Wildwings and Wanderings: Lundy

Tuesday, 20 May 2014

Lundy

On Sunday I joined Phil, Bun and 214 others for the annual Devon Birds day trip to Lundy. I've been on this trip twice before and on both occasions the weather was awful. This was definitely a case of 'third time lucky'. It was a beautiful sunny day which meant room on deck was at a premium for the trip over on the MV Oldenburg!

Standing room only.

On the trip over we had some good views of Manx Shearwaters and several Harbour Porpoises (and several Common Dolphins on the trip back). I managed to get a couple of shots of the shearwaters although it was pretty tricky standing on a moving boat with lots of people standing in front of me as well! Still definitely the best shots I've ever managed of them...so far.

Manx Shearwater

On arrival the boat did a circuit of the island so we could look at the seabird colonies on the Atlantic side of the island. We got good views of Guillimots, Razorbills and best of all about a dozen Puffins.

Lundy, looking from the northernmost point

Razorbill

Guillemots

Splashdown!

Actually I've included this photo because if you look at the bird on the extreme left of the shot you might notice something a bit different. The Malvolio of the Lundy Guillemot colony? I didn't know a few Guillemots can have yellow legs, apparently they can, well obviously!

Puffin

A real bonus bird just as we entered the landing bay was a Black Guillemot. It was a bit distant though.

Black Guillemot

As soon as we got off the boat Phil made a concerted effort to be first to arrive in Milcombe Valley and it certainly paid off as he saw two Turtle Doves and a Golden Oriole. I was miles behind though and due to my continuing heath problems by the time I'd made it up that very long hill to the Milcombe Valley area I was shattered. So while Phil and Bun ventured further afield I decided to remain in the Milcombe Valley area all day. It wasn't too bad though as I only missed out on a Short Toed Lark. I did see one Turtle Dove and a brief distant view of the female Golden Oriole. No photos of either though as they were definitely only in digiscoping range and I didn't take my scope along. The only other migrants in the valley apart from Swallows and House Martins were a couple of Spotted Flycatchers. The only things I got photos of though were...