By Thomas Weston
With the Young Birders spending the rest of the day yesterday settling in and exploring around the island, it was nice to see everyone getting to know each other and having some birding and nature chats.
Today, the aim was to introduce the team to ringing!
A Sedge Warbler caught and ringed in Millcombe by Thomas Weston
We got up early and headed to the Tavern for 05:15. An early start which led to a lot of the team needing some well earned tea before heading into the valley - especially as the power was not going to be on for another hour. The day started with a nice breeze and a stunning sun rise too. We headed down and started opening the nets, the team gathered and we started to catch some birds. It was pretty productive with 67 individuals caught and processed throughout the morning. Ringing totals to follow (new/retrap): Robin 1/1, Sedge Warbler 4/0, Linnet 5/1, Chaffinch 2/1, Blackcap 1/1, Whitethroat 1/0, Goldfinch 1/0, Swallow 1/0, Wren 3/2, Willow Warbler 15/1, Chiffchaff 1/0, House Sparrow 0/12, Spotted Flycatcher 0/2, and a Dunnock 0/1.
A 100m away, Greg and Emma went through the Moth Trap from the night before. There were some good species seen and recorded. A moth list can be provided below in a bit, once counted and written!
Around 08:15, Eleanor came through undertaking our daily census. She ended up heading on round and recording a nice range of species throughout the route. Some of the highlights included Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and a good number of Swallows and Linnets. It was great for some of the team to join and hear more about our work, as well as to see some nice species along the way.
Simon sampling for Lundy Cabbage Flea Beetles in Millcombe by Thomas Weston
Meanwhile, the remaining team had the choice to either explore the island, help with some Lundy Cabbage Flea Beetle surveying with Simon and Kirsty, or continue in Millcombe a little longer. Some of the team were super keen to see two endemics for the island, as well as see some more ringing, so the team reamined down in Millcombe. It was great for Lucile as we caught so many House Sparrows that she could talk through the process of processing them, and to get some additional biometrics that other speces rarely require. The team thoroughly enjoyed themselves and by 11am we all headed out of the valley.
Back in the Village, Eleanor and I helped Lucile with some of the Starling and House Sparrow traps to help top up some last remaining colour ringed birds before the end of the season and before Lucile has to leave us until Novemeber. Lucile found a new brood of Sparrows, which we will monitor until they fledge, and we also ringed a brood of Swallows in the Vehicle Shed area. A lovely brood of 4 growing youngsters.
A brown Millcombe whilst collecting kit. Thomas Weston
I then decided to break for lunch and to gather all the relavant equipment ready for the evening ahead whereby a talk by Greg and some nocturnal surveys will be undertaken! More on that tomorrow....
By Thomas Weston
Some good bird were seen this morning. Starting the day in Millcombe, I opened a few nets with Greg and Lucile. There was some nice cloud cover at dawn which led to some new birds being caught. This included a single new adult Whitethroat in full wing moult, multiple Willow Warblers including a retrap from a few weeks ago, 2 new Stonechats, 4 new Wrens, 3 new Linnets, and a single new Blackap too. There was some lovely sunrise views and whilst the sun was gaining, the breeze changed from a SW to a NW. The change in wind led to a Curlew heading out of the Landing Bay an hour into sunlight, as well as quite a few passing Gannets, a steady but consistent line of Manx Shearwaters, a possible Large Shearwater seen distantly shearing south, and a pod of closer in Bottlenose Dolphins which was a good surprise for the three. In fact, they were Lucile's first Dolphins ever.
We closed the nets just after 08:00, whereby Lucile joined me for census this morning. There was a nice range of species seen throughout the route, and may nice views of some of the residents and passage migrants currently on the island. In total, there were 5 Mallards, 5 Woodpigeons, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Kittiwakes, 6 Great Black-Backed Gulls, 22 Herring Gulls, 17 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, 8 Gannets, 24 Shag, a single Kestrel, 4 Carrion Crows, 8 Ravens, 18 Swallows, 4 Willow Warblers, a single Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler, 18 Wrens, 81 Starlings, 8 Blackbird, one of the breeding Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Stonechats, 10 Wheatears, 27 House Sparrows, 2 Dunnocks, 2 Pied Wagtails, 28 Meadow Pipits, a single Chaffinch, 166 Linnets, and 25 Goldfinches.
The rest of the day was spent organising the Birder Week plan for the coming week, as well as inputting ringing data from the previous few sessions we have undertaken.
Colour ringed House Sparrow juvenile caught in the Village by ThomasWeston
Plus as always, a few retrap Starlings and House Sparrows from the traps.
House Sparrow in moult in the Village by Thomas Weston
This one in some nice primary moult.
By Thomas Weston
Today was a Tavern day for me, I had a meeting with Simon and the visiting researchers to the island which went really well and they had exciting plans ahead!
I started my Tavern break at midday and worked through the busy boat day. Simon was out sorting the boat, whilst Tara and Chloe were with a visiting ITV news crew. Jessie was looking for pups, with no success again today, and Emma and Greg were busy out and about in the field. It was exciting times for Tara and Chloe who helped in a Seal Disturbance piece for the news and after this, Simon helped with a piece about the Rat Eradication and the positive effects to our island and our wildlife too.
In my Tavern break, I was whisked up the West coast in a Landrover and walked towards the Manx Shearwater colony. I helped with the extra pieces for the Rat Eradication piece and it went really well. Our now celebrity chick was doing great, and with its parents being part of the 66' North piece a couple of months ago, it was great to get this chick its moment in the spotlight. The ITV piece came out the next day (29th), however, here are some stills.....
Introducing the Lundy Rat eradication piece
Me! Talking about Manx Shearwaters...
Helen talking from an RSPB perspective! A big success for our seabirds :)
Simon talking about the positive affects of the Rat eradication for the island.
Lundy map - click to enlarge