Today technically started off very early as George was out dazzling in the early hours catching another two Whimbrels (bringing the year total to an impressive five) and a Dunlin, very impressive work considering the bright moon!

A Whimbrel caught on Henllwyn

The day was fairly quiet if truth be told. The wind was stronger, blowing a pretty constant 26mph from the north, and it seemed to carry a bit of the arctic chill with it. On leaving the Obs early to carry out the daily census it became all too clear that this was definitely a day for multiple layers!

Early on at Ty Pellaf, another fledgling Dunnock was seen on the path leading up Pen Cristin, the second recorded fledgling in that area this year. Up at Pen Cristin a 'Greenland' Wheatear was seen, another was at the South End, the rest are all our resident breeding birds. Stonechats were busy chacking away near the farm along with the regular Chaffinch that continuously sings from the top of the tree in the Ty Pellaf garden.

Dunnock at Ty Pellaf

Wheatear on the West Coast

Wader counts had dwindled slightly today, seven Dunlins were on Solfach with four Turnstones and 24 Oystercatchers. The Turnstones were busy pecking around in the sand, but the Oystercatchers and Dunlins were roosting as the tide was high. The Pied Wagtails on Solfach were joined by two White Wagtails, they have been recorded every day this month, but they will have likely passed through by the end of May. Unfortunately, all the Shelduck Chicks from yesterday have already been predated... Sad, but often expected for Solfach Shelducks, maybe another brood will be more successful? Looking at the birds on Solfach was not the most pleasurable experience today, as any good viewpoint meant you were facing directly into the wind!

 This colour-ringed Oystercatcher had been present on Bardsey for several days so it will be interesting to find out where it has come from.

This was the Shelduck brood yesterday morning, today none remained. If the gulls don't get them the seals usually will, needless to say, fledglings are rare on Bardsey for this species...

After scouring the South End gorse for a good hour, it produced two Blackcaps, a Whitethroat, two Stonechats, four Wrens, Meadow Pipits and a Collared Dove! If that's hiding in there, what else could be?!

Up at Nant, George saw the male Cuckoo that was still present at Ty Bach where it was recorded last night belting out its "cu-ckoo" call. Great birds, always lovely to see... Unless you're a Meadow Pipit, perhaps... Other than the Cuckoo, it was the usual suspects, Chiffchaffs, Chaffinches, Swallows, Stonechats and breeding birds.

So we're still holding onto the dream of something rare turning up for the time being... The rest of this breezy day was spent at Cristin mowing and strimming the garden and the net rides, the sun kept the temperature up, but that northerly breeze was persistent throughout the day.


Other sightings today include: three Cormorants, eight Shags, two Ringed Plovers, 21 Whimbrels, one Curlew, two Black-headed Gulls, one Little Owl, three Sedge Warblers, seven Chiffchaffs and five Goldfinches.

Ringing totals: Whimbrel 2, Dunlin 1
2 species, 3 new