A notable gathering of 15 Mediteranean Gulls gulls and good numbers of cetacean sightings provided the day's main highlights. This included a very young juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 18 Black-headed Gulls briefly roosting on Carreg yr Honwy. 

Ringing efforts at the Observatory capitalized on a calm, clear day, peaking at 18°C with light northerly winds creating ideal conditions for opening nets. Eight Willow Warblers and two Wrens were trapped and ringed as part of the day's ringing effort. Overall island counts for Willow Warbler reached 35, distributed across several locations including 14 at Nant, seven in Withies, eight around the Observatory, two in the Wetlands, two at Tŷ Pellaf, one in the Lowlands, and one at the Narrows. Wren numbers totaled 37 across various sectors, led by 14 at Nant and nine at Tŷ Pellaf. Other warblers logged included eight Chiffchaffs, split between four in Withies, three at Nant, and one in the Lowlands, alongside a single Sedge Warbler along Green Lane. 

Small landbirds on census included 14 Meadow Pipits, with ten in the Lowlands and four at the Narrows, 14 Linnets at the Narrows including adults actively feeding young, six Pied Wagtails at Solfach including a fresh juvenile, two Stonechats in the Lowlands, and single records of Robin and Blackbird at the Observatory. Hirundines comprised 21 Swallows, with 16 in Withies, three in the Wetlands, and two in the Lowlands, alongside two House Martins in the Wetlands. 

Freshly fledged Pied Wagtail on Solfach (c) Steven Stansfield

Juvenile Pied Wagtail being fed on Solfach (c) Steven Stansfield

Juvenile Linnet begging for food on the Narrows (c) Steven Stansfield

Despite a slight sea state of two and a few passing light showers, marine and coastal watching produced 85 Razorbills off the West Coast, which contained a high proportion of first calendar-year birds. Counts also yielded 35 Gannets off the West Coast, 22 Shags at Carreg yr Honwy, nine Cormorants, and two Grey Herons on the Narrows. Shoreline waders included seven Curlews, split as six at Henllwyn and one at Carreg yr Honwy, five Turnstones at Carreg yr Honwy, three Redshanks at Solfach, a Common Sandpiper at Solfach, and a Whimbrel at Henllwyn. 

Marine life off the West Coast provided fantastic views of cetaceans, led by 70 Common Dolphins, which included 35 adults and five calves close inshore alongside a second pod of around 30 individuals further out. Ten adult Risso's Dolphins was also observed off the West Coast, while five Harbour Porpoises were noted, comprising four off the North End and one off the West Coast. Grey Seal counts reached 74 adults, with 54 at Henllwyn, 16 at Carreg yr Honwy, and four at Solfach. 

Lepidoptera activity was modest, highlighted by 24 Meadow Browns, with 22 around Tŷ Pellaf and two at the Observatory, three Red Admirals, two Common Blues in the Wetlands, two Peacocks at the Observatory, and a single Grayling at the Observatory. 

A westerly F3 breeze brought very good visibility across the island, with a sea state of three and mild temperatures reaching 18°C.

With the return of the calm weather nocturnal ringing efforts targeting Storm Petrels recommenced from the North End which resulted in a total catch of 12 individuals including one retrapped bird.

Storm Petrel ringed at the North End (c) Steven Stansfield

With an almost full moon rising early in the night the session was cut short early, but still provided some valuable results and a chance for many of the Marine Mammal students to see Storm Petrel up close for the first time.

Marine Mammal week students watching the Storm Petrel ringing.

Migrant warbler presence dropped off today with the warbler population appearing to be largely remnant breeders. This included two Willow Warblers and a single Chiffchaff in Withies, along with single records of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat in the Wetlands.

Small passerine activity across key areas featured five Pied Wagtails and two Rock Pipits at Solfach, a Meadow Pipit on the Narrows, and a single juvenile Stonechat on the Mountain. Two Wheatears were logged at the Narrows, while single records were noted for Robin and Woodpigeon in the Wetlands. Hirundines moving through included six Swallows, split as three in the Wetlands, two at Tŷ Pellaf, and one at the Narrows, alongside three House Martins in the Wetlands.

Wader and gull movements along the shore were represented by five Curlews, split as three at Solfach, one at Henllwyn, and one at the Narrows, alongside three Redshanks (two at Solfach and one at Henllwyn) and a single Whimbrel at Solfach. Two Black-headed Gulls were also noted at Solfach. 

A moderate F3 south-westerly breeze persisted throughout the day, bringing good visibility, a sea state of three, and temperatures reaching 17°C.

A nocturnal ringing session produced 12 Storm Petrels at the North End, comprising 11 new birds ringed and one retrapped individual. Daytime passerine ringing and census at Nant yielded six Chiffchaffs, with five at Nant (including two trapped and one retrapped) and one in Withies, alongside seven Willow Warblers, split as six in Withies and one at Nant. Three Blackcaps were recorded at Nant, consisting of two newly ringed and one retrapped bird. Single Swallows, Magpies and Woodpigeons were also ringed at Nant, although the highlight was retrapping a male Sparrowhawk.

Sparrowhawk (c) Ezra Sherwell

                                                                  

Seabird and coastal observation yielded two Gannets and two Puffins off Pen Cristin, alongside two Mediterranean Gulls off the West Coast. Shoreline wader records were limited to two Curlews and a single Whimbrel at the Narrows.

Butterflies were widely recorded, with the Mountain holding the main concentrations. Meadow Browns totaled 60, with 46 on the Mountain, eight around the Observatory, and six at Pen Cristin. Graylings reached 17, with 13 on the Mountain and four at Pen Cristin. Ten Small Coppers were logged, split as seven on the Mountain, two at Pen Cristin, and one at the Observatory, while Common Blues also totaled ten, comprising six on the Mountain, three at Pen Cristin, and one at the Observatory. Four Painted Ladies were noted, with three on the Mountain and one along the track between Plas and the Observatory. Other lepidoptera included two Peacocks at the Observatory, a Red Admiral on the Mountain, and a Small White at Pen Cristin.

 Early morning mist and light drizzle gave way to very good visibility under a gentle F3 north-westerly breeze, with temperatures reaching 18°C.

Aerial image of Enlli overlooking the West Coast and North End (c) Phoebe Moss

Passerine movement featured 16 Willow Warblers, including 12 trapped and ringed around the Observatory and four at Nant. Other small landbirds recorded on census included 34 Linnets, with 21 at the South End, eight at the Narrows, and five at Tŷ Pellaf. Two Lesser Redpolls were logged at the Observatory. Hirundines comprised 17 Swallows, split as eight at Tŷ Pellaf, seven at the South End, and two at the Narrows, along with six House Martins, divided as four at the South End and two at the Narrows. Single Wheatears were observed on Henllywn and the Narrows, three Meadow Pipits were noted at Tŷ Pellaf and single Rock Pipits were seen at Henllwyn and the South End. 

Seabird coverage yielded 190 Manx Shearwaters, with 150 off the West Coast, 24 off the South End, ten off the North End, and six chicks ringed in their burrows. Eighteen Gannets were counted, with 17 off the West Coast and one off the South End. Shoreline and gull counts included 360 Herring Gulls spread between Solfach, the Narrows, and Carreg yr Honwy. Additional gulls and terns were highlighted by four Mediterranean Gulls, comprising two adults off the West Coast and an adult alongside a juvenile at the South End. Seven Black-headed Gulls were noted, with five off the West Coast and two at Carreg yr Honwy, two Great Black-backed Gulls were at Carreg yr Honwy, and nine Sandwich Terns moved offshore, with seven off the West Coast and two off the North End.

Waders along the coast were led by 24 Curlews, with 22 at Carreg yr Honwy and two at Henllwyn. Five Whimbrels were noted, with four at the South End and one at the North End, four Oystercatchers were at Traeth Ffynnon, two Ringed Plovers were at the South End, and a single Redshank was at Carreg yr Honwy.

Cetacean watching off the West Coast was productive, producing a pod of 50 Common Dolphins, including calves, alongside a single Risso's Dolphin. Grey Seal counts reached a total of 189 across the island, featuring 109 hauled out at Henllwyn, 43 at Carreg yr Honwy, 34 at the South End, two at the Narrows, and one off the North End.

Butterflies were active in large numbers, particularly in Withies, where 72 Meadow Browns, 12 Common Blues, and a Small Copper were logged. Island totals for Meadow Brown reached 105, with 20 along the West Coast and 13 at Pen Cristin added to the Withies count. Total Common Blue numbers reached 18, with three at Tŷ Pellaf, two at the Observatory, and one along the West Coast. Two Holly Blues were recorded, with one remaining around the Observatory and one at the South End. Other butterflies noted included three Small Tortoiseshells, with one at the Lime Kiln, one at the Observatory, and one in Withies, five Peacocks, two Large Whites at the Observatory, two Red Admirals, a Small White at the Observatory, a Small Copper at the Observatory, and a Painted Lady in the Lowlands. Odonata was represented by an Emperor Dragonfly along the track by the School. 

A moderate F4 southerly wind blew across the island throughout the day, bringing dry conditions, clear visibility, and temperatures climbing to 20°C. 

A modest influx of migrant passerines was evident on land, led by a count of ten Willow Warblers, which were split as six around the Observatory and four in Withies. A single Chiffchaff was also logged in Withies. 

Breeding landbirds showed recorded across the Island included four Linnets at the South End and three moving between the Observatory and the Mountain. Aerial coverage by hirundines included 13 Swallows, comprising nine around the Observatory, two at Withies, one at the South End, and one at the Narrows, alongside six House Martins, which were divided as four across the Lowlands and two at the South End. Among other small landbirds, three Pied Wagtails were noted, with two at Solfach and one at the South End, a single juvenile Stonechat was along Green Lane, two Meadow Pipits were around the Observatory, a Rock Pipit was recorded at Solfach, and four Wrens as well as a Blackbird were found near the Observatory. 

Off the West Coast, seawatching produced 450 Manx Shearwaters, 120 Kittiwakes, 12 Gannets, and four Puffins, while two Razorbills were noted off the North End. Coastal rock features held five Shags, with three at Carreg yr Honwy and two off the West Coast, and four Cormorants at Carreg yr Honwy. 

Gull counts were dominated by Herring Gulls, with a total of 490 recorded. This included 240 along the stretch between Carreg yr Honwy and the Narrows and a distant feeding flock of 200 off the West Coast. Carreg yr Honwy also held 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and eight Great Black-backed Gulls. Four Black-headed Gulls gathered at Solfach, while nine Sandwich Terns moved between Carreg yr Honwy and Solfach. 

Wader species moving along the shoreline were highlighted by 41 Curlews at Carreg yr Honwy. Elsewhere, two Sanderlings were along the southern West Coast, single pairs of Whimbrels and Redshanks were logged between Carreg yr Honwy and the Narrows, and a Common Sandpiper was at Solfach. 

Lepidoptera activity around the Observatory was varied, highlighted by a Holly Blue and a Grayling, a Small Copper, a Large White, a Green-veined White, a Painted Lady, two Red Admirals, three Peacocks, and 12 Meadow Browns. 

Grayling and Common Blue (c) Phoebe Moss

                                                   

Elsewhere, three Common Blues were noted off the North End alongside a single bird at the Observatory. Incidental moth records comprised a Silver Y at the North End and a Large Yellow Underwing at the Observatory.