Two species of Harrier

Today a Marsh Harrier and a Hen Harrier were seen over the island. Also recorded was a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a young bird of the year.

More Stormies Trapped

Last night 2 more Storm Petrels were attracted to the nets by luring with calls down near Cafn. Today the nets are out at Cristin and several Willow Warblers have already been ringed. A Green Sandpiper has passed over.

There was a Little Egret recorded at the beginning of this week - another one which indicates that there are more birds in the North Wales region now as the bird spreads north and west as a breeder.

Weather today and forecast is only slight winds but from an Easterly direction which hopefully will mean some good birds may drop in at Bardsey.

Steve is looking for any photos from visitors that could illustrate the Annual Report for last year. They must be of wildlife photographed on the island, whether it be plants, birds, insects, reptiles or amphibians, any sea life. Phone Steve on 07855 264151 or email chough at bbfo dot org dot uk

Bevan

Cuckoo bred on the island and Warblers begin the return trip

20 Willow Warblers on the island today, the first warblers to arrive on their return journey to Africa.

Caught and ringed a couple of days ago was a juvenile Cuckoo - too young to have flown to the island so we can only assume that it was born on the island. Cuckoos were seen earlier but it was assumed they were travelling through. However, we have now to assume that a female has laid an egg or two in some of Bardsey's passerine nests - Steve's guess is either Meadow Pipit or Dunnock. They have bred before on the island but I don't have the year yet. Can someone tell me please. Will the next returning breeder be a Corncrake I wonder!

Steve played a Storm Petrel tape this week and caught two birds which were ringed.

Richard Else is back on the island on Saturday to continue his Shearwater study. Steve's Assistant, Richard Brown, will be leaving for a short break - if you read this Richard, let us know what you are getting up to off the island (as if I didn't know!). His reply will, of course, be "birdwatching"! If you are passing Penkridge, drop in for a cuppa - the other Bev might cook you a meal!

Richard is holding the camera on both photos.

Bevan

Portable Trap working

I hear that Richard's Portable Heligoland trap has already resulted in them trapping and ringing three Rock Pipits and a Pied Wagtail on Solfach beach.

Go back to the home page of the website and read a short note from Richard Else about his census of the Manxie on Bardsey. Richard is having a short break now on the mainland before going back to continue his work.

Bevan

Return Migration underway - Manxies galore - and a new portable Heligoland

Richard (Assistant) phoned to say the return migration has started with a few waders moving through e.g. Common Sandpipers, Redshank, Curlew and Whimbrel. Today he had a Little Egret, Cuckoo, a Common Gull and a Black-tailed Godwit.

Taking advantage of some empty rooms this week and some wet and windy weather, they have been putting lino down in the washroom and completing painting inside the Obs. - the dining room, staircase and a couple of bedrooms.

Richard has just finished making a Portable Heligoland Trap and the first bird he caught in the farmyard was a Pied Wagtail - just walked it in. They will now be trying it out on Solfach beach. It is about 18 feet long and can be carried by one person.

Shearwaters are very active at the moment, particularly as the nights are ideal at the moment for returning adults feeding their growing chicks. These are variable in size, with even some birds still sitting eggs and others with well grown chicks. Some are evidently up to a month behind others - is it the less mature birds? Richard Else leaves the island for a break tomorrow and a full complement of visitors arrives. Steve will be back, weather permitting, next Wednesday.

Bevan

Another Record Breaker

In the latest British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Ringing Report, Razorbill M23170, ringed as a chick on the cliffs of Bardsey Island, Gwynedd was reported back on the island for its 41st summer.
So we now have two record breakers - this Razorbill (41) and our Manxie at a minimum of 51 years old (re-trapped again this spring).

Steve will be attending our Council and Extraordinary Meeting this coming Saturday at Criccieth - after his family holiday in Norfolk. Steve, Emma and Connor will be returning to the island a couple of days later.

Bevan