By Simon Parker
Something a bit different today... I've been away in Wales for the past couple of weeks, spending some time in the mountains and generally avoiding work. One of the things I do miss about island life are the mountains, I've always been drawn to mountain communities and North Wales is one of my favourites. There's something about the vastness and freedom to roam, it could also be a kick back from growing up in the famously mountainous region of North East Lincolnshire, but I always aim for the mountains on my time off.
On the way back down South, I managed to sneak a small stop on Flat Holm Island. Flat Holm is the most Southerly point in Wales, you can visit from Cardiff bay. I spent two years here as warden and it was good to pop back and see some of my old volunteers. The island is tiny compared to Lundy, a circular lump almost exactly one mile in circumference. It's packed with historical buildings, heavily fortified in the Napoleonic era to fend off French and Russian invaders, then again in WW2 as an anti aircraft/shipping fortress. The island bears the scars of industrial fortification with 350 men packed on in WW2. One of my favourite aspects is called Bengers Goalpost, named after the islands commanding officer - David Benger. Benger designed a simple scaffold goalpost to stop the gunners blowing the top off the lighthouse when they were rotating quickly, they would hit the post with their barrels and have to go up and over the goalpost which ensured the survival of the lighthouse.
Flat Holms Cholera Hospital
These days, the island is a large Gull colony and nature reserve with a small tourist attraction. It's a much, much smaller and very basic version of Lundy. There's no tavern or shop here, power is solar generated mostly and supplies are hard to transport. There's no Oldenburg, the island relies on small ribs doing all the logistics.
Flat Holms famous pink rock, deposited during the last ice age
Bird wise, being closer to the mainland it has more of the garden variety birds. Robin, Blackbird, Wren, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock are present all year round in good numbers. Water Rail have started to nest in the scrub over the past few years and they can be heard constantly screeching away. Shelduck and Oystercatcher nest here too, the former being heavily predated by the gulls and unlikely to be productive. In total, the gulls numbers around 3000 birds. Between the months of April and August, it's dominated by the Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gull colony and can be an intimidating place to be if you're not familiar with their protective parenting. This time of the year it's very peaceful, the gulls have finished nesting and the Lessers have started migrating South to Spain, Portugal and North Africa.
Building the new Barn door
Back on Lundy, before I tackled the email inbox I did manage to get out and do census. Notable sightings were an influx of Meadow Pipit, large numbers of Carrion Crow have arrived. Linnet are still here in big numbers, the super flock is between 250-300 birds. The Wryneck down around the quarries was spotted and three Lapland Bunting were at the top of Benjamins chair. There's a lot of fog forecast over the next few days, I expect the bird sightings will be quite meagre but hopefully that fog will translate to water as the Island is still in desperate need for a downpour.
By Thomas Weston
The start of the day was census filled. I started the day with one of our travel meetings to discuss the coming day.
A census highlight, a Whinchat at Stoneycroft by Thomas Weston
Eleanor had the morning off before her Tavern shift so joined me for census. It was a breezy --> strong, southerly wind with a bit of cool in the air. The birds of Millcombe had reacted to this and either hidden, or departed overnight. Two Yellow Wagtails over the Tavern were the first species recorded on census as we stepped out. This then was followed by a flock of 4 Ravens, and the usual Carrion Crows who have now flocked together, with 48 noted, including 39 just in Brick Field. A single Blackbird and 2 Blackcap were the best from the top of Millcombe. Yesterday's Blackcap flocks had left and gone south overnight, probably taking every other warbler with them as there were only one Chiffchaff, and 2 Willow Warblers too. Overhead, a little Meadow Pipit migration was ongoing, though they were pretty few and far between with 40 noted altogether. Back in Millcombe, and 10 Robins keeps the double-figure counts going for this species. In the trees, 2 Firecrest, single Goldcrest and a Sand Martin overhead were nice migrants. Two Tree Pipits migrating from the north were a surprise, as was the one on the Airfield later along the route. Out in the Landing Bay, 2 Rock Pipits and a migrant Grey Wagtail were both seen and heard. Gulls have been few recently as they have migrated off, although 10 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Herring Gulls with a passage of Lesser Black-backed Gull the best. In the water, 6 Shags were enjoying a calmish Landing Bay, and in the calmest parts of Millcombe, 3 Chaffinches, 2 Dunnocks, 3 Wrens, and 2 Goldfinches hid in the bushes. There was a very sad looking Feral Pigeon near the ringing bench, summing up the ringing that went on around it whereby the few birds around the valley were reflected in those heading into the nets. Another look from Battlements Corner saw 8 Gannets between there and Benjamin's Chair. The windy St John's Valley yielded a female Stonechat with a small flock of House Sparrows plus 6 Linnets overhead which were the only ones seen this morning. Walking round the windy south, South West Field had an alba wagtail heading south over the coast, and a Peregrine just north of Old Light. A surprise came in the form of a Whinchat on Stoneycroft Paddock wall – amazing to see this species before Wheatear and even more odd to see only 4 Wheatears on the whole route! Though one was a Greenland Wheatear which was lovely and big. Over the Airfield, 8 Swallows were the best of the birds, and it took until the last field before the Village (High Street Field) before 2 Skylarks were recorded. Walking back through the Village to finish the census route, 118 Starlings was the highest count since last winter, and 4 Mallards in Bartons Field were the best from the rest. Overall, many species, but not many birds again!
Somewhere out there, there will be a bunting again. However, today, a Wryneck at the Terrace, with 2 Pied Flycatchers were the best from Greg, and a seawatch at North End by visiting Tom saw a nice flock of 70 Manx Shearwater, Arctic Skua, and a Sandwich Tern too. This was in addition to 2 Grey Herons who flew down the east coast, being seen by Adam later, who added Dunlin to the day list with a high-flying bird seen this morning pre-census.
Afternoon saw the weather deteriorate, with an admin afternoon had. Success.
By Thomas Weston
I awoke to do census and got up and ready. The wind being a NW is great for new arrivals on the island and today I was not disappointed.
Lapland Bunting in Brick Field by Thomas Weston
On census there were Blackcaps everywhere; there had obviously been a big fall of birds and counts in Millcombe were above 50 birds (more likely 100+) - a good start to the day. The damp, cloudy conditions did not do much for the other species though, who in fact kept themselves hunkered down in the bushes. However, there were two Goldcrests, a few Willow Warblers and a small increase in Chiffchaffs, as well as brief views of a Firecrest in the trees above the Casbah. Walking along the southern section of the island and a flock of Ravens were the most noteworthy, as well as a couple of Skylark on the Airfield. As I was walking back into the Village, a single House Martin, 2 Sand Martins, and 3 Swallows were the only hirundines seen. However, Ian had spotted something in Brick Field and I could see from a distance he was trying to work out where this bird was. On arrival, even before asking a Lapland Bunting was heard, and then seen hopping around the floor near the gate before moving onto the main track nearby. This rather active bird was a lovely spot, and a first for the census this year. Having at least 2, possibly up to 7 Lapland Buntings on the island yesterday, it was great to see this one. It certainly was active, and if reading about the species, it was a strong flyer, getting up and heading south to Benjamin's Chair where it spent the remainder of the day feeding. Elsewhere, another Lapland Bunting was seen at North End, the Western Bonelli's Warbler was still in Millcombe, but there was no sign of the Common Rosefinch or Wryneck today.
It will be interesting to see how the ringers got on today, and other sightings from elsewhere at the daily log in the Tavern tonight!
Lundy map - click to enlarge