I was very fortunate last year when one of my photographs won a competition and the first prize was a day trip for four to Lundy Island. I would have prefered to visit earlier in the year when he Pufins would have been on the island but couldn’t fit it in because of trips abroad. We chose September because this is a good month for migrants and we hoped that we would have good weather and see something a bit special.  Sadly the day was abysmal with constant rain from the moment we arrived at the MV Oldenbourg in Bideford, to the moment we arrived back in Exeter.  However we didn’t let it spoil our day too much and we made the most of it, and being dressed for the conditions we didn’t get too wet either. The crossing was rough and wet with many of the 100 passengers sufferig from sea- sickness.  I am a good sailor fortunately so it didn’t have any effect on me whatsoever. I spent the two hour trip scanning the sea for birds and, although I was hoping for more, saw and photographed a nice Manx Shearwater.

I have taken better photos but given the mist, rain and choppy conditions it’s a miracle that I could get any kind of shot at all. 

On the Island, which is bigger than I imagined, we tramped around in the mud and drizzle but still managed to see a few things that were expected but none the less welcome.  The most noticeable and numerous birds were Swallows, followed by Starlings and House Sparrows but also Ravens, Carion Crows and the odd Wheatear (including one on the Oldenbourg).  We also saw Wren, Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Sparrowhawk. All of which of course, I could  have seen on the mainland but I suppose that is not the point.

However I was quite certain that I would be lucky to dramatically bump in to something of rarety, thats always hit and miss of course. What I did enjoy was the Grey Seals, easily seen around the dock and the trip was worthwhile because of them. As well of course, as the Shearwater on the way out and on the way back a few close looks at Gannets and a Great Skua sat amongst the waves. The photo below of a young Swalow turned out to be a bit special. It is a testoment to my Pentax K5 camera that managed to get a good shot in spite of an ISO of 1600 and  very low shutter speed in light that you could hardly read by!