26 March 2009
FIRST SANDWICH TERNS OF THE YEAR
Today about 20 Chiffchaffs were seen on the island and the first Sandwich Terns of the year - the earliest ever recorded on the island.
22 March 2009
Weekend Birding on Bardsey
SATURDAY
2 Jack Snipe (1 trapped) - 5 Black Redstarts - 20 Chiffchaffs - 12 Wheatears
SUNDAY
3 Black Redstarts - 15 Wheatears
And finally, the British Naturalists' Association (BNA) are holding a very interesting National Conference in Epping Forest on 9 May. Log on to: http://www.bna-naturalists.org for details.
2 Jack Snipe (1 trapped) - 5 Black Redstarts - 20 Chiffchaffs - 12 Wheatears
SUNDAY
3 Black Redstarts - 15 Wheatears
And finally, the British Naturalists' Association (BNA) are holding a very interesting National Conference in Epping Forest on 9 May. Log on to: http://www.bna-naturalists.org for details.
18 March 2009
Book your week on the island NOW
A glorious sunny warm day on the island today. Steve reports:
12 Sand Martins - 1 Willow Warbler (the earliest ever recorded - by one day) - 5 Black Redstarts - 1 Swallow - 1 HOOPOE - 1 first winter Iceland Gull (7th record) - 2 Coal Tits.
Oh! and 30 Bottle-nosed Dolphins on a flat sea. Don't you wish you were there?
12 Sand Martins - 1 Willow Warbler (the earliest ever recorded - by one day) - 5 Black Redstarts - 1 Swallow - 1 HOOPOE - 1 first winter Iceland Gull (7th record) - 2 Coal Tits.
Oh! and 30 Bottle-nosed Dolphins on a flat sea. Don't you wish you were there?
17 March 2009
Island Alive Again - population doubled
After a couple of delays due to strong winds, Steve, Emma, and their son Connor, plus the two Richards and Liz James arrived on the Island and walked back up to the Observatory last Sunday. In fact, these six have taken the island population to 11 which has more than doubled it. The other five are Emyr at Nant and Steve and his family at the farm.
Our gang are all working hard to get the Observatory ready for our first visitors in about 3 weeks time. Lots to do - mainly cleaning and decorating and hoping for sun and warmth to help dry everything out. It has helped enormously having Steve Porter and his family checking up on the Obs over the winter and putting the generator on occasionally to try and keep the Obs dry. But we do have one or two wet walls that need attention from our landlord which we hope is in hand.
The lads have been popping out birding and report the following today:
4 BLACK REDSTARTS - 6 WHEATEARS - THE FIRST SAND MARTIN OF THE YEAR - 1 WHITE WAGTAIL - c300 MEADOW PIPITS - 1 MISTLE THRUSH - 6 CHIFFCHAFFS.
Oh! and Steve turned his trousers into shorts on Solfach today I am told - a site for sore eyes! Next we'll hear he's donning a pair of swim trunks.
Our gang are all working hard to get the Observatory ready for our first visitors in about 3 weeks time. Lots to do - mainly cleaning and decorating and hoping for sun and warmth to help dry everything out. It has helped enormously having Steve Porter and his family checking up on the Obs over the winter and putting the generator on occasionally to try and keep the Obs dry. But we do have one or two wet walls that need attention from our landlord which we hope is in hand.
The lads have been popping out birding and report the following today:
4 BLACK REDSTARTS - 6 WHEATEARS - THE FIRST SAND MARTIN OF THE YEAR - 1 WHITE WAGTAIL - c300 MEADOW PIPITS - 1 MISTLE THRUSH - 6 CHIFFCHAFFS.
Oh! and Steve turned his trousers into shorts on Solfach today I am told - a site for sore eyes! Next we'll hear he's donning a pair of swim trunks.
15 March 2009
Wardens hopefully back on Island today
Weather has delayed the return of our Wardens to the island and the Observatory but the latest forecast and message from Steve is that they are hoping Ernest can take them over today. It certainly is a bright and sunny morning here in the Midlands. If you go to the home page of our website you will see I have added a new Weather LIVE from Abersoch which will give you a better idea of weather on the end of the Lleyn.
We have heard that Wheatear has returned to the island - I am sure the two Richards will be out and about as soon as they land so expect more reports in the coming days.
We have heard that Wheatear has returned to the island - I am sure the two Richards will be out and about as soon as they land so expect more reports in the coming days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)