6th & 7th April 2015 – Phylloscopus warbler fall

A message from Rob Duncan, who arrived on Lundy on Tuesday 7th April, relays news of a large fall of Phylloscopus warblers (i.e. Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers) witnessed by Martyn Roper on Monday 6th, with 300 moving through the Terrace/quarries area in the space of two hours. Also on Monday were 3 Ring Ouzels and 8 Blackcaps. Tuesday was a lot quieter (to Rob's regret!), with a few Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, mainly on the plateau, due to sea-mist around the sidelands and combes. There were also two Bullfinches (a Lundy rarity) of which Rob trapped and ringed one (a female). Hirundine numbers increased, with 42 House Martins and 155 Swallows. Offshore, the Black Guillemot was still present and there was a count of 27 Puffins. Also one Sandwich Tern; another species that is only occasionally recorded around the island.