After several quieter days, there were encouraging signs of autumn migration beginning to build, while marine mammals and coastal birds provided plenty of additional interest around the island. There is no real signs of any rain on the horizon, so water - and green grass are still in short supply.

The only green is the gorse!

Coverage by Ezra and Ida concentrated on Cristin, Withies, Nant, Tŷ Pellaf, the South End, Solfach and the Narrows, and it quickly became apparent that migrant numbers had increased slightly. Willow Warbler was the most numerous migrant passerine, with 13 recorded across Cristin, Withies, Nant and the South End. A further six Chiffchaffs were scattered between Tŷ Pellaf, Withies, the mountain and the Lowlands, while a Sedge Warbler was found along Green Lane.

The South End held the greatest concentration of visible migrants. Four Wheatears, three Willow Warblers, seven Meadow Pipits, two Whimbrels and 15 Linnets. Elsewhere, seven Stonechats were spread across the South End, Lowlands, mountain and Traeth Ffynnon, including a juvenile at the latter site.

Coastal birding was productive, particularly around Carreg yr Honwy, Henllwyn and Solfach. A gathering of 41 Curlews at Carreg yr Honwy was notable, while Oystercatcher numbers reached 50 around the coastline. Five Common Sandpipers were present at Henllwyn, a Dunlin was recorded at Solfach and a Little Egret at Solfach provided one of the day's more noteworthy records. Four Mediterranean Gulls were logged between Carreg yr Honwy and the west coast, while an adult and juvenile Sandwich Tern were present at Carreg yr Honwy, as well as the first two Arctic Terns of the autumn moved south after stopping briefly on Garreg yr Honwy.

At sea, Manx Shearwaters saw 211 recorded including two rafts of more than 50 birds off the South end. Gannets, Kittiwakes and a few lingering Puffins added to the seabird interest.

The highlight of the day came from the west coast, where a group of approximately 40 Common Dolphins was encountered. This was comfortably the largest cetacean record of the day and provided memorable views for those lucky enough to connect with them.

The season's first Grey Seal pup from yesterday was still alive, a welcome sign as the breeding season begins to get underway.

Seal Pup no 1 - lets hope it survives! (c) Phoebe Moss

Butterflies remained active, the Lowlands held 30 Meadow Browns, while Peacocks, Common Blues, Large Whites, Green-veined White and a Small Copper were also recorded from around the island. A Wood Mouse around Cristin was the only noteworthy non-avian record on land. 

Today’s conditions presented a stiff F4 West southwesterly wind during the morning which switched towards a Northwesterly wind in the afternoon. Temperatures peaked at 19°C with the day remaining largely overcast with spells of sun breaking through. 

Some high butterfly counts were taken today with 91 Meadow Browns and ten Common Blues observed. Two Northern Eggars were also noted around the Observatory in the evening. 

With the wind swinging Westerly, a short seawatch was attempted during the morning which proved fairly quiet. Some movement was evident however, with 692 Manx Shearwaters, 25 Gannets, 17 Puffins and 96 Kittiwakes past the South End in one hour. 

Numbers of Gulls roosting on the South End and Henllwyn have increased dramatically with estimates this morning of ~320 Kittiwakes, ~460 Herring Gulls, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, ten Great Black-backed Gulls and one Black-headed Gull. 

Part of the Kittiwake roost on the South End. (c) Ezra Sherwell

A few waders are still present around Henllwyn and Solfach. This includes three Whimbrels, 11 Curlews, one Redshank and two Common Sandpipers.

Hirundine, pipit and wagtail numbers were generally low in the southern parts of the Island with 12 Swallows and three House Martins present. A total of 18 Meadow Pipits, six Rock Pipits and two Pied Wagtails were observed between South End, and the Narrows.

The Withies hosted some early migratory warblers boosting the breeding population, with six Chiffchaffs and four Willow Warblers present. An additional seven Willow Warblers and a Goldcrest were also seen at Nant. A small flock of 37 Linnets were also present on the South End.

Changeover days rarely produce much coverage and this was no exception. With Joel heading off for a well-earned holiday, Ezra not returning to the island until late afternoon and Ida remaining on Bardsey in a voluntary capacity, there was limited time available for fieldwork. After a prolonged dry spell, the island also finally received some much-needed rain, although it amounted to little more than a brief 20-minute shower during the afternoon, followed by another passing shower overnight.

 

Given the circumstances, it was a relatively quiet day, but there was still enough wildlife interest to reward those who managed to get into the field.

Migrant bird activity remained fairly subdued. Around Cristin, a single Willow Warbler, two Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and a Robin provided evidence that autumn passage was continuing at a low level. A Sedge Warbler in the Wetlands was another likely migrant, while nine Woodpigeons spread between Cristin, the Wetlands and Tŷ Pellaf suggested some ongoing movement.

 

The island's breeding birds remained more conspicuous. Swallows were particularly evident, with 18 recorded between Cristin and Tŷ Pellaf, while two House Martins were seen at Pwll Gareth. Three Sparrowhawks and two Peregrines around Cristin ensured there was no shortage of aerial predators.

 

Two Whimbrels at the Narrows added to the passage wader interest, while a juvenile and adult Black-headed Gull were in Henllwyn .

 

Offshore, seabirds included 30 Manx Shearwaters, 80 Kittiwakes and 33 Puffins were logged, while four Razorbills and two Guillemots were noted around Pen Cristin and Henllwyn. Carreg yr Honwy held seven Shags and four Cormorants.

 

Butterflies remained active whenever the weather allowed. Meadow Browns were again the dominant species, with 31 recorded, mostly in the Lowlands. Red Admirals were particularly noticeable around Cristin, where four were seen, along with Green-veined White, Small Copper, Painted Lady and Peacock. Among the moths, Magpie Moth, Northern Eggar, White-shouldered House Moth and Eudonia mercurella were all noted inside Cristin during changeover and were carefully evicted! The latter species a recent colonist the the first records in 2021 on 23 August at Cristin and 6 September  at Nant. in the trap overnight a Pebble Prominent was caught along with another Small Mottled Willow - a migrant from the south. 

Pebble Prominent (c) Steven Stansfield

The first record for the island was an individual which was taken from a moth trap near the Plantation on 1 June 2011. This was followed by three in 2014, 2022 and 2023 and singles in 2019 and 2021. The caterpillars feed on various sallows, which are plentiful on the island.

 

Small mottled Willow (c) Steven Stansfield

Up to this year a total of nine moths have been recorded on the Island; the first was caught at Cristin in 2000 and was followed by further singles at Cristin on 6 May 2008 and in Cristin Withy on 2 August 2009. The next record was one at Nant on 12 June 2015, with two then caught at Cristin in September 2017. Amazingly, three of these moths were recorded in one night on 8 September 2024. This year has proved the best year so far with numerous records in spring and three so far in the summerThis species has a very large global range and is a pest in some areas, but usually only occurs as an immigrant in Britain, with most records coming from the south coasts.

A light (F2) north-westerly breeze and excellent visibility provided ideal conditions for coverage, and a calm sea was great for cetacean watching.

 The continuation of the drought is taking its toll on the island's vegetation, what was once green and lush is ow brown and burned to a crisp! The bracken on the mountain for now at least gives a bit of colour to our beige landscape.

A little rain is forecast for the weekend, but we need a lot to turn the island green again

 On the bird front, Willow Warbler was the commonest migrant, with eight logged (five of which were trapped and ringed) between Cristin and Nant, while four Chiffchaffs were scattered through the same areas. A single Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat were also traped at Cristin added to the selection, suggesting a gentle trickle of southbound passerines moving through the island. Swallows remained present with eight recorded across Obs, Nant and the mountain, accompanied by two House Martins at Pwll Gareth.

A Buzzard provided an interesting record and was the first for some weeks. First seen over the North End at 17:00 before heading south over the Lowlands, it was later watched departing northwards off the North End at 19:15, indicating a bird actively migrating through rather than lingering.

Elsewhere, a few signs of local dispersal were evident, including juvenile Stonechats above Nant and the family groups of Sparrowhawks around the Observatory.

At sea, Manx Shearwaters dominated proceedings, with around 500 rafting off the west coast. Kittiwake numbers were saw 194 recorded between the East Side and west coast, while 80 Puffins remained off the East Side. Coastal waders included two Whimbrels and three Curlews.

Marine mammals stole the show. Risso's Dolphins were encountered repeatedly around the island, with an impressive total of 23 logged. Groups were seen off the East Side, North End and west coast, including two calves among the East Side animals. Common Dolphins were also present off the west coast, where six were recorded, while five Harbour Porpoises, including two juveniles, added to an excellent day's cetacean watching to keep Phoebe happy!

Butterflies were particularly conspicuous in the warm conditions. Meadow Browns remained abundant, with around 150 counted across the island, while Graylings were concentrated on the mountain, where 17 were logged. Migrants included a single Painted Lady along the west coast, accompanied by four Red Admirals and three Small Coppers. 

Day-flying moths also added interest. Seven Silver Ys were spread between the mountain, East Side and Observatory, while six Magpie moths and a Six-spot Burnet were recorded. Three Migrant Hawkers were still around the Observatory continuing what has already been a productive season for migrant insects, while a lone Emperor Dragonfly on the mountain was another welcome sighting and the first since the 16th.

In the moth trap, a tiny, but rather beautiful (in my opinion anyway!)  Acleris holmiana was only the third record for the island. Two different individuals were trapped on 1st and 4 August 2022 at Cristin; these represented the first records for Bardsey.

This tiny tortrix has a modern vernacular name of White-marked Tortrix

 

Strong northerlies continued today, staying at F5 until 17:00, the sea state was three for much of the day. Visibility remained good and temperatures rose to 19°C.

A slight increase in Migrant Hawkers, reaching a total of six with four around Cristin.

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, still a rare species on the island with less than 15 records. One of four "Yellow Underwing" species in the moth trap © Joel Tragen

The usual residents birds of prey were seen around the island with the pair of Sparrowhawks around Crisitn much of the day but also seen hunting around the island and four Peregrines were seen around Nant.

More Whimbrels than Curlews were seen together with four of the former and half as many of the latter.

A nice selection of small gulls were seen roosting in Henllwyn, the highlights being four Mediterranean Gulls, three Common Gulls and nine Black-heaaded Gulls (with a tenth individual seen in Solfach).

Nice selection of small gulls of a variety of ages © Joel Tragen

Two Swifts followed Pen Cristin and the Mountain, heading north. Elsewhere a total of 24 Swallows and ten House Martins were seen.

A notable increase of Willow Warblers were seen across the island with a total of seven, with singles seen across the island. A Whitethroat was seen in Traeth Ffynnon. Two Sedge Warblers were recorded, along with 11 Chiffchaffs. The only finches seen today were Linnets which totalled eight.

The northerly winds eased up slightly, dropping to a F4 but the sea state remained at three. Visibility remained good and no precipitation was recorded. Temperatures stayed the same at 18°C.

Little "EZ" which has arrived from another colony! © Connor Stansfield

Last night the team went out Manx Shearwater ringing between Ty Pellaf and Traeth Ffynnon. After ringing 38 birds and retrapping a further 50 ringed birds, the last bird of the night to be captured contained a ring from another colony. A nice way to end a successful night and we look forward to receiving news back about this bird.

Low numbers of Migrant Hawkers remained with two at Cristin and a single at Nant, totalling three.

Ruby Tiger © Joel Tragen

A Teal was seen by Ida in the bay at Traeth Ffynnon in the morning and two female Mallards were seen in weird locations with singles at the North End Gull colony and another at Bae Felen.

Another juvenile Marsh Harrier was seen flying south along the East Side getting constantly harassed by two of the three juvenile Peregrines  seen around the East Side today. 45 minutes later the Marsh Harrier was seen coming back over the Mountain above Bae Felen and flying straight out east, where the Peregrines once again began mobbing it. Two Sparrowhawks were seen around Cristin and a third, an immature male, was seen at Nant. The resident male Sparrowhawk was seen around the East Side, where it was also very aggressively chased by one of the Peregrines, narrowly escaping with its life.

Low numbers of waders today with two Whimbrels in Henllwyn and a total of six Curlews. Also in Henllwyn were eight Black-headed Gulls and two Common Gulls.

Across the island 30 Swallows were noted with many family groups hanging around; however, only one House Martin was recorded today.

Two Willow Warblers were present in the Withies whilst a single Chiffchaff was heard around Cristin garden.