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
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