Today was calm and a very pleasant day to be on the island. There was a breeze coming from the South-West which warmed the air and took away the iciness of the Northerly which had characterised the last couple of weeks. 

The day started with a sight we hadn't seen for the best part of a week - there were phylloscopus warblers flycatching from the Obs garden lawn. A Blackcap was also singing in the garden, with the occasional burst of Willow Warbler song, too. Spring has arrived!

one of 22 Willow Warblers recorded today

The Assistants headed out on their daily census walks, keeping fingers crossed for some good migrant numbers on the island. There were a few more Willow Warblers around the Withies and the Wetlands, but the most noticeable increase was in the number of Linnets; 94 were recorded today, by far the highest day count since we returned to the island. 

Corvids begin passing through the island at this time of year and today Sam found three Hooded Crows in with a group of six Carrion Crows, there was also another Hooded Crow on the North End, totalling four for the day. Carrion Crows numbered 31 across the island, nearly ten up on yesterday's count. 

Hooded Crows are a scarce bird on Bardsey, so four in a day is unusual -
three in. flock together is mighty unusual!

Over on the Narrows, there were two Wheatears, one a stunning adult male. Rock Pipits have begun singing from rocky outcrops along the coast too and 12 were recorded on the island today. There were also three White Wagtails on Solfach and waders made their presence known with 73 Oystercatchers, one Whimbrel, one Curlew and nine Redshanks - a year high count. Shelducks are beginning to look for nest sites in the softer banks along the narrows too.

This handsome Wheatear was singing and song-flighting on the Narrows. there was no female present! Whether he is just passing through or is a regular Bardsey Breeder is unknown as yet - time will tell

Shelducks are starting to pair up and are preparing to nest

Back at the Observatory, another Black Redstart had appeared. More warblers were about too as the morning had drawn on and there were ten Willow Warblers, three Chiffchaffs and four Blackcaps. As the week goes on, the more Southerly winds should see larger numbers of warblers begin passing through the island.

One of two Black redstarts seen today - 

this one was at Cristin, the other was at the Lighthouse

George headed to the North End as a few Gannets had been passing. An hour in the hide produced 19, along with 40 Razorbills, a few Shags and Kittiwakes. 33 Guillemots were amongst 120 Herring Gulls and 28 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls in the North End Gull colony, too. 

Razorbills are becoming a common sight now when looking at the sea and soon over 2000 will be present in the colony on the East Side

 Grey Heron was on the Narrows in the late afternoon

While on the North End, George was treated to an incredibly close encounter with two Bottlenosed Dolphins. They were logging around the surface between five-ten minute dives. Very good views were had as they were only around 30 metres offshore. Beautiful animals and always a joy to see.

The two dolphins regularly surfaced together.

The characteristically large swept-back dorsal fin, not as long as in Risso's.

Stonechats are becoming a regular sight around the island, positioning themselves in the top of gorse and bramble bushes throughout the Lowlands and along the side of the Mountain. Their squeaky, yet melodious song can be heard all over the island. Blackbirds, too are starting to come into their own at dawn and dusk, singing from the house chimneys as well as any vantage points they can find in the fields.

 This singing male Stonechat near the lighthouse was accompanied

 by a female and will presumably nest nearby

 Several male Blackbirds are sitting around making their 

beautiful song heard across the island at dawn and dusk

Blackbirds became extinct as a breeding species on the island in the late 1980 and were missing from the breeding avifauna for about 20 years. The population is well on its way to recovery with 14 pairs last year, but still some ways to go to reach the dizzy heights of 45 pairs in the late 50s

Other sightings today included: four Fulmars, one Grey Heron, one Sparrowhawk, one Peregrine, nine Kittiwakes, two Little Owls, 99 Meadow Pipits, 11 Pied Wagtails, nine Stonechats, six Blackcaps, 22 Willow Warblers, two Coal Tits, one Blue Tit and two Great Tits.

There was no ringing today due to the wind being too strong in the morning.

Only two Hebrew Characters and one Common Quaker were caught overnight.