8th & 9th May – Variable conditions but super birding

Lundy Warden Dean Jones reports on two very different days weather- and bird-wise.

8th May

Strong winds and heavy showers dominated the majority of the day, which unfortunately led to a very bumpy crossing from Bideford to the island and consequently, a number of very green-faced visitors hiding in the Tavern post arrival of the ship. Conditions did improve by the early evening however, which allowed Rob and David to get some of the nets open for an hour or so in Millcombe. Despite the very poor weather there were still some good migrants out there for those brave enough to venture out in the storm.

Birds of note included: a Turtle Dove in Millcombe, a Cuckoo ‘singing’ from within the Landing Bay in the evening, 15 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 1 Swift, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, a Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Grasshopper Warbler and 4 Sedge Warbler.

Ringing totals: 12 Swallow, 1 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Sedge Warbler.

9th May – a super day's birding despite the strong westerly winds!

A beautiful, sunny yet windswept day, particularly for the first few hours of the morning. Despite the burly north-westerlies, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit and Linnet have all been preparing nests today and some of the island-visiting migrants arrived in some impressive numbers, namely Spotted Flycatcher (80), Whitethroat (45) and Sedge Warbler (31).

Other birds of note included: a Whimbrel on the Upper East Side Path, a flyover Dunlin, a stunning Cuckoo in Millcombe Wood, 8 Woodpigeon, 50 Swallow, 54 House Martin, 7 Swift, a White Wagtail in Barton Field, a pair of Stonechat, a male Whinchat (see photo below) at Quarry Pond, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 11 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 15 Goldfinch and 54 Linnet.

Ringing totals: 15 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Blackcap, 15 Whitethroat, 22 Sedge Warbler (including another French-ringed bird), 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldfinch and 1 Linnet.

Male Whinchat, Quarry Pond, 9th May © Dean Jones

Report composed of sightings by Zoë Barton, Rob Duncan, Dean Jones, David Kightley and Sue Waterfield.