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
9 August 2008
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
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
4 August 2008
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
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
26 July 2008
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.
23 July 2008
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
22 July 2008
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
16 July 2008
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
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
11 July 2008
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
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
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