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This page is run by volunteer contributors as a source of news for everyone interested in the birds of Lundy, in the Bristol Channel, UK.
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See also the companion website The Birds of Lundy for comprehensive updates to the 2007 book of the same name.
Bird recording and ringing on Lundy are coordinated by the Lundy Field Society and general information about visiting the island can be found here.

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

15th Oct – A spectacular day of migration

Tuesday 15th October

A predominantly dry, bright day with patchy cloud, long sunny spells and a light to moderate WSW wind.

A memorably migrant-filled day from first light, when flocks of Redwings began flying out of Millcombe and out to sea against the orange glow of the sun rising in the south east. Totals (beginning with thrushes, the stars of the day) included:

450 Redwing, 60 Song Thrush, 25 Ring Ouzel (including 16 around the Terrace and Quarries), 4 Mistle Thrush, 4 Fieldfare, 17 Blackbird, 8 Cormorant, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Merlin, 100 Skylark, 250 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 20 Chiffchaff (including 1 tristis), 17 Blackcap, 2 Firecrest, 15 Goldcrest, 400 Starling, 320 Meadow Pipit, 30 alba wagtail, 130 Siskin, 1 redpoll sp., 50 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch,14 Snow Bunting (just N of Threequarter Wall) and 6 Reed Bunting. Scarcities and late migrants included 1 Manx Shearwater, 2 Grey Heron, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier (near Montagu Steps), 1 Black-headed Gull (off the Landing Bay), the Treecreeper (Millcombe), the Cetti's Warbler (St John's Valley), 1 Willow Warbler (St Helen's Copse & lower Millcombe), a Richard’s Pipit (Airfield), 1 Spotted Flycatcher (Millcombe) and 1 Yellow Wagtail (in off the sea at Threequarter Wall).

Snow Bunting, north of Threequarter Wall, 15 Oct © Martin Elcoate

One of at least 25 Ring Ouzels that made landfall along the East Side of Lundy on 15 Oct © Martin Elcoate

On the non-avian front, the sun brought out quite a lot of butterflies, including 35 Red Admiral, 4 Painted Lady, 2 Peacock and 3 Small Copper.

Compiled from observations by Zoe Barton, Belinda Cox, Tim Davis, Mandy Dee, James Diamond, Martin Elcoate, Andy Jayne, Dean Jones and Tim Jones.

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