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.