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.
21 November 2008
10 November 2008
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.
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.
3 November 2008
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.
Today birds of note recorded are Barn Owl and Firecrest.
2 November 2008
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.
25 October 2008
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.
24 October 2008
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.
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
28 White-fronted Geese passed through
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.
On the 17th there was 1 Yellow-browed Warbler
On Saturday 18th October, the visitors were able to leave and new ones arrive.
13 October 2008
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!
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!
11 October 2008
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).
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).
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
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