by Greg Lee
As the unsettled weather approaches, it was quite surprise to get out for census this morning and find that the weather was somewhat a bit better than expected with a nice amount of sunshine and the wind, although very much present, not as strong as maybe anticipated. With the approaching Atlantic storms, it was expected that for some migrants, it was a bit of a last chance saloon to get moving before being held up by the combined efforts of Storm Austen and Storm Boelo (which I learnt was pronounced Boo-low). With that in mind, the expected flavour of the day was a bit of Chaffinch movement and although some flocks were in Millcombe, it wasn't quite as pronounced as hoped. Millcombe itself held relatively the same array of species with Chiffchaffs, Robins, Goldcrests and Blackcaps all present and just a few winter thrushes, which have been dwindling in numbers slowly since the extraordinary events of the 18th. Over at Rocket Pole, I was pleased to hear a Snow Bunting overhead, expecting it was our familiar bird but was surprised to cut across South-west Field to Old Light and come across two feeding on the grass with a third over Old Light. My usual experience of Snow Buntings is coming across small numbers shuffling on the flat shingle and sandy beaches of the East Coast (North Norfolk, Sandwich Bay etc.) Although I do remember when I was at Spurn in November 2021, seeing a flock of up to 30 individuals all on the breach connecting the long, sandy penisula to the Warren and the rest of the Spurn Recording Area. Therefore, seeing them here on the island feels bit novel to my past experiecnes.
With a bit of office work needing doing, I decided to get started since with the upcoming forecast there will be lots of time to get a hot drink and plug my way through some data-entry whilst the wind howls outside and the rain lashes down. Saturday is particularly looking like the perfect opportunity. The Tavern fireplace will be roaring!
Other sightings across the area today included a Redpoll that couldn't decide which direction to fly (being seen in various locations on the East). This species has been quite absent so far this autumn here, likewise for Black Redstart, with a lone individual being spotted briefly at Old Light before disappearing. I always remember hearing a saying from a former Bird Observatory Warden that Black Redstarts can warp space and time and this individual seemed to be showcasing that ever-so-frequent ability to vanish into thin air. This is the first record since a female bird on 5th May, which was equally impressive in its ability to vanish, despite the fact that Emma and myself were watching the same patch of rocks from different vantage points. A Lapwing near Pondsbury was a nice sighting and was just by the main track heading out to Halfway Wall. With the East Coast getting a healthy number of eastbound migrants over the past week along with a few scarcities and even extreme rarities, it is nice to at least get something of eastern origin this way out west and the Lesser Whitethroat found by Adam Hobbs at the Terrace yesterday was performing quite nicely today for the visiting birders. Although a DNA sample would be needed to pin down the exact race, this bird looks very much like an Eastern, following on from the individual at Stoneycroft garden at the end of September. As the weather really deterioated with the approach of the storms, you couldn't help but feel very sorry for the few Swallows that were still sticking around the island. Let's hope they can find some shelter and roost peacefully.
Eastern Lesser Whitethroat by T.Jones
Eastern Lesser Whitethroat showing the tail-pattern by T.Jones
By Simon Parker
It's the pre amble before storm Austen, our first named storm of the season which is likely to land Friday. Wednesday saw gusts of 55mph overnight and the morning was up around 45, being a westerly the East was still fairly sheltered and the were a few birds bunkered down there. Chaffinch still in good numbers, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Woodpigeon were all keeping their heads down but still moving around the valley. A lone Woodcock was camped around the government house area.
Out on the plateau, things became difficult as the wind shot across from the west. The sea watch team spotted a passage of birds moving South from Castles Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Kittiwake, Lesser Black Backed and a Mediterranean Gull. There was also another Tuna seen off the East coast adding to the various other sightings have been reported this week.
Census was tricky with the high winds and not much else was seen but it did begin to brighten up towards 9.30. Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Redwing and a Fieldfare were spotted along the main track/village area. Other notable mentions included a possible Eastern Lesser Whitethroat in the quarry area.
The rest of the day was spend tending to some Biosecurity jobs, monthly checks of the monitoring stations and preparing new chew blocks. There's over 60 stations spread across the island, mostly in properties and around the village all with a wax chew block inside. We look for signs of Rat chew marks, the majority of the stations have signs of Pygmy shrew nibblings but they are tiny compared to a rats marks.
These checks are vital to ensure that Lundy remains free from invasive predators and we're grateful to all the support we receive from the RSPB Biosecurity for Life team who you can check out here - Biosecurity for LIFE - keeping the UK's seabirds safe. We'll be looking into more visible interpretation for visitors next season including some boards around the Ilfracombe/Bideford harbours and on the Oldenburg along with our new on island wildlife cameras, keep your eyes peeled for those and for any sneaky rodents!
by Kirsty Cox
As predicted in my last blog, I finally had to resort to using my head torch on my run this morning. After a day off yesterday which allowed me to start my run a bit later, I was back to the usual time this morning and for fear of stumbling over a rock on the main track in the dim light, I thought it best to have some additional light!
I had a busy morning out and about, so planned the various routes I had to take to try and minimise how many times I had to walk the same path twice! I started with an early morning pup check as low tide was at 7:32. It is still very quite on the beaches but there are currently three white coat pups that I am keeping an eye on who have been named Kelpie, Merrow and Tangie - all names connected to Celtic myths.
After a brief break back at the tavern for toast and a chance to pick up the butterfly survey transect sheets from the office, I was off again. This time I headed to Pondsbury to take the fixed point photos we are collating to monitor the level of the water while it is being drained to help our water supplies. Then a quick stop at Quarry Beach to finish the pup check before heading off on the butterfly survey.
I have been so busy with all things seal this season that it was the first time that I have had the chance to do the butterfly survey this year and on a lovely sunny morning slowly walking the Upper East Path and looking for butterflies, it was a very enjoyable way to spend an hour. I saw a total of 7 Red Admirals across the survey - it was encouraging to see some even so late into October.
I timed the end of the survey with the arrival of the Oldenburg so that I could take up position for my final day on Pup Patrol! There were a group of 3 weaned pups playing in the Landing Bay which provided a nice opportunity to chat to visitors about the Lundy seal population.
After lunch it was time for some work in the office. I have started work on this season’s Seal Report which I have to complete by the end of my time on the island. It is hard to believe that I now have less than two weeks to go!
My final Pup Patrol stint took place as people headed back down to the Oldenburg - some nice conversations and another chance to watch the weaned pups playing on the tide.
With the prospect of a sunny evening, and judging by the weather forecast that it was likely to be my last one on the island before I go, I decided to make the most of it and headed down to the battery to cook an outdoor dinner.
Elsewhere on the island it was another busy day of sightings including Cormorant, Chaffinch, Redwing, Fieldfare, Siskin, Brambling, Swallow, Reed Bunting, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Kestrel, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier, Grey Heron, Snow Bunting, Water Rail, Mistle Thrush and Red-throated Pipit.
Lundy map - click to enlarge