BIRDS RECORDED IN 1963 The season of 1963 was a successful one and we had a visit from a school party on a field expedition and a group from Exeter

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1 BIRDS RECORDED IN 1963 The season of 1963 was a successful one and we had a visit from a school party on a field expedition and a group from Exeter University as well as a keen climbing group from the Outward Bound School in Devon. Dr and Mrs Hawkins made a careful list of the plants they found between 13th and 18th August. The migration of Dragonflies was a most interesting and unusual sight to be able to record, while the finding of the dead Peregrine was a great disappointment. The full description of the Bimaculated Lark is included in this report, making another Lundy contribution to the British List. Thanks are due to Mr Dudley Iles for assisting in the autumn and to Jill Bowdler for cooking so well, under stress! Red-throated Diver. A single record of one off the east side on 14th March. Little Grebe. One on Pondsbury from 6th to 18th April (D. B. JLES). Manx Shearwater. H eard regularly from 13th April up to early September but never in very great numbers. Flocks were seen offshore on many evenings in June and July but never more than up to twenty-five. No evidence of breeding. Fulmar. Present all year round and bred successfully on Gannet's Rock and at Jenny's Cove, where there were thirteen pairs. Lone birds were sitting on ledges just north of Devil's Chimney and at two points near North End, but breeding of these birds was not apparent. Rarely recorded after mid-september. Gannet. Small numbers seen regularly but most in late August and September. Last seen on 18th September. Cormorant. Small numbers were seen between 16th a nd 24th Apri l, the most being five on 22nd. Four birds on I Oth, 14th and 28 th September. No evidence of breeding. Shag. Present all year. N umbcrs building up during March and decreasing after early August. No breeding census made but roughly ninety pairs. Heron. Single birds recorded on 24th July and 27th August. Mallard. Eight to ten birds present at the beginning of the season and pairs were seen at most of the ponds on the Island, although breeding was only proved on Rocket Pond and Duck's Pen. Only two broods appeared to reach maturity, but by the end of the season up to nineteen were being recorded with a maximum of twenty-three on 16th September. Teal. Single bi rds recorded towards the end of August on 20th and 21st, with three on 31st. One on 21st September. Irregularly during October and November, with five on 2nd December. Wigeon. One present o n Pondsbury on 17th and 24th November. Tufted Duck. One female on the sea off Miller's Cake on 5th April. Eider Duck One seen off North End on 25th April (J. HARMAN) and a single bird seen off the coast irregu larly until 14th June. Buzzard. A pair present all year but three were reported in mid-may (HERR MACK). A nest with two eggs was found on 27th May but by 26th June these were smashed, perhaps by crows or tbe birds themselves after hatching had failed. Sparrow Hawk. One bird seen o n 28th May (R. CuvE). Hen Harrier. A female along East Side on 5th November and a male and female over Ackland's Moor on 6th. Peregrine. Seen regularly at the eyrie between 6th and 17th April, with two on 12th. One 7th to 9th May. A single bird on four occasions between 29th August and 6th September. From the remains of prey in the eyrie, swallows seemed to have formed a large part of their diet. Merlin. A female on 31st March. A single bird from 7th to 9th and on 12th April. A single bird irregularly during September and one on 15th November. 8

2 Kestrel. Recorded all year, generally up to three birds but up to five during September. Two pairs probably bred but no nest was found although a family party was seen off the East Side in July. P heasant. Recorded all year, up to seven being the most seen at one time. Three cock birds were seen together and a gift of three hens and a cock were released in October. Water Rail. Birds seen from 18th September onwards in Millcombe Stream but not more than two recorded. Corncrake. Single birds recorded on 12th, 13th and 20th April and 2nd May. Then again on 5th, 6th and 14th September and on 6th and 7th October. Oystercatcher. Small numbers seen all year, fifteen on 20th September being the maximum. About eight to ten pairs bred. Lapwing. Only small numbers in the spring with no large movement, the most was fifteen on 22nd March. About eight pairs bred, the first nests being found on 15th April. Very few during the autumn and none recorded after mid November. Ringed Plover. Two on loth April. One on 26th August and regularly between loth and 16th September, with a peak of four on 12th. Grey Plover. One on 19th September (A. J. VrcKERY). Golden Plover. Comparatively few. Small numbers in March and April with peaks of eight on 15th and fifteen on 23rd to 25th March, fi ve on 15th and 29th April. Irregularly one or two until mid-may. One or two from end of August to end of September, but with nine on 19th. Odd ones for the rest of season. Turnstone. Recorded irregularly throughout the year in ones a nd twos, but the largest number recorded was eig ht on J 6th April. A few were found on the rocks of most beaches when one climbed down to them. Snipe. Up to two recorded in Ma rch and April to 3rd May, then seen regularly from 23rd August to end of season, most often during September but not more than three. Woodcock. T hree o n 13th March a nd then no ne reco rded until autumn when there were single bi rds occasionally during October. Curlew. Very small numbers in March a nd April up to 11th May. A flock of ten was present in mid-june. Up to three seen from mid-august to end of September, but with nine on 28th and 29th August. No breeding. Whimbrel. Eight on 21st March and up to three from mid-april, then numbers increasing until seventeen were present between 6th and 16th May. A lone bird stayed well on into June. Only up to two recorded from 23rd August to 21st September. Black-tailed Godwit. One on Landing Beach on 24th and 25th September (D. CooK and A. J. VJCKERY). Green Sandpiper. One on Pondsbury from 16th to 23rd August. Common Sandpiper. One between 11th and 19th April with three on 15th. Two on 23rd August and one on 16th September. Greenshank. One between 6th and 11th April. Again, between 16th and 27tll August with two on 21st and 24th. One on 1st and 2nd September. Dunlin. Two on loth and 11th April. Nine on 4th May and one on 20th and 21st. One occasionally during mid-august and mid-september. Ruff. One on 4th April. Arctic Skua. Two seen off West Side on 20th April (D. B. TLEs). Great Black-backed Gull. Present all year but only about ten after the end of August. No apparent increase in breeding numbers. 9

3 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Present all year but numbers decreasing to about fifty by loth September. Breeding in usual colonies at Three Quarter Wall and North East End, with a few scattered amongst the herring gull colonies. Herring Gull. Present all year with a marked decrease after breeding season. On 22nd March gulls were seen moving towards Lundy from Hartland direction at about 1,500 feet in groups of from four to twelve. The first eggs were found on 26th April. Black-headed Gull. One on 1st and 2nd September. [A strange gull seen between 1st and 2nd September may have been an odd form of this species]. Kittiwake. Present all year but seldom seen after mid-august. F irst eggs were found on 30th May. No change in breeding numbers was noted. Common or Arctic Tern. A single bird in Landing Bay on 11th September and later, three on 12th, one on 28th and two on 15th October. Razorbill. Rafts first seen on 13th March and regularly on the ledges from 29th April. First eggs were found on 26th May. Birds started leaving towards the end of July and none were left by early August. Guillemot. Arrival and departure followed the same pattern as razorbill and first eggs were seen on the same date. No change in numbers was noted. Puffin. Birds were first seen on 16th April and then regularly until the end of July. There were the usual colonies at North End and the Battery with small scattered groups from Dead Cow Poi nt to north of Jenny's Cove. An unusual gathering of birds was noticed at the Battery on most evenings of the first week in July. Normally only a dozen or so could be found, but on these occasions up to sixty were counted (D. RAW ES). A check count at known "puffin-spots" on one of these evenings revealed an island total of 132. No increase in breeding numbers was noted. Stock Dove. A single bird around Brickfield between 6th and loth September. Wood Pigeon. Up to seven recorded regularly but eighteen between 6th and 11th April and fourteen on 8th May. Larger numbers more regularly during the autumn, with twenty-five on 28th and 29th August and twenty-one on 9th and twenty-six on 17th September. A few pairs bred. Turtle Dove. Four between 7th and loth May. Single Birds on 15th and 17th with four again on 27th, building up to twelve by 31st and down to five by 13th June. Three birds were seen until 13th July. Single birds on irregular dates between 30th August and 18th September. Collared Dove. Two on 22nd May and single birds on 26th and 27th. Cuckoo. Up to two recorded from 19th April to 14th June, but with three on 2nd and four on 5th May. Single birds on 2nd and 9th September. Short-eared Owl. A single one recorded on Pondsbury Moor from 7th to 17th October. Swift. First one on 19th April and then in sma ll numbers up to twenty until the end of June. Occasionally during July and single birds on.loth and 11th September. Hoopoe. One seen every day between 8th and 11th May and from 16th to 22nd August (G. F. and P. E. HAWKINS). Wryneck. One caught on 14th September (M. P. TAYLOR). Skylark. Present all year and breed ing in usual numbers, increasing towards end of September with flocks of twenty-seven on 20th and forty-three on 22nd. Flocks were present on stubble until mid-november. Swallow. Single birds on 29th and 31st March and then regularly to 16th April, with peaks of two hundred on 15th and 17th and two hundred and fifty on 22nd, three hundred on 23rd April, between 9th and 12th May up to three hundred daily, then two hundred on 15th and five hundred on 17th. A small 10

4 movement at the end of the month with a hundred on 26th and seventy on 27th. Birds started returning by end of August but the largest numbers were in mid September with a thousand on 12th and five hundred on 14th and 15th, then two hundred and fifty on 28th and three hundred on 29th, with occasional birds in October. A pair bred in the Shipwright Shed. House Martin. First seen were two on 11th April, then up to ten until end of the month. Regularly to 17th May with fifty on 2nd, a hundred on 17th and five on 27th. F ive on 28th August, then up to ten regularly between 11th and 21st September. Sand Martin. Single birds on 29th and 31st March, then numbers up to forty during April but a hundred on 25th and 29th. Small numbers during May. Returning birds from end of August until mid-september, with most at a hundred on 12th and 14th. Raven. Present all year, eight being the largest number counted in the Spring but up to twelve during the Autumn. Three pairs bred. A late nest was found on 6th April with four eggs and another was laid by 7th, but by loth the eggs had disappeared and two carrion crows were at the nest. Carrion Crow. Up to twenty-two recorded all year with no apparent change in numbers. Breeding took place. Jackdaw. Three above the Church on 15th and four on 19th March. One or two recorded irregularly until 25th May. Wren. Only one recorded, on the terraces on a few dates in April, but a family party was seen in Millcombe in mid-june and then up to a maximum of seven on 22nd September for the remainder of the year. Mistle Thrush. A single bird on 9th and loth April. Fieldfare. A single one on 19th and 20th March. A few towards the end of October with nine on 29th and then occasionally in November. Song Thrush. Up to four in March but then only one or two until 17th April. A single bird on 29th August and loth September, then regularly from 23rd October when thirty we re counted. None bred, although one was singing in Millcombe unti l mid-a pril. Redwing. Sin gle birds on 14th and 16th March. Occasionally between 9th and 13th Apri l (these birds were extremely dark. perhaps Icelandic race) and one on 17th May. Larger nocks in the Autumn from 23rd October when there were five hundred present but onl y up to thirty thereafter. Ring Ouzel. Eight on 8th April, one on 9th and two on 18th. A male on 28th August and single birds up to 5th September and between 20th and 22nd. Blackbird. Regularly recorded in small numbers and only about six or seven pairs bred. No real increase noted until mid-october, when numbers reached reached a maximum of three hundred on 23rd. Wheatear. Present in very small numbers until 30th March when twenty were present, then fifty on 7th April, quickly dropping to eight. An increase again in May with thirty on 7th and twenty on 9th. Autumn numbers were higher with most between 8th and 23rd September, with fifty on 8th, twenty on 12th and twenty-five on 14th. Single birds noted into early October. Only three or four pairs bred. Whinchat. One on 24th April and four on 9th May, with up to three between 12th and 15th. Single birds recorded on 27th August and up to loth September. A good movement took place between 11th and 26th September with ten on 14th, 15th and 20th. Redstart. Up to three between 12th and 24th April and two on 17th May. Regularly up to four between 28th August and 23rd September with five on 12th. Black Redstart. One on 23rd May. Up to three around the Old Light and Graveyard between 19th and 26th October. ll

5 Nightingale. One seen in Millcombe on 17th April (M Rs. KEAST) and snatches of song heard on 20th and 22nd. Robin. Only one or two until 24th April. Winter numbers built up from 1st September, to eight by 22nd. About five birds stayed over Winter. None bred. Grasshopper Warbler. Single birds on 19th and 20th, with five on 23rd and eight on 24th April. Irregularly in September but eight on 22nd, mainly in Quarter Wall Reeds. Sedge Warbler. Two seen on 22nd April and then regularly until 26th, when ten were present. Up to four every day between 2nd and 19th May. Odd birds towards the end of August until three on 8th September, five on 14th and twelve on 22nd. Aquatic Warbler. One on 3rd May (HERR MAcK) and one caught on 13th September. Melodious/Icterine Warbler. Single birds between 11th and 20th September. A melodious was caught on 11th. Blackcap. None seen until between 13t h and J 6th October, when two were present. Garden Warbler. Two on 1st September. then numbers rising to a peak of five on 14th and seven on 15th. Three on 22nd was last record. Whitethroat. Small numbers between 20th and 26th April, with ten on 23rd. Regularly between 6th and 28th May, with ten from 7th to 9th and on 15th. Fifteen on 17th. Perhaps one pa ir bred. Regular again from 8th September with eight until 24th. Peak movement between 12th and J 5th with up to fiftv. Lesser Whitcthroat. Single ones on 30th and 31st August and between 14th and 20th September. Dartford Warbler. One seen on 26th (MRS. GADE) and 28th March. Willow Warbler/Chiffchaff. Up to four from 19th March but numbers increasing after, 8th April with thirty, to fifty on 11th; then from fi ve on 15th to a hundred on 17th and thirty on 18th. Two hundred again on 23rd then small numbers until 19th May. A lone chiffchaff was singing on Millcombe until 14th June. There was a short movement between 2nd and 5th August with two hundred on 3rd. At the end of the month, fifteen on 28th, building up to thirty on 1st September. From ten on 7th to fi fty on 8th and regularly about twenty until a hundred and fifty on 22nd, with a single one lasti ng on until the end of the month. [A phylloscopus caught on 16th September could not be certainly identified]. Wood Warhler. Two seen in St John's Va lley on 20th April (M. SQUIRE) and one caught on 19th September. Goldcrest. None until a single one on Jrd September and then four on 7th and 8th October. Spotted Flycatcher. F irst records of sin gle birds between 1st and II th May, up to fifteen on 13th and thirty on 15th. Down to three by 19th. One pair bred. At end of August twenty on 29th and up to ten or twenty until 12th September, when thirty were present and a hundred on 14th to fifty-seven on 22nd. Pied Flycatcher. Three on 23rd and one on 24th Ap ril. Two on 12th and 15th May. Again two on 27th August and up to four regularly until eight on 11th September. Fifteen between 12th and 14th but clown to one by 18 th. A lone bird on 21st October. Dunnock. Recorded all year in smaller nu mbers than in previous years. About sixteen pairs bred. Meadow Pipit. Present all year. In fl ocks of up to a hundred in Spring. No change in breeding numbers was noted. Small flocks of up to ninety were recorded during September. Richard's Pipit. Two were on the Island between 14th and 22nd September (D. B. Ius and A. J. YICK ERY). (This record has been accepted.) 12

6 Tree Pipit. Usually single birds between 8th and 24th April, but with four on 11th and 12th and three on 15th and 22nd. In Autumn six on 28th and 30th August then single birds until three on 11th September and seven on 14th. Two until 22nd September. Rock Pipit. Present all year. Common all round the coast and most bays seemed to contain a pair. Pied/White Wagtail. Up to four pied wagtails were present all year until October. A pair bred at Signal Cottage and the Battery. An increase in alba wagtails to six on 19th and 20th April and five on 29th. In Autumn numbers built up from the beginning of September with seventeen on 3rd to twelve on 5th and ten between loth and 12th. None recorded after four on 19th. Grey Wagtail. A single bird between 20th and 23rd March, one on 12th May and one in Millcombe on 15th and 16th September. Yellow Wagtail. Up to two from 9th April to 17th May. A movement at the end of August with fifteen on 28th and six on 29th. Only single birds until 22nd September, when seven were seen. Lesser Grey Shrike. One seen briefly in Tent Field on 26th May. (This record has not been accepted so far.) Red-backed Shrike. One on St Helen's Fencewires between 3rd and 7th September and one caught on 20th. Starling. Present from opening until 20th May, but with largest numbers up to two hundred in late March but generally only about twenty-five. Flocks of immature birds up to one hundred and fifty or two hundred were present in early July. Large flocks moving south or south-east during October. Greenfinch. Two present all March. Three on 2nd and two on 17th and 18th April. A single bird from 4th to 9th May. Single birds on 12th and 14th September but three on 15th, two on 15th and four on 26th October. Goldfinch. One on Jrd April. Fa irly regular from 25th April until 18th May, usually up to three but ten on 9th. Three regularly between 26th and 30th October. Siskin. A single record of one on 15t h October. Linnet. Small numbers until twe nty-fi ve on 15th, 22nd and 30th April. Only a few pairs bred. Returning flocks building up from mid-august to thirty by 26th and forty on 29t h. Regu larl y up to fo rty until end of September. Small numbers with the big fi nch movements in October. Crossbill. Present, mainly in Millcombc, from 24th to 30th July. Most was seven on 27th. Chaffinch. Up to twenty at beginning of season but by late March down to about twelve. About six pairs bred. No obvious movements until second half of October when large flocks were moving south or south-east daily. Largest counts were six thousand on 26th and two thousand on 27th October. Brambling. A single bird on 13th March and two on 20th. None until Autumn movements when largest numbers were of sixty on 26th and twenty on 27th October. Yellowhammer. Single birds between 16th and 25th March, with two on 20th, and between 14th and 23rd April with two on 15th. A female was seen on 4th May. Ortolan Bunting. A few feeding in the stubble in St Helen's. Single birds on 3rd, 5th September and up to six between loth and 14th, with two from 19th to 21st. Reed Bunting. Only record was of two at Quarter Wall on 8th May. Lapland Bunting. A single record on 2nd September. Snow Bunting. One on 29th and two on 31st March. Single birds on 9th and 11th May and on 7th October with a flock of ten about 26th. House Sparrow. A single bird on 3rd and 4th April. Tree Sparrow. Two pairs present all year. They bred successfully in the Fowls' Run Wall and possibly also in the rhododendrons below St Helen's. 13