Night-heron

New record

13 to 21 Apr – One in flight over the Landing Bay flew through the Devil’s Kitchen and disappeared behind Lametor on the morning of 13 Apr (Dean Jones). It was relocated on the south side of Lametor, below South Light and just above the tide line at 19.30 hrs that evening (Dean Jones, Rob Waterfield). It reappeared briefly in the Devil’s Kitchen at c.16.00 hrs on 17 Apr before flying off west (Dean Jones). It was seen again in the Landing Bay by island staff member Mike Jones on 21 Apr. This is the first Lundy Night-heron since March 1990 and only the fourth ever for the island. Record accepted by Devon Birds Records Committee.

Roosting Night Heron, Lametor, 13 Apr 2017 © Dean Jones

New record – subject to acceptance by DBRC

13 to 21 Apr – Two – an adult and a sub-adult – were first seen in lower Millcombe, in the area between the gates of Millcombe House drive and the gas store, just after 08:00 hrs on 13^th (Thomas Weston). Both birds were seen intermittently over the next few days – mainly in the lower Millcombe area, including Smelly Gully, Brambles Gully and the eastern end of Millcombe Wood. Less often, one or the other was seen in flight over the Lower East Side Path near St Helen's Combe/the Ugly, or over the Landing Bay. At times, both roosted in trees in Brambles Gully, or in Millcombe Wood, enabling many visitors to enjoy excellent views. However, after the initial sighting, when both birds were together, they were always seen separately. The sub-adult, which appeared to struggle more than the full adult to maintain its physical condition, was last seen by the stream at the mouth of Smelly Gully on 16^th, whilst the adult was most recently seen perched in a tree by Millcombe Pond at noon on 21^st.

Subject to formal acceptance, this is just the fifth Lundy record.