By Thomas Weston
A short blog post today highlighting a fee of the bits and bobs completed on my bird day.
The day started at 6am and I was getting ready for some ringing as the weather was supposed to be calm and cloudy. Alas, we did not have the cloud, but we did have the calm, so I headed down to Millcombe to open a few nets. Before anyone else arrived, I saw the Great-spotted Woodpecker, a ‘rare bird’ for the island due to the scarcity and uncommonness, however this bird has been hanging around for over a week now which is nice. The individual was heard calling in the trees above the Gas Store, where our Spotted Flycatcher family were still residing, before flying out and up the valley to the trees above the Casbah. I lost view of the bird thereafter, but I did have nice views of Stonechats, Linnets, Goldfinches, and the singing Song Thrush. I opened the nets, but within two hours a new juvenile Blackbird and one of our breeding female Chiffchaffs were the only birds caught. However, a single House Martin and 2 Swifts were the only noticeable migrants. Meanwhile, Greg and Emma opened the moth trap, and a few new species for the year were recorded which was nice. Names to be sent soon!
Lucile, Eleanor, and I decided to open the traps for a while and we ended up catching just shy of 20 Starlings and a new House Sparrow juvenile. This was only one of two unringed Sparrows on the island and it was great to catch this wild born bird, aptly known as Austin.
Up island, Chloe’s disturbance survey resulted in a pair of Grey Herons flying around Gannets and seen/videoed. Emma and Greg later went up there to do some seabird monitoring, and at the time of writing the outcome is unknown.
The rest of my day was full of data input, checking our Swallow broods before running log and having a relaxing evening enjoying a bit of the summer sunshine.
By Eleanor Harris
Today marks the official Lundy air day, a day which celebrates small planes flying into the island. Historically its been very hit and miss if it goes ahead but today we were lucky with the weather on Lundy, however, the mainland was a very different story. Though Lundy was calm, still and clear parts of the mainland were shrouded in fog resulting in fewer planes landing but overall it was a very lovely day. Today was also a special boat day so a change of routine for all.
Lundy Air Day Eleanor Harris
The plan today was to head over to the air field to see the happening of our very own Lundy ‘airport’. Those who arrived yesterday set up tents under their planes making it look rather charming whilst those who arrived today parked up to explore the island. It was a great atmosphere even the Lundy Fire crew were enjoying themselves relaxing on inflatable ducks!
Inflatable Ducks Photographer Unknown
Taking a slow walk towards the west we bumped into flocks of Linnets showing nicely around Acklands pond whilst Meadow Pipits and Skylarks sang around the scrubby areas. Heading towards the west it was notable that the weather was changing with a cold westerly wind descending a change to the calm experienced this morning. A lunch spot was found in Jenny’s Cove an ideal place to watch seabirds with a good number of Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots and Fulmars still around. If you are still keen to see Lundy seabirds this year we encourage you to come in the next few weeks before they leave Lundy for the year. Whilst at Jenny’s we also showed a group of day visitors some of these species which made their day.
Starling Eleanor Harris
Heading back to village we checked on the air day preceding and headed back for a cup of tea. In the afternoon we decided to open the walk in traps to catch Starlings and Sparrows with the help Lucile. A good number of juvenile Starlings were caught plus a new Sparrow for the project so a very successful little session.
A chilled evening was had supporting Simon in the Tavern playing music with a group of visiting musicians.
By Thomas Weston
Happy World Seabird Day today!
Please see our General News Page here for a World Seabird Day Special: https://lundybirdobs.org.uk/news-and-sightings/general-news
Lundy map - click to enlarge