On Friday 18th September there were fair numbers of
Blackcaps (25),
Goldcrests (25) and
Chiffchaffs (8) in Millcombe. Two
Yellow Wagtails landed in St Helen's Field. A
Kingfisher that flew past Tim Jones at North Light landing/seal steps seems likely to have been the bird seen by Sue & Rob Waterfield in the same area on 13th. These are the first sightings since 2009 and constitute only the 15th occurrence of Kingfisher since organised bird recording on the island was started by the Lundy Field Society in the late 1940s! Also at North Light, a
Grey Heron flew north-east, and there was a
Turnstone flying around the rocks. A very tame
Dunlin was feeding successfully in pools along the main track between Quarter and Halfway Walls, the lack of a ring showing it was a different bird to that photographed on 16th. Also around: 1
Golden Plover, 1
Firecrest, only 190
Swallows after Thursday's rush, 2
Whinchats, 3
Stonechats and 5
Spotted Flycatchers.
On Saturday 19th, a
Lapland Bunting (the first of the autumn) was seen and heard in Middle Park by Rich & Rebecca Taylor, while Tim Davis & Tim Jones flushed a
Green Sandpiper from one of the temporary freshwater pools at North End and saw a
Merlin fly across Gannets' Combe. A
Black-headed Gull passed by North Light. There were still plenty of
Blackcaps and
Goldcrests in Millcombe, along with a
Ring Ouzel, at least 4
Spotted Flycatchers and 2
Pied Flycatchers. Also recorded were 220
Meadow Pipits, at least 800
Swallows (including large numbers feeding on a massive hatch of flying ants). A
Lesser Redpoll was calling over Millcombe first thing, while other calling flyover migrants included at least 3
Tree Pipits, 4
Grey Wagtails and several small groups of
Siskins. The presence of Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Silver Ys and 3 Migrant Hawker dragonflies (the latter all in the vicinity of North Light) showed that passage was not restricted to birds.
 |
| Some Wheatears at North End were incredibly bright after their moult. © Tim Davis |
 |
| This Dunlin showed no fear of people as it fed along the main track. © Tim Jones |
No comments:
Post a Comment