The tide was well in at Bideford as we boarded and it was overcast but dry. We had a nearly full boat of 211 eager passengers and a Lundy Ambassador on board. The MS Oldenburg set off promptly at 08:00. I had some wonderful conversations with people about their hopes for the day, or for those staying on the island, of their plans for the time that they would be there.

The only mammals seen on this trip were the Grey Seals in Landing Bay but six were spy-hopping to watch their pups on the beaches.  Currently there are some 80 seal pups on beaches around the island and passengers were requested to maintain 100m or more between themselves and pups. One of the ships officers reported seeing two Risso’s Dolphin during the week.

Apart from Herring and Black-headed Gulls and one Great Black-backed Gull we had small numbers of Manx Shearwater, Guillemot and Shag on the way across, along with a few Gannet with plumages ranging from one year old to full adult.  On the return we had a close sighting of five sandpipers crossing astern and a Common Tern as we neared the coast. Also flying in our direction was a Grey Heron.

Lundy has seen a variety of passage migrants during the last week, scarce migrants included two Dotterel, two Yellow Wagtails and a Wryneck. There were also decent counts of common migrants with 22 Spotted Flycatchers and 30 Willow Warblers. For some of those staying on the island the Manx Shearwaters were the attraction and it’s incredible to realise that some 25,000 of them now call Lundy home. Northern Wheatear were still around, and Meadow Pipit were in abundance and there were many Swallows flying overhead on passage.

The gardens of Millcombe Valley were alive with tens of Red Admiral and Painted Lady butterflies nectaring on the ivy flowers.

Day visitors had a good time on the island with lots of sightings of wild goats, Soay Sheep, ponies and Highland Cattle with their magnificent horns. The Lundy Ambassador included visits to the old quarries, including seeing sundews and to see the Golden Orfe in the Quarry Pond.

On our return journey we made good time, docking on schedule in Bideford and mooring with precision alongside the Shore Office. As ever huge thanks go to the Captain Jason, the officers and crew of the ‘Oldenburg’ for all their help and assistance.

MARINElife WLA Kevin Waterfall