The day started early, both Nant and Cristin had 'ringable' wind conditions, with barely a breeze to be felt anywhere on the island. The nets were opened at 06:30 and it was quite a productive day. One of the nicest surprises this morning was a Willow Warbler that had a French ring on its leg. Catching controls like this is one of the reasons people ring birds, so it's very interesting when you do so! Now we just have to wait and see where exactly it was ringed...
The French ring with the word 'Paris' just about visible in this photo
The Willow Warbler itself
Two Grasshopper Warblers were present at Nant, singing early in the morning. A great, distinctive song that sounds like the reel of a fishing rod, or perhaps a bicycle free-wheeling. Luckily, one of them was caught which was a new bird for the year's ringing list. They have noticeably soft feathers when held in the hand, as do other 'Locustella' warblers.
Grasshopper Warbler caught at Nant
The song of the Grasshopper Warbler, singing from low down in the thicket
Aside from the ringing, it was a really pleasant day to walk around and count the birds. There was a noticeable increase in Wheatears today. There were 11 on the Narrows and South End alone, which is equal to the whole island count just yesterday. White Wagtails saw a dramatic increase today, on the two rocky bays, Henllwyn and Solfach (their preferred habitat for feeding) there were 28 of these migrant wagtails, compared to just four yesterday!
A White Wagtail on Solfach, these long-distance migrants effectively 'leapfrog' over our largely resident Pied Wagtails
A handsome male Pied Wagtail on Solfach
The usual suspects were also all present today, including Meadow Pipits (99 Today) and Rock Pipits (ten today). Both of which are singing throughout the day at the moment, seeing the Meadow Pipits parachuting in the fields is a great sight, especially on a calm, sunny day like today!
This Rock Pipit is seen around the Narrows every so often and it is remarkably old. Unfortunately, it has lost a colour ring which means it can't be identified individually, but it was ringed at some point in late 2009!
Meadow Pipits are busy building nests in the grassy areas around Bardsey currently
Meadow Pipit
An evening Manx Shearwater ringing session was productive, the walls were littered with birds and 26 new birds were ringed before 23:30!
Other sightings today include: one Gannet, three Shags, one Ringed Plover, one Whimbrel, 13 Turnstones, 26 Woodpigeon, one Little Owl, 22 Blackcaps, 101 Willow Warblers, one Blue Tit and one Bullfinch.
Ringing Totals: Blackcap 17, Willow Warbler 26 (1), Chiffchaff 12 (1), Wren 3 (2), Grasshopper Warbler 1, Goldcrest 6, Blue Tit 2, Siskin 3, Great Tit 1, Goldfinch 4, Greenfinch 1, Chaffinch (2), Lesser Redpoll 1, Manx Shearwater 26. 12 Species, 6 re-traps, 103 new.
Moths today: Brindled Pug 2, Hebrew Character 21, Common Quaker 6, Early Thorn 3, Red Chestnut 1, Double-striped Pug 2, V-pug 1.
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