WLO report Bideford-Lundy 2 September

I walked along Bideford Quay to the Lundy office to collect my ticket then boarded the Oldenburg where I was welcomed by Captain Jason and the crew. I collected my hi-viz vest and headed out on to the deck to chat to the passengers.

It was high tide as we departed which meant all the mudbanks were covered, so the first birds we passed were groups of Black-headed Gull sitting on the small dinghies moored on the river. Little Egret, Grey Heron and Cormorant were roosting in the usual riverbank trees. A group of Herring Gull and a few Great Black-backed were around the covered shipyard and Fish Quay at Appledore. Soon after crossing the bar, a few Manx Shearwater and Gannet appeared, and continued to do so throughout the crossing. Approaching Lundy, one Common Dolphin briefly appeared, and a group of Kittiwake took off from the sea in front of the boat. On reaching Lundy we were welcomed into the Landing Bay by a lone Grey Seal.

Grey Seal (Judith Tatem)

After a coffee in the Marisco, I started to walk along the top eastern path, and was delighted to see a couple of Spotted Flycatcher. A family of Raven seemed to keep me company as they were continually flying past. Approaching the Halfway Wall, I decided to cut across to the western coast which would be more sheltered. After a leisurely lunch watching Fulmar flying in and out of the cliffs below, I walked back along the coast. In one bay it was great to see seal pups resting on the beach below.

Grey Seals (Judith Tatem)

Twice during the return journey, passengers were delighted by good views of a group of Common Dolphin associating with some Gannet.

At the mouth of the estuary, there were hundreds of gulls both on the water and on the thin strip of still-exposed sands. Black-headed Gull dominated the group.

After we moored up, I collected my bags and thanked Jason and the crew before disembarking to walk back along the quay and head home. MARINElife/Lundy WLO Judith Tatem

Weather: sunny, sea state 1-2, wind force 2 Summary of sightings:

Mammals:

Common Dolphin 10

Grey seals 30 including 10 pup (seen during the day)

Seabirds on the crossing:

Gannet

Manx Shearwater

Guillemot

Shag

Fulmar

Kittiwake

Birds seen on the river:

Black-headed Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Little Egret

Cormorant

Curlew

Wildlife seen on Lundy:

Soay Sheep

Lundy Ponies

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Oystercatcher

Blackbird

Robin

House Sparrow

Starling

Wheatear

Meadow Pipit

Raven

Carrion Crow

Stonechat

Skylark

Linnet

Kestrel

Spotted Flycatcher

Peregrine Falcon

Red Admiral

Small White

Small Heath