8th to 10th Apr – Hoopoe tops a superb few days!

Dean Woodfin Jones sums up three wonderful spring days on Lundy. Thank you Dean for enabling the rest of us to experience the island vicariously through your wonderful words and photos during these strange times!

Wednesday 8th April

A cloudy and very still start to the day, becoming very sunny, hazy, warm and slightly breezier from the east in the afternoon.

A truly beautiful spring day today and with the arrival of the pink Super Moon yesterday evening, the island saw one of the lowest tides of the year today, dropping to just 0.18m around midday! The perfect opportunity to get the wellies on and explore the lower shores and to carry out the annual cup coral counts in the Devil’s Kitchen.

A super-low tide caused by a super pink moon! The Jetty and Landing Bay on 8 Apr © Dean Jones

Lundy is one of the best places to see cup corals in the country, be it from the shore at a good low tide, or by diving around the island. In fact Lundy is one of the only places where you can see all five species that occur around the coast of the UK.

Just two of these species occur in the lower littoral of the Devil’s Kitchen, the Scarlet and Gold Cup Coral Balanophyllia regia and the Devonshire Cup Coral Caryophyllia smithii. Surveys have been carried out on Lundy pretty much annually since 1984, providing insights into how healthy these small intertidal colonies are and how they change over the years. Results from today’s survey showed that the total number of coral over the three sites is up on last year, with the team managing to find a total of 199 Scarlet and Gold Cup Corals (177 in 2019) and 9 Devonshire Cup Corals (8 in 2019) – hooray! Only one of the three colonies showed a slight reduction in the number of corals present, but only slightly, and the third site – a much newer site for these amazing Cnidarians – had more than doubled in size, very encouraging stuff.

Scarlet and Gold Cup Coral colony, Devil's Kitchen, 8 Apr © Dean Jones

On top of that the team also saw lots of other amazing marine beasties such as Cornish Suckerfish, Spiny Starfish, thousands of Porcelain Crabs, the rare and unusual hyroid Candelabrum cocksii and a recently deceased Cuckoo Ray which later became lunch for the Rat Island Great Black-backs.

And that's not all! Whilst pottering along the shore within one of the shallow gullies running the length of the Kitchen, keen eyed Rosie Ellis (Education Officer) managed to find another small colony of 21 Scarlet and Gold Cup Corals bringing the total for the day to 220 – bravo Rosie!

Cuckoo Ray Leucoraja naevus, Landing Bay, 8 Apr © Dean Jones

Now onto the birds!

Avian highlights from a morning's birding included a spectacular little fall of Willow Warbler (90) and Blackcap (31) along the south and east coasts of the island. Furthermore, the first Ringed Plover of the year flew over the island calling loudly in the late morning and a gorgeous female Sparrowhawk was watched coming in off the sea from above Benjamin’s Chair.

The female Sparrowhawk that flew in off the sea from the south, 8 Apr © Dean Jones

Other sightings included nine Manx Shearwater foraging off the east coast in the afternoon, the Quarters Water Rail, four Woodpigeon, one Kestrel, 21 Swallow, two Sand Martin, two House Martin, four Chiffchaff, two Goldcrest, 18 Skylark, nine Pied Wagtail and two fly-over alba wags, 12 Dunnock, three Robin, two male Stonechat, six Wheatear, ten Blackbird, four Redwing, two Chaffinch, 16 Goldfinch and 46 Linnet.

Other non-avian highlights include a Holly Blue butterfly on the wing on the Lower East Side Path, as well as a small number of Peacocks in Millcombe.

Thursday  9th April

The day started off with a beautiful sunrise enhanced as its rays reflected off a glass-like sea. Barely a breath of wind blew throughout the day – other than a slight breeze from the east in the afternoon – perfect conditions to encourage migrants to make their way north.

Sunrise over a glass-like sea – looking over Millcombe and the Landing Bay, 9 Apr © Dean Jones

New additions to the year list today included the first Sedge Warbler of the year singing in the Secret Garden first thing. Nearby a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling away in St John’s Valley for most of the morning, and a stunning male Common Redstart was present on the fence in Barton Field.

Male Common Redstart perched on the fence of Barton Field, 9 Apr © Dean Jones

Other than these star birds, Willow Warbler were present again in good numbers with at least 50 birds dotted around the island, as well as a super arrival of Blackcap, with 75 birds logged. Three White Wagtails were also noted from Brick Field and an Icelandic Redwing was hoaking for a meal between the pony apples in Barton Field.

Some of the fall of about 75 Blackcaps, resting incongruously on Barton Field fence! 9 Apr © Dean Jones

Other sightings of note included a Great Northern Diver in the Landing Bay first thing, a Snipe flushed from South West Field, four Woodpigeon, one Kestrel, 14 Swallow, one Sand Martin, three House Martin, seven Chiffchaff, two Goldcrest, 17 Skylark, 80 Starling, three Pied Wagtail and three fly-over alba wags, 76 Meadow Pipit, six Dunnock, three Robin, two Stonechat, 20 Wheatear (including four candidates for the Greenland race leucorhoa), eight Blackbird, four Redwing, three Chaffinch, 16 Goldfinch and 50 Linnet.

Ringing totals (53 birds caught): Blackcap 22, Willow Warbler 23, Chiffchaff 6, Goldcrest 1 and Dunnock 1.

Friday 10th April

Another hazy start to the day becoming lovely and clear in the afternoon – slight to moderate easterlies throughout.

Another fantastic day of Lundy birding! The title of star bird today has to go to the Hoopoe which was initially flushed from the main track next to Pondsbury at around 11:45. From here it showed very well for a few minutes or so before disappearing in the long sward above the Quarries. The bird was then seen again later in the afternoon feeding back along the main track (Rosie Ellis).

Hoopoe, by the main track, near Pondsbury, 10 Apr © Dean Jones

Other highlights included the first Tree Pipit of the year calling from a height over Millcombe first thing. Later on a Common Buzzard was seen being harassed by a pair of Ravens over Quarter Wall. Two stunning male flavissima Yellow Wagtails were also present in High Street Field, another Sandwich Tern was foraging in the Landing Bay during the late afternoon. Finally, a small arrival of three Song Thrush was recorded across the island.

Buzzard being mobbed by one of the resident Ravens over Quarter Wall, 10 Apr © Dean Jones

Male Yellow Wagtail in High Street Field, 10 Apr © Dean Jones

Other sightings from the south and east coasts included the first two broods of Mallard ducklings on Rocket Pole Pond and Barton Pond, four Woodpigeon in Millcombe, one Kestrel, just three Swallow, three Sand Martin, four House Martin, 25 Blackcap, ten Willow Warbler, four Chiffchaff, one Goldcrest, 22 Skylark, five Pied Wagtail and two fly-over alba wags, one White Wagtail in Brick Field, 98 Meadow Pipit (including a flock of 54 in tent field), eight Dunnock, three Robin, one Stonechat, four Wheatear, nine Blackbird, five Redwing, two Chaffinch, ten Goldfinch and 30 Linnet.

Non-avian sightings included the first Large White of the year in Millcombe.

6th & 7th April – Hirundines push north, Sandwich Tern & Jack Snipe put in appearances

A further update on the progress of spring migration on Lundy, courtesy of island Warden Dean Woodfin Jones:

Monday 6th April

The gale-force winds continued overnight from the 5th, coupled with periods of heavy rain. Come morning however we were blessed with some more beautiful sunshine and some moderate southerly winds, which encouraged the first decent push of Swallows throughout the day (34) along with a handful of House Martin (8).

Avian highlights also included the first Sandwich Tern of the year – perched on one of the mooring buoys in the Landing Bay. A very handsome male Firecrest was caught and ringed in Millcombe, the male Merlin stayed on for another day, and a White Wagtail was busily feeding in Barton Field in the afternoon.

Summer meets winter... Great Northern Diver and Sandwich Tern in the Landing Bay, 7 Apr © Dean Jones

Other sightings of note included a Great Northern Diver in the Landing Bay, a raft of 31 Manx Shearwater off Rat Island in the early morning, a Sparrowhawk, the Quarters Water Rail again, four Woodpigeon, 30 Skylark, 86 Meadow Pipit, four Pied Wagtail and three fly-over alba wags, five Blackcap, 25 Willow Warbler, seven Chiffchaff, three Goldcrest, six Dunnock, two Robin, two Stonechat, six Wheatear, seven Blackbird, three Chaffinch, 20 Goldfinch and 27 Linnet.

Male Blackcap perched on a rail of the cattle crush at Quarter Wall, 7 Apr © Dean Jones

Ringing totals (retraps in brackets): Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Goldcrest 1, the male Firecrest and a Blackbird (1).

Male Firecrest mist-netted in Millcombe on 7 Apr © Dean Jones

Tuesday 7th April

A cool and damp early morning, quickly brightening up, though overcast for part of the afternoon and a light easterly breeze throughout.

Highlights included a Jack Snipe flushed from the side of the track between Rocket Pole Pond and South West Point. The first Collared Dove of the year was also present in Millcombe early on. An adult Mediterranean Gull was foraging offshore from the Landing Bay first thing and there was a beautiful female Black Redstart on the Terrace.

Male Linnet in typical breeding habitat, South West Field, 7 Apr © Dean Jones

The island also saw a decent push of Linnet, with 41 birds counted throughout the day. The glorious settled conditions also allowed for another attempt to get out west and find some more colour-ringed Wheatears. There was quite a lot of activity along the west and south coasts today, with a number of breeding birds seen fighting over territories and lots of unringed migrant birds passing through. All in all we managed four more colour-ringed birds (there were a number of others being cheeky and hiding their rings) and a total Wheatear count of 44.

Colour-ringed (black over white, R leg, metal over stripe L leg) male Wheatear, The Battery, 8 Apr © Dean Jones

Colour-ringed (blue over blue, R leg, metal over striped L leg) female Wheatear, The Battery, 8 Apr © Dean Jones

Other sightings of note included two Cormorant past Pilot's Quay, the Quarters Water Rail again, five Woodpigeon, 55 Puffin in Jenny’s Cove, one Kestrel, 30 Swallow, a lone Sand Martin, three House Martin, 25 Skylark, 80 Meadow Pipit, ten Rock Pipit, two Pied Wagtail, 13 Blackcap, 19 Willow Warbler, two Chiffchaff, six Goldcrest, eight Dunnock, three Robin, two Stonechat, nine Blackbird, five Redwing, three Chaffinch and 17 Goldfinch.

Breeding-plumaged Cormorants flying north past Pilot's Quay, 8 Apr © Dean Jones

Ringing totals: Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 4, Blackcap 4, Goldcrest 1 and Wren 1.

1st to 5th Apr – An exceptional influx of Jackdaws (and much else besides!)

Wednesday 1st April

The strong north-easterly faded overnight to a breeze come morning. It was still very cold for the first few hours of the day, though a number of sunny spells allowed some relief from the cold.

Not much in the way of visible migration for the first few hours other than a small number of Linnet 38 (including a flock of 17 in the Camping Field) and a small fall of Redwing (11). There was, however, lots of cetacean activity with at least 15 Common Dolphin and five Harbour Porpoise feeding off South West Point at around 7:30am.

Redwing at Jenny's Cove, 1 Apr © Dean Jones

A few more Jackdaw joined the St Helen's Tower gang, reaching 11 birds by the evening. Two Red-throated Diver were foraging together offshore from the Landing Bay first thing and a Great Northern Diver was loafing off the Terrace. This morning also saw the first three-figure Puffin count of the year, with 184 birds on land and on the water between the Battery and Pyramid Slope.
Come the afternoon, the wind dropped away to near nothing, triggering a little flurry of Willow Warbler (11), Chiffchaff (23) and Wheatear (18) – including a few more colour-ringed birds at Quarter Wall.

Chiffchaff at Quarter Wall Pond, 1 Apr © Dean Jones

Willow Warbler on the Terrace, 1 Apr © Dean Jones

Other birds recorded included 21 Manx Shearwater feeding off South West Point this morning, just 15 Fulmar, the Quarters Water Rail, four Woodpigeon, 30 Kittiwake, 877 Razorbill, 1,760 Guillemot (lots of auk activity on the ledges today), 27 Skylark, 98 Meadow Pipit, five Pied Wagtail, two Blackcap, four Goldcrest (including one calling in Jenny’s Cove), 12 Dunnock, seven Robin, two male Stonechat, six Blackbird, four Chaffinch and 13 Goldfinch.

Ringing totals (retraps in brackets): Willow Warbler 8, Chiffchaff 9, Blackcap 2, Wren 1 (1) and Robin (1).

Thursdsay 2nd April

A day of moderate north-westerlies. Overcast in the morning, giving way to beautiful clear skies by the afternoon. Still rather nippy in the wind, particularly in the morning, but much warmer than the past few days.

A beautiful spring day at Quarter Wall Copse, 2 Apr © Dean Jones

Avian highlights today included a spectacular flock of 59 Jackdaws which drifted over the South East Point around 13:00 hrs. From here, the gang moved around the island for a few hours, resting briefly in Barton Field, Millcombe and the Church Tower before heading north and out of sight. This is the highest spring count of this canny corvid for the island, with the previous record being 53 birds on April 25th 1948, and the third-largest all-time count (record 250 birds on 20th October 1983).

Two very handsome male Ring Ouzels – one in Barton Field and one at Quarter Wall – were a very welcome addition to the day list too.

The Arrival –  Jackdaws over South East Point, 2 Apr © Dean Jones

The Arrival – part of the exceptional flock of 59 Jackdaws © Dean Jones

Male Ring Ouzel in Barton Field, 2 Apr © Dean Jones

Other birds along the South End and the Lower East Side Path included a Great Northern Diver (Rosie Ellis), the Quarters Water Rail, four Woodpigeon, 14 Skylark, 47 Meadow Pipit, three Pied Wagtail, eight Blackcap, 16 Chiffchaff, eight Willow Warbler, four Goldcrest, eight Dunnock, four Robin, three Stonechat, two Wheatear, six Blackbird, 16 Redwing, a lone Fieldfare, four Chaffinch, 12 Goldfinch and three Linnet.

Non-avian news: Along the sheltered and sun-kissed east coast this afternoon there was lots of queen bumblebee activity, with at least 30 Buff-tailed Bumblebees, one White-tailed and two Common Carder Bees noted. Butterflies were also on show today, with three Peacocks along the East Side, a Small Tortoiseshell in Millcombe and the first Green-veined White of the spring on the Terrace. Finally, a total of three Barrel Jellyfish were recorded along the east.

Friday 3rd April

A cold and overcast start to the day, coupled with a light south-westerly breeze, becoming warm and sunny by the afternoon.

Despite the better conditions for passage, it was a rather quiet day on the migrant front. A small push of Pied and alba Wagtails (14 birds) was observed first thing, as well as small numbers of Willow Warbler (8) and Chiffchaff (12) in Millcombe. Eleven of the Jackdaws from yesterday – perhaps the original Church Tower gang – were present in Barton Field during the mid-morning. Six Swallows were also recorded making their way north throughout the day, and a female Greenfinch was calling from the Laundry Garden privet in the late afternoon.

Other birds include the Quarters Water Rail, four Woodpigeon, 25 Skylark, 54 Meadow Pipit, two Blackcap, six Goldcrest, five Dunnock, three Robin (including one bird gathering nesting material in Millcombe), three Wheatear, seven Blackbird, two Redwing, four Chaffinch, 14 Goldfinch and six Linnet.

Guillemots, Razorbills & Puffins on their breeding ledges at Jenny's Cove, 1 Apr © Dean Jones

Ringing totals (retraps in brackets): Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 5 (1), Blackcap 1, Goldcrest (1), Wren (1) and a House Sparrow (1).

Saturday 4th April

Sunny spells, prolonged overcast periods and a stiff southerly wind, turning south-easterly by the evening.

Birding highlights from today included a very handsome male Merlin – the first of the spring – hunting Meadow Pipits in Barton Field in the afternoon. Further up the island, a Great Northern Diver was rafting upon the hefty swell offshore from the Terrace. The Church Tower Jackdaws remained on the island for the first few hours of the day before they were seen gaining height and disappearing north over the Village, and a small fall of Phylloscopus warblers was noted, most of which were foraging inconspicuously in some of the more sheltered areas of the island.

A rather worn Peacock basking on the Terrace, 2 Apr © Zoë Barton

Sightings of note included the Quarters Water Rail again, eight Woodpigeon, two Kestrel together over the Terrace, a Sparrowhawk in Millcombe first thing, 17 Swallow, two House Martin over Quarter Wall, a single Sand Martin, 24 Skylark, 40 Meadow Pipit, two Pied Wagtail, three Blackcap, 19 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, six Goldcrest, 12 Dunnock, five Robin, five Blackbird, three Chaffinch, 14 Goldfinch and 23 Linnet.

Sunday 5th April

Strong south-easterly winds today picking up to near gale force by the afternoon – lots of sunshine still between bouts of cloud.

A pretty quiet day today on the bird front as the strong winds enveloped the island. However, there were a few nice birds skulking around in the more calm and sheltered pockets, including a handsome male Firecrest in the elder next to the Gas Shed.

Firecrest by the Gas Shed in Millcombe, 5 Apr © Dean Jones

Other sightings included 82 Manx Shearwater past Rat Island in the early morning (30 mins of observations), five Woodpigeon, a female Kestrel being mobbed by two Peregrine on the East Side, just five Swallow, 27 Skylark, 29 Meadow Pipit, two Pied Wagtail, three Blackcap, 12 Willow Warbler, five Chiffchaff, five Goldcrest, eight Dunnock, five Robin, four Blackbird, three Chaffinch (including one female collecting sheep’s wool in Millcombe for her nest), 16 Goldfinch and 26 Linnet.

30th & 31st Mar – More Jackdaws and an unlucky Woodcock

Dean Jones provides an end-of-month update on the latest avian and other goings-on on Lundy...

March 30th

Another chilly but sunny start to the day, becoming cloudy by the mid-afternoon – strong north-easterlies throughout much of the morning which slackened off significantly by early afternoon.

Due to the less than desirable birding conditions for most, the day was spent ticking off jobs on the to-do list. These included taking willow cuttings to plant and bulk out the St John’s Valley bird-ringing site, tidying up the Millcombe Valley tree nursery (lots of mulch mats flapping around in the wind) and completing this month’s rodent bait station checks.

Although the chances of a rat or mouse managing to reach Lundy now is very slim with the island being closed to visitors, it is still very important to check each box thoroughly every month – particularly for rats which are very good swimmers – to ensure none have made it to the island from any of the passing ships. There are 70 stations dotted across the island, each of which houses a little block of either chocolate or peanut butter flavoured wax designed to entice any rodent to go into the station and leave its tell-tale teeth marks and droppings. If a box does house signs of a rat or mouse, it allows us to pinpoint the rough area of incursion and catch any possible harmful rodents before they breed and spread across the island and predate any young seabirds, such as Puffins, or ground-nesting birds. Luckily for us and the birds, there were no signs of any rats or mice on the island today, rather a few little droppings deposited in a few boxes by our endearing native Pygmy Shrews.

The Warden checking a rodent monitoring station at the South Light – one of the 70 around the island © Zoë Barton

Avian highlights from this beautiful spring day included a Red-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver close into the Landing Bay in the morning, a flock of 14 Jackdaw which parachuted into the Tent/Helicopter Field in mid-afternoon and two Common Gull feeding offshore from Rat Island. Note: The Jackdaw flock is highest count since a record-breaking 31 arrived on 18 Oct 2007.

The Jackdaw flock in the Tent/Helicopter Field, 30th Mar © Dean Jones

Other birds of note included the Quarters Water Rail, eight Woodpigeon in Barton Field, the male Sparrowhawk again in Millcombe, two more colour-ringed Wheatear at the Castle, two Stonechat, 20 Skylark, 81 Meadow Pipit, seven Pied Wagtail, three Chiffchaff, one Blackcap, only one Goldcrest, three Song Thrush, five Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch and 10 Linnet.

Non-avian news included a Barrel Jellyfish in the Landing Bay and four Black Oil Beetles on Lametor.

Black Oil Beetle on track next to South Light, 30th Mar © Dean Jones

March 31st

Blustery north-easterlies with sunny spells again this morning gave way to clear skies and a breeze by the late afternoon.

Despite their being an obvious lack of birds on the plateau first thing, the morning took an interesting turn once I realised that seven of the nine Highland Cattle had broken through Quarter Wall fence and were making their way along the Upper East Side Path. After cutting off their route just before the northern border of Barton Field – I managed to rustle the herd back in the direction of Quarter Wall.

From here, as the hairy beasts made their way back along the path above White Beach, the leading steer flushed a Woodcock from the undergrowth which subsequently made a beeline for cover further south. However this didn’t go unnoticed and as soon as the bird flushed, a female Peregrine, which had been hanging in the wind, swooped down and gave chase. After a couple of seconds of spectacular aerial manoeuvring, the Peregrine closed in and managed to catch the Woodcock just a few metres away from where I was standing. Although I felt bad for the poor Woodcock which had just become the Peregrine's breakfast – thanks to the pesky cattle – I also felt blessed to have witnessed the island’s top predator in action. What a bird!

The gang reunited! 31st Mar © Dean Jones

Other avian highlights from the day included another Red-throated Diver off Rat Island, a different bird from the one seen yesterday based on the extent of its breeding plumage, seven Jackdaw in High Street Field and a 3rd-calendar-year Mediterranean Gull and eight Common Gull foraging in the Southern Races.

Further sightings of note were three Teal on Pondsbury, the Quarters Water Rail, the male Sparrowhawk again in Millcombe, nine Puffin on the water in Jenny’s Cove, 134 Guillemot on ledges and 304 Razorbill mostly offshore, eleven Wheatear, two Stonechat, 34 Skylark, 81 Meadow Pipit, three Pied Wagtail, one Chiffchaff below Benjamin’s Chair, one Song Thrush, six Chaffinch, seven Goldfinch and 16 Linnet.

Non-avian sightings included a single Harbour Porpoise off Rat Island.

Jackdaws, a Carrion Crow and Starlings enjoying the evening sun on St Helen's Church, 31st Mar © Dean Jones

Sika Deer in South West Field trying to shelter from the north-east winds, 31st Mar © Dean Jones

Please note that the Landmark Trust has updated its advice regarding the Covid-19 outbreak. The latest statement, dated 30 March, can be found here.

28th & 29th Mar – Colour-ringed Osprey!

A further update from Dean Jones, with news of a cold, windy and consequently rather quiet couple of days, enlivened by an exciting encounter with a colour-ringed Osprey...

Saturday March 28th

Sunshine and clear skies during the early morning, becoming mostly overcast by the afternoon with intermittent sunny spells, but a very cold day due to the continued north-easterlies.

A beautiful but cold morning, looking south past the Church, towards Cornwall, 28 Mar © Dean Jones

A rather quiet day on the bird front, particularly along the east coast and in Millcombe as birds either moved on or hid away from the icy winds in nearby scrub, grassy tussocks and areas of sheltered canopy. Not much in the way of visible migration today either, with the majority of birds hunkering down or feeding in areas of longer sward on the top of the island rather than pushing on.

Due to the tricky birding conditions on the East Side, much of the attention went to the more sheltered west coast, though here too birds were rather inconspicuous. The avian highlight of the day was undoubtedly an Osprey which flew over Brick Field calling as it was being mobbed by a Raven at around 09:30 hrs. The bird then hung in the north-east winds for a few minutes allowing some great but distant views overhead and a few record shots before it drifted north and out of sight. After review of the images I noticed that the bird was sporting a blue darvic ring on its right tarsus and after a quick Google search, it looks like this bird was ringed somewhere in Scotland and was more than likely on its way back from its African winter quarters to its Scottish breeding grounds. Thank you Mr/Mrs Raven for the alert to this beautiful bird’s presence

Osprey mobbed by Raven over Brick Field, 28 Mar © Dean Jones

The Osprey hung in the NE wind for a while © Dean Jones

Cropped version of same photo showing blue colour-ring

Other feathered gems included two Mediterranean Gulls in the Landing Bay, feeding with a group of 14 Common Gulls, and two Jackdaws foraging in the Lower Aerogenerator Field in the afternoon, as well as the stunning male Black Redstart that remained for another day along the cliff-face below the Old Lighthouse.

Other birds of note included eight Teal on Pondsbury, the Quarters Water Rail, five Woodpigeon in Barton Field, 21 Shag, 127 Kittiwake, just two Puffins on the water in Jenny’s Cove within a small raft of Razorbill and Guillemot (no auks on the ledges again this morning), nine Wheatear, 42 Skylark, 84 Meadow Pipit, five Pied Wagtail, three Chiffchaff, only one Goldcrest, three Redwing in Millcombe, one Song Thrush in Brick Field, eight Chaffinch, 11 Goldfinch and 11 Linnet.

Male Wheatear sheltering in the lee of Halfway Wall, 28 Mar © Dean Jones

Sunday March 29th

The icy north-easterlies picked up overnight and raged on throughout the day, resulting in low temperatures again (with wind-chill taken into account, it was barely 1°C!). A beautiful sunny day nonetheless, with a few scattered clouds. Other than the constant howling of the winds as they whipped over the island, it was another very quiet day on the bird front, with very few singing or displaying birds on the plateau and very little in the way of new arrivals chirping and chipping overhead.

A choppy Landing Bay, taking the brunt of the chilly NE winds, 29 Mar © Dean Jones

Highlights include a nice young male Sparrowhawk – the first of the year – hanging on the wind over Millcombe first thing. The two Jackdaws remained in the lower Lighthouse Field for another day and a total of four Common Gulls were seen foraging around the South End of the island throughout the day.

The best of the rest included a lone Cormorant over the Village in the late morning, ten Woodpigeon in Barton Field, the Quarters Water Rail, two Stonechat in South West Field, 20 Skylark, seven Pied Wagtail, 55 Meadow Pipit, six Chaffinch, eight Goldfinch and four Linnet.

Up to four Pied Wagtails were taking shelter outside Paradise Row on 29 Mar – here a fine male © Dean Jones

24th to 27th Mar – First colour-ringed Wheatears return, Bullfinch in Millcombe

With many of us unable to follow spring migration ourselves to the extent that we would like, here's the next best thing, with the latest round-up of ornithological goings-on from Lundy Warden Dean Jones, locked down on the island along with just the other residents for company, the last visitors now having left until restrictions are lifted.

Tuesday March 24th

A truly beautiful spring day with sunshine and clear skies for the most part  becoming a bit hazy in the late afternoon, light easterlies in the morning swinging round to strong westerly winds later in the day.

Avian highlights include the first two Willow Warbler of the year – one of which was heard in full song from the top of Millcombe Wood in the late morning. Additionally, a Jackdaw was seen briefly over Millcombe in the afternoon, a House Martin whizzed past the Village later in the day and a Firecrest was caught and ringed in the Secret Garden in the afternoon. Others birds/migrants of note included two Water Rail, a Snipe over the Village in the early morning, lots of calling Manx Shearwaters throughout the night, five Woodpigeon, three Swallow, four Sand Martin, three Pied Wagtails and three fly-over alba wags, three male Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 18 Goldcrest, a lone Wheatear at the Sourth West Point, five Stonechat, ten Linnet, nine Goldfinch and six Chaffinch.

Two Peacock butterflies and a Small Tortoiseshell were also on the wing in Millcombe.

Woodpigeons feeding in Barton Field, 27 Mar © Dean Jones

Wednesday March 25th

Another beautiful but chilly start to the day – sunshine and clear skies, with breezy easterlies in the morning moving NE by the afternoon.

Highlight of the day was undoubtedly a beautiful female Bullfinch in Millcombe Valley which ended up in the shelf of a mist-net in the Secret Garden around 08:00. Also nearby, at least two Firecrest were seen and heard feeding within the Sycamores above the Gas Shed.

Other sightings of note included: A Great Northern Diver feeding offshore from Quarry Beach, a single Snipe flushed south of Pondsbury, the Ackland's Moor Lapwing, a Water Rail in Smelly Gully, four Woodpigeon, six Sand Martin over Quarter Wall, five Wheatear, 35 Skylark, five Blackcap, eight Chiffchaff, one Willow Warbler, 10 Goldcrest, seven Pied Wagtail, 40 Meadow Pipit, 10 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch and seven Linnet.

Ringing totals: the female Bullfinch, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Goldfinch.

Thursday March 26th

A very chilly start to the day brought forth by strong easterly/north easterly winds – clear skies and good visibility throughout.

Despite the breezy and nippy morning, some birds – namely Meadow Pipit (79) and Linnet (20) weren’t deterred and pushed on through the winds arriving in small numbers along the South End. Other avian highlights included three Jackdaw foraging with a small gang of Carrion Crow in High Street Field and a Grey Wagtail searching for a meal in Millcombe Pond.

Other sightings/migrants of note included: seven Wheatear, three Sand Martin, four Pied Wagtail, 25 Skylark, just three Goldcrest, two Chiffchaff and two Song Thrush.

A sunny but chilly East Side © Dean Jones

Friday March 27th

Weather very much the same as yesterday, though the north-easterly winds were up slightly compared to yesterday morning – then the wind dropped off to a slight breeze by 15:00.

The morning kicked off to a great start with a stunning male Hen Harrier searching for a meal over Barton Field. Other highlights included an adult Mediterranean Gull in full breeding plumage within a raft of 485 Kittiwake in Jenny’s Cove. Nearby, three Black Redstarts (two female and a crackin male) bobbed around the crags and scree next to the Old Lighthouse and Punchbowl Valley. Finally an adult Black-headed Gull was foraging in the Landing Bay in the evening

Male Black Redstart, below Old Light, 27 Mar © Dean Jones

Other than enjoying the avian highlights above – most of the day was spent looking for colour-ringed Wheatears along the south and west coasts as part of an ongoing Re-trapping Adults for Survival (RAS) scheme. A total of ten Lundy birds were found (four males & six females), along with 16 other unringed birds (ten males & six females), mostly foraging low down on the cliffs along the West Side. Not a bad start for the spring but fingers crossed there are a lot more colour-ringed Lundy birds still to arrive!

Colour-ringed male Wheatear, near Old Light, 27 Mar © Dean Jones

The best of the rest included a Great Northern Diver feeding off South West Point, 20 Oystercatcher, a calling Water Rail, a male Kestrel in an auk-devoid Jenny’s Cove, ten Woodpigeon, two Blackcap (one of which was in full song in the Village first thing), a single Willow Warbler, six Chiffchaff, four Goldcrest, 93 Meadow Pipit, three Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 41 Skylark, five Stonechat, six Redwing, eight Chaffinch, ten Goldfinch and 14 Linnet.

Wheatear paradise – Jenny's Cove and the West Side © Dean Jones

17th to 23rd Mar – First Ring Ouzel and Blackcaps

With spring migration now well under way, Lundy Warden Dean Jones brings us up to date. Below is a selection of recent photos by Dean and Assistant Warden Rosie Ellis.

Spring is starting to pick up pace on the island with the first four Sand Martins of the year on the 18th, a Swallow on the 23rd over Quarter Wall, a Ring Ouzel next to the Stonecrusher on the 21st, small numbers of Wheatear on the 20th, a White Wagtail on the 20th in Tent Field and the first two Blackcap of the spring on the 17th.

Other sightings of note include up to 21 Teal on Pondsbury each day, five fly-over Cormorant on the 22nd, a lone Lapwing on Ackland's Moor every day from the 19th, small numbers of Puffin on a number of dates, a Stock Dove over Middle Park on the 22nd, a female Kestrel on 22nd, four Chiffchaff on the 22nd, singles of Fieldfare and Redwing on the 21st and 22nd, a peak of 19 Goldfinch on the 17th and small numbers of Linnet and Chaffinch moving through on days.

Non-avian news includes the first Peacock butterflies of the year, as well as 10 Black Oil Beetles along the Castle Parade path on the 23rd.

Lundy is currently closed to visitors until at least the end of April. The Landmark Trust's latest statement on the Covid-19 pandemic can be found here

Firecrest, Millcombe, 14 Mar © Dean Jones

Hooded Crow, Brick Field, 14 Mar © Dean Jones

Lapwing, Ackland's Moor, 21 Mar © Rosie Ellis

Ring Ouzel, near the Stonecrusher, 21 Mar © Rosie Ellis

Female Wheatear, Halfway Wall, 23 Mar © Dean Jones

Copulating Black Oil-beetles, Castle Parade, 23 Mar © Dean Jones