Bardsey's Wildlife 2021

MIGRATION DIARY

Whimbrel © Steven Stansfield 43
64: 38-53

BETTERIDGE & KING

MAY – 85 species recorded winds the following day brought in a Woodchat
Shrike to the fields below Cristin. 23 Siskins, a Pied
A calm morning resulted in a large movement of Flycatcher, 12 Chiffchaffs and three Whitethroats
Sedge Warblers, mainly through the Wetlands, were also logged. The winds picked up on 15th
with 36 noted. Three Sanderlings were on Solfach, with rain showers scattered over the island, as the
a Lapwing flew along the West Coast and a male Woodchat Shrike remained. The only other birds
Reed Bunting was at Carreg Bach. Other totals of note were 32 Turnstones, the highest count
included six Whitethroats, 20 Blackcaps, and since March. A wet start to the morning on 16th
three Lesser Redpolls. The following day was quiet that brightened up in the afternoon saw a
but produced a very late Fieldfare at Nant. Sanderling, four Whitethroats, five Spotted
Flycatchers, 12 Siskins and 26 Lesser Redpolls. The
A wet day on 3rd produced very few birds apart Woodchat Shrike remained below Cristin.
from 42 Whimbrels and 29 Purple Sandpipers.
Strong north-westerlies again produced few Woodchat Shrike © Steve Hughes
migrants, however four Swifts flew high over Nant.
Calmer weather on 5th saw a small arrival of Little new was recorded on 17th, with two
passerines, with six Blackcaps, three Chiffchaffs, Jackdaws and a Whimbrel being of note. The
three Willow Warblers, three Sedge Warblers and Woodchat Shrike was not recorded. The next
a Whitethroat. Things picked up even more on day, a Golden Plover was seen at the South End,
6th, with the first Garden Warbler of the year, a Swift flew over Nant, and the first female
alongside two Spotted Flycatchers, three Swifts, Whitethroat of the year was recorded. A hot day
two Collared Doves, ten Sedge Warblers and two saw very little arrive on 19th, however four Dunlins
Whitethroats. The 7th saw a small Hirundine joined the Golden Plover on the South End.
movement with 59 Swallows, a House Martin and Howling winds the following day with a helping of
a Sand Martin. The first Yellow Wagtail of the year sideways rain made census difficult, resulting in
flew over Solfach in the evening. Garden Warbler just three Sanderling. The winds calmed
numbers increased to two, and two Red Kites somewhat on 21st. The only bird of note the
were seen circling over the Mountain. Strong following day was a Cuckoo singing at Nant. Yet
southerlies on 8th resulted in the first three another wet and windy day on 23rd saw a small
Cuckoos of the year, with Spotted Flycatcher arrival of eight Spotted Flycatchers.
totals reaching eight. A Common Sandpiper was
also recorded. The week ended with much the The new week started in the same fashion as the
same, one Swift being the only additional bird of previous one weather-wise, resulting in 12 Siskins
note. and five Lesser Redpolls being the only birds of
note. The winds finally calmed the following day,
Southerlies on 10th brought in the first Lesser and saw 24 Swallows, 20 House Martins, nine
Whitethroat and Common Redstart of the year. Sedge Warblers and six Spotted Flycatchers.
40 Purple Sandpipers and 21 House Martins were Clear blue skies on the 26th saw Spotted
good counts. A busy day on 11th saw four Yellow Flycatchers increase to 11 and Lesser Redpolls to
Wagtails on the Narrows, including one Blue- 19, alongside a single Collared Dove and
headed individual. Waders also in this area Blackcap. Much was the same for 27th, which
included a Knot, seven Ringed Plovers, and 15 saw an interesting arrival of 34 Woodpigeons and
Whimbrels. An increase in Hirundines included 109
Swallows, 47 House Martins and two Sand Martins.
Elsewhere, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Reed
Warbler, a Tree Pipit and nine Siskins were
recorded. The following day saw yet more
Swallows passing through with 117 recorded. A
male Redstart was at Nant, a female Blue-
headed Wagtail was in the North-West Fields and
a Golden Plover flew along the West Coast. The
13th produced the first Pied Flycatcher of the year
at Nant, alongside a Little Egret at Henllwyn. Calm

44 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

four Collared Doves, alongside a Sand Martin, a Flycatchers. The only bird of note on 4th was an
White Wagtail and 12 Sedge Warblers. Showers Osprey that flew south over the Wetlands. Waders
on 28th brought in a variety of species, with a brightened the day on 5th with two Sanderlings,
Sandwich Tern, a Cuckoo, six Collared Doves, five a Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel and six Curlews seen
Swifts, 159 House Martins, 24 Swallows, a Sand at the Narrows. The following day was fairly quiet,
Martin, two White Wagtails, a Lesser Whitethroat, with a Reed Warbler, four Blackcaps and eight
22 Lesser Redpolls and 20 Spotted Flycatchers all Chiffchaffs being the only birds of note.
being recorded. Yet more House Martins on 29th
saw 224 logged, with 40 Swallows and nine Swifts The 7th was calm all day, which produced a
mixed in. An increase in warblers was noted, with Rose-coloured Startling on top of Carreg. The bird
six Whitethroats, seven Chiffchaffs and six disappeared before being re-found along the
Blackcaps. The following day the only birds of track mid-morning. 11 Common Scoters were the
note were a Lapwing on the Narrows and three only other birds of note. Another quiet day on 8th
Sanderlings at Solfach. The 31st did not see much with calm winds and blue skies produced 37
turnover, apart from a single Reed Warbler, a Gannets, one Black-headed Gull and three
Common Sandpiper and two Cuckoos. Sandwich Terns on a sea-watch. A complete
change in the weather on 9th brought thick fog
JUNE – 87 species recorded to the island, resulting in reduced visibility.
However, a few seabirds were recorded tracking
A big surprise on the 1st saw both Marsh Warbler the West Coast, with 458 Manx Shearwaters, 29
and Icterine Warbler being found minutes apart Gannets and four Common Scoters. The fog
mid-morning in the garden at Cristin. remained into 10th with two Rose-coloured
Starlings being found at Nant. Elsewhere, there
Icterine Warbler © Ed Betteridge were five Common Scoters, two Whimbrels and
four Lesser Redpolls. The dense fog continued
Aside from these species, migrants were thin on and only cleared in the afternoon on 11th. The
the ground, although a Kestrel, two Swifts and two Rose-coloured Starlings remained, with the only
Cuckoos were noted. An overcast start with light other bird of note being a Greenfinch at Cristin.
rain in the afternoon on 2nd saw some turnover, Glorious sunshine the next day resulted in the first
with a Common Rosefinch new in at Cristin. Other Redshank in a while, as well as a Hooded Crow
migrants included six Swifts, a Sand Martin, 34 and nine Collared Doves. Fewer birds were seen
Swallows, 23 House Martins, four Chiffchaffs and 4 on 13th as Observatory staff were out at Ynys
Willow Warblers. A very quiet day on 3rd saw a Gwylan Fawr, though the Redshank was
Common Sandpiper, a Cuckoo and two Spotted recorded.
64: 38-53
The 14th and 15th saw little arrival, apart from
seven Lesser Redpolls on the latter date. A Black-
headed Gull and a Curlew were the only birds of
note on 16th and 17th. An improvement in birds
on 18th due to stronger winds resulted in a
Lapwing on the Narrows and a Spotted
Flycatcher at Cristin. Alongside these a Dunlin, six
Siskins, and three Lesser Redpolls were seen. The
following day saw limited migrant passage with a
Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler and a Blackcap
logged. Cool easterlies on 20th resulted in a
Crossbill over Cristin, a Red Kite being mobbed
over the Narrows and a female Redstart at Tŷ
Nesaf.

Blustery northerlies on 21st saw a Spotted
Flycatcher and two Blackcaps arrive, as well as
three Redshanks and five Curlews.

45

BETTERIDGE & KING

Common Sandpiper © Steven Stansfield JULY – 89 species recorded

Waders continued to increase on 22nd with 20 The month started quietly with a single Black-
Curlews, two Common Sandpipers, two Lapwings headed Gull the only bird of note. Southerlies on
and the Redshanks remaining. Elsewhere, there 2nd brought in a Lapwing, a Whimbrel and two
were three Sand Martins over the Narrows. The Black-headed Gulls. Light drizzle and cloudy skies
biggest change in migrants the following day was on 3rd produced six Redshanks, four Black-
a flock of 21 Starlings in the North West Fields. The headed Gulls, a Swift, and unfortunately a dead
24th started with drizzling rain that later cleared, Black Redstart (presumably the previous week’s
with a Common Sandpiper and two Dunlins being bird) found in the tool shed. The day was quiet on
the only birds of note. Stronger winds on the 25th 4th, with ten Curlews being recorded. Curlew
brought in a Sandwich Tern and two Lapwings to counts increased to 34 on 5th, alongside two
the South End. A Greenshank over the Narrows Whimbrels and a Turnstone. The day also saw an
and a Mistle Thrush at Cristin were recorded on arrival of two Grey Wagtails. Counts remained the
26th, as well as Collared Dove and Starling same on 6th, however a wet morning on 7th
numbers increasing to 14 and 25 respectively. A resulted in yet more wader passage of seven
small arrival to the South End was noted on the Common Sandpipers and two Turnstones. Finches
following day as a Sand Martin, a Hooded Crow also seemed to be on the move, with three
and a Short-eared Owl were all recorded, Chaffinches, six Siskins and 11 Lesser Redpolls.
alongside 22 Curlews, two Grey Herons and 113 Clear skies and a gentle northerly on 8th
Starlings. produced a surprise Yellowhammer at Tŷ Pellaf;
the second of the year. A Mediterranean Gull, the
Northerly winds but blue skies on 28th resulted in a first of the year, was seen on 9th, alongside three
Black Redstart at Cristin, a Swift and a Cuckoo. Black-headed Gulls and a Swift. A few
Starling numbers were bolstered, increasing to unexpected species turned up on 10th, in the
164. The following day was much the same, with form of a Bar-tailed Godwit at Solfach and a
two Swifts and three Common Sandpipers. A flyover Yellowhammer at the South End.
small increase in some species on 30th saw four
Common Sandpipers, 200 Starlings, six Siskins and
eight Lesser Redpolls.

46 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

The Bar-tailed Godwit remained until the 12th, AUGUST – 108 species recorded
with little else of note on the island other than a
Skylark over the North West Fields. An unexpected The Redstart remained for the start of the month,
Tufted Duck was flushed from the Wetlands on with 50 Willow Warblers and a Greenfinch also
13th, where it remained for the afternoon. The recorded. The 2nd saw a small arrival with
14th saw the Tufted Duck and Bar-tailed Godwit Whimbrel numbers increasing to ten, alongside
remain, along with a Sanderling, four Common two Lapwings, a Kestrel and two Arctic Skuas. The
Sandpipers, nine Redshanks, a Common Tern, a 3rd was quiet bar a Great Skua, and the following
Kestrel and two Swifts. Glorious sunshine the day was similar, with 16 Collared Doves and two
following day saw a Godwit substitution, with the Redstarts. On 5th, a Swift, five Teals and a second-
Bar-tailed being replaced by a Black-tailed! Two winter Yellow-legged Gull were all logged. The
Sandwich Terns were also seen in Henllwyn. Two next day produced another Great Skua and two
surprising arrivals occurred on 16th with six Little Sandwich Terns on a sea-watch. A juvenile
Egrets and a Lapwing. A hot Saturday saw only a Yellow-legged Gull was all there was of note on
single Willow Warbler that was of note. The next 7th.
day saw Willow Warblers increase to four, and
two Swifts screeched over Cristin. On 8th a Greenshank flew over Cristin, whilst a
juvenile Mediterranean Gull was seen alongside
The 19th began with a Redstart and ten Swifts. 24 Common Scoters out at sea. The 9th was quiet,
Later in the day, a Mediterranean Gull and four except for a fine Wood Warbler. The following
Black-headed Gulls went along the West Coast, day saw 50 Willow Warblers arrive along with a
along with the first two Sand Martins of the Common Redstart, though the highlight was a
autumn. Nothing of note was present on the 20th Wood Sandpiper that flew over the South End.
though the following day brought in one Little The only highlight on 11th was nine Common
Egret and 27 House Martins. An increase in Scoter, with no birds of note on the 12th. The next
Redshanks was noted on 22nd, with numbers day saw 22 Sand Martins and a Black-tailed
rising to 12, and a Grasshopper Warbler was also Godwit on a quiet sea-watch. The 14th saw a
sighted. The following day saw a small arrival of 12 good arrival of waders with a Purple Sandpiper,
juvenile Willow Warblers, a different Grasshopper 56 Turnstones, seven Redshanks, two Common
Warbler and a Whitethroat. A quiet 24th was Sandpipers, nine Whimbrels and 65 Curlews. A
followed by a busier 25th with a Sandwich Tern, a Grasshopper Warbler and two Sandwich Terns
Green Sandpiper, a Redstart, three Whitethroats, were also recorded. The next day saw a
21 Willow Warblers and a Pied Flycatcher. Greenshank in Henllwyn and a Redstart in the
garden at Cristin.
Two Sandwich Terns and a single Sand Martin
were the only birds of note the following day. The
27th saw an increase in waders, with six Common
Sandpipers, a Sanderling, four Whimbrels and a
Greenshank. A small passerine movement was
noted on 28th with a Tree Pipit at Nant, and a
Greenfinch on the Narrows. A seawatch the day
after was fairly productive with the first Great Skua
of the year, along with 2159 Manx Shearwaters,
12 Fulmars, 60 Gannets and 93 Kittiwakes. A
stormy 30th produced three Mediterranean Gulls
and a Knot on the South End. Elsewhere, a
Sandwich Tern was in Henllwyn and a Buzzard
soared over Nant. Very little was seen on the last
day of the month, save for a single Redstart.

Tree Pipit © Steven Stansfield

64: 38-53 47

BETTERIDGE & KING

A sea-watch on 16th produced nine Arctic Skuas, A Knot and a Dunlin joined eight Ringed Plovers
three Great Skuas, 16 Sandwich Terns and two and 50 Turnstones on Solfach. A good raptor
Common Scoters. The first two Spotted movement saw an Osprey, four Kestrels, three
Flycatchers of the autumn were seen in the Buzzards and two Sparrowhawks recorded. Other
Withies and at Nant, as well as a Tree Pipit. A Reed species recorded included an Arctic Skua, a Little
Warbler and 31 Willow Warblers were the best of Egret, a Yellow-legged Gull, 12 White Wagtails, 85
a quiet 17th. The next day produced a variety of House Martins, a Swift, two Tree Pipits, four Pied
species, with a Sanderling, a Knot, a Roseate Tern, Flycatchers, five Spotted Flycatchers, two
three Common Terns, a Tree Pipit, three Redstarts, 20 Robins, a Chiffchaff, and 17 Willow
Grasshopper Warblers and two Spotted Warblers. A busy high-tide roost on the Narrows on
Flycatchers. A Garden Warbler at Cristin and a 24th saw four Knots, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a
Redstart at Carreg Bach were all of note on the Greenshank, nine Purple Sandpipers, and 13
19th. The 20th saw an arrival of warblers with 42 Redshanks. Two of the Knots remained on 25th,
Willow Warblers, 14 Sedge Warblers, a which were joined by a Grey Plover. However,
Grasshopper Warbler and 14 Whitethroats. A three Wrynecks seen across the island was the
Redstart and two Spotted Flycatchers were highlight of the day. Other migrants included a
recorded, though the highlight of the day was a Redstart, two Whinchats, a Reed Warbler, two
Pomarine Skua past Henllwyn. The only bird of Grasshopper Warblers, two Grey Wagtails and
note the following day was a Pied Flycatcher at four White Wagtails. The following day saw little
Tŷ Pellaf. The 22nd saw the first Sooty Shearwater species turnover except for a Sanderling, a Sand
of the year fly south along the West Coast, as well Martin and a single Arctic Skua. Wader numbers
as a Greenshank over Cristin and the first Red Kite increased on 27th with five Sanderlings and 20
of the autumn. A small movement of gulls saw Ringed Plovers. A Whinchat was seen at Tŷ Pellaf,
two Mediterranean Gulls, two Black-headed Gulls and the first autumn Jackdaws were recorded
and a Common Gull arrive on the Island. Some with seven in the North-west Fields. The 28th saw
Hirundine movement was also noted with 62 a Wryneck at Nant, two Red-breasted
Swallows, 54 House Martins and two Sand Martins Mergansers on the West Coast, and the first Ruff
logged. of the year on the Narrows. The Wryneck
remained at Nant on 29th, with ten Sandwich
The highlight of 23rd was a Melodious Warbler at Terns along the West Coast.
Tŷ Pellaf, before a second was found at the
Lighthouse Garden later in the day! A seawatch on 30th produced both Arctic and
Great Skuas. Other migrants seen during the day
were 28 Bar-tailed Godwits, two Redstarts, two
Whinchats and three Spotted Flycatchers. The
month ended with a Greenshank over Solfach,
two Yellow Wagtails over the island, with the
day’s highlight being a Black Guillemot off the
South End.

SEPTEMBER – 124 species recorded

The month started with a bang with an Icterine
Warbler and a Wryneck at Nant, whilst elsewhere
there were three Sanderlings, a Hobby, two Tree
Pipits, a Yellow Wagtail, 12 Grey Wagtails, three
White Wagtails, a Grasshopper Warbler, a
Garden Warbler, six Spotted Flycatchers, three
Pied Flycatchers, 64 Swallows, and 350 House
Martins (of which 66 were caught). The 2nd
carried on in the same electric manner, with
singles of Wryneck and Osprey, two Arctic Terns,

Melodious Warbler © Steven Stansfield

48 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

a Whinchat, nine Tree Pipits, two Yellow Wagtails, Birds of prey continued to dominate headlines on
a Lesser Whitethroat, 191 Willow Warblers, 49 8th with an adult male Marsh Harrier and three
Spotted Flycatchers, seven Pied Flycatchers and Kestrels of note. Waders were also on the increase
193 House Martins. The following day waders stole with a Grey Plover joining eight Redshanks, seven
the show, with two Avocets that flew south along Dunlins, three Sanderlings, eight Ringed Plovers
the West Coast, as well as two Ruffs, a Knot and a and nine Purple Sandpipers on Solfach. However,
Sanderling. the wader highlight was a Green Sandpiper that
toured the Island’s airspace. Elsewhere, there was
Oystercatcher, Turnstone and Ruff © Steven Stansfield a Wryneck at Tŷ Pellaf and incredibly Firecrests
outnumbered Goldcrests three to two at Nant.
At sea, a Black Guillemot was seen off the South Grisly weather greeted 9th with little change in
End. Passerine highlights for the day included two species, bar an Arctic Skua off the North End and
Redstarts, three Whinchats, four Garden Warblers, a single Swift. The skies cleared for 10th and made
and five Pied Flycatchers. The 4th was quieter, for some species turnover. A Wood Sandpiper
however a Wryneck was seen at Tŷ Pellaf and a flew over the Narrows, and 67 Turnstones were
Little Gull was off the South End. Alongside this, a sighted across the Island. Alongside these, there
Great Skua and two Swifts were the first in a while. were 307 Willow Warblers, 12 Spotted Flycatchers
A flat calm 5th resulted in a Firecrest at Nant. and three Pied Flycatchers. Three Wrynecks were
Elsewhere, there was a Golden Plover, two Yellow seen on 11th as well as the first Merlin of the
Wagtails, a Whinchat, a Reed Warbler, two autumn. A damp day on 12th saw little
Garden Warblers and four Pied Flycatchers. The changeover, however a Lesser Whitethroat and
next day brought a good fall of phylloscopus two Garden Warblers were logged.
warblers, with 699 Willow Warblers and 100
Chiffchaffs, alongside the first Great Spotted Rain continued into 13th, with the day’s highlight
Woodpecker of the autumn. The 7th was being two Snipes. A clearer 14th brought little
unseasonably warm and saw an expected arrival arrival bar a Tree Pipit. There was an improvement
of birds of prey, with an Osprey, two in species on 15th, with juveniles of Little Stint and
Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel. A flock of 1133 Curlew Sandpiper, alongside a male Ruff. Other
Kittiwakes attracted the attention of a passing waders present included 89 Turnstones, 66 Purple
Great Skua. At Cristin, a Firecrest (possibly new) Sandpipers, three Sanderlings, seven Redshanks,
was seen. four Dunlins, 32 Curlews and a Grey Plover. Gulls
were also on the move along the West Coast with
a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, five Mediterranean
Gulls, 145 Black-headed Gulls, and four Common
Gulls. A warm but windy 16th meant only one
thing: seawatch! This resulted in a Balearic
Shearwater, two Black Guillemots, a Pomarine
Skua, two Arctic Skuas, three Great Skuas, four
Common Terns, 4000 Kittiwakes and 1956
Razorbills. Much was the same on 17th with a
Sooty Shearwater passing the South End, 21
Common Scoters, four Bar-tailed Godwits, three
Pomarine Skuas, 19 Arctic Skuas, nine Great Skuas
and a Black Tern. A change in the weather on the
following day resulted in a Firecrest, seven Willow
Warblers, 31 Chiffchaffs, four Blackcaps, and a
Spotted Flycatcher.

The 19th saw some passage at sea, with a Red-
throated Diver, four Arctic Skuas, three Great
Skuas and two Knots. The following day made for
quieter sea-watching however, a Red-breasted

64: 38-53 49

BETTERIDGE & KING

Greenland Wheatear © Steven Stansfield The wind switched on 29th to a strong north-
westerly, which resulted in the second highest
Merganser and a Great Skua were logged. On day count of Gannet for the Island with 1453
land, a Yellow Wagtail, 11 White Wagtails and 39 logged! Also recorded were a Red-throated
unraced ‘alba’ wagtails flew over, as well as 77 Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 34 Fulmars, 28 Manx
House Martins and 273 Swallows. On 20th a Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater, a Long-
Lapwing flew over the island, as well as three tailed Skua (first for the year), a Pomarine Skua, 18
Arctic Skuas that passed the South End. Robin Arctic Skuas, 16 Great Skuas, 672 Black-headed
numbers increased to 25 and a Whinchat was Gulls, seven Mediterranean Gulls, two juvenile
seen at Tŷ Pellaf. It remained slow on 23rd with just Sabine’s Gulls, 11 Little Gulls and ten Golden
a Grasshopper Warbler and five Chiffchaffs of Plovers. Seawatching continued in the same vein
note. Seawatching continued to produce with a on 30th with another Long-tailed Skua, 14 Arctic
Yellow-legged Gull, ten Sandwich Terns, three Skuas, six Great Skuas, and 1020 Kittiwakes.
Arctic Terns, three Great Skuas and eight Arctic
Skuas logged. South-westerlies on 24th produced OCTOBER – 124 species recorded
more passage at sea, with a Red-throated and
Great Northern Diver seen, alongside ten Arctic The new month began with some strong sea
Skuas and three Great Skuas. The only bird of note passage, with 1132 Gannets recorded, alongside
on 25th was the first Water Rail of the year heard a Storm Petrel, 71 Manx Shearwaters, four Balearic
at Tŷ Pellaf. Moderate winds and light showers the Shearwaters, a Great Northern Diver, two Red-
following day produced a single Arctic and Great throated Divers, a Black-throated Diver, a
Skua, along with four Grey Herons. Pomarine Skua, five Arctic Skuas, 13 Great Skuas,
11 Mediterranean Gulls, two Little Gulls, 661 Black-
Overnight the weather worsened but cleared in headed Gulls, 9790 Kittiwakes, 27 Sandwich Terns,
the morning and resulted in a Snow Bunting at the 3443 Razorbills and 153 Guillemots. On the island
South End and a Firecrest at Cristin on 27th. The itself there was a Merlin, five Chiffchaffs and 13
weather on 28th was unsettled with the Snow Goldcrests.
Bunting remaining, alongside a Grey Plover and a
Whinchat at Tŷ Pellaf. REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

50

MIGRATION DIARY

Rain most the day on 2nd which cleared in the Mediterranean Gulls. Light winds produced some
afternoon resulted in a special bird: a Red-eyed overhead passage which included 45 Skylarks, 14
Vireo that was found at Cristin, before it made its Siskins, two House Martins and seven Swallows.
way into the nets! Moments before the Vireo was Kittiwakes remained in their thousands off the
found, a Long-tailed Skua was seen off the West South End, which attracted three Great and four
Coast. The wind picked up again on 3rd which Arctic Skuas. On land, there was a Whinchat, a
resulted in some excellent sea-watching, with 680 Yellow Wagtail, four Great-Spotted
Gannets, 13 Arctic Skuas, eight Great Skuas, four Woodpeckers, four Merlins, 141 Meadow Pipits,
juvenile Long-tailed Skuas, 9023 Kittiwakes, a and 70 Rock Pipits. An evening sea-watch off the
Sandwich Tern, four Balearic Shearwaters, and a North End produced a Red-throated Diver and 11
juvenile Sabine’s Gull seen. Away from the sea, Mediterranean Gulls. The 9th coincided with the
the Red-eyed Vireo was seen again at Cristin Global Big Day, so the pressure was on!
along with 134 Swallows that flew through.
Yellow-browed Warbler © Steven Stansfield
The sea continued to produce on the following
day with a Balearic Shearwater through with six The day started well with two Yellow-browed
Manx Shearwaters, 18 Common Scoters, five Warblers caught at Cristin. Good visible migration
Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, a ‘Commic’ Tern and followed, with 61 Skylarks, 96 Meadow Pipits, four
four Sandwich Terns. Gulls also seemed to be Rooks, 53 Starlings, 49 Chaffinches, 173
moving with 223 Black-headed Gulls, one Goldfinches and 34 Siskins. The sea was quiet,
Mediterranean Gull and six Little Gulls. Elsewhere, although a Pomarine Skua, three Great Skuas, an
a Sparrowhawk, three Grey Wagtails, seven Arctic Skua and 43 Common Scoters were
Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and eight Goldcrests recorded. Gulls covered the South End, with
were seen, and the Red-eyed Vireo was re- approximately 800 Herring Gulls, 300 Black-
trapped. North-westerlies continued to blow on headed Gulls, 100 Great Black-backed Gulls, 15
5th, producing a Black-throated Diver, ten Common Gulls, 70 Mediterranean Gulls and a
Gannets, three Wigeon, 117 Common Scoters, Yellow-legged Gull. The day ended strongly with
two Pomarine Skuas, eight Arctic Skuas, five Great a male Red-breasted Flycatcher being found at
Skuas, and ten species of gulls, including three Tŷ Pellaf. Other species seen were four Wigeons,
Sabine’s Gulls, a Yellow-legged Gull, seven two Teals, three Water Rails, a Yellow Wagtail, a
Mediterranean Gulls and three Little Gulls. Some Whinchat, three Whitethroats and two Willow
passerines were also on the move with a late Warblers. Blue skies and broken cloud on 10th
Whinchat and five Grey Wagtails. There was no produced more overhead movement with two
further sign of the Red-eyed Vireo, though the Sparrowhawks, three Buzzards and three Merlins,
Snow Bunting remained on the South End for its 47 Skylarks, 15 Swallows, two White Wagtails, 58
last day. A break in the wind on 6th allowed for
more avian arrival with a Yellow-browed Warbler, 51
78 Goldcrests, 15 Blackcaps, nine Chiffchaffs,
three Wheatears, 259 Meadow Pipits, 15 Grey
Wagtails, six White Wagtails, a Spotted
Flycatcher, three Great-spotted Woodpeckers,
37 Skylarks, a Mistle Thrush, 21 Robins, 16 Siskins
and 25 Chaffinches. Off the South End, the sea
was very productive with 8-10,000 Kittiwakes,
which included two Sabine’s Gulls. The next day
was dominated by thick cloud and rain, though
there was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the
South End, along with two Wheatears. Rock Pipits
were on the move with 60 logged. The Mistle
Thrush remained, and the first Redwing of the
autumn was heard going over at night. A morning
sea-watch on 8th produced a Great-Northern
Diver, a Great Skua, 75 Common Scoters, two
Sandwich Terns, 205 Black-headed Gulls and six

64: 38-53

BETTERIDGE & KING

Red Kites © Steven Stansfield 11 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Brambling and
seven Siskins. A notable total of 66 Magpies was
Jackdaws, 31 Rooks, 52 Carrion Crows, a Hooded also seen. A quieter 14th produced only a Reed
Crow, 62 Starlings, 20 Chaffinches, a Brambling, Bunting of note. The following day produced the
four Siskins and 120 Goldfinches. On the deck, non-avian highlight of the year: a Vagrant
there were at least six Great-Spotted Emperor, the third island record. On the bird front,
Woodpeckers, a Whinchat, two Whitethroats, there were two Golden Plovers, a Woodcock, 145
four Blackcaps, 11 Chiffchaffs, 44 Goldcrests, a Skylarks, a Wheatear, 39 Redwings, 16 Chiffchaffs,
Firecrest, and a Spotted Flycatcher. Gull numbers a Willow Warbler, three Blackcaps, 19 Goldcrests,
increased yet again with 3500 Herring Gulls, 580 167 Jackdaws, 34 Rooks, a Hooded Crow, seven
Black-headed Gulls, 150 Great and 80 Lesser Lesser Redpolls and two Reed Buntings. On 16th a
Black-backed Gulls. Red-throated Diver was seen from the North End.
Waders included nine Redshanks, 77 Turnstones,
An island ‘Mega’ on 11th was found in the form three Snipes and the regular wintering Whimbrel.
of a Nuthatch in the Withies! Clear skies produced An influx of Woodpigeons was noted with 42
two Red Kites, nine Buzzards and a Kestrel. The recorded, alongside a Mistle Thrush and 11
highlight from a morning ‘viz-mig’ session was a Redwings after dark. The rarities of the day
Richards Pipit that flew south over Cristin, as well however, were two Mute Swans that flew over
as four Bramblings, a single Redwing and eight Pen Cristin; the first since 2016. A wet and windy
Swallows. Corvids were on the move with 85 17th was quiet, with a Little Egret, a Sanderling, a
Jackdaws and 55 Rooks, whilst Starlings increased Blackcap, 49 Siskins, and only three Goldcrests.
to 451. The wader highlight of the day was two
Lapwings on the South End, alongside 78 Curlews. The Little Egret remained for the start of the new
Other highlights were a Black Redstart, 28 week, however, owls stole the show with both
Goldcrests, two Wheatears, 33 Siskins, and seven Short-eared and Barn Owl recorded. The Mistle
Lesser Redpolls. The 12th was quieter due to light Thrush continued its tour of the Island. Another
north-westerlies, with a Great Northern Diver, 17 wet day on 19th resulted in 15 Redshanks being
Mediterranean Gulls, a Brambling, 61 the only birds of note. The following day saw some
Chaffinches, a single Wheatear and two movement with a Brambling, six Blackcaps, six
Swallows. The Spotted Flycatcher was seen for the Chiffchaffs, 57 Redwings, a Black Redstart, 39
last time. The next day saw a good arrival with a Chaffinches and 20 Siskins.
Snow Bunting on the South End, 160 Redwings, a
Barn Owl, three Blackcaps, three Song Thrushes,

52 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

Snow Bunting © Steven Stansfield Bunting. The 26th produced 50 Mediterranean
Gulls and two Great Northern Divers at sea, whilst
A quiet sea-watch on 21st produced some quality the Tree Sparrow remained. The 27th and 28th
with a Black-throated and a Red-throated Diver, were wet resulting in little of note. A drier 29th
two Little Gulls, two Sandwich Terns, a late Manx resulted in a Great Northern Diver, a Merlin, a
Shearwater, six Whooper Swans and a Grey Woodcock, ten Redwings, two Blackcaps, ten
Phalarope. A Grey goose species (thought to be Chiffchaffs, a Brambling, 11 Goldcrests and two
White-fronted) was seen distantly, heading away Snow Buntings to end the year.
from observers. The following day was quiet with
only a Black Redstart at Tŷ Pellaf, 16 Redwings NOVEMBER – 23 species recorded
and a Blackcap being of note. The 23rd saw a
Brambling over Cristin and a Tree Sparrow (first for November 3rd saw some great passage in the
the year) was in a Chaffinch flock at Tŷ Pellaf. The early morning, and only the withies and Solfach
next day was much the same, with a Tree Sparrow along with the Observatory were covered as staff
and a Black Redstart at Tŷ Pellaf. prepared to leave the island. Over 1000
Chaffinches, along with 37 Bramblings were seen.
A calm start to the new week produced two late A Richard’s Pipit, a Woodlark and a Hawfinch all
Manx Shearwaters, a Barn Owl, seven Stock flew south. At least 1850 Starlings buzzed the
Doves, 26 Redwings, eight Chiffchaffs, 13 narrows. Two Siberian Chiffchaffs, one at the
Goldcrests, and a female House Sparrow that Observatory and one in Plas Withy were seen and
joined the Tree Sparrow at Tŷ Pellaf. Starlings were a Water Pipit was with Rock Pipits on the beach
passing south through the island with 1516 at Solfach... What an end to the season!
recorded, alongside 636 Chaffinches, 123
Goldfinches, 225 Siskins, nine Bramblings, three
Crossbills, four Lesser Redpolls and one Lapland

… so this brought the 2021 season on the island to an
end, with 179 species recorded.

64: 38-53 53

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Annotated list of birds seen during 2021

Steven Stansfield
Stansfield

Wheatear

© Steven Stansfield

Rep. Bardsey Bird Fld Obs.

Systematic list
59: 40-114

STANSFIELD

1 INTRODUCTION

One of the core objectives of the Observatory is to record the birds on the island; this includes resident
and breeding birds, and all birds migrating through the island. The Observatory has recorded birds on
the island since it was established in 1953; before this there are a few ad-hoc records dating back to the
late 1700s. Due to its position in the Irish Sea, Bardsey is an important stop-over location for migrating birds
and as such attracts a number of rare species; there have been 334 species of bird recorded on the
island. There are several nationally and globally important species that use the island, in particular
Chough and Manx Shearwater, and many others are in decline and are Red or Amber listed as Birds of
Conservation Concern. The Observatory documents the numbers of every species enabling us to
observe changes. The purpose of recording is to provide scientific evidence for study, and to inform
changes in policy; the information is used by governments, conservation bodies and economic
developers. The data are sent to the British Trust for Ornithology and Bardsey Bird Observatory’s data
currently forms 3% of their BirdTrack database.
For selected species, the maximum daily counts and bird-day totals per month are shown in a table.
There are also charts within the text for some species showing bird-day totals during six five-day periods
in each month (grey and olive columns), as well as the maximum count each month (brown line and
dot).

1.1 CONSERVATION STATUS

The species’ conservation status is listed if they are on the Red or Amber lists of Birds of Conservation
Concern.
Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (BoCC 4) is a report by compiled by UK bird conservation and monitoring
organisations. It reviews the status of all regularly occurring birds in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of
Man. Each species is assessed and placed on the Green, Amber or Red List (indicating increasing
concern) according to their Global status and international importance, their European status, and,
within the UK, their historical decline, current population, range trends and localised distribution are taken
into account.
¨ Red listed - highest conservation priority, species requiring urgent action
¨ Amber listed - moderate conservation priority

Nuthatch © Jeff Wragg

56 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

1.2 LOCAL STATUS

The status for Bardsey of each species is listed in brown; this status changes if numbers fluctuate over
time. The definition of each status follows ‘The Birds of Bardsey’ (Roberts, 1985) 1, however the definitions
of ‘vagrant’ and ‘rare’ have since been adjusted.

STATUS DESCRIPTION OF STATUS

VAGRANT 20 records or fewer
RARE 21 to 50 records
SCARCE one to five birds or records on average per annum
UNCOMMON six to 50 birds recorded on average per annum
FAIRLY COMMON 51 to 250 birds recorded on average per annum
COMMON 251 to 1000 birds recorded on average per annum
ABUNDANT 1001 to 2500 birds recorded on average per annum
VERY ABUNDANT in excess of 2500 birds recorded on average per annum

1.3 TAXONOMY

The British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) maintains the BRITISH LIST, the
official list of wild birds recorded in Great Britain (England, Scotland and
Wales and associated waters). The List is managed by the BOU’s Records
Committee (BOURC).

Two years ago we changed the taxonomic order throughout Bardsey’s
Wildlife and adopted the BOU’s 9th Edition of the British List (December
2017). This order follows the International Ornithological Congress (IOC)
World Bird List version 12.1. Each species on the list is assigned to a species
category. Only those species in Categories A, B and C form the British List.
As of 30 June 2021 the British List stands at 626 species, 334 of which have
been recorded on Bardsey.

Vernacular names that are widely used in everyday English are used in order to enable clear
understanding by all. The Welsh names follow those in ‘Birds in Wales’2, and for species that have not
been recorded in Wales before, the names follow those on the ‘Avionary’ website3.

1.4 RARE BIRDS AND DECISIONS FROM RARITIES COMMITTEES

Up to 1998, rarities on which a records committee has made a decision were noted in the introduction
to this list. It was decided in 1998 that the format used in the annual report of the British Birds Rarities
Committee (BBRC) in British Birds would be adopted and, therefore, the accepted/not proven records
would appear in the systematic list of the year in which the decision was made. Records awaiting
decisions will appear in the list of the year in which they were recorded, and then again when
accepted/not accepted, under a sub-heading of the year of the record. Decisions on all species dealt
with by BBRC will also appear in British Birds and all species dealt with by the Welsh Birds Rarities
Committee (WBRC) will appear in Birds in Wales should the record be accepted.

65: 54-133 57

STANSFIELD
58 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

1.5 SPECIES REQUIRING DOCUMENTATION BY THE WELSH BIRDS RARITIES COMMITTEE

Scarce species (assessed by WBRC) are defined as those occurring on average five times or fewer
annually in Wales. As of 1 January 2021 the full list of species which the Panel considers is as follows:

Taiga Bean Goose, Tundra Bean Goose, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Ring-
necked Duck, Surf Scoter, Smew, Alpine Swift, Corn Crake, Spotted Crake, Crane, Red-
necked Grebe, Stone Curlew, American Golden Plover, Temminck’s Stint, White-
rumped Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-necked
Phalarope, Ring-billed Gull, Caspian Gull, White-winged Black Tern, White-billed Diver,
Wilson’s Petrel, Cory’s Shearwater, Great Shearwater, White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Night
Heron, Purple Heron, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Black Kite,
Rough-legged Buzzard, Bee-eater, Red-footed Falcon, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat
Shrike, Golden Oriole, Short-toed Lark, Shore Lark, Red-rumped Swallow, Greenish
Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Radde’s Warbler, Pallas’s Warbler, Barred
Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Blyth’s Reed Warbler,
Rose-coloured Starling, Bluethroat, Nightingale, Red-flanked Bluetail, Red-breasted
Flycatcher, Penduline Tit, Citrine Wagtail, Tawny Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit, Common
Rosefinch, Common Redpoll, Arctic Redpoll, Serin, Corn Bunting, Ortolan Bunting, Cirl
Bunting, Little Bunting.

Scarce races are considered on the same basis (i.e. all those occurring on average five times or fewer
annually). However, it is acknowledged that the status, and in some case the identification, of some
races is very uncertain. WBRC welcomes well-documented submissions of races that observers consider
to be scarce in Wales. Through this process WBRC hopes to establish the occurrence of these forms but
submissions will probably in most cases require detailed descriptions, photographic evidence and in
some cases biometrics or a specimen.

Any species not on the BBRC or the WBRC lists that is recorded for the first time on the island should be
fully documented and supported by a description for circulation around the WBRC. A complete list of
species requiring descriptions for consideration by the Bardsey Observatory Records Committee (BORC)
can be found at the Observatory and is available upon request. Records that require consideration by
BORC will not be included in the report until a description is submitted for consideration and accepted
by the panel. Any record in this report of a rare species for the island has been accepted by the BORC.

There are occasionally a small number of records that are considered not acceptable by the relevant
bodies. Many of the records are not accepted because the relevant panels were not convinced, on
the evidence before them, that the identification was fully established. Only in a very few cases are the
panels satisfied that a mistake had been made.

Opposite Dunlin © Ed Betteridge 59
65: 54-133

STANSFIELD

2 METHODS

Bird Observatory staff conduct a census of all the birds on the island every day, in all of the easily
accessible parts; the less accessible area of the East Side is observed from vantage points, as well as
from a boat on pre-arranged trips, and is covered in depth during specific monitoring excursions.

Members of staff are required to have keen observation and hearing skills as well as considerable
experience in the field identification of birds, including knowledge of calls and songs, and a good
understanding of the rarer species that could occur. Visitors to the island are also encouraged to
contribute records which are then verified by observatory staff.

High specification binoculars and telescopes are used to aid location and identification of the birds
which are then recorded in field notebooks. All the information that is collected is entered into a digital
‘log’ every evening, these data are used to create the list of all species seen during the year which is
presented systematically below.

In 2021 birds were recorded from 16 March when the staff arrived on the island until they departed on 5
November, with a few incidental winter records from individuals who either visited or were resident on
the island for part of the winter.

Merlin © Ed Betteridge REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
60

SYSTEMATIC LIST

3 RESULTS

This year, a grand total of 179 species of birds was recorded during the season, seven fewer than last
year.

There was the island’s first record of the hybrid known as Viking Gull, the third record of Red-eyed Vireo,
which was the highlight the year, and also the third record of Avocet. The seventh Nuthatch was seen in
October. A Water pipit in November was the 13th for the island. Early summer saw the 12th and 13th
records of Rose-coloured Starling and the 14th record of Marsh Warbler. The 18th and 19th Wood
Sandpipers were seen, and the 25th to 32nd records of Yellow-legged Gulls,.

Other highlights included 12 Wrynecks and a Common Rosefinch. Both Icterine and Melodious Warblers
put in another appearance and Woodchat Shrike was seen in spring for the second year running, with
a fine male Red-breasted Flycatcher seen in October.

65: 54-133 61

STANSFIELD

SPECIES ACCOUNTS

B R E N T G O O S E Branta bernicla Gŵydd Ddu

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 85 previous records, ten records in 2017 and eight in 2021

The only record of the year was a single on 7 October from the dark-bellied nominate form B.b.bernicla
whose population originates in the Taimyr peninsula in the central Russian Arctic and winters in northwest
Europe.

Surprisingly there were no records from the pale-bellied Canadian population B.b.hrota which is the
commoner of the two usual races to occur on Bardsey.

C A N A D A G O O S E Branta canadensis Gŵydd Canada

Scarce, 55 records pre-2019 when two pairs were resident throughout the spring and summer of 2019 & 2020
There were just six records in March, of one to three birds, with two records in late April.

G R E Y L A G G O O S E Anser anser Gŵydd Wyllt

¨ Amber listed Scarce, recorded in 32 years, with 67 previous records

One was seen along the western side of the island on 29 April.

M U T E S W A N Cygnus olor Alarch Dof

Vagrant, ten previous records, last in 2016
Two adults were seen off Pen Cristin on 16 October (RL). This is only the 11th record for the island of this
species which is very common elsewhere. The last record was in 2016, with records in May and
October.

W H O O P E R S W A N Cygnus cygnus Alarch y Gogledd

¨ Amber listed Vagrant in spring with two previous records, otherwise scarce, 52 previous records in total

In October six birds flew south along the west side of the island on 21 October (JW, RL).

S H E L D U C K Tadorna tadorna Hwyaden yr Eithin

¨ Amber listed Scarce breeder, scarce to uncommon on passage

Five pairs were present during the spring and accounted for most of the records in that time. There were,
however, 12 seen on two dates in March, and 17 was the year’s peak count on 13 April. Only one pair
was seen to have any young and all were taken by gulls within 24 hours. The final record of the year was
on 6 July.

Shelducks © Steven Stansfield REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
62

SYSTEMATIC LIST

60 20 Max. daily count per month
50
Bird-day totals 40 15
30
20 10
10
5
0
J 0

F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J F MAM J J A S OND
0 0000
Max. count 0 0 12 17 15 10 6 0 0000
Bird-days 0 0000
0 102 253 221 213 23 0
Days seen
0 15 30 31 30 6 0

W I G E O N Anas penelope Chwiwell

¨ Amber listed Uncommon but regular on passage in small numbers during autumn

The only records came in October, which produced up to five birds on five dates from 5th to 14th.

M A L L A R D Anas platyrhynchos Hwyaden Wyllt

¨ Amber listed Scarce breeder, fairly common in autumn and winter

Slightly more numerous than in 2020, with over 175 more bird-days, primarily due to larger numbers of
birds present in autumn. Up to ten were seen in late March with a peak of 20 in April. May's peak was
only 16, with peaks of 20 and 18 in June and July respectively. August saw numbers increase with birds
recorded on a daily basis, though the peak was only 19; up to 26 were seen in September with the year’s
maxima of 29 seen on 18 October.

140 35 Max. daily count per month
120
100 30

Bird-day totals 80 25
60
40 20
20
15
0
J 10

5

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 10 20 16 20 18 19 26 29 0 0
0 0 106 234 190 189 141 278 422 546 0 0
Days seen 0 0 15 30 31 30 23 31 30 28 0 0

T E A L Anas crecca Corhwyaden

¨ Amber listed Uncommon but regular on passage, and winter visitor in small numbers

There were sporadic reports of Teals during the early winter months from island residents, though no
specific counts were made or dates logged, but as many as 20 were reported. March saw up to eight
birds recorded on eight dates, the last on 30th.

65: 54-133 63

STANSFIELD

The first record in autumn was one in Solfach on 14 July with another five there on 5 August. From 22nd
there were a further six records to the month’s end with nine the peak on 24th. There were 17 records in
September; most were of two to seven birds, with 12 seen on both 3rd and 5th. One to five birds were
seen on 12 dates in October, with nine on Pwll Cain on 19th.

35 14 Max. daily count per month
30
25 12
20
Bird-day totals 15 10
10
8
5
0 6

J 4

2

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 8 0 0 0 1 9 12 9 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 35 0 0 0 1 28 68 41 0 0
Days seen 0 0 8 0 0 0 1 7 17 13 0 0

T U F T E D D U C K Aythya fuligula Hwyaden Gopog

Rare, 36 previous records
In July a female/immature was seen on the lowlands ponds on six dates from 13th to 21st (SC et al.).

C O M M O N S C O T E R Melanitta nigra Môr-hwyaden Ddu

¨ Red listed Fairly common to common passage migrant

There were two records in March and two in April, with 15 on 9 April the peak, and the final record of
spring.

Return passage began in early June with 11 on 7th, followed by two further records in the month. None
was recorded in July, and then there were ten records in August, most were in single figures, though there
were four double-figure counts of up to 35 on 23rd. There were 15 records in September with a peak of
29 on 30th. October saw the heaviest passage, with 21 records and a total of 442 bird-days recorded.
Most records were into double figures up to 36, however the year’s peak of 117 was recorded on 5th.

200 140 Max. daily count per month
150
120
100
Bird-day totals 50 100
0
J 80

60

40

20

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 4 15 0 11 0 35 29 117 0 0
0 0 6 19 0 20 0 113 144 442 0 0
Days seen 0 0 2 2 0 3 0 10 15 21 0 0

64 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

R E D - B R E A S T E D M E R G A N S E R Mergus serrator Hwyaden Frongoch

¨ Amber listed Scarce

One was seen on the West Coast on 27 March, with two there on 28 August and one on 20 September.

S W I F T Apus apus Gwennol Ddu

¨ Red listed Common passage migrant, occasionally abundant

The first record of the year was of four birds on 4 May which were followed by a further six records during
the month of one to five birds, with nine on 29th. There were five records in June of up to six birds, and
then ten records in July, mostly of one to seven birds, with 11 on 18th and ten the following day. August
produced two singles on 5th and 23rd, and September saw three on 2nd, two on 4th and the final bird
of the year on 9th.

30 12 Max. daily count per month
25
20 10
15
Bird-day totals 10 8

5 6
0
4
J
2

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 0 0 9 6 11 1 3000
0 0 0 0 24 17 41 2 6000
Days seen 0 0 0 0 7 5 10 2 3000

C U C K O O Cuculus canorus Cog

¨ Red listed Uncommon, occasional breeder

The first record of the year was a male singing at Nant on 23 April, three days earlier than the first bird in
2020. May produced five records: three birds were seen at Nant on 8th, with singles on 17th, 22nd and
28th and two on 31st. The latter two were then present on 1 and 2 June, with a female staying to 3rd. A
single was then seen from 28th to 30th and was the final record of the year. No young were seen.

R O C K D O V E Columba livia Colomen Ddôf

Common
No genuine Rock Doves were recorded this year; all the birds seen were thought to be directionally
challenged ‘Racing Pigeons’. Largest numbers are normally seen at Bank Holidays in early May (May
Day), late May/early June (Spring Bank Holiday) and then following the August Bank Holiday.

Daily count of birds 20
15
10

5
0

J FM A M J J A S O N D

65: 54-133 65

STANSFIELD

J F MAM J J A S OND
0 000
Max. count 0 0 0 0 2 19 5 5 1 000
Bird-days 0 000
0 0 0 5 208 46 19 4
Days seen
0 0 0 3 29 16 8 4

25 25 Max. daily count per month
20
15 20
10
Bird-day totals 15
5
0 10

J 5

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

S T O C K D O V E Columba oenas Colomen Wyllt

¨ Amber listed Scarce

A single was seen on the west side of the island on 15 April.

In October seven were seen over the Mountain on 25th.

Errata: 2020 One was seen on six dates from 22 to 30 March and was omitted from the systematic list in error.

W O O D P I G E O N Columba palumbus Ysguthan

¨ Amber listed Common migrant and scarce breeding summer visitor

There were nine territories located on the island in 2021, though numbers of birds present during the
summer months suggested there were more, and these birds masked any signs of passage early in the
year.

As the Bardsey breeding birds left the island, passage could be noted especially during October, when
there were only seven records, this included the year’s peak of 42 on 16th.

120 50 Max. daily count per month
100
40
80
Bird-day totals 60 30
40
20 20

0 10
J
0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J F MAMJ J A S ON D
0 0
Max. count 0 0 30 28 34 22 18 24 13 42 0 0
Bird-days 0 0
0 241 373 390 316 262 227 184 81 0
Days seen
0 15 30 31 29 31 31 30 7 0

66 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

C O L L A R E D D O V E Streptopelia decaocto Turtur Dorchog

Fairly common to common migrant
The first of the year were two birds on 2 April, which were followed by a further 14 records in the month,
with three on 25th the peak. May saw nine records, most were of one or two birds, with four to six birds
on three dates at the month’s end. Up to 19 were recorded on 26 dates in June. Fewer were seen in the
mid-summer hiatus of July with just 19 records of up to 14 birds.

August saw the start of autumn passage, with almost daily records of up to 16. September saw the largest
numbers of the year with up to 13 birds on 28 days and a total of 286 bird-days as a flock of up to 12 took
up residence at Tŷ Pellaf from 6th. October saw 17 records, though only four were double-figure counts.

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

J F MAM J J A S OND
Max. count 0 0 0 3 6 19 14 16 13 12 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 22 24 153 94 272 286 91 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 15 9 26 19 27 28 17 0 0

W A T E R R A I L Rallus aquaticus Rhegen y Dŵr

Uncommon but regular on passage, numbers can vary from scarce to fairly common
There was a slight decrease in records this year with a total of ten sightings, most were of single birds
between 25 September and 25 October, with three on 9 October and two on both 11th and 13th.

M O O R H E N Gallinula chloropus Iâr Ddŵr

¨ Amber listed Scarce/uncommon breeder, population falling, occasional passage migrant

There was a slight bounce-back in the breeding population this year, with eight pairs present. A total of
eight broods containing a minimum of 21 young was recorded.

There were no signs of any immigration.

J F MAM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 0 6 4 8 5 7 16 13 12 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 43 78 70 72 86 263 202 157 0 0
Days seen
0 16 30 31 30 31 30 30 28 0 0

O Y S T E R C A T C H E R Haematopus ostralegus Pioden y Môr

¨ Amber listed Common breeder, passage migrant and winter visitor

As observer coverage improved in March the daily counts increased, with a peak of 146 on 27th. Up to
145 were counted in April, with 14 counts into three figures. Numbers generally fell in May, with nine
counts over 100 and a peak of 128 on 22nd. Numbers in June fell further, 125 on 7th and 12th the peak
counts.

65: 54-133 67

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July saw numbers continue to fall, with a peak of just 99 on 6th. August’s maxima was just 64 on 16th, and
September’s was four fewer at 60 on 20th. October’s peak was 55 on 11th.

800 200
Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month
600 150

400 100

200 50

0 0
J F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J F MAM J J A S ON D
0 0
Max. count 0 0 146 145 128 125 99 64 60 55 0 0
Bird-days 0 0
0 154 296 265 2309 156 878 947 731 0
Days seen 0 186 320 301 30 381 31 30 26 0

A V O C E T Recurvirostra avosetta Cambig

¨ Amber listed Vagrant, two previous records, 2002 and 2008

Two flew south past Solfach and along the west side of the South End on 3 September (SDS).

L A P W I N G Vanellus vanellus Cornchwiglen

¨ Red listed Former breeder (last bred in 1997), now uncommon passage migrant in spring and autumn

There was a single present 1 May with another on 30th.

Post-juvenile dispersal/migration began in mid-June when there were three records from 18th to the
month’s end of up to two birds. There were three singles in July and then two on 2 August. September
produced just another two singles, and two on the South End on 11 October was the only record in the
month and the last of the year. Yet again, a very poor showing from this nationally-declining plover.

G O L D E N P L O V E R Pluvialis apricaria Cwtiad Aur

¨ Red listed (Wales) Uncommon but regular passage migrant in spring and autumn

A single was on the South End on 12 May, with another there on 18th and 19th.

September produced three records: a single on 5th, three on 23rd and then 19 on 29th. There were also
three records in October: four on 1st, two on 3rd and then two on 15th which were the last of the year.

G R E Y P L O V E R Pluvialis squatarola Cwtiad Llwyd
¨ Amber listed Scarce

One was present on the South End from 13 to 17 April.

One flew south along the west side of the island on 25 August. In September a single arrived into Solfach
on 8th and was seen on most dates until 28th.

R I N G E D P L O V E R Charadrius hiaticula Cwtiad Torchog

¨ Red listed Rare but regular breeder since 2010, fairly common passage migrant

Two birds arrived in Henllwyn on 27 March and were present intermittently to the month’s end. They were

present on and off through April, and settled to breed in May, fledging two young in early autumn. April

68 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

and May both saw light passage with up to nine seen in May. All records in June and the first half of July
were of the breeding birds and their young.

Late in July passage birds began to arrive with numbers reaching seven by 27th. Up to 12 were recorded
in the first three weeks of August; passage increased in the final week, with four double-figure counts
including 16 on 26th, 20 the following day and then 24 on 28th. The first two weeks of September saw
daily counts of up to eight. Thereafter records became sporadic, with six counts of one or two to the
month’s end, though 15 were seen on 19th. There were just two records in October: 13 on 1st and one
on 5th.

Several small dark birds thought to belong to the race C. h. psammodromus were recorded through
both spring and autumn.

Ringed Plover © Steven Stansfield

100 30
80Bird-day totals
60 Max. daily count per month25
40
20 20
0
J 15

10

5

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 2 4 9 2 8 24 15 13 0 0
0 0 8 40 56 21 83 174 104 14 0 0
Days seen 0 0 5 21 14 19 27 30 20 2 0 0

W H I M B R E L Numenius phaeopus Coegylfinir

¨ Red listed Fairly common to common passage migrant, with two or three presumed resident birds

Up to two birds were seen in March, before spring passage got underway, suggesting that these birds
had once again over wintered on the island. Passage birds were first noted from the second week in
April and peaked at 67 on 24th. Numbers then fell and were in single figures only during the latter half of
May. June saw 13 records of up to three birds, but mostly singles. Early July saw one or two birds
frequently.

65: 54-133 69

STANSFIELD

Autumn passage began from mid-July when numbers of returning birds began to arrive, with up to seven
present on 20th. There were near daily records in August, with most being seen in the first three weeks of
the month, including three double-figure counts of up to 24 on 5th. Counts in the latter half of the month
were all in single figures and from 27th records became sporadic. There were only 12 records in
September, with a peak of seven on 5th. On 23rd a bird that was originally trapped and colour-ringed
on Bardsey on 27 September 2016 was seen and stayed on the island until the end of the season. October
produced just seven records; all bar one (two on 12th) were singles.

Whimbrel © Steven Stansfield

60

50

Daily count of birds 40

30

20

10

0

J FM AM J J A S O ND

J F MAM J JA S ON D
0
Max. count 0 0 2 57 42 3 7 24 7 2 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 9 477 290 17 54 148 21 8 0 0
Days seen
0 8 26 31 13 24 27 12 7 0 0

C U R L E W Numenius arquata Gylfinir

¨ Red listed Abundant migrant and non-breeding resident; last bred in 1967

By the time Observatory staff arrived on 17 March numbers were in low figures, with a peak of just 13 in
March, on 18th, with April’s peak of ten, and May producing 22 records and a peak of just eight. There
were near-daily records in June of up to five birds in the first half of the month and then up to 22 in the
latter half as returning failed breeders began to arrive back.

70 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

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Autumn passage continued into July and numbers increased to 48 on 13th and 14th. Passage continued
during the second half of the month with up to 39 on 22nd and 28th. August saw peak counts increase
further with daily double-figure counts regularly in excess of 50 and a peak of 75 on 28th. Numbers
reached around 86 by late-September. Numbers remained fairly stable in October, with around 60 to 70
birds present and a peak of 78 on 1st.

100

Daily count of birds 80

60

40

20

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 13 10 8 22 48 75 86 78 0 0
0 0 72 66 58 140 614 1044 1348 1191 0 0
Days seen 0 0 14 24 22 27 31 31 30 27 0 0

B A R - T A I L E D G O D W I T Limosa lapponica Rhostog Gynffonfrith

¨ Amber listed Fairly common migrant

The first of the year was one in Henllwyn on 12 April, with a summer-plumaged male on the South End on
23rd. There were then a further five records of two to five birds to 29th.

The first record in autumn was a single in Solfach from 10 to 14 July. August saw a single on 14th, then a
flock of 28 off the South End on 30th (PJR, DS), with four present the following day. September saw four
on 17th and one on 18th.

Bar-tailed Godwit © Steven Stansfield 71
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B L A C K - T A I L E D G O D W I T Limosa limosa Rhostog Gynffonddu

¨ Red listed Scarce, an average of six birds per annum, but becoming commoner in the past few years

The first record of the year was in Solfach on 15 July, with another on the South End on 28th.

August saw a single fly along the west side of the island on 13th.

T U R N S T O N E Arenaria interpres Cwtiad y Traeth

¨ Amber listed Common migrant and winter visitor, occasionally summers

March produced daily records from staff arriving back, with a peak of 23 on 26th. Numbers in April were
slightly higher with records on 28 days and a peak of 25 on 12th. May saw records on all but one date
with a peak of 32 on 15th. June saw 11 records in the first two weeks, most were up to five birds, with ten
on 11th. The only record in the latter part of the month was a single on 22nd.

There were only seven records in the first three weeks of July, but from 24th autumn passage picked up
with almost daily counts of up to 21 by 26th. August saw daily counts with a peak in the first half of the
month of 56 by 14th; numbers increased in the latter half of the month with regular counts of up to 50
and a peak of 61 on 22nd. September began with regular counts over 30 and a peak for the first half of
the month of 89 on 15th. Numbers in the third week of the month were generally lower, with over 50 on
most dates, and a peak of 68 on 16th. The final week of September saw numbers fall with no more than
54 counted on 25th. October saw near-daily records; numbers generally varied, but remained around
the 40-60 area in the first two weeks, the third week saw an increase with a peak count of 77 on 16th,
with numbers remaining in the low 20s to low 40s for the rest of the month.

Daily count of birds 100
80
60
40
20
0
J FM A M J J A S O N D

Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 33 25 32 10 21 61 89 77 0 0
0 0 193 256 278 32 109 761 1237 1049 0 0
Days seen 0 0 15 28 30 12 15 31 30 26 0 0

K N O T Calidris canutus Pibydd yr Aber

¨ Amber listed Uncommon to fairly common passage migrant and occasional winter visitor

A single was seen on the South End on 11 May.

July saw a single on the South End on 30th. August produced eight records from 18th: five were singles,
with four on 24th and two the following day. September produced two singles in the first week, then two
on 19th which were the last of the year.

R U F F Calidris pugnax Pibydd Torchog

¨ Red listed Scarce

A single was seen on the South End on 28 August (SDC). September saw two head south along the West
Coast on 3rd and another on the Narrows on 15th.

72 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

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C U R L E W S A N D P I P E R Calidris ferruginea Pibydd Cambig

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 66 previous records

A single joined the Narrows wader roost on 15 September (SDS et al.).

L I T T L E S T I N T Calidris minuta Pibydd Bach

Scarce, 120 previous records
A single joined the Narrows wader roost on 15 September (SDS et al.).

S A N D E R L I N G Calidris alba Pibydd y Tywod

¨ Amber listed Uncommon passage migrant

The first of the year was a single in Solfach on 3 April. May produced seven records, mostly one to three
birds, with seven on 28th. Two on 5 June were the last of spring passage.

July saw five singles from 14th as autumn passage got underway. There were ten records in August of
one to five birds, with half of the records in the last week of the month. Up to three were seen on 13 dates
in September to 16th, and then eight were counted on 21st. October saw a single on 17th which was
the last of the year.

20 10
Bird-day totals15
Max. daily count per month108

5 6
0
4
J
2

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Sanderling © Steven Stansfield 73
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STANSFIELD

Max. count J F MAM J J A SOND
Bird-days 0 00162 158100
0 0 0 1 19 2 5 22 36 1 0 0
Days seen 0 00171 5 10 14 1 0 0

D U N L I N Calidris alpina Pibydd y Mawn

¨ Amber listed Fairly common to common passage migrant

April saw two records in the first three weeks of the month, then from 24th there was a large arrival to the
month’s end with daily counts of up to 33 birds (on 28th). Numbers in May fell from nine on 1st with a
further 17 records of up to six. There were nine records of up to four birds in June and then ten records of
one or two birds in July.

Passage strengthened in August with 16 records, four were in double figures with a peak of 16 on 20th.
There were daily records in September to 21st, with a peak of 12 on 3rd and 11 the following day, with
all other records being fewer than ten. Thereafter there were two records of up to four to the month’s
end. The only record in October was of three on 1st.

40

Daily count of birds 30

20

10

0

J FM A M J J A S O ND

J F MAM J JA S ON D
0
Max. count 0 0 0 33 9 4 2 16 12 3 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 0 125 53 13 14 84 113 3 0 0
Days seen
0 0 9 18 9 10 16 23 1 0 0

P U R P L E S A N D P I P E R Calidris maritima Pibydd Du

¨ Amber listed Fairly common to common migrant and winter visitor, becoming scarcer

March saw just three records of up to eight. There were 13 records in April: six were in single figures, with
seven double-figure counts up to 43 on 24th. There were ten records in May: three single-figure counts
and seven double-figure counts up to 40 on 10th.

Purple Sandpipers and Turnstone © Steven Stansfield

74 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

The first returning birds in autumn were on 18 July. There were three records in August of up to nine birds
on 24th. September saw 24 records; all records in the first two weeks were in single figures. On 15th 66
were counted and were followed by ten more double-figure counts and three single-figure counts. There
were 20 records in October; only four were into double figures, with 30 on 10th the peak.

100 70 Max. daily count per month
80
60 60
40
Bird-day totals 20 50
0
J 40

30

20

10

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 8 43 40 0 1 9 66 30 0 0
0 0 15 232 170 0 1 12 260 141 0 0
Days seen 0 0 3 13 10 0 1 3 24 20 0 0

W O O D C O C K Scolopax rusticola Cyffylog

¨ Red listed Uncommon to fairly common migrant

There were just two records this year, both singles on 15 and 29 October.

J A C K S N I P E Limnocryptes minimus Gïach Fach

Uncommon passage migrant and rare over-winterer, probably overlooked
March saw four records, three singles and a two, on 17th to 20th. There were two singles in April, on 5th
and 23rd.

S N I P E Gallinago gallinago Gïach Gyffredin

¨ Amber listed Fairly common passage migrant in both spring and autumn and common winter visitor

March saw a total of eight records: 31 were counted on 17th, with 27 the following day. Numbers fell
thereafter with only two further double-figure counts (11 on 19th and 23rd). There were 14 records in April:
most were of one to three birds, with four on 15th and 23rd and five on 10th.

The first return passage birds were seen in August, with one on 10th, and then another three singles to
26th and three on 30th. September saw 19 records, all in single figures, with seven on 3rd and 19th the
highest counts. Of the 18 records in October most were of one to seven birds, with three double-figure
counts: ten on 8th and 21st and 16, the peak, on 20th.

40

Daily count of birds 30

20

10

0

J FM AM J J A S O ND

65: 54-133 75

STANSFIELD

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 31 5 0 0 0 3 7 16 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 91 29 0 0 0 7 55 73 0 0
Days seen 0 0 8 14 0 0 0 5 19 18 0 0

G R E Y P H A L A R O P E Phalaropus fulicarius Llydandroed Llwyd

Scarce, 63 previous records – none in 2016 and 2019
One flew south along the western side of the island on 21 October (SDS et al.).

C O M M O N S A N D P I P E R Actitis hypoleucos Pibydd y Dorlan

¨ Amber listed Common passage migrant

Spring passage began on 2 April when one was seen on the Narrows. This was followed by a further nine
records of one or two birds. May produced just three records, all singles, with the last on 31st. The final
two records of spring were two singles on 1 and 3 June.

Return passage began in late June with two on 22nd, and then one to four birds on four dates to the
month’s end. July saw records on 23 dates, most were of one to four birds though there were counts of
seven on 7th and six on 27th. There were 16 records in August, most were of one to three individuals with
four on 2nd. There were eight records in September to 22nd; all were singles except for two on 3rd.

20 8
15Bird-day totals
10 Max. daily count per month6

5 4
0
2
J
0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J FMAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 00214742 000
0 0 0 13 3 13 54 31 9 000
Days seen 0 0 0 10 3 7 23 16 8 000

G R E E N S A N D P I P E R Tringa ochropus Pibydd Gwyrdd

¨ Amber listed Scarce – an average of 2.5 bird-days per annum 1953-2011

There were singles on 25 and 26 July and another on 8 September. All were seen in the Lowlands and on
the ponds.

R E D S H A N K Tringa totanus Pibydd Coesgoch

¨ Amber listed Fairly common migrant and winter visitor

Most of the over-wintering birds had departed by the time staff returned to the island in mid-March.
March’s peak count was 20 on 29th, one of three counts into double figures. There were 18 records in
April and numbers were greatest in the first week with eight on 2nd the peak. There were no records in
May.

76 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

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Green Sandpiper © Steven Stansfield 77
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The first returning birds in autumn were singles on 12 and 13 June followed by a further seven records of
one to three birds in the month. There were daily records in July of which two were in double figures with
a peak of 12 on both 22nd and 27th. Numbers in August reached 14 by 1st, but then fell during the
second week and were generally low, though 12 were counted on 11th. During the latter half of the
month there were two double-figure counts up to 18 on 24th. The first week in September saw only single-
figure counts; however, on 10th 12 were counted, and another ten on 29th. October saw 23 records
including three double-figure counts with the month’s peak of 15 on 19th.

60 25
50Bird-day totals
40 Max. daily count per month20
30
20 15
10
10
0
J 5

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J FMAM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 0 20 8 0 3 12 18 12 15 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 86 63 0 17 130 178 217 150 0 0
Days seen
0 13 18 0 9 30 29 30 23 0 0

W O O D S A N D P I P E R Tringa glareola Pibydd y Graean

¨ Amber listed Vagrant – 17 previous records

One flew over the south end of the island on 10 August (LMD, SDC). In September there was another
over the Narrows on 10th (SDS).

G R E E N S H A N K Tringa nebularia Pibydd Coeswerdd

Scarce to uncommon on passage
One was seen around the Narrows on 3 April.

June produced a single on 26th. One was seen on 1 July, with another on 27th. August produced five
singles between 8th and 31st.

Greenshank © Steven Stansfield REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
78

SYSTEMATIC LIST

K I T T I W A K E Rissa tridactyla Gwylan Goesddu

¨ Red listed Fairly common breeder, very abundant on passage and in winter

When staff returned to the island in mid-March there were 11 records to the month’s end, with a peak of
33 on 25th. April saw generally low numbers, with just 13 records, all double-figure counts except 200 on
9th, 230 on 11th and 155 on 12th. There were 15 records in May, with two three-figure counts: 190 on 3rd
and 100 on 16th.

Even though there were 181 pairs which fledged 268 young on the East Side in July, there were just three
counts in June over 100, with 200 on 12th the peak. July’s peak count was 603, including 269 youngsters
on 27th.

The build-up in late summer of failed or non-breeders began in late August, with up to 507 off the South
End on 28th. There were 29 records in September, with five four-figure counts, including 4000 seen on 2nd
and 5570 off the southern end of the island on 16th. The peak count of the month however, came on
29th when 11,172 were counted passing the island during an excellent day of sea passage. There were
28 records in October, most of which were three-figure counts, though six were over 1000; 9790 were
seen on 5th, with 9023 on 3rd. On 4th 1160 were seen with 1945 the next day. The 6th saw an estimated
8000, with 6430 counted on 8th.

25000 12000
20000Bird-day totals
15000 Max. daily count per month10000
10000
8000
5000
0 6000

4000

2000

J 0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

JF M A MJ J A S O ND
507 11,172 9790 0 0
Max. count 0 0 33 230 190 200 603 3144 30,043 38,931 0 0
28
Bird-days 0 0 144 849 594 1090 980 29 28 0 0

Days seen 0 0 11 13 15 20 18

Kittiwake © Steven Stansfield 79
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Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls © Steven Stansfield
80 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

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S A B I N E ' S G U L L Xema sabini Gwylan Sabine

Scarce in autumn, 125 previous records of 187 individuals, one vagrant in spring

In September two juveniles passed the northern end of the island on 29th (SDS). A juvenile was seen from
the South End on 3 October (SDC), with three juveniles on 4th (SDS et al.), and an adult and a juvenile
on 6th (SDS et al.).

B L A C K - H E A D E D G U L L Chroicocephalus ridibundus Gwylan Penddu

¨ Amber listed Uncommon in spring, abundant to very abundant in autumn and winter

There were 11 records in single figures in the first half of the year.

From July records began to increase in number, though the only double-figure counts during the month
were 17 on 3rd and 91 on 24th. August saw 21 records of up to 91 birds while September produced 27
records, most of which were in double figures, though there were five three-figure counts of up to 672.
October saw the strongest passage of the year: there were 24 records, nine were in three figures, with
peak counts of 661 on 1st, 595 on 8th and 580 on 10th.

2000 800
Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month1500600

1000 400

500 200

0 0
J F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J F MAM J J A S O N D
0 0
Max. count 0 0 0 4 1 1 6 91 672 661 0 0
Bird-days 0 0
0 0 9 3 2 57 151 1524 3613 0
Days seen
0 0 6 3 2 23 21 27 24 0

L I T T L E G U L L Hydrocoloeus minutus Gwylan Fechan

Scarce, becoming uncommon in recent years, but rare in spring

One was seen off the South End on 4 September, with 11 off the North End and West Coast on 29th (SDS
et al.). October saw two on 1st, nine on 3rd, six on 4th and then three on 5th; the next and final record
of the year was two more juveniles on 21st.

M E D I T E R R A N E A N G U L L Ichthyaetus melanocephalus Gwylan Môr y Canoldir

¨ Amber listed Uncommon on passage in autumn and winter, with numbers increasing

The first record of the year was one on 9 July with a further four records in the month. August saw 15
records of up to six birds, with 17 records in September of up to seven birds. October also saw 17 records
but in much larger numbers: five counts were into double figures, with peaks of 70 on 9th and 58 on 26th.

J F MAM J J A S OND
0 00000
Max. count 0 00000 3 6 9 70 0 0
Bird-days 0 00000
8 32 55 218 0 0
Days seen
5 15 17 17 0 0

65: 54-133 81

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120 80 Max. daily count per month
100
Bird-day totals 60
80
60 40
40
20 20

0 0
J F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

C O M M O N G U L L Larus canus Gwylan y Gweunydd

¨ Amber listed Scarce in spring, generally uncommon to fairly common in autumn and early winter

March saw three on 17th; there were two different singles on 15 and 16 May.

August saw five singles, with six records in September of up to five birds. There were 13 records in October,
with 19 on 6th and 15 on 9th the only counts greater than eight.

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

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 1 5 19 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 3 0 2 0 0 5 18 84 0 0
Days seen 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 5 6 13 0 0

G R E A T B L A C K - B A C K E D G U L L Larus marinus Gwylan Gefnddu Fwyaf

¨ Amber listed Scarce but regular breeder, uncommon to fairly common resident and on passage

There were no real movements of note during the first half of the year with regular daily counts in single
figures. However, in mid-August a large number of large gulls began to accumulate on the southern part
of the island again, and numbers rose from the regular counts in single figures to produce 13 double-
figure counts during the month. September saw 14 double-figure counts with peaks of 31 on 22nd and
49 on 23rd. October saw 28 records; 12 were in double figures, with 106 on 9th and 150 on both 10th and
25th. The last two counts were the highest-ever recorded on the island.

J FMAM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 0 8 8 6 5 13 19 49 150 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 68 131 92 77 115 294 334 787 0 0
Days seen
0 15 30 29 30 31 31 30 28 0 0

82 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

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350 200
300Bird-day totals
250 Max. daily count per month150
200 100
150
100 50

50 0
0 F MAM J J A S OND
J
Five day periods
3500
3000 Bird-days Max count
2500
2000Annual bird-day totals 160
1500 1953 140
1000 1958 120
1963 100
500 1968 80
0 1973 60
1978 40
1983 20
1988 0
1993
1998
2003
2008
2013
2018

Year's daily maxima

Bird-day totals Yearly maxima

H E R R I N G G U L L Larus argentatus Gwylan y Penwaig

¨ Red listed Common breeding resident and abundant immigrant in autumn and winter

There was no movement of any note in the first part of the year and all records were considered to be
local birds and their offspring. Peak counts included 492 in April, 500 in May, 765 in August and just 401 in
September.

In the second week in October a large arrival took place with counts jumping from 102 on 7th to 993 the
following day. On 9th there were 1086, and then 3500 were estimated off the South End on 10th.

Herring, Lesser and Greater Black-backed Gulls © Steven Stansfield 83
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7000 4000
6000Bird-day totals
5000 Max. daily count per month3000
4000
3000 2000
2000
1000 1000

0 0
F MAM J J A S OND
J
Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J FMAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 332 492 358 500 644 765 401 3500 0 0
0 0 2276 5357 5528 4234 4627 3760 1669 9455 0 0
Days seen 0 0 16 30 31 30 31 31 28 29 0 0

V I K I N G G U L L Larus argentatus x hyperboreus Gwylan Ficingaidd

No known previous records of this hybrid
A first winter bird of this hybrid between Herring and Glaucous Gull was present on the island from mid-
January to mid-March (MH, EGO et al.).

Y E L L O W - L E G G E D G U L L Larus michahellis Gwylan Goesfelen

¨ Amber listed Vagrant – 24 previous records in 2001, 04, 05, 2010, two in 2014, 2016, two in 2017 and 18 in 2020

Following last year’s unprecedented influx 2021 also produced a number of birds, though fewer than the

previous year.

Two, a second year and a juvenile were seen on 5 August, with different juveniles then seen on both 6th
and 7th and also on 23rd. In September single juveniles were seen on 3rd, 15th, 23rd and 24th.

L E S S E R B L A C K - B A C K E D G U L L Larus fuscus Gwylan Gefnddu Leiaf

¨ Amber listed Fairly common breeding summer visitor, common on passage in late autumn and winter

Birds had already returned to the colonies on the East Side by the time staff arrived. Numbers increased
through March and April and by early May up to 161 were present. Up to 220 were seen in June, and
308 in July.

Post-breeding season counts began to fall, with August’s counts usually under 50, though 70 were seen
on 10th. Records in September were again generally low in number, with four double-figure counts. There
were 22 records in October, 11 of which were of double-figure counts, up to 80 on 10th; most of these
birds were heading south along the western side of the island en-route to their wintering grounds in North
Africa.

Lesser Black-backed Gull © Steven Stansfield REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
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SYSTEMATIC LIST

500 350
400Bird-day totals
300 Max. daily count per month300
200
100 250

0 200
J
150

100

50

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 60 111 161 220 308 70 34 80 0 0
0 0 237 823 1741 1195 1050 528 126 419 0 0
Days seen 0 0 15 29 30 30 31 29 20 22 0 0

S A N D W I C H T E R N Thalasseus sandvicensis Morwennol Bigddu

¨ Amber listed Fairly common to common summer migrant

The first of the year was a single on 13 April, with another two singles on 18th and 20th. The only record in
May was one on 28th, with June producing just two records: three were seen on 8th and a single on 25th.

July saw the first returning birds with two on 15th, then five singles and two on 26th and 27th. There were
12 records in August, mostly 16 or fewer and regularly in single figures. However, 20 were seen passing
the island on 20th. September saw fewer records, with birds seen on 12 dates, most of which were of 11
or fewer, with 14 counted on 4th. There were eight records in October: 27 on 1st was the peak, while two
on 21st were the last of the year.

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 20 14 27 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 3 1 4 11 64 60 50 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 3 1 2 8 12 12 8 0 0

L I T T L E T E R N Sterna albifrons Morwennol Fechan

¨ Amber listed Scarce migrant

The only record of the year was a single on 24 August (LMD, RSH)

R O S E A T E T E R N Sterna dougallii Morwennol Wridog

¨ Red listed Rare, 23 previous records, last in 2018

An adult flew south along the west side of the island on 18 August (SDS).

C O M M O N T E R N Sterna hirundo Morwennol Gyffredin

¨ Amber listed Scarce to uncommon migrant

The first of the year was not until a single passed the South End on 14 July. Two were then seen on 20th.
August produced four records of up to seven birds in the latter half of the month. There was just a single
record in September: four heading south on 16th were the last of the year.

A R C T I C T E R N Sterna paradisaea Morwennol y Gogledd

¨ Amber listed Scarce to uncommon migrant

An exceptionally poor year with just three records of one to three birds between 2 and 29 September.

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‘ C O M M I C ’ T E R N Sterna hirundo/paradisaea Morwennol Gyffredin/y Gogledd

A tern seen too distantly to be identified to species was recorded on 4 October.

B L A C K T E R N Chlidonias niger Corswennol Ddu

Scarce migrant, usually in autumn
The only record of the year was a single off the South End on 17 September (SDS).

G R E A T S K U A Stercorarius skua Sgiwen Fawr

¨ Amber listed Uncommon but regular on passage in autumn, rare in spring

The first record of the year was one off the South End on 29 July. There were four records in August: singles
were seen on three dates and three were seen on 16th. September produced 12 records: most were of
one to six birds, with nine on 17th and 16 on 29th. Of the eight records in October, seven were of one to
three birds, with 13 on 1st the peak.

P O M A R I N E S K U A Stercorarius pomarinus Sgiwen Frech

Scarce in autumn, but rare in spring (only 29 records), with 296 records of 581 birds in total
This year there were eight records, with 11 individuals recorded. There were no records in spring.

There was one record in August of an adult over Henllwyn on 20th. There were four records in September:
singles on three dates and then three on 17th. October saw one on 1st, two on 5th and then the final
single of the year on 9th.

A R C T I C S K U A Stercorarius parasiticus Sgiwen y Gogledd

¨ Red listed Uncommon to fairly common on passage in autumn, scarce in spring (107 records)

There were none in spring.

The first records of the year were in August when there were ten; three were singles, there were two
records of two and nine on 16th the peak. September saw 12 records, four of which were into double
figures including 19 on 17th, 15 on 29th and 14 the following day. There were nine records in October, all
were of one to eight birds except 13 which were seen on 3rd. The last was a single on 12th.

Arctic Skua © Steven Stansfield REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
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SYSTEMATIC LIST

40 20
30Bird-day totals
20 Max. daily count per month15
10
10
0
J 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 0 0 0 0 0 9 19 13 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 79 41 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 12 9 0 0

L O N G - T A I L E D S K U A Stercorarius longicaudus Sgiwen Lostfain

Scarce, 68 previous records of 110 individuals, 101 individuals since 1996
There were single juveniles seen off the West Coast on 29 September (MJL, SS), with another the following
day (SDS). In October a single was seen off the West Coast on 2nd (EJB, SDS), and then four were seen
the following day (SDS, EJB et al.).

S K U A S P . Stercorarius sp. Sgiwen sp.

Two skuas were seen too distantly to be positively identified on 10 October.

C O M M O N G U I L L E M O T Uria aalge Gwylog

¨ Amber listed Abundant breeding summer visitor, common on passage in autumn

From late March to early July birds were recorded frequently as numbers rose to a summertime peak of
1432. This is an artificially low figure as this is presumed to be only a proportion of the birds ashore logged
on any given date.

There were no movements of note in the latter half of the year; 153 on 1 October was the peak count of
passage birds.

J F MAM J J A S ON D
0 0
Max. 0 0 100 223 1173 1432 673 1 51 153 0 0
Birdc-doaunyst 0 0
0 221 586 1547 2471 825 1 124 286 0
Days seen
0 8 13 7 14 9 1 9 13 0

R A Z O R B I L L Alca torda Llurs

¨ Amber listed Common to abundant breeding summer visitor, very abundant on passage in autumn

The first birds were noted back in the colonies when staff returned to the island. There were no
movements of note in spring. As numbers rose during the summer, counts in the East Side colonies
reached approximately 1220 in June, but the gales in early spring had washed out many of the eggs
and very few, if any, were known to re-lay. July’s peak was 491.

August saw only four records of one or two birds. There were five records in early September, then 87 on
15th was the first movement of autumn. There were near-daily records in the latter half of September,
four of which were four-figure counts: 1956 on 16th, with 846 the next day, 2869 on 23rd, and 1268 and
1709 on the final two days of the month. Of the 25 records in October, nine counts were between 100

65: 54-133 87

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and 808; there were an additional five counts in four figures: 3443, the year’s peak on 1st, 2242 on 3rd,
1324 on 5th, 2217 on 20th and 2000 on 25th.

10000 4000
8000Bird-day totals
6000 Max. daily count per month3000
4000
2000 2000
0
1000

J 0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J FM A M J JAS O N D
0 0 0
Max. count 0 0 150 441 478 1220 491 2 2869 3443 0 0
Bird-days 0 0 0
0 431 1017 862 3950 563 5 9405 15446
Days seen
0 10 19 8 15 10 4 19 25

A U K S P . Uria aalge/Alca torda Gwylog/Llurs

Auks seen either too briefly or too distantly to be specifically identified were logged on many dates,
usually during large movements of Razorbills; most were therefore probably Razorbills.

Max. count J FMAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 113 600 0 0 0 2 600 120 0 0
0 0 195 676 0 0 0 2 699 151 0 0
Days seen 0 03 4 0 0 013300

B L A C K G U I L L E M O T Cepphus grylle Gwylog Ddu

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 93 previous records

One was seen off the South End on 31 August, with another or the same there on 3 September (SDC).
Two birds flew south along the West Coast on 16th (SDS), and another was off the North End on 29th
(SDS).

P U F F I N Fratercula arctica Pâl

¨ Red listed Uncommon breeder, uncommon on passage in spring and autumn

The first returning birds were noted offshore in mid- to late March, with up to 16 on 30th. April produced
11 records, usually up to 17 birds; however 74 were counted on 9th. In May numbers around the north-
eastern corner of the island were regular, with a peak of 41 on 13th.

Puffin © Steven Stansfield REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
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SYSTEMATIC LIST

June saw more along the East Side as the colony continued to swell, with 14 records and a peak of 247
on 15th. Birds were seen on eight dates in July; most were in small numbers, though there were 309 on
19th and 400 on 27th. Numbers fell rapidly once the young had fledged and there were then just five
records in August. September saw a single on 3rd with the final record of the year being seven off the
South End on 20th.

500 500
400Bird-day totals
300 Max. daily count per month400
200
100 300

0 200
J
100

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 16 74 41 247 404 4 7 0 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 32 132 78 472 801 8 8 0 0 0
Days seen 0 0 3 11 9 14 8 5 2 0 0 0

R E D - T H R O A T E D D I V E R Gavia stellata Trochydd Gyddfgoch

Uncommon but regular offshore in spring and late autumn/winter
A single off the South End on 20 March was the first of the year. This was followed by two off the West
Coast on 24th and 25th with a single on 26th. April saw singles on 5th and 10th. In September there were
singles on 19th, 24th and 29th. October saw two on 1st, with singles on 8th, 16th and 21st.

B L A C K - T H R O A T E D D I V E R Gavia arctica Trochydd Gyddfddu

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 67 previous records, last in 2018

A single in summer plumage was seen heading south along the West Coast on 29 September. In

October there were singles off the North End on 1st, 5th and 21st.

G R E A T N O R T H E R N D I V E R Gavia immer Trochydd Mawr

¨ Amber listed Scarce, but becoming more common, annual since 2006

The first of the year was a single off the west side of the island on 24 September. October saw singles on
1st, 8th, 12th and 29th with two on 26th.

D I V E R S P . Gavia sp. Trochydd sp.

Divers seen too distantly to specifically identify were seen on 11, 23 and 30 October.

S T O R M P E T R E L Hydrobates pelagicus Pedryn Drycin

¨ Amber listed Uncommon breeder, fairly commonly attracted to lures, but scarcely seen otherwise

The first of the year was the returning bird to the artificial next box at Bae Felen in mid-June. In July 31
were trapped and ringed on 3rd, and three on 31st. August saw a single trapped on 2nd, nine on 4th
and another single on 24th. A juvenile was seen in the nest box on 10th and one passed the North End
on 16th. One was trapped on 3 September and was the only record in the month. October saw a
single off the South End on 1st.

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F U L M A R Fulmarus glacialis Aderyn-drycin y Graig

¨ Amber listed Uncommon breeder, common to abundant on passage in autumn

March saw the first records of the year, with up to 11 birds seen on seven dates. April saw almost daily
counts with three double-figure counts including the month’s peak of 24 on both 11th and 21st. May
produced 22 records, with all but four in single figures; 20 seen on both 13th and 17th was the peak
count. June saw birds recorded on 17 dates, with five double-figure counts up to 27 on 12th. July saw 15
records, with 15 on 15th the peak count.

Autumn passage began in early August, with daily records in the month and peaks of 46 on 13th and 65
on 16th. With the exception of 34 on 29 September, the remaining 16 counts were all of 14 or fewer. There
was just one single record in October when three were seen on 1st.

100 70
80Bird-day totals
60 Max. daily count per month60
40
20 50
0
J 40

30

20

10

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 11 24 20 27 15 65 34 3 0 0
0 0 26 132 129 122 67 365 116 3 0 0
Days seen 0 0 7 23 22 17 15 31 17 1 0 0

S O O T Y S H E A R W A T E R Puffinus griseus Aderyn-drycin Du

Scarce to uncommon migrant in autumn
The first record of the year was one heading south on 22 August (SDS et al.). One flew past the South End
on 17 September (SDS). The worst showing for many years.

M A N X S H E A R W A T E R Puffinus puffinus Aderyn-drycin Manaw

¨ Amber listed Very abundant breeding summer visitor and on passage in summer and autumn

The first birds ashore were on 20 March over Cristin. Thereafter there were regular counts of up to 18 to
the month’s end. Birds were recorded through the spring and summer with peak counts offshore of 2500
in April. May saw no notable counts, with 289 the peak. Numbers in June reached 5000 on 21st, with
July’s peak of 2159 on 29th.

August saw larger numbers recorded, with four counts in four figures up to 5512 and a peak of 10,000 on
7th. September saw 16 records with a peak of only 60 on 3rd. October saw records on 12 dates, with 71
on 1st the peak and the last record of the year on 26th.

Birds were heard after dark throughout the year, but there is no easy way of counting or recording them.

J FM A M J J A S O ND

Max. count 0 0 18 2500 289 5000 2159 10,000 60 71 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 63 2758 609 7192 5302 29,669 258 144 0 0

Days seen 0 0 7 12 12 10 13 23 16 12 0 0

90 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

B A L E A R I C S H E A R W A T E R Puffinus mauretanicus Aderyn-drycin Môr y Canoldir

¨ Red listed Scarce to uncommon passage migrant in autumn - however, Globally Endangered

A single flew along the west side of the island on 16 September (SDS), with another on 29th. Four were
seen daily from 1st to 3rd October with a single on 4th. Another poor showing.

G A N N E T Morus bassanus Hugan

¨ Amber listed Common on passage in spring and autumn

March saw 12 records of up to 16. There were 26 records in April of 39 or fewer. There were 25 records in
May, with counts of up to 25. June saw counts on 27 dates, all of 50 or fewer. There were 27 records in
July with 60 on 30th the peak count.

August saw daily records, two of which were in three figures: 121 on 13th and 190 on 16th. There were
daily records in September: most were double-figure counts, with seven three-figure counts up to 362
and a peak of 1453 on 29th. October saw 28 records: seven were three-figure counts up to 680, with
peaks of 1132 on 1st and 1210 on 5th.

Gannet © Steven Stansfield

3500 2000
3000Bird-day totals
2500 Max. daily count per month1500
2000
1500 1000
1000
500
500
0 0

J F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

JF M A M J J A S O N D
0
Max. count 0 0 16 39 25 50 60 190 1453 1210 0 0
0
Bird-days 0 0 64 262 235 566 240 1083 3370 5029 0

Days seen 0 0 12 26 26 27 27 31 30 28 0

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15000Annual bird-day totals 2500
10000 1953 2000
1958 1500
5000 1963 1000
0 1968 500
1973 0
1978
1983
1988
1993
1998
2003
2008
2013
2018

Year's daily maxima

Bird-day totals Yearly maxima

S H A G Phalacrocorax aristotelis Mulfran Werdd

¨ Red listed Uncommon breeding resident

As with Cormorant there were no notable movements recorded during the year, though numbers did
increase as breeding birds returned to the island for the summer. Numbers peaked in August when the
breeding birds and their young were present on the East Side, with up to 176 on 10th. There were no
notable movements in autumn and numbers fell towards the year’s end.

Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 22 76 44 65 162 176 87 54 0 0
0 0 152 371 255 414 690 1239 964 523 0 0
Days seen 0 0 15 30 30 28 30 31 30 28 0 0

C O R M O R A N T Phalacrocorax carbo Mulfran

Fairly common on passage, one pair nested in 2004
No significant movements were noted in spring, with up to 18 seen daily on Carreg yr Honwy.

J F MAMJ J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 0 11 9 10 10 13 16 18 6 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 62 99 81 107 124 115 115 64 0 0
Days seen
0 15 29 28 30 30 26 27 23 0 0

G R E Y H E R O N Ardea cinerea Crëyr Glas

Fairly common, regular passage migrant in small numbers
There four singles in mid-March, with two on 19th. April saw 17 singles, with May producing singletons on
eight dates. In June there were 27 records, all were singles except three on 26th and two on 27th.

Grey Heron © Steven Stansfield REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
92