SYSTEMATIC LIST
July saw 23 records, all were singles. One to four birds were seen on most dates in August and September.
There were 26 counts in October, most were one to three birds, with five on 11th.
20 6
15Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month5
10
5 4
0
J 3
2
1
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J F MAM J J A S O ND
Max. count 0 0 2 1 1 3 1 4 4 5 00
47 00
Bird-days 0 0 6 17 8 30 23 46 67 26 00
Days seen 0 0 5 17 8 27 23 29 30
Crëyr Bach
L I T T L E E G R E T Egretta garzetta
Scarce, 91 previous records, 88 of which have been since 2004 when they became annual
A single was seen in Henllwyn on 13 May.
In July six were in Henllwyn on 16th, with another there on 21st. In August there were singles on 10th and 23rd.
Another single was seen in October on 17th and 18th.
Little Egret © Steven Stansfield 93
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O S P R E Y Pandion haliaetus Gwalch y Pysgod
¨ Amber listed Scarce passage migrant, c64 records
In June one flew over the Observatory on 4th (EJB et al.). In August one flew along the West Coast on
23rd (SDC). September saw one over the Mountain on 2nd (SDS), with another the following day off the
South End (SDC) and finally one headed south on 7th (SDS).
Osprey © Steven Stansfield
S P A R R O W H A W K Accipiter nisus Gwalch Glas
Occasional breeder, fairly common on passage
There were only a few records in spring; one in March and 19 in April to 30th, and then none until mid-
August. All were singles except for two on 4 April.
August produced six records: four singles and two records of two birds. September saw records on 28
dates, once again all were of one or two individuals except three on 6th. Of the 24 records in October
ten were singles and 14 were of two birds.
12 3.5
Bird-day totals10
Max. daily count per month3
8
6 2.5
4
2 2
0
1.5
J
1
0.5
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J F MAM J J A S OND
Max. count 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 2 3 2 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 1 20 0 0 0 8 41 37 0 0
Days seen 0 0 1 19 0 0 0 6 28 24 0 0
94 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
M A R S H H A R R I E R Circus aeruginosus Bod y Gwerni
¨ Amber listed Scarce, 51 previous records (37 since 1998, averaging 1.6 per annum)
An adult male flew north over Pen Cristin in the morning of 8 September (SDS et al.).
H E N H A R R I E R Circus cyaneus Bod Tinwen
¨ Red listed Rare migrant, occasional winter visitor
A ringtail was seen over the Lowlands on 21 March (STP).
R E D K I T E Milvus milvus Barcud Coch
¨ Amber listed (Wales) Rare, 30 previous records - one in 1969, rest since 1987
A bumper year with five records. The first was a single over the Lowlands on 1 April (SDC et al.). Two were
over the Mountain on 7 May, with another, very tatty moulting bird, on 20 June.
One was over the Mountain on 22 August, with two there on 11 October.
Red Kite being escorted off the island by Oystercatchers © Steven Stansfield
B U Z Z A R D Buteo buteo Bwncath
Fairly common visitor, numbers increasing recently
March saw a single on 21st and two on 30th. There were 13 singles in April, with two on two dates, May
saw 12 records , nine singles, two records of two and then four on 16th. There were just three singles in
both June and July.
August saw singles on six dates with two on 25th and three on 23rd. In September there were records on
12 dates, seven were singles and five were of two birds. There were then 16 records in October, nine
were singles, three records were of two birds, three were seen on 10th and ten was the peak count on
15th.
J F MAM J J A S OND
Max. count 0 0 2 2 4 1 1 3 2 10 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 3 17 17 3 3 11 17 38 0 0
Days seen 0 0 2 15 12 3 3 8 12 16 0 0
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30 12
25Bird-day totals
20 Max. daily count per month10
15
10 8
5 6
0
4
J
2
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
B A R N O W L Tyto alba Tylluan Wen
Scarce, c80 previous records
The first record was a single at the Abbey on 9 April (BJP).
The first sign in autumn was of a freshly dropped primary feather on 17 September. One was seen on Pen
Cristin on 20th, and another or the same at Nant on 30th. In October there were singles on five dates to
25th.
L I T T L E O W L Athene noctua Tylluan Fach
Scarce breeder
Three territories were recorded with a pair seen on Pen Cristin and calling males at Carreg Bach and
Nant Valley. Records became scarce in the latter half of the year and there were no sightings after
August.
October saw singles on 17th and 21st at Cristin and on 22nd at Nant.
J F MAM J J A S OND
Max. count 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 3 0 2 3 1 2 0 1 0 0
Days seen 0 0 2 0 2 3 1 2 0 1 0 0
S H O R T - E A R E D O W L Asio flammeus Tylluan Glustiog
¨ Amber listed Scarce
One was over Henllwyn on 27 June (SDC) and another at the South End on 18 October (WE).
In August an unidentified Asio owl was seen on 2nd (PRM).
W R Y N E C K Jynx torquilla Pengam
Scarce to uncommon migrant
A good showing with eight records and 12 individuals recorded. The first of the year involved three on 25
August: one at the North End of the island (SDS), one at Nant (LMD) and one on Pen Cristin (RMN, AAN).
On 28th another was at Nant (PJR, DS) and was seen the following day. In September there were singles
at Nant on 1st (SDS), on 2nd at Carreg (SDS) and Tŷ Pellaf on 4th (SDS). One was seen at Tŷ Pellaf on 8th
(SDC), and then two at the School and one at Traeth Ffynnon on 11th (SDS, EJS).
G R E A T S P O T T E D W O O D P E C K E R Dendrocopos major Cnocell Fraith Fwyaf
Scarce, becoming commoner – annual since 2003, but a vagrant, with ten records before that
The first of the autumn was at Nant on 6 September. There were then a further 14 records during the
month. October saw 21 records, from 6th to 16th: most were of multiple birds, including six on 10th and
five on 15th. A minimum of 12 individuals were thought to have been involved.
96 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
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Great Spotted Woodpecker © Steven Stansfield 10
8
140 6
120 4
100 2
0
80
60
40
20
0
Annual bird-day totals
1953
1958
1963
1968
1973
1978
1983
1988
1993
1998
2003
2008
2013
2018
Year's daily maxima
Bird-day totals Yearly maxima
K E S T R E L Falco tinnunculus Cudyll Coch
Fairly common passage migrant; last bred in 1970
March saw just three singles from 21st. There were also three singles in April, but none in May and one on
1 and 2 June.
Autumn passage began in July, with one on 14th. August saw 12 records: most were singles, with four on
23rd and two on 30th. In September there were 13 records, mostly singles, with two birds on 2nd and
three on 8th. In October there were singles on six dates, the last on 29th.
7 5
Bird-day totals6
Max. daily count per month54
4
3 3
2
1 2
0
1
J
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
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Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 01101 143100
0 03302 1 16 16 6 0 0
Days seen 0 03302 1 12 13 6 0 0
M E R L I N Falco columbarius Cudyll Bach
Fairly common on passage, occasionally over-winters
March saw singles on nine dates from 16th. There were singles on 19 dates in April, with two on two dates
and three on 21st. Two stragglers held on into May, with records of singles on both 2nd and 5th.
The first of the autumn was an early arrival on 11 September, with another seen on 16th. October
however, produced 19 records: 15 were singles, two were seen on 12th, three on both 9th and 10th and
four on 8th. The last of the year was on 19th.
12 5
10Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month4
8
6 3
4
2 2
0
1
J
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J F MAM J J A S OND
Max. count 0 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 4 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 9 26 2 0 0 0 2 27 0 0
Days seen 0 0 9 22 2 0 0 0 2 19 0 0
H O B B Y Falco subbuteo Hebog yr Ehedydd
Scarce passage migrant, with one or two records most years in recent times
One was seen over many parts of the island on 1 September (SDC et al.)
P E R E G R I N E Falco peregrinus Hebog Tramor
Rare but regular breeder, rare passage migrant
The regular pair and their offspring from the previous season were present at the start of the year. This
made any signs of immigration difficult to observe.
Autumn saw the two juveniles and the regular adults on the island, but there were no obvious signs of
immigration. The breeding birds produced two young in late June from a ledge high on the east side of
the island.
W O O D C H A T S H R I K E Lanius senator Cigydd Pengoch
Vagrant, 27 previous records, last in 2020
A very attractive first-summer male was found at the Schoolhouse on 14 May (RSH et al.). This record was
accepted by WBRC.
R E D - E Y E D V I R E O Vireo olivaceus Fireo Llygatgoch
Vagrant, two previous records in 1985 and 1998
One was discovered in the garden at Cristin on 2 October (EJB, SDS et al.) where it remained until 4th.
This was the third for Bardsey and the eighth for Wales.
98 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
Woodchat Shrike © Steve Hughes 99
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M A G P I E Pica pica Pioden
Scarce breeding resident
Birds were present throughout the year, and there were some signs of immigration in October, when
peak counts reached a minimum of 66 on 13th in a single flock on The Narrows.
70
60
Daily count of birds 50
40
30
20
10
0
J FM AM J J A S O ND
J FM A MJ J A S O ND
0
Max. count 0 0 30 22 18 24 36 38 27 66 15 0
Bird-days 0
0 265 414 353 428 442 494 469 814 15 0
Days seen
0 16 30 31 30 31 31 30 28 1 0
Magpies © Steven Stansfield
C H O U G H Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Brân Goesgoch
Scarce breeder, fairly common immigrant from local populations
As well as the island’s breeding birds, immigrants from the mainland were recorded throughout the year.
Many were colour-ringed from various sites around North and Mid-Wales.
Max. count J FMAMJ JA S O N D
Bird-days 0 0 23 21 28 28 30 35 37 53 9 0
0 0 171 269 307 345 385 487 613 732 9 0
Days seen 0 0 16 30 30 30 30 31 30 29 1 0
100 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
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Choughs © Steven Stansfield 101
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J A C K D A W Corvus monedula Jac-y-do
Common passage migrant, but extinct as a breeding species since 2005
Small numbers were recorded during spring with two records in March and three in April. March’s peak
count was 11, with a peak of five in April. May produced two on 16th, with a single seen on 5 June.
Seven were seen on 27 August, and then none until autumn passage began on 11 October when 58
were seen. The following day 85 were counted, with 167 on 15th and 77 on 16th; finally 34 were seen on
20th.
J FMAMJ JA S O ND
0 07 0 167 0 0
Max. count 0 0 11 5 2 1 07 0 421 0 0
Bird-days 0 01 0 5 00
0 13 11 2 1
Days seen
02 3 11
R O O K Corvus frugilegus Ydfran
Uncommon to fairly common passage migrant
Small numbers were recorded during spring with five records of one or two in March and ten records in
April.
October produced nine records: most were into double figures including 31 on 10th, 55 on 11th and 34
on 15th, with 11 on 25th the final record of the year.
C A R R I O N C R O W Corvus corone Brân Dyddyn
Scarce breeder, common passage migrant
There were no noticeable movements until autumn.
Numbers were steady in early autumn, and began to increase in August with an arrival increasing
numbers to 49 on 16th. Counts were generally low in September, though an arrival on 10 October saw
the total reach 52 including a single flock of 47 on the West Coast.
60
50
Daily count of birds 40
30
20
10
0
J FM A M J J A SOND
Max. count J FMAMJ JA S O N D
Bird-days 0 0 28 20 8 13 15 49 16 52 4 0
0 0 171 263 160 183 208 364 214 295 4 0
Days seen 0 0 15 30 31 30 31 31 30 28 1 0
102 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
H O O D E D C R O W Corvus cornix Brân Lwyd
Uncommon, formerly scarce
The first of the year was seen on the West Coast on 30 March. There were three records in April; two were
singles, with two on 28th. There was none in May, though June saw singles on 12th and 27th.
August produced singles on 24th and 27th and then there were none until singles were seen on 10 and
15 October.
R A V E N Corvus corax Cigfran
Fairly common passage migrant, one to two pairs breed most years, but four in 2007
The only passage in spring was 14 on 17 March. There were almost daily counts for the rest of the spring.
Peak counts in autumn were 13 in both August and October.
35 15 Max. daily count per month
30
Bird-day totals 25 10
20
15 5
10
0
5 F MAM J J A S OND
0
J
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FM A MJ J A S O ND
Max. count 0 0 14 8 8 7 11 13 4 13 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 52 92 98 148 97 130 70 77 0 0
Days seen 0 0 15 30 29 29 25 31 29 27 0 0
G R E A T T I T Parus major Titw Mawr
Uncommon migrant, occasionally over-winters, bred from 1984 to 1986 and in 2012-2014
Four pairs bred this year: two at Cristin and one each at Nant and Carreg Withy, though productivity was
low, with only seven youngsters being recorded. Birds were present throughout summer and autumn,
and up to nine birds were counted, though this is probably far fewer than were on the island at any one
time. The peak in mid-July and early August is generated by the youngsters appearing on the scene,
while the October maximum could relate to immigrants.
10
Daily count of birds 8
6
4
2
0
J FM AM J J A S O ND
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J FM A MJ J A S O ND
0
Max. count 0 07 7 4597 5 9 00
Bird-days 0
0 45 87 69 71 66 98 63 125 0 0
Days seen
0 16 29 28 29 24 31 28 29 0 0
W O O D L A R K Lullula arborea Ehedydd y Coed
Rare, 33 previous records
One was seen flying south over the withies and west side of the island on 3 November (SDS). This species
has now been recorded annually since 2016.
S K Y L A R K Alauda arvensis Ehedydd
¨ Red listed Common passage migrant, mainly in autumn; bred historically then bred annually 2003 to 2015
Spring passage was slight, with four records in March, three in April and two in May. There were out-of-
season sightings of a single on 12th and 14th July.
September saw records on six dates, all except 15 on 20th were in single figures. October saw counts on
20 dates: most were in double figures up to 61, though 145 were seen on 15th, and then 187, the year’s
peak, were counted on 3 November.
250 200
Bird-day totals200
Max. daily count per month150150
100
100
50
0 50
J
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 3 2 1 0 1 0 15 145 187 0
Bird-days 0 0 7 4 2 0 2 0 31 492 187 0
Days seen 0 0 4 3 2 0 2 0 6 20 1 0
S A N D M A R T I N Riparia riparia Gwennol y Glennydd
Common to abundant summer migrant
The first of the year was on 18 March. There were then three more records in the month, with 11 on 30th
the peak. April saw 24 records: most were single figures, though passage on 19th saw 123 and was
followed by daily double-figure counts from 22nd to 25th. May produced just ten records, all were in
single figures, with three on 14th the peak. There were three records in June with one on 27th the last of
spring.
Autumn passage began in mid-July and saw records of one or two birds on five dates from 19th. August
saw ten records and, with the exception of 24 on 13th and 88 on 29th, all counts were of four or fewer.
There were five records in September to 15th, with 18 on 3rd and ten the following day the only counts
greater than two.
J F MAM J J A S ON D
0 0
Max. count 0 0 11 123 3 3 2 24 18 0 0 0
Bird-days 0 0
0 16 285 15 5 8 55 32 0 0
Days seen
0 3 23 10 3 5 10 5 0 0
104
REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
150 140
Bird-day totals
100 Max. daily count per month120
50 100
0 80
J
60
40
20
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
S W A L L O W Hirundo rustica Gwennol
Very abundant summer migrant that breeds in small numbers
The first of the year was ten on 30 March, six days later than 2020. There was then another single on 31st.
April saw almost daily records, as spring passage began to get under way properly from mid-month, with
regular counts of up to 54 and a peak of 62 on 9th. Passage was heaviest in the first three weeks of May,
near-daily counts into double figures and peaks of 109 on 11th and 117 on 12th. Up to 34 were seen daily
in June.
Swallow © Steven Stansfield 105
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Autumn passage began in late July, when numbers swelled from the regular counts in the teens to upper
20s to mid-40s from 21st and then to 84 on 26th. August saw daily counts of up to 43 in the first half of the
month and then heavier passage in the latter half, with regular counts up to 62 and peaks of 74 on 23rd
and 72 on 27th. More were noted in September with several three-figure counts from the 29 records:
peaks included 194 on 6th and 273 on 20th. Numbers fell towards the month’s end. October produced
12 records to 21st, two were double-figure counts, with 134 on 3rd.
700 300 Max. daily count per month
600
500 250
400
Bird-day totals 300 200
200
100 150
0 100
J
50
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FM A M J JA S OND
0
Max. count 0 0 10 62 117 34 84 74 273 134 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 11 454 874 372 669 917 1851 200 0 0
Days seen
0 2 29 31 30 31 31 29 12 0 0
H O U S E M A R T I N Delichon urbicum Gwennol y Bondo
¨ Amber listed Common to abundant summer migrant, occasionally breeds in small numbers
The first record of the year was two on 1 April. There were a further 15 records in the month, with a peak
of 18 on 25th. May saw near-daily counts, ten of which were in double figures up to 47, with 159 on 28th
and 224 on 29th. June saw just the birds from the four breeding pairs present on the island and the
month’s peak was just 23 on 2nd. Up to nine were seen in the first half of July.
The first signs of autumn passage came on 21 July when numbers shot up from low single figures to 37 on
21st, followed by five further small movements of up to 29. There were daily records in August including
12 double-figure counts with a peak of 85 on 23rd. September saw 17 counts including the highest of the
year: 350 were seen on 1st over the Observatory, 66 of which were trapped and ringed, while 193 were
counted the following day. October saw two on both 3rd and 8th, which were the final records of the
year.
700 400 Max. daily count per month
600
Bird-day totals 500 300
400
300 200
200
100 100
0 0
J F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
106 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
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J FM A M J JA S OND
0
Max. count 0 0 0 18 224 23 37 85 350 2 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 0 55 625 163 267 379 731 4 0 0
Days seen
0 0 15 25 30 31 31 17 2 0 0
W O O D W A R B L E R Phylloscopus sibilatrix Telor y Coed
¨ Red listed Scarce to uncommon passage migrant
One was trapped and ringed at Cristin on 9 August.
Y E L L O W - B R O W E D W A R B L E R Phylloscopus inornatus Telor Aelfelyn
Scarce, but becoming commoner with a minimum of 60 individuals in 2016
The first of the autumn was one on 6 October on Solfach (SDS), with a further two on 9th, both of which
were trapped and ringed at Cristin (AJL, SDS et al.).
W I L L O W W A R B L E R Phylloscopus trochilus Telor yr Helyg
¨ Amber listed Very abundant passage migrant that occasionally breeds
The first record of the year was 131 on 30 March with 29 present the following day. April saw records on
26 days, normally into double-figures up to 88, though 139 were seen on 13th. May saw 22 records with
17 on 1st the only double-figure count. Up to five were seen in early June, and a single male was holding
territory for most of the month and was last seen on 30th. No pairs successfully nested this year.
Autumn passage began on 17 July; there was then daily passage to the month’s end, peaking at 29 on
26th. The first week in August saw up to 60 birds on 1st, but then numbers fell to single figures up to 9th
and 10th, when 17 and 56 were counted. Once again numbers dropped to single figures to 17th, when
there was a general increase, with almost all records to the month’s end being in double figures up to
42. September saw 20 records, three of them into double figures with three counts into three figures: 191
were counted on 2nd, 699 on 6th and 307 on 10th. October saw just four records of one or two birds
between 9th and 15th.
1200 800
1000Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month600
800
600 400
400
200 200
0 0
F MAM J J A S OND
J
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
Max. count J FMAMJ J A S O ND
Bird-days 0 0 131 139 17 5 29 60 699 2 00
0 0 160 683 80 40 128 552 1402 6 00
Days seen 0 0 2 26 22 26 15 31 20 4 00
C H I F F C H A F F Phylloscopus collybita Siff-saff
Abundant passage migrant; scarce breeder
The first of the year were two at Cristin on 16 March; by 22nd numbers had reached 14, and then 186 by
30th. There were records on all dates but 5th in April: most were in small numbers, but about a third were
into double figures with 32 on 13th the peak count. May saw just three double- figure counts in the month
65: 54-133 107
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Chiffchaff © Steven Stansfield
with all other counts being nine or fewer. There were 29 records in June with eight on 1st the peak. Just
the one breeding pair and offspring were recorded on 12 dates in July.
Numbers in autumn were never high, August’s peak was only four from 13 records. September saw an
increase in passage, with almost daily records, with double-figure counts up to 31 and a minimum of 100
counted on 6th. There were 25 records in October: most were fewer than ten, but there were six counts
greater, up to 17 on 11th. Two on 3 November were the last records of the year.
250 200
200Bird-day totals
150 Max. daily count per month150
100
100
50
0 50
J
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
Max. count J FMAMJ JA S O N D
Bird-days 0 0 186 32 12 8 6 4 100 17 2 0
0 0 258 276 122 84 30 23 326 169 2 0
Days seen 0 0 15 29 29 29 12 13 28 25 1 0
S I B E R I A N C H I F F C H A F F Phylloscopus collybita tristis Siff-saff
Scarce
In April, one was trapped and ringed at Cristin on 26th and was still present the following day (STP, SDS
et al.). November produced at least one in Plas Withy on 3rd (SDS).
108 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
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S E D G E W A R B L E R Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Telor yr Hesg
Scarce but regular breeder since 2008, common to abundant passage migrant
The first of the year was one on 30 March. The next record was not until 20 April: there were a further ten
records to the month’s end, nine in single figures and 16 on 30th. There were near-daily counts in May,
eight of which were in double figures up to 36 on 1st. The 29 records in June referred to some of the
island’s nine nesting pairs.
July, like June, saw most records made up from the breeding birds. August saw 19 records and any small
amount of immigration was masked by the breeding birds which were still feeding young until late in the
month, though 13 on 1st and 14 on 20th would have included migrants. The only records in September
were singles on five dates to 20th and two on 2nd.
60 40
Bird-day totals50
Max. daily count per month4030
30
20 20
10
10
0
J 0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FM AMJ JA S O ND
Max. count 0 0 1 16 36 11 8 14 2 0 01
0 01
Bird-days 0 0 1 46 228 132 82 84 7 0 01
Days seen 0 0 1 11 27 29 28 19 6
Sedge Warbler © Ed Betteridge 109
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R E E D W A R B L E R Acrocephalus scirpaceus Telor y Cyrs
Scarce to uncommon passage migrant
One was trapped at Cristin on 26 April. May saw singles on 11th, 28th and 31st, with June’s only record
coming on 6th.
August produced one on 17th and another on 26th, with singles in September on 5th and 8th.
M A R S H W A R B L E R Acrocephalus palustris Telor y Gwerni
¨ Red listed Vagrant, 13 previous records, ten of which have been since 2004, last in 2020
In June, one was singing in the Observatory garden on 1st (EJB, SDS et al.). This record was accepted by
WBRC.
M E L O D I O U S W A R B L E R Hippolais polyglotta Telor Pêr
Scarce, 120 previous records, last in 2016
In August one was seen at Tŷ Pellaf on 23rd, with another individual later in the day at the Lighthouse
(SDS, DCC et al.). These records were accepted by WBRC.
Melodious Warbler © Steven Stansfield
I C T E R I N E W A R B L E R Hippolais icterina Telor y Gwerni
Scarce, c65 previous records last in 2016
A male was seen at Cristin on 1 June (EJB et al.). In autumn a single bird was at Nant on 1 September
(SDS et al.). Both records were accepted by WBRC.
G R A S S H O P P E R W A R B L E R Locustella naevia Troellwr Bach
¨ Red listed Uncommon, passage migrant, bred once in 1989
The first record of the year was one trapped at Cristin on 14 April. One was on the West Coast the
following day. There were singles on 19th to 21st. May saw one single on 11th.
110 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
The first of autumn was seen on 22 July, with another on 23rd. August produced three singles with three
on 18th and two on 25th. There were four singles in September: three were in the first week, with one on
23rd the last of the year.
B L A C K C A P Sylvia atricapilla Telor Penddu
Common passage migrant, has bred on three occasions - in 2003, 2005 and 2012
The first record of the year was one on 22 March; the next record was 69 birds counted on 30th, with 13
the following day. There were 27 records in April, 14 of which were double-figure counts with a peak of
58 on 13th. May saw 22 records, with just one double-figure count of 20 on 1st. There were 27 records in
June of up to five birds. July saw just 8 records and were all probably the island’s three breeding pairs
and their respective offspring. This was the same for the 15 records in August.
September produced 24 records; all counts of ten or under. There were 21 records in October and, with
the exception of 15 on 6th, and 11 on both 11th and 20th, all of the counts were of seven or fewer.
140 80
120Bird-day totals
100 Max. daily count per month60
80 40
60
40 20
20
0
0 F MAM J J A S OND
J
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FM A MJ J A S O ND
Max. count 0 0 69 58 20 5 2 3 10 15 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 83 394 76 48 10 19 69 82 0 0
Days seen 0 0 3 27 22 27 8 15 24 21 0 0
Annual bird-day totals2500 350
19532000 300
19581500 250
19631000 200
1968 150
1973500 100
19780 50
1983 0
1988
1993
1998
2003
2008
2013
2018
Year's daily maxima
Bird-day totals Yearly maxima
G A R D E N W A R B L E R Sylvia borin Telor yr Ardd
Uncommon passage migrant, formerly fairly common passage migrant
The first of spring was at Nant Withy on 6 May. There were a further two birds the following day.
August saw singles on four dates. September saw ten records to 12th, most were of one or two birds with
four on 3rd the exception. A poor showing.
65: 54-133 111
STANSFIELD
L E S S E R W H I T E T H R O A T Sylvia curruca Llwydfron Fach
Scarce to uncommon migrant
The first record of the year was two on 10 May followed by further singles on 12th and 28th.
The only records in autumn were singles on four dates in September between 2nd and 16th.
W H I T E T H R O A T Sylvia communis Llwydfron
Formerly abundant to very abundant, now a common migrant; becoming a fairly regular scarce breeder
The first of the year was one at Cristin on 19 April, followed by 11 records of one to eight birds to the
month’s end. There were near-daily records in May of one to six birds. There were four pairs holding
territory on the island in the summer and up to five were counted in June and three in July, four of which
were youngsters.
Any early arrivals in July and early August were masked by the island’s breeding pairs and their offspring.
The first signs of migrants were when numbers rose slightly in late August and the regular single-figure
counts reached 14 on 20th. September saw 20 records, mostly of single-figure counts but 36 were seen
on 2nd, with 14 and 13 on the following two dates. October saw three records: three were seen on 9th,
with two on 10th and finally a single on 11th.
100 40
80Bird-day totals
60 Max. daily count per month30
40
20 20
0
J 10
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
Max. count J FMAMJ JA S O ND
Bird-days 0 0 0 8 6 5 3 14 36 3 00
0 0 0 29 83 38 20 69 125 6 00
Days seen 0 0 0 12 29 22 14 26 20 3 00
F I R E C R E S T Regulus ignicapilla Dryw Penfflamgoch
Uncommon to fairly common passage migrant
The first record of the year was one trapped at the Observatory on 20 March; this was followed by one
on 24th and another two on 30th.
The first record in autumn was one at Nant on 5 September; this was followed by different singles on the
following two dates, and then three on 8th and two on 9th. One was at Cristin on 18th, with another on
27th. In October there were singles on 2nd and 10th.
G O L D C R E S T Regulus regulus Dryw Eurben
Very abundant passage migrant; bred in 1998, 2007, 2019 and 2021 and attempted in 2014
From mid-March when Observatory staff returned there were frequent records throughout spring,
March’s peak being 45 on 20th. April saw records on 17 dates with up to 25 on 8th, with 15 singles in May.
There were ten records in June of one to four birds, including two juveniles on 29th. The breeding pair
and their offspring made up the 14 records in both July and August.
112 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
September saw records on 28 dates in the month, with most counts being in single figures and peaks of
ten on 22nd and 12 on 24th. There were near-daily records through October, 17 were double-figure
counts, with peaks of 78 on 6th and 61 on 8th.
250 100 Max. daily count per month
200
150 80
100
Bird-day totals 60
50
0 40
J
20
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
Max. count J FM AMJ JA S O N D
Bird-days 0 0 45 25 1 4 4 5 12 78 6 0
0 0 141 120 15 15 27 26 133 474 6 0
Days seen 0 0 15 17 15 10 14 14 28 29 1 0
W R E N Troglodytes troglodytes Dryw
Common breeding resident, uncommon migrant
Present throughout the year, with the peak counts coming as usual in spring, when 41 were recorded on
4 April and 50 on 13 May and then 36 on 28 June; these were all resident birds counted as part of the
breeding birds census. There were few signs of movements this year. This diminutive songster is very hard
to census due to its secretive and skulking behaviour; however, as daily counts are undertaken along
the census routes, it is often clear when immigrants arrive from the mainland.
Max. count J F M A M J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 58 41 50 36 46 59 42 47 18 0
0 0 343 724 602 544 545 808 587 526 18 0
Days seen 0 0 16 30 31 29 31 31 29 29 1 0
70
60
Daily count of birds 50
40
30
20
10
0
J FM AM J J A S O ND
N U T H A T C H Sitta europaea Delor y Cnau
Vagrant – six previous records, last in 2009
One was present very briefly in Plas Withy before heading north (JW). This is the first record since one on
26 October 2009.
65: 54-133 113
STANSFIELD
T R E E C R E E P E R Certhia familiaris Dringwr Bach
Scarce passage migrant
One at Cristin on 21 March was the only record of the year (STP et al.).
R O S E - C O L O U R E D S T A R L I N G Pastor roseus Drudwen Wridog
Vagrant, 11 previous records, last in 2020
A female was seen at Carreg on 7 June before moving to the lowlands. On 10th one was reported by a
visitor in the garden of Nant in the morning, with two present together at the Plantation in the afternoon
(SDS et al.). They remained to 12th but were mobile, visiting Cristin and Tŷ Pellaf.
Rose-coloured Starling © Ed Betteridge REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
114
SYSTEMATIC LIST
S T A R L I N G Sturnus vulgaris Drudwen
¨ Red listed Very abundant passage migrant, formerly bred, but not since 1997
There were 13 records of up to 172 birds in March and then four records of up to 19 in April. June saw six
records, one was of four birds, then two records between 20 and 25, then three triple-figure counts with
a peak of 200 on 30th. July produced 11 records; two single-figure counts, with six double-figure counts
to 75 and peaks of 100 on 1st and 130 on 3rd.
Autumn passage was poor. September saw a single on 28th. October saw 19 records of which three
were three-figure counts, up to 451 on 11th and then the year’s biggest movement of 1516 on 25th.
S O N G T H R U S H Turdus philomelos Bronfraith
¨ Red listed Common to abundant passage migrant, occasionally winters, last bred in 1961
Birds were present from the start to the end of the season, with five males holding territory in spring and
at least two youngsters fledging. Numbers increased very slightly in October and some birds may have
been migrants.
12 6
10Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month5
8
6 4
4
2 3
0
2
J
1
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FM A MJ J A S O ND
Max. count 0 0 3 2 2 3 1 1 4 5 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 17 16 9 20 10 8 16 28 0 0
Days seen 0 0 9 13 8 15 10 8 12 17 0 0
M I S T L E T H R U S H Turdus viscivorus Brych y Coed
¨ Red listed Uncommon passage migrant
The only records in the year were a single on 26 June, and then singles on 6 and 7 October and then 16
and 18 October.
R E D W I N G Turdus iliacus Coch Dan-aden
¨ Red listed Formerly a very abundant passage migrant, now becoming less numerous; a few birds have wintered
March produced two records from 18th: ten were seen on 18th, with three on 20th. There were three
records of singles in April to 15th.
The first of autumn were not until 7 October when one was heard overnight. Thereafter there were a
further 17 records in the month, most were small numbers of 57 or fewer with 160 on 13th the peak.
J FM AMJ JA S O ND
00 0 160 0 0
Max. count 0 0 10 1 00 00 0 420 0 0
00 0 18 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 13 3 00
Days seen 0 0 2 3 0 0
65: 54-133 115
STANSFIELD
B L A C K B I R D Turdus merula Mwyalchen
Fairly common to common passage migrant, uncommon breeder
Many, if not all of the records in the first part of the year were considered to be of the island’s
strengthening breeding population of 19 pairs and any minor immigration was masked by the presence
of these birds.
No really notable movements were observed in autumn, however, the number of bird-days increased
suggesting there was some immigration, but counts never exceeded 19.
J FM A MJ J A S O ND
0
Max. count 0 0 17 11 13 11 11 11 13 19 12 0
Bird-days 0
0 125 183 208 213 139 141 159 226 12 0
Days seen
0 15 30 31 30 31 31 30 28 1 0
70 20
60Bird-day totals
50 Max. daily count per month15
40
30 10
20
10 5
0 0
J F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
F I E L D F A R E Turdus pilaris Socan Eira
¨ Red listed Formerly a common migrant, mainly in autumn, but has been scarce and less frequent since 2006
Two were in the Lowlands on 19 March, with singles the next day, on 23rd and 30th. One was present
from 1 to 3 April, with another on 27th and then the last of spring on 2 May.
There were no records in autumn before staff left the island in early November.
R I N G O U Z E L Turdus torquatus Mwyalchen y Mynydd
¨ Red listed Uncommon passage migrant
The only record of the year was one on the Mountain on 9 and 10 April. Another very poor showing.
S P O T T E D F L Y C A T C H E R Muscicapa striata Gwybedog Mannog
¨ Red listed Common to abundant passage migrant
The first record of the year was two on 30 April. This was followed by 21 records in May, most of which
were in single figures, though 11 were counted on 26th, 20 on 28th and 18 on 29th. There were three
singles in June, with two on 3rd.
Autumn passage began in mid-August, with 14 records from 16th to the month’s end, mostly of up to
seven birds, with nine the peak on 25th. September saw 16 counts to 22nd, all but two were single-figure
counts, with 49 on 2nd and 12 on 10th. There were two on 1 October, and then singles on six dates to
12th.
116 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
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Spotted Flycatcher © Steven Stansfield
80 60
60Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month50
40
20 40
0 30
J
20
10
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FM A MJ J A S O ND
Max. count 0 0 0 2 20 2 0 9 49 2 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 0 2 120 5 0 48 117 8 00
Days seen 0 0 0 1 21 4 0 14 16 7 0 0
R O B I N Erithacus rubecula Robin Goch
Scarce breeding resident, common passage migrant in autumn
Up to three birds were seen most dates in March when staff returned to the island, though four were
noted on 30th. In April there were 26 records, again of one or two birds. One or two were seen on 17
dates in May. There were 16 records in June, and despite five young fledging from four pairs, the peak
count was only six on 29th.
There were 21 records in July and then almost daily counts in August: migrants began to appear from
22nd with numbers increasing to 20 on 23rd. September saw daily records with numbers reachng a peak
towards the month’s end with 25 counted on 22nd and 29 on 25th. October saw counts on all but two
dates, with a peak of 29 on 8th.
65: 54-133 117
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120 35
100Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month30
80
60 25
40
20 20
0 15
J
10
5
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J F MAM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 0 4 3 2 6 4 20 29 29 6 0
Bird-days 0
0 19 42 21 29 38 151 339 333 6 0
Days seen
0 11 26 17 16 21 30 30 29 1 0
P I E D F L Y C A T C H E R Ficedula hypoleuca Gwybedog Brith
¨ Red listed Now uncommon, but was a fairly common passage migrant a few years ago
The only record in spring was a female at Nant on 13 and 14 May.
A single at Nant on 25 July was the first of Autumn. There were singles on 21 and 22 August, while four
were seen on 23rd and 25th. September produced daily records from 1st to 10th; most were of up to four
birds, with five seen on both 3rd and 5th, and the peak of seven on 2nd.
Pied Flycatcher © Steven Stansfield REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
118
SYSTEMATIC LIST
B L A C K R E D S T A R T Phoenicurus ochruros Tingoch Du
¨ Red listed Uncommon passage migrant
A male on the South End on 21 March was the first of spring. There were then a further three records of
two, and four on 30th. A single bird was seen at Cristin on 28 and 29 June, and was then found dead on
3 July. Another was at Cristin on 20 July.
In October there were two on 9th, one on 11th, and then one on four dates at Tŷ Pellaf from 20th to 25th.
R E D S T A R T Phoenicurus phoenicurus Tingoch
¨ Amber listed Formerly uncommon passage migrant, now becoming scarce
A female at Nant on 10 May was the first of the year, with a male there on 12th. A female was at Tŷ Nesaf
on 20 June.
The first of autumn was a juvenile trapped on 19 July. Another was in the Lowlands on 25th and a male
at Cristin on 31st. August saw eight singles, with two on 4th, 23rd and 20th. September saw singles on
three dates to 7th, with two on 3rd and 6th.
W H I N C H A T Saxicola rubetra Crec yr Eithin
¨ Red listed Uncommon passage migrant
There were three records of two birds, plus a single from 25 to 31August. September produced 19 records:
most were singles, with two on 7th and three on 3rd. October saw one on 6th and another from 8th to
10th.
S T O N E C H A T Saxicola torquatus Clochdar y Cerrig
Uncommon breeder and migrant
The island’s 15 nesting pairs and their 39 offspring masked any signs of any passage in spring.
There was a notable arrival in late July, when numbers of birds seen increased from the usual mid-teens
to 31 on 26th. Numbers fell in early August to low to mid-20s, but increased again to 32 on 23rd and after
a small dip, to 31 by 27th. Numbers remained at this level in early September, with a peak of 36 on 5th,
then falling thereafter to as few as three by 30th. October’s peak was lower at 20 on 8th, falling away to
low single figures at the month’s end.
120 40
100Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month30
80
60 20
40
20 10
0 0
J F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FM A MJ J A S O ND
0
Max. count 0 0 16 14 19 16 31 32 36 20 8 0
Bird-days 0
0 91 215 264 291 358 426 427 200 8 0
Days seen
0 14 30 31 30 31 31 30 24 1 0
65: 54-133 119
STANSFIELD
W H E A T E A R Oenanthe oenanthe Tinwen y Garn
Common passage migrant, uncommon breeder, population recovering after severe decline
The first of the year was one on 18 March. There were then a further seven counts of up to 20 in the
month. April saw counts become daily and numbers steadily increase, with up to 51 seen by 14th.
Numbers then fell to as few as nine on 20th, though increased again to 46 on 23rd before reducing to 19
by the month’s end. There were no movements of note in May and all counts in June, July and early
August were thought to be the island’s 27 breeding pairs and their 26 offspring.
Mid-to late August saw some arrivals of returning migrants, with counts of up to 35 by 21st. September
saw daily records, with counts of up to 41 early in the month. October produced 15 records of up to four
birds, with a single on 16th being the last of the year.
200 60
150Bird-day totals
100 Max. daily count per month50
50 40
0
J 30
20
10
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FMAMJ JA S O ND
0 00
Max. count 0 0 20 51 20 18 22 35 41 4 00
Bird-days 0 00
0 38 617 321 251 295 560 333 29
Days seen
0 8 30 31 30 31 31 30 15
H O U S E S P A R R O W Passer domesticus Aderyn y Tô
Rare, formerly bred, but not since 1970, last record in 2015
A female was seen at Tŷ Pellaf on 25 October (SDC).
T R E E S P A R R O W Passer montanus Golfan y Mynydd
Rare
In October one was seen at Tŷ Pellaf from 23rd to 26th (SDS et al.).
D U N N O C K Prunella modularis Llwyd y Gwrych
¨ Amber listed Uncommon breeding resident, uncommon migrant
From 19 March, when staff returned to the island, there were daily counts of up to 12 to the month’s end
when many males were in song. April’s peak count was nine on 27th. The number of breeding males was
again 15, as last year.
The only signs of any arrivals in autumn were in mid-September when numbers reached 17 on 19th.
October saw more birds arrive, with two counts of over 20.
J FM A M J J A S ON D
0 0
Max. count 0 0 12 9 8 7 10 13 17 26 5 0
Bird-days 0 0
0 67 87 115 97 96 208 276 273 5
Days seen
0 14 28 30 29 31 31 30 28 1
120 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
Wheatears © Steven Stansfield 121
65: 54-133
STANSFIELD
80 30 Max. daily count per month
60
25
40
Bird-day totals 20 20
0 15
J
10
5
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
Y E L L O W W A G T A I L Motacilla flava flavissima Siglen Felen
¨ Red listed Scarce to uncommon passage migrant
‘British’ Yellow Wagtails were recorded on 25 April (one), 7 (one) and 11 May (two).
‘ F L A V A ’ W A G T A I L Motacilla flava spp.
‘flava’ wagtails, usually flying over or only heard calling, or immature birds in autumn that were not
assigned to any specific race, were recorded as ‘flava’ wagtail spp. M. flava spp.
One was seen on 30 August, with two the next day. There were eight singles in September with two on
both 2nd and 5th, and singles on 12th 14th and 18th. One was seen on 8 and 9 October.
G R E Y W A G T A I L Motacilla cinerea Siglen Lwyd
¨ Red listed Fairly common to common passage migrant
There were just three records in spring: one on 21 March and another on 30th and in addition a very late
individual was seen over the Narrows on 20 June.
The first of autumn were in July, when single birds were seen on two dates with two on 5th. There were
records on five dates in August, four of two birds and the other a single. September, produced 20 records
with two counts into double figures, including the peak of 12 on 1st. There were eight records in October,
with 15 on 6th the peak and the last four on 15th.
35 20 Max. daily count per month
30
Bird-day totals 25 15
20
15 10
10
5
5
0 0
F MAM J J A S OND
J
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J F MAM J J A S OND
Max. count 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 2 12 15 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 2 0 0 1 4 9 88 40 0 0
Days seen 0 0 2 0 0 1 3 5 20 8 0 0
122 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
P I E D W A G T A I L Motacilla alba yarrellii Siglen Fraith
Common to abundant passage migrant that breeds in small numbers, rare in winter
Up to 19 were recorded from 18 March to the month’s end. There were daily records in April; double-
figure counts were seen on eight dates, with a count of 15 on 3rd the maximum. Most counts in May and
through to late July came from the island’s ten breeding pairs and their 14 young.
There were no obvious arrivals in autumn, although the arrival of many immature birds including White
Wagtails made identification tricky and many were recorded simply as ‘alba’ Wagtails (cf. below).
80 25 Max. daily count per month
60
40 20
20
Bird-day totals 15
0
J 10
5
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J F MAM J J A S OND
0
Days seen 0 16 30 31 30 31 31 30 13 0 0
W H I T E W A G T A I L Motacilla alba alba Siglen Wen
Common passage migrant
The first record of the spring was three on 30 March. April saw 24 records though passage was never
heavy, with just two double-figure counts of ten and 15 on 13th and 29th respectively. May saw just ten
records of up to four birds.
The first signs of autumn passage were in mid-August. There were ten records in the month with numbers
increasing to the month’s end with up to 18 on 24th. There were 28 records in September, with four
double-figure counts, up to 16 on 22nd. October saw just eight records of one to six birds in the first 11
days.
50 20 Max. daily count per month
40
Bird-day totals 30 15
20
10 10
0 5
J
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
Days seen J FM A MJ J A S OND
0 0 1 24 10 0 0 10 28 8 0 0
65: 54-133 123
STANSFIELD
‘ A L B A ’ W A G T A I L Motacilla alba spp. Siglen Wen / Fraith
‘alba’ wagtails, usually flying over or only heard calling and therefore not assigned to any specific race,
were recorded in both spring and autumn when both Pied and White Wagtails were passing through. In
addition, many immature birds in autumn cannot be sub-specifically identified and are also assigned to
this category. The graph and table below show data for all ‘alba’ wagtails.
Max. count J FM A M J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 22 20 19 11 20 25 54 21 0 0
0 0 171 371 259 193 274 326 415 146 0 0
Days seen 0 0 16 30 31 30 31 31 30 19 0 0
800 60
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Bird-day totals 50
Max. daily count per month
40
30
20
10
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Pied White 'alba' Max. daily count
White Wagtail © Ed Betteridge REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
124
SYSTEMATIC LIST
Maximum daily counts of each form of ‘alba’ wagtail
J FM A M J J A S OND
0
Pied 0 0 19 15 8 11 20 15 17 15 0 0
White 0
'alba' 0 3 15 15 0 0 18 16 6 0 0
0 0 6 0 0 0 6 39 17 0 0
Bird-day totals for each form of ‘alba’ wagtail
J FM A M J J A S OND
0
Pied 0 0 168 252 146 193 274 232 193 48 0 0
White 0
'alba' 0 3 113 113 0 0 81 138 28 0 0
0 0 6 0 0 0 13 84 70 0 0
R I C H A R D ’ S P I P I T Anthus richardi Corhedydd Richard
Scarce, 83 previous records of 114 individuals
One was seen flying south over Cristin on 11 October (SDS), with another over the western side of the
island on 3 November (SDS).
M E A D O W P I P I T Anthus pratensis Corhedydd y Waun
¨ Amber listed Abundant to very abundant passage migrant and fairly common breeder
There were daily counts from 16 March when staff returned to the island; there were six three-figure
counts from 18th, with peak counts of 225 on 19th. There were daily counts in April, usually between 30
and 76, though 111 were seen on 3rd. Numbers during the summer were generally comprised from the
51 pairs that nested on the island.
There were almost daily records from July to the end of October, the main arrivals being in mid-
September and October. The first real signs of passage in autumn were in mid-September when counts
increased from double figures to 237 on 15th. There were then a further three counts up to 135. October
only saw two large movements: 259 were counted on 6th, with 141 on 8th.
300
250
Daily count of birds 200
150
100
50
0
J FM AM J J A S O ND
Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 225 111 34 37 64 81 237 259 23 0
0 0 1390 1315 604 639 901 1250 1771 1199 23 0
Days seen 0 0 16 30 31 30 31 31 30 27 1 0
T R E E P I P I T Anthus trivialis Corhedydd y Coed
¨ Red listed Fairly common passage migrant
April produced singles on two dates, with another on 11 May.
65: 54-133 125
STANSFIELD
A single on 28 July was the first of autumn. August saw six records from 16th, with singles on four dates,
two on 23rd and four on 25th. Of the nine records in September six were singles, with two on 1st, nine on
2nd and eight on 3rd.
W A T E R P I P I T Anthus spinoletta Corhedydd y Dŵr
¨ Amber listed Rare, 12 previous records of 16 individuals, last in 2018
One was seen on Solfach on 3 November (SDS), the first since October 2018.
R O C K P I P I T Anthus petrosus Corhedydd y Graig
Uncommon breeding resident and probably uncommon immigrant/migrant
Present throughout the season with up to 25 seen in March. April produced a peak of 30 with May’s peak
being 18.
As youngsters began to appear from the island’s 34 breeding pairs, June saw a peak count of 49, with
54 being July’s maximum. August and September’s maxima were 54 and 48 respectively. October saw
some immigration from 4th to 15th with the month’s peak count of 70 on 8th.
J F MAM J J A S ON D
0
Max. count 0 0 25 30 18 23 49 54 48 70 26 0
Bird-days 0
0 227 480 333 340 498 712 698 857 26 0
Days seen
0 15 30 30 30 31 31 30 27 1 0
80
Daily count of birds 60
40
20
0
J FM AM J J A S O ND
Rock Pipit © Steve Stansfield REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
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SYSTEMATIC LIST
C H A F F I N C H Fringilla coelebs Ji-binc
Scarce breeder, very abundant migrant and some over-winter
There was a very slight movement in spring with up to 12 counted on 16 dates in March and 19 on 30th.
All other records during the summer were from the pair that nested at Nant and a female that was
present at Cristin for much of the summer.
October saw records on 25 dates in the month with the only movement of note being 636 on 25th. In
November the only record was of 1084 heading south on 3rd.
1200 1200
1000Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month1000
800
600 800
400
200 600
0 400
200
J 0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FM A MJ JA S O ND
0
Max. count 0 0 12 6 323 5 6 636 1084 0
Bird-days 0
0 58 47 19 21 18 23 22 1079 1084 0
Days seen
0 16 18 12 18 13 17 14 25 1 0
B R A M B L I N G Fringilla montifringilla Pinc y Mynydd
Uncommon to common passage migrant
October produced records on nine dates from 10th, most were counts of one to four, with nine on 25th.
On 3 November 37 headed south with large numbers of Chaffinches.
H A W F I N C H Coccothraustes coccothraustes Gylfinbraff
¨ Red listed Scarce
One flew south over the Observatory on 3 November (SDS).
B U L L F I N C H Pyrrhula pyrrhula Coch y Berllan
¨ Amber listed Scarce
In April a female was trapped at Nant on 3rd. A pair was seen in the Withies on 7th, with another female
trapped there on 19th. Finally a female was seen at Nant on 23rd.
C O M M O N R O S E F I N C H Carpodacus erythrinus Llinos Gogh
Scarce, there have been about 81 previous records
In June, one was heard singing in the Observatory Garden on 2nd before flying on to the mountainside
and heading north. (SDS, DCC). This was accepted by WBRC.
G R E E N F I N C H Chloris chloris Llinos Werdd
Formerly common, but now scarce to uncommon passage migrant, most numerous in autumn
One was seen at Cristin on 31 March. There was a single at Cristin on 17 April, with another there on 23rd,
then two from 25th to 27th, with one remaining to 29th. A single was seen on 11 June.
65: 54-133 127
STANSFIELD
The first of autumn was one on 28 July, with one on 1 August. Two on 3 November were the last of the
year.
T W I T E Linaria flavirostris Llinos y Mynydd
¨ Red listed Scarce
One was seen in the North-west Fields on 17 September (SDS JHi).
L I N N E T Linaria cannabina Llinos
¨ Red listed Uncommon breeder, abundant to very abundant migrant
March saw near-daily records from 18th to the month’s end. April saw daily counts, though very few were
notable; 226 on 19th was the peak with all other counts fewer than 82. The island’s breeding population
accounted for all the records from May to late August.
Numbers increased during the second week in August with 16 three-figure counts and peaks of 151 on
9th and then up to 230 on 22nd and 289 on 30th. There were 21 three-figure counts in September; the
peak being 485 on 10th. There were 23 records in October, with a peak of 76 on 1st. Numbers fell
thereafter and were into low counts by mid-month; the final records came on 25th.
1400 600
1200Bird-day totals
1000 Max. daily count per month500
800 400
600
400 300
200
200
0
100
J 0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
Max. count J FMAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 25 226 39 36 164 289 485 76 0 0
0 0 83 1444 668 520 1500 3539 5293 438 0 0
Days seen 0 0 9 30 30 30 31 31 30 23 0 0
L E S S E R R E D P O L L Carduelis cabaret Llinos Bengoch Leiaf
¨ Red listed Fairly common to common passage migrant, bred in 2002-2003, 2005-2007, 2010 & 2012
March saw one trapped at Cristin on 31st. April produced 24 records: there were eight single-figure
counts in the first two weeks before passage increased and there were almost daily double-figure counts
up to 48 to 23rd. Thereafter numbers fell to 13 or fewer to the month’s end. May began with eight records
in the first two weeks. From 16th to the month’s end there were 14 records, half of which were double-
figure counts up to 26. There were counts of 18 and 14 on the first two dates in June and then almost
daily counts of up to eight to the month’s end. July saw 26 records most were in single figures, with ten
on 1st and 11 on 7th the peaks.
There were just four records in August: three were singles and two were seen on 4th. September saw just
three singles. In October there were eight records: five were singles, seven were seen on both 11th and
15th and finally four on 25th. Ten flew south on 3 November.
128 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
Linnet © Steve Stansfield 129
65: 54-133
STANSFIELD
Bird-day totals 120 60 Max. daily count per month
100 50
F MAM J J A S O 40
80 30
60 20
40 10
20 0
ND
0
J O ND
7 10 0
Five day periods 23 10 0
8 10
Bird-days Max count
Gylfin Groes
J FMAM J JA S
0 1
Max. count 0 0 1 48 26 18 11 2 3
Bird-days 0 3
0 1 247 193 129 77 5
Days seen
0 1 24 22 29 26 4
C R O S S B I L L Loxia curvirostra
Rare to uncommon, occasionally occurs in good numbers during irruption years
A female/immature flew over Cristin on 20 June (SDS).
In Autumn a male and two female/immature were seen in the Withies on 25th (SDS).
G O L D F I N C H Carduelis carduelis Nico
Common migrant, though scarce in spring; bred in 1901, 1905, 2002, 2004-05, 2007-08, 2011-18 and 2020
There were 12 records in mid-to late March, with up to 29 on 23rd. There were daily records in April, with
the only notable movement being 88 on 8th. There were almost daily counts through May to late August
of the island’s three nesting pairs and their nine offspring, and any immigration during this time was
masked by those birds.
Autumn produced some of the heaviest passage of the year. There were near-daily records in
September, 19 of which were double-figure counts up to 48. October saw the year’s highest numbers,
with three three-figure counts in the month: 173 were seen on 9th, with 120 the following day and 123
counted on 25th.
400 200 Max. daily count per month
Bird-day totals 300 150
200 100
100 50
0 0
J F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
J FM AMJ JA S ON D
0 0
Max. count 0 0 29 88 22 12 19 32 48 173 36 0
Bird-days 0 0
0 145 553 297 162 196 455 441 960 36
Days seen
0 12 30 29 29 30 31 29 28 1
130 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
Goldfinch © Steve Stansfield 131
65: 54-133
STANSFIELD
S I S K I N Carduelis spinus Pila Gwyrdd
Uncommon to common passage migrant
2021 was the best ever year for this species on the island in terms of passage, with record number of bird
-days and the second largest count of all time.
There were ten records in March, eight being of one to three birds with 14 on 22nd and 15 on 30th. April
saw 28 records, 15 of which were double figure counts up to 21. May produced 23 records, although
only four were in double figures including the peak of 23 on 14th. In June there were 15 records, with all
but ten on 2nd in single figures. There were eight records in July of up to six birds, the last being on 25th.
The first birds in autumn were seen from mid-September with two on 15th and four on 20th. October saw
19 records, eight of which were double-figure counts up to 88, with a peak count of 255 on 25th. This was
the second largest daily count for the island behind 255 on 31 October 2015.
400 300
Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month300250
200
200
100
150
0
J 100
50
0
F MAM J J A S OND
Five day periods
Bird-days Max count
Annual bird-day totals 1200 300 Year's daily maxima
1000 250
200
800 150
600 100
400 50
200 0
0
1953
1958
1963
1968
1973
1978
1983
1988
1993
1998
2003
2008
2013
2018
Bird-day totals Yearly maxima
J FM AMJ JA S OND
0 4 255 19 0
Max. count 0 0 15 21 23 10 6 0 6 576 19 0
Bird-days 0 2 19 1 0
0 50 253 141 51 22 0
Days seen
0 10 28 23 15 8 0
L A P L A N D B U N T I N G Calcarius lapponicus Bras y Gogledd
¨ Amber listed Scarce to uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn
In October one was seen over the Narrows and South End on 25th (SDS). A poor showing.
132 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
S N O W B U N T I N G Plectrophenax nivalis Bras yr Eira
¨ Amber listed Scarce to uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn
In March a single flew along the West Coast on 21st. One was on the South End from 27 September to 5
October (SDC et al.). Another was on the South End on 13 October (WE), with two at the North End on
29th.
Snow Bunting © Steve Stansfield Melyn yr Eithin
Y E L L O W H A M M E R Emberiza citrinella
¨ Red listed Scarce, regularly bred to 1970 and then a single pair in 1988
One was seen at Tŷ Pellaf on 18 March (SDC).
A male was seen at Tŷ Pellaf on 8 July(SDC), with a female on the South End on 10th (SDS).
R E E D B U N T I N G Emberiza schoeniclus Bras y Cyrs
¨ Amber listed Uncommon, regular passage migrant in small numbers, last bred in 1977
March saw four singles from 18th to 30th. One was seen on 1 May.
In October two were seen in the Lowlands on 15th. A poor showing.
65: 54-133 133
STANSFIELD
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES 1 INTRODUCTION
The first and last dates of migrants during 2021
Steven Stansfield The following two tables set out the arrival and departure
dates of most of Bardsey’s summer and winter migrants,
including this year’s earliest and latest records, as well as
the extralimital dates prior to 2021.
This year there were no extralimital date records broken.
Swallow REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
© Steven Stansfield
134
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
65: 134-137 135
STANSFIELD
2 RESULTS
Table 1. The arrival and departure dates of migrant birds on Bardsey
Summer migrants First record in Last record in Earliest record Latest record
2021 2021 Pre-2021 Pre-2021
Species
04 May 09 September 13 April 1995 28 October 1976
Swift 23 April 30 June 17 April 2009 05 October 1981
Cuckoo No records 17 April 2014 25 October 1988 & 1991
Turtle Dove 15 Sept only 22 September 24 April 1963 21 October 1980
Curlew Sandpiper 15 Sept only 8 September 11 May 1984 29 October 1980
Little Stint 02 April 31 August 21 March 1994 27 October 2003
Common Sandpiper 25 July 21 October 27 March 2017 24 October 2000
Green Sandpiper 03 April 20 March 1960 20 October 1990
Greenshank 13 April 16 September 13 March 2017 08 November 2013
Sandwich Tern 24 August only 29 September 01 April 2016 16 October 1970 & 1977
Little Tern 14 July 14 April 1981 20 November 2012
Common Tern 02 September 10 October 17 April 2013 05 December 2009
Arctic Tern 17 Sept only 09 October 01 August 2014 29 October 1984 & 2004
Black Tern 29 July 12 October 27 March 1966 19 December 2014
Great Skua 20 August 20 September 22 April 1967 01 December 2011
Pomarine Skua 02 August 01 October 03 March 2011 15 November 2015
Arctic Skua 22 March 26 October 14 February 2014 02 November 1989 & 1991
Puffin 14 June 17 September 01 April 2015 26 November 1959
Storm Petrel 22 August 04 October 15 March 1980 10 December 2014
Sooty Shearwater 15 March 07 September 01 March 2005 20 December 2014
Manx Shearwater 16 September 11 September 14 April 2017 05 January 1996
Balearic Shearwater 04 June 22 March 2001 24 October 1990
Osprey 25 August 15 September 07 April 2015 13 November 2007
Wryneck 01 Sept only 21 October 21 April 2002 29 October 2014
Hobby No records 08 October 11 April 1981 19 September 1961
Golden Oriole 18 March 07 March 2002 24 October 1968 & 1990
Sand Martin 30 March 15 October 12 March 1954 & 1993 13 December 2013
Swallow 01 April 03 November 07 March 1992 09 November 1983 & 1994
House Martin 09 August only 20 September 15 April 2013 28 September 1999
Wood Warbler 30 March 07 September 18 March 2009 19 November 2016
Willow Warbler 16 March 15 February 2002 20 December 2004
Chiffchaff 30 March 01 September 01 April 2014 11 October 1959
Sedge Warbler 26 April 23 September 13 April 2015 31 October 1976
Reed Warbler 23 August only 29 October 24 May 1998 07 October 1970
Melodious Warbler 01 June 12 September 20 May 2009 07 October 1980
Icterine Warbler 14 April 16 September 01 April 1999 24 October 2001
Grasshopper Warbler 22 March 11 October 21 January 1997 25 December 2014
Blackcap 06 May 25 March 1960 21 November 1979
Garden Warbler 10 May 10 April 16 April 2004 18 November 2019
Lesser Whitethroat 15 April 12 October 26 March 1954 05 November 2014
Whitethroat No records 18 April 2009 31 October 2002
Subalpine Warbler 09 April 10 September 15 March 1993 21 November 2010
Ring Ouzel 30 April 25 October 19 April 2015 26 October 1984
Spotted Flycatcher 09 October only 07 September 18 May 1994 05 November 2011
Red-breasted Flycatcher 13 May 10 October 07 April 1985 18 October 2006
Pied Flycatcher 20 March 16 October 16 Feb 2001 & 2003 31 December 2009
Black Redstart 10 May 09 October 26 March 2005 02 November 1953
Redstart 25 August 15 September 26 March 1954 14 November 1989
Whinchat 18 March 06 March 1977 11 November 1989
Wheatear 25 April 05 April 1980 24 October 1962
‘flava’ Wagtail 10 April 29 March 1968 06 November 2011
Tree Pipit 02 June only 21 May 1979 11 December 2010
Common Rosefinch
136 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
Autumn/winter migrants
Species Last spring First arrival record Latest departure Earliest arrival
departure record In 2021 Pre 2021 Pre 2021
in 2021
06 March 1987 02 October 2019
Whooper Swan No spring records 21 October only 19 May 1999 01 July 2011
Wigeon No records 09 June 1989 12 August 1998
Eider No spring records 16 October 04 June 1996 09 July 2014
Water Rail No spring records 25 September 18 June 1955 03 July 1975
Purple Sandpiper 26 May 18 July 22 May 1989 22 August 1993
Jack Snipe 23 April No autumn records 14 June 2013 23 September 1963
Woodcock No spring records 15 October 11 May 2004 3 August 2020
Sabine's Gull No spring records 29 September 20 June 1994 01 August 1998
Red-throated Diver 10 April 19 September 22 May 2011 13 September 2014
Black-throated Diver No spring records 29 September 16 June 1958 17 July 2012
Great Northern Diver No spring records 24 September 05 June 1986 25 July 2008
Hen Harrier 21 March only No autumn records 27 May 1979 06 July 1991
Merlin 05 May 11 September 19 November 2008 17 September 1988
Yellow-browed Warbler No spring records 06 October 31 October 2014 19 August 1999
Barred Warbler No spring records No autumn records 23 May 2015 10 August 1983
Fieldfare 02 May No autumn records 25 May 1991 05 September 1995
Redwing 15 April 07 October 14 November 2013 22 August 1955
Richard's Pipit No spring records 11 October 15 May 1985 27 September 2012
Brambling No spring records 10 October 01 June 1957 28 August 2010
Lapland Bunting No spring records 25 October 22 June 1970 04 September 2002
Snow Bunting 21 March 27 September
Spotted Flycatcher © Steve Stansfield 137
65: 134-137
Kittiwakes BREEDING BIRDS COSSEY & STANSFIELD
© Steven Stansfield A summary of the breeding season on Bardsey in 2021
138 Stuart Cossey and Steven Stansfield
REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
BREEDING BIRDS
65: 138-167 139
COSSEY & STANSFIELD
1 INTRODUCTION
Since the Observatory was established in 1953, Roberts (1985), Jones (1988), Leitch (1992), Loxton and
Jones (1995), and more recently Eagle (2012) have produced ‘Summaries of the breeding birds on
Bardsey since 1953’. In addition, there are brief summaries for each of the nesting species in the
Systematic List of each of the Observatory’s annual reports. Since 1998, however, increased effort has
meant that more data have been collected systematically and a more comprehensive ‘Breeding bird
report’ has been produced each year, which shows the number of pairs nesting, productivity figures,
notes on successes or failures and comparisons with previous years.
In addition, since 2009, the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) method has been used for Bardsey’s landbirds. The
data from this survey help with the assessment of land management impacts on non-seabird species
and inform conservation management reviews.
Our seabird data are used by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to assess Bardsey’s seabird populations
and their health. They are also fed into the national Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP) which was
established in 1986 to monitor annually the 26 species of seabird that regularly breed in Britain and
Ireland. It aims to ensure that sample data on breeding numbers and breeding success of seabirds are
collected both regionally and nationally, to enable their conservation status to be assessed. The SMP is
led and co-ordinated by JNCC in partnership with others including NRW - in November 2009 all partners
signed a Statement of Intent that established the way forward for future data-sharing and collaborative
working.
Fulmar © Steven Stansfield REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
140
BREEDING BIRDS
2 METHODS
The Observatory is funded through the NRW management agreement to monitor the breeding landbird
and seabird sites on Bardsey as part of the NNR.
As in previous years, the monitoring and mapping of seabirds followed the methods set out by Walsh et
al. (1995) in the Seabird Monitoring Handbook. Land-based counts were undertaken, and boat trips on
13 May, 12 June and 27 July allowed counts of all areas. Sets of photographs were taken of the larger
cliff-nesting seabird colonies; the numbers of birds were then counted on a monitor. The nesting birds on
Ynys Gwylan Fawr were monitored during a boat trip onto the island on 13 June. The colonies on Ynys
Gwylan Bach were monitored using binoculars from Ynys Gwylan Fawr and by boat.
As has been done since 1998, the territories (usually singing males) of the landbirds were mapped, as
were any nests and/or young that were located. The maps were compiled by BBFO staff from data
collected during their daily census of the island, and specific excursions were made to map species such
as Oystercatcher, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit and Linnet.
Additionally, four Breeding Bird Census visits were made between 15-17 April, 11-13 May, 31 May-1 June
and 28-29 June. Each visit was spread over several mornings, and in combination covered the whole of
the western side of the island. The data generated from this standardised method enable the
comparison of Bardsey with other sites. A full explanation of the methods employed for each species is
given in the BBFO report for 2009 (Brown and Stansfield, 2010).
3 RESULTS
The following systematic list summarises the nesting season for each species during 2021. Where
sufficient data are available, the number of nesting pairs and productivity figures from 2021 are
compared with those from 2012 to 2020 and shown in table format.
BREEDING CATEGORIES:
STATUS DEFINITION
Scarce 1-10 pairs breeding annually
Uncommon 11-50 pairs breeding annually
Fairly common 51-250 pairs breeding annually
Common 251-1000 pairs breeding annually
Abundant 1001+ pairs breeding annually
65: 138-167 141
COSSEY & STANSFIELD
SYSTEMATIC LIST OF BREEDING SPECIES
S H E L D U C K Tadorna tadorna Scarce
Five pairs were present during the spring, however, only one brood of eight chicks was noted in Solfach;
these were rapidly picked off by gulls, with none seen the following morning. The last time any fledged
was in 2014.
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
№ pairs with young 5 5 3 2 2 4 2 6 2 1
№ of fledglings 0 13 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
M A L L A R D Anas platyrhynchos Scarce, population stable
A total of eight broods was located, one fewer than in 2020 and 27.93% lower than the 2012-2021 mean
(11.10±s.d.3.84), but 88.07% greater than the long-term average from 1953-2021 (4.25±s.d.3.74). Broods
were found from April through to July: three on Pwll Cain, two on Nant Pond, one on the Schoolhouse
pond, one on Tŷ Pellaf Pond and one on the Lowlands pond. There was a minimum of 54 ducklings
throughout the season, giving an average brood size of 6.75. Duckling survival rates were very low as
usual, often predated by Ravens, Carrion Crows and gulls. Most chicks were seen to be predated before
reaching any considerable size, though five immature young were seen on Solfach on 2 July and a single
on Tŷ Pellaf Pond on 18 August.
Mallard © Stuart Cossey
20
Number of pairs 15
10
5
0 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 2013 2018
1953 Mallard Year
Mean 4.25 ±s.d.3.74
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
№ of broods 7 6 12 11 17 10 16 15 9 8
142 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.