Lundy Bird Observatory

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13/04/2026 – New Arrivals

By Simon Parker

A new week dawns and this morning started with the promise of fairer winds and some sunshine, I was up quite early to get a run in before work. My new plan is to run in the morning to get the feel good flow all day, I heard from a Bear Grylls show that this was a good thing to do. In general, I always like to be awake fairly early and start moving but I'm not afraid to squeeze in a siesta if energy levels run low. I'm also open to changing my mind given that some of Bears other advice involves ingesting questionable substance to survive.

Census this morning was pretty active, a fair amount of noise around Millcombe and large numbers of House martin and Swallow were already moving. I met Thomas and Greg down by the nets, already setting up for a short morning session. I was joined on census by Anna who's travelled from Germany to spend a few weeks here, we both took a while scanning the landing bay and enjoying the calm after the past weekends rough seas.

Shag, Greater Black Backed Gull, Oystercatcher, Guillemot and Gannet were all present, it was one of those days when you could just happily sit and watch the landing bay but we had to move on. As we passed along the South near Benjamins chair, I heard a Jackdaw heading out to sea followed by a Curlew calling from somewhere overhead but I didn't spot it. A Peregrine was wrestling with two Raven over by the castle and a fair size group of Razorbill rafted off the South coast.

Large numbers of Linnet were spotted around the gorse bushes and the Black Headed Gull is still here, wandering alone around the village. Over by Old light, we spotted a first for the year. A lone Cuckoo being mobbed by Meadow pipits.

Cuckoo perfectly disguised as a Pipit

Emma had also been down to Jennys Cove to undertake her Puffin survey, over a hundred sighted and some "billing" action was underway. "Billing" is a term used to describe the action of two puffin rubbing their bills against each other and is a good sign that they will be nesting.

As the day wore on, it soon became clear that migration was well and truly underway, over 1000 Swallow were recorded by Thomas and Eleanor moving through the Island. Another first for the year, Ring Ouzel spotted by a visiting birder rounded off a pretty spectacular day considering our slow season.

12/04/2026 – Lundy Scarcities!

By Thomas Weston.

A calmer day so a few of the more unusual species appeared on the island, these are tending to be referred to as 'Lundy Scarcities' based on their infrequent sightings on the island. They may not be your classic rarities but they are certainly noteworthy. In fact, some you may see in your garden, local park or at a beach, but here on Lundy, the normal 'mainland species' are just not the same when living on an island.

Two species not pictured included a Cormorant who flew North past the island this morning before I reached the Ugly. It was seen by visiting birder Andy who spotted it at some height, along with good numbers of Kittiwakes and Manx Shearwater passing.

Greenfinch by Thomas Weston.

The next scarcity was the Greenfinch. A lovely adult male singing in the trees next to Millcombe House before joining the local Goldfinch flock and heading to the Village.

Black-headed Gull. By Thomas Weston

Checking the Landing Bay was successful today with a Black-headed Gull feeding in the surf below Smelly Gully and later looking rather tired but hanging around the Village feeding on anything it could find.

Back to the office for some admin when Greg noted the Hooded Crow from the Office Window. A nice addition to the day and a little rarer than a scarity, so a Lundy rarity for sure with very infrequent sightings, though this could be a returning individual from a previous year.

Sandwich Tern by Thomas Weston

Whilst we undertook some mist net setting up and ringing session, 2 Sandwich Terns flew by and remained in the bay until around 16:30 when they were seen flying South past Rat Island and continuing their journey.

What will tomorrow bring!?

Keep Posted.....

11/04/2026 – Rhodi and Rat Block making!

By Anna

Waking up to howling winds and hail, Thomas braced himself for the weather and went out to do the census while others - like me - enjoyed their morning off.

Census went well with highlights including a small, but steady burst of Swallows, 7 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps making up the migrants for the morning. Others reported the Hooded Crow in Tillage, as well as a pair of Merlin, with our overwintering female gaining a male now.

I used my porridge-and-fresh-fruit breakfast to study one of the many bird guides I found on the book shelf of our accommodation and to contemplate my first days on the island.

Clearing Rhodi!

When the showers had passed, I went out to look for the rope access team that is here for a few days to remove Rhododendron on the steep slopes of the East Coast between Quarry Beach and Landing Bay.

What a view!

Sheltered from the wind I was able to watch them doing their hair-raising job - well secured but still... dangling from the edge and abseiling down steep slopes covered in brambles. For a second I thought: I'm glad this isn't my job.

Making Rat Blocks

After lunch I met Emma and Simon in the kitchen of the volunteers' accommodation to prepare new wax blocks that will allow us to see if any rats have found their way back to the island. For this, we melted candle wax, added a bit of baking cocoa powder and poured the mixture into silicon molds to let it set. Just before the wax set, we put holes through the center of the blocks and left the blocks to set fully. Once set out in the buildings we will be able to tell from potential dental marks and imprints which animals have happily nibbled the provided "snacks".

Emma and I used the next hour to complete the recycling task she had started the day before with Greg.

I spent the evening helping in the kitchen of the Tavern, where my job was to wash and clean up the dishes to make sure that the kitchen and service teams have enough space and utensils to work. A well-deserved late dinner concluded the day and after having shared updates with the rest of the team some stayed for the infamous karaoke night while others preferred to enjoy some peaceful sleep.