A calm and gentle morning with a light south‑westerly breeze force one to two and a slight sea state. Visibility remained moderate for much of the day and temperatures reached 13°C. The first Swallow of the year in the afternoon means it must truly be spring, but we have to remember that one Swallow doesn't make a summer!

For most of the day work continued on getting the Obs ready. lots of cleaning still, and now painting has also begun. the countdown to guests arriving has begun!

Painting the North Single Bedroom © Steven Stansfield

We also had a visit from a lovely little dog today. This bag of energy, Reid and his handler Rachel Cripps usually work in Scotland, but the Welsh detection team Jynx and Greg are busy checking the south Wales islands at the moment, so Reid was having a special day out to Bardsey!.

Here is a short video on You Tube of Reid and Rachel working in Scotland. 

Grey Seal numbers were lower than previous days with 21 hauled out at Solfach, seven at Henllwyn and three elsewhere giving a total of 31 around the island. A single Devil’s Coach Horse beetle was found at the Observatory.

Wildfowl included ten Common Scoters moved south past the South End in the morning, with the rarity of the day being male Shoveler seen on the West Coast, this is only the 33rd record for the island. The Brent Goose at Solfach, four Shelducks between Solfach and Henllwyn and a single male Teal on Pwll Cristin. Mallards totalled nine across the island including birds at Solfach, Pwll Cristin, the Narrows and the North End.

Waders were represented by a single Whimbrel at the South End that was later seen again along the West Coast. One Curlew was also at the South End, and three Redshanks were on Solfach. Oystercatcher numbers climbed again to 170 including 69 at Henllwyn, 35 on the South End, 33 along the West Coast, 25 around the Narrows and eight at the North End.

Gulls showed strong numbers at the North End colony with 241 Herring Gulls present including 228 on the colony. A further 25 Lesser Black‑backed Gulls were also at the colony. Three Great Black‑backed Gulls were present at the South End and the North Hide. Seven Kittiwakes passed the South End. Razorbills increased slightly with 18 seen along the South End and six auk sp. recorded elsewhere.

Pigeons included seven Woodpigeons scattered across the island and three Stock Doves over the Observatory. Two Skylarks were logged, one at the South End and another along the West Coast.

Migration was evident in the strong movement of Meadow Pipits which reached 343 across the island. The majority consisted of 275 birds moving south over the South End during the morning. Rock Pipits rose to nine including seven on the South End and two on the West Coast. 

Pied Wagtails increased to 22 with birds spread between the South End, the Narrows and the West Coast. Robins totalled three.

Wheatears surged with 14 seen today. These included six males and one female on the South End and a further seven males around the Narrows. Three Blackbirds were seen around the Wetlands and Observatory.

Chiffchaffs increased slightly to eight with birds around the Wetlands, the Observatory and Nant. Goldcrests reached 13, including seven in the plantation.

Corvids were prominent again with 29 Magpies across the island, four Choughs were logged between the South End and the North End. One Jackdaw moved from the West Coast to the Narrows. Fourteen Carrion Crows were recorded.

Finches included one Chaffinch, nine Goldfinches, five Siskins and 13 Linnets with birds noted in most areas. Two Lesser Redpolls were at the South End.