A southwesterly wind at Force 2 to 3, a sea state of two, excellent visibility, and temperatures reaching 19°C provided conditions for cetacean observations and ringing efforts around the island.

Cetacean counts off the east side recorded 13 Risso's Dolphins, comprising a pod of six that included a calf, two separate groups of three, and a single individual. In addition, three Bottlenose Dolphins were logged to the northeast of the Island near to the mainland.

Female and calf Risso's Dolphin seen off Pen Cristin (c) Jason Brook

Risso's Dolphin (c) Jason Brook

Ringing operations focused around the Observatory processed several species throughout the day. Birds trapped and ringed or re-trapped included eight Willow Warblers, four Wrens, one Sparrowhawk, three Magpies, one Sedge Warbler, one Robin and one Blackbird. A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was also spotted in the observatory garden during the ringing session although it unfortunately evaded the nets.

Additional observations across the island noted two Grey Herons, 14 Curlews at Carreg yr Honwy, four Whimbrels at Carreg yr Honwy, two Redshanks, one Black-headed Gull off the West Coast, one Common Gull at Solfach, three Sandwich Terns off the South End, six House Martins, four Swallows, three Pied Wagtails, three Stonechats, and one Woodpigeon.