Shag

Breeding census

The 2008 breeding seabird census found 63 apparently occupied nests, exactly the same number recorded in the previous census in 2004 (D. Price et al./RSPB).

Dependent young still present in Aug

6 Aug – Fledged young were still being fed by adults on at Jenny’s Cove and North West Point.

Notable post-breeding counts

12 & 25 Aug – Post-breeding flocks of 200 in the Landing Bay on 12th and 300 (location not specified) were by far the highest counts ever recorded on the island.

Occupation of nest sites in spring

13 Mar – Birds were already occupying nest sites near Seal’s Hole.

Partial breeding census

20 Jun – A count covering many (but not all) of the known nesting sites, resulted in totals of 197 adults and 27 juveniles (T.J. Davis & T.A. Jones).

Breeding census

The 2013 breeding seabird census coordinated by the RSPB recorded a total of 112 apparently occupied nests – a huge increase on the average count of 61 pairs for the three previous surveys since 2000. This level has not been recorded since the mid-1950s when figures of 120–130 nests were recorded between 1954 and 1957. Numbers of nesting Shags can vary markedly between years (due to food supply and weather). In 2013, it may be that the cold, late spring concentrated more breeding attempts into the period covered by the survey (information contributed by David Price).

Notable feeding flock in spring

2 May – 142 feeding off the south-west coast, apparently associated with dolphin activity in the same area (Chris Baillie).

Notable post-breeding counts

7 & 8 Aug – Post-breeding counts of Shags during round-the-island boat trips produced 227 and 301 birds respectively (Ken Josey) – the latter a new record count!

Breeding census

The all-island RSPB-led seabird survey produced a total of 55 apparently occupied nests, a figure that is a just under half of the 112 nests counted in 2013 and the lowest total recorded by the periodic census since 2000. The reason for this is unclear and it will be interesting to see if counts from 2018 (even though there will be no complete census) point towards a real decline.

Notable post-breeding counts

Higher counts, all coming at the end of the breeding season, included 66 on 12 Jul, an amazing 305 on a round-the-island trip at high tide on 21 Aug (Dean Jones) – on the face of things, at odds with the apparently lower breeding population – 175 on 23 Aug and 192 on 26 Aug.

All-island January count

30 Jan – A walk of the entire island perimeter on 30 Jan, involving scanning of both the shoreline and offshore waters, revealed just five birds. This gives an indication of the extent to which the breeding population can vacate Lundy during the winter, though see also the count for Feb 2019.

Notable post-breeding count

9 Aug – A high post-fledging total of 205 was counted from Obsession II.

High winter count

16 Feb – A high late-winter count of 50 was likely a result of exceptionally mild weather stimulating Lundy breeders to return to the island earlier than normal.

Peak post-breeding count

9 Aug – 167 was the highest post-breeding count of the year.

Breeding census

The RSPB-led seabird survey in Jun found a total of 96 apparently occupied nests. This represents a 74% increase since the last full survey in 2017, but is still some 16% below the 2013 total of 112 apparently occupied nests (the highest recorded in the current survey series, dating back to 1981).

Notable post-breeding count

28 Jul – The largest post-breeding count was 240 including many juvenile birds.

Breeding census

The RSPB-led survey of breeding seabirds in late spring and early summer yielded a total of 110 apparently occupied nests, a further welcome recovery in numbers (+14.6% since 2021) and only just shy of the 112 nests found in 2013.

Ringing recovery: The ring only of a Shag ringed as a chick on Ynys Gwylan, islands off Aberdaron, Gwynedd on 15 Jun 2008 (ring no. 1396162) was found on Lundy on 15 Sep 2012 (1,553 days; 182 km; S 180°).

Ringing recovery: A Shag ringed as a chick on Middleholm (= Midland Isle), Pembrokeshire on 07 Jun 2021 (ring no. 1484736) was found freshly dead on Lundy on 01 Jan 2022 (208 days; 77 km; SE 146°).