Lundy trip 12-19th Sept 2009
Lundy trip 12-19th Sept 2009
paul
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Mon Sep 21, 2009 @ 05:22AM
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It was a very mixed week. Started with gently NE breeze which gradually increased all week until by Wed it was a strong 5-6 with no chance of opening in the valleys ( although we did try to find a couple of sheltered spots). This is reflected in the totals which drop off badly midweek. This was very frustrating since there were obviously birds about.
Unfortunately we did not get down onto the Manxie slopes, or try catching Stormies. The wind was a factor against Stormies--but the main problem was that we never had sufficient people fit at any given time to make Manxie hunting safe--the Lundy version of Norovirus struck big time during our stay. 80+ percent of folk on the island got it during our stay, with varying degrees of virulence ranging from generally washed out with griping pains--up to the full suite of projectile vomiting and trots-those visiting in the near future be warned.
The one Manxie we did ring was a very downy chick which had obviously left a bit early on Wed night and was found on Thursday in the black shed outside the old house complex.
Friday dawnned still too windy but by 8 am things began ti calm sown and we had a good catch with a purple patch around midday with a Common Rosefinch (juv) followed on the next round by 1 of the 2 Firecrests which had been around all week. In the afternoon we taped Swallows into St John's and caught about 30, followed by another 40 which we taped into forming a roost in the blackthorns outside Blue Bung.
As ever, the last day was stunning. Lots of warblers about--phylloscs could be seen filtering down the east side and into Millcombe all day. Decent total until we handed over to Chris Dee's party--just as we left a Yellow-brow was seen in the bottom gardens--and the forecast looks brilliant for the coming week--we'll just have to come back again!
Overall totals were 315 new birds of 24 species, including 62 willow warblers, 62 Chiffchaff, 27 Blackcap, 12 Whitethroat, 10 Spotted Flys, 94 Swallow, 1 Common Rosefinch and 1 Firecrest.
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