By Thomas Weston
Yellow-Browed Warbler on the Terraces by Thomas Weston
The day started with census, a good start to the day with Eleanor. Millcombe was a lot quieter than late, only a couple hundred Chaffinches compared to the thousands over the last two days. There were 15 or so Blackbirds, a few grounded Redwing, Song Thrushes, and Fieldfare, but nothing compared to recent. Alas still really nice to see. There were a couple of Goldcrest, small flock of Blackcap, but no Chiffchaff (though they were seen later by others). In the bushes around St Johns, the ringers caught a Jack Snipe and a few thrushes, however, by the time we got there, they were all packed up. Flocks of Stock Doves emerged through the fog, missing the counters on Castle Hill today, and totalled a very respectable 25 Stock Doves. Along to Rocket Pole Pond and our ringed Snow Bunting was present. Ringed two nights ago, it was still showing incredibly well and will be goodto track over the coming days, weeks, or months. Up to Stoneycroft and a flock of Chaffinches were disturbed by a very wet and bedraggled Kestrel. Maybe a bird who was escaping rain(!) somewhere!? Anyways, a grounded Song Thrush on the path, and a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks was nice to see. Pointless Wall held a female Merlin and nearby a Woodcock flushed from the long grass and headed towards Pondsbury. Could it be the one we saw circling the village last night? Along to Quarry Cottages yeiled a couple of Sparrowhawks and a couple of Peregrines, with 2 Stonechat on the field. Walking back a few grounded Song Thrushes and then into the Village for some good movements of Starlings. There was some admin tasks completed, before news of a Yellow-browed Warbler emerged down at Ruppells Quarry. Off I went to add to the national colour ringing project for the species, and with help from Tim the bird eluded being caught. Unfortunate, but nice to see some Chiffchaffs a Greenfinch and a few Blackbirds. A Merlin on the way back was almost certainly the one from earlier. The Tims reported very little on the West, with a wild Mallard and an equally wild Snow Bunting nearby.
Another sunset to end the daytime migration.
by Greg Lee
A stunning and fantastic day on the island, with clear skies and lots of sunshine. Stepping out into census, it didn’t take long to start filling the notepad with flyover finches in a steady stream of flocks, mainly Chaffinches, but Siskins and Bramblings were also part of the fun. Thrushes were also still in good numbers with plenty of Redwings, Blackbirds and notably Song Thrushes, which appeared to be in great numbers. After yesterday’s Columbid-fest, it was pleasing to see Stock Doves in greater number, with Woodpigeons tagging along. Lower Millcombe was quite busy again for thrushes and Robins, less so for Warblers and crests. Nonetheless, I enjoyed scanning anyway and looking around. Up on the plateau, I was pleased to scan the wall and spot a Black Redstart near Rocket Pole, my first of the autumn, in what has been a very scarce species so far. The gorse at Rocket Pole was extremely productive for thrushes, with Song Thrushes ticking out of the bushes and flying around as I patrolled the area. Stoneycroft garden was quiet today, but a Chiffchaff near the Hay Bales was an unusual sighting and two Robins were in the area. Over near Quarter Wall, a pair of Reed Buntings were squeaking and calling, which were very nice whilst a Peregrine patrolled the East Coast.
Woodpigeon and Stock Dove by G.Lee
Black Redstart by G.Lee
Once I’d returned from a lengthy census, I met up with Chris Dee, who is here for the next few days and together we set up some thrush nets in St John’s with some flyover Bramblings and Greenfinches catching the ear. Next, I undertook the final BMS transect of the year, which held a couple of Red Admirals and a Painted Lady. More interestingly, earlier we had sighted the first Small Tortoiseshell for some time over St John’s Valley.
It was another varied day of vis-mig on the island in total with the final scores including (deep breath): 475 Woodpigeons (a new Lundy record!), 17 Stock Doves, five Golden Plovers, three Lapwings, a single Ringed Plover, 876 Starlings, 155 Song Thrushes, 867 Redwings, 109 Blackbirds, a single Ring Ouzel, 26 alba Wagtails, 3366 Chaffinches, 21 Bramblings, four Greenfinches, 36 Siskins, four Reed Buntings and singles of Lapland and Snow Bunting.
by Kirsty Cox
This week has been a week of ‘lasts’ as on Monday I come to the end of my time on Lundy. It has been quite the three months and I can’t quite believe it is coming to an end.
Today was my last East Coast Survey and this is also my last Blog, so another two ‘lasts’ ticked off!
I started with some ID work in the office which led to more updates to the ever evolving Seal Report I am writing as I managed to ID one of the tagged seals that I had photographed earlier in the season. She has visited Lundy before and is a West Hatch rehabbed seal known as Combe Florrie Tutti Frutti.
Then I walked to the north end to start my survey at 11.35. It was a lovely day to be walking the East Coast - the wind has dropped and although it was overcast, there was no rain. The north end of the island was suspiciously quiet seal wise but I realised why when I reached Quarry Beach and there were 68 seals hauled out! That counts as the biggest haul out this season by some way as all the others have all been around 30-40. It was just wonderful to see them relaxing undisturbed on the beach. 
Spot the Seals at Quarry Beach!
And I was also treated to the sight of a new white coat pup! There hasn’t been a new one in two weeks now so I had thought it was unlikely there would be any more but it felt very special to see another one before I go. So, for a last East Coast Survey it was certainly eventful!
Creating the survey album and processing the photos in the office took a while but it meant I could also have a catch up with Thomas who had done census this morning and had also been up to visit the Storm Petrel colony at the North End. There were some amazing counts on the island today with lots of visible migration. At log the final numbers were 444 Woodpigeon (the highest Lundy count ever!), 1191 Starlings, 108 Song Thrushes, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1592 Redwing, 34 Blackbird, 27 Fieldfare, a Ring Ouzel, 10,111 Chaffinches, 15 Brambling, 3 Greenfinches, 131 Siskins, a Lapland Bunting, 9 Snow Buntings, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Woodcock, 3 Snipe, 2 Merlin, 5 Sparrowhawk, 81 Skylark, 4 Swallows, 17 Chiffchaff, 31 Blackcap and an Eastern Lesser Whitethroat.
And that’s the end of my last Blog post. Thank you for reading - it has been lovely to meet people visiting Lundy who have said that they have enjoyed hearing about the seals over the past months. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to count myself as part of the Lundy Conservation Team this season and to feel as if I have contributed in a very small way to the protection of the amazing Grey Seal population here. Thank you for having me Lundy!
Lundy map - click to enlarge