20th April – Substantial warbler fall

Chris and Mandy Dee confirm that – in common with both Skokholm and Bardsey – Lundy witnessed a substantial fall of warblers and other migrants today, when thick cloud and patchy light drizzle moving south-east across Wales and the Bristol Channel grounded large numbers of birds after days of fine, dry weather. Chris ringed 149 new birds, including 85 Willow Warblers, 29 Blackcaps, 16 Chiffchaffs, 16 Sedge Warblers and two Grasshopper Warblers. A British-ringed Reed Warbler was controlled (Lundy's first Reed Warbler of the year) along with a Sedge Warbler bearing a French ring. Elsewhere there were two Ring Ouzels at the quarries, a female Redstart in Millcombe, a male Pied Flycatcher at Brambles, and of two Green Sandpipers that circled Lower Millcombe, one was later seen at the pond outside Barton Cottages. The single Fieldfare was still in Southwest Field, and a total of 107 Puffins were on land at Jenny's Cove and St Philip's Stone. In addition, Dean Jones photographed a Little Egret (a Lundy rarity) around rock pools off Lametor and a Collared Dove (a regular passage migrant, mainly in spring), which has been present since Tuesday 18th. Dean also flushed the two Green Sandpipers at the Rocket Pole Marsh (alternatively known as Kistvaen Pond) whilst leading a guided walk.

Record shot of Little Egret, Lametor © Dean Jones

Collared Dove, Village © Dean Jones