There was a slight bite in the breeze today, but nonetheless, it felt summery and the calm sea sparkled in the bright sun as it has done for over a week now. 

The nets were opened in the Withies and Cristin in the morning, it was fairly productive, with Blackcaps being the theme of the morning. Up at Nant, three Common Whitethroats were heard and seen, as well as many Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. 

Male Blackcap

Common Whitethroat at Nant

Female and Male Stonechats 

Lesser Redpolls were frequently visiting the feeders in the garden, although not as many as in previous days. There were Goldfinches with them and several Siskins, some of which were caught in the morning ringing session. 

Butterflies were move evident today than of late, with 13 Green-veined Whites, a Peacock, and the star of the show, a cracking male Orange Tip that spent sometime in the back garden of Cristin.

Male Orange Tip  

this is still a very rare butterfly on Bardsey with records from just ten years out of the last 30!

On bright, hot days like today its worth keeping an eye out for Green Tiger Beetles which can be seen all over the island, particularly the coastline.

Green Tiger Beetle on the West Coast

Birds today: one Grey Heron, one Sparrowhawk, one Merlin, three Ringed Plovers, one Purple Sandpiper, two Dunlins, one Snipe, 34 Whimbrels, one Common Sandpiper, one Collared Dove, 10 Sand Martins, 17 Swallows, three House Martins, one Tree Pipit, four White Wagtails, three Sedge Warblers, three Whitethroats, 25 Blackcaps, 18 Chiffchaffs, 10 Willow Warblers, 10 Siskins, 23 Goldfinches and 14 Lesser Redpolls.

Ringing Totals: Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 8, Blackcap 10, Siskin 2, Goldfinch 5, Lesser Redpoll 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Wren (2), Dunnock (1), Song Thrush 1.