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Monday 20 June 2022

13th to 19th June – Start of snorkel safaris

Winds were from the north and west this week with highs of 35mph on 18th and 19th. Heavy rain on the 18th and 19th. The rest of the week was bright and sunny with maximum temperatures of 21° on 16th and 17th..  

The number of Teal duckling on Pondsbury had dropped to two on the 15th. Swift are still moving in small numbers with 13 on the 13th, six on the 15th and eight in the 17th. A Water Rail was heard by Pondsbury on the 13th. A Grey Heron was seen on the 16th. The Kestrel pair are still being seen hovering and hunting across the island.

Hirundine passage is continuing in the hot summer weather with 35 Swallows, a Sand Martin and three House Martin recorded on the 13th. Only the six resident Swallows were then seen up to the 19th.

The male Chiffchaffs continue to sing across the island with one in Millcombe, St Helen’s Copse and the Terrace on the 15th. A Reed Warbler was singing in Millcombe on the 13th and the first juvenile Whitethroats were seen at the top of Millcombe by the Ugly.

Three broods of Goldfinch and Chaffinch are now being seen around Millcombe and the first Pied Wagtail chicks have been seen by the Pig Sty and Lambing Shed.

In non-avian news, the first snorkel safaris have started and there were a few rockpooling trips around Devil’s Kitchen during low tide. Species seen whilst snorkelling include Spider Crab, Compass Jellyfish and Grey Seals. In the rock pools were 5 species of crab including a Hermit Crab, some Cushion Stars and five Celtic Sea Slugs, which have only recently been discovered on Lundy. 

Celtic Sea Slug, Devil's Kitchen © Stuart Cossey

Cushion Star, Devil's Kitchen © Stuart Cossey 

Contributors: S Cossey, R Ellis, Z Wait, J Dunning, L Paulson

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