Angus recounts a powerful October week on the island.
One other week of excessive
SW winds other than Saturday eighth which was extraordinarily calm and sunny in
distinction.
The previous week has been a bit quieter on the sightings entrance,
with decrease migrant passage and lots of birds hunkering down out of the wind and
rain. This all modified on Saturday, when wings as soon as once more stuffed the air, and a
mega-rare deal with awaited the conservation group…
Water Rail have as soon as once more been heard calling in Smelly
Gully, with two birds on Saturday night and one other on the morning census on
the ninth. A complete of twenty-two Oystercatcher had been recorded across the whole
shoreline while surveying for seals on the ninth. A single Manx
Shearwater in addition to a Sooty Shearwater had been picked up on a sea
watch from South West Level on the eighth.
A Black-tailed Godwit was discovered feeding in
Pondsbury on the third. Two Golden Plover had been seen flying in off of
the ocean by the quarry hospital on the sixth, with three current on the seventh and
then 4 flying collectively on the eighth. No less than one hen remained on the ninth. A
very drained juvenile Ringed Plover was found within the touchdown bay
on the fifth, permitting individuals to strategy extraordinarily intently. It was helped over
to the strandline to feed on bugs among the many seaweed, however was nonetheless trying
fairly drained when resighted on the seaside street on the sixth. Single Snipe had been
recorded on the seventh, eighth and ninth. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew
over on the ninth, the primary for a number of weeks, and 4 Cormorants flew
over the south west of the island on the eighth.
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine and Merlin all
proceed to be seen most days, and most had been exhibiting significantly effectively on the
sunny Saturday, with two Peregrines hovering excessive above the fortress and
three seen on Sunday too. A Pink Kite was seen drifting north from
South West level on the eighth.
14 Redwing had been heard flying over on the seventh and
12 had been seen on the eighth. Earlier within the week a Treecreeper was seen on
the third, two Chiffchaffs on the fifth, a Pied Flycatcher on
the sixth, a Tree Sparrow on the seventh and a few Blackcap every
day had been the highlights of a quite quiet week. Skylarks had nonetheless
been seen in respectable quantity on the fifth and sixth with 10 and 15 respectively and
there have been six Stonechat on the sixth. We hold pondering that we’ve
presumably seen the final Wheatear however some extra people carry on
filtering by, with one of many 4th and one on the sixth. There was additionally some
increased numbers of Starlings this week, with 300 recorded on the fifth.
The gorgeous climate on Saturday eighth led to many extra birds
passing over and thru, together with 30 Skylarks, 4 Sand
Martin, 300 Swallows, 200 Home Martin, 31 Meadow Pipit, two Yellow
Wagtail and two Gray Wagtail. In Millcombe there have been 50 Goldcrest,
seven Blackcap, 14 Wren, eight Blackbird and 5 Dunnock.
It was additionally day for finches with eight Chaffinch, 17 Goldfinch,
17 Siskin and 18 Linnet. The spotlight of the day
(/week/yr?!) got here at 2.30pm when a Baltimore Oriole was found
within the willows beneath Authorities by volunteer Angus. An extremely putting
grownup male, this hen is a unbelievable report for the UK (twenty seventh hen, third grownup
male). This week’s sighting is now the third report and 4th particular person for Lundy,
with one in 1958 and two birds (one deceased) in 1967. The primary report for
Lundy was additionally the primary for Britain. All have been early-mid October. The hen
was watched for quarter-hour earlier than being relocated and watched for an hour at
5.30pm by the entire conservation group.
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| Baltimore Oriole, Millcombe © Tom Wright |
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| Baltimore Oriole, Millcombe © Angus Croudace |
Sunday ninth began with pretty gentle winds earlier than stronger
speeds from the south constructed up later within the day. A Music Thrush was
seen in Millcombe in addition to a Firecrest, three Chiffchaff, and
single Noticed Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher and Tree Pipit!
Sunday was additionally day for finches with 5 Chaffinch, 14 Goldfinch,
39 Siskin, 67 Linnet and single Lesser Redpoll and Greenfinch.
There have been giant numbers of Meadow Pipit too, with a excessive rely of
79. The Rosy-Colored Starling continues to be current after evading
sightings for a number of days on the finish of final week and starting of this week.
There was additionally a Yellow-browed Warbler within the Sycamore by Authorities
on the ninth, and each birds helped entertain a few of the ~25 guests who got here
to twitch the Baltimore Oriole. Sadly the clear skies and beneficial
winds of the evening earlier than probably led to the departure of the Oriole so
quickly after it had arrived.
Contributors: S Cossey, R Ellis, A Croudace, T Wright, M
Thorne, M Bailey