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Tuesday 23 May 2023

Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 23 May 2023

 Gentle northerlies produced the goods on the island with strong migration being visible all day. A good passage of hirundines and Swift kept everyone out all day counting, as the wardens were able to open some nets this afternoon. Todays totals are as follows: 13 adult and 11 young Mallard, 2 adult and 7 young Teal on pondsbury. A Male Cuckoo was first seen on Quarter Wall but then made its way into Millcombe in the afternoon then into the slope net. Only the second bird to be ringed since 2009 but also the second this year! A god day for waders with a fly over Whimbrel on census, a Summer plumage Dunlin by North light were also joined by the long staying Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone, a Common Sandpiper in Aztec Bay seen was only the 3rd of the year. The male Kestrel was seen bringing food into the nest site again, and 9 Peregrine was the highest count for may. Excellent Hirundine passage today with a trickle early on but a big push come the afternoon with the Tims sitting at North light counting as the left the island, a single Sand Martin, 748 Swallow and 955 House Martin logged in 3 hours, also 138 Swift, 7 each of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Sedge Warbler. More exciting news is that we have a pair of Goldcrest in breeding condition. A staple for the last few days were the Spotted Flycatchers and today didn't disappoint with 64 being seen including 8 being ringed. What a spectacle. A female Whinchat on Quarter wall and our first Grey Wagtail of the year flew over. The Hooded Crow was still in tillage field and a Ringtail Harrier was seen briefly below quarter wall cops, probably a Hen Harrier but views were not conclusive.  

Ringing totals:

Sedge Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 3, Spotted Flycatcher 10, Whitethroat 1, Willow Warbler 3, Linnet 2, Goldcrest 2, Goldfinch 2, Swallow 1, Cuckoo 1


Whinchat vs Spotted Flycatcher Luke Marriner

Meadow pipit vs Cuckoo Luke Marriner

Spotted Flycatcher Luke Marriner 

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