Tue 14 to Fri 17 Mar – First Puffins and a flurry of other migrants

Spring migration is really beginning to get going in earnest with some great sightings over the past few days. In an update to the previous post, there was a notable arrival of 20 House Martins on 14 March (followed by single birds on 15th & 16th), in line with observations from elsewhere in the country that bear witness to an unusually big influx for so early in the month. This has been linked to a spell of strong southerly and south-westerly winds bringing birds further north, earlier in the season than normal, conditions also consistent with this year's very early records of Tree Pipit and Willow Warbler on Lundy.

The first 7 Puffins of the season were rafting in Jenny's Cove on 16th, and on the same date the first Sand Martin, Willow Warbler and Ring Ouzel of the year were found (the latter a "stunning male" near the Timekeeper's Hut above the Terrace), whilst a Red-necked Grebe was on the sea off the Ugly on 15th (possibly the same individual as recorded earlier in the winter). There was a small fall of 21 Chiffchaffs and 13 Goldcrests on 16th, adding volume to the increasing diversity of migrants being logged. Also recorded were: Great Northern Diver (1 on 16th), Cormorant (8 on 16th), Water Rail (2 on 16th), Woodpigeon (3 on 16th & 17th), Grey Wagtail (1 on 16th), Pied Wagtail (9 on 16th – the first significant influx of the spring), Robin (max 4 on 16th), Wheatear (1 on 15th – the second of the spring), Blackbird (max 5 on 16th), Song Thrush (1 on 16th), Redwing (2 on 17th), Chaffinch (4 on 16th & 17th) and Goldfinch (2 on 16th & 17th).

Based on information provided by Dean Jones, Lundy Warden – thanks Dean!