The island of Lundy has been a focus of scientific enquiry for many years and much of this has been carried out by the Lundy Field Society.

The LFS was founded in 1946 and for many years had its headquarters in the Old Light on the island. Originally concentrating on the study of birds, the society is now a charity that has as its aims the study of Lundy, in particular its history, natural history and archaeology, and the conservation of its wildlife and antiquities.

The Society is funded mainly by the subscriptions of its members and also welcomes donations. All are welcome to join.

For over 50 years the Lundy Field Society has been carrying out conservation work, supporting research on the island (by means of modest grants) and publishing the results in the Annual Report of the Lundy Field Society or (from 2008) the Journal of the Lundy Field Society.

The Annual Report and Journal contains reports on recent research as well as systematic lists of the birds, mammals and insects seen on the island over the preceding year.

In 1996 the LFS celebrated its fiftieth year by producing a book Island Studies covering research on the island. The book is out of print but a few copies may be available.

Research has been wide ranging:

Ornithology

Lundy is strategically located on the migration routes and bird ringing has been conducted on Lundy for many years. Several unusual species have made their first European landfall on Lundy.

Geology

Lundy is mostly granite and recent research has suggested that the island is formed from the remnants of a volcano.

Animals and Plants

Lundy is inhabited by an unusual range of animals and plants including a unique species, the Lundy Cabbage.

The Sea

The waters around Lundy are home to many rare species and were designated Britain's first statutory Marine Nature Reserve (now Marine Conservation Zone) in 1986. The Lundy Field Society played a significant role in drawing up the plans for this.

Archaeology

Evidence for previous occupation of Lundy includes flint tools dating to 10,000BC, Bronze Age settlements, military installations from the Elizabethan period and industrial remains in the form of 19th-century granite quarries.

Lundy is an island three and a half miles long and half a mile wide which rises steeply from the Bristol Channel between England and Wales.

It is famous for its seabirds, including the Puffins which gave the island its name (from the Norse for Puffin Island) but there is also a wealth of other animals and plants on the island and in the waters around it. As the name means Puffin Island, there is no need to add another "Island" after Lundy.

Previous inhabitants have also left evidence of their presence, from prehistoric flintwork to Victorian quarries. The present inhabitants work for the Landmark Trust who manage the farm and holiday accommodation. Landmark lease Lundy from its owners, the National Trust.

Getting to Lundy

Between early April and the end of October day trips to Lundy are possible on the island's supply ship MS Oldenburg, which undertakes the 2-hour crossing from Ilfracombe or Bideford up to four times a week. Depending on the tides and the sailing schedule this can give you between three and a half hours and seven hours ashore. To enjoy more time on the island it is possible to stay in one of 23 rental properties. During the winter season a twice-weekly helicopter service operates from Hartland Point for staying visitors. Details of travel to Lundy and accommodation on the island can be found on the website of the Landmark Trust.

What to do and see on the island

For the explorer there are spectacular walks around this magnificent island. There are many places to look out for that have mysterious names such as Hell's Gates, Shutter Point, Needle Rock, Punchbowl Valley, the Devil's Slide and many more.

The island has a turbulent history of piracy, smuggling and periods of peaceful habitation. During one of the peaceful periods, Lundy was owned by the Heaven family and the island was known as the Kingdom of Heaven. There are small clues that give away the dramatic history that surrounds this tiny island. Many of the buildings such as the Old Lighthouse and even a 13th-century castle now provide accommodation for the welcome visitor. The central point of the whole island is the Marisco Tavern, a warm friendly place with plenty of fine food and shelter.

An excellent YouTube film, Lundy, the Glory of the Bristol Channel has been produced by LFS member, Rob Durrant.

The Lundy Cabbage Coincya wrightii is a species of primitive brassica growing only on Lundy and nowhere else in the world. Its nearest relative grows in southern Spain and North Africa. It is likely that Lundy is far enough away from the mainland to have allowed the plant to evolve into a separate species.

It is one of about a dozen endemic plants in the British Isles. However, even amongst this select company, it stands out. It is unique in having its own endemic insects. There is a Bronze Lundy Cabbage Flea Beetle Psylliodes luridipennis and the Lundy cabbage weevil Ceutorhynchus contractus pallipes, which live only on this plant.

If all the areas of growth on the Island were put together, it would cover a square of about 100m, which, for the total world population of a plant, is miniscule. Although the sheep, goats and ponies on the Island will eat it, its main threat was from the rhododendrons that were spreading along the east side. These have now been cleared after many years of work by LFS members and others.