A slight breeze was blowing from the east throughout the day with sudden gusts. The nets were not opened this morning and Sam and Stuart headed out to complete census. There was a noticeable influx of Wheatears with 46 recorded across the island. Warbler numbers were lower then in previous days, however singing a Whitethroat at Nant and Sedge Warbler in Ty Pellaf reedbed have ben resident over the last few days. 

The number of Whimbrel is still on the rise with 31 across the island with the majority at the South End. Sam also recorded a summer plumage male Bar-tailed Godwit at the South End. Four Snipes and a Jack Snipe were flushed in the Wetlands.

Male Bar-tailed Godwit

In the  afternoon, Stuart completed the task of painting the red tipped posts that mark the Manx Shearwater productivity burrows. This is a messy and tiring task that has taken a few days to cover the 14 survey areas across the island. In the next few weeks the burrows will be checked for eggs and incubating adults. Whilst in the Northwest Fields the first Cuckoo of the year was heard singing from the mountain above Nant.

Six species of butterfly were recorded today in the sunshine. A Holly Blue was found by Stuart in the Observatory garden (the tenth record for Bardsey). The male Orange Tip and a Small Tortoiseshell were present in the Observatory Garden and Peacock, Green-veined White and Small Copper were at Nant.

Holly Blue

Birds today: five Fulmars, one Grey Heron, one Sparrowhawk, one Buzzard, two Merlins, one Ringed Plover, one Bar-tailed Godwit, one Jack Snipe, four Snipes, 31 Whimbrels, two Curlews, six Turnstones, two Collared Doves, one Cuckoo, 25 Sand Martins, 28 Swallows, two House Martins, seven White Wagtails, 46 Wheatears, one Sedge Warbler, two Whitethroats, eight Blackcaps, seven Chiffchaffs, 13 Willow Warblers, 11 Siskins, 31 Goldfinches, 33 Lesser Redpolls, one Bullfinch, one Greenfinch