By Greg Lee
With clear skies overnight and a slackening of the breeze, it perhaps shouldn’t be a surprise that there was a good arrival of migrants. Perhaps it is a bit too early to call it an Indian Summer, since summer itself only really just ended, but it was a gorgeous early September day with sunshine and plenty of heat. First thing, I joined Ian and Rosie (our Manx Shearwater ringing team) in heading to Millcombe to set the nets up. As we reached the Secret Garden, there was a big flock of Blackcaps in the area, with birds seemingly everywhere in the bushes. What followed was a rather steady September ringing session, with a few Blackcaps moving through. Then, it was time for census, and the main Blackcap flock was relocated at the top of Millcombe, with some Whitethroats. I estimated at least 40 of the former although they seemed to be moving around in a very mobile group. A flyover Dunlin and Ringed Plover were nice, as was a small increase in Willow Warblers but there was little in the way of surprises, although a loafing Sparrowhawk was doing its best to become a public menace to the Starling flock. At the Terrace, it was even busier with around 60 Blackcaps working their way southward along the Quarries. Having experienced falls like this at Sandwich Bay, often, although very magical, discerning other species is difficult amongst the mass of Blackcaps and it was no different here with few other migrants being picked out amongst the ample supply of grey Sylvia warblers. A Clouded Yellow was my first for a couple of days. I’ve been reading recent reports elsewhere of counts of 1000+ of this wonderful butterfly species at some sites; surely this year must be approaching a record total for Lundy?
Willow Warbler at the Terrace by G.Lee
What followed was a rather busy day which saw me heading out on the Butterfly transect in the heat of the afternoon. Although butterflies were in good supply, the main sighting came on the Upper East Path when a large Dragonfly caught my eye. Particularly as this one had grabbed a hapless Red Admiral in flight. However, it then did something that so rarely the large dragonflies do here and it perched. When it did, I realised it had an electric-blue saddle, apple-green eyes and a brown/violet thorax, it was a Lesser Emperor! The first Lundy record of what is an ever-increasing but impressive dragonfly species. Since my previous experience had resulted in some rather poor in-flight shots, I was thrilled to obtain a perched image of this smart insect. Elsewhere, our rather special visitor in the form of a Glossy Ibis was also seen at times today, enjoying the vicinity of Barton Field to admiring viewers including other island staff!
Lesser Emperor by G.Lee