Glorious weather continuing, a less eventful – but still interesting – day of birding was had. A Black Redstart was at the lighthouse in the morning, four Spotted Flycatchers and a Pied Flycatcher were at Cristin, and warblers were represented by seven Sedge Warblers, a Blackcap, a Common Whitethroat, seven Common Chiffchaffs and four Willow Warblers. A probable Common Redpoll was seen in the company of a (probable) Lesser Redpoll, but they (thankfully?) declined to linger for scrutiny. Seven Sandwich Terns flew along the coast, and waders on the beaches included a Black-tailed Godwit, two Sanderling, two Ringed Plovers, four Dunlins and a Whimbrel. A Common Kestrel, a Black-headed Gull, a Eurasian Siskin and six Eurasian Collared Doves were also seen.

A good count was made of 59 Blue-tailed Damselflies around the island’s ponds.

Several jumping spiders found on the east side of the mountain were identified as Aelurillus v-insignitus – a nationally scarce species never before recorded from Bardsey.

Blue-tailed Damselflies (female violecea form)

(c) Richard Brown

Aelurillus v-insignitus

(c) Richard Else 2009

Two of the four Dunlins on Solfach - note the difference in bill length.

31 May 2009 (c) Steve Stansfield