Lundy Kick Start - May 2022

Part One 10th-12th May 2022

An operation on my ankle back in October didn’t heal as well as it should have done. This resulted in much reduced mobility for me during the winter and early spring. I was confined to a maximum of one mile a day. With my local birding spots dripping in Ring Ouzels, 16 in one field alone I managed a resounding zero ! Spring birding for me was quiet.

The Lundy trip then was much anticipated but equally a little worrying due to my mobility issue and sure enough the morning I was due to drive down to Devon the ankle did it’s thing again and I could only hobble to the car while Sam packed my luggage. Luckily an automatic car so nothing to do with the left leg and recovery was quick - by the time I reached the Tims’ in North Devon I was only sporting a mild limp. I set out from Ilfracombe under the watchful gaze of Verity - windy but a beautifully sunny day and so it begins.

Tuesday 10 May - I set out from Ilfracombe under the watchful gaze of Verity - It was a lumpy crossing force six but full sunshine helped as did a raft of about 200 Manx Shearwaters as we got closer to Lundy. It was hard enough to stand up on the boat let alone aim a camera at them. The camera’s stabilisation was better than mine and after much wobbling about I did manage to get the best pictures of Shearwaters on a crossing in 45 years.

Setting foot (even a bad one) on Lundy is always a massive thrill. There followed a gentle day’s birding with the usual suspects including a nice White Wagtail in Barton field. Much of the day was spent chasing Skylarks, Stonechats and Linnets.

White Wagtail

Linnet

Stonechat

Wednesday 11 May - another sunny day with winds WSW started with a Hobby dashing through Millcombe and heading directly to the mainland. Millcombe Valley had a couple of Spotted Flycatchers which were my first for the year. A pair of Whitethroats were prospecting around the Ugly. Millcombe was resplendent in the sunshine.

Always a treat to see Spotted Flycathers, given their dramatically declining populations in the UK. Another first for the year as I saw my first Swift. Again more gentle birding with no great revelations, but a lovely day and the ankle was doing well !

Thursday 12 May - wind direction shifted to WNW and there was a hint of anticipation. More Spotted Flycatchers in Millcombe, a toal of six birds and a Lesser Redpoll by Smelly Pond feeding on and in the Goat Willows. Then I guess what could be a Lundy tick in the form of a Hooded Crow now split as a separate species so if I knew where my list was I could add one to it.

I spent quite sometime trying to capture the T shaped tail pattern of Northern Wheatear.

After a good deal of trying I finally managed it ---- now we need one without this T shape ! Surely a Black-eared is on the cards ?

Starlings are doing well on the island and it appears Lundy is one of just a handful of places in the UK that is recording an increase in breeding population, most being static or declining.

Continuing with tail patterns I next tried my luck with Skylarks.

Ravens are resident on Lundy and have their critics but for me they are a top bird. Character abounds and combined with their aerial acrobatics make them an absolute favourite for me.

and in the eye of a Raven (also Odin's favourite) there is reflection to see - here the east side fence line.

The Oldenburgh came and went, it remained sunny and I recorded an 18.5 k day with the ankle.

Watching from the east side a Peregrine was hunting and stooped at some potential victim.

the fist few days then ..... and more to follow Friday the 13th .... Hmmmm some good island sightings but not for me.

Lundy Part 2 - a hint of Siberia

16 - 20 October 2021 - afternoon of Saturday 16th, post Red-eyed Vireo

After the surprise visit of an American vagrant the late morning continued with light to moderate southerly winds which once again made it feel unseasonably mild for an autumn Lundy trip - remarkably all my clothing was dry. Back to Government house for a belated second breakfast and as I approached the "blue door copse"( a slight exaggeration ) but it describes where it is, there was a Spotted Flycatcher feeding from the tops of a sycamore.

Spotted Flycatchers are always a joy to see on migration especially as they are declining in much of their range. This bird was feeding actively and no doubt preparing itself for it's southward journey to spend the winter in Africa. Always amazing to think of the harsh journey it will encounter to arrive there and hopefully return to the UK next spring.

My ankle was improving fast but I restricted myself to birding in Millcombe. As I emerged from what turned into lunch the first bird I saw was the Red-eyed Vireo just by the top end of path in scrub opposite the plantation.Brilliant ! now a chance to get some close up images and ditch the heavily cropped pics from Smelly Gully. Hmm with that thought I took a couple of steps forward and never saw it again.

So birding continued in Millcombe and I was lucky enough to encounter Jacques and Rob just as they were processing what they believed to be a Siberian Chiffchaff. I have always loved warblers which I guess is a consequence of starting my real birding life when living on Lundy (1978-1980). They are the real spirit of the island for me and while aware of the Siberean race it was about a decade or so ago that my friend Tom Bedford had us relentlessly chasing a bird which he believed showed tristris (Siberian) characteristics. So it was great to see a potential individual in the hand and still, rather than fleeting glimpses up and down a knackering St Helen's Copse. Siberian Chiffchaff is one of the five sub species of Common Chiffchaff though thoughts on this are continually changing and it may become a full species in it's own right one day. There is much detailed literature on the origins of tristris and interbreeding with other subsidies which combined with dna is giving a clearer picture and equally sometimes (due to residual dna) more complicated picture. So leaving that aside I asked Jacques what he thought made this bird a tristris candidate. I was then treated to the "Jacques masterclass"

So overall it has grey-brown upper parts (no hint of greeney olive on crown or mantle), white/creamy underparts and a rusty buff tinge to the supercilium. Browny "tobacco" like ear coverts. Also after some research books indicate a whitish lower eyelid which can be seen in this bird. There are more more detailed subtleties but this was enough for my brain. When released it gave a Dunnock or often described as bullfinch type call, monosyllabic and quite different to Common Chiffchaff.

... and a bit later in complete contrast ; the ever elegant and comparatively gaudy Grey Wagtail

After Millcombe it was another walk around South End up past the Water Tanks and on to the Terraces - my first decent proper trek. I felt good, the ankle was near repaired and I headed out with optimism that the ankle was sorted for the rest of the trip. Hmmm little did I know! However for the time being I was entertained by a stunning Common Redstart by the Water Tanks and a Black Redstart in Stoneycroft garden.

Here is a Black Redstart on the picnic table at Stoneycroft.

Poking around the Water Tanks was my first Common Redstart of the trip which was playing a game of cat and mouse with me, never showing fully and when it did come out it had a trick up it's auxiliaries by perching on a wire in order to obscure me getting the shot I wanted.

If I had hours to spend in photoshop and actually knew what I was doing I guess I could remove the offending wire, but I'll stick to my motto of "more than a minute - bin it" approach to any editing.

While looking at the two Black Redstarts flying west to the wall leading up to Stoneycroft, I spied the Common Redstart again and went in pursuit. It was feeding on caterpillars and was difficult to approach so I left it to fatten up.

The day ended as it begun for me, in Millcombe, and as the sun set it produced a great effect on the flagpole at the Ugly as it had done for many days.

Sunday 17th October - South End and to the Terraces, I was walking like a racing snake! in fact several people commented on my gait and speed and it was while on the Terraces I received a text from Tim Jones who had just seen a Great White Egret, and was giving precise directions of it as it flew over Millcombe/landing Bay and headed out to sea. The perfect directions and for once an immediate signal had me watching the bird until it was just a dot leaving Lundy. A Lundy tick for me, and only the second ever record for the Island after last year's sighting of three birds heading north past the Terraces. Nice!

At Quarter Wall Quarry a Black Redstart was feeding, another first me, "a location first" this time for Black Red in this spot.

I spent much of the rest of the day kicking round south end, trying to re locate a Common Redstart that Tim Davis had just two meters away from him at South West Point, and without a wire in sight! I failed. But Ravens as ever at Benji's Chair put on a great display.

So with South End being my home for the majority of this trip ---- here are a few images

and a couple from the phone........

here akin to a scene from "the wicker man"

I returned to Government House with thoughts of Pondsbury, and a full day's birding with photography to follow tomorrow -

Monday 18th October and penultimate day on the island. A short walk outside Government House and it was clear the weather had taken a turn for the worse. It was breezy, and there was drizzle, so I took a turn around the Ugly where Tim Jones and I were treated to some heavy duty Peregrine action, as two adult birds decided to give one of the immature birds a right seeing off. All too fast for me, until after the action as one bird cruised past to alight in St Helen's.

The drizzle turned heavier, fog started to arrive and my ankle went again.

Tuesday 19th October - our designated day to leave. An early morning belt of thunder felt like it was directly above Government house and awoke everyone on the island. The ensuing westerly gale force winds cancelled the boat and the low cloud base cancelled the helicopter. I recovered, quite quickly this time, with the weather being an excuse to stay in.

Last day Wednesday 20th October - we had been allocated first flight on the helicopter, so it was a quick dash to Millcombe early am where Tim Jones found a Red-breasted Flycatcher perched in front of him in Millcombe Wood. It then disappeared, but we were able to get good but brief views in the rain, just before departing for the mainland via my favoured mode of transport.

James Diamond (left) and Tim Jones on board for the jump to Hartland Point.........

A great trip all in all and luckily I didn't miss a major rarity north of Half Way Wall! I shall have lasting memories of Redwings pouring into Millcombe Valley, the sound and sight of Siskins covering Millcombe and being seen in most parts of the island, the Red-eyed Vireo and opportunities for photography in the unseasonably mild weather.

Postscript ...........

Surgery on ankle appears to have been very successful. I'll be fully mobile again in a few weeks if all goes according to plan. Can't wait........

An unseasonable Lundy autumn....

12 October 2021

I have missed the last few autumns on Lundy in favour of the milder spring visits, however these last few pre summer visits have resulted in gales, being soaked to the skin and isolation restrictions while on Lundy so it was with positive anticipation I arrived on the island this autumn. I was in good company with Tims Davis, Tim Jones and James Diamond. A calm crossing was eventful by Lundy standards with Red-throated Diver, 12 Common Scoter , a Purple Sandpiper circling the boat and many auks.

It was mild on approach to the island but sadly my ankle had given out and it was time for a first - up the beach road in the Landrover ! Unable to do more than a hobble and I have to admit my spirits were low. The thought of rarities at Pondsbury and Middle Park lowered my morale and I felt some trepidation over a trip I'd been long looking forward to. Consequently few photos were taken this day and I spent too long indoors with the overly familiar "icepack"

Wednesday 13 October - a bit of ankle recovery which allowed me some time in Millcombe. Reports from the early morning vis mig by the lads recounted Redwings a go go with some 850 logged in the first hour or so. Even from the confines of Government House doorway I could see it was a big day for thrush migration.

Many hundreds were flying straight over the island but Millcombe Valley also had loads dropping in for a feed....

A single Firecrest ( there were three recorded during the day ) was in Millcombe Wood - not an obliging individual and it took a while to get a reasonable picture. But with my mobility compromised I enjoyed the challenge.

The weather was ridiculously mild with temperatures hitting 18 degrees. Gentle winds and good visibility - hardly Lundy in October. Reports from further north on the island, unattainable for me, of Jack Snipe and Common Snipe at Pondsbury has me bemoaning my ankle.

14 October 2021

I awoke to mobility. Swelling down and significantly better movement though not quite "Bolt like" . Light to moderate south west winds with sunny spells for most of the day going overcast later pm but still a steady flow of Redwings and Siskins. The ringers (Rob Duncan et al) had caught a Water Rail while I was birding in Millcombe. A male that responded to the tape instantly .........

The mild weather had Red Admiral butterflies basking in the sunshine around the South End

Peregrine activity round the south end had been fairly frantic with numerous attempts at Redwings, interaction with Carrion Crows and the usual spate with Ravens - here a juvenile.

15 October 2012

I awoke to a calm and sunny day. My route was a significantly faster and more normal bipedal walk round south end up to Stoneycroft. It felt good to be properly mobile again, even though Pondsbury felt a stretch too far. At Stoneycroft I encountered 2 Black Redstarts feeding round a Tractor.

Wren trying to get in on the Black Red's worm fest

It was so mild there were even some late passage Painted Ladies around the south west fields.

On the Airfield as I headed (remarkably) further North a Sika exploded from near the Water Tanks and I'm not sure who was more surprised........

The Siskin fest was continuing and these two birds were happily feeding in Quarry Pond, in fact the island was fairly alive with the buzz and activity of Siskins all over.

A great day, I missed a Marsh Harrier but mobility was returning, plus a decent moon - what would tomorrow bring ?

16th October 2021

A classic Lundy sunrise and early morning birding in Millcombe.

With Siskins order of the day the relative silence was broken by the shout of " Red-eyed Viero " Rob Duncan's call of this bird had all of us racing towards the walled gardens, well in my case a sedate walk. Jacques Turner-Moss had just found a Red-eyed Vireo albiet it fleetingly. After some nerve racking minutes the birds was back in view in Smelly Gully and while elusive and distant it did sit out occasionally to bask in the morning sun..... nice one Jacques.

This was Lundy's 10th record and my third on the island. A wonderful American long distance vagrant leaves the U.S. and Canada each autumn to spend winter in the Amazon basin of South America. This particular bird had a very short tail possibly indicating it had lost all it's tail feathers post fledging and now re growing. A great find by Jacques.

Part 2 to follow ............................ with a faintly Siberian feel