The weather died down just enough for the boat to make a crossing today, a 20mph southerly wind was borderline though...
The Manx Shearwater census continued today, almost a third of the island is now complete. The number of burrows has continued to rise since the last census six years ago. 

We were hoping to ring a few Herring Gull chicks in the afternoon, but after getting the darvics ready along with the usual ringing kit it turned out that the chicks were just slightly too small to ring. It was a chance to see inside the gull colony and gauge how far along the nests are. 

Herring Gull chicks in the nest, relying on their camouflaged feathers for protection

A Black-headed Gull was the third record of the year and was recorded on Solfach today, this was probably the bird of the day. Other birds include: one Grey Heron, one Little Owl, nine Stonechats, two Sedge Warblers, four Whitethroats, three Spotted Flycatchers, three Ravens, six Choughs, one White Wagtail and one Blackcap. 

The wind remained strong and fog blew through the island all day leaving some guests stranded fro another day, consequences of visiting a remote island.

Juvenile birds are now appearing in small numbers around the island, with around 70 pairs of Oystercatcher nesting there is now four juveniles seen scampering around with their parents. Also, Juvenile tail-less Meadow Pipits are popping up with their parents fiercely trying to defend them if you get too close and one juvenile Rock Pipit seen on the south end. four Ravens have been seen regularly on the mountain including two adults and the two fresh looking juveniles with them. In some sad news however the pair of Shelducks raising their ducklings in Solfach have had all their chick predated, the most recent three seem taken by a single Herring Gull frequenting the beach.

Bog Bean                                                Lewis Hooper

Buff Tip                                       Lewis Hooper 

There were strong northerly winds all day today, mixed with some driving rain. So although not the easiest conditions to record birds in, it was an ideal day to catch up with IPMR (Integrated Population Monitoring Reporter), which is the programme that the bird ringing data is entered into. 

With little avian news, here are some photos of slow worms found around Cristin in last week's warmer weather. Slow worms are legless lizards, with eyelids and a flat tongue unlike the forked tongues of snakes. Slow worms do not reproduce by laying eggs, instead giving birth to live young (neonates) in late summer. Females can be identified from males by their larger size (up to 50cm) and dark markings on the side and occasionally the back; males can also have small blue spots. Neonates can be identified by their small size, dark bellies and flanks, and dark dorsal stripe. Slow worms can also drop their tails (caudal autotomy) as a defence from predators.

A large female Slow Worm, presumably pregnant, showing a blunt tail tip indicating that it has been dropped in the past.

One of a few young Slow Worms found, presumably born last year.

A brief recce of the Herring Gull colony revealed that around half the nests now contain chicks, so far no auk chicks have been seen, but this isn't to say that there aren't any present. 

Other birds around include: two Collared Doves, one Little Owl, two Sedge Warblers, two Whitethroats and five Spotted Flycatchers.

The day started with a fairly strong wind from the west but died down in the evening.

There was again little movement in terms of migrants, however, a Reed Warbler found singing at the observatory in the early morning was a nice surprise. Also, towards the evening a report from a visitor claimed a Common Redstart on the top of the mountain along with other migrants including one Swift and 11 Spotted Flycatchers.

Numbers of finches were up including 2 Siskins which may be thinking of breeding, 25 Linnets mostly breeding birds, 7 Goldfinchs and 3 Chaffinchs. Other numbers included 17 Magpie, 17 Wheatears, 55 Meadow Pipits, 15 House Martins, 31 Swallows, two Peregrines, one Kestrel, one Common Buzzard and three Common Scoters.

 In addition to this, there was a Manx Shearwater walk lead at night which, for the first time this year, included some Storm Petrel ringing. It is a little bit early in the season but one bird was caught, a re-trap of a bird caught on the island. Safe to say everyone was happy!

Storm Petrel                                   Tom Williams  

Ragged Robin, a typical wild flower in wet grassland and very abundant at the moment 

Breezy weather today reaching about 20mph, followed by a heavy shower in the late afternoon which caught a few people out, having to make a mad dash for shelter! Ten Spotted Flycatchers were recorded today, so still pretty good numbers. Many of the ones that have been caught have been extremely skinny and carrying little to no fat, so we can assume they are migrants that have almost just flown in.

The Manx Shearwater burrow count continued today, and happily there is a notable increase in the Apparently Occupied Burrow (AOB) count, of around 20% or so. Good news for Bardsey and the birds.

Swallows are still in the egg laying phase, several nests around the out-houses on the island have eggs in, up to four, but most are still on one or two. House Martins are also breeding around the lighthouse which is good news, and one was caught at Cristin yesterday evening which was a nice surprise. However, Sand Martins have not been recorded for weeks now!

House Martin caught at Cristin, a tiny bird with a (proportionally) very long wing! Special care is required when ringing this species as the tarsus is short and feathered, in fact, even the toes are feathered.

A Common Seal was seen in Henllwyn today, which was spotted in amongst the usual Grey Seals. These two species lead quite different lives, Common Seals give birth in the spring, sometimes on off shore sand bars or similar location and the pups learn to swim very quickly. Grey Seals give birth in the autumn and the pups grow rapidly, feeding on milk over the course of about a month, and moult out of their lanugo before fending for themselves.

Common Seal - Photo: Tom Williams

Today the weather went from one extreme to the other, the morning started with fog and rain showers and a reasonably strong south westerly wind and ended with blue skys, sunshine and a much calmer wind.

Avian news was much the same as in recent days, now two Grey Herons, a pair of Peregrines, three Sanderlings, two Turnstones, two Swifts over the observatory, nine Whitethroats, 11 Spotted Flycatchers and a Jackdaw at Nant. 

Juvenile birds are becoming more abundant everyday now, juvenile Dunnocks are being seen and caught in the observatory garden with 3 seen today long with 6 adults across the island. Also, the Shellducks in Solfach still have 5 chicks and 7 Juvenile Stonechats were seen today along with 10 adults across the island.  

The moth trap is starting to pick up now with the warm weather and overcast conditions at night helping bring things out. Numbers of Bright-line Brown-eye moths have picked up to ten, Small Elephant Hawk moths are infrequent and Large Yellow Underwings are starting to appear which I am sure will become abundant. 

Small Angle Shades

Small Adder's Tongue Fern

2 of the 5 Shelducklings

The times of migration are starting to really slow down now and we are getting into the breeding season. The assistant wardens are well into their Manx Shearwater work, nests and territories are being located and noted and today some subliminal counts of the east side from the water gave us an idea of how we are going to count the colony.

The weather was nice once again with sunshine and a light south westerly breeze picking up in the evening.

Avian news consisted of three Canada Geese on Pwll Cain, two Siskins hanging around at the plantation, only our third Greenfinch of the year at Pen Cristen, four Chaffinchs in two breeding pairs, ten Spotted Flycatchers still, five Willow Warblers, five Chiffchaffs, 11 Sedge Warblers with some seen with nesting material and 11 Dunnocks including juveniles at the observatory.

one of the Canada Geese                               Lewis Hooper

Meadow Pipit with food                             Lewis Hooper

Puffin off the boat                              Lewis Hooper

Today was another good day for Spotted Flycatcher records, 22 were seen throughout the day, once again with the majority at the plantation. 

Passage migrants appeared to have really lowered in numbers lately, the ringing sessions that take place at Cristin garden are starting to produce the same faces, lots of re-traps from previous sessions! A juvenile Dunnock was caught today, from one of the two nests suspected to be in the garden. Stonechat juveniles have been out and about in the last couple of weeks. At least six pairs are nesting on the island.

Juvenile Stonechat - Photo: Tom Williams

One bird that is not so familiar was a female kestrel that hovered over the mountain behind Cristin before heading off south. 

Other birds around include: 10 Shelducks (including five Juveniles), one Buzzard, six Sanderlings, three Dunlins, 32 House martins, six Rock Pipits, eight Wheatears and 12 Goldfinches.

Light winds from the south and clear blue skies produced another nice day on Bardsey.

Avian highlights were few and far between but the pair of Peregrines were watched hunting the 7 Dunlins and single Ringed Plover on Solfach. Also more Stonechat juveniles are appearing, begging for food off their parents. The Raven juveniles were also seen on the east side of the mountain, three of them seen with two adults.

Additional numbers include four Redpolls, 34 Linnets, five Chaffinchs, seven Spotted Flycatchers, ten Stonechats, 50 Meadow Pipits, and two Buzzards.

Some Orchids starting to appear starting with these Early Marsh Orchids

Razorbill on the edge                                    Lewis Hooper

South-westerly winds and bright sunshine today. Early in the morning a Common Rosefinch was sighted and photograghed by Tom Williams who is volunteering for the BBFO for 10 days, and that happened to be his first morning out birding!

Common Rosefinch at Nant

Once again there were a number of Spotted Flycatchers at Nant, 11 were recorded today. Other than bird recording, today was an ideal day to start mapping Oystercatcher nests and the first trip round south end yielded 11 nests and up to 15 territories. The majority of these were on the rocks around the coast.

Other birds around include: 34 Linnets, 17 Shelducks, one Siskin, two Goldcrests, one Reed Warbler, 13 Sedge Warblers, nine Stonechats and 11 Wheatears.

Today was extremely still and the Irish sea looked like a mill pond! The sky stayed clear all day producing a taste of summer weather. 

The avian news today produced no real highlight as such. The waders numbers had increased with migrants such as 36 Dunlins, five Sanderlings and a single Grey Plover showed signs of movement, there were also two Ringed Plovers. three Curlews, 141 Oyster Catchers, six Whimbrels, and nine Turnstones. 

Other counts included the inguring Grey Heron, two Buzzards, five Collared Doves, ten Stonechats, ten Wheatears, 15 Sedge Warblers, nine Common Whitethroats, five Blackcaps, and 11 Spotted Flycatchers. 

Seals playing at high tide                                Lewis Hooper

Summer plumage Sanderling                          Lewis Hooper

Summer plumage Dunlin                                Lewis Hooper

Gentle northerlies today, and the theme of the day was Spotted Flycatchers. The year's high count of 37 was recorded today, the majority being around Nant, mainly the plantation.

A Grey Plover was seen just off Solfach in the morning which is one of only a few seen so far this year, a probable female. 

Once again, Dunlin counts were pretty strong, 30 today on Solfach feeding in and around the seaweed. For the last few days it has been quite nice to sit down and try and find something unusual in amongst them, although there has been nothing yet, beside the odd Sanderling or two!

Other birds around include: one Little Owl, 15 House Martins, 32 Swallows (some of the breeders are on eggs), two Ravens, two Lesser Redpolls, two Garden Warblers and three Whitethroats.

Redpolls have been present on Bardsey since the start of the season, such as this impressive male!

Obviously yesterday we had some very unexpected good fortune here on Bardsey, unfortunately the Western Orphean Warbler has not been sighted since it was released yesterday morning! 

Today started like any other day, low cloud in the morning giving a misty start but this was soon burnt off as the sun came up and it turned into a lovely day with a light NW breeze, little did we know that possibly the avian highlight of the year would be found.

The nets were opened at the observatory around 07:30 and left open until 12:00. After little numbers were caught the net round at 11:00 produced a something unfathomable, a large warbler was hanging in the net, it had a grey-brown mantle, a white throat and belly with dusky flanks, a dark face-mask and notably dark head especially around the forehead, and, on closer inspection, a clear white iris and dark pupil giving it a mean menacing look! An Orphean Warbler was hanging in the net next to a re-trap Dunnock. An Orphean Warbler. Both the assistant wardens were pinching themselves in disbelief, but this was happening! The undertail covers were very wet so we couldn’t be certain straight away weather it was an Eastern or a Western Orphean Warbler but there was no sign of any chevrons from what we could see so it was presumed a Western until we could get back to the ringing hut and check the book. After getting back to the ringing hut and dealing with all the other birds caught, a Goldfinch, the re-trap Dunnock and a Chiffchaff, we had the bird in the hand and the Demongin book open, the outer tail feathers were the best identification feature between the two recently split species and our bird showed a large amount of white in the outer most tail feather proving it was a Western Orphean Warbler. WOW. The bird was soon released and not seen again, the same as it was not seen all morning before being found in a net. This is an incredibly rare vagrant to Britain with only five known previous records, it is the second record for Wales after one in Pembrokeshire and it is a first for Bardsey Island. The species winter in sub-Saharan Africa and summer in southern Europe where they are a fairly abundant species but seeing it this far north is an incredible record.

Western Orphean Warbler showing the dark head and mask along with the distinctive eye

The outer tail feather, although worn, shows a large amount of white suggesting Western Orphean Warbler

The other sighting around today took a bit of a back seat but a Firecrest was seen in the observatory garden, Spotted Flycatchers were now down to 12, there were also 12 Blackcaps, one Lesser Whitethroat, five Common Whitethroats and two Swifts.

Wader numbers again steadily increased, a summer plumage Knot was seen on the beach, our first of the year, along with 31 Dunlins, two Sanderlings, four Ringed Plovers and five Whimbrels.

North westerly winds today which gave a chill to the air. On Solfach there weer 34 Dunlins which is the years high count and one of the Shelduck pairs still has 5 chicks which have managed to avoid predation for a week now.

Up at Nant the bird of the day was a Firecrest which is the second of the year and the first one to be caught. A nice surprise to be sure!

Firecrest at Nant

Bob and Lis left today, it's been great having them here for a fortnight and we're sad to see them go. However, they will be back in August so we'll see them again before too long! 

Other Birds around today include: six Whimbrels, six Turnstones, 11 Stonechats, ten Wheatears, 12 Sedge Warblers, 1 Garden Warbler, 23 Spotted Flycatchers and eight Lesser Redpolls.

The weather has been ideal for getting on with Manx Shearwater burrow checks. So far plenty are sitting on eggs and some have even been predated, with eggs scattered sparsely around the island. 

A marker post marking one of the Manx Shearwater sample Burrows

The wind was fairly strong and from the north today bringing showers throughout much of the day. the low cloud and the rain did however bring in some migrants and one island rarity!

The real star of the show today was a male Pochard seen on Pwll Cain for much of the day arriving with the rain. This is a good island rarity, although it is the 41st record it is the first record for 9 years! the guests may have not been to impressed but it was a nice change for the staff.

Another highlight of the day was the number of Spotted Flycatchers, 9 were caught at the observatory with more were seen in the garden un-ringed. The days total count came in at 24 mostly around the observatory and the plantation at nant.

There were also a host of other migrants including 26 Dunlins, five Whimbrels, nine Turnstones, three Turtle doves still, a single Skylark, 30 Meadow Pipits, one female Common Redstart, ten Sedge Warblers, two Lesser Whitethroats, five Common Whitethroats, three Garden Warblers, ten Blackcaps, nine Chiffchaffs, six Willow Warblers, seven Redpolls and the remaining two Canada Geese unfortunately. 

Common Pochard                                   Lewis Hooper

Spotted Flycatcher                                       Lewis Hooper

Wren singing his heart out!                             Lewis Hooper

It was slightly more overcast today, but the air temperature was still around 12ºC with southerly winds. Although it hasn't been bringing in a load of migrants, quite a sight was seen above Nant in the morning, three Turtle Doves together feeding between the gorse patches on the Nant end of the mountain. That is very good going for this species, country-wide there appeared to be a bit of an influx, with a flock of 24 on the Scilly Isles today, and two on Skokholm yesterday too.

Just before a (failed) dazzling session in the evening, a Small Elephant Hawk-moth was captured by hand as it flew around the moth trap. A first for the year, which was a nice bonus on a wader-less night.

Small Elephant Hawk-moth at Cristin

Down on Solfach were three Sanderlings, one in breeding plumage, four Ringed Plovers and 25 Dunlins. Other birds around include: four Collared Doves, 21 House Martins, one Tree Pipit, five Common Whitethroats, one Garden Warbler, six Spotted Flycatchers, two Siskins, 3 Lesser Redpolls, one Kestrel, one Grey Heron and 17 Shelducks including 5 chicks.

Another day that brought more sun burn than numbers of migrants on Bardsey! Although, today the south easterly wind did seem to bring a couple of highlights including one first for the year.

The main highlight of the day was our first Turtle Dove of the spring first heard 'purring' at the observatory before being seen up at the plantation with the small influx of seven Collared Doves. Turtle Doves are a bird that are becoming increasingly rare in the UK especially with a 90% decrease in the UK over the last 25 years so is a good bird to get on migration. Other notable migrants included a Common Redstart at the observatory and a Yellow Wagtail seen and heard flying over.

Solfach beach seemed to pull in some migrating waders today, seven Ringed Plovers, six Sanderlings and 36 Dunlin were all year high counts. In addition to these, ten Whimbrels, one Curlew, and 14 Turnstones were also around the Narrows.   

Collared Dove                             Lewis Hooper

The lighthouse  surrounded by Spring Squill 

Sedge Warbler                         Lewis Hooper

Southerly winds once again overnight and today, were it not for the clear sky, today may have been a day for migrants, as it stands the highlight of the day was a Turtle Dove calling at Nant. 

Green-veined White butterflies have been out in decent numbers, a total of 46 was recorded throughout the day. Small Coppers are getting more and more abundant by the day, nine today. 

A pair of Shelducks produced a brood of nine chicks yesterday, however in just one day this has been brought down to a brood of five, the odds are definitely against these ducklings. Not only are they threatened with gull attacks from the air, seals will also take them from below! 

Birds around today include: one Grey Heron, two Buzzards, 208 Oystercatchers, three Curlews, one Common Sandpiper, eight Collared Doves (the high count of the year), two Little Owls, 26 House Martins, two Garden Warblers and five Lesser Redpolls.

What a stunning day! With a light southerly breeze and clear blue skies it was definitely a shorts and t-shirt day on Bardsey.

Today was the start of the Manx Shearwater census and monitoring and results from burrows around the south end relieved our first three eggs of the season. Lots of the burrows are occupied too so we look forward to a promising season ahead.

In terms of migration, the clear blue skies meant little was grounded on the island. A Common Sandpiper was found in solfach, a Grasshopper Warbler was heard near the observatory, nine Redshanks were heard and seen coming in off the sea at the south end, Swallows reached 164 and were joined by 22 House Martins and four Swifts. Other counts tallied one Kestrel, 110 Oystercatchers, one Bar-tailed Godwit still, ten Whimbrels, two Whinchats including a singing male, 34 Wheatears, 15 Sedge Warblers, two Lesser Whitethroats, four Common Whitethroats, three Spotted Flycatchers and a single Starling in the lowlands. 

Also our first Shelduck brood appeared in solfach today, nine adults were seen and one was closely followed by a group of nine ducklings.

Meadow Pipit with food for its chicks                                   Lewis Hooper

Female Whinchat                                       Lewis Hooper

Today was calm and sunny once again. It was also the last day for this month's Common Bird Census (CBC), which requires some early mornings to count singing birds, namely Wrens for the most part! By doing this, information is gathered on breeding birds.

The garden at Cristin had a few nice migrants around, some of which were caught in mist nets, these included two Lesser Redpolls, one Sedge Warbler, one Siskin, one Garden Warbler, one Common Whitethroat (first caught one of the year!), two Spotted Flycatchers and the usual handfuls of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs.

Spotted Flycatcher

Female Siskin

Garden Warbler

Curiously, the Siskin happened to have a pretty well developed brood patch, it was wrinkled but not too engorged. So perhaps there is a breeding pair on the island? It was certainly seen with a male in the garden.

A slightly different view of a bird. Blowing on the belly allows ringers to see things such as the amount of fat, muscle or, indeed, presence of a brood patch on a bird, as seen here on this Siskin.

Lewis (one of the Assistant Wardens) took visitors on a guided walk to see Puffins at Pen Cristin, as well as Razorbills and Guillemots. Two Fulmars were seen flying over the Narrows which was quite a peculiar sight!

Perfect weather for a guided walk!

Other birds recorded today include: two Greylag Geese over the Narrows at 5:00am, 17 Wheatears, seven Sedge Warblers, one Lesser Whitethroat, one Garden Warbler, four Spotted Flycatchers, one Jackdaw, four Lesser Redpolls, 167 Swallows, 56 House Martins, two Skylarks, five Swifts, one Bar-tailed Godwit and five Whimbrels

In a 17mph northerly wind migrants were not expected to be as numerous as they were, we were pleasantly surprised.

Nant produced an impressive 11 Spotted Flycatchers and the days total tallied 14 with two more at the observatory and one in the withys, our highest count of the year so far. Also at nant, a Coal Tit was heard in the middle of the conifer plantation, our first of the year and a scarce bird on Bardsey, and a Robin was seen, a bird that used to be resident until a harsh winter last year.

Warblers were more abundant all over the Island but mostly at nant and the observatory, totals included one Grasshopper Warbler, an impressive 17 Sedge Warblers, two Lesser Whitethroats, 13 Common Whitethroats, four Garden Warblers, four Blackcaps, eight Chiffchaffs and nine Willow Warblers 

Chough                                   Lewis Hooper

One of the many Spotted Flycatchers                                 Lewis Hooper

Common Whitethroat                                       Lewis Hooper

Elsewhere on the island there were ten Cormorants, 12 Shags, one Grey Heron, 31 Common Scoter from the boat, 200 Swallows, 19 House Martin, a male and a female Whinchat and eight Wheatear.

Nine mph south-westerly breeze today and a few nice migrants were recorded. In the garden at Cristin were five Lesser Redpolls, one Goldcrest, two Siskins two Garden Warblers, four Lesser Whitethroats and three Sedge Warblers which brought the day's count to 11. 

Lesser Redpoll - Photo: Lewis Hooper

A Reed Warbler was recored in the withies and 12 Stonechats were heard and seen throughout the day, including one juvenile from the second nesting pair of the year. A decent count of Swallows today with a total of 143, along with 10 Swifts which is the first time this year that they have been around in double digits.

A walk to the East Side of the island proved useful as the Peregrine nest which has been difficult to locate was finally found and three birds were seen, two of which were falling with locked talons.

Other birds around include: 14 Dunlin (four were ringed last night), four Sanderling, two Grey Plover, one Grey Heron, one Little Egret, eight Turnstones, one Sand Martin, 28 House Martins and one Spotted Flycatcher.

Although the day in general felt quiet for migrants there were some key highlights. The weather started off a bit drizzly and windy from the north but soon cleared up leaving a sunny still afternoon.

The key highlights mentioned earlier include two Cuckoos, one male at the observatory and one female at nant, one stunning male Whinchat near the farm (only the second of the year), and our first juvenile Choughs of the year, three seen with two adults. These Choughs seem a little bit early but with the nice weather we have had earlier in the year they have obviously started early.

There were some other good counts around the island today including four Spotted Flycatchers, one Tree Pipit, three Sandwich Terns, 11 Purple Sandpipers, 23 Dunlins, nine Turnstones, 61 Swallows, seven Common Whitethroats, three Blackcaps, 21 Willow Warblers, ten Chiffchaffs and five Siskins. 

Spotted Flycatcher                            Lewis Hooper

Swallow                               Lewis Hooper

Today's windy weather had a good effect on the migrant bird records, Cristin garden had at leat two Spotted Flycatchers and two Garden Warblers with more Blackcaps than previous days, around 10 in the garden. Dunlins have been down on Solfach beach in decent numbers, 16 were recorded today and on South End a Bar-tailed Godwit was seen once again flying over. 

Spotted Flycatcher caught at Cristin

An interesting sight was a Common Cuckoo coming in off the sea on the West Coast and was getting mobbed by Oystercatchers that perhaps thought it was a bird of prey such as a Sparrowhawk. And around the East Side, the auk species (Razorbills, Puffins and Guillemots) are sitting on eggs, whilst others are seen mating regularly.

A Razorbill pair mating. Before egg laying, pairs can mate 50 times a day to ensure fertilisation of the egg

In other news, the Observatory staff have had some friends over to visit, many past visitors will know Bob and Lis Normand who will be staying for a couple of weeks keeping everyone entertained whilst the warden is away on the mainland.