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).
11 October 2008
10 October 2008
6 October 2008
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".
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
Visitors weren't able to leave because of rough seas
3 October 2008
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.
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.
2 October 2008
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 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.
1 Barn Owl, 1 Yellow Wagtail.
29 September 2008
28 September 2008
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
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
19 September 2008
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.
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.
18 September 2008
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!!!!
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!!!!
16 September 2008
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.
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.
15 September 2008
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?
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.
And amongst the birds found on the island that day was a CORNCRAKE, a RED-BACKED SHRIKE and two Reed Warblers.
12 September 2008
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.
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.
11 September 2008
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.
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.
1 September 2008
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.
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.
15 August 2008
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
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
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