Another beautiful sunny day on Bardsey.  A northerly wind increasing through the afternoon did not allow the temperature match the clear blue skies. Following the relaxation of lockdown in Wales we welcomed our first day visitors and overnight guests to the island. Unfortunately we have said a brief farewell to our long-term volunteer, Megan as she heads back home to Belfast to see her family. 

The day started off calm with Sam opening the nets at the Observatory and Stuart heading north to Nant. A female Bullfinch was ringed at Nant and some common migrants ringed at the Observatory including Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Goldcrests. 

Female Bullfinch

There were eight species of wader recorded across the island today including one Sanderling and one Ringed Plover on Solfach. See if you can find them in the photo below! A Greenshank was recorded on the South End and a Hooded Crow was seen from the Observatory in the afternoon as it flew north.

Sanderling and Ringed Plover

Birds today: one Sparrowhawk, two Buzzards, one Kestrel, one Merlin, one Sanderling, one Snipe, one Ringed Plover, one Greenshank, six Redshanks, three Turnstones, 15 Woodpigeons, two Collared Doves, two Skylarks, seven Sand Martins, eight Swallows, one House Martin, 111 Meadow Pipits, 45 Wheatears, one Fieldfare, one Redwing, seven Blackcaps, eight Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, nine Goldcrests, one Hooded Crow, one Starling, 13 Siskins, three Lesser Redpolls, 26 Linnets, one Bullfinch