The clear skies, much lighter winds and higher temperatures of Sunday 7th gave a window of opportunity for delayed migrants to flood north. In line with observations along the mainland coast of North Devon,
Swallows were particularly abundant, with a "
highly conservative" estimate of 1,000 entered in the Lundy logbook, alongside 400+
House Martins and 100+
Sand Martins. Grounded night migrants included 11
Whitethroats, a
Lesser Whitethroat, 5 each of
Sedge Warbler,
Garden Warbler and
Blackcap, 9
Willow Warblers, 5
Chiffchaffs, 3
Whinchats and a
Spotted Flycatcher. The
Bar-tailed Godwit was still in the Pondsbury area, whilst other waders were represented by 4
Dunlins at the Rocket Pole (see photo of breeding-plumaged bird below) and 3
Whimbrels. A
Buzzard (presumably the same bird as during the first week of May) was also seen. The fine weather brought out good numbers of butterflies, among them Small, Green-veined and Large Whites, Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrzTheDM8L0xXg42aZ9MZyaXOANF5-8iAtb4CUv4egoY_nw8cAL8t5dVwqkqcXn5Hfjjw6JxE6DohdTkkWedHi7QCDeC1bat2DVp3SelqMh1el9h4TRSYCG4g1bvhKRaSsL5UF3_ICISO/s400/DSCN1227.JPG) |
Breeding-plumaged Dunlin © Dean Jones |
Monday 8th was much quieter, with the more notable sightings comprising: 1
Cormorant, 3
Dunlins, 4
Whitethroats, 5
Sedge Warblers, 1
Wood Warbler (see photo below), 2
White Wagtails and 2
Spotted Flycatchers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvzmri75aZvSZOS7d2uM5ikwHbpex7-b5-hQ7moXb_rg7UUMMjOIC41kV65ON7zPTf-pDyLas_PwfY3VfwP2s2mklxRn7umRD1OTsUfehy-LTMjuea3IqM_d4v7aUhX0J3ehbdGOs4jTT/s400/DSCN1216.JPG) |
Wood Warbler, 8 May © Dean Jones |
The quieter theme continued into Tuesday 9th, which featured a
Merlin, 3
Swifts, 4
Sedge Warblers, 3
Whitethroats, a handful of
Chiffchaffs and
Willow Warblers and a
Spotted Flycatcher. Dean Jones noted the first fledglings from among the 37 active
Starling nests located by Tim Jones last week. Zoë Barton's discovery of a stunning female Emperor Moth sitting on the doorstep of the shop (see photo below, after relocation to a safer spot!) was undoubtedly the sighting of the day though.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8ssT4VXLt5MqF-bhrmeSXtG8YfbkX-AOo7W6Rp_sA2QI_als9RWcLOAaDAJLs41FT_FkPvIy9eSapFg8-VKSVdgzAE-sq4QYoJrOfmdhLC81mFWKl7GSMbRaJ-NB6Gbdbps-PtyQ_JsH/s400/18403637_10159138227775497_5137672210025784434_n.jpg) |
Female Emperor Moth, 9 May © Dean Jones |
Writing on Wednesday 10th, Dean reported a further quiet day birdwise, with the exception of an arrival of 8
Spotted Flycatchers – the first real influx of the spring – and 2
White Wagtails.
Thanks to Dean for forwarding counts from the log to enable this update.