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