It was a warm and pleasant day, which meant the Observatory team were able to do their annual trip to the Gwylan Islands to do the seabird colony census. Shags and Cormorants were counted, with lots of chicks ringed. Counts were made of Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed Gulls. This included the nests, eggs and chicks. For Auk counts, Puffins were the main focus, where counts were made of burrows and three Puffin chicks (also known as Pufflings) were ringed.

Puffling (C) Steve Stansfield

Great Black-backed Gull chick (C) Steve Stansfield

A day of fine weather on the island with almost no wind. At least two of the visiting Grey Herons were present and a Whimbrel was still lingering around. Two Swifts over the Mountain continued our run of activity over the past few days for this species. Return passage for Swifts starts very early and the next month will see more passing through on their departure from the UK. 

Early dawn on the South End (C) Greg Lee

There was moderate wind throughout the day, with little activity from birds passing through on migration towards their breeding grounds. As we are getting towards the end of the June, spring migration has nearly finished. However, some of the resident species on Bardsey such as the Magpies are busy feeding their chicks, with some already fledged and are now hanging around in small family parties.

Away from birds, a Green-veined White Butterfly was seen at the Wetlands.

Magpie family: From left to right, adult and fledged juvenile. Note the shorter tail feathers on the juvenile compared to the adult (C) Colin Teal

 A foggy start to the morning which fortunately burned off as the sun heated up. A party of three Swifts toured over mid-afternoon and the visiting Grey Heron population had risen to three. For the Observatory staff, the calmer weather allowed for more work to be undertaken on the East Side with the first Puffin, Razorbill and Guillemot chicks of the year ringed as well as some more Shags. As darkness fell, two Storm Petrels were seen flying around the cliffs. 

Puffin chick (C) Colin Teal

Away from the birding, several species of Jellyfish were noted in Henllywn with many Moon Jellyfish joined by up to four Blue Jellyfish and a Lion's Mane. The smart Buff Arches was new for the year in the moth-trap. 

Buff Arches (C) Greg Lee

With the excitement of a second Blyth's Reed Warbler in the Observatory Garden yesterday, unfortunately it didn't appear to stay for a second day. The observatory team were busy with an Oystercatcher Nest Survey, checking the nests for chicks and any eggs still being incubated. Most of the eggs have now hatched and the chicks are exploring the coastline, being closely watched by their parents. There were also some newly fledged young Linnet, Wheatear and Rock Pipit moving around the nest sites and regularly being fed by their parents. Some of the Chough have well-grown young which are getting close to fledging.

A couple more butterflies were seen, including a Red Admiral in the Observatory Garden and the first Meadow Brown of the year was seen on Green Lane.

A newly hatched Oystercatcher chick (C) Colin Teal

Chough nestling (C) Colin Teal

An impressive thunderstorm rolled in overnight and brought a cascade of rain in the small hours of the morning. Despite this, the Observatory staff woke up to the sound of our second Blyth's Reed Warbler of the spring singing in the garden, in roughly the same spot as the first. The song, however, was quite different to the individual on 5th June, with less rapid mimicry and more of a slower-paced song. The bird was then ringed mid-morning before singing again during the afternoon. Elsewhere, singles of Blackcap and Willow Warbler were in the Observatory garden whilst a Black-headed Gull remained on Solfach.

Blyth's Reed Warbler (C) Steve Stansfield

Away from the birds, a Blue-tailed Damselfly and a Silver Y were in the Wetlands.

The day started with bright sunshine and moderate wind, until late afternoon when it started to cloud over and rained briefly early evening. It was another quiet day for migrants, although a couple were still moving through, including a Whitethroat at Nant and a Black-headed Gull at Solfach. A recently fledged Wood Pigeon was discovered on the West Side of the Mountain, indicating another successful year for them.

A couple of butterflies were also noted, including two Painted Ladies at the Narrows and Ty Pellaf.

Painted Lady at Ty Pellaf (C) Colin Teal

View from the South End towards the Lighthouse and the Mountain (C) Colin Teal

During such a calm and beautiful summer night last night, it was hard to fathom that the upcoming forecast would come into fruition, espcially as it detailed constant rain throughout the day. However, this did come to pass and we were faced with a real wash-out of a day as the island received a soaking. As a result, prospects were limited but four each of Black-headed Gull and Curlew on Solfach showed that some dispersal was going ahead. Likewise, a Dunlin was either a tardy spring migrant or an early failed breeder, it can be a bit of a grey area at this time of year. A Spotted Flycatcher was again at Nant.

Black-headed and Herring Gulls at Solfach (C) Greg Lee

It was another day with calm and sunny weather throughout. A few migrants were recorded, including a Curlew and a Whimbrel at Solfach. A Spotted Flycatcher at Nant showed nicely as it was feeding on insects. There was also a small passage of Swifts with six going south over the Mountain early monring and another eight seen later at Nant. 

In the afternoon, the Observatory team went on a boat around the East Side to monitor the seabirds and had amazing views of  Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins close to the boat! Some of the Razorbills were noted carrying some Sand Eels in their beaks, clearly they have some hungry mouths to feed! Otherwise, the ledges were looking healthy for Guillemot numbers and the Kittiwakes appear to be nesting in new areas too!

Razorbill with a beak stuffed with food (C) Greg Lee

 A fair bit of sunshine today although a slight breeze remains. A Curlew in Henllwyn was perhaps an indicator of early autumn, whilst a Whimbrel could possibly have been the lingering bird. A rather mobile Chaffinch was heard around the island, seemingly dropping by every garden to start calling.

The moth trap also yielded some new species for the year thanks to the calmer night with additions such as Crescent Dart, Mottled Beauty and Map-winged Swift recorded.

Map-winged Swift- a species associated with moorland (C) Greg Lee

It was another day with overcast weather. The morning was bright and calm, with wind and rain picking up in the afternoon. It was relatively quiet for migrants, with one Grey Wagtail over the Wetlands, and two Willow Warblers, with one singing at Nant and another in the Observatory Garden.

View from the Observatory towards the Lighthouse (C) Colin Teal

A day of changeable weather with the odd rain shower and spells of sunshine. A smart summer-plumaged Golden Plover was on the South End first thing, with two newly-fledged Wheatears also noted. At Nant, a Willow Warbler was in the Plantation. 

Young Wheatear (C) Greg Lee

The wind was calm enough in the night to try the first session for Storm-petrels this year. Although only one was caught, the thermal imagers revealed a good number flying around the cliffs.

Storm Petrel (C) Greg Lee

The last four days have had a good run of rarities turn up on the island, however today sadly didn't produce another. Fewer migrants were noted today, including a Reed Warbler at the Withies, a Lesser Redpoll at the Observatory Garden and two Whimbrels on the West Coast.

In the afternoon, the observatory teamed up with the local community to round up the sheep on the mountain, while enjoying the views over the island. The sheep were moved without a hitch!

View over Nant from the Mountain (C) Colin Teal

Yesterday's star bird had moved on overnight but it was replaced by another talented songster when, after what seemed like a quiet morning for birding in the strong breeze, a Melodious Warbler was discovered singing in the front garden of the Observatory! The bird was quite mobile and elusive at times, often lurking deep in bushes and only giving away its presence by bursting into the rapid and varied song. Throughout the day, the Melodious Warbler seemed to enjoy doing a circuit consisting of the Observatory front garden, the back garden and the garden at Plas. This species has over 120 records on the island, making it somewhat of a Bardsey specialty.

Melodious Warbler (C) Ewan Turner

Whilst this well-appreciated modicum of late spring migration was occuring, the first sign of autumn announced itself with the discovery of a Cuckoo in the Heligoland. The bird was subsequently ringed and identified as a young male from last year, with plenty of juvenile feathers still retained. This bird is almost certainly already heading back to Africa having spent just a few weeks in the UK.

Elsewhere, a Spotted Flycatcher was at Nant and a Reed Warbler was in the Observatory garden.

Cuckoo (C) Greg Lee

The day started with a Blyth's Reed Warbler singing in the Observatory garden! It sang enthusiastically, mimicking several species and remained elusive all day. It was trapped and ringed early evening, which allowed for viewing of the subtle features of the bird. This constitutes the eighth record of this species for Bardsey, which breeds in Eastern Europe and winters in India.

Blyth's Reed Warbler (C) Steve Stansfield

Blyth's Reed Warbler (C) Steve Stansfield

The Common Rosefinch was still singing at Nant, with the same or possibly a second bird in the Observatory garden. A Spotted Flycatcher showed nicely at Nant.

A breezy start to the morning with the wind increasing into the day. The highlight of the morning was the discovery of a singing Common Rosefinch at Nant, favouring the withy near Ty Capel (which has history for this species!). Despite singing relatively frequently, the bird proved to be incredibly elusive, only offering brief glimpses which confirmed it as plainer, younger bird. This species is almost annual with birds occurring in both spring and autumn. 

                                                     

On the other end of the spectrum, the male Red-backed Shrike discovered yesterday was performing very well in the Wetlands, moving from various fences and bushes, even heard to be singing at times. 

Red-backed Shrike (c) Steven Stansfield

Whilst looking for the Rosefinch, singles of Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap and Chaffinch were also seen at Nant and it was pleasing to see broods of young birds around including some healthy fledgling Robins and a brood of Stonechats. 

Stonechat (C) Greg Lee

After an overnight storm, it was another bright, sunny day. A stunning male Red-backed Shrike was found actively feeding on insects at Ty Pellaf mid-morning. It gave excellent views for the observatory team and visitors alike! Red-backed Shrike is still the most recorded species of Shrike on the island with 33 records, however, today's bird is the first since 2020.

It was otherwise a relatively quiet day for migration, although a Reed Warbler was still singing in the observatory garden along with a Blackcap. A Ringed Plover also flew south at Solfach and there was plenty of Manx Shearwater activity offshore. 

Male Red-backed Shrike at Ty Pellaf (C) Colin Teal

Calmer conditions overnight allowed for an increase in late spring migration on the island with a few new arrivals. Two Spotted Flycatchers were in the Withies along with another at Nant. A Garden Warbler and four Blackcaps were also at Nant and two Reed Warblers were logged, one of which was singing heartily in the garden despite the increase in wind throughout the day. 

Chaffinch (C) Greg Lee

It was a clear, sunny day with a moderate south-westerly wind. A few passage waders passed through, including one Whimbrel and two Turnstones at Solfach. More passerines were seen including singles of  Spotted Flycatcher at Nant and Willow Warbler at Green Lane.

View towards the Mountain from the Narrows (C) Colin Teal

Another foggy start this morning, which slowly cleared as the day grew on. Offshore, 69 Gannets were recorded along with a minimum count of 650 Manx Shearwaters. A Merlin around the West Coast was the first sighting for a while. A Grey Plover around the North End was only our second of the year. 

The moth-trap is slowly ticking along with a few new species for the year continuing to appear. Although now common on the island, the Buff-tip is always a firm favourite with the visitors.

Buff-tip (C) Greg Lee

It was a foggy morning, with visibility reduced across the island. It cleared up late morning and turned into a sunny afternoon! A few passage waders were seen on the west coast, including one Sanderling and four Whimbrels. The sunshine continued into the evening and ended with a beautiful sunset.

Blue sky over the Observatory (C) Colin Teal

The rain lashed in overnight along with a thick mist that reduced visibility around the island. A pair of Sanderlings and a Turnstone were on Solfach and at least five Whimbrels were on the West Coast. Offshore there was plenty of Manx Shearwater action with birds passing close to the island along with smaller numbers of Gannets. On the passerine front, it remained very quiet. 

The portable Heligoland has been repaired and reinstated on the beach, hopefully it will bring some success with the waders and Rock Pipits this season. 

Sanderling (C) Colin Teal

It was a pleasant, sunny day on the island with a light south-westerly wind. A few waders passed through including one Dunlin and four Whimbrels at Solfach. Six Sandwich Terns flew south in the morning. 

A Quail calling briefly at the Wetlands was a nice surprise early evening. The Manx Shearwater walk at night was a success and enjoyed by many of the guests staying on the island, despite getting soaked!

View from the mountain towards the Llŷn Peninsula (C) Ava Jenkins

The stormy weather continued into today with the churning seas providing quite the spectacle although spells of heavy rain meant that getting outside was a difficult job. At least seven Whimbrels were on the Narrows in the morning but appeared to have cleared off through the day and a Spotted Flycatcher was in the Observatory garden. A pulse of 27 Swallows moving through indicated that passage hasn't ground to a halt just yet, even if the local birds have established their nests in the various crofts on the island. 

The heavy cloud looming in (C) Greg Lee

A cloudy day with moderate rainfall and strong south-westerly winds continued throughout the day, meant it was a relatively quiet day for visible migration. Three Turnstones were at Solfach and 1500 Manx Shearwaters flew past the South End. A flock of 18 Choughs were gathering at Solfach, taking shelter from the strong wind.

Manx Shearwater (C) Greg Lee

A bright day with continued strong south-westerly winds before heavy cloud and rain loomed in. A single Ringed Plover was on the South End, a White Wagtail was at Solfach and at least three Whimbrels were on the various rocks. A survey of the Oystercatchers around the island found plenty of nests with eggs all along the coastline, some of which will be hatching imminently. In the strong winds, the Manx Shearwaters were passing the island in big numbers, it was amazing to watch them in their element amongst the troughs in the stormy waters.

One of many Oystercatcher eggs around the coast this afternoon (C) Greg Lee

With the arrival of our next set of guests today, things were busy at the Observatory, but a little bit of history had time to be made when during the sweeping of the dining room, the remains of a male Clouded Buff were found on the floor. A very attractive day-flying moth, this species can be found on heathland, moorland and limestone grassland across the UK, however, this is the first record for Bardsey.

Even when departed from the mortal coil, a Clouded Buff is very distinctive (C) Greg Lee 

The weather decided to commit to a complete turnaround with the drought-like conditions and  endless northerly winds broken by the arrival of a strong south-westerly gale bringing cloud, rain and conditions we haven't experienced for some weeks. A pair of Ringed Plovers on the South End were new arrivals in and some Whimbrels were still lingering around. A Reed Bunting in the Withies was only our second of the year. As one of our guests is here to collect DNA for the Darwin Tree of Life project, we wasted no time getting data from the more specialised inhabitants of Bardsey, with our first Chough brood ringed of the year and a Manx Shearwater delegated to represent its entire species. In the evening, despite the horrid weather, a Ringed Plover and a male Wheatear were also ringed.

Chough chicks (C) Greg Lee

Ringed Plover (C) Greg Lee

Calm and clear. Up to six Spotted Flycatchers were around the island, enjoying the wealth of insects and a young Grey Heron in the wetlands was our first immature bird seen this year.  The main event of the day was another trip around the East Side, where the Observatory staff caught and ringed the first adult Shag of the season. There were also several more broods of healthy-looking Shag chicks and our first Razorbill chicks loitering on the cliffs too! 

Shag (C) Greg Lee

The first Oystercatcher chicks have also begun to hatch too!

A blustery and chilly wind from the north dominated the day. In the sheltered areas, seven Spotted Flycatchers were present, as were two Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap. A white Moorhen chick in the Withies was slightly interesting, it appears that this is a common theme with the resident pair in that area, though we have yet to see any full-grown leucistic birds. 

Some Manx Shearwaters have decided to abandon the effort of digging out and renovating a hole and have adopted some of the disused buildings on the island, their only neighbour being a pair of Swallows. (C) Greg Lee

Much of today was spent conducting the start of this years Manx Shearwater census, covering the southern part of the island. Whilst we were counting burrows on the South End a Golden Plover lifted off the deck and flew north. A single Dunlin on Solfach and three Whimbrels on the South End were the only other waders included.

13 Swallows, nine House Martins, one Blackcap, one Chiffchaff and a single Spotted Flycatcher were the only other migrants of the day!

In the evening the first two broods of Linnets of the year were ringed, one at the North End and one on Pen Cristin.

Linnet chicks (C) Ewan Turner

Although migration was limited today on the island, it was the perfect opportunity for the Observatory staff to continue work for the upcoming and very busy seabird season. Today was the first Gull count of the North End colonies, particularly focusing on the Herring Gulls. Although most nests still contained clutches of up to three mottled eggs, several very young chicks were seen and some eggs were even hatching as the staff undertook their counts. Several colour-ringed birds were also read in the field.

Herring Gull chick, note the egg is just about to hatch. (C) Greg Lee

Several broods of Shags had hatched and we also found Razorbill eggs on the ledges and a Puffin egg in the many new burrows starting to appear on the East Side. A brood of 10 Mallard ducklings slap bang in the middle of the Gull colony seemed a little risky (as were the Oystercatcher nests), but the mother duck appeared to have it under control, at least for the time being...

Puffins and Razorbills (C) Greg Lee

On the non-avian front, a Cinnabar Moth in the Nant valley was a very good record, this distinctive species being quite the scarcity in recent times on Bardsey and a pheromone session brought in our first Thrift Clearwing of the year.

Thrift Clearwing (C) Greg Lee

Below is a video taken by Steve showing some of the work undertaken today. 

 Little movement today but still lots to see. The breeding season is well underway and our first Rock Pipit of the year have fledged! with two seen on the east side this afternoon. 

Chough numbers swelled with a flock of 22 passing along the West Coast, presumably birds from the mainland coming for a visit.  A Sanderling was on Solfach this morning and three Whimbrels were recorded also. 23 Swallows , 19 House Martins, five Chiffchaffs, three Sedge Warblers and one Willow Warbler were the only other sightings of note during the day. In the evening, a Dotterel gave a tantalising flypast as it flew north and called over the Observatory.

First Fledged Rock Pipit of the year! (C) Ewan Turner