Lundy Bird Observatory

Quick, easy but vital #biosecurity steps to take when visiting any important #seabird island such as @lundybirds.bsky.social, @skomerisland.bsky.social, @skokholmisland.bsky.social, @bardseybirdobs.bsky.social, @stkildawhs.bsky.social, @copelandbirdobs.bsky.social & @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social.

A first for Lundy no-less! 👀#birdingUK

Stoked to find a Dusky Warbler in the field on census @lundybirds.bsky.social I followed it up the valley after being drawn to a percussive tacking like call that wasn't a Blackcap in the overgrown Millcombe Pond. It then quickly ended up in a net! @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

Grey-Cheeked Thrush trapped and ringed @lundybirds.bsky.social this morning. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

First-winter Little Gull and 16 Purple Sandpiper from North End today, but both Red-necked and Slavonian Grebes absent. New sightings post just published 👇
lundybirdobs.org.uk

Red-necked and Slavonian Grebes still present in the Landing Bay this AM. Now joined by three adult Great Northern Diver

Slavonian Grebe

Red-necked and Slavonian Grebes 📷 both still present in the Landing Bay today

We spent a week on Lundy, one of the best places we have visited, beautiful, tranquil and exciting.

Slavonian Grebe back of camera shot

Slavonian Grebe 📷 new-in to Landing Bay this morning. Also, Red-necked Grebe and two Great Northern Diver still present

Manx Shearwater (15.26hrs) and first-winter Little Gull (14.17hrs) in with Kittiwakes off SE coast today. Landing Bay Red-necked Grebe and two Great Northern Diver still present @birdguides.bsky.social

Great Northern Diver

New record island count set today when 34(!) Purple Sandpiper flew past North Light 13:03. Also, Red-necked Grebe still present, 2 Great Northern Diver 📷 in Landing Bay and a Snow Bunting at Halfway Wall

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver 📷 and Red-necked Grebe still present in the Landing Bay this afternoon

Agree and consideration of the Nearctic subspecies has been discussed, but realistically full biometrics/DNA required. That said, appeared short-necked and not-outrageously-long-billed when studied in the field.

Lundy was herp-free until recently. The Slow-worm arrival has been recounted by A Rowland (Discovering Lundy, Dec 2012). The occurrence of a Common Toad in May '23 triggered a deep dive into exotic species (LFS Annual Report, 2023), unearthing 3 unsubstantiated Common Lizard records from 1958 & 2000

Common Lizard, 4 Aug 2024 © Andrea May

🚨 New species for Lundy?!

To our amazement, we were recently sent a photo of a Common Lizard photographed on gorse near Rocket Pole back on 4 August 2024(!). How did this arrive on the island? One to keep an eye out for on Lundy over the warmer months ahead...

YouTube video by Lundy Bird Observatory Fulmar on ledges at Jenny's Cove, 12 Jan

Our cliff-nesting seabirds are starting to make sporadic appearances to breeding ledges with spring just around the corner 👀

youtu.be/BNomKISZ6Kw?...

Red-necked Grebe © Joe Parker

Barn Owl © Luke Marriner

Nice start to the birding year on Lundy Bird Obs. 7th island record of Red-necked Grebe (22-23 Jan) and 11th island record of Barn Owl (6 Jan).

Catchup on all the latest island sightings 👇
www.lundybirdobs.org.uk

Having run a field course there for many years, I can vouch for what a wonderful place #Lundy is.

Check out this opportunity if you love #birds.

Thanks, Josh. Fixed link for long-term, residential volunteering opportunities with Lundy Bird Obs below 👇

www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/...

Lundy Bird Observatory Assistant Warden Calling all birders! We are delighted to announce a unique opportunity to become a residential volunteer on a high-profile Bird Observatory. Lundy, a rugged island situated in the Bristol ...

🚨 Applications are open for 2025 Lundy Bird Observatory Asst. Warden positions.

environmentjob.co.uk/volunteering...

✍️ How to apply: Role descriptions and application forms can be downloaded here 👇

www.landmarktrust.org.uk/.../voluntee...

📄 Main duties: daily census, bird ringing & migration counts, seabird productivity monitoring, wider wildlife recording & data collection. Confident ID of breeding and migrant birds essential. Candidates holding an independent BTO bird ringing permit will be ideally placed (i.e C-permit, or above).

🏝️ Immerse yourself in island life while living and working on a high-profile site steeped in wildlife, history and archaeology. We are looking for candidates with enthusiasm, a love for islands, the great outdoors and a flexible, friendly approach to become an integral part of the conservation team.

🚨 Applications have reopened for our volunteer Bird Obs Asst. Warden roles.

🌱 Spring: 3 Mar to 3 Jun
🍁 Autumn: 2 Aug to 24 Oct
🪶 Full season: 3 Mar to 24 Oct

Accommodation & all meals provided free. Full season or shorter stints considered with a minimum commitment of at least two months expected.

Update by Dan Gornall on our Yellow-browed warbler project "1) Mainland Shetland > Carmel Head, Anglesey
2) Lundy > Lower Moors, Scilly. Especially interesting southerly re-orientation from Shetland. Many thanks to the ringers & birders who reported these".
📸Reg Thorpe. @alexanderlees.bsky.social

8 Purple Sandpiper at Brazen Ward earlier today

Pallid Swift

Flight shot of a Pallid Swift with the jetty out of focus in the background

A couple more flights shots of the Pallid Swift, again captured brilliantly by Brennig Hughes

Pallid Swift

Pallid Swift

Pallid Swift

Pallid Swift

Today's Pallid Swift 📷 Brennig Hughes

Thanks to the 300 or so who have followed this account so far. There's still several thousand following the Twitter account so please spread the word about the benefits of Bluesky. #adfree #muskfree #migrantmothuk #teammoth #mothsmatter

Bumping this again for the benefit of new birders here.
Steve’s blog is an excellent introduction to feeds.
Our starter pack (by no means exhaustive) includes some active accounts and busy feeds.