As I walked down towards the harbour the rain was easing, and soon the clouds were clearing. I collected my tickets and was soon boarding the Oldenburg, where I was warmly greeted by Captain Jason and other members of the crew. I headed out onto the deck to join my fellow passengers.
On the crossing Manx Shearwater were the predominant birds, with just a few Fulmar, and Herring Gull. In the Landing Bay there were several Shag on the water and a few Grey Seal had already settled on the rocks.
On the island a notice announced that the Landing Bay beach was closed as the first of this year’s Grey Seal pups was resting on it. Walking up the track I could see and hear a couple of seals splashing around in the sea below. In Milcombe valley it was good to see several Spotted Flycatcher.
I decided to have my picnic lunch on the green near the Marisco Tavern. To shelter from the wind, I sat on one of the bench seats in the nook in the wall. A couple of House Sparrow soon arrived looking for crumbs along with a juvenile Pied Wagtail.
Deciding to take a photograph I turned to get out my camera from its case on the seat beside me. I was both startled and delighted to see a Lundy Shrew scamper across the case and disappear into a joint in the wall behind. Having heard so much about the Lundy Shrews it was great to meet one, if only for a few seconds.
The Shrew did not reappear, so I decided to get a coffee in the Marisco before heading down to the boat. Stopping to look out from the path going down, I saw a large group of Gannet fishing on the edge of the rougher water beyond the shelter of the island.
Passengers queuing on the jetty were watching a female Grey Seal which was resting on one of the rocks opposite the boat. A male seal approached and appeared to kiss her. He briefly joined her on the rock before sliding back off, and she followed. After a short while swimming together, they went into shallow water near the rocks where they were seen mating.
On the return journey we passed a few of the Gannet that I had earlier seen from the shore. Manx Shearwater dominated the journey home. On arrival back in Ilfracombe I returned my jacket and thanked the crew for another good trip.
MARINElife/Lundy WLO Judith Tatem
Weather: sunny, sea state 3 – 4
Summary of sightings
Marine Mammals
Grey Seal 25
Seabirds
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Fulmar
Gannet
Shag
Manx Shearwater
Wildlife seen on Lundy
Grey Seal
Lundy Shrew
Shag
Pied Wagtail
Willow Warbler
Spotted Flycatcher
Goldfinch
Chaffinch
Starling
House Sparrow
Blackbird
Carrion Crow
Robin
Stonechat
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gul
Raven
Meadow Brown
Small White
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