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You're now viewing the old Lundy Bird Observatory blogspot. Explore the new website for all your favourite island news and wildlife updates. If you have sightings to report, please consider sharing your observations or photographs with the Bird Obs team here.

Saturday 26 March 2016

Thu 24 & Fri 25 Mar – Divers, hirundines & tits

Birds on 24th before rain set in included 4 Swallows and 1 Sand Martins flying north, one Chiffchaff, and singles of both Red-throated and Great Northern Diver.

The two divers were still present on Good Friday (25th), along with 8 Teal, a few Swallows and Sand Martins heading north-west, and an increase in Wheatears. The two Long-tailed Tits and single Coal Tit were all still in Millcombe. The Coal Tit is ringed, strongly suggesting that it is one of the birds trapped on Lundy in October 2015 and which has successfully survived the island's stormy winter. Information from Tony Taylor.

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Wed 23 Mar – First Sand Martins & Swallows of 2016

Tony Taylor reports 20 Sand Martins, 10 Swallows, a male Blackcap, plus a few extra Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests "in odd places". These are the first reported hirundines (swallows & martins) of the year so far. Any earlier sightings gratefully received.

Tue 22 Mar – Spring and winter migrants cross paths

As the boat season approaches, Tony Taylor, who arrived on the island on Monday 21st, reports few spring migrants, though there were 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Wheatears and 18 Pied Wagtails on 22nd. Other notable birds have included a variety of migrants with a more wintry flavour, among them a Great Northern Diver, 4 Teal, a Woodcock, 20 Redwing and 4 Fieldfare. Unusual on Lundy at any time of year, and particularly so in spring, were 2 Long-tailed Tits, a Coal Tit and a Mistle Thrush.