16th Oct – Lundy's 10th Red-eyed Vireo

A day of light to moderate south or south-south-east winds and variable cloud, with some warm sunny spells alternating with cooler overcast periods. Dry throughout.

 

The undoubted star bird of the day was the island's 10th Red-eyed Vireo, found by Jac Turner-Moss at about 08:30 hrs in the walled gardens of Millcombe, where Jac was ringing alongside Rob Duncan. Unfortunately the bird dropped out of sight before other birders arrived but after a few slightly anxious minutes' wait it was relocated in 'Smelly Gully' (lower Millcombe) by Tim Davis. It was then seen well by most observers, often prominently perched in full sun, before again disappearing for a short time. It reappeared near Millcombe House before taking several long flights around the valley at around 10:15 hrs, stopping at times in the tree nursery adjoining the Secret Garden, atop the Turkey Oaks west of Brambles, and in the Battlements sycamores.

 

Red-eyed Vireo, 'Smelly Gully', lower Millcombe, 16 Oct; note that the tail appears to be re-growing,
having presumably been lost at some point during the bird's long journey © Richard Campey

This is the third record during the past four years, following others in October 2018 and October 2019, and is Lundy's 10th overall.

Notable sightings elsewhere included: two Teal, three Grey Heron, five Water Rail, three Golden Plover, 46 Gannet, 61 auk sp., two Merlin, a Kestrel, 87 Swallow, a House Martin, at least one Yellow-browed Warbler (Millcombe and St Helen's Copse), two tristis-type Chiffchaff (both ringed, with shed body feathers retained for DNA analysis), 40 Blackcap, two Garden Warbler, a Firecrest, 10 Goldcrest, 200 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, a male Common Redstart, three Black Redstart, three Wheatear, 22 Stonechat, two Spotted Flycatcher, 500 Starling, seven Grey Wagtail, 30 flyover alba wagtails, five Brambling, two Greenfinch and 100 Siskin.

 

Male Common Redstart, Stoneycroft, 16 Oct © Richard Campey

Spotted Flycatcher in Sycamores next to Government House, 16 Oct © Richard Campey

Ringing total 82 comprising: 12 Chiffchaff (of which two tristis – see image below), 18 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 4 Robin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Goldfinch and 33 Siskin.

 

Non-bird sightings included three Silver Y and two Rush Veneer moths.

 

Records contributed by Chris & Carol Baillie, Richard Campey, Stuart Cossey, Tim Davis, James Diamond, Rob Duncan, Paul Holt, Andy Jayne, Tim Jones and Jac Turner-Moss.

One of the two tristis Chiffchaffs ringed on 16 Oct © Richard Campey
Shed body feathers from both birds were retained for DNA analysis