Thursday, 24 July 2014

Autumn migration is really getting under way here on the island now, with this utterly stunning weather encouraging the steady movement of many species past and through the island. Temperatures are barely dropping below 20'C at night at the moment, and the absence of any breeze makes the daytime temperatures almost unbearable.

23rd
The 23rd saw a rather odd selection of notable species on the island, namely that of the first Mistle Thrush of the year at Ty Nesaf, a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Nant, and a Green Sandpiper over The Narrows. The latter of this trio was part of the continued arrival and departure of waders on the island, with totals today amounting to three Ringed Plovers, six Dunlins, one Snipe, four Whimbrels, 40 Curlews, six Redshanks and four Common Sandpipers. In terms of passerines, hirundine passage continues to be very tricky to estimate, with breeding birds becoming more mobile and mixing with the passing birds. There were 33 Willow Warblers on the island today, along with a new arrival of three Goldcrests.

24th
In avian terms, it was one of the best days of July so far, with a great selection of oddities and new migrants putting in an appearance around the island. Best of the bunch was a brief sighting of a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull on The Narrows early morning, which is just the second record for Bardsey (the last was in 2009). A Black Guillemot made a quick visit into Henllwyn, whilst the first Marsh Harrier of 2014 glided over the mountain ridge. In other news, warbler numbers continue to increase in the vegetated areas, with a total of one Grasshopper Warbler, seven Sedge Warblers, 56 Willow Warblers and two Goldcrests recorded, along with one Spotted Flycatcher. Out to sea, ten Common Scoters, nine Purple Sandpipers ad two Meditteranean Gulls were seen.


A small flock of adult and juvenile (top two images) Dunlins have been making use of the abundance of food in Solfach recently, although have not ventured into the portable heligoland trap (as yet...) 
The juvenile Little Owls on Pen Crisin continue to give views  
The mist nets around Cristin were set up following the return of warden Steve Stansfield, which allowed about 12 birds to be ringed and processed during the day. Here is a good comparison image showing the difference between a worn adult Sedge Warbler (left) after breeding with a fresh juvenile bird (right) 
The Spectacle 
Caloptilia stigmatella
This Round-winged Muslin was trapped in Cristin Withy, and is new for Bardsey

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for a very interesting post of the birds seen and caught for ringing. Good to see the comparison of the edge Warblers and that Little Owl is so cute. I can see why that Moth is called The Spectacle. Have a great weekend.

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