Tuesday 7 May 2013

Yet another flat calm day with sweltering temperatures saw the year's first Subalpine Warbler arriving on the island. The bird was first found near Plas Withy mid-morning, and then showed relatively well in some bramble patches nearby for a good part of the morning.
This is the 30th Subalpine Warbler to have been recorded on Bardsey, and is the 12th individual to be found in the last six years! Annual records of at least one in the last six years surely make Bardsey one of the top sites in UK for this species?

Other noteworthy species seen during the day included a Cuckoo in Plas Withy, and a Black Redstart at the Lighthouse.

On the rest of the bird front, a good passage of hirundines amounted to well over 400 Swallows, 110 House Martins and 15 Sand Martins, whilst 13 Swifts also passed overhead.
A good count of Sedge Warblers again saw 33 birds around the island, with 11 trapped at Cristin; 16 Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler, 11 Blackcaps, 29 Chiffchaffs, 10 Willow Warblers and six Goldcrests were also seen in the island's gardens and Withies.

Female Subalpine Warbler
 Swifts
Swallow and Sand Martin

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