The wind was still coming from the north but clear sunny skies meant temperatures didn't drop too low. A Merlin was hunting the West Coast, a Snipe was in the Lowlands, a total of 34 Whimbrels were around the Narrows and West Coast, two Sandwich Terns went north, a Colloared Dove was at Nant, a Rook flew over the Narrows and warblers totalled three Sedge Warblers, ten Blackcaps, 11 Willow Warblers and three Chiffchaffs. A total of 30 Swallows, two House Martins and four Sand Martins were feeding over the Wetlands. The day ended with a male Pied Flycatcher hunting in the front garden. 

Whimbrel © Ed Betteridge

Wheatear © Ed Betteridge

Rook © Ed Betteridge

The wind remained a cold northerly with a hint of east. A Red Kite went north over Cristin mid-morning; the fourth of the month. A Grasshopper Warbler was trapped at Cristin with a Whitethroat in the Green Lane and four Sedge Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, 14 Willow Warblers and 17 Blackcaps elsewhere. Waders continue to passs through with 33 Whimbrels, a Curlew, 40 Purple Sandpipers a Dunlin and six Ringed Plovers logged. Other birds included a Grey Heron, two Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Collared Dove, 16 Swallows, three House Martins, 13 Wheatears, six Goldfinches and five Lesser Redpolls. 

Grasshopper Warbler © Ed Betteridge

The evening was spent dazzling around the Narrows which turned out to be a bit more successful then any of us could have imagined. In total, 13 Whimbrels were ringed, nine also with colour rings. This is a substantial total with only two years having more then ten Whimbrels ringed, 2009 (26) and 2008 (10) with 13 being more then the last five years combined! 

Also caught was five Ringed Plovers, all of which were fitted with a colour ring thanks to rings provided by the Mid Wales Ringing Group. Other birds caught were two big male Greenland Wheatears, a Purple Sandpiper and an Oystercatcher ringed as a chick in 2009.  

Whimbrel © Ed Betteridge

Ringed Plover © Ed Betteridge

Sunny spells for much of the day with a moderate northerly wind kept migrant totals low. A Bar-tailed Godwit was still with the Whimbrels that numbered 44 with a single Curlew with them. A female Teal was on Pwll Cain. A decent hirudine passage saw 17 House Martins, 23 Swallows and six Sand Martins through north. Ringing at Cristin first thing produced an unexpected Meadow Pipit with three Goldfinches, three Blackcaps and a Goldcrests. The nets were opened for an hour in the Withies mid-afternoon and caught three Sedge Warblers, two Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and two Willow Warblers. 

Other birds included a Grey Heron, two Buzzards, a Merlin, 161 Oystercatchers, 16 Wheatears, four Sedge Warblers, 11 Blackcaps, four Chiffchaffs, 16 Willow Warblers, five Goldcrests, four Rooks, 41 Goldfinches, a Siskin, 120 Linnets and six Lesser Redpolls. 

Meadow Pipit © Ed Betteridge

Sedge Warbler © Ed Betteridge

The wind was a moderate northerly with a hint of east at times. The highlight of the day was a young male Waxwing found in the Sycamore at Cristin. The bird remained in the garden for around a quarter of an hour, calling constantly before heading off high north. Surprisingly, this is only the eighth record for the Island involing 25 individuals. 

Waxwing © Ed Betteridge

Elsewhere, the first Lesser Whitethroat of the year was at Cristin with the first Whinchat at Pen Cristin. A summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit joined the Whimbrel on the Narrows with a Common Sandpiper in Solfach, a Teal in the Lowlands, a Collared Dove at Cristin then Nant, a Grey Heron went high over the Narrows in the evening followed by two over Solfach at dusk, witha small hirudine passage of 25 Swallows, a Sand Martin and four House Martins. 

The afternoon was spent montiring the Choughs and seabirds around the East Side. The first Razorbill eggs were found at Seal Cave with more Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls on eggs but Shags seem to be late with very few siting birds. The Raven pair at Barcut now has a single large chick that will fledge anyday now, with the first Chough eggs of the year found with seven pairs seemingly breeding this year. 

Other birds today a Buzzard, 46 Whimbrels, a Curlew, a Turnstone, 30 Wheatears, two Sedge Warblers, 13 Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, 15 Willow Warblers, three Goldcrests, 20 Goldfinches, a Siskin and four Lesser Redpolls. 

A rather large Raven chick © Ed Betteridge

Colour ringed Shag 'BARY' ringed in 2021 with this being its first sighting © Ed Betteridge

Fulmar © Ed Betteridge

The wind was a chilly north-westerly with clear blue skies from midday doing their best to keep temperatures up. There was still a good number of Wheatears around with 51 dotted around the Island.  Whimbrels continue to build in numbers as they stop off on the migration further north with a minumum of 45 on the Island. Passerine numbers were rather low with just three Blackcaps, 12 Willow Warblers and three Goldcrests, with two trapped at Cristin both being adult males.

During the afternoon a duck was seen on Ty Pellaf Pond, the bird seemed to be a female Gadwall but on closer inspection had some strange features and seems to be a Gadwall x Mallard hyrbid also known as a Brewer's Duck! A Sandwich Tern went passed the South End with a White Wagtail on the Narrows. 

Other birds included eight Shelducks, a Buzzard, a Curlew, ten Swallows, a Starlings, four Siskins, three Lesser Redpolls and nine Goldfinches.

Lesser Redpoll © Ed Betteridge

Brewer's Duck (Gadwall x Mallard hybrid) © Ed Betteridge

Ringed Plovers are again breeding this year © Ed Betteridge

The day began calmly but remained overcast, by midday the wind had gradually increased creating a brisk northerly set in for the day. Cloud eventually produced some light drizzle, which dropped some birds throughout the day.  

The standout highlight was a steady arrival of Wheatears as the day progressed, with the majority being Greenland race. Up to 118 birds were logged across the island, predominately along the coastal stretches where each field held a few birds! 

One of several 'Greenland' Wheatear seen today © Jonathan Dodds

Migratory waders in the form of three Bar-tailed Godwits (one of which sporting its smart summer plumage), 37 Whimbrels and three Dunlins. 

Two of three Bar-tailed Godwits, one of which sporting its summer finery © Jonathan Dodds

Plenty of other migrants had arrived including four Sedge Warblers, a Whitethroat, a Grasshopper Warbler, two White Wagtails, 30 Blackcaps, six Chiffchaffs, 16 Willow Warblers, and nine Goldcrests. We were treated to our first Swift of the year during the guided wildlife walk. Hirundines were moving too with 11 Swallows, nine House Martins and four Sand Martins being logged. Some finches were passing through with 25 Goldfinches, three Siskins, 120 Linnets and nine Lesser Redpolls recorded  .   

The first Whitethroat to be caught this season from the Withies © Ed Betteridge     

The singing male Corncrake remained for another day, whilst two mobile Greylag Geese also toured the island briefly first thing; continuing a good run this year for this scarce species on the Island. 

The calm weather continued today with little wind and sunny skies. A good arrival of Blackcaps at the observatory saw 63 ringed along with a bird ringed in Spain. Also caught at Cristin was a Siberian Chiffchaff, eight Willow Warblers, a Goldcrest, five Chiffchaffs, six Goldfinches, nine Lesser Redpolls and a Siskin.

Siberian Chiffchaff © Ed Betteridge

A Bar-tailed Godwit was the first of the year at the North End with three Greylag Geese circling the island a few times early morning; after no records between 2018-2022 the last two years has seen a large increase in records almost all in April. The Corncrake was again calling in the Wetlands after being so quiet last week. A Red Kite went over Cristin with a Little Egret along the West Coast.

A trip around the northern part of the east side to do the first monitoring of the breeding birds resulted in the first Shag, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull eggs of the season though numbers were low with still a lot yet to lay. A good count of Puffins saw 194 on the sea off the north-east corner with some visiting burrows. 

Puffins © Ed Betteridge

Herring Gull on nest © Ed Betteridge

Other birds included a Curlew, 22 Whimbrels, a Collared Dove, 10 Sand Martins, 19 Swallows, four House Martins, a Starling, 22 Rooks, six Goldcrests, 21 Willow Warblers, seven Chiffchaffs, 70 Blackcaps, 13 Lesser Redpolls and 24 Wheatears. 

Today we unfortunately said goodbye to the fantastic group of students from Bangor University. They all seemed to have really enjoyed their week on the Island with many saying how much they had learnt. They didn't leave straight away and after a windy week we were able to do one last ringing demonstration this morning. In total 30 Blackcaps, 22 Willow Warblers, two Sedge Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, four Goldcrests, six Lesser Redpolls and six Goldfinch were caught. 

Bangor students © Steve Stansfield

Elsewhere, three Canada Geese passed the South End, a Dunlin and a White Wagtail was on the Narrows, a Tree Pipit flew north through the Wetlands with a Redwing also there, the Cuckoo was still around Plas Withy, a Hooded Crow fley north along the Mountain and incredibly after nearly a week absense the Corncrake started calling from the same spot; possibly not had called due to the windy weather.

Cuckoo © Joel Tragen

Other birds included a Grey Heron, eight Whimbrels, two Collared Doves, 12 Swallows, a House Martin, five Sand Martins, 18 Wheatears, two Grasshopper Warblers, five Sedge Warblers, 65 Willow Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, 52 Blackcaps, ten Goldcrests, four Rooks, 81 Goldinches, eight Siskins, 153 Linnets and seven Lesser Redpolls.

Student releasing Grasshopper Warbler © Joel Tragon

Bumblebee © Rowan Jackson

The competition continued on from last night’s quizzes with a bird race. The teams split up to scour the island to see as many species as they could before evening log. With weather being too windy for nets to be opened, the first team set out down the Green Lane at 07:30. Despite the wind, it was otherwise outstanding weather, full clear skies and the warmest day since the students had arrived.

The first Cuckoo of the year was seen sitting on a post at the end of the Green Lane, becoming more mobile through the morning as a cloud of mobbing pipits and wagtails formed. Throughout the day it gave song briefly and quietly.

Cuckoo © Joel Tragen

Three Grasshopper Warblers were heard reeling across the island, with 12 Blackcaps, 19 Willow Warblers, nine Chiffchaffs and three Goldcrests also recorded. A nice variety of hirundine were seen, with all three species being recorded in low numbers: three Swallows, three Sand Martins and a House Martin. 16 Wheatears were present, with the majority being around the Narrows, also present around the Narrows were singles of Dunlin, Redshank and Purple Sandpiper. The Ringed Plover pair were on the Narrows and confirmed breeding this year with the nest being located with the first egg laid. Six Whimbrel, a Curlew and eight Turnstone were seen.

There was more finch movement today with 92 Goldfinches being recorded, 74 recorded flying South in the morning. Other finches included 2 Siskins and a Lesser Redpoll. Another Collared dove joining the other, the Stock Dove, Grey Heron and Teal remained on the island. Five Rook flew over the island throughout the course of the day.

The students went to the Ynys Enlli café for a lovely group meal to round of their trip before returning to the Observatory for the announcement of the Bird race winner. It was extremely close between all the teams, Steve’s team took the lead by two species reaching a total of 55 species (only five species above third place) and a total of 61 species recorded between all teams.

Bird race team © Kate Fox

Winning team! © Steve Stansfield

Guest blog by Joel Tragen 

 18/04

It was a beautifully clear, calm morning on Enlli, with the wind picking up and shifting from south-westerly to a stronger westerly wind bringing light rain showers in the afternoon. The calm conditions first thing allowed the first breeding bird survey visit of the year to take place, starting at sunrise and covering the South End, Narrows Traeth Ffynnon and up to Ty Pellaf.

A stunning sunrise at the South End © Kate Fox

A Grey Heron was touring the island, a Teal on Pwll Cain, two Red Kites with two Buzzards over the Mountain, seven Whimbrels around the island, a Redshank on Henllwyn, five Turnstones around the South End, a Stock Dove between Cristin and Nant and a Collared Dove around the Observatory garden. 

In terms of migrant passerines, a Tree Pipit flew north over the South End first thing, and a total of seven Swallows, 21 Wheatears, 21 Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, 12 Willow Warblers and five Goldcrests across the island. It was a good day for Rooks, with 19 recorded. The Starling remained at Ty Pellaf, and finch counts came to 94 Goldfinches, ten Siskins, 85 Linnets, three Lesser Redpolls and a Chaffinch. In the afternoon, a Reed Bunting was also heard calling over the plantation at Nant. 

Steve took the students on a guided walk up to Pen Cristin to show them the some of our star lichen species, the rare Ciliate Strap Lichen (Heterodermia leucomela) and Golden Hair Lichen (Teloschistes flavicans). Many then stayed up there for a couple of hours enjoying great views of Puffins on the slopes below. 

Lichen-spotting at Pen Cristin © Steve Stansfield

The afternoon was spent rockpooling around Solfach, finding a great range of shore-dwelling species. The highlights were two By-the-wind Sailors, Strawberry and Beadlet Anenomes, and two Shannies which they were able to identify with the help from books kindly donated by WildSounds! Joel also gave a crash course on seaweed ID, pointing out the differences between Serrated, Bladder, Egg and Spiral Wrack, and how to remember the scientific name for Oar Weed (Laminaria digitata) owing to its resemblance to a hand and fingers - hence 'digitata' for digits. 

Rockpooling around Solfach © Kate Fox

Using our new Rockpooling field guides donated WildSounds © Steve Stansfield

The day ended with the legendary Bardsey Uni Week Quiz which was great fun for all (despite the devilish questions set by Steve!). 'The Great Tits' had a landslide victory, each winning a Bardsey Bird Observatory T-shirt. 

Quiz night! © Steve Stansfield

The wind remained from the North West, slightly lighter than previous days with peaks of force 5, making detecting birds in the bushes that bit easier. 

The highlight of the day was a second calendar-year male Marsh Harrier which flew over the mountain above Cristin in the morning. Also on the raptor front, a male Merlin was seen at the South End by one of the students, presumably a different individual to the female-type birds we've been seeing regularly. 

Marsh Harrier © Ed Betteridge

Five Shelducks were seen around Traeth Ffyynnon, where the Redwing was also seen again, three Rooks flew north along the West Coast, three Teals in the Wetlands, and three Whimbrels were recorded around the island.

Two Swallows were recorded (one at Ty Pellaf and the breeding male singing around Plas), a Starling around Ty Pellaf, and a total of 12 Wheatears. There were also 28 Blackcaps around the island, along with nine Chiffchaffs, 36 Willow Warblers, and four Goldcrests, Finch numbers totaled at 61 Goldfinches, seven Siskins, 119 Linnets, and a Lesser Redpoll.

In the evening the students had a session with talks from Ed, Jonathan and Kate about their experiences and what led them to Bardsey. The students really enjoyed hearing from them, saying how they found it 'inspirational' and resonated with many of the common themes such as impostor syndrome and lack of confidence when new to the birding scene.  

Jonathan talking about his experience at Bird Observatories © Kate Fox

Pied Wagtail © Ed Betteridge

 The morning started much the same as yesterday with the students joining the Obs staff for morning census, practicing their newly acquired skills from Kate’s bird sounds and Steve’s bird id talks the day before. The wind had improved partially but still gusting 40mph and overcast. The students took great joy in watching a pair of Peregrines stooping meters above their heads at Nant.

A Hooded crow and three Rook were seen flying North through the wetlands with the Hooded crow doubling back, heading South over the island disappearing North behind the mountain at Pencristin. Three Starlings flew in from the North and landed in the Wetlands, remaining fairly mobile throughout the day. A decent movement of finches occurred through the morning with 107 Goldfinches, 142 Linnets, five Siskins & a Lesser Redpoll. A pair of House Martins were seen at Nant in the morning with seven Swallows elsewhere with more hirundine movement seen mid-afternoon, 39 Swallows & a Sand Martin over the South end.

Hooded Crow © Joel Tragen

Partially leucistic Chiffchaff © Joel Tragen

Across the island 20 Wheatears were seen, along with 16 Blackcaps, 16 Willow warblers, four Chiffchaffs & four Goldcrests whilst a Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling at Nant. The Redwing was seen again at Traeth Ffynnon and a Collared Dove was seen at Cristin. A Sandwich tern was seen in Henllywn, along with 12 Purple Sandpipers, five Turnstones and a Common Sandpiper. Eight Whimbrels were seen around the coast with six seen at Traeth Ffynnon and one each at both the North & South end. Also, a pair of Ringed Plovers and Dunlin were seen on the Narrows along with a White Wagtail.

Ed, Joel and Jonathan took a group of students down to the South end to introduce them to the Manx shearwater census, allowing them to gather some experience in a systematic sampling technique. The students spent a couple of hours counting burrows and noting signs of occupation. A bit of multitasking by Ed meant a retrap young Male Stonechat was caught, it was first being ringed last season in 2023. This was the first time any of the students had seen a Stonechat in the hand, being a retrap it further exacerbated the importance of ringing.

On the walk back Jonathan and a student were lucky to get brief views of the Nightingale again in the exact same location as before, it briefly sang before skulking back into the hedge and wasn’t seen again despite efforts to resight it.

Steve then adorned the chef’s cap and apron as the Observatory hosted a BBQ for all the students, cooking up a wide array of food with everyone sitting down to eat together. With everyone full of delicious food, the students moved to the Common room for a few rounds of “Bird charades” coined by Holly.

Steve and the staff then led a guided Manx shearwater walk down to the South end, following a talk on the work the BBFO carries out with the Manxies. The students all had an incredible time, all getting stuck in and ringing their first Shearwaters. A few old recaptures were caught including a bird from 1997 and 1994! Finishing with a spot of stargazing the students retreated back to Cristin to the comfort of their beds and the late time of 02:45. 

Students being shown a Stonechat © Joel Tragen

Manx Shearwater ringing © Joel Tragen

Guest blog by Joel Tragen

The Bangor students had first experience on carrying out the daily census, shadowing the Obs staff on their morning rounds. The island was bathed in glorious sunshine all day, however force seven westerly winds made detecting birds in the bushes hard work.  

Students sheltering from the wind at the North End Hide © Kate Fox

A Ringed Plover was seen on the Narrows, two Whimbrels around the coast, a Common Sandpiper on the beach at Traeth Ffynnon along with a Redwing in the hedge. A Swallow flew north over Cristin, nine Wheatears were seen around the island, as well as a total of 16 Blackcaps, nine Chiffchaffs, 23 Willow Warblers and four Goldcrests. 

The mystery Nightingale that has been frequenting the hedge just north of the Narrows was finally confirmed as a Common Nightingale after Ed managed to record it singing quietly in the same area in the afternoon. 

Other birds included four Shelducks around the Narrows, a Kestrel at Nant, a Merlin at the North End and two Goldfinches around the Obs. 

Merlin at the North End © Kate Fox

The students spent the afternoon out of the wind having an ID workshop, focusing on bird sounds with Kate and visual ID with Steve. In the evening after log, Steve gave a talk about his time at the International Bird Observatories Conference in Israel. 

Bird sound ID workshop with Kate © Joel Tragen

The weather finally calmed enough for a rather early boat with guests leaving at 0730! We also welcomed a group of nine students from Bangor University as well as Joel Tragon who came to help out. The weather today at least was in their favour with clear blue skies and a moderate breeze.

The students © Steve Stansfield

A few birds of prey took advantage of the clear skies with a Buzzard, two Sparrowhawks, three Kestrels and a Peregrine. The welcome talk was slighlty interupted when two Greylag Geese flew north before returning shortley after with two Canada Geese in tow. Surpringly, Greylag Geese were also seen on last year's University week with these being only the second record since 2018!

The goose flock © Ed Betteridge

After the students had settled in and had a quick nap after a 0330 start for some we headed out during the afternoon to show them around the southern part of the Island. This started with a slightly rushed start when Ed spotted a Nightingale fly along the hedge just north of the Narrows and quickly disappear. This bird was presumably the same bird seen by Kate and Steve on the 12th when it flew past them whilst they drove the quad and the mystery bird seen by Ed roosting on the hedge after dark on the 13th. The bird unfortunately went to ground and there was no further sign for over an hour when Jonathan managed a brief view and some poor photos which clearly showed a Nightingale however, it was hard to exclude Thrush! The rest of the guided walk was highlighted by the Common Seal, close views of Gannets, a Merlin and lots of showy Wheatears.  

Nightingale © Jontathan Dodds

Elsewhere, a Grasshopper Warbler sang from the Wetlands with another caught in the Heligoland trap, seven White Wagtails were on the Narrows and a Redwing was at Traeth Ffynnon. Other totals were 20 Wheatears, six Siskins, 90 Linnets, 42 Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, 46 Blackcaps, two Starlings, two Sand Martins, ten Swallows and a House Martin. 

Willow Warbler © Ed Betteridge

One of three Wheatears spring trapped © Ed Betteridge

The day started with fog mixed with drizzle which turned to heavy rain mid-morning before finally clearing in the afternoon. Five Brent Geese were on Solfach early morning and consisted of four pale bellied Brent Geese and a single dark bellied Brent Goose. The Corncrake was again calling during the early morning. 

Brent Geese © Ed Betteridge

The weather seemed to have dropped in a good number of migrants including two Pied Flycatchers, the first Sedge Warbler of the year, three Tree Pipits, two Grasshopper Warblers, a Siberian Chiffchaff, 214 Blackcaps, 248 Willow Warblers, 27 Chiffchaffs, a Firecrest, 20 Redwings, a White Wagtail, a Common Sandpiper, two Golden Plovers, 16 Wheatears, three Sand Martins, 15 Swallows, a female Bullfinch and a Lesser Redpoll.

Ringing at Cristin in the Heligoland trap produced an impressive 42 Blackcaps, eight Chiffchaffs, four Willow Warblers and a Goldcrest. 

Redwing © Ed Betteridge

Pied Flycatcher on the South End cliffs © Jonathan Dodds