The wind was a moderate northerly with a hint of east at times. The highlight of the day was a young male Waxwing found in the Sycamore at Cristin. The bird remained in the garden for around a quarter of an hour, calling constantly before heading off high north. Surprisingly, this is only the eighth record for the Island involing 25 individuals. 

Waxwing © Ed Betteridge

Elsewhere, the first Lesser Whitethroat of the year was at Cristin with the first Whinchat at Pen Cristin. A summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit joined the Whimbrel on the Narrows with a Common Sandpiper in Solfach, a Teal in the Lowlands, a Collared Dove at Cristin then Nant, a Grey Heron went high over the Narrows in the evening followed by two over Solfach at dusk, witha small hirudine passage of 25 Swallows, a Sand Martin and four House Martins. 

The afternoon was spent montiring the Choughs and seabirds around the East Side. The first Razorbill eggs were found at Seal Cave with more Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls on eggs but Shags seem to be late with very few siting birds. The Raven pair at Barcut now has a single large chick that will fledge anyday now, with the first Chough eggs of the year found with seven pairs seemingly breeding this year. 

Other birds today a Buzzard, 46 Whimbrels, a Curlew, a Turnstone, 30 Wheatears, two Sedge Warblers, 13 Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, 15 Willow Warblers, three Goldcrests, 20 Goldfinches, a Siskin and four Lesser Redpolls. 

A rather large Raven chick © Ed Betteridge

Colour ringed Shag 'BARY' ringed in 2021 with this being its first sighting © Ed Betteridge

Fulmar © Ed Betteridge

The wind was a chilly north-westerly with clear blue skies from midday doing their best to keep temperatures up. There was still a good number of Wheatears around with 51 dotted around the Island.  Whimbrels continue to build in numbers as they stop off on the migration further north with a minumum of 45 on the Island. Passerine numbers were rather low with just three Blackcaps, 12 Willow Warblers and three Goldcrests, with two trapped at Cristin both being adult males.

During the afternoon a duck was seen on Ty Pellaf Pond, the bird seemed to be a female Gadwall but on closer inspection had some strange features and seems to be a Gadwall x Mallard hyrbid also known as a Brewer's Duck! A Sandwich Tern went passed the South End with a White Wagtail on the Narrows. 

Other birds included eight Shelducks, a Buzzard, a Curlew, ten Swallows, a Starlings, four Siskins, three Lesser Redpolls and nine Goldfinches.

Lesser Redpoll © Ed Betteridge

Brewer's Duck (Gadwall x Mallard hybrid) © Ed Betteridge

Ringed Plovers are again breeding this year © Ed Betteridge

The day began calmly but remained overcast, by midday the wind had gradually increased creating a brisk northerly set in for the day. Cloud eventually produced some light drizzle, which dropped some birds throughout the day.  

The standout highlight was a steady arrival of Wheatears as the day progressed, with the majority being Greenland race. Up to 118 birds were logged across the island, predominately along the coastal stretches where each field held a few birds! 

One of several 'Greenland' Wheatear seen today © Jonathan Dodds

Migratory waders in the form of three Bar-tailed Godwits (one of which sporting its smart summer plumage), 37 Whimbrels and three Dunlins. 

Two of three Bar-tailed Godwits, one of which sporting its summer finery © Jonathan Dodds

Plenty of other migrants had arrived including four Sedge Warblers, a Whitethroat, a Grasshopper Warbler, two White Wagtails, 30 Blackcaps, six Chiffchaffs, 16 Willow Warblers, and nine Goldcrests. We were treated to our first Swift of the year during the guided wildlife walk. Hirundines were moving too with 11 Swallows, nine House Martins and four Sand Martins being logged. Some finches were passing through with 25 Goldfinches, three Siskins, 120 Linnets and nine Lesser Redpolls recorded  .   

The first Whitethroat to be caught this season from the Withies © Ed Betteridge     

The singing male Corncrake remained for another day, whilst two mobile Greylag Geese also toured the island briefly first thing; continuing a good run this year for this scarce species on the Island. 

The calm weather continued today with little wind and sunny skies. A good arrival of Blackcaps at the observatory saw 63 ringed along with a bird ringed in Spain. Also caught at Cristin was a Siberian Chiffchaff, eight Willow Warblers, a Goldcrest, five Chiffchaffs, six Goldfinches, nine Lesser Redpolls and a Siskin.

Siberian Chiffchaff © Ed Betteridge

A Bar-tailed Godwit was the first of the year at the North End with three Greylag Geese circling the island a few times early morning; after no records between 2018-2022 the last two years has seen a large increase in records almost all in April. The Corncrake was again calling in the Wetlands after being so quiet last week. A Red Kite went over Cristin with a Little Egret along the West Coast.

A trip around the northern part of the east side to do the first monitoring of the breeding birds resulted in the first Shag, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull eggs of the season though numbers were low with still a lot yet to lay. A good count of Puffins saw 194 on the sea off the north-east corner with some visiting burrows. 

Puffins © Ed Betteridge

Herring Gull on nest © Ed Betteridge

Other birds included a Curlew, 22 Whimbrels, a Collared Dove, 10 Sand Martins, 19 Swallows, four House Martins, a Starling, 22 Rooks, six Goldcrests, 21 Willow Warblers, seven Chiffchaffs, 70 Blackcaps, 13 Lesser Redpolls and 24 Wheatears. 

Today we unfortunately said goodbye to the fantastic group of students from Bangor University. They all seemed to have really enjoyed their week on the Island with many saying how much they had learnt. They didn't leave straight away and after a windy week we were able to do one last ringing demonstration this morning. In total 30 Blackcaps, 22 Willow Warblers, two Sedge Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, four Goldcrests, six Lesser Redpolls and six Goldfinch were caught. 

Bangor students © Steve Stansfield

Elsewhere, three Canada Geese passed the South End, a Dunlin and a White Wagtail was on the Narrows, a Tree Pipit flew north through the Wetlands with a Redwing also there, the Cuckoo was still around Plas Withy, a Hooded Crow fley north along the Mountain and incredibly after nearly a week absense the Corncrake started calling from the same spot; possibly not had called due to the windy weather.

Cuckoo © Joel Tragen

Other birds included a Grey Heron, eight Whimbrels, two Collared Doves, 12 Swallows, a House Martin, five Sand Martins, 18 Wheatears, two Grasshopper Warblers, five Sedge Warblers, 65 Willow Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, 52 Blackcaps, ten Goldcrests, four Rooks, 81 Goldinches, eight Siskins, 153 Linnets and seven Lesser Redpolls.

Student releasing Grasshopper Warbler © Joel Tragon

Bumblebee © Rowan Jackson

The competition continued on from last night’s quizzes with a bird race. The teams split up to scour the island to see as many species as they could before evening log. With weather being too windy for nets to be opened, the first team set out down the Green Lane at 07:30. Despite the wind, it was otherwise outstanding weather, full clear skies and the warmest day since the students had arrived.

The first Cuckoo of the year was seen sitting on a post at the end of the Green Lane, becoming more mobile through the morning as a cloud of mobbing pipits and wagtails formed. Throughout the day it gave song briefly and quietly.

Cuckoo © Joel Tragen

Three Grasshopper Warblers were heard reeling across the island, with 12 Blackcaps, 19 Willow Warblers, nine Chiffchaffs and three Goldcrests also recorded. A nice variety of hirundine were seen, with all three species being recorded in low numbers: three Swallows, three Sand Martins and a House Martin. 16 Wheatears were present, with the majority being around the Narrows, also present around the Narrows were singles of Dunlin, Redshank and Purple Sandpiper. The Ringed Plover pair were on the Narrows and confirmed breeding this year with the nest being located with the first egg laid. Six Whimbrel, a Curlew and eight Turnstone were seen.

There was more finch movement today with 92 Goldfinches being recorded, 74 recorded flying South in the morning. Other finches included 2 Siskins and a Lesser Redpoll. Another Collared dove joining the other, the Stock Dove, Grey Heron and Teal remained on the island. Five Rook flew over the island throughout the course of the day.

The students went to the Ynys Enlli café for a lovely group meal to round of their trip before returning to the Observatory for the announcement of the Bird race winner. It was extremely close between all the teams, Steve’s team took the lead by two species reaching a total of 55 species (only five species above third place) and a total of 61 species recorded between all teams.

Bird race team © Kate Fox

Winning team! © Steve Stansfield

Guest blog by Joel Tragen 

 18/04

It was a beautifully clear, calm morning on Enlli, with the wind picking up and shifting from south-westerly to a stronger westerly wind bringing light rain showers in the afternoon. The calm conditions first thing allowed the first breeding bird survey visit of the year to take place, starting at sunrise and covering the South End, Narrows Traeth Ffynnon and up to Ty Pellaf.

A stunning sunrise at the South End © Kate Fox

A Grey Heron was touring the island, a Teal on Pwll Cain, two Red Kites with two Buzzards over the Mountain, seven Whimbrels around the island, a Redshank on Henllwyn, five Turnstones around the South End, a Stock Dove between Cristin and Nant and a Collared Dove around the Observatory garden. 

In terms of migrant passerines, a Tree Pipit flew north over the South End first thing, and a total of seven Swallows, 21 Wheatears, 21 Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, 12 Willow Warblers and five Goldcrests across the island. It was a good day for Rooks, with 19 recorded. The Starling remained at Ty Pellaf, and finch counts came to 94 Goldfinches, ten Siskins, 85 Linnets, three Lesser Redpolls and a Chaffinch. In the afternoon, a Reed Bunting was also heard calling over the plantation at Nant. 

Steve took the students on a guided walk up to Pen Cristin to show them the some of our star lichen species, the rare Ciliate Strap Lichen (Heterodermia leucomela) and Golden Hair Lichen (Teloschistes flavicans). Many then stayed up there for a couple of hours enjoying great views of Puffins on the slopes below. 

Lichen-spotting at Pen Cristin © Steve Stansfield

The afternoon was spent rockpooling around Solfach, finding a great range of shore-dwelling species. The highlights were two By-the-wind Sailors, Strawberry and Beadlet Anenomes, and two Shannies which they were able to identify with the help from books kindly donated by WildSounds! Joel also gave a crash course on seaweed ID, pointing out the differences between Serrated, Bladder, Egg and Spiral Wrack, and how to remember the scientific name for Oar Weed (Laminaria digitata) owing to its resemblance to a hand and fingers - hence 'digitata' for digits. 

Rockpooling around Solfach © Kate Fox

Using our new Rockpooling field guides donated WildSounds © Steve Stansfield

The day ended with the legendary Bardsey Uni Week Quiz which was great fun for all (despite the devilish questions set by Steve!). 'The Great Tits' had a landslide victory, each winning a Bardsey Bird Observatory T-shirt. 

Quiz night! © Steve Stansfield

The wind remained from the North West, slightly lighter than previous days with peaks of force 5, making detecting birds in the bushes that bit easier. 

The highlight of the day was a second calendar-year male Marsh Harrier which flew over the mountain above Cristin in the morning. Also on the raptor front, a male Merlin was seen at the South End by one of the students, presumably a different individual to the female-type birds we've been seeing regularly. 

Marsh Harrier © Ed Betteridge

Five Shelducks were seen around Traeth Ffyynnon, where the Redwing was also seen again, three Rooks flew north along the West Coast, three Teals in the Wetlands, and three Whimbrels were recorded around the island.

Two Swallows were recorded (one at Ty Pellaf and the breeding male singing around Plas), a Starling around Ty Pellaf, and a total of 12 Wheatears. There were also 28 Blackcaps around the island, along with nine Chiffchaffs, 36 Willow Warblers, and four Goldcrests, Finch numbers totaled at 61 Goldfinches, seven Siskins, 119 Linnets, and a Lesser Redpoll.

In the evening the students had a session with talks from Ed, Jonathan and Kate about their experiences and what led them to Bardsey. The students really enjoyed hearing from them, saying how they found it 'inspirational' and resonated with many of the common themes such as impostor syndrome and lack of confidence when new to the birding scene.  

Jonathan talking about his experience at Bird Observatories © Kate Fox

Pied Wagtail © Ed Betteridge

 The morning started much the same as yesterday with the students joining the Obs staff for morning census, practicing their newly acquired skills from Kate’s bird sounds and Steve’s bird id talks the day before. The wind had improved partially but still gusting 40mph and overcast. The students took great joy in watching a pair of Peregrines stooping meters above their heads at Nant.

A Hooded crow and three Rook were seen flying North through the wetlands with the Hooded crow doubling back, heading South over the island disappearing North behind the mountain at Pencristin. Three Starlings flew in from the North and landed in the Wetlands, remaining fairly mobile throughout the day. A decent movement of finches occurred through the morning with 107 Goldfinches, 142 Linnets, five Siskins & a Lesser Redpoll. A pair of House Martins were seen at Nant in the morning with seven Swallows elsewhere with more hirundine movement seen mid-afternoon, 39 Swallows & a Sand Martin over the South end.

Hooded Crow © Joel Tragen

Partially leucistic Chiffchaff © Joel Tragen

Across the island 20 Wheatears were seen, along with 16 Blackcaps, 16 Willow warblers, four Chiffchaffs & four Goldcrests whilst a Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling at Nant. The Redwing was seen again at Traeth Ffynnon and a Collared Dove was seen at Cristin. A Sandwich tern was seen in Henllywn, along with 12 Purple Sandpipers, five Turnstones and a Common Sandpiper. Eight Whimbrels were seen around the coast with six seen at Traeth Ffynnon and one each at both the North & South end. Also, a pair of Ringed Plovers and Dunlin were seen on the Narrows along with a White Wagtail.

Ed, Joel and Jonathan took a group of students down to the South end to introduce them to the Manx shearwater census, allowing them to gather some experience in a systematic sampling technique. The students spent a couple of hours counting burrows and noting signs of occupation. A bit of multitasking by Ed meant a retrap young Male Stonechat was caught, it was first being ringed last season in 2023. This was the first time any of the students had seen a Stonechat in the hand, being a retrap it further exacerbated the importance of ringing.

On the walk back Jonathan and a student were lucky to get brief views of the Nightingale again in the exact same location as before, it briefly sang before skulking back into the hedge and wasn’t seen again despite efforts to resight it.

Steve then adorned the chef’s cap and apron as the Observatory hosted a BBQ for all the students, cooking up a wide array of food with everyone sitting down to eat together. With everyone full of delicious food, the students moved to the Common room for a few rounds of “Bird charades” coined by Holly.

Steve and the staff then led a guided Manx shearwater walk down to the South end, following a talk on the work the BBFO carries out with the Manxies. The students all had an incredible time, all getting stuck in and ringing their first Shearwaters. A few old recaptures were caught including a bird from 1997 and 1994! Finishing with a spot of stargazing the students retreated back to Cristin to the comfort of their beds and the late time of 02:45. 

Students being shown a Stonechat © Joel Tragen

Manx Shearwater ringing © Joel Tragen

Guest blog by Joel Tragen

The Bangor students had first experience on carrying out the daily census, shadowing the Obs staff on their morning rounds. The island was bathed in glorious sunshine all day, however force seven westerly winds made detecting birds in the bushes hard work.  

Students sheltering from the wind at the North End Hide © Kate Fox

A Ringed Plover was seen on the Narrows, two Whimbrels around the coast, a Common Sandpiper on the beach at Traeth Ffynnon along with a Redwing in the hedge. A Swallow flew north over Cristin, nine Wheatears were seen around the island, as well as a total of 16 Blackcaps, nine Chiffchaffs, 23 Willow Warblers and four Goldcrests. 

The mystery Nightingale that has been frequenting the hedge just north of the Narrows was finally confirmed as a Common Nightingale after Ed managed to record it singing quietly in the same area in the afternoon. 

Other birds included four Shelducks around the Narrows, a Kestrel at Nant, a Merlin at the North End and two Goldfinches around the Obs. 

Merlin at the North End © Kate Fox

The students spent the afternoon out of the wind having an ID workshop, focusing on bird sounds with Kate and visual ID with Steve. In the evening after log, Steve gave a talk about his time at the International Bird Observatories Conference in Israel. 

Bird sound ID workshop with Kate © Joel Tragen

The weather finally calmed enough for a rather early boat with guests leaving at 0730! We also welcomed a group of nine students from Bangor University as well as Joel Tragon who came to help out. The weather today at least was in their favour with clear blue skies and a moderate breeze.

The students © Steve Stansfield

A few birds of prey took advantage of the clear skies with a Buzzard, two Sparrowhawks, three Kestrels and a Peregrine. The welcome talk was slighlty interupted when two Greylag Geese flew north before returning shortley after with two Canada Geese in tow. Surpringly, Greylag Geese were also seen on last year's University week with these being only the second record since 2018!

The goose flock © Ed Betteridge

After the students had settled in and had a quick nap after a 0330 start for some we headed out during the afternoon to show them around the southern part of the Island. This started with a slightly rushed start when Ed spotted a Nightingale fly along the hedge just north of the Narrows and quickly disappear. This bird was presumably the same bird seen by Kate and Steve on the 12th when it flew past them whilst they drove the quad and the mystery bird seen by Ed roosting on the hedge after dark on the 13th. The bird unfortunately went to ground and there was no further sign for over an hour when Jonathan managed a brief view and some poor photos which clearly showed a Nightingale however, it was hard to exclude Thrush! The rest of the guided walk was highlighted by the Common Seal, close views of Gannets, a Merlin and lots of showy Wheatears.  

Nightingale © Jontathan Dodds

Elsewhere, a Grasshopper Warbler sang from the Wetlands with another caught in the Heligoland trap, seven White Wagtails were on the Narrows and a Redwing was at Traeth Ffynnon. Other totals were 20 Wheatears, six Siskins, 90 Linnets, 42 Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, 46 Blackcaps, two Starlings, two Sand Martins, ten Swallows and a House Martin. 

Willow Warbler © Ed Betteridge

One of three Wheatears spring trapped © Ed Betteridge

The day started with fog mixed with drizzle which turned to heavy rain mid-morning before finally clearing in the afternoon. Five Brent Geese were on Solfach early morning and consisted of four pale bellied Brent Geese and a single dark bellied Brent Goose. The Corncrake was again calling during the early morning. 

Brent Geese © Ed Betteridge

The weather seemed to have dropped in a good number of migrants including two Pied Flycatchers, the first Sedge Warbler of the year, three Tree Pipits, two Grasshopper Warblers, a Siberian Chiffchaff, 214 Blackcaps, 248 Willow Warblers, 27 Chiffchaffs, a Firecrest, 20 Redwings, a White Wagtail, a Common Sandpiper, two Golden Plovers, 16 Wheatears, three Sand Martins, 15 Swallows, a female Bullfinch and a Lesser Redpoll.

Ringing at Cristin in the Heligoland trap produced an impressive 42 Blackcaps, eight Chiffchaffs, four Willow Warblers and a Goldcrest. 

Redwing © Ed Betteridge

Pied Flycatcher on the South End cliffs © Jonathan Dodds

A windy start to the day with overcast condtions turned to sunny spells duirng ther latter part of the day. The Corncrake was still singing from its favoured spot. The South End bushes contained a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, two Firecrests and a handful of Willow Warblers. A Diver species went distantly passed the South End with a Canada Goose doing a lap of the Island, two Golden Plovers on the Narrows and a good count of 32 Puffins were off Pen Cristin, 

Firecrest © Jonathan Dodds

Other birds included a Kestrel, two Merlins, a Ringed Plover, two Snipe, four Whimbrels, eight Turnstones, two Sand Martins, two Swallows, 11 Wheatears, 39 Willow Warblers, seven Chiffchaffs, four Goldcrests, a Siskin and 26 Goldfinches.

After dark a trip out dazzling saw another Moorhen and two Meadow Pipits trapped in the Lowlands, an Oystercatcher along the West Coast, another Oystercatcher, a Wheatear, a Snipe and a Golden Plover which was the fifth ever and the first for 30 years! However, the night got even better when the Corncrake was seen running through Ty Pellaf reedbed much to our suprise having favoured the brambles/gorse some 100m away. The bird was trapped and identified as a 1st year male. This was the first to be ringed since 2018 and the 16th ever. 

Corncrake © Ed Betteridge

Corncrake © Ed Betteridge

Golden Plover © Kate Fox

Dense fog blanketed the island as it came in overnight, light winds from the southwest remained but not enough to shift the fog, which later turned out to be a productive day for grounded migrants across the island.

A couple of firsts for the year arrived in the form of Whitethroat, of which there was one on the South End and another later in the day found at Ty Pellaf. Another first of the year was a Common Sandpiper which was favouring the rocky shorelines across the Narrows. Meanwhile, three White Wagtails frequented the Narrows, three Jack Snipe were in the Wetlands and one-two Grasshopper Warblers, four Willow Warblers, two Starling, three Siskin, four Swallows, five Goldcrest, two Merlin, 14 Turnstone, up to 14 Wheatear and 16 Chiffchaff were scattered across the island.

White Wagtail © Jonathan Dodds

Elsewhere, a maximum of seven Shelduck were around Solfach. Three Whimbrel were along the West Coast, all of which were unringed, meaning up to five individuals have frequented the island so far this spring when the two previously colour-ringed birds are accounted for. 

The day quickly livened up when Jonathan heard what he thought was a CORNCRAKE crexing from the Wetlands during census. After spending a further half hour informing Steve, Ed and Kate of the probable sighting we all staked out the Wetlands and waited anxiously for any further calling. Patience paid off and we all managed to hear the CORNCRAKE crexing again regularly. A couple of hours went by and the bird became quite mobile, when Ed and I were eventually treated to brief flight views as it moved between areas of cover! This is the first record for Bardsey Island since 2018, so it certainly was the highlight of the day for us all. 

The Corncrake showed very briefly, too quickly for any of us to get a sharp photo! © Jonathan Dodds

A successful trip out dazzling last night and into the early morning saw a Knot, Whimbrel, two Purple Sandpipers, a Moorhen, two Meadow Pipits, five Pied/white Wagtails and a Wheatear trapped. Another team went out with guests to show them and ring Manx Shearwaters with 20 new birds ringed. 

The weather during the day was rather grim with strong south-westerlies and light rain. The first Grashopper Warbler was reeling at Nant, with a Redwing in the Wetlands and a total of four Willow Warblers, four Chiffchaffs and five Blackcaps. 

Knot © Steve Stansfield

Kate showing guests ringing © Steve Stansfield

Whimbrel © Jonathan Dodds