Wednesday 29 April 2020

Well, the weather was the worst it has been for a while! Although it eventually turned into quite a nice day, from the early morning until about 13:00, it was rain and wind and not much else... There were, however, two Black Redstarts around the Obs in the Morning, always very welcome!

The view from Cafn this morning

The sun did come out in the afternoon, though!

Black Redstart outside the office window today, making the most of a damp day.

This meant that there was no chance of ringing, and the birds were generally keeping a low profile. A walk to the South End in the morning really didn't yield much, just the expected Whimbrels, Linnets, a few Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and the large supporting cast of 126 Oystercatchers, all roosting, turned into the wind to avoid their feathers getting ruffled.

More Common Room work took place later in the morning, clearing more of the plaster away, hopefully, soon we will be down to just the bare rock as a nice feature wall... There is still a little way to go, though. It will be interesting to see what the regular guests will think of it when they can come back!
Gareth has been busy (as he always is) tending to the ewes which have recently given birth, there are now many healthy-looking lambs hopping around the island.


Because of the bad weather, some office work was done later in the day, but as the sun came out in the afternoon, it was time to head up to Nant and around the North End and down the West Coast to Solfach. Many of the Herring Gulls are sitting on eggs now, and 190 were counted in the North End colony today.

Herring Gull at the North End

A total of 31 Whimbrels was had today, really not bad, considering the modest size of Bardsey. A couple of Wheatears were seen food carrying in the field at the base of Pen Cristin, too. Stonechats, likewise, have paired up and some will be feeding chicks at the moment.

A male Stonechat on the bright yellow mountain gorse

Other sightings today include: four Cormorants, two Shags, 10 Shelducks, one Peregrine, one Redshank, 55 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, 10 Woodpigeons, two Robins, nine Willow Warblers and 30 Linnets.

Unfortunately, no moths once again...

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