Saturday 9 June 2018

Another Saturday changeover meant we had to say goodbye to ex-assistant warden Steve Hinde (more commonly known as Iccy Steve on Bardsey for his ability to find Icterine Warblers) who's been with us since mid-May carrying out all kinds of much needed DIY jobs as well as finding the odd rare bird or two (that stunning White-spotted Bluethroat won't be forgotten anytime soon!). Of course, the island had a goodbye present in store for him when a Minke Whale was spotted surfacing off the West Coast midway through the morning. It lingered for around 30 minutes, quite far out, breaking the surface enough times for everyone at the Obs to get scope views of it before it was finally lost in the heat haze that almost constantly covers the horizon at the moment.

Birds logged today were few and far between owing to the fact that it was weekly guest changeover, but they did included a Fulmar, a Dunlin, a Curlew, five Collared Doves, a Little Owl, three Swifts, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, two Chaffinches, two Siskins, four Linnets and a Lesser Redpoll. A Painted Lady flew around the observatory garden briefly this afternoon, whilst no less than two male Broad-bodied Chasers were seen together on Nant Pond!

Minke Whales are a rare sight in the waters around the island. Most sightings are of individual whales that surface one or twice for one or two lucky observers and are never seen again. It was nice that everyone got to see today's whale, especially considering that yesterday was World Oceans Day! It was always distant, so Siân did well to get this record shot. © Siân Stacey

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