By Greg Lee
Census today with the easterly breeze still being quite strong but since it has been so conducive for birds over the past week, there was no hesitation to get out. Census itself was a little quiet for the majority, although the Herring Gull flock was the highest I had seen for a while with c.210 birds feeding on the fields. The highlight came late on though with a female Whinchat hanging around the Soil Pile in Tillage Field, the first for the year of this somewhat scarce spring migrant to Lundy. Feeling somewhat pleased, I then went back to the office to finish off the rarity forms that we had collected over the past week, hearing a couple of Dunlins as they flew over the Tavern.
Whinchat by G. Lee
Later on, I decided to take advantage of the day and took to birding, being joined by Emma, on a route around the Lower East Path. As we arrived at Millcombe, a Lesser Whitethroat feeding in the Bramble scrub was a nice sight, with the bird showing well. Elsewhere, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Dunnock in song gave good learning opportunities to Emma, who picked it up well as we walked on. Although it threatened to rain, there was a strange mugginess to the air as the day grew on. A second Lesser Whitethroat was also loitering in Secret Garden, another good bird for the day. After a trip to the Terrace, heading back along the village we had a Yellow Wagtail near the Lambing shed followed by the bizarre sight of now four Collared Doves loitering on the roof of Barton Cottages, with a total of six being recorded today. Also notable was a good number of butterflies, with Red Admirals seemingly flying everywhere along with intermittent sightings of Painted Ladies.
Lesser Whitethroat by G,Lee
However, surprises can happen anytime on Lundy and today certainly provided one when a group of birdwatchers discovered a Western Bonelli's Warbler feeding in Millcombe Pines early evening! Despite showing well and thankfully calling, it was all too brief and the bird disappeared and couldn't be relocated, although a Spotted Flycatcher in Millcombe was appreciated. Additionally, a Hobby spotted flying along the West Coast was another year-tick for the island and a good record of this migratory Falcon.
Western Bonelli's Warbler by A.Saunders