Bird Sightings

This weeks highlight came in the form of a Pallas’s Warbler which turned up in Millcombe on the 6th. It was first spotted around the pond and Smelly Gully before heading into one of the nets. 

Pallas's Warbler - Only the ninth record of this species on the Island. (Bird ringed under licence)

Chiffchaff and Blackcap are still moving through the island in small numbers with a peak of 18 Blackcap on the 6th. A single late Willow Warbler was also ringed this week on the 8th. This is the latest recorded sighting of Willow Warbler in any year, with most of the autumn passage for this species taking place in July and a few records going into August. Some crest movement is still ongoing with up to 10 Goldcrest spotted each day and 3 Firecrest recorded for the week between the 6th and 8th.

Low numbers of Finch are still trickling though Millcombe with triple figures of Chaffinch every day from the 5th-7th and a maximum count of 260 on the 5th. Up to 3 Brambling and 15 Siskin have been seen in Millcombe every day between the 5th and 9th, as well as a single Redpoll on the 6th. Redwing numbers were up to 120 on the 6th and Blackbird numbers peaked at 13 in Millcombe on the 6th. The Treecreeper is still present with sightings on the 5th, 6th and 9th in Millcombe woods. A Black Redstart was seen near to the Old Lighthouse on the 8th and 3 Swallows were reported on the same day around the South end. 

The Greenland White-fronted Goose was last seen on the 3rd when it presumably departed. Waders this week have included 2 Lapwing and 2 Snipe on the 8th, and 3 Woodcock sightings between the 7th and 8th. A single Merlin is still present with sightings recorded most days. High counts of Gannet and Kittiwake were also noted on the 8th, with 40 and 450 respectively observed out from the Landing Bay. 

A change in the weather, including some storm days have caused a short lull in bird passage, although some notable species have still been recorded. The highlight species being a Greenland White-fronted Goose, arriving into bartons on the 26th and still present on the 2nd. Notably, this is the first White-fronted Goose recorded on the Island in almost four years. 

Up to 4 Water Rail are still calling in Millcombe. Wading species have included 3 Purple Sandpiper at Brazen Ward on the 26th, a Turnstone on Rat Island on the 31st, and 3 Jack Snipe and 9 Snipe on the 29th. Other non-passerine sightings include a Black-headed Gull on the 26th, 2 Cormorant passing on the 26th, 1-2 Merlin most days and a month record passage of Auk on the 26th estimated at 2090 individuals.

Low numbers of Swallow are still lingering, with a single bird still present on the 2nd. A Firecrest was seen on the 26th and 29th and a Treecreeper was spotted on the 1st. The Pondsbury Reed Bunting was still present on the 26th and a Black Redstart was recorded around the Village on the 2nd. Other passerines have moved through the Island this week including a Mistle Thrush on the 26th, a White Wagtail on the 26th and single Greenfinch on the 26th and 29th.

This week produced an increase of raptors across the Island, presumably following the passerine passage, with a high count of 22 small raptors on the 22nd. This included a record day high count of 7 Merlin, along with 8 Kestrel, 5 Peregrine and 2 Sparrowhawk. A juvenile Hobby was seen on the 19th and 20th on Ackland Moor and Pondsbury Heath. Single Marsh and Hen Harriers were spotted on the 18th and 19th respectively. A Short-eared Owl was present from 18th-21st, largely hunting around the Pondsbury area, but also noted to venture as far down the Island as Barton Field on the 21st. 

Thrush migration has been evident through the island all week, with maximum counts of 254 Redwing on the 23rd. Fieldfare numbers have gradually been decreasing throughout the week with a count of 51 on the 18th. Ring Ouzel were spotted on the 18th, 19th and 21st with a maximum count of 3. A single Mistle Thrush was observed on the 21st. Low numbers of Song Thrush have also been present most of the week. 

Chaffinch movement has been high this last week with 5064 on the 18th and hundreds logged moving through almost every day. A varied accompaniment of other Finch species were also observed through the week, with 5 Brambling on the 18th, 1 on the 21st, 4 on the 22nd and 3 on the 23rd. Redpoll were seen on the 18th, 19th and 25th, with a high count of 4 on the 25th. Siskin passage was evident throughout the week with 81 birds observed on the 18th and at least a few individuals every day except the 25th. Reed Bunting were seen on the 18th, 21st, 22nd and 25th, with the high count of 4 on the 22nd. A Lapland Bunting was seen passing overhead on the 22nd and Snow Bunting were present between the 20th-24th with up to 5 seen. 

Other passerine migrants this past week have included a Yellow-browed Warbler on the Terrace on the 21st, a Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat on the 20th and a Pied Flycatcher on the 21st. A Common Redstart was observed on the 21st on the Terrace and Black Redstart on the 18th-22nd with just one present every day except the 22nd which produced 2 records. At least 1 Treecreeper was on the Island all through the week with observations most days and a new individual noted on the 23rd. Wheatear sightings occurred between the 19th-22nd, White Wagtail were seen on the 20th and 21st and Grey Wagtail passage continued with low numbers seen most days. Hirundine movement continued this week, with Swallows present throughout the week. Numbers are significantly slowing now, however, with single figures since the 23rd. Likely the last sightings of the year for House and Sand Martin occurred with 3 on the 18th and 2 on the 21st respectively. 

A Glossy Ibis was spotted passing the Island far out to sea on the 18th. Up to 4 Water Rail have been encountered on a daily basis. Wader species present this week have included a Curlew passing on the 21st, Woodcock on the 19th-21st and 23rd, and Snipe every day, reaching a maximum count of 9 on the 23rd. Jack Snipe have also been seen, with 2 on the 19th although a marked reduction this week compared to the last. 

Seabird passage has been building all week with large feeding frenzies spotted regularly off the island. Kittiwake and Auk numbers have been rising through the week reaching highs of 641 on the 24th and 966 on the 25th respectively. Gannet numbers reached 96 on the 19th and while still present every day, have gradually decreased. Up to 23 Manx Shearwater have been seen most days also. Other seabirds have included Cormorant on the 20th and 22nd, Black-headed Gull on the 23rd and 24th and Common Gull on the 18th, 20th, 21st and 23rd with a high count of 8.

Persistent moderate easterlies. Mostly overcast, but a day of bright sun on 16th.

12 Teal flew into Pondsbury on 14th, although only five have stuck around. Mallard high count has been 19. Remarkably a Goosander flew south along the east coast on 15th, seen by a single observer and becoming the third island record, with other records in December 1934 and November 2020. We have just one Woodpigeon recorded daily, plus a single Feral Pigeon on 16th and two on 17th. Five Water Rail were recorded on 16th, a good high count with 3 in Millcombe and 2 at Pondsbury.

Flyover Goosander from the Terrace - A. Croudace

Three Lapwing arrived on 14th and a fourth joined them touring the island on 15th. Golden Plover and Ringed Plover continue to be recorded as singles. High count of Oystercatcher of 25 on 14th. A single Dunlin flew from Pondsbury on 16th. The first Woodcock of 2025 was recorded on 14th above Pilot's Quay, with another on 16th in Gannets Coombe. Most notably a record breaking total of 20 Jack Snipe on 16th is the highest ever day count, smashing the previous day record of 11 from October 1984. Common Snipe counts have peaked at just eight, significantly outnumbered by their smaller relatives.

Peregrine Falcon unsuccessfully chasing one of the many Jack Snipe on the island at the moment A. Croudace

Five Kittiwake, two Mediterranean Gull and two 1st winter Common Gull were seen off of Rat Island as the boat came in on 14th. 15-37 Great Black-backed Gull recorded daily, with around 30 Herring Gull apart from a high count of 126 on 17th and occasional low single figures of Lesser Black-backed Gull. Single Cormorant flyovers on 15th and 17th, and singles of Grey Herons  recorded from 15th, of two different individuals.

Three Sparrowhawk and three Kestrel continue to be extremely active around Millcombe in the morning, alongside an occasional Merlin. There have been up to two extra Merlin further north. Some coordinated and studious observation on 17th confirmed that there are in fact eight Kestrel on the island. Singles of different Marsh Harrier migrating northwards very high over the island were recorded on both 14th and 15th. A Short-eared Owl was put up very briefly by Pondsbury on afternoon of 16th but not seen again in the remaining daylight.

Merlin at Jenny's Cove A. Croudace

A trickle of Swallow still with between 27-53 recorded daily and a bit more movement on 17th with 124 milling or departing. Potentially our last Sand Martin was sighted on 14th and 5 House Martin were recorded on 16th and 7 on 17th.

Birding the west coast has been productive in these easterlies, with the highlighta single Yellow-browed Warbler was picked up on a rock at Pilot's Quay. Lots of Chiffchaffs were sheltering from the wind with around 30 recorded across the island on 15th and 16th and a great count of 77 on 16th. The island's first Dusky Warbler was refound on census on both 15th and 16th, although has been extremely elusive, markedly different from it's very vocal arrival on 10th. A low day of eight Blackcap on 14th rose to 46 on 16th.

Up to 11 Firecrest were recorded in this period, although almost all had moved out by 17th when numbers had shrunk to just one in Millcombe. 13 Goldcrest on 14th, around 30 on 15th and 16th, but back down to 16 on 17th. The amazing year for Treecreeper continues, with a ringed bird remaining in Millcombe as well as likely a new fourth bird on the cliffs at Jenny's Cove on 15th. Around 10 Wheatear are recorded daily, almost all on the west.

Four Black Redstart and a single Common Redstart on 14th with three Black Redstart on 16th and 17th nicely spread between North Light, South Light and the Lodge Garden. A wonderful arrival of thrushes on 14th ended up tallying 564 Redwing, 53 Song Thrush, 30 Blackbird, 22 Fieldfare and 14 Ring Ouzel. Peregrine Falcons were constantly stooping on the arriving flocks as they dropped in whilst Sparrowhawks darted amongst the vegetation. Redwing numbers have reduced to 106 on 15th, 78th on 16th and 38 on 17th. Blackbird numbers have been fairly consistent, whilst about half of the Ring Ouzel have lingered for a day or two, including one that was ringed in Millcombe. Some flocks of Starlings have been moving through, with a high count of the autumn of 221 counted on 15th.

Ring Ouzel in the hand in Millcombe - A. Croudace

Finch migration has started with Chaffinch numbers increasing: 49 on 14th, 166 on 15th, 269 on 16th and a big day of passage on 17th with 1463. Four Redpoll on 15th and another on 16th. Brambling singles on 15th and 16th, with 10 on 17th. After a paltry Linnet count of 11 on 14th, counts have bounced back up to just under 100 and 329 on the day of big finch passage on 17th, with most bombing through heading south. 20-30 Siskins daily, and 20-78 Goldfinches.

The sixth Lundy record Olive-backed Pipit has been associating with up to 20 Rock Pipits at Jenny's Cove/Devil's Chimney since 14th, although was not seen on 17th. Interestingly a Tree/Olive-backed Pipit type call has also been heard fleetingly on three consecutive days around the village, but a bird has not been seen on the ground to confirm the species. 

The subtle beauty of an Olive-backed Pipit above Devil's Chimney A. Croudace

The single Snow Bunting was seen on the west again on 15th and 16th. Reed Buntings have become more regular, with up to three recorded daily, mostly at Pondsbury and Quarter Wall as is typical. Finally, another great bird for Lundy was a vis-mig Yellowhammer with Chaffinches over Millcbome on 17th, the ninth (and 3rd autumn) record since 2010 of this species which bred on Lundy until at least the 1950s.