Monday 14 September 2020

It was yet another glorious day on Bardsey with bright sunshine, an easterly breeze and a maximum temperature of 24ºC!

Conditions were favourable to record visible migration (VisMig) over the island so Steve headed to Pen Cristin for first light to assess the movement of birds. Grey Wagtails were moving early on and a total of 31 were recorded along the West Coast, over the South End and past the Obs. Also on the move this morning were 306 Meadow Pipits, 214 Swallows, 16 Skylarks a flava Wagtail, and the fifth Lapland Bunting of the autumn. Ringing at the Obs was less productive, however, with the highlight being another juvenile male Stonechat. The gardens, withies and surrounding scrub saw an increase in Robin numbers with at least 31 recorded. A Tree Pipit was seen in the early gloom at Ty Pellaf before sunrise.

Sunrise from Pen Cristin
Tree Pipit near Ty Pellaf at dawn
Many of the Meadow Pipits touched down on the South End before continuing their migration
Skylarks passing over
17 Wheatears were on the Narrows and South End

Cetaceans were the feature of the afternoon as the calm sea and excellent visibility meant that they could be seen even at great distance. A large, widespread pod of at least 70 Common Dolphins were seen along the West Coast from the Obs, as well as five Bottle-nosed Dolphins and seven Risso's Dolphins. A Hobby, only the second of the year was seen chasing a Swallow and then a Linnet over the North End of the island in the late evening.

However the most frustrating bird of the day was a large shearwater which lolloped south slowly mid-morning. The bird was too distant to get any plumage detail on just with binoculars (note to self... always take your scope!), but the jizz and flight action was that of a Cory's Shearwater... One that got away! 

Another rather handsome Stonechat!

Three nestling Swallows were ringed from the Cristin tool shed which will probably be the last brood to be ringed this year. This evening George and Alex once again attempted to catch White Wagtails at Ty Pellaf, resulting in seven more birds ringed.

Nestling Swallow

Juvenile White Wagtail


Other sightings included; one Merlin, a Great Skua and a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, six Siskins, 17 Wheatears, 33 White Wagtails.

White Wagtail on Solfach

Ringing totals: two Chiffchaff, one Willow Warbler, two Robins, seven White Wagtails, three Swallows, one Goldcrest, one Dunnock and one Wren.

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