Lundy Bird Observatory Update - 17 August to 31 August 2023

Autumn migration continues to move through the gears with a double Hippolais warbler day and plenty of common migrants on show over the last few days. Storm Petrel ringing is now winding down after an eye-opening season. Latest totals currently sit at 538 new birds ringed this year (comfortably exceeding the all-time ringing total of 491 between 1947-2022). Throw in all the re-traps and recoveries and we've handled 642 different individuals(!), and a recent run of controls has also seen birds from France, Jersey and Alderney! Another nice seabird recovery came from a Manx Shearwater re-trapped at the Old Light colony which was originally ringed in its first-year at Wooltack Point, Pembrokeshire in September 2013.

Storm Petrel (foreground) and Manx Shearwater (backgorund) © Luke Marriner 

Turning to passerines, Pied Flycatchers have been recorded in small numbers everyday with a max count of five on 27th. Spotted Flycatcher have been equally present, also peaking at five individuals on 29-30th and Redstart have been pushing through in smaller numbers, with singles logged across the Terrace and Millcombe on 20th, 28th and 30th. Tree Pipit movement overhead has been slow and steady with ones and twos recorded most days. A change of pace came on the 23rd when a Melodious Warbler was trapped and ringed in the valley. A second (unringed) 'Melody' then popped up along the lower east coast on the 27th and an Icterine Warbler graced Millcombe between 27-28th while a Common Nightingale (scarce migrant on Lundy - only the seventh record this century!) skulked around the bracken to the north of the Quarries on 28th.

First-year Melodious Warbler in the hand before being released after ringing © Luke Marriner

First-year Pied Flycatcher © Luke Marriner

Sparrowhawk sightings have continued through the second half of the month with an adult female buzzing around from 21st, appearing at Old Light, Village and Terrace and an adult male joining the scene from 28th. The juvenile Grey Heron continued to the 25th when it was observed flying south along the east coast, catching a thermal over Rat Island and departing for Hartland. Interestingly, a Grey Heron was logged later that evening, so either the bird aborted the crossing or a second individual took its place.

Waders have received modest representation with notable appearances Golden and Ringed Plover heard from beer garden 19th, a Dotterel feeding near Wendy Mitchell Memorial on 22nd, single Whimbrel calling over Millcombe on 23rd, a Snipe at Quarter Wall on 28th and a Redshank moving south on 30th.