Whilst speaking to Steve on the phone yesterday, young Ben (the infamous twitcher who lives on the island (jealous, jealous, jealous) and takes photographs of all the rare birds he sees just to shame the wardens in front of visitors at the nightly call-over) called in on the radio to report a Turtle Dove on the narrows. Can't remember when I last saw one in this country. Steve tells me that Bardsey gets more Turtle Doves in a year than the whole of Wales does.
Still a few Grasshopper Warblers on the island.
A couple of us are hoping to nip over one day this week to carry out some machinery repair work so will bring back some uptodate photos of the new Wardening Team at the Obs. I might even get one or two good rare bird photos from our young friend Ben to delight your eyes too.
Bevan - Bardsey Crier
27 April 2008
24 April 2008
Lighthouse Attraction
Lighthouse attractions on Bardsey can be dangerous for the birds (occasionally hundreds of birds are killed) but they can also enlighten us on what birds are passing over the island on migration at night.
On Tuesday night, 22 April, a lighthouse attraction brought down the following species:
120 Grasshopper Warblers; 80 Sedge Warblers; 100 Willow Warblers, a Wood Pigeon; 6 Sandwich Terns, seveal Black-tailed Godwits; a few Whimbrel and 1 Little Egret.
Without doubt, as we have said in the past, Bardsey must hold the record for being the best place in the UK for Groppers (Grasshopper Warblers). In recent years they have become rather a scarce breeding bird in the UK, having disappeared from many of their previous haunts. But attractions bringing in these numbers seems to indicate there are still plenty moving back north in the spring. (In Staffordshire, at one site where we have suitable habitat (heathland), last year 18 Grasshopper Warbler territories were recorded within a very small area. (I have to admit that unless I am very close to them, at my ripe old age (??), I am now unable to hear their song. I do how have a digital hearing aid and will be out shortly to check whether this enables me to hear them again.
Today (Thursday 24th April), the island has Blackcaps and Willow Warblers and during our phone conversation, Steve photographed a Siskin from his office window.
Bevan
On Tuesday night, 22 April, a lighthouse attraction brought down the following species:
120 Grasshopper Warblers; 80 Sedge Warblers; 100 Willow Warblers, a Wood Pigeon; 6 Sandwich Terns, seveal Black-tailed Godwits; a few Whimbrel and 1 Little Egret.
Without doubt, as we have said in the past, Bardsey must hold the record for being the best place in the UK for Groppers (Grasshopper Warblers). In recent years they have become rather a scarce breeding bird in the UK, having disappeared from many of their previous haunts. But attractions bringing in these numbers seems to indicate there are still plenty moving back north in the spring. (In Staffordshire, at one site where we have suitable habitat (heathland), last year 18 Grasshopper Warbler territories were recorded within a very small area. (I have to admit that unless I am very close to them, at my ripe old age (??), I am now unable to hear their song. I do how have a digital hearing aid and will be out shortly to check whether this enables me to hear them again.
Today (Thursday 24th April), the island has Blackcaps and Willow Warblers and during our phone conversation, Steve photographed a Siskin from his office window.
Bevan
22 April 2008
Lots of Birds and Sun on Bardsey
Tuesday 22 April and the news today from the island is that there is lots of sun and lots of birds. In no particular order but Steve mentioned Grasshopper Warblers, lots of Willow Warblers, 137 Wheatears yesterday, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Whitethroat, Tree Pipits, Flava Wagtails, White Wagtails, a Tristis Chiffchaff ringed, the first Swift, Great Northern Diver and loads of Manxies (they are probably going out tonight to ring a few of them).
Steve tells me that 130 litres of Paint has been applied to the Observatory since they all returned and it all looks spick and span. Several more weeks are now fully booked (check the Bookings page on the website).
Bevan
Steve tells me that 130 litres of Paint has been applied to the Observatory since they all returned and it all looks spick and span. Several more weeks are now fully booked (check the Bookings page on the website).
Bevan
14 April 2008
April Showers be blowed!
April didn't bring showers - it simply chucked it down! Well, it did in Portugal for the last few days of our break. We are back in England now and Steve tells us that it even snowed on the island (as it did in my home town in England while we were away).
But, nevertheless, the birds were on time in Portugal, and Bardsey and I even heard that a Cuckoo arrived today (14 April) in Staffordshire, which is the normal arrival day for them. Who says our climate is changing? Home to fruit blossom, frosts forecast tonight (check greenhouse heater thermostat works as just put tomatoes in) and the starlings still trying to access my swift boxes, even though I have stuffed the holes with cloths with the intention of pulling them out in a couple of weeks time when the swifts return to our road.
Bev and Jim have returned from a week on the island after installing the new generator - now fully working and even running the microwave. The two Richards are doing fine and Bev Healey rewarded them for their help with the installation by cooking them a few meals whilst he was over. Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey can't touch our Bev for cooking - I would back him against them any day.
I hear from Bev that young Porter is gripping them all off at the evening bird call. Wonderful! And not only with the birds he sees but he is also taking some great photographs to prove he has recorded them. Word is that Steve, the warden, is getting quite worried that his job is in jeopardy!
So get your booking in NOW. What more do you want? A warm and comfortable Observatory and away from the noise and bustle of civilisation for a week - you can't beat it.
Bardsey Crier
But, nevertheless, the birds were on time in Portugal, and Bardsey and I even heard that a Cuckoo arrived today (14 April) in Staffordshire, which is the normal arrival day for them. Who says our climate is changing? Home to fruit blossom, frosts forecast tonight (check greenhouse heater thermostat works as just put tomatoes in) and the starlings still trying to access my swift boxes, even though I have stuffed the holes with cloths with the intention of pulling them out in a couple of weeks time when the swifts return to our road.
Bev and Jim have returned from a week on the island after installing the new generator - now fully working and even running the microwave. The two Richards are doing fine and Bev Healey rewarded them for their help with the installation by cooking them a few meals whilst he was over. Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey can't touch our Bev for cooking - I would back him against them any day.
I hear from Bev that young Porter is gripping them all off at the evening bird call. Wonderful! And not only with the birds he sees but he is also taking some great photographs to prove he has recorded them. Word is that Steve, the warden, is getting quite worried that his job is in jeopardy!
So get your booking in NOW. What more do you want? A warm and comfortable Observatory and away from the noise and bustle of civilisation for a week - you can't beat it.
Bardsey Crier
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