The winds swinged round to the north-east and were accompanied by heavy showers throughout the day, keeping most of the birds on the Island out of sight. A short seawatch in the morning before rain ended proceedings produced an Arctic Skua, two Manx Shearwaters, three Common Scoters, 87 Gannets, 39 Kittiwakes, 35 Razorbills, four Shags, and a Cormorant. The highlights of the otherwise day were a Chaffinch at Nant, four Goldcrests, a Song Thrush, a Kestrel, three Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin. 

Murky skies over the South End © Ollie King

Today was fairly quiet in terms of bird life across the Island as south-westerlies continued to build in strength. The highlights for the day were an Arctic Skua, seven Grey Wagtails, a Merlin on the West Coast and a White Wagtail. Other species present were seven Common Scoters, a Teal, a Kestrel, three Ringed Plovers, a Snipe, a Song Thrush, six Willow Warblers, 11 Goldcrests, 11 Goldfinches, and 56 Linnets. 

Linnet flock at Traeth Fynnon © Ollie King

Another survey around the Island's coastline was carried out today to count the number of seal pups present, which brought the total to 31.

The moth trap at Cristin caught a decent haul given the time of year, with 106 moths of 13 species, the highlight being the first Black Rustic of the year.

Black Rustic © Ollie King

Today saw further blue skies and golden sunshine that were accompanied by south-westerlies. Although graced by good weather, there was little species turnover, save for four Skylarks that flew north, three Tree Sparrows at Ty Pellaf, and 13 Grey Wagtails - including a colour-ringed individual ringed at the the Calf of Man Bird Observatory!

Colour-ringed Grey Wagtail © Ollie King

Other species sighted today were a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, five Common Scoters, four Dunlins, a Snipe, a Whimbrel, 40 Curlews, four Redshanks, nine Turnstones, a Teal, two White Wagtails, 48 Swallows, five House Martins, 18 Goldcrests, two Willow Warblers, five Chiffchaffs, and three Blackcaps. The non avian highlight of the day was five Risso's Dolphins that were seen splashing around off the West Coast.

Hard to beat the view from the Migration Bench on a good day! © Ollie King

Today felt like a day of true Indian summer as the Island was greeted by warm, blue skies and a sudden calming of the winds. Bird-wise it was fairly quiet again, but the highlights of the day came through ringing, as one of the four Tree Sparrows was ringed at Ty Pellaf. At Cristin, a male Sparrowhawk trapped and ringed in the garden. 

Tree Sparrow ringed at Ty Pellaf © Ollie King

Male Sparrowhawk © Ed Betteridge

Look at that eye! © Ollie King

There was some species turnover with a small arrival of 26 Goldcrests, 10 Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, a Spotted Flycatcher and three Blackcaps all logged today. Overhead passage some moderate 'vismig', with the first Skylark of the autumn logged, alongside five Grey Wagtails, two White Wagtails, 19 Alba wagtail spp.,  20 Swallows, 10 House Martins, 49 Goldfinches, and 86 Linnets. 

Other species recorded today were 14 Common Scoters, a Collared Dove, a Buzzard, a Kestrel, two Purple Sandpipers, a Snipe, a Whimbrel, nine Curlews, and two Redshanks. 

Moderate north-westerlies today had us hoping for another good seawatch in the recent string of good seaward passage, however it was slightly quieter with three Arctic Skuas, 20 Common Scoters, two Mediterranean Gulls, a Common Gull, two Black-headed Gulls, 34 Kittiwakes, three Sandwich Terns, 81 Razorbills, 131 Gannets, and four Manx Shearwaters.

Clouds encroaching on the Lighthouse © Ollie King

It was fairly quiet otherwise on the Island, with the five Tree Sparrows continuing at Ty Pellaf providing the most birding entertainment. Eight Rooks were seen flying high north over the Wetlands, and a Siskin was heard over Nant. Other species logged were a Merlin, a Buzzard, a Song Thrush, 14 Blackbirds, a Spotted Flycatcher, four Chiffchaffs, a Whitethroat, 24 Robins, two Grey Wagtails, and a Teal. 

Seal pup numbers are increasing by the day as more pregnant females haul out onto their pupping grounds. We're now on 27 pups logged around the Island!

Seal pup #21 sighted so far this year on the Island © Ollie King

The winds dropped today; the sea early morning produced a Pomarine Skua, four Common Scoters, a Mediterranean Gull, 11 Sandwich Terns and a 'Commic' Tern. The five Tree Sparrows remained at Ty Pellaf. However, the bird of the day was a Barred Warbler seen a few times mainly in flight at Cristin in the evening. Unfortunately, all the views were too brief to see if it was the ringed bird from the other day. 

Tree Sparrows © Ed Betteridge

Other birds included a Grey Heron, a Fulmar, a Ringed Plover, 30 Curlews, six Redshanks, 30 Turnstones, a Black-headed Gull, 40 Razorbills, three Guillemots. a Grey Wagtail, two White Wagtails, six 'Alba' Wagtails, 10 Robins, three Wheatears, a Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, seven Goldcrests and 40 Goldfinches. 

Linnet caught at Ty Pellaf © Ed Betteridge

The chilly winds from the north continued blow and bought with it some decent seawatching, with the main highlights being the first Sabine's Gull of the year, as well as 11 Pink-footed Geese that flew over the Island calling (only the 11th Island record and the second highest day count!). Other species seen were a Pomarine Skua, two Arctic Skuas, two Red-throated Divers, 595 Kittiwakes, eight Sandwich Terns, nine Guillemots, 1011 Razorbills, , two Fulmars, eight Manx Shearwaters, 195 Gannets, nine Common Scoters, and a Merlin. 

The skein of 11 Pink-footed Goose that flew over the Island © Ollie King

On land it was relatively quiet, but the five Tree Sparrows were seen again at Ty Pellaf feeding in the crop field, and elsewhere on the Island there were two Pied Flycatchers, two Spotted Flycatchers, two Grey Wagtails, five Goldcrests, two Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, and a Reed Warbler.

Goldcrest at Ty Pellaf © Ollie King

Strong north-westerly winds produced some passage off the West Coast with three Red-throated Divers, a Fulmar, 335 Gannets, 22 Common Scoters, a Little Gull, 1201 Kittiwakes, 11 Sandwich Terns, 10 Common Terns, a 'Commic' Tern, 13 Guillemots, 738 Razorbills, four Arctic Skuas and a Pomarine Skua. The other highlight of the day was the discovery of five Tree Sparrows in around Ty Pellaf crops and the Wetlands!

Tree Sparrow © Ed Betteridge

Wheatear © Ed Betteridge

Other birds today included a Teal, 19 Mallards, a Sparrowhawk, a Black-headed Gull a Ringed Plovers, six Dunlins, a Snipe, 53 Curlews, eight Redshanks, 16 Turnstones, 23 Swallows, 70 Meadow Pipits, two Grey Wagtails, two White Wagtails, 17 Robins, 10 Wheatears, a Whitethroat, four Blackcaps, four Chiffchaffs, six Willow Warblers, seven Goldcrests, two Spotted Flycatcher and three Pied Flycatchers. 

Grey Seal swimming in Cafn © Ed Betteridge

Moderate northerlies meant for little passerine turnover, but a short seawatch produced 35 Common Scoters, two Common Terns, two Arctic Skuas, 100 Kittiwakes, 50 Razorbills, and nine Sandwich Terns. The main highlights on land were 10 Grey Wagtails flying south over the Island, two Golden Plovers that flew over the Mountain, four Pied Flycatchers and five Purple Sandpipers.

One of the 16 Grey Seal pups present on the Island © Ollie King

Other birds seen were two Sparrowhawks, four Ringed Plovers, 56 Curlews, five Redshanks, a Common Sandpiper, six Dunlins, a Black-headed Gull, a Rock Dove, a White Wagtail, seven Goldcrests, and a Spotted Flycatcher.

Another gorgeous Bardsey sunset © Ollie King

Today saw northerly winds which lowered the temperature of the Island and gave it a more autumnal feel. The sea was rather quiet with just a single Arctic Skua and four Sandwich Terns. A noticeable arrival of chats saw 45 Robins, a Whinchat and 23 Stonechats logged. A Reed Warbler was at Ty Pellaf and Plas Withy. Flycatchers has also increased overnight with seven Spotted Flycatchers and nine Pied Flycatchers; of which three were caught at Cristin. Non-avian sightings included at least three Hummingbird Hawkmoths and two Migrant Hawkers.

Pied Flycatcher © Ed Betteridge

Whinchat © Ed Betteridge

Other birds logged included three Grey Herons, two Teals, two Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel, five Ringed Plovers, four Dunlins, a Whimbrel, 37 Curlews, five Redshanks, a Common Sandpiper, two Feral Pigeons, a Sand Martin, 71 Swallows, 34 House Martins, a Grey Wagtail, two White Wagtails, 13 Wheatears, three Whitethroats, four Blackcaps, three Chiffchaffs, eight Willow Warblers and nine Goldcrests.

Heavy showers overnight and drizzle in the morning produced a small fall, with a good selection of species. The highlight of the day was a Barred Warbler, trapped and ringed in Cristin garden. 11 Pied Flycatchers were a welcome surprise, and other migrant highlights were five Tree Pipits, a Whinchat, a Grasshopper Warbler, and 17 Willow Warblers. A seawatch between net rounds produced six Sandwich Terns, three Common Terns and an Arctic Skua. The non-avian highlight of the day was seven Vestals seen across the Island - the highest recorded day count!

Barred Warbler ringed in Cristin garden © Ollie King

Pied Flycatcher on the South End © Ollie King

Other migrant totals for the day were a Teal, two Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel, a Dunlin, a Whimbrel, 45 Curlews, 13 Redshanks, 44 Turnstones, a Common Sandpiper, six Ringed Plovers, a Grey Wagtail, two White Wagtail, 13 Wheaters, three Whitethroats, six Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs, and five Goldcrests.

One of the seven Vestals seen today © Ollie King

Non-avian migrants were also on the move as three Hummingbird Hawk-moths, 12 Red Admirals, and six Small Whites were recorded.

Today saw south-easterly winds mixed in with rain showers. The first Wigeon of the year was seen flying over the Narrows east before u-turning and landing in Solfach. Mid-morning, hirundines started to move with 228 Swallows, 15 Sand Martins and 6 House Martins recorded. Other highlights included a Tree Pipit at Nant, a Merlin went over the Mountain and a Knot on the Narrows. 

A Snipe and Moorhen were caught via dazzling in the evening © Ed Betteridge

Other birds recorded included two Grey Herons, a Teal, 18 Mallards, a Sparrowhawk, three Peregrines, five Ringed Plovers, three Sanderlings, 13 Purple Sandpipers, three Dunlins, 46 Curlews, 11 Redshanks, 41 Turnstones, 11 Black-headed Gulls, three Sandwich Terns, two Guillemots, 55 Meadow Pipits, 13 White Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 19 Robins, two Wheatears, three Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, 11 Goldcrests and 14 Goldfinches. 

Today saw the bi-weekly Seal pup count with two extras being found making it 12 pups so far this year
© Ed Betteridge 

Today was quieter for migrants but still resulted in some passage, as a brief morning seawatch produced an Arctic Skua, five Common Scoters, six Black-headed Gulls, three Sandwich Terns, and 50 Razorbills. The main highlights of the day were seeing an influx of Robins onto the Island, with 49 being recorded in total, as well as ringing a Pied Flycatcher at Cristin garden - the first ringed this year. 

Pied Flycatcher © Ed Betteridge

Other species recorded today were four Grey Wagtails, five White Wagtails, two Spotted Flycatchers, 15 Goldcrests, eight Willow Warblers, six Blackcaps, two Whitethroats, two Sparrowhawks, a Merlin, a Rock Dove, a Little Egret still, four Grey Herons, nine Redshanks, 33 Turnstones, 37 Curlews and a Whimbrel. 

Sandwich Tern with a Sand Eel © Ollie King

An early morning seawatch in north-westerlies and light rain produced six Balearic Shearwaters, two Pomarine Skuas, six Arctic Skuas, a Common Tern, 34 Sandwich Terns and 55 Common Scoters. 

The change in wind direction and the early morning rain seemingly dropped many migrants out of the sky with Flava Wagtail, 10 Grey Wagtails, 11 White Wagtails, 12 'Alba' Wagtail, 13 Tree Pipits, nine Wheatears, 6 Whinchats, 37 Robins, 21 Goldcrests, 14 Blackcaps, four Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 43 Willow Warblers, 26 Chiffchaffs, nine Spotted Flycatchers and three Pied Flycatchers.

Whinchat © Ed Betteridge

Ringing at Cristin for a couple of hours produced 12 Goldcrests, two Willow Warblers, a Blackcap and a Dunnock. Incredibly another Osprey went south along the Mountain making it three in two days. The day ended with a Little Egret in Henllwyn. 

Osprey © Ed Betteridge

Other birds included two Grey Herons, three Teals, eight Mallards, two Sparrowhawks, two Kestrels, 10 Ringed Plovers, a Golden Plovers, two Sanderlings, 11 Dunlins, two Knots, four Snipes, a Whimbrel, 19 Curlews, three Redshanks, three Common Sandpipers, 39 Turnstones, four Black-headed Gulls, two Guillemots, 26 Razorbills, a Sand Martin, 89 Swallows, 24 House Martins, 137 Meadow Pipits, 181 Linnets and 12 Goldfinches. 

2nd Scarce Boarded Straw for Bardsey was found on Ragwort last night © Ed Betteridge

Golden Plover © Ollie King

Moderate south-easterlies produced a quality early morning seawatch a Long-tailed Skua, two Pomarine Skuas, eight Arctic Skuas, 146 Common Scoters, nine Balearic Shearwaters, four Arctic Terns, 65 Sandwich Terns, 585 Kittiwakes, 388 Gannets, 28 Fulmars, 235 Razorbills, a Guillemot, 18 Dunlins, a Knot, and nine Ringed Plovers. 

Pomarine Skua © Ollie King

Some good overhead passage at land was noted with two Ospreys seen motoring south, as well as a Swift, a 'Flava' Wagtail spp., four Grey Wagtails, 20 Alba Wagtails, nine White Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, a Sand Martin, 122 Swallows, and four House Martins all recorded. 

The second Osprey of the day that flew high over the Island © Ollie King

Other birds recorded today were 31 Purple Sandpipers, eight Dunlins, a Greenshank, Pied Flycatcher, two Spotted Flycatchers, a Grasshopper Warbler, 18 Willow Warblers, six Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff, four Whitethroat, nine Black-headed Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls, 68 Turnstones, 15 Redshanks, six Ringed Plovers, and a Sparrowhawk. 

Convolvulus Hawkmoth caught in Heligoland trap! © Ed Betteridge

Strong south-easterlies continued, a seawatch from Cristin produced 27 Common Scoters, 44 Sandwich Terns, 9 Arctic Terns, 43 Common Terns, 3 Black Terns, an Arctic Skua and 15 Common Dolphins. Passerines were in short supply however, the Pied Flycatcher remained at Cristin, also at Cristin was a Water Rail. The non-avian highlight of the day was only the second Clouded Yellow of the year at Ty Pellaf.

Pied Flycatcher © Ed Betteridge

Other birds today included five Teals, a Kestrel, two Sanderling, two Dunlins, a Snipe, two Whimbrels, 59 Curlews, a Redshank, two Common Sandpipers, 40 Turnstones, three Wheatears, a Blackcap, two Whitethroats, 10 Willow Warblers and five Goldcrests.

Dunlin © Ed Betteridge

Convolvulus Hawkmoth found in the Heligoland Trap! © Ed Betteridge

The south-easterlies continued to blow through the Island, which resulted in more good seabird and wader passage as (most) birds head south. 2163 Kittiwakes, 104 Sandwich Terns, 107 Common Terns, 193 Arctic Terns, 18 'Commic' Terns, four Guillemots, 188 Razorbills, 14 Fulmars, 171 Manx Shearwaters, three Balearic Shearwaters, 178 Gannets, eight Common Scoters, six Ringed Plovers, six Knots, six Bar-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, three Black-headed Gulls, and a Common Gull were all logged. Cetacean-wise, a Harbour Porpoise, a Common Dolphin, and two Risso's Dolphins were sighted during the seawatch.

At land, the highlights were a Pied Flycatcher in Cristin garden, a flyover Tree Pipit, a Grey Wagtail. and a Spotted Flycatcher. 

Pied Flycatcher © Ollie King

Other birds recorded were two Teals, six Ringed Plovers, two Sanderlings, a Purple Sandpiper, two Dunlins, two Snipes, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Curlew, two Redshanks, a Common Sandpiper, 25 Turnstones, , 62 Swallows, eight House Martins,  six White Wagtails, 10 Robins, two Whitethroats, four Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, six Willow Warblers, and 10 Goldcrests.

Rock Samphire in flower, seen along the West Coast © Ollie King

Strong south-easterly winds produced some good passage off the West Side with a Pintail, 27 Fulmars, 194 Manx Shearwaters, three Balearic Shearwaters, 127 Gannets, 28 Common Scoters, seven Ringed Plovers, three Knots, 27 Dunlins, 10 Sanderlings, a Greenshank, six Bar-tailed Godwits, a Pomarine Skua, seven Arctic Skuas, two Little Gulls, a Common Gull, four Little Terns, seven Sandwich Terns, five Common Terns, two Arctic Terns, four 'Commic' Terns, 54 Razorbills, 15 Guillemots and a Risso's Dolphin. The only other highlight today was the first Ruff around Carrag y Honwy.

Sanderling © Ed Betteridge

Today also saw an additional three seal pups increasing the Island total to six

Other birds recorded today included 24 Purple Sandpipers, four Sanderlings, four Dunlins, nine Ringed Plovers, two Whimbrels, two Bar-tailed Godwits, 30 Curlews, 16 Redshanks, 50 Turnstones, a Sand Martin, 70 Swallows, 24 House Martins, 226 Meadow Pipits, four Grey Wagtails, seven White Wagtails, three 'Alba' Wagtails. 19 Wheatears, two Whitethroats, a Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, 26 Willow Warblers, six Goldcrests and a Spotted Flycatcher.  

Rock Pipit © Ed Betteridge

The day ended a with a spot of lamping in favourable conditions, this produced a Whimbrel, three Meadow Pipits and a Moorhen. 

Whimbrel after being colour-ringed © Ollie King

Strengthening south-easterlies resulted in some fair passage out off the West Coast of the Island, and a seawatch yielded two Arctic Skuas, one Balearic Shearwater, four Black-headed Gulls, a Common Tern, 10 Arctic Terns, a 'Commic' Tern, 20 Razorbills, six Sanderlings, five Dunlins, three Bar-tailed Godwits, seven Whimbrels, 36 Curlews, six Redshanks, and 11 Turnstones.

Wheatear © Ollie King

Gannet on Maen Du © Ollie King

Other species of note seen today include a Sparrowhawk, a Teal, eight Ringed Plovers, a Snipe, two Sand Martins, 69 Swallows, 24 House Martins, three White Wagtails, 13 Robins, a Whitethroat, 12 Willow Warblers, 12 Goldcrests, and three Spotted Flycatchers.

Windy weather during the day meant for an early changeover with guests leaving the Island before 7! This early start delayed census somewhat however, birding was reality quiet with a Sand Martin, a Rook and a Bar-tailed Godwit being the highlights. The only other highlight was a Puffin sat on Carrag y Honwy; this is an unusual sighting for September and suggest that this bird was unfortunately ill. Non-avian highlights were three Harbour Porpoise and a Migrant Hawker.

A Bar-tailed Godwit was caught on Solfach alongside a Dunlin and two Ringed Plovers
© Steve Stansfield

Other birds today included four Teals, two Sparrowhawks, nine Ringed Plovers, three Purple Sandpipers, four Dunlins, 32 Curlews, a Whimbrel, four Redshanks, 26 Turnstones, 20 'Alba' Wagtails, a Whitethroat, two Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, 16 Willow Warblers and 12 Goldcrests.  

Migrant White-speck © Ed Betteridge

The 2nd Archer's Dart of the year! © Ed Betteridge

The winds continued to blow from the East which resulted in further good passage on the Island; the main highlight being an Osprey that flew low over the sea off the West Coast before landing on the South End. Another Bar-tailed Godwit joined the continuing individual, and at sea there were three Arctic Skuas, two Common Terns, 17 Arctic Terns, 21 Common Scoters, a Sandwich Tern, 42 Razorbills, and six Black-headed Gulls. Four Risso's Dolphins and a Common Seal on Henllwyn were also sighted. 

Osprey on the South End © Ollie King

Osprey © Ollie King

Insects were also still migrating through the Island though less so than recent days, with a Migrant Hawker, an Emperor Dragonfly, 48 Red Admirals, 11 Painted Ladys, and 35 Small Whites were all logged. 

Swift and Meadow Pipit © Ollie King

Other bird highlights today were four Swifts, 10 Grey Wagtails, a Grasshopper Warbler, three Teals, two Sparrowhawk, 11 Ringed Plover, a Golden Plover, five Dunlins, four Snipes, 36 Curlews, six Redshanks, 46 Turnstones, three Sand Martins, 450 Swallows, 128 House Martins, three Tree Pipits, 16 White Wagtails, 20 Robins, five Whitethroats, 37 Willow Warblers, 18 Goldcrests, and three Spotted Flycatchers. 

Dunnock © Ed Betteridge