Thursday 25th April
A wet start to the day followed by sporadic sunny spells and light showers and of course strong winds by the end of the afternoon as Storm Hannah rolls in.
The female Sparrowhawk, a male Kestrel, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Dunlin, 4 Woodpigeon, 3 Sand Martin, only 11 Swallow, 18 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, the first Reed Warbler of the year, 28 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Common Redstart (both females), the first Whinchat of the year near the Stonecrusher, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 White Wagtail, 6 Chaffinch, the female Brambling, 8 Goldfinch and 40 Linnet.
Friday 26th April – Hannah picking up steam.
Birds of note: The female Sparrowhawk, 1 Whimbrel, the first Common Sandpiper of the year in the Landing Bay, 1 Collared Dove, 4 Woodpigeon, 3 Swallow, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 12 Blackbird, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Chaffinch, 10 Goldfinch and 43 Linnet.
Saturday 27th April – Storm Hannah at her peak!
The birding was very difficult today unsurprisingly but there were a few good birds on the island for those brave enough to venture out of their properties. Birds of note: 6 Whimbrel, 8 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 White Wagtail, a male Common Redstart, 2 Chaffinch, 10 Goldfinch and 20 Linnet.
Sunday 28th April
Richard Campey, arriving 24 hours late after Storm Hannah caused cancellation of all transport to the island on Saturday, writes:
"Arrived to light drizzle and a fairly quiet Millcombe for warblers, but 27 Goldfinches and at least seven Siskins. Cormorant overhead going south, along with four Curlew (one calling in flight), an hour later, also going south. Already light wind steadily dropped mid pm, but also still some drizzle. 40 Swallows feeding over Airfield and on wires. One House Martin and one Sand Martin. A single Whimbrel in Brick Field. Merlin shot over Pondsbury late afternoon, where there were at least seven Mallard ducklings. Several singing and displaying Wheatears. Another 15 Swallows this evening as I walk back along Lower East Side Path, with hardly a breath of wind, Tavern bound!"
Dean Jones saw 60 Swallows go through and heard a Tree Pipit before the drizzle set in during the late morning, but the best bird of the day was a Nightingale trapped in the afternoon by Rob Duncan and David Kightley – a rare bird for both Lundy and Devon.
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| Common Nightingale, Millcombe, 28 Apr 2019 © Dean Jones |
Reports composed of sightings from Rebecca Healey, Neil & Andy Trout, Rob Duncan, David Kightley, Richard Campey, and Dean Woodfin Jones.
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