9th to 13th Feb – A breezy week!

Dean Jones provides the latest update from Lundy:

Like elsewhere in the UK, things have been a tad breezy on Lundy this week – particularly on Sunday where winds clocked in at 70mph at 14:00 on the island’s weather station as the brunt of Storm Ciara arrived at our shores. Things then calmed down somewhat on Wednesday morning and afternoon, which made for some pleasurable birding and seawatching. This break in the weather was short-lived however, with the winds picking up steam again in the evening, bringing with it some heavy rainfall. Thursday was a pleasingly dry day but very windy as the next Storm – Storm Dennis – starts to make himself known.

A hefty swell in Jenny's Cove, 13th Feb © Rosie Ellis

Unfortunately for us but luckily for them, there have been no further signs of the Greenland White-fronted Geese since Storm Ciara hit on the 8th. Fingers crossed they got off the island safely before the foul weather hit.

Other interesting and notable sightings include a recently deceased adult Grey Phalarope found on the Lower East Side Path above White Beach by Mr & Mrs Vincent on the 11th. It was very unfortunate to find this bird dead rather than paddling happily around the surface waters of the Landing Bay. It just goes to show how difficult of late it has been out there in the Atlantic for some of our seabirds – but still, it was a treat to get the chance to take in all the amazing features of this gorgeous little bird up close.

Grey Phalarope, found on Lower East Side Path, 11th Feb © Dean Jones

Grey Phalarope wing © Dean Jones

Grey Phalarope legs © Dean Jones

Other noteworthy news includes the reappearance of the first-winter Little Gull along the east coast during an exciting seawatch from the Ugly on the 12th. Luckily the winds brought the bird rather close into the Landing Bay, allowing some of the best views yet of this smashing little gull, as well as a few shaky digiscope shots. Other birds feeding out at sea on this date include four Mediterranean Gull, an adult Black-headed Gull, five Common Gull, 320 Kittiwake, some good numbers of Herring Gull and auk spp, a raft of 60 Shag and singles of Red-throated and Great Northern Diver.

1st-winter Little Gull, of the East Side, 12th Feb © Dean Jones

And lastly, a stunning Lapland Bunting was found feeding in Brick Field within a flock of 45 Skylark yesterday afternoon (13th). Singles of Chiffchaff and Goldcrest are continuing to brave the storms in Millcombe, being joined by a single Song Thrush on the 12th & 13th.

Lapland Bunting, Brick Field, 13th Feb © Dean Jones

Lapland Bunting with Skylark, Brick Field, 13th Feb © Dean Jones