Robust winds have prohibited any ringing this week. Regardless of the massive westerly climate methods of late, Luke managed to uncover a Yellow-breasted Bunting between the pigsty and airfield associating with Meadow Pipits. It is a fowl breeding within the far east, Siberia, and is the third file for Lundy after two within the Nineteen Eighties. The massive hole in information adopted the species’ catastrophic collapse in vary and inhabitants attributable to huge over-harvesting (for meals) within the wintering grounds, significantly in China. As a very thrilling file, a small twitch assembled on the twenty sixth, however sadly it hasn’t reappeared for anybody apart from Luke, the unique finder.
 |
| Mega file of a primary winter Yellow-breasted Bunting with a Meadow Pipit. © Luke Marriner |
At the very least one Pink-eyed Vireo has remained in Millcombe, together with one ringed Wryneck, each seen on the twenty sixth. The Rose-coloured Starling seems to have left us now, with no sightings within the week for the reason that twentieth.
 |
| Ringed Pink-eyed Vireo in Smelly Gully. © Angus Croudace |
At the very least two Water Rail are nonetheless heard calling every day in Millcombe, with a person heard up close to Quarters as effectively on the twenty sixth. A single Ringed Plover which seems to have been round many of the month was once more picked up calling over the east/Millcombe. A Turnstone was seen from the Touchdown Bay on the twenty sixth. Two Gray Heron are nonetheless current.
A seawatch from the fort within the very windy Storm Agnes on the twenty seventh produced round 80 every of Nice Black-backed Gull and Gannet heading south down the east coast after which turning into the wind on the fort, in addition to two Cormorant, a single Manx Shearwater and most excitingly a single Balearic Shearwater which is the primary of the yr for Lundy. Lesser Black-backed Gull have began to be picked up somewhat extra this week, with 4 on the twenty fourth, and 17 on the twenty sixth.
A feminine Sparrowhawk remains to be seen usually between Previous Mild and the village, in addition to alongside the east coast. At the very least two Kestrel and three Peregrine are additionally nonetheless seen usually.
The small hirundine trickle continues, and we’re nonetheless shocked to not have had an enormous day of passage but, particularly seeing as not too far-off on the mainland there have been some giant actions recorded. The twenty sixth noticed our highest totals for the reason that twenty second, with 120 Swallow, 7 Sand Martin and 11 Home Martin.
Millcombe has been a lot quieter for the reason that Blackcap fall final week, with 15 Blackcaps left on the twenty fourth and simply two on the twenty seventh. One Chiffchaff has remained within the decrease backyard, and counts of Goldcrest south of Quarter wall have been round a dozen every day. One Ring Ouzel was picked up on the twenty fourth and twenty fifth. A Noticed Flycatcher has been current for the reason that twenty fifth, with one other on the terrace on the twenty sixth. About twelve Crossbills had been reported flying low over Millcombe on the twenty sixth. Above Millcombe a Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail stay in Barton’s Discipline, and one Gray Wagtail additionally flew overhead on the twenty sixth.
 |
| Noticed Flycatcher, Millcombe © Angus Croudace |
