Bird Sightings

Welcome arrival of 173 Willow Warbler this morning, most filtering their way down into Millcombe and feeding across the valley. Eight Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Sedge and a Reed Warbler accompanied the action and a trickle of Swallow pressed south, as well as a Sand Martin and 5 House Martin. The juvenile Grey Heron continued to linger around Pondsbury for another day. Unfortunately conditions were too breezy to open any mist-nets despite the fresh arrival of migrants, and the murk has set in for the night. Break into your best rain dance - the island is still in desperate need of a good drenching!

Juvenile Peregrine © Joe Parker

Juvenile Willow Warbler © Joe Parker

Photos have been shared on a Lundy Facebook group confirming a juvenile Ruff was present at Pondsbury on 9th & 10th August - the post can be viewed on the public group here. Little happening today with force 5 to 6 south-westerlies countering any passerine movements. The damp and dull day was not inspiring for a venture far, but the juvenile Grey Heron was still frequenting Pondsbury and a single Swift battled south. Forecast looking promising from Tuesday onwards, swinging easterly by Thursday!

Wheatear © Joe Parker

Slow going first thing with a lone Swift making the journey south via Quarry Cottages. Two juvenile Blackcap were feeding in Smelly Gully, accompanied by 3 Willow Warbler flitting around the lee of The Ugly. The juvenile Peregrines are becoming more confident on the wing, now regularly seen hurtling towards post-breeding Starling flocks around Ackland's Moor and Old Light. The juvenile Grey Heron continues to skulk around Pondsbury / Punchbowl Valley area and a feeding flock of 16 Gannet circled the east coast while 3,492 Manx Shearwater were moving north during a one hour watch from Gannet's Rock.

Juvenile Peregrine © Joe Parker

Juvenile Grey Heron © Joe Parker

A modest push of hirundines and Swift at 1pm saw 39 Swift, 6 Swallow, 10 Sand and 3 House Martin all push south in the space of 30 minutes. The juvenile Grey Heron is still kicking about, picked up moving north over Quarry Cottages while seeing in the Oldenburg at midday and a flying ant emergence was drawing in a crowd in the Landing with 78 Herring, 6 Lesser Black-backed and 4 Great Black-backed all capitalising on the new food source. The final Kittiwake nests have now all fledged, leaving only the Fulmars as our remaining cliff-nesters still feeding young. Sadly the thick fog put a stop to any potential Storm Petrel ringing last night, although the winds are picking up again somewhat over the weekend opening up another window to get out seawatching. Late report from guests of a possible Ruff at Pondsbury yesterday evening.

Swift (taken 17 May) © J Parker