Monday 29 October 2018

It was another impressive day on the island today, numbers didn’t quite match those of 27th and 28th, but instead some scarcer species were logged today. One of today’s highlights was discovered among a small movement of wildfowl logged today which constituted of three Wigeons, 14 Teals and ten Common Scoters. In the late morning a group of three ducks proved to be just the 21st record of Velvet Scoters for the island. Otherwise, today’s standout highlight were two Great White Egrets, which drifted north over Pen Cristin, this is the first record for the island of multiple birds and just the fifth time this species has occurred.

A Merlin was still present today, as were the Water Rail, two Stock Doves and one Great Spotted Woodpecker. Some more waders totalled a Jack Snipe, 12 Snipes, six Woodcocks, one Whimbrel, 15 Curlews and 14 Turnstones. Woodpigeon passage was reduced to just 17 birds today, but a Short-eared Owl was a pleasant surprise moving south along the West Coast. Otherwise again much the same variety of species were recorded moving through but in reduced numbers. In total 120 Skylarks, two Grey Wagtails, 25 Robins, 99 Blackbirds, three Fieldfares, 17 Song Thrushes, 30 Redwings, one Lesser Whitethroat (presumed ssp. Blythi), four Blackcaps, one Chiffchaff, nine Goldcrests, one Coal Tit, 150 Jackdaws, four Rook, one Hooded Crow, 315 Starlings, 265 Chaffinches, 26 Bramblings, six Greenfinches, five Siskins, 15 Goldfinches, 42 Linnets, four Lesser Redpolls and three Reed Buntings. Finally, the Barn Owl was found roosting in one of the buildings at Nant.

Two Great White Egrets thermaling above Pen Cristin before drifting north and presumably over the mountain-ridge back to the Mainland 

Another dramatic day of ominous clouds interspersed with sunshine creating the perfect backdrop for this Buzzard

Today's highlights weren't limited to just birds a Red-veined Darter found on the Mountainside above Nant was the first this year, adding more diversity to this already incredible year for dragonflies and insects on Bardsey

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