Newyddion Ynys Enlli

I am going to attempt to bring you some news in Welsh - but hasten to add that I do not write or speak Welsh. However, I will have the help of other Ynys Enlli followers who will hopefully feed me with information and translate a few articles. It was Ann Own Vaughan who suggested we start with an article written by Emyr Roberts, who regular visitors to the island will know, as he is the Trust Warden who lives at Nant at the north end of the island. It is about his job on the island now and his previous travels before coming to the island four years ago. I will try to give a short summary after the article in English for non-Welsh speaking readers. Emyr is pictured above ringing the Chapel bell at Steve and Emma's wedding.

I would welcome other contributions in Welsh about the Island, its residents and its wildlife - together with short English summaries. During the next three months, of course, as the Observatory is not occupied, news direct from the island will be minimal (but hopefully some from Ben Porter), so it would be nice to get a few Welsh contributions. Please comment on the Blog too - in English or Welsh.

Emyr's article first appeared in Llanw Llyn in November

Cefais fy ngeni a’m magu yng Nghwpennaner gerllaw Cerrigydrudion. Cychwynais fy ngyrfa mewn Meithrinfa Tŷ Gwydr ar y Wirral.

Ymunais â Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Dramor (VSO) yn 1971 a threulio 2 flynedd fel rheolwr ar Gynllun Peilot Dyfrhau Tir yn Zambia ble ddatblygais ddiddordeb mewn planhigion trofanol a choed.

Treuliais y rhan fwyaf o 25 mlynedd cyn dod i Ynys Enlli yn gweithio ar wahanol gynlluniau tirlun yn Saudi Arabia. Roedd y rhain yn cynnwys dinas ddiwydiannol newydd yn yr anialwch, ac yna ar ysbyty milwrol. Am y 15eg mlynedd olaf gweithiais i’r Awdurdod Awyrlu Gwladol Saudi mewn gofal o gynllunio a chynnal y tirlun a’r cynlluniau dyfrhau oedd a’u pencadlys yn Jeddah.Yn ogystal a’r 25 maes awyr cartref(domestic) ym mhob cwr o’r wlad. Roeddwn yn arfer hedfan ac archwilio y gwahanol feysydd awyr yn wythnosol.

Y tro cyntaf i mi ymweld ac Ynys Enlli oedd ar ddiwrnod sych,tawel ac oer ym mis Ionawr 2005 i gael golwg ar yr ynys cyn derbyn y swydd o fod yn warden gydag Ymddiriedolaeth Ynys Enlli. Er fy mod wedi derbyn y swydd yn syth cymerodd tan fis Ebrill i mi fedru cyrraedd yr Ynys wedyn a dechrau gweithio oherwydd y tywydd garw!

Mae fy amser ar yr ynys yn cael ei rannu’n ddwy ran dymhorol amlwg. Yn ystod tymor y gaeaf (Tachwedd i Ebrill)

Rwyf yn cario ymlaen i drwsio, cynnal ac atgyweirio y saith tŷ sydd yn cael eu gosod gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth fel tai gwyliau, y Capel, Ysgol a’r Abaty ac yn gwneud yn siwr fod y tai i gyd wedi eu paratoi ac yn barod ar gyfer yr ymwelwyr.

Mae’r tymor gwyliau yn cael ei ymestyn o tua ganol Mai yn hwyr i’r Hydref. Fel arfer mae’r Sadyrnau yn brysur dros ben. Dyma’r diwrnod pan fo’r ymwelwyr yn cyrraedd a gadael. Rhaid gofalu fod y bobl iawn (a’u bagiau dillad bwyd a.y.y.b.)yn mynd ar y cwch iawn ar yr amser iawn.Yn ogystal rhaid llnau’r tai ac ail lenwi’r nwyddau e.e nwy, cyn i’r ymwelwyr nesaf gyrraedd.Y rhan fwyaf o’r amser rydym yn ei gael yn iawn ond ambell waith mae pethau yn mynd o chwith!

Mae gweddill fy amser yn ystod y tymor yn cael ei dreulio yn atgyweirio,cynnal a chadw mân bethau, gan ofalu am y gerddi a’r tir oddi amgylch y tai a’r adeiladau, hefyd gofalu fod yr ymwelwyr i gyd yn gyffyrddus ac wedi setlo i mewn. Does dim dau ddiwrnod byth yr un fath.

Roedd y tai (a’r adeiladau fferm) i gyd wedi cael eu adeiladu gan Iarll Newborough ( neu o leiaf ei weithwyr) yn y 1870au. Mae’r tai i gyd erbyn hyn wedi cael eu cofrestru fel adeiladau gradd 2 ac ychydig o iawn sydd wedi cael ei wneud i’w newid. Mae gan bob un doiled compost, dŵr ffynnon ar dap, stôf nwy ac oergell ond nid oes gan yr un ohonynt drydan na theledu.

Mae llawer iawn o’r ymwelwyr yn dod yn rheolaidd blwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn i fwyhau y tawelwch ac yn bell o sŵn ceir a bywyd prysur bob dydd. Mae’n braf cael mynd yn ôl mewn amser i fywyd syml fel roedd yn y gorffennol.

Fel arfer ryw hanner hanner o Gymru a Saeson sydd yn dod i aros. Rydym yn cael cefnogaeth dda iawn gan bobl Sir Fôn ond ychydig iawn o drigilion Pen Llŷn rydym yn ei weld er fod llawer ohonynt gyda chysylltiadau teuluol â’r Ynys.Buasem yn hoffi clywed gennych ac fe fydd croeso yn eich aros yma.

Emyr Roberts

Mae Emyr hefyd yn artist yn tynnu lluniau bendigedig o flodau ac mae yn gwerthu ei gardiau draw ar yr ynys.Maent yn werth eu gweld ac os cewch gyfle ewch i weld ei ardd yn llawn llysiau a blodau

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Summary:

The above article was written by Emyr Roberts, Bardsey Island Trust Warden and describes his background before he came to the island and his work for the Trust.

He was born in a small village near Cerrigydruidion in North Wales. He trained on a nusery on the Wirral and then went out to Zambia working on an irrigation project for VSO. He then spent 25 years out in Saudi Arabia working on grounds and landscaping around a military hospital and a regional airport.

He first visited Ynys Enlli in January 2005 before starting work the following month. He describes his work preparing and maintaining the houses and maintaining the chapel, the schoolroom and the abbey. He talks about his love for the peace and tranquility of the island and of the visitors, many of whom return year on year to the beauty of the island.

A postscript adds information about his love of both vegetable and flower gardening and his skills as an artist drawing flowers.

The photo was taken back in 1978 - 30 years ago.

Yes, it does include my wife, Diane, on the left - and our young son Adam. Denise Healey (our Sales Co-ordinator) is front right in sunglasses. The two ladies are Jean Bellamy and Alicia Normand. So, yes you've guessed it, the pirate is non other than a young, slim Bob Normand - who of course denies he ever looked like that. A party of 13 of us from the Midlands spent two weeks on the island doing Voluntary Conservation Work.

Today we have had a Meeting at Penkridge in Staffordshire of the Observatory Council with members attending from the south coast, south Wales, Anglesey and North Wales, Manchester, London and Birmingham and the Midlands. Steve, our Warden and Emma, and the Chairman, came down from Lancashire. It was a long meeting but we covered a lot of ground, attempting to solve problems and make plans for the future running of the Observatory next year and years to come. You will be pleased to hear that Steve and Richard will be continuing as our Warden and Assistant in 2009.

The Observatory is now empty for the next 3 months but our friends Steve Porter and his family at the farm will be keeping an eye on our property to make sure everything is kept dry and in working order for our return in the spring.

We hope to get news of any birds than their son Ben records on the island as he has volunteered to take on again the task of being our bird recorder for the three winter months. Thank you Ben. I look forward to hearing your news and seeing any photos you take.

Bevan

Steve back on the Mainland

A quick phone call from Steve yesterday to say they were now in England - home for Xmas.

And a quick trip back to the past in the photo above - what year was this picture taken? And do you know anyone on the boat? If no one can name any of them, then I suppose I will have to let the cat out of the bag - well I did take the photo - it was a transparency - and I have just scanned it digitally.

Bevan

Thursday 19th November

Richard Else has now left the island and is back in Bolton. "Still dreaming of Shearwaters Richard?". Richard Brown, our Assistant Warden, is staying with Steve for a little longer when they will be coming off at the end of the month.

On Wednesday 18 November another Yellow-browed Warbler was found. More thrushes were arriving but the weather is rough at the moment and with cold northerly winds and heavy snow falls forecast this coming weekend in England, there could be more birds moving west to try and get away from it. Bardsey could get some hard weather movement in the next few days.

Visitors all gone and weather atrocious

The Warden, Steve, phoned today with the latest news.
On the bird front, there are still some of last week's birds still around such as Bullfinch, Coal Tits, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Long-tailed Tits.

The Engineer managed to get over late last week and check our generator which had been playing up and was only firing on one cylinder. In about three hours he managed to get it repaired and it is now working ok again.

All the staff will be leaving the island by the end of this month for a break over Xmas, leaving just Emyr at Nant looking after the Trust houses and Steve, the farmer, and his wife and two children. Their son Ben, of course, will be taking over as Honorary Warden and Bird Recorder while our Warden, Steve, is on the mainland. What's the betting he gets some really good birds on the island while on his own - and he will no doubt produce photographs to prove he saw them.

Our next Council Meeting is in Penkridge on Saturday 6 December when they will be deciding on the Observatory Fees for next year. Next year's visitor vacancies are now on the website and bookings can be taken now, subject to the new charges when they are announced next month.

6 November 2008

1 Yellow-browed Warbler recorded.

And then there were 10

Steve phoned today (the ten remaining on the island for the time being are Steve, the warden, his wife Emma and their son Connor; Emyr at Nant; the Porter Family at the farm - Steve, Jo, Rachel and Ben; and Richard B, Assistant Warden, and Richard Else, Shearwater Monitor).

Today birds of note recorded are Barn Owl and Firecrest.

A Rough and exciting October week on Bardsey for last visitors of season

Bev, Bev and Neil were due to sail over on Saturday 25 October but weather conditions prevented us going until Monday 27th. It was a rough crossing but as we approached the island the excitement mounted, especially when the engine cut out! No safety problems, however for the President, Vice President and 7 others who were dingyed ashore - some of us a little wet from the breaking seas and rain that lashed us as we sailed from Pwhelli to Bardsey in approx. 2 and a half hours.

However, for the 10 people waiting on the slipway to return to the mainland it was a tense half hour while we ferried people back to the boat, with the tide falling, the seas getting rougher, the anchor dragging and the lifeboat racing out from Pwhelli to tow the boat back to the mainland. In the end, only half the party were able to return that day, five having to stay on the island for a couple of extra days until Ernest could get over to take them off.

One of the people due to return was our Bookings Secretary Alicia Norman and her husband Bob. Unfortunately, Lis had had a fall on the island during her stay and had extreme difficulty walking along the gabions to get on the boat. Although drugged with painkillers her one leg was giving her extreme pain which she said was a very bad sprain. (In fact, when she eventually returned home, she had to go to the hospital and after xrays it was pronounced that she had a fractured leg - she was nearly an additional member of the YHC and in fact, would have been, if she had complained a little more strongly of the pain).

Whilst on the island, a presentation was made to Ben Porter to commemorate his membership of the YHC (an embroidered helicopter on his Hoodie which he proudly wore for the rest of the week).

Now to the Birds of the week:

27th October - 7 Whitefronts, Black Redstart
28th October - Pale-breasted Brent Goose, Little Auk
30th October - Woodlark, Twite and Snow Bunting, 47 Brambling
31st October - Hen Harrier, 6 Coal Tits, 2,200 Chaffinches

There were a couple of small Lighthouse attractions producing 2 Storm Petrels of note.
Passage during the week was mainly of finches (Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Bramblings and Bullfinch) plus several Woodcock, Goldcrests, Redwings and Fieldfare. Several Med. Gulls also recorded. On the days when it was calm enough to unfurl the nets, lots of chaffinches were ringed and a record number of Long-tailed Tits, 52 in all.

WEDDING DAY FOR OUR BOATMAN

Today at Uwchmynedd at 2pm, our Boatman Colin Evans married Mair. Ann Vaughan was there and sent this photograph of the happy couple.

Sorry, I forgot - there were 1,000 Chaffinches on the island today. Gale Force winds in the Irish Sea - you picked the right day to get married Colin! We all look forward to seeing you next season. MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH FROM ALL MEMBERS OF THE OBSERVATORY AND EVERYBODY ELSE WHO HAS TRAVELLED OVER THE SOUND WITH YOU.

A lull before the Storm!

Tomorrow, I was hoping to get over for the last week of the season. However, the forecast is telling us that with winds up to Force 8-9, that we won't be sailing. Monday looks more likely.

Birds this morning - Arctic Skua, Bonxie, a Med. Gull, Arctic Tern and 2 Short-eared Owls.

Our boatman, Colin, is getting married tomorrow and is then on his honeymoon for a week so it will be Dafydd who will be taking us over when the winds drop.

My apologies for being a little behind with the bird news but we have just returned from a week in Scotland (not really birding). I was hoping the hotel would have wireless and I could have taken the laptop and posted news from the island. However, they hadn't yet made wireless available to visitors at the hotel we stayed at so my laptop stayed at home this time. One day, Steve will be able to post the news direct from the island - until then you will have to bear with me.

22nd October - More geese and Whoopers

Today, a further 20 Whitefronts passed over and 2 Whooper Swans

21st October - some good birds

A Grey Phalarope, a Pomarine Skua, 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Little Gull.

28 White-fronted Geese passed through

19th and 20th October -

15 Mediterranean Gulls on the 19th and 16 counted on the 20th October.

Week commencing 13th QUIET

The boys caught and ringed 11 CHOUGH on the 14th and 15th October.

On the 17th there was 1 Yellow-browed Warbler

On Saturday 18th October, the visitors were able to leave and new ones arrive.

Sunday 12 October - WHAT A DAY!

BIRDS GALORE! Unfortunately, the Paddyfield Warbler didn't stay. It couldn't be found today BUT THE FOLLOWING WAS:

200 Skylarks; a Lesser Whitethroat, c30 Chiffchaff; c.30 Willow Warbler; 2 Ring Ouzels; 1 Black Redstart; c100 Goldfinches; c100 Greenfinches; c100 Chaffinches; 1 TWITE; 6 Garden Warblers; c200 Goldcrests; 7 (yes, seven) GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS; c25 Bullfinches; 4 RICHARD'S PIPITS; 1 BARRED WARBLER; 1 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER; c40 Stonechats; 1 Mistle Thrush; 1 Coal Tit; 2 Mediterranean Gulls; 1 Pomarine Skua; 2 Golden Plovers.

A LOVELY, WARM, SUNNY DAY. LIGHT WINDS S/SE - AS STEVE PUT IT "T-SHIRT WEATHER".

For the six people staying this week, things couldn't have started off better. Obviously Bob Normand and Brian Thompson have got 'em organised - or is it because Mandy's there from the CCW checking up to see whether Bardsey Island really qualifies as a National Nature Reserve? OF COURSE IT DOES!

NEW BIRD FOR THE ISLAND

Richard Brown, our Assistant Warden, spied a good bird in the Ty Pellaf Withy this morning. Steve joined him and they opened the nets and trapped, ringed and released a first for the island - a PADDYFIELD WARBLER.

New visitors coming to the island today will have an exciting first day. Two that left late on Wednesday last, will be returning as twitchers on the next boat. If the weather keeps fine, Steve can expect a few more birders travelling over today or tomorrow (if the bird stays).

Thursday 9 October 2008

4 Little Gulls, an Arctic Skua and 1 Bonxie. VERY WINDY!

Sabines and Hen Harrier

Visitors still not able to leave or new ones arrive. However, those staying have been rewarded today by an Adult Sabines Gull, 2 Balearic Shearwaters and a Hen Harrier came in off the sea from the west.
Later in the day a Yellow-browed Warbler was found and 2 Choughs were caught and ringed on the beach.
Steve asks that all visitors phone him on the island to check on any food shortages in the shop. We are coming to the end of the season so stocks are being run down anyway. Only 3 weeks left in the season.
Unfortunately, Nick Barlow and his party of 7 hung on until today but the forecast is still not good, so have returned home to the midlands. This is the first time Nick has been unable to get onto the island in 21 years. I know how he must feel - it can be most frustrating not to get over. Simon Hugheston Roberts is one of the visitors who should have come off on Saturday last - Simon organises the food for our shop. "Leave some for me, Simon - I'm due over there later this month".

5 October 2008 -

3 Crossbills and 1 Whinchat. A few Swallows moving through.
Visitors weren't able to leave because of rough seas

Very Windy

Hailstones yesterday and today, it is very very windy. Unlikely our visitors will leave tomorrow or new ones arrive.

Anyone visiting in the near future (which includes me), are requested by Steve (if they have a space in their bag) to bring a few pounds of mixed bird seed or peanuts. If you can donate a bird feeder that would be helpful too.

Med. Gulls, Leach's and a Yellow browed Warbler

2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Leach's Petrels
1 Yellow browed Warbler

Check yesterday's notes as Steve revised the species list and numbers this morning. 46 Skuas of three species in one day isn't bad is it!

1 October 2008 - Seawatch

7 Black Guillemots, 14 Leach's Petrels, 24 Bonxies, 2 Long-tailed Skuas, 20 Arctic Skuas, 1 Little Auk, 2 Arctic Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Little Tern, 700 Kittiwakes, 250 Gannets, 50 Manxies.

1 Barn Owl, 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Sooty Shearwater and a Mediterranean Gull

A seawatch produced a Sooty Shearwater and a Med. Gull.

Quiet week but lively today

The staff have been working hard to find birds this week without much success. However, today is a little different.

2 Yellow-browed Warblers trapped and ringed.
1 ORTOLAN BUNTING
1 LAPLAND BUNTING
c150 Goldcrests
1 Black Redstart
3 Ring Ouzels
1 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Red-breasted Merganser

Osprey day!

3 Ospreys visited the island today - birds of the year.
The Melodious Warbler and Nuthatch were still on the island and a NEW Great Spotted Woodpecker was trapped and ringed.
At sea 10 Arctic Skuas, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Pomarine Skua and 3 Bonxies.
2 Whinchat, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Redstarts.
2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and 2 Teal.

Red-throated Pipit and Barred Warbler and the Observatory dined on Sea Bass

Today, 18 September, a warm, sunny clear day with easterlies, has produced:

1 Red-throated Pipit - flew south.
1 Barred Warbler - at Nant
The Firecrest ringed yesterday is still here, as is the Nuthatch that was ringed a few days ago.
2 Brent Geese
4 Common Sandpipers
7 Black-tailed Godwits
20 Grey Wagtails
2 Yellow Wagtails
70 White Wagtails
3 Pied Flycatchers
1 Redstart
Several Whinchats

SEA BASS? Yes, the Observatory dined well tonight on 10 Sea Bass caught by our fisherman friends who come twice a year to fish the seas around Bardsey. They actually caught 42 but only landed 10 on the island to be consumed by the Staff and visitors. Loverly grub!!!!

Wednesday 17 September

Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Black Redstart and 1 Firecrest (trapped and ringed)

Big fall of Warblers and Melodious trapped and ringed

These easterlies have brought in the following:
Melodious Warbler - trapped and ringed
1 WRYNECK; c.10 Pied Flycatchers; 20 Spotted Flycatchers;
200 Chiffchaff; 75 Willow Warblers; 100 Whitethroat; 10 Sedge Warblers;
6 Grasshopper Warblers; 400 Goldcrests; 6 Blackcaps; 6 Redstarts;
2+ Reed Warblers AND
1 Nuthatch (a ringing tick for Steve, the Warden)
Also 2 Brent Geese and 1 Bonxie.

Osprey and Melodious Warbler Day

Monday 15th - today Steve phoned with news of an Osprey and a Melodious Warbler plus 2 Spotted Flycatchers and 2 Pied Flycatchers.

Three of our regular fisherman friends are staying at the Observatory this week. They have their own boat and go out each day fishing around the island. Steve tells me they caught several big Tope yesterday.

And one of the other visitors is a past Assistant Warden from 1997, Paul Massey. He has returned with his wife. It would be good to hear his comparisons of "then and now". Has it changed Paul? And is it for the better?

Sunday 14 September - a Goose and Heron day

This day brought 11 BRENT GEESE to the island - a record number. Also seen were 12 Grey Herons, 3 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers and a Balearic Shearwater.

Vice President pays a visit and brings two good birds

Saturday 13 September - Tony Bianci, one of our long-serving and generous Vice Presidents, nipped over with Colin for the day.

And amongst the birds found on the island that day was a CORNCRAKE, a RED-BACKED SHRIKE and two Reed Warblers.

Friday 12 September - ALL THE SKUAS!

Weather looks set to be ok for boat crossings tomorrow.

Seawatching today produced - 6 Arctic Skuas, 1 Bonxie, 1 Adult Pomarine Skua and 1 Long-tailed Skua. All the skua species one would expect around the UK in a few hours sea watch off Bardsey. Not bad eh!

And besides, a couple of Risso's Dolphins were seen. Landbirds - very little movement. a Great Spotted Woodpecker (first seen in June) was seen again today.

2nd to 4th good sea passage, then quiet and picking up now

2nd September - Balearic Shearwater, Bonxie and an Arctic Skua.
3rd - 3 Balearics, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Black Tern, Grey Phalarope
4th - a long seawatch produced: 69 Sandwich Terns, 627 Common Terns, 182 Arctic Terns, 204 Comic Terns, 1 Black Tern, 1 ROSEATE TERN, 13 Arctic Skuas, 6 Bonxies, 7,000 Kittiwakes, 6,000 Manxies, 44 Fulmars, 300 Gannets. (wind SW light)

10th September - Whinchat and Black Redstart.
11th September - 96 Common Terns, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 4 Arctic Skuas, 2 Whinchat.

It was Richard Brown, our Assistant Warden's birthday yesterday, 10 September. Haven't yet found out how old he was (is he under or over 21 do you think? :-)) Anyway, a cake was baked for him but not sure how many candles were on the top!

Two of the visitors there at the moment are Mike Archer inputting data to our computer records and Mike Armitage, our Beacon Editor.

Yours sincerely has just returned from a 50th anniversary trip to the north Norfolk coast with 5 friends. 8 of us made the journey in 1958, travelling in a van and camping out on Walsey Hills. One of the party, unfortunately, is no longer with us, but one other (who couldn't get down to join us last week), was George Evans, who of course was one of our early Wardens on Bardsey. A better birdwatcher it would be hard to find. Oh! - we did get the White-rumped Sandpiper at Titchwell and 2 Monty Harriers nearby.

August quiet but September is starting with a Bang!

August is usually a quiet time on the island and this year was no exception. A few skuas moving at sea but little arriving on the island. Its the time when our staff can perhaps escape for a short break - Steve has just returned to the island.

On the 29th August 200 Willow Warblers arrived on the island. On the last day of August (31st), there were 2 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Redstarts, a Wood Warbler, Reed Warbler and an Emperor Dragonfly.

Today, 1 September, 2 Bonxies, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Little Gull, Pied Flycatcher, 2 Ruff and a WRYNECK.

Gales forecast - will they bring birds?

For the second Saturday running, the boat will not be returning visitors or bringing on new ones tomorrow. However, for the second Friday running, Colin was able to warn visitors and those that had to leave were taken off today (Friday). It will probably be at least Monday, if not Wednesday, before conditions are suitable for boats to sale again.

Birds are few at the moment - but 15,000 Manxies were seen off the island a few days ago together with 4 Arctic Skuas.

Where else would you find that the next door neighbour's children were on holiday from school and yet your parents insisted on schooling continuing in the second week of August? I am referring of course to poor old Connor, Steve and Emma's son. Headmistress Andrea (and two of her children) presumably influenced that decision but now she has left the island I think he should get a few day's holiday with Uncle Bob and his friends next door.

OYEZ

Rough Weather - no boat today

Visitors were warned that today would be too rough for the boat to take them back to the mainland so several left yesterday. Unfortunately, no new visitors arrived today as usual which is a rare occurrence these days with Colin's larger boat and it being based on the island.

When Steve phoned it was raining (but it was everywhere in the UK I believe - my daughter was erecting two tents in the Lake District in the pouring rain) but the island still reported birds - 4 Spotted Flycatchers and 2 Arctic Skuas.

While Steve was on the phone we checked the Weather Forecast and the Atlantic Chart. It looks as if the lines round the Low out there could bring the odd American bird to these islands. I will no doubt get a call from the island when one arrives.

Bevan

Hen Harrier and Gt. Spotted Woodpecker still there

Visitors departed and new ones arrived ok on Saturday last. Steve, his family and the staff now have the company of Alicia and Bob Normand, their daughter Andrea and her three children (look out Connor!). And a welcome visitor is David Wright (our ex Assistant Warden), now working over on the East Coast (see a previous BLOG account).

So plenty of good birders on the island this week so go find those birds boys and girls. And don't forget to do some sea watching.

Steve tells me that the Hen Harrier and Great Spotted Woodpecker are still on the islands and sea watching produced 2 Balearic Shearwaters last Thursday, and a Bal. Shearwater, a Sooty Shearwater and a Black Guillemot on Friday last.

Bevan

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

Steve off the island (on holiday!) - the two Richards on their own

Steve and family came off the island last Tuesday and this morning I received word from them as they were busy stocking up with food to go on a week's holiday on the mainland - East Anglia look out!

Meanwhile, back on Bardsey, Richard Brown, Assistant Warden, saw off our visitors this week but no one arrived. Weather was a bit dodgy but Colin couldn't guarantee they would get over, so unfortunately, one visitor didn't make the journey from the midlands. However, it may be possible for him to get over on Monday as the weather looks like improving.

Bird News on the island is that a few Swifts have been seen and a Grey Wagtail (not breeders on Bardsey) and at sea other non-breeders have been up to 50 Gannets feeding. Richard Else has now finished his survey of the Shearwater burrows he was to do this year but will be checking them all again for confirmation of breeding. I have asked him to write something about his methods which I will put on the website.

Richard Brown (Assist. Warden) was his usual cheerful self when he phoned but did say that it would appear that Steve had laid a few traps for him before he left (joke). Richard has had to repair the Lawn Mower twice (otherwise our composting toilets don't work) and he has also had to repair one of the Cookers. The one thing he hasn't been able to repair is the Obs. Laptop Computer (on which we put the log each evening) which has refused to boot-up. Fortunately, we have back-up and there is another computer at the Obs. This does, however, underline how much we rely on the computer these days and that we must budget for repairs and renewals on a regular basis. (Council take note for future budgets - or have we members or friends in the computer business who can acquire uptodate laptops at very reasonable prices?).

Our intention to have satellite broadband for the Obs. has been delayed as we have to get the permission from CADW to put dishes on or around Cristin so there will be some delay while the forms are completed, submitted and a decision is made.

Finally, Richard tells me that Steve Porter and his family have returned from their holiday on Madeira, so that means that their son, Ben (pictured here) will be keeping an eye on the two Richards and contributing to each evening's log again.

Bevan

Refurbished Shop and Information Centre plus Rose Coloured Starling

Neil, Bevan and Denise Healey plus me and my wife Diane, returned from a successful week at the Observatory carrying out refurbishment of the Shop and Information Centre. Plans had been prepared, materials bought and sent over to the island and under the watchful eye of the Warden and his wife Emma, the team did an absolutely splendid job which we hope you will like. We are of course, hoping that it will result in increased sales to all visitors to the island, whether staying ones or day visitors.

I will shortly be putting some other photos on the website of the team actually working. We had an "opening ceremony" when we invited all the residents on the island round for tea, coffee and biscuits (juice for the kids) and one of the Vice Presidents (alias the Bardsey Crier) cut the tape.

We all had a great week on the island - we all worked very very hard, Bevan Healey even beginning work at 5.30 AM on one morning. Bevan spent most of his time "up in the gods" i.e. up the ladder in the roof painting the wooden beams and putting up plywood between them all. (Me and the girls painted them first). It really does look great now. Neil (our skilled carpenter) built brand new table tops all round the room plus shelving on which to display our wares and Wall Displays to tell visitors about our work. Denise worked on the curtains in front of the table tops as well as helping Diane with painting walls, varnishing tables, and painting doors. I'm not sure what the VIP did - he certainly didn't get any serious birding done - in fact, none of us did.


The Obs. staff team is working well together and we saw a lot of our new Assist. Warden, Richard Brown and our Shearwater man, Richard Else. Our personal chef (who else but Bev Healey), ably assisted by Denise and Diane, cooked wonderful meals for us every night, with the two Richards joining us. Also staying at the Obs. during the week was Marijke Albus who cooked us a marvellous BBQ on the front lawn on the Friday night. Marijke spent most of her time finding out all about the island's commonest bird, the Manxie. She spent a couple of nights out with Richard Brown catching and ringing them. Richard Else spent every day we were there putting his arm down Manxie burrows playing calls to them to check responses. Marijke even managed to read the Manx Shearwater monograph from cover to cover during the week.

I was looking forward to an evening at another Observatory on the island - Steve Porter's astronomical observatory. But unfortunately for me, the whole family left the island on the afternoon of our arrival - bound for a well earned holiday in Madeira.

My book of the week is Christine Evans' latest one entitled just "bardsey" - Essays by Christine and photographs by Wolf Marloh (published by Gomer 2008) - a beautiful book describing in words and images how she has come to spend every summer over the last 40 years on the island. A copy came home with me.

Visitors this week have been fortunate to see an ADULT ROSE COLOURED STARLING which was present today 10 June. I am not too upset that it didn't appear last week as I have had one before on the island - but not a good Adult like today's bird!

Bevan

VIP due to visit Observatory

The title heading is really just a warning to the staff that one of the Vice Presidents is due to drop in shortly so they wake up and get the place spick and span. (Problem is they don't have satellite broadband yet). He is also taking Mrs. VIP with him together with his "personal chef" (guess who?) so the two Richards are in for a week of culinary delights! "If they can afford it!" :-))

Alicia (Lis), our Bookings Secretary, has just sent me the uptodate Bookings which I have uploaded to the Website. It shows some vacancies for June and early July but August is completely booked and only one or two spaces in September and October.

If you have missed out this year on your preferred dates, then my advice is to get your booking in now for 2009 (we have yet to confirm the prices which because of rising prices, may have to be a little more). However, it will still work out much, much cheaper than flying to Europe - and they speak English on Ynys Enlli (oops! - well, the warden does - well, if you call the Yorkshire dialect "English" :-))

Bevan

Showers and Short-toed Lark

Yesterday (and still present today) is one Short-toed Lark. Today 6 Crossbills are on the island.

Jim and Bev have finished putting in the Shower in the washroom - the "turn-on" ceremony has not yet occurred.

Bevan

Good News on Angharad plus a good bird

When Steve phoned today, I learned that Angharad is back working. It appeared that her ankle wasn't broken, only badly strained. Good news - but it goes to show how careful you have to be when walking on uneven ground (as I found out when I tripped over in Cristin yard and joined the YHC). A GOOD PAIR OF BOOTS IS ESSENTIAL. I have just uploaded some photos of Angharad being prepared for her helicopter flight taken by Ian Wright (himself an ex RAF Air Sea Rescue Crewman). You will find them on http://www.bbfo.org.uk/yhc.htm

And the good bird news is that yesterday (Tuesday, 20 May), they trapped and ringed a MARSH WARBLER. I, of course, questioned their ID (what a nerve!), as Marsh and Reed Warblers are not easy to separate. Steve then read out to me the biometrics and formulas by which they were able to confirm the ID. That shut me up!

Jim and Bev were busy working hard and I will be reporting the results of their efforts when I visit in the near future.

JUST A REMINDER TO ANYONE GOING OVER TO STAY IN THE OBSERVATORY IN THE NEAR FUTURE - ALWAYS CHECK FOR THE CURRENT POSITION ON FOOD IN THE SHOP BY PHONING THE WARDEN ON: 07855 264151 A FEW DAYS BEFORE TRAVELLING. AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE NO MILK SO BRING UHT MILK BUT NOT A COW!

Bardsey Crier

Another Yellow Helicopter Club member

Don't panic, no one on the island has been rushed to hospital. I have just had a back-dated claim, which has been already approved by the Board. The person who is to be added to the membership is Jane Strick, who, together with her husband, Arthur, farmed the island from Ty Pellaf for many years.

Jane's claim is that on the 3 December 1982, she did travel on a Wessex 2, XT604, of 'C' Flight, 22 Squadron, RAF Valley called to Bardsey Island to 'casevac' her from Ty Pella to C & A Hospital, Bangor. (I like the detail - we must request this on all future claims).

With this sort of detail, there did not appear to be any doubt that she was eligible for membership of the YHC - particularly as she has a witness - one Ian Wright, who was Crewman on that very flight. If anyone knows Jane's phone number, can they please ask her if she can confirm that, in fact, the Crewman was Ian Wright (must tie up all loose ends, you know, Ian!)

Ian of course, is well known to many Friends of Bardsey (and has just spent a week doing voluntary work at the Observatory. The photos below of his work revamping the Office is proof of the quality of his work. (His island skills are well known throughout the world and we thank him for his generosity in making them available to the Obs.)

SO NOW WE HAVE NINE MEMBERS OF THE YHC (5 FEMALES AND 4 MALES).

Thinks! - I wonder who has travelled to or from the island in the most ways. The different transports I can name are: fishing boat; Yacht; Jet Ski; Water Skis; helicopter; raft; canoe; Trinity Boat; Microlight; Swim; Has anyone yet arrived by Hot Air Balloon or Parachute? I daresay our Swiss friend who has just flown in his jet-propelled hang-glider might drop in one day.

I would like to hear of people who have arrived or departed from Bardsey in any of the unusual transports listed above - or any other even more unusual forms of transport!

Bevan

Sub Alpine and Nightingale trapped, etc.

Yesterday (Saturday 17th), the Sub-Alpine Warbler was re-trapped - and a Nightingale was also trapped and ringed.

Other goodies yesterday were a Black-tailed Godwit and a GOLDEN ORIOLE.

Ian Wright has just left the island after a week helping with painting, decorating and modifications (a complete revamp) of the OFFICE and we have photos to prove which Ian brought off the island. Hopefully you will find them on this Blog or I will put them on the main Website.

I must ask Steve to ask Steve Porter (our resident farmer and Beekeeper) to tell us how the bees are doing just behind the Cristin Heligoland. Mine in the garden were doing fine (bringing in loadsw of nectar from oil seed rape - and then, four days ago, desided to swarm into a neighbours' apple tree. I collected them that evening and transported them to my apiary 3 miles away and put them in a new hive. I will let you know how they get on. Now I must get up to the allotment and do some digging, planting and weeding.

Bevan

Sub-Alpine Warbler trapped and ringed

Tuesday, 13 May - female Sub Alpine Warbler trapped and ringed. Other birds today of note: 1 Great Northern Diver and 2 male Redstarts.

Bev and Neil Healey drove up from Staffordshire with a Van load of materials which Colin took over in the afternoon. Main things being timber and panels.

And Birds today (Wednesday 14th) - 2 drakes and 1 duck Eider.

YHC (Yellow Helicopter Club) - I have also discovered four other people that are eligible, one unfortunately who is no longer with us. That person was Maurice Tibbles, the famous Wildlife Film Maker (Life of the Cuckoo - remember?) who was taken off the island in October 2001 by the RAF Air Sea Rescue. He died later that year.

The other three people were Adele Powell, a volunteer with the Whale and Dolphin Society; Libby Barnden, who farmed with her husband Dave at Ty Pellaf; and one of my fellow Vice Presidents, known to all Bardsey Island lovers - Peter Hope Jones. Peter had to be taken off in 1998 because of a serious nose bleed. So two of your Vice Presidents have spilt blood on the island :-))

So the total number of YHC members has now risen to 8 (eight). We don't want any more :-))

Oh! and finally, Steve tells me that Ian Wright has been helping the staff with re-fitting the office in Cristin and re-decorating. You won't recognise the Observatory - it seems to be getting a complete "make-over".

Bevan

Birds Galore

Report from Steve of Birds yesterday (Saturday 10 May)

1 pair of Garganey
1 Wood Warbler; 1 Lesser Whitethroat; 1 RING-TAILED HEN HARRIER; 1 WHINCHAT (first of year); 2 Tree Pipits; 2 Grasshopper Warblers; 7 Spotted Flycatchers; 40 Sedge Warblers; 10 Blackcaps; 10 Whitethroats; 16 Willow Warblers; 30 Wheatears; 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (ringed); 14 Whimbrel.

Just heard this morning that we have another member of the YHC (YELLOW HELICOPTER CLUB). Angharad Roberts, daughter of Gareth and Miriel at Cwrt Farm, was on the island playing with the children and 'oops, slipped and fell and broke her ankle I am told. The Yellow Helicopter was sent for and off she went to hospital. WE SEND YOU OUR "GET MENDED QUICK" MESSAGE Angharad as we know you are essential, not only to the workings of Cwrt Farm but also to the smooth running of the Observatory and the Island. There will be an important cog missing for a while. (Fancy being called a "cog"!)

BUT NOW ANGHARAD HAS JOINED THAT ELITE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALSO MADE A TRIP IN THE YELLOW HELICOPTER - WHICH, OF COURSE, INCLUDES BEN PORTER, DOT TYNE AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE OBSERVATORY - (a'hem - thats me, the Bardsey Crier). THREE FAMOUS PEOPLE!

Bevan

Dotterel Day

Thursday 8 May was Dotterel day! This is the weekend when they can be found on many regular migration spots throughout England and Wales. Bare ground - golf courses, hill tops - anything looking a bit like the area where they will eventually nest - seems to attract them every year. A female was recorded at the South End yesterday.

And what else? Blue-headed Wagtail, Wood Warbler, Reed Warbler, Turtle Dove, 15 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 10 Sedge Warblers, 10 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats, 30 Wheatear.

Breeding Birds: 2 pairs of House Martins nesting at the Lighthouse. It looks like being a poor season for seabirds - no Guillemots yet, only 1 Puffin but it may be that they are a bit late returning - only time will tell.

Some very Good News however - whilst out last night catching and ringing Shearwaters, our oldest bird was caught again. WE BELIEVE THIS BIRD HOLDS THE RECORD NOW AS THE OLDEST RINGED BIRD STILL LIVING - SHE WAS RINGED 50 YEARS 347 DAYS AGO.

TODAY, Friday 9 May - 1 pair of Garganey on Carreg Pool and 1 Wood Warbler.

Bevan

Golden Oriole Day

Bev and his brother Neil went over to the island yesterday to take some food for the team and to do some work on the new generator exhaust. They were that busy, trying to finish the work before coming off the island with Colin (they only arrived about lunchtime) that they didn't manage to see the GOLDEN ORIOLE that flew past the Observatory at one stage.

That's devotion to duty. Miss out on a bird like a Golden Oriole in order to make sure visitors have electricity. Fortunately, Bev has seen one before, albeit abroad - but Neil hasn't.

The Obs. is looking into getting Satellite Broadband on the island so some of the residents can access the internet. Grants are being sourced and it is looking encouraging so it is hoped it won't be long before you will be getting reports DIRECT from the island. I had an email yesterday, asking if I could put more detailed information about the birds recorded on Bardsey, in the NEWS section. Unfortunately, my time is limited and I have to get the information from Steve by phone. I turned to this Blog as a way of doing something quickly, even when away from home and the PC as I can use the laptop which is more mobile. With the Blog I can access it from any online computer anywhere in the world and quickly do a note to you all - when I have some news.

In the not too distant future, we should have the facility for Steve to keep you updated on a daily basis. Isn't technology wonderful! (No, I hear a lot of you saying - and there are many times when I would agree)

Bevan

Merry Month of May

Bird hews from the island is of a Redstart, a Hoodied Crow, Reed Warbler, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Sedge Warblers. Last Sunday over 300 birds were ringed, five species of warblers - Grasshopper, Willow, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Sedge.

I asked about Peregrine and this year 2 pairs are again breeding.

On the last day of April, 25mm of rain fell on the island in 12 hours. Richard (Shearwater) is back on the island after returning from a funeral on the mainland so we are back up to full complement.

Bevan

Turtle Doves are not extinct

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

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

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

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

Last Day of March and looking good

Today is actually my wife and my wedding anniversary. I won't tell you how many years but some of you will know - you may even have been there. I well remember that we hired a Ford Consul and after the wedding we motored north to Yorkshire to call and see my Grandparents and then on to Ilkley to stay at the Ilkley Hotel on Ilkley Moor bar Tat of course. One posh night in a hotel and then the quality of the accommodation "went down" (in cost anyway). Then up to Grasmere and then on to SW Scotland when birding started taking over e.g. the geese. Then on up to Glasgow, under the tunnel, and on past Lomond and round to the west coast and up to Oban (Divers galore on the sea). Our accommodation had reduced from Hotel to Guest House, to Pub, to Council House B&B by the time we got to Oban and then up to Fort William. Then we turned inland to the Cairngorms where we stayed a night and got stuck in the snow I remember trying to get round the east side of the Cairngorms but couldn't make it and had to return back (Diane finding me Golden Eagle on the way near the Devil's Elbow). Our last day was spent motoring down to the Forth and on the ferry across to Edinburgh we lost all the oil out of our gearbox and only just made it off the ferry and into a Ford agents. Our last night B&B in Edinburgh was the worst accommodation of the week. I keep telling my wife, we must do it all again. Maybe we will set off this afternoon :-)) ?? years later.

Bardsey News! - just phoned the island but no reply. I guess they are busy meeting the boat (last Saturdays delayed) so no news is good news. I will carry on with this when they phone me back.
Bev and Jim arrived on the boat but weren't met by the Warden and his staff - for the simple reason, there had been a fall of migrants and they were busy catching and ringing. Bev phoned towards 6pm to say they had caught and ringed 300 birds today, mostly Goldcrests, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs. There were 5 Firecrests on the island and also recorded today were Black Redstart, 2 Ring Ouzels and Swallows. The other good news is that Jim and Bev have already managed to get the new large generator up to the shed, using the Tirfor that they took with them. Tomorrow they will be starting on getting the old one out and putting the new one in. Weather good and forecast ok so cross fingers, everything running to schedule at the moment. Bev is now on cooking duties I expect.
This Bev and his wife are off early tomorrow birding elsewhere - if I find an internet cafe I will let you know what we get. I might even skype Steve to get the latest island news.

March winds do Blow - will we get snow?

Our Warden Steve, Emma (his wife), and their son Connor plus two Richards (Richard Brown, the Assistant Warden, and Richard Else, Shearwater project officer) managed to get over to Bardsey a week ago, on Friday, 14 March. Thank goodness they did as the weather has since deteriorated and as I type this gales are blowing not only in the Irish Sea but also throughout much of the UK, with sleet and hailstones, and snow on the way.
I had a chat with Emma on the phone and everyone is busy decorating and cleaning up the Observatory after four months being empty. But, according to Emma, they are all tackling it with gusto and good humour but will be having a day off tomorrow when they all celebrate Easter with their neighbours at the farm. And, would you believe it, there was one turkey left on the island after Xmas which will be the subject of the main course tomorrow.
Even though the weather at the moment is cold, wet and windy, spring has arrived and their are lambs on Bardsey and the spring bird visitors are arriving on time. Swallows, Sand Martins, Chiffchaff and Wheatears have all been recorded over the last week. There was a Great Tit today and Dunlin, Purple Sandpipers, Jack and Common Snipe (caught and ringed) have been seen. Steve is particularly upset that a Mute Swan was recorded on the island whilst they were absent. (It seems it would have been a new bird for the island for him:-))
So everything is underway to get the Observatory into full running order for visiting birdwatchers so I hope you are booking your weeks with the Booking Secretary.

79mph winds at Aberdaron - Steve and family still marooned - but in England!

Steve, Emma and Connor are still in Lancashire, watching the weather forecast to see when the gales abate and they can be carried back to the island by boat. Storm Kirsten is approaching the UK and if you want to watch the progress have a look at bbfo.org.uk and at the bottom of the first page you will find the weather forecast for seven days ahead.

Logging on to: http://meteonet.nl/aktueel/brackall.htm will show you the Atlantic Chart and the depressions and wind strengths and directions.

Why are the British so interested in the weather, I wonder? I hear you reply "because we are surrounded by water and our weather is ever changing", particularly in the Irish Sea.

Frogs have spawned in my garden pond and the first male smooth newt is around.

Storms delay return of Wardens to Island

3 March - Steve, Emma and their son Connor have been unable to return yet to the island which they left in November. They were hoping to be able to go back after the Council and AGM meetings at Criccieth a week ago but high seas and strong winds have prevented the boat from going over. So they are back in Lancashire waiting for the break which will let them get back over to their home.

Thankfully, our new friends and neighbours, the Porter family at Ty Pellaf, the farm, are popping in and putting the central heating on regularly to keep the buildings relatively warm and dry as there is nothing worse than returning in the spring to find everything damp and wet. We are very lucky to have such good neighbours but we all help each out on the island - its the only way to survive. When the farm needs help rounding up sheep for shearing, or to send a load or two off the island in late summer, then its a call out to all islanders to give a hand. Co-operation and caring is the only way to live when you are in isolated communities.

If you scroll down the first page of the Bardsey website, you will find the current weather forecast situation for the Aberdaron area. See if you can forecast when the first boat will be going over.

I'll be back soon.

The Day After the AGM

Back home after the trip to Criccieth. What a sea we had looking out fro Criccieth Castle which is just opposite the Marine Hotel where we had our Council and AGM meetings. You will have gathered from the previous posting, that I was able to get online at the hotel and actually blog live from the AGM meeting. I was sitting at the back of the room with the laptop on a table typing away - it did seem strange when I realised that I was in fact reporting the meeting "live" as it was happening. I suppose, with all the right equipment, you could all have been there, watching proceedings on the screen and even contributing. I wonder if that will happen one day?

It was good to actually meet up again with old friends that you haven't seen for months or even years. For instance, in my case, our old friends of the Obs., like Dafydd Phillips and Dafydd Thomas and make new ones, like Liz James, some of whose photos of Bardsey and its birds you will see on the website. Christine Evans was there as was also a host of other friends of Bardsey. It was great to seem them all - and for them to meet our new Assistant Warden, Richard Brown (another Yorkshire lad) and of course, our newly married Warden Steve and his lovely wife Emma.

Practically all Council Members were there (travelling from all over the UK), including our Bookings Secretary Alicia (who actually gave a fascinating talk about bees after the business part of the meeting - we now have a couple of hives of honey bees just behind the Observatory and you can buy and eat Bardsey honey if you visit the island).

And Denise Healey was there selling our selection of unique Bardsey clothing and launching new items, like the cut glass whisky tumbler which you will be able to purchase shortly (did you know there is a Single Malt Whisky made in Wales?).

Reporting direct from AGM at Criccieth

14.15 hours at the Marine Hotel, Criccieth. The AGM of the Observatory has just begun and the Chairman, Patrick Davies, is giving his Report and about 33 people are present listening intently.

Patrick is telling members of the appointment of Richard Brown, our new Assistant Warden, who hails from North Yorkshire. Richard Else has also been appointed, with a grant from the CCW, to monitor the Shearwater population on the island this summer.

He went on to inform members that we are looking into acquiring Satellite Broadband which will broaden the Observatory's accessibility enabling much better information exchange in the future.

The 2007 Report is due to be published by the end of August at the latest, well ahead of last years. (My comments: It is perhaps one of the Observatory's main jobs, as it details all the research and survey work that we conduct thoughout the year which fits into the national picture. This enables bodies such as the BTO, RSPB, Countryside Council for Wales, Local Authorities, etc. to better able to conserve many species of birds and show how important Bardsey Island is for the study of birds and the importance of it for its own breeding birds.)

The Chairman then announced to the members that we had been searching for, and found, a new President. He then explained how we discoverd him and are putting him forward for this important post. The meeting then unanimously agreed to appoint the Rt. Rev. David Hawkins, Bishop of Barking, as our new President. (His CV can be found at: http://www.bbfo.org.uk/president.htm)

All the other Officers of the Observatory were re-elected without dissention. Bryan Thompson was elected as a Friend of Bardsey, as was Liz James.

Bird News from the island

Young Ben Porter has been twitching again. (I think he's really enjoying gripping us all off while he has the island to himself :-))

1st January - a Red Kite was seen over the farm. There have been arrivals of some of the commoner birds in the past few days - wagtails, linnets and lesser black-backed gulls. Yesterday - 19th Feb - there was a Red-throated Diver on the sea and there has been a female/immature Eider in Solfach for about a week.

Keep watching the stars and the birds Ben.

Bevan - the Bardsey Crier.

Book Early to Stay at the Observatory

Minus 6 degrees centigrade here in the Midlands last night but I doubt if it got to freezing on the island. Frost and snow are rare over there on the west coast of Wales. We did have snow last winter - only lasted for a few hours - but Steve was able to record it for posterity with his camera - see http://www.bbfo.org.uk/wardensteve.htm

Talking of Steve, he is still off the island but if you haven't had a chance to see him on his tour of the UK giving talks about the Observatory (he had good audiences at Nottingham and Sheffield recently), then he will be at our AGM in Criccieth next Saturday afternoon (Council meeting in the morning for those who are Council members).

Even if you are not a member of the Friends of Bardsey, you will still be welcome to join us at 2 pm on Saturday 23 February, at The Marine Hotel, Castle Street, Criccieth. Even the "Bardsey Crier will be there" :-)) - but he will have his bell muffled. Some important items will be on the Agenda, including the election of a new President of the Observatory. I wonder who it will be? All this strain on the Vice Presidents is getting too much they tell me - they need a boss!

See you on Saturday - you can all buy me a drink. I won't be driving :-))

Bevan

Into the second month of 2008

Hi everyone, particularly Chris and Dai who made comments. Thank you for that.

Well, Steve and family are still on the mainland, writing up the annual report, oganising things for the new season and a host of other jobs they aren't able to do on the island. Steve loves his computer and is emailing everyone at the moment (all about Bardsey I hope!). He has been giving talks up and down the country and I know has done two in Wales to groups which have been very successful.

Through the post today I, and presumably other members of the Friends of Bardsey, have received the latest edition of the Bardsey Beacon. The editor is now Mike Armitage and his first one is very good indeed. Mike intends to put his own stamp on the Beacon but doesn't intend, he says, to make wholesale changes that would destroy its traditional look and feel.

He reminds us all of the Annual General Meeting at 2pm on 23 February at The Marine Hotel, Castle Street, Criccieth and immpresses upon us that the Beacon belongs to the members and that their contributions are very welcome. The rest of the ten page newsletter contains the following:

Warden's Report - Farming on the Island - The Porter Family move into Ty Pellaf
New Staff for 2008 - Secretary's Bit - Wedding Bells on Bardsey (guess what that is about!) - Treasurer's Bit - Booking News - an amusing aside called "Naval Protocol" - and finally, all the contact details for the Observatory.

There is an appeal for photographs for inclusion in two Bardsey publications, the Annual Report and a new edition of "The Birds of Bardsey". (On a CD to Steve, the Warden on the island (not by email). And Mike even mentions this Blog:-))

Chris asked in his comments about who is on the island and do they interact. When Steve and his family left in November, they "left just the four members of the Porter family. Even Emyr, who works for the Bardsey Island Trust (owners of the island and our landlord) came off too. So for 3 months the Porters have been living on their own, with only the sheep, welsh black cattle, chickens and seals and birds to communicate with. Here is a para from the Beacon written by Rachel Porter, their thirteen old daughter:

"I love it here! It's such a beautiful place to live. It's been strange having school at home with mum and dad as teachers. On Thursday afternoons I have been having art lessons with Emma, which has been fun. (I hope Emma left her with homework to do!). During this winter, mum and dad and I have been making things to sell in the craft shop; felted hats and booties, shell jewellery, wool rugs, baskets and other things. I am looking forward to the possibiity of running a cafe in the summer with the help of my friends. I have seen plenty of wildlife; I have enjoyed watching the seal pups and their progress".

When Steven, Emma and Connor return; Emyr to the north end; and our new Assist. Warden, Richard Brown and Shearwater Monitor Richard Else, their will be a permanent summer population of 10 and maybe a couple of other people. On an island, you have to work together as you never know when you might need other people's help, as, for instance, Ben Porter and myself found outwhen we had accidents and had to be taken off to hospital by helicopter. Things break down and everyone helps each other. There has to be real community spirit if you are to survive on an isolated island like Bardsey.

Well, that's enough for now. More later about our new Warden, Richard Brown, and Richard Else and his monitoring job this year. I think we will have to change Mr Else's name to Richard Shearwater so we can distinguish them - or Shearwater Else!

See you all on 23 Feb at Criccieth. I have a white beard and a loud voice - I may bring my Bell!

Bevan

A wish on Bardsey

"St Mary's Well on the Island has a curious tradition associated with it. If you went to the well, got a mouth full of water, walked back up the steep steps leading to the church, and then walked around the church three times still holding the water in your mouth you would be granted a wish."

So says this extract from the Mysterious Britain Gazeteer which can be found at:

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/wales/gwynedd/gwyneddinfo2.html

However, St. Mary's Well is NOT on the island - it's on the mainland, - unless someone knows different! Let me know if your wish comes true.

New Years Day

Well - here we are into 2008!

And the news from the island today is:

Ben has walked around the island and his bird of the morning was - a Red Kite over the farm at Ty Pellaf.
Other news is that Steve, the Warden (who is off the island at the moment with his wife and son) will be travelling back to Wales on Friday to give an illustrated talk about Bardsey and its wildlife, to the Cambrian Ornithological Society. This will be held at the Pensychnant Centre, situated on the Sychnant Pass road between Conwy and Penmaenmawr at 7.30pm.