One of the first tasks undertaken by the Lundy Field Society following its foundation in 1946 was the appointment of a warden for the following summer. The major part of their job was the recording of ornithological data but they also had to run the LFS hostel for visiting scientific parties. The LFS faced increasing difficulty financing this and Lundy was without a full time Warden during much of the 1960s. However, keen visitors and volunteers noted observations of wildlife in the island "log book".
However, following the purchase of Lundy by the National Trust and its leasing by the Landmark Trust a permanent warden was appointed in 1971. The responsibilities were extended when the sea around Lundy was established as a voluntary Marine Nature Reserve in 1973 (Statutory from 1986) and much of the island a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Although a warden's duties have changed over the years, there has been continuity of purpose - to record and protect Lundy's natural environment and improve our understanding of this special island and the sea surrounding it.