> on Barton's Pond on 10th and around High Street on 12th, single <b>Snipe</b> everyday except 11th and finally a <b>Common Sandpiper</b> heard from North Light in the night of the 8th make up waders observations for this period. Small <b>Herring Gull</b> movements noted with 23 on the 11th. At this time of year our breeding <b>Herring Gulls</b> have dispersed, leaving birds roaming between feeding groups. Small movements such as this are typically recorded throughout the autumn before our local birds return on in a couple of months to over winter around the island. Two first year <b>Grey Heron</b> were present on the island on 11th.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM5g4RZGVixuNhvgzusjfwzPhOop2i-Fhuo0MGHS7Q5XP7cgeY3tyYYbVopHJKj5sjs9biV7_wKeyVXrwcOS7ihtnOHH79pUnUlcgKJJXWgl8s0Fz46XbBtZf2wgMQ-jmWjI_5UASNUkN3BLMdMuVQCvJ4yAs7_d00rgu2gwGGDVAhzvokRKVjcUsK1Tf/s5184/IMG_2192%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM5g4RZGVixuNhvgzusjfwzPhOop2i-Fhuo0MGHS7Q5XP7cgeY3tyYYbVopHJKj5sjs9biV7_wKeyVXrwcOS7ihtnOHH79pUnUlcgKJJXWgl8s0Fz46XbBtZf2wgMQ-jmWjI_5UASNUkN3BLMdMuVQCvJ4yAs7_d00rgu2gwGGDVAhzvokRKVjcUsK1Tf/w572-h380/IMG_2192%20(2).JPG" width="572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ringed Plover </b>south of Half-way Wall. © Clive Couzens (Photograph taken on 7th Sept)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Hirundine counts remain as a trickle thus far, with peak counts of 15 <b>Sand Martin</b>,<b> </b>10 <b>House Martin</b>, 12 <b>Swallow </b>on the 11th. There were three <b>Swift </b>feeding over the airfield all afternoon on the 9th too.<p>Nice arrival of 24 <b>Chiffchaff, </b>26 <b>Common Whitethroat </b>on the 9th along with a <b>Hoopoe</b> over by Quarter Wall. A couple of <b>Sedge, Garden </b>and <b>Reed</b> <b>Warblers</b> have been picked up most days and a <b>Grasshopper Warbler</b> was ringed on the 10th. <b>Blackcap</b> have averaged 20 most days, except for the 11th which was much quieter with only six detected. <b>Willow Warbler </b>were similar in their abundance, with c.40 most days, but only a dozen on the 11th. We're still picking up <b>Firecrest</b>, with a peak of four on the 11th. There was a small arrival of <b>Goldcrest</b> on the 12th with 21<b> </b>recorded. A <b>Treecreeper</b>, the first for the year, was also recorded on the 11th. A <b>Bonelli's Warbler sp. </b>showed very nicely on the Terrace on the 10th. No call was heard and so it is very difficult to nail it as western or eastern based on plumage alone.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhck6s1oyiQr8e-KjjMLj-yc13qY3d5OiJ2TBJ0ti3eOWVSZdKSGy5gYcEr6CrlFb20IEwuZ0g2ZCcPLj8opm53pW2ME1HJgLoeXBqxUmMRsxktQxrVDvOzVDSjY37xi9-zpReKTyUvrlhx-EyfuDwZ1Psu9m5KgSGavZ23ttQuSuVryaN-VDs3KKg4-nZI/s1903/bonelli1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1903" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhck6s1oyiQr8e-KjjMLj-yc13qY3d5OiJ2TBJ0ti3eOWVSZdKSGy5gYcEr6CrlFb20IEwuZ0g2ZCcPLj8opm53pW2ME1HJgLoeXBqxUmMRsxktQxrVDvOzVDSjY37xi9-zpReKTyUvrlhx-EyfuDwZ1Psu9m5KgSGavZ23ttQuSuVryaN-VDs3KKg4-nZI/w628-h417/bonelli1.jpg" width="628" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bonelli's Warbler sp. </b>Terrace. © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Common Redstart</b> were present on the Terrace everyday. Flycatcher numbers have slowly been dropping off, with 16 <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b> and 10 <b>Pied Flycatcher</b> on the 9th, and just 3<b> </b>and 5 respectively<b> </b>on the 12th. <b>Whinchat</b> have also been moving out with only three on the 9th and a single on the 10th. Along with the noticeable influx of <b>Whitethroat</b>, <b>Northern Wheatear</b> were abundant again on the 9th, with a count of 15 recorded likely an underestimate. The same <b>Wheatear</b> was caught and ringed in SW field on the 9th and 11th whilst dazzling and it's weight had increased by just over 2g, which is just under 10% of it's overall body weight. It's great to see hard data evidencing these birds feeding up before they embark on the next leg of their migration, which is only possible with the insights of the BTO ringing scheme. Some of the <b>Wheatears</b> were of the Greenland race <i>leucorhoa</i>, which are noticeably chunkier and well-marked in the field.</p><p>A <b>Yellow Wagtail</b> was present on the 9th and 10th, with the first two <b>Grey Wagtail </b>of the season around on the 9th-12th. A couple of <b>Tree Pipit</b> continue to be picked up each day. A large flock of 180 <b>Linnet</b> has been seen for several days feeding around Pondsbury and a visitor captured a sound recording of a <b>Nightingale </b>in the Bracken below the Terrace on 12th.</p><p>It's also that time of year where young <b>Manx Shearwaters </b>are successfully fledging and leaving the colony. However, for a few the lure of the Marisco Tavern is too much! Between dusk and midnight (after which the diesel generators switch off for the night) the lights of the Tavern attract a handful of birds each year. Upon landing in the vicinity of the Tavern, the flat ground makes it difficult for them to alight again - the steep cliffs of the colonies are a vital part of getting them airborne when they fledge. They scuttle into cracks, crevices or corners around the Tavern buildings when dawn comes, but they're not always as well hidden as they might think! These birds are rescued when found in the morning. We take the opportunity to ring them and then that evening return them to a burrow in the colony to aid them in their next flight attempt. They would naturally filter down to the cliffs again themselves under the cover of darkness, but our helping hand gives them a shortcut (they are famously awkward when manoeuvring on land), and also moves them out the way of the daytime pedestrian traffic in the busy village.</p>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-25736026604374739282023-09-08T15:24:00.039+01:002023-09-08T22:37:24.787+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 5th-8th September<p>The settled weather has continued this week, winds remaining as light easterlies apart from a much gustier morning on the 5th. The 5th was very quiet, but the week got much more exciting on the 6th-8th, with four <b>Wryneck</b> on the island for two days as well as a first-year <b>Woodchat Shrike </b>on the 6th.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vZ_pM8BRj7iimfXd8MGwM-3s2nUbDCNJe2E19CLpAO1ALjH-GuL33iciGIk94VtHiwWEAaxdiO0koYLcyYhu5yfby6l2aQzFDqyW0141P97FVeEjjMmo_7MWt-8GPRtx_oMcMexBHdGv7EUAUO0OqVHE75z5wJNrIxLVuIox9POSLpLkGUvFUK3oTpt4/s2048/woodchat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vZ_pM8BRj7iimfXd8MGwM-3s2nUbDCNJe2E19CLpAO1ALjH-GuL33iciGIk94VtHiwWEAaxdiO0koYLcyYhu5yfby6l2aQzFDqyW0141P97FVeEjjMmo_7MWt-8GPRtx_oMcMexBHdGv7EUAUO0OqVHE75z5wJNrIxLVuIox9POSLpLkGUvFUK3oTpt4/w549-h366/woodchat.jpg" width="549" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First year <b>Woodchat Shrike </b>Barton's Field © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdUKerrDiyQy8DVsUEONe8gylulXA0OLznvCLOUPuKSGyW-bRWsZ8970_cvGfjLAtSNnTgmkppysIBrwm2Vss1p-j_RFZ0Zk_AYAwvgyVawQVa3zSRP0CHS8DILxPN9zHk-k0rQRBxyIlpjmdmDEuvwN6V292ugynYgEepb7IxxfvarZfO7ltGFiVdzq1/s1018/woodchat2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1018" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdUKerrDiyQy8DVsUEONe8gylulXA0OLznvCLOUPuKSGyW-bRWsZ8970_cvGfjLAtSNnTgmkppysIBrwm2Vss1p-j_RFZ0Zk_AYAwvgyVawQVa3zSRP0CHS8DILxPN9zHk-k0rQRBxyIlpjmdmDEuvwN6V292ugynYgEepb7IxxfvarZfO7ltGFiVdzq1/w555-h369/woodchat2.jpg" width="555" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First year <b>Woodchat Shrike </b>on Sycamore above Millcombe Pines © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now that we're into the swing of autumn numbers of <i>Sylvia </i>warblers are starting to rise, with about a dozen <b>Blackcap </b>and <b>Whitethroat </b>typically pushing up Millcombe. Counts of 41, 65 and 40<b> Willow Warblers </b>on the 6-8th, with a noticeable switch to juvenile birds rather than the adults that dominated the earlier counts in the season. A couple of <b>Reed Warblers, Chiffchaff </b>and <b>Common Redstart </b>seen each day, and one <b>Sedge Warbler</b> on the 6th (Pondsbury) and 8th (Millcombe pines). There was a small push of <b>Firecrest</b>, with five on the 6th. Last year the highest Firecrest count was three on the 9th September, with other counts of three later in October. The push this week is likely to represent local mainland breeders, with Scandinavian birds forming the bulk of our passage in October. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiwOqsLEJid2kb_XX4PbwMIuwNfvP19WJ0kpwUIKo8ASVVA4rRoPw_dkYBzNsepa0hMfO-kYlb4p5PO7D63sw5ns3tneUbcZLUQ8DbgejtGNhYqCcc_gLlJVqo7ahME6clykCzkeVcNwDddAaGa7eeW6vBdNmEP2I-7BF3-B5qB8wVqigAifVEgrC0o4C/s2048/firecrest.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiwOqsLEJid2kb_XX4PbwMIuwNfvP19WJ0kpwUIKo8ASVVA4rRoPw_dkYBzNsepa0hMfO-kYlb4p5PO7D63sw5ns3tneUbcZLUQ8DbgejtGNhYqCcc_gLlJVqo7ahME6clykCzkeVcNwDddAaGa7eeW6vBdNmEP2I-7BF3-B5qB8wVqigAifVEgrC0o4C/w569-h379/firecrest.jpg" width="569" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Firecrest</b>, Millcombe © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Flycatchers have been a jov to watch, with the east side positively buzzing with them. Max counts of 22 and 45<b> Spotted Flycatcher </b>on the 6th and 7th and 18 and 24<b> Pied Flycatcher </b>on the same dates.<b> </b>For comparison, last year peak counts of Pied Flycatcher were 6 in early September, and max count of Spotted Flycatcher was 20. This is a great comparison which shows the impact of the sustained easterly winds that we have been experiencing. Seven <b>Whinchat </b>on the 7th and 11<b> </b>on the 8th are great signs of more autumn migrants moving through, as are <b>Tree Pipit </b>(two<b> </b>over Millcombe on the 7th, and at least four over the island on the 8th). One or two <b>Siskin </b>have also been heard flying over Millcombe two since the 6th.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ3JEbt7J9l8hgR5C92auYtrRsTijOELFa6XLdcVf5j_ZJtMY27QFfMN90H7rx1xJzLSVkxtM7mP0Z95LBBSK1tiJ8pMM0B2S7bmXUSrleB7L6V4GL8ZDUT1cCVv7nDYk6fdFMJTjpYm7LrsCpRFQrGUyuC_tA_t_jPzaX7HbbKidCnUgTHftuY7glnwq/s4096/spotfly.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="4096" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ3JEbt7J9l8hgR5C92auYtrRsTijOELFa6XLdcVf5j_ZJtMY27QFfMN90H7rx1xJzLSVkxtM7mP0Z95LBBSK1tiJ8pMM0B2S7bmXUSrleB7L6V4GL8ZDUT1cCVv7nDYk6fdFMJTjpYm7LrsCpRFQrGUyuC_tA_t_jPzaX7HbbKidCnUgTHftuY7glnwq/w578-h385/spotfly.jpg" width="578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Spotted Flycatcher </b>above Millcombe © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>One <b>Swift</b> and one <b>Sand Martin </b>over on the 6th along with a small push of 250 <b>Swallows</b>. Five <b>House Martin </b>on the 7th were accompanied by a trickle of 60 <b>Swallow</b>. A <b>Collared Dove</b> was seen over Millcombe and on the roof of the barn on the 6th. The autumn has been slow on the raptor front, with only one female <b>Sparrowhawk </b>seen on the 5th, 6th and 8th.</p><p>Two <b>Golden Plover </b>over Millcombe on the 7th, with five <b>Ringed Plover </b>also recorded north of Quarter Wall. One <b>Common</b> <b>Snipe </b>at Pondsbury on the 5th and 6th and three on the 8th. An east coast seal survey also turned up a <b>Common Sandpiper </b>at Brazen Ward and two <b>Turnstone </b>at North Light, as well as a count of 26 <b>Oystercatcher</b>. Wader passage is vastly under-recorded on the island and opportunities such as accompanying the marine team on seal surveys is a great excuse to pick up some of these birds. Another <b>Common Sandpiper</b> was heard from Millcombe in the evening on the 8th. A <b>Grey Heron </b>has still been observed most days.</p><p>The first-year <b>Rose-coloured Starling</b> continued to 7th, seen with the other starlings as often as it is alone around the village and Millcombe. The <b>Pintail </b>has been present until the 7th, spending more time around Pondsbury than Millcombe.</p><p>In terms of ringing effort, the light winds since the 6th have meant that the mist nets in Millcombe have been open each day with highlights of three <b>Wryneck </b>ringed (one was caught in the Heligoland trap on the Terrace). A couple of pleasant evening sessions on the 7th and 8th picked up a dozen flycatchers. Our visiting ringers continue to ring about 20 <b>Manx Shearwater</b> over on the west coast, with a couple of <b>Storm Petrels </b>picked up too.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhP5Sg8JviFDjIYjlxpbJ6x9se5zeQkvwRH9H6jrZ0vTJ9REbVNvafGRQJVLr4Hy1nmZxFPi7x2-P_ir7S4KgZihJJ4xB1WfQaR6p4P0i4XogKSY6YccFYg0Me0iH_Y_AqXf3qYVPHzi__lraAqUus1B6j0L0-AXASlzaNBIFLjQ4nAVdx6eTX4n-Ijqd/s2048/wryneck.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhP5Sg8JviFDjIYjlxpbJ6x9se5zeQkvwRH9H6jrZ0vTJ9REbVNvafGRQJVLr4Hy1nmZxFPi7x2-P_ir7S4KgZihJJ4xB1WfQaR6p4P0i4XogKSY6YccFYg0Me0iH_Y_AqXf3qYVPHzi__lraAqUus1B6j0L0-AXASlzaNBIFLjQ4nAVdx6eTX4n-Ijqd/w594-h395/wryneck.jpg" width="594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wryneck</b>, Millcombe © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-23616540898080562682023-09-04T21:12:00.004+01:002023-09-08T15:26:30.519+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 1st - 4th September<p>Clear skies and bright, dry days meant that despite consistent easterlies the first two days of September started fairly quietly, with common migrants trickling through and morning censuses fairly low on numbers. However, working the lower east in the afternoon produced superb results on Sunday 3rd, with a memorable day including highlights of a <b>Western Bonelli's Warbler</b>, <b>Melodious Warbler</b> and <b>Wryneck</b> on the Terrace (along with <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b>, <b>Pied Flycatcher</b> and 2 <b>Common Redstart</b>). Millcombe wasn't to be left out, with the first <b>Whinchats</b> of the season just above around Barton's Field, a <b>Firecrest</b> in the pines, and a juv <b>Rose-Coloured Starling</b> flying from the church to below Government early evening. Wryneck, 2x Firecrest and Rose-Coloured Starling all present for a second day on the 4th.</p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqXxH3AEzB_inaVg7C43jI_imrbHkqhfPv9OwCJksBpcrH-0aHw0WxG23qCvrt8IBCSatj7FbJ4WpzzSg5s1n-WwME0Q8uH9-cIxOOWQDdJ7rTNzsXkT8ix0aUojgJh-OYnIct23V7Io8GniEfsVu5RiUj_IJaDj7mo5QsgEfuFp5bQ_7yIUxmnprZFGaQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="972" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqXxH3AEzB_inaVg7C43jI_imrbHkqhfPv9OwCJksBpcrH-0aHw0WxG23qCvrt8IBCSatj7FbJ4WpzzSg5s1n-WwME0Q8uH9-cIxOOWQDdJ7rTNzsXkT8ix0aUojgJh-OYnIct23V7Io8GniEfsVu5RiUj_IJaDj7mo5QsgEfuFp5bQ_7yIUxmnprZFGaQ=w479-h502" width="479" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Bonelli's Warbler, St Helen's Copse © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4WkYpExi_ELfLQhGYP9q8-crVyc6AowrU_Wr7Po0heEnIQpLTb7X8UFSL0MY7BsXe2vxzZVfJuJOuGKcbrs3lUp1WuLtf4IgkhqLnzWwMRuDqMK28b1aK4g38dHXgLP4SsGU_MXg0F6u-LYluL5TERs2nYSVqvM2WzkUqOcdfllySE-ZCWVsbEeQShv7t" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4WkYpExi_ELfLQhGYP9q8-crVyc6AowrU_Wr7Po0heEnIQpLTb7X8UFSL0MY7BsXe2vxzZVfJuJOuGKcbrs3lUp1WuLtf4IgkhqLnzWwMRuDqMK28b1aK4g38dHXgLP4SsGU_MXg0F6u-LYluL5TERs2nYSVqvM2WzkUqOcdfllySE-ZCWVsbEeQShv7t=w553-h368" width="553" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wryneck, Terrace © Angus Croudace</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Ringed Plover</b> singles were heard by quarter wall on census on the 2nd and 3rd, with a second heard moving over Gannets Bay on the 3rd. Single <b>Golden Plover</b> heard on the 2nd, and single <b>Dunlin</b> over the village on 3rd and 'in-off' at the Ugly on the 4th. <b>Common Snipe</b> flushed from Rocket Pole on 1st, flying over Quarter wall on 2nd, and flushed from Pondsbury on 4th. A <b>Pintail</b> has been seen every day since the 1st, moving between fresh water bodies and the Landing Bay, most memorably on Millcombe pond, and shortly after in the top shelf of a Secret Garden mist net (albeit too briefly to retrieve)!</p><p>4 <b>Black-headed Gull</b> flew north along the west on the 2nd. <b>Grey Herons</b> have been seen on 1st (adult at Barton's Field) and 3rd (juv at Pondsbury). Ringtail <b>Hen Harrier</b> moving north of Quarter Wall on 2nd, but has not been seen since.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhi7qBE5irRZmlcWhPJLFzH2t0rtyTFBtBnUpusth9VFy4c_IQdHyP_J7YaM6DG6cW6ts3aRlqM3pj3aedbO4N3BwgYu6Nb7Ie79aUSVDe1CJrLoMmUsoAS7oISrA83GexIBUC2I3tN3TP6QmATOTZhRX8EePztNS3kQWj-evczlvhWAiKVlAGLhPluuwAT" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhi7qBE5irRZmlcWhPJLFzH2t0rtyTFBtBnUpusth9VFy4c_IQdHyP_J7YaM6DG6cW6ts3aRlqM3pj3aedbO4N3BwgYu6Nb7Ie79aUSVDe1CJrLoMmUsoAS7oISrA83GexIBUC2I3tN3TP6QmATOTZhRX8EePztNS3kQWj-evczlvhWAiKVlAGLhPluuwAT=w536-h403" width="536" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firecrest, Millcombe © Luke Marriner<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_A_sFicKKiNnXZXBMsw6POhB_fgaKDVi2qI56VCgGDgEFoA5rjdsBwhSSRdzy9BOXUpYWUpMpMI4T6l-TISnVvZMmHV1hGKy7Xx-2lD3QUBw5CgHBpaTaKw8SOnzo-1YtkSoQmh8K3u-FemiNpPDaLHOL0nDwxc0bEZwIAnU_rneJSuXHp2i-7hSQy8vM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_A_sFicKKiNnXZXBMsw6POhB_fgaKDVi2qI56VCgGDgEFoA5rjdsBwhSSRdzy9BOXUpYWUpMpMI4T6l-TISnVvZMmHV1hGKy7Xx-2lD3QUBw5CgHBpaTaKw8SOnzo-1YtkSoQmh8K3u-FemiNpPDaLHOL0nDwxc0bEZwIAnU_rneJSuXHp2i-7hSQy8vM=w541-h406" width="541" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Flycatcher © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table>6 <b>Skylark</b> picked up on the 3rd and 3 on the 4th, and a small hirundine movement with 2 each of <b>Sand</b> and <b>House Martin</b> and 71 <b>Swallow </b>on the 3rd and 4 <b>House Martin</b>,<b> </b>39 <b>Swallow </b>on 4th. Birds appeared to drop in throughout the day on Sunday 3rd, with a final total of 82 <b>Willow Warblers</b> after just a couple on census in early morning and totals of 7 on the previous 2 days. Also recorded on Sunday 3rd were 10 <b>Blackcap</b>, 1 <b>Garden W</b><b>arbler</b>, 3 <b>Whitethroat</b>, 8 <b>Goldcrest</b>, 7 <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b>, 2 <b>Common Redstart</b> and 2 <b>Whinchat</b>. The first <b>Yellow Wagtail</b> of the season was recorded on census on the 3rd and 4th and 10 <b><i>alba </i>Wagtails</b> were also recorded on the 3rd and 4th. 2 <b>Tree Pipit</b> singles over Millcombe on 3rd and another two on the 4th. Monday the 4th was very busy with <b>Spotted Flycatchers</b>, with 23 recorded, and one <b>Pied Flycatcher.</b><p></p><p>Nets were open in Millcombe for all of Friday and several hours on Saturday/Sunday before winds increased, although capture rate was fairly slow, with about 60 common migrants and local breeders ringed. A group of visiting ringers have been putting some effort into the <b>Manx Shearwaters</b>, with a couple of dozen chicks ringed each night.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK9jsqPZJgFH1UfGB81k4oUxvUnrFXiWf_m2adU0dIlmqp_YA9jbXk3OEMGufAiN6HGT1nmeD2tUX4QwUr5hUeg5npEeQK3XGM8vjkj5sf6KYCOLYv9HiD1Vs5djpd7A50MZ1dFiXYG3pfoe3KnRIA3VDRJVzZiE7PazA9rapvl79p5QDWsPZVnOZ6o3Zw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK9jsqPZJgFH1UfGB81k4oUxvUnrFXiWf_m2adU0dIlmqp_YA9jbXk3OEMGufAiN6HGT1nmeD2tUX4QwUr5hUeg5npEeQK3XGM8vjkj5sf6KYCOLYv9HiD1Vs5djpd7A50MZ1dFiXYG3pfoe3KnRIA3VDRJVzZiE7PazA9rapvl79p5QDWsPZVnOZ6o3Zw=w505-h378" width="505" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Flycatcher © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_FGIISuS76R7LKg3VZ90_lXQVQqRd1cfYOMBv1WRhkWxjNWJf4Bi-hwRIgP3gQ2tIO0hbtvX5Ss-2O0zlcfmpGFewXMZ3NXBLA_CgMdgugIfId0ysyMdMIuycodrtA0YdonaV4_9GjjLpjASxBiOANQ6_i6wo2zUSJTtmtFwae3e-cKmAhQGsHf6r6VjI" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_FGIISuS76R7LKg3VZ90_lXQVQqRd1cfYOMBv1WRhkWxjNWJf4Bi-hwRIgP3gQ2tIO0hbtvX5Ss-2O0zlcfmpGFewXMZ3NXBLA_CgMdgugIfId0ysyMdMIuycodrtA0YdonaV4_9GjjLpjASxBiOANQ6_i6wo2zUSJTtmtFwae3e-cKmAhQGsHf6r6VjI=w502-h376" width="502" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-year Rose-Coloured Starling, Millcombe © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09043267662635244972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-66949393664250911652023-08-31T17:24:00.005+01:002023-08-31T17:47:55.532+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 17 August to 31 August 2023Autumn migration continues to move through the gears with a double <i>Hippolais </i>warbler day and plenty of common migrants on show over the last few days. <b>Storm Petrel</b> ringing is now winding down after an eye-opening season. Latest totals currently sit at 538 new birds ringed this year (comfortably exceeding the all-time ringing total of 491 between 1947-2022). Throw in all the re-traps and recoveries and we've handled 642 different individuals(!), and a recent run of controls has also seen birds from France, Jersey and Alderney! Another nice seabird recovery came from a <b>Manx Shearwater</b> re-trapped at the Old Light colony which was originally ringed in its first-year at Wooltack Point, Pembrokeshire in September 2013.<div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW-OG5_4cF24HYV_wYA5B7pvvoZoBVr66jzXP3q3Yg9uiRTYchkGqqcFOMOBdpadSSdcN3O1vZ5N9WCnyYfMkBAhGIB9Rt4LsOpZL73DfIiDxNmXiq2nXu_1lW64zlpUyNnHzHGGEkMyuia5VrU69Fu0UXeD3bgDvDQoutrfHyMV9hJgBTbZBixVjPywGo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW-OG5_4cF24HYV_wYA5B7pvvoZoBVr66jzXP3q3Yg9uiRTYchkGqqcFOMOBdpadSSdcN3O1vZ5N9WCnyYfMkBAhGIB9Rt4LsOpZL73DfIiDxNmXiq2nXu_1lW64zlpUyNnHzHGGEkMyuia5VrU69Fu0UXeD3bgDvDQoutrfHyMV9hJgBTbZBixVjPywGo=w408-h306" width="408" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm Petrel (foreground) and Manx Shearwater (backgorund) © Luke Marriner </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Turning to passerines, <b>Pied Flycatchers</b> have been recorded in small numbers everyday with a max count of five on 27th. <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b> have been equally present, also peaking at five individuals on 29-30th and <b>Redstart </b>have been pushing through in smaller numbers, with singles logged across the Terrace and Millcombe on 20th, 28th and 30th. <b>Tree Pipit</b> movement overhead has been slow and steady with ones and twos recorded most days. A change of pace came on the 23rd when a <b>Melodious Warbler</b> was trapped and ringed in the valley. A second (unringed) 'Melody' then popped up along the lower east coast on the 27th and an <b>Icterine Warbler</b> graced Millcombe between 27-28th while a <b>Common Nightingale</b> (scarce migrant on Lundy - only the seventh record this century!) skulked around the bracken to the north of the Quarries on 28th.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYRljOoeWrrAVsL6X_kGzTzaw7pOeiDsichjKkDwIcY8HBqmPWbf3cTbqVarASh5oR0opFzBIiX_I4sXPZzJI68fdAUeGEVZ4j30DfesRuml6BXiuYxO2zIOxYx2QNQRBfpjSB3EEO3ND4EZQyc23F-unOZRLQZ3z8pS-lOYTs7KKBckMW5oF8Ts4d1OM4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYRljOoeWrrAVsL6X_kGzTzaw7pOeiDsichjKkDwIcY8HBqmPWbf3cTbqVarASh5oR0opFzBIiX_I4sXPZzJI68fdAUeGEVZ4j30DfesRuml6BXiuYxO2zIOxYx2QNQRBfpjSB3EEO3ND4EZQyc23F-unOZRLQZ3z8pS-lOYTs7KKBckMW5oF8Ts4d1OM4=w440-h330" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-year Melodious Warbler in the hand before being released after ringing © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHwAGHZkQevEEhTRYQ1mIDKkN5wsYHxVT0N_XJdbcm8KWKbUOIb4s35ZLFSG2Syqxvj1Z_duE8SbX2Fkfs8R3vAf6uH8Gu0EnDFQUv5KwCKlFeVRrbmaRNUmaGEzjhE4nPB6pGFiOAQBXJDZF_iZyHv2q56Y1S8Vro0EIp7etuBjGdL37rF6Af-IlRmzc/s1259/2fae427b74f4045799931292c30155df.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1259" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHwAGHZkQevEEhTRYQ1mIDKkN5wsYHxVT0N_XJdbcm8KWKbUOIb4s35ZLFSG2Syqxvj1Z_duE8SbX2Fkfs8R3vAf6uH8Gu0EnDFQUv5KwCKlFeVRrbmaRNUmaGEzjhE4nPB6pGFiOAQBXJDZF_iZyHv2q56Y1S8Vro0EIp7etuBjGdL37rF6Af-IlRmzc/w461-h343/2fae427b74f4045799931292c30155df.png" width="461" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-year Pied Flycatcher © Luke Marriner</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><b>Sparrowhawk </b>sightings have continued through the second half of the month with an adult female buzzing around from 21st, appearing at Old Light, Village and Terrace and an adult male joining the scene from 28th. The juvenile <b>Grey Heron</b> continued to the 25th when it was observed flying south along the east coast, catching a thermal over Rat Island and departing for Hartland. Interestingly, a Grey Heron was logged later that evening, so either the bird aborted the crossing or a second individual took its place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Waders have received modest representation with notable appearances <b>Golden </b>and <b>Ringed Plover</b> heard from beer garden 19th, a <b>Dotterel </b>feeding near Wendy Mitchell Memorial on 22nd, single <b>Whimbrel </b>calling over Millcombe on 23rd, a <b>Snipe </b>at Quarter Wall on 28th and a <b>Redshank </b>moving south on 30th.</div></div></div>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-25982662360266499512023-08-17T11:32:00.002+01:002023-08-18T09:40:28.987+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 16 August 2023<p>The first passage <b>Tree Pipit </b>of the autumn brightened up an otherwise relatively quiet census route. Two juveniles were ringed in Millcombe and another two passed south overhead. Other notables from the session included an adult female <b>Reed Warbler</b> and two juvenile <b>Whitethroat</b> which had both completed their post-juvenile moult - so presumed migrants rather than our local fledglings. Elsewhere a <b>Sparrowhawk </b>graced VC Quarry and a <b>Curlew </b>was calling over Barton Field/St Helen's Field.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjjl5cYonaaI9Hx_Gq1d9ddavWTFjAu3vuvF0uPyvnIhGvh3fjn9mJSLfPzleEaip553LQUy0f7tklOnhpCvF2zs2MabxUELlp0t0K7Gv09qlsUb-k6LQiXSOqL_FsIN2a0wF8Q7UX5c4WmReIq5O5Gjw1X5EljwnqTi_0i34cqMpKD13Ilv8iEAq4uBo/s4160/IMG_20230816_081957.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjjl5cYonaaI9Hx_Gq1d9ddavWTFjAu3vuvF0uPyvnIhGvh3fjn9mJSLfPzleEaip553LQUy0f7tklOnhpCvF2zs2MabxUELlp0t0K7Gv09qlsUb-k6LQiXSOqL_FsIN2a0wF8Q7UX5c4WmReIq5O5Gjw1X5EljwnqTi_0i34cqMpKD13Ilv8iEAq4uBo/w400-h300/IMG_20230816_081957.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Tree Pipit © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-39698628885150334152023-08-16T17:34:00.006+01:002023-08-18T09:42:52.303+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 15 August 2023<p>Balmy summer conditions enjoyed some light wader passage with an summer-plumage <b>Knot </b>taking top spot. Initially picked up feeding along the intertidal in Devil's Kitchen, the moulting adult was later seen in Lametry Bay. A <b>Ringed Plover</b> pressed north over Old Light at midday and 22 <b>Gannet </b>were feeding off the south-east coast. A single <b>House Martin</b> headed south accompanied by 11 <b>Swallow</b>. Another slight arrival of <b>Willow Warbler</b> as 28 individuals flitted about with 2 <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b> on the move.</p><p><a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3647/20230815">[Trektellen.org] - Migration counts & captures</a></p>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-66446197472380639792023-08-16T16:57:00.003+01:002023-08-18T09:43:37.275+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 14 August 2023<p>A big clearout of yesterday's <b>Willow Warblers </b>saw numbers drop to a mere 12 individuals, with adults still representing a significant percentage. Few other migrants on show, best of the bunch being 3 <b>Spotted Flycatcher </b>and 5 <b>Sand Martin</b> cruising south. Gannet numbers on the increase with 56 birds actively feeding along the east coast. Plenty of <b>Manx Shearwater</b> action at Old Light where a ringing team monitoring the colony encountered the first wave of fledglings (6 young) and a healthy rate of between-season re-traps.</p><p><a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3647/20230814">[Trektellen.org] - Migration counts & captures</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgaqcSG8ItsAOpdgTCjr3yCKWt3zbtY9ypoQEwcF8xCowMJZkNLQGT77ekiJP6gNwJihw46oABF33fjR-aWouKw2ooOQgjFJqP53AigQLDjFH-lsugk0trU0z9j99fDHYNmILtLsfEyKJmS7vqwYukNk0bCyzgQBynYi_GONDlBWw3J6iC5walk-m4K1H/s4160/IMG_20230814_170519.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgaqcSG8ItsAOpdgTCjr3yCKWt3zbtY9ypoQEwcF8xCowMJZkNLQGT77ekiJP6gNwJihw46oABF33fjR-aWouKw2ooOQgjFJqP53AigQLDjFH-lsugk0trU0z9j99fDHYNmILtLsfEyKJmS7vqwYukNk0bCyzgQBynYi_GONDlBWw3J6iC5walk-m4K1H/s320/IMG_20230814_170519.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Willow Warbler © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-14795756965715295792023-08-13T21:02:00.006+01:002023-08-18T09:44:57.977+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 13 August 2023<p>Welcome arrival of 173 <b>Willow Warbler</b> this morning, most filtering their way down into Millcombe and feeding across the valley. Eight <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b>, 3 <b>Sedge and </b>a <b>Reed Warbler </b>accompanied the action and a trickle of <b>Swallow </b>pressed south, as well as a <b>Sand Martin</b> and 5 <b>House Martin</b>. The juvenile <b>Grey Heron</b> continued to linger around Pondsbury for another day. Unfortunately conditions were too breezy to open any mist-nets despite the fresh arrival of migrants, and the murk has set in for the night. Break into your best rain dance - the island is still in desperate need of a good drenching!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9io1odGE6aFSxI6SLPYHrZzxPeAZSTNehG-j5JkQjKIcZIng7YiBlB6XRBEwgB1atOCc9RQgCp--e9-kIBv2IJcLsnjzAWrT6JO3K87drJvV1NI_P6GGTrMuJaui-fioyPwyCE_-a6igCsIr0npJT_mpRbqnrOlqqOnkd43Y9IPnLkR-aRcu9yarp45EG/s2768/Peregrine%20Benji's%20Chair%2020230813%200M2A4968.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="2768" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9io1odGE6aFSxI6SLPYHrZzxPeAZSTNehG-j5JkQjKIcZIng7YiBlB6XRBEwgB1atOCc9RQgCp--e9-kIBv2IJcLsnjzAWrT6JO3K87drJvV1NI_P6GGTrMuJaui-fioyPwyCE_-a6igCsIr0npJT_mpRbqnrOlqqOnkd43Y9IPnLkR-aRcu9yarp45EG/w463-h310/Peregrine%20Benji's%20Chair%2020230813%200M2A4968.jpg" width="463" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Peregrine © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuIw4WFnypt4sXGZdYWwl3dpKV9yWT6mMg_tG4RjkWNsxLaUemrZ4MiPW6x2M4_2qkRTD3z9HozZFS7hpOovbCBGS1d8x-IRxZ8PwtjXYh101rVyddxwR0vFifginYZMnsYA-oZM-WmnHlWCPVA6iQT3yTqr7ypFwcx8_PVn6S3AHeyw84p9Ix1ybw-Un/s3435/Willow%20Warbler%20Millcombe%2020230813%200M2A4863.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2294" data-original-width="3435" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuIw4WFnypt4sXGZdYWwl3dpKV9yWT6mMg_tG4RjkWNsxLaUemrZ4MiPW6x2M4_2qkRTD3z9HozZFS7hpOovbCBGS1d8x-IRxZ8PwtjXYh101rVyddxwR0vFifginYZMnsYA-oZM-WmnHlWCPVA6iQT3yTqr7ypFwcx8_PVn6S3AHeyw84p9Ix1ybw-Un/w464-h310/Willow%20Warbler%20Millcombe%2020230813%200M2A4863.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Willow Warbler © Joe Parker<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-16630508645711736162023-08-12T22:09:00.000+01:002023-08-12T22:09:24.279+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 12 August 2023<p>Photos have been shared on a Lundy Facebook group confirming a juvenile <b>Ruff </b>was present at Pondsbury on 9th & 10th August - the post can be viewed on the public group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2214589137/permalink/10161127481904138/">here</a>. Little happening today with force 5 to 6 south-westerlies countering any passerine movements. The damp and dull day was not inspiring for a venture far, but the juvenile <b>Grey Heron</b> was still frequenting Pondsbury and a single <b>Swift </b>battled south. Forecast looking promising from Tuesday onwards, swinging easterly by Thursday!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUos_GT8rCnZxdVOUCxZubxUAnZbr90Y8F1Tva_em4uqM0lPx-8YjaZiWvhCTCb0K_6s1wgovEu5AVbAP8PTf0HkGr9zVWQ9dxgjI4htbsGJtvpUivLz8TyRQzNzkuTVFG8cH5Rw6ogdF5XGiCd8oR2nRD0qHRKeTuXOj5wJ_qD5A0V_n0muwcRGFBp6ba/s3578/Wheatear%2020230810%200M2A4726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2389" data-original-width="3578" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUos_GT8rCnZxdVOUCxZubxUAnZbr90Y8F1Tva_em4uqM0lPx-8YjaZiWvhCTCb0K_6s1wgovEu5AVbAP8PTf0HkGr9zVWQ9dxgjI4htbsGJtvpUivLz8TyRQzNzkuTVFG8cH5Rw6ogdF5XGiCd8oR2nRD0qHRKeTuXOj5wJ_qD5A0V_n0muwcRGFBp6ba/w531-h355/Wheatear%2020230810%200M2A4726.jpg" width="531" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheatear © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-42395143770795739242023-08-11T19:20:00.004+01:002023-08-11T19:20:26.639+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 11 August 2023<p>Slow going first thing with a lone <b>Swift </b>making the journey south via Quarry Cottages. Two juvenile <b>Blackcap </b>were feeding in Smelly Gully, accompanied by 3 <b>Willow Warbler</b> flitting around the lee of The Ugly. The juvenile <b>Peregrines </b>are becoming more confident on the wing, now regularly seen hurtling towards post-breeding <b>Starling </b>flocks around Ackland's Moor and Old Light. The juvenile <b>Grey Heron</b> continues to skulk around Pondsbury / Punchbowl Valley area and a feeding flock of 16 <b>Gannet </b>circled the east coast while 3,492 <b>Manx Shearwater</b> were moving north during a one hour watch from Gannet's Rock.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr6DtreNQhRT392BbMnjWZY-yBSXoj8sZShMc1R9rHXh2eiIu6L_Gy8oGReenBmiHqf0BaDDIh49MXkwNBKItfviS444NAuP_p8Z9_XRSCG5zPBbyow_6ynTs9IMnxJsGeU511PlKDYGPpw4RVxLccWHFou68QbZ7GongzoZOfe15EGqls-zxmlwnyEW2/s2107/Peregrine%2020230811%200M2A4804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="2107" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr6DtreNQhRT392BbMnjWZY-yBSXoj8sZShMc1R9rHXh2eiIu6L_Gy8oGReenBmiHqf0BaDDIh49MXkwNBKItfviS444NAuP_p8Z9_XRSCG5zPBbyow_6ynTs9IMnxJsGeU511PlKDYGPpw4RVxLccWHFou68QbZ7GongzoZOfe15EGqls-zxmlwnyEW2/w448-h300/Peregrine%2020230811%200M2A4804.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Peregrine © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqZmw3PBFRkGwtDuI3aBulg4YkQjTT043hxyAcmgQqWf0OZj7iXs9MkfzcVpHIBxary9IIrelg4tSGyZTm0LwY_FPP2Q-OwPCjwj182dWgVyOIqhoTMddXhTL0HKNhxWsZq9151ASqFcG_e_E5-eu9O-GZL8DNAn94hn81jPWK8XBUS5cV_2-To12y2D3/s1551/Grey%20Heron%2020230811%200M2A4800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1551" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqZmw3PBFRkGwtDuI3aBulg4YkQjTT043hxyAcmgQqWf0OZj7iXs9MkfzcVpHIBxary9IIrelg4tSGyZTm0LwY_FPP2Q-OwPCjwj182dWgVyOIqhoTMddXhTL0HKNhxWsZq9151ASqFcG_e_E5-eu9O-GZL8DNAn94hn81jPWK8XBUS5cV_2-To12y2D3/w449-h300/Grey%20Heron%2020230811%200M2A4800.jpg" width="449" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Grey Heron © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-14285722800512199472023-08-10T20:33:00.010+01:002023-08-10T22:28:28.601+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 10 August 2023<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A modest push of hirundines and Swift at 1pm saw 39 <b>Swift</b>, 6 <b>Swallow</b>, 10 <b>Sand </b>and 3 <b>House Martin</b> all push south in the space of 30 minutes. The juvenile <b>Grey Heron</b> is still kicking about, picked up moving north over Quarry Cottages while seeing in the Oldenburg at midday and a flying ant emergence was drawing in a crowd in the Landing with 78 <b>Herring</b>, 6 <b>Lesser Black-backed</b> and 4 <b>Great Black-backed</b> all capitalising on the new food source. The final <b>Kittiwake </b>nests have now all fledged, leaving only the <b>Fulmars </b>as our remaining cliff-nesters still feeding young. Sadly the thick fog put a stop to any potential Storm Petrel ringing last night, although the winds are picking up again somewhat over the weekend opening up another window to get out seawatching. Late report from guests of a possible <b>Ruff </b>at Pondsbury yesterday evening.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewysg60iGyswlyyaYEjOUjK7nUEL0XVbvF6rtp_NhARlQIWmPwzPjlObYkJvq6nv7CDwp786syrdQdMnOFx3EvSyCUpZcCkIg8JLYp-5HuGrNnMKqympbf-EigINlIY-X8DNPa3zgN01qmPa5YorypYOyMH3NcvtiQ7pXcglOP52-7A4c-UcpRXLLQLRH/s3782/Swift%2020230517%200M2A0525.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2526" data-original-width="3782" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewysg60iGyswlyyaYEjOUjK7nUEL0XVbvF6rtp_NhARlQIWmPwzPjlObYkJvq6nv7CDwp786syrdQdMnOFx3EvSyCUpZcCkIg8JLYp-5HuGrNnMKqympbf-EigINlIY-X8DNPa3zgN01qmPa5YorypYOyMH3NcvtiQ7pXcglOP52-7A4c-UcpRXLLQLRH/w502-h336/Swift%2020230517%200M2A0525.jpg" width="502" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swift (taken 17 May) © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-79091603014619683052023-08-09T19:34:00.002+01:002023-08-09T21:49:23.008+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 09 August 2023<p>Classic Lundy conditions today with still winds bringing with it localised mist and thick fog rolling in and out through the day. A single <b>Curlew </b>south over Millcombe at 7am later dropped into the Landing Bay and a ringing session in Millcombe continues to be dominated by local fledglings, only migrants being a single <b>Sedge </b>and 3 <b>Willow Warbler</b>. Flight calls of a <b>Green Sandpiper </b>were<b> </b>heard<b> </b>over Barton’s Field in the fog at dusk. Data from a couple of recent <b>Storm Petrel</b> controls has come back revealing one was ringed as an adult on Skokholm, Pembs on 4 Aug 2018 and the other from Porthgwarra, Cornwall on 31 May 2022. Full ringing totals from today's session on Trek below.</p><p><a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3647/20230809">[Trektellen.org] - Migration counts & captures</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_PG8FVfWJKF6FbKAm1l02lNTeh-j-U_20JMV8_biPRy7KOPzbSrcyZa5fJt8Z4XGWyOQX8pwV2kWrupCBcsl1KyaeJ1lBDD7dCoUiPbCcGyAvy7S18k69O1IKTBgv84KyAsgYEeS5QcAGo94pJ8yfPktuZxIK0dt5dChoJ6O9_jNHN6-56oPIt3eSwXW/s4160/IMG_20230809_103405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_PG8FVfWJKF6FbKAm1l02lNTeh-j-U_20JMV8_biPRy7KOPzbSrcyZa5fJt8Z4XGWyOQX8pwV2kWrupCBcsl1KyaeJ1lBDD7dCoUiPbCcGyAvy7S18k69O1IKTBgv84KyAsgYEeS5QcAGo94pJ8yfPktuZxIK0dt5dChoJ6O9_jNHN6-56oPIt3eSwXW/w459-h344/IMG_20230809_103405.jpg" width="459" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Warbler © Joe Parker</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-32552103305744045352023-08-09T18:23:00.022+01:002023-08-10T21:27:14.005+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 08 August 2023<span style="font-family: inherit;">The weather could not make up it's mind today, switching between thick mist and blue skies within the blink of a eye. Scuzzy conditions early doors made for slim pickings on census, with 3 <b>Willow Warblers</b> providing a splash of colour within the murk. We've received a couple of interesting reports from visitors from the last two days, namely a <b>Kingfisher </b>flashing past Montagu's Steps on 7th and 2 <b>Basking Shark </b>slowly cruising north along the south east coast today! Drizzling after midnight brought an early finish to the evening's Storm Petrel session at North Light which resulted in 16 new birds ringed, plus a Lundy re-trap and 2 British controls - totals up on our Trek page below. </span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3647/20230807">[Trektellen.org] - Migration counts & captures</a><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwo7WqBTZVTS-dR8vA_XeLp9yjEES9yOkhDQrf4i87t7-7aM7hhot1kc26XxDexFwQ_8InPfqCmMGyZjufB6f8yegHdHU-LOouiV09v9MUSEItcAp1nnwJ3au7x3Q9KrtVhHQ1mEOFrxdHlrFVhX2mf1CtCBwz-xVu4LvARx_rRJ4oYtC3dX9jq2prLAvp/s4160/IMG_20230808_092245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwo7WqBTZVTS-dR8vA_XeLp9yjEES9yOkhDQrf4i87t7-7aM7hhot1kc26XxDexFwQ_8InPfqCmMGyZjufB6f8yegHdHU-LOouiV09v9MUSEItcAp1nnwJ3au7x3Q9KrtVhHQ1mEOFrxdHlrFVhX2mf1CtCBwz-xVu4LvARx_rRJ4oYtC3dX9jq2prLAvp/w455-h341/IMG_20230808_092245.jpg" width="455" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Glorious views of the Church from Benjamin's Chair</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p><br /></p></div></div>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-53627759706028767722023-08-07T19:37:00.006+01:002023-08-10T21:27:40.667+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 07 August 2023<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At last, a drop in wind strength welcomed the first suitable day of the autumn to open up the Millcombe mist nets! Plenty of juveniles on the wing and a steady stream of young <b>Linnet </b>coming down to Millcombe stream kept the session ticking over through the morning. Of the 11 <b>Willow Warbler</b> trapped it was a near 50:50 split of adult to young age ratio. A <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b> feeding around the valley evaded the mist nets, unlike the adult <b>Sedge Warbler</b> which was loitering around the Lower Garden. Full ringing totals from the morning's session can be viewed on our shiny new Trektellen page (link below). Over time I plan to upload historic Lundy ringing totals onto 'Trek', but for now this will remain more of a winter season task.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3647/20230807"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[Trektellen.org] - Migration counts & captures</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxpTn1BPTvPIn0JU40YiakTiX2cBMtXd9t9q3DZXiB6gyayvnJgFZD-obG4Fs3zPs_pT43ajcbewP6rpx2t1grckEgRSZH-tyx9gXSNC_LAfTL36QhNJvihimSZNyyMJequAxnUMvhqg5EJOcaLU_Hoo2sN7hqb-LCkoPBG_2e0Q6QHsQX4JNihNPkOGb/s4160/IMG_20230807_112110.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxpTn1BPTvPIn0JU40YiakTiX2cBMtXd9t9q3DZXiB6gyayvnJgFZD-obG4Fs3zPs_pT43ajcbewP6rpx2t1grckEgRSZH-tyx9gXSNC_LAfTL36QhNJvihimSZNyyMJequAxnUMvhqg5EJOcaLU_Hoo2sN7hqb-LCkoPBG_2e0Q6QHsQX4JNihNPkOGb/w356-h475/IMG_20230807_112110.jpg" width="356" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Adult Sedge Warbler © Joe Parker</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOIp7OPUBhA5beJ8zLrwzHYqUk_DMUe7uw0gHMLZztnmV8SFgDJUzavPAdasedBzjEn2nZuInMwg-BeBBo1RJaSmKuhN-RLQnLR-iqGTz6eJfN0Rvx0lbCnEEN7YyBhAk71Dw9ndNoKoKXcCaB2ZuXaPC0mRs-E93fr-pp3wriXZoTGbWEOLIslBbU-JQ/s4160/IMG_20230807_095403.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOIp7OPUBhA5beJ8zLrwzHYqUk_DMUe7uw0gHMLZztnmV8SFgDJUzavPAdasedBzjEn2nZuInMwg-BeBBo1RJaSmKuhN-RLQnLR-iqGTz6eJfN0Rvx0lbCnEEN7YyBhAk71Dw9ndNoKoKXcCaB2ZuXaPC0mRs-E93fr-pp3wriXZoTGbWEOLIslBbU-JQ/w358-h269/IMG_20230807_095403.jpg" width="358" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Juvenile Wheatear © Joe Parker</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-49071375825682838062023-08-06T22:00:00.005+01:002023-08-10T21:27:49.579+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 06 August 2023<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A busy Bideford sailing left little room for birding beyond census. The morning rounds largely consisted of the local breeders, with the only migrants in the form of 9 <b>Willow Warbler</b>.<b> </b>The Millcombe <b>Swallow </b>pair are going for a second brood in the Gas Store, busying themselves with sourcing fresh nesting material. A colour-marked <b>Wheatear </b>flitting around the Landing Bay confirmed that some of the local breeders are still knocking about, albeit vastly outnumbered by the number of juveniles on the wing. Elsewhere, a juvenile <b>Grey Heron</b> skulked around Pondsbury and another <b>Storm Petrel</b> ringing session gently ticked over through the evening with another 19 new birds, 2 between-year Lundy re-traps and a new control - although the clear night sky and bright moon saw a significant drop in the number of 'stormies' coming in to the colony.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRLqZ3uN-1KeRZOnM1xOEJtt_xodq34bqCPUbM-O0pl3D8y07KYOgaHIwFz46CXo8hSJ-GROGnCmE810ekcZ5JSannCopXsDtN0yv5j2F-PjK7qpdKDhpeORE4gR9rlA3IL_QWDTO9G69jDzNuezlHtb8B7NgML8clEGBYlMKranBuHqXJ9nqrlY_9r2zo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRLqZ3uN-1KeRZOnM1xOEJtt_xodq34bqCPUbM-O0pl3D8y07KYOgaHIwFz46CXo8hSJ-GROGnCmE810ekcZ5JSannCopXsDtN0yv5j2F-PjK7qpdKDhpeORE4gR9rlA3IL_QWDTO9G69jDzNuezlHtb8B7NgML8clEGBYlMKranBuHqXJ9nqrlY_9r2zo" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Storm Petrel © Luke Marriner</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957712036086777081.post-37775757690085171232023-08-05T21:07:00.006+01:002023-08-10T21:27:58.592+01:00Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 05 August 2023<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Force 10 westerlies were always going to mean one thing - seawatching! The postponed Oldenburg sailing made way for a day of staring down the swell to study seabirds effortlessly navigate the gale force conditions offshore. Among the 767 <b>Manx Shearwater</b> pushing SW against Storm Antoni early morning were 4 <b>Storm Petrel,</b> 88 <b>Gannet</b>, 5 <b>Kittiwake </b>and 2 intrepid <b>Swift</b>. Things then moved up a gear during a stint from Old Light early afternoon when a <b>Sooty Shearwater</b> pushed north at 1:48pm (first record since 2019), accompanying a further 1237 <b>Manx Shearwater</b>, 146 <b>Gannet</b>, 46 <b>Kittiwake</b>, 23 <b>Fulmar </b>and a single <b>Storm Petrel </b>by 3pm. Turning to the land, three <b>Sand Martin</b> ran circuits around an otherwise quiet Millcombe with most passerines choosing to hunker down for the day.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSc5nPgQndzzQYlXs5AzIlOi2OOxAXa7gIgH40hy5xX1QAnl4rtEKOMCnFBL0A3RKgqGU54WK-I1Kxy2lLK8VRY--u6K9i5xiqHQyywHMqInBl1FMVNSVajoP0hAaUzjhXWN78xcJ34OGA5Ma8VwmXbRdrTJ-5RIdj9qsgX42qNZJz_-41ZAKCrZp25X0C" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="2071" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSc5nPgQndzzQYlXs5AzIlOi2OOxAXa7gIgH40hy5xX1QAnl4rtEKOMCnFBL0A3RKgqGU54WK-I1Kxy2lLK8VRY--u6K9i5xiqHQyywHMqInBl1FMVNSVajoP0hAaUzjhXWN78xcJ34OGA5Ma8VwmXbRdrTJ-5RIdj9qsgX42qNZJz_-41ZAKCrZp25X0C=w450-h301" width="450" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sand Martin © Joe Parker</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><p></p>Lundy Bird Observatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449331934514581noreply@blogger.com0