27th Oct – another plethora of birds

Andy Jayne, on the island until Monday, and Justin Zantboer, who left today on the Oldenburg's last sailing of the year, provide today's update.

Common Scoter – a male flying past North Light (a well-deserved Lundy tick for Andy Jayne).
Sparrowhawk – one.
Golden Plover – two on the Airfield.
Lapwing – one on the Airfield.
Black-headed Gull – two feeding offshore.
Merlin – one.
Goldcrest – 50+.
Firecrest – four, all ringed.
House Martin – two over Middle Park.
Long-tailed Tit – a party of six in Millcombe, all caught and ringed.
Chiffchaff – five, plus one Siberian Chiffchaff ringed.
Blackcap – 30+.
Garden Warbler – a second late bird in as many days, also ringed.
Ring Ouzel – one.
Fieldfare – one, the first of the autumn.
Song Thrush – 30+.
Redwing – 150+.
Mistle Thrush – one.
Black Redstart – two at North End and one around Quarters.
Wheatear – one at North End.
Red-throated Pipit – calling, flew off south-west at 08.15.
Brambling – 14.
Chaffinch – 250+.
Hawfinch – two over and two ringed.
Bullfinch – a male.
Redpoll – ten.
Siskin – 100+.
Lapland Bunting – three.
Reed Bunting – two at Quarter Wall.

Thanks to this week's recorders: Andy Jayne and the ringing team of Justin, Ellie & Dan Zantboer, Rob Duncan and Gavin Bennett. Below are some of the photos taken by Justin during their last day.

Ellie, Dan and bird bags. © Justin Zantboer

Siberian Chiffchaff. © Justin Zantboer

Dan, Dean and Hawfinch. © Justin Zantboer

Later in the day Martin Thorne sent the following note after an exciting day-trip:

"Had a fantastic but short trip today. On the crossing over from Bideford lots of thrushes, pipits and finches all heading south-east. A flock of 30 Common Scoters. Half way across couple of Gannets being trailed by a Pomarine Skua with tail-spoons. A Minke whale surfaced three times about four miles from Lundy. A Great Northern Diver was flying south-east and two pale-phase Arctic Skuas were harrying Kittiwakes a mile off Tibbetts Point. Six Portuguese man o' war were on the landing beach along with a couple of two- to three-week old seal pups. Fifty Common Dolphins off South West Point were attended by Gannets and couple of skuas. I saw Hawfinch, Siskins and a Ring Ouzel in Millcombe, and flocks of winter thrushes flying over and being chased down by a Merlin and a Sparrowawk. Phew, I could go on!"