Bideford-Lundy WLO report 2 July

Summary of sightings: Marine Mammals Common Dolphin 4 Grey Seal 8

Seabirds

Fulmar Manx Shearwater Gannet Shag Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Guillemot

Razorbill

Estuary Birds Oystercatcher, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Curlew, Redshank

Lundy Island Birds

Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot, Fulmar, Meadow Pipit, Mallard, House Sparrow, House Martin, Swallow, Swift, Peregrine, Oystercatcher, Shag, Lesser Black backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Starling, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldfinch, Linnet

Weather

Outward: rain for the first 20 minutes then partially overcast, good visibility, light westerly breeze force 1 or 2

Return: sunny with good visibility and light breeze force 1 or 2.

I arrived at the shore office in Bideford early for an 08:00 sailing to Lundy. The weather was wet with rain for the first 20 minutes after leaving the quay.

During the crossing I had the opportunity to chat to a great many of the passengers about what they could possibly see in terms of wildlife. On our crossing we managed a single Common Dolphin plus the usual sea birds. The highlight for me were the Manx Shearwaters, gliding effortlessly over the waves.

Manx Shearwater (Library photo: Steve McAusland)

As we came towards the Lundy jetty a good number of Grey Seal were observed both in the sea and hauled up on the rocks of Mouse Island. I disembarked and proceeded to explore the wooded area in Milcombe looking for summer migrants that may have stopped off. Following a good time spent in Milcombe I headed over to the west side of the island in search of auks and to meet up with some of the passengers that I spoke to coming over.

Puffin (Steve McAusland)

I arrived at the Battery area and chatted to many of the passengers and we began our decent of almost 200 feet the look out over the area for Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills. We were not disappointed and we all had good views of all three species as they flew out from their burrows and nests to sea, to return with food for their chicks.

The return sailing gave limited views of 3 Common Dolphins and the same sea birds as our earlier crossing. The weather was good and the sun shone all the way back to Bideford.

I thanked Jason the captain for his and his crew’s assistance whilst we crossed the channel and I look forward to visiting Lundy again very soon?

Steve McAusland Wildlife Officer for MARINElife