Bardsey Beacon 161 - August 18

Bardsey Beacon

Golau Enlli

Issue 160 - Summer 2018 The newsletter of the Bardsey Bird
and Field Observatory

Sef cylchlythyr i aelodau
Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli

Photo: Bob Normand

2018 Summary so far...

Steve Stansfield

Visitor numbers to the Lodge are slightly low this year, we island, but the first for Wales.
are still 16 visitor weeks lower than the average since 1994 A smart male Subalpine Warbler of the eastern form
so far. This is quite odd as last year saw our second-best S.c.albistriata was discovered in the Observatory garden on
year ever, with just over 201 visitor weeks. We are hoping to 22 May.
get a few more visitors in late autumn, but early spring was 25 May produced a cracking day, with a stunning male
the time when we really struggled for numbers, spring bank Bluethroat being the smartest bird of the day. However, the
holiday week saw just two people staying in the Lodge! If rarest was a male Blyth’s Reed Warbler which was trapped
you have not booked yet there is still time for the last part of on the South End in the morning. A Quail was also seen.
the season, so contact our Bookings Administrator NOW!! The 27th saw a female Red-breasted Flycatcher discovered
Call Alicia on 01626 773908 or email [email protected] at Ty Nesaf, a Pomarine Skua was seen in the evening and
the Blyth’s Reed Warbler sang again from Cristin Garden.
July 2018: Birds and other wildlife The 29th saw the second Eastern Subalpine Warbler of
spring, this time a female trapped and ringed at Ty Nesaf.
2018 was a slow starter for bird migration with a Hawfinch
and few Pied Flycatchers the only highlights. This coupled
with low numbers of common migrants left us feeling like we
were to get a repeat of spring 2017 – ie a washout!
However from mid-May, things began to look up and some
nice scarce birds were recorded. A Red-backed Shrike on
12 May was the starter of the good run, a Black Kite on 13th
was only the island’s fourth record, with a stunning male Hen
Harrier in the evening to finish off the day. 14 May saw two
continental Coal Tits, which were not only the first for the

2017 Bardsey’s Wildlife

With this edition of the Bardsey Beacon, you will receive a copy of the latest
Bardsey’s Wildlife. This contains some fantastic reports and is a beast of an edition.
It has a paper on Shearwater tracking by Ben and myself, the Storm Petrel Census
which took place last year, along with a paper on Shearwater productivity and
growth rates.
There is a paper on dung beatles and one on seals. There are then the usual reports
from the Chair, Secretary and myself as well as the birds, moth, butterfly and non-
avian reports, and the ringing reports etc.
I hope you enjoy reading it, it was a huge task putting it all together!

The Bardsey Beacon is the newsletter of the Friends of Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory.
All pictures by Steve Stansfield unless otherwise stated
Registered Charity No. 249790.

The Observatory is a member of the Bird Observatories Council.

Black Kite Male Hen Harrier
Pic: EP Pic: EP

Blyth’s Reed Warbler Male Subalpine Warbler
Pic: SS Pic: EP

The 30th saw the first of three Greenish Warblers arrive, with Male Bluethroat
a second bird being trapped on Friday 1 June (along with Pic: EP
a Marsh Warbler). Saturday 2 June saw the third Greenish
Warbler of the week in the Observatory garden, and another
female Red-backed Shrike near Ty Pellaf. A male Broad-
bodied Chaser dragonfly was discovered on the south end
on 3rd, this was a new species for the island, and the start of
an invasion that has produced double figures of records now
this year on the island!
Wednesday 6th saw yet another Blyth’s Reed Warbler
(the second of the year and the fifth for Bardsey and only
the seventh ever for Wales! – image above). The 9th June
produced the first Minke Whale of the year, with a Wood
Warbler on 13th.
As spring moved into what is turning out to be a scorch-
ing dry summer most migrant bird activity had ended, and
attention turned to breeding birds (see separate report), but
insects were abundant, with lots of ordonata (dragonflies),
including the second record of Banded Demoiselle for the
island.

Pics SS: Steve Stansfield EP: Ephraim Perfect bbfo.org.uk
Page 2

Banded Demoiselle Female Subalpine Warbler

Members’ Weekend Greenish Warbler
Pic: EP
This year we changed slightly the way the Annual General
Meeting worked and held it as a Members’ Weekend. The Broad-bodied Chaser
idea was to have more of an informal gathering of friends of Pic:SS
Bardsey in a social atmosphere, rather than just the meet-
ing, and also a talk! had the pleasure of working alongside, some of the farmers,
On Friday 29 June 20 members of the Advisory Committee, and much more.
Trustees, Friends and Staff got together for an evening meal After the talks, it was time for Cream Tea! Lots of lovely
at the Ship Inn in Porthmadog. Several of us stayed in the
Travelodge, some in nearby hotels and B&Bs. We all met up
about 6.30pm. I had taken orders for the meals and emailed
them to the hotel a few days before, so as they were pre-
pared for the arrival of the Bardsey crowd. We had a great
evening meeting up with folk we had not seen for several
months, and even years in some cases!
The following morning Emma and I joined the Trustees
for a meeting about a five-year strategic plan before the
AGM began. Dianne has written below about the AGM, and
subsequent ‘workshop’. Following the official part of the day,
we had a wonderful lunch which was put together by Annie
West and Alicia along with lots of other helpers.
Following Lunch Mark Simmonds gave us a great talk
about sea mammal monitoring on Bardsey over the past
20 years. This highlighted the work that has been going on
with Friends of Cardigan Bay, WDC and other groups, who
have been looking at dolphins and seals that use the wa-
ters around the island. Mark mentioned results from various
studies about dolphins from the likes of Marijke de Boer, and
the photo-identification of Grey Seals from the late Mandy
McMath, and more recently Becky Robotham.
Following Mark’s presentation, it was my turn on stage, I did
a presentation about 20 years of evolution of the Bardsey
Bird Observatory. I had slides showing how the Obs was
when I arrived in 1998, through to the 60th party in 2003,
and the record breaking 2000th Manx Shearwater ringed
that year. There were images of hides being re-constructed,
old friends and faces, the evolution of the kitchen and dining
room – do you remember the trestle tables and the old cook-
ers??!!
Looking through my images to put the presentation together
was great and brought back some memories – both good
and bad! I showed images of all the assistants that I have

bbfo.org.uk Page 3

At the AGM Dragonfly hunters

scones, jam and clotted cream (mmmmm) which was put Llanfrothen, where 18 of us this time (a different mix from
together again by Alicia and Annie along with their band the previous evening!) gathered for an evening meal. Lots
of helpers! It was soon 5.30 and we were being moved on of chatting about past times on the island and about absent
from Canolfan Prenteg…. We said goodbye to some of the friends went on.
people who had arrived just for the daytime events, whilst a It was another great evening and brought the very enjoyable
group of us went down to the nearby Osprey centre at Pont Members’ Weekend to a close.
Croesor, and others went for a walk along the River Glaslyn After the success of this year’s weekend, we will be organis-
looking at dragonflies, where we saw Golden-ringed Dragon- ing something similar for summer 2019, if you wish to join us
fly and Beautiful Demoiselle. it would be wonderful to see you. Keep a lookout in the next
At about 6.45pm we all gathered at the Brondanw Arms in Beacon for dates etc.

Thanks to Peter Howlett

Page 4 Peter Howlett receiving his farewell gift from BBFO, a Leach’s Petrel
painted in Oil by Emma, in recognition of his time as a member
of council for over 20 years and Chairman for the past three years. The
painting was presented by Alicia Normand - Bookings Administrator and
Trustee.

bbfo.org.uk

A hall full of Friends of the BBFO!

Dianne Charles ous donation of his time and experience makes so many
Chair of the Obs jobs around the Obs much easier, and to Ben Porter, for his
contribution to fieldwork over many years.
At our AGM recently in Prenteg it was good too see the hall The meeting was over at 11:30 and, after a short coffee
full of Friends of BBFO. As explained in the previous article, break, we moved on to a workshop with the Advisory Coun-
Steve had organised a Members’ Weekend, so there was
plenty of opportunity for socialising and sharing memories. The hall filling up for the meeting
We tried a different format for the meetings this year, which Pic: Joe Brownlie
seemed to be very successful. The AGM itself began at
11:00 and began with an introduction from our President, cil. More details on the outcome of that meeting will come in
David Hawkins. As part of my report to the meeting (the full the next edition of the Beacon, so watch this space!
text of which will soon be available on the Charities Com- I am looking forward to another productive year as Chair
mission website) I was able to welcome Mike Archer, one of of the Obs, but more particularly to my imminent trip to the
our two recently appointed Vice-Presidents. The other, Geoff island, when the weather promises to be good!
Gibbs, was not able to attend the meeting. It was also a
pleasure to be able to welcome Rod Gritten, Chair of Bard-
sey Island Trust Limited. I am hopeful that the relationship
between our two organisations will continue to develop for
our mutual benefit.
The accounts for 2017 showed a healthy surplus, largely
due to excellent visitor numbers, but also thanks to all who
donate time, cash, goods and expertise and especially to
Steve and Emma and all the staff who consistently work
to keep costs down and dream up new ways of generating
income.
All our officers were re-elected en bloc and will serve for a
further year.
Thanks were expressed to Stephen Craig, who examines
the accounts without a fee, to Steve Hinde, whose gener-

Solar funds needed

In the current eo-climate and changing world of global warm- These donations have made possible the first phase,
ing (and yes it is nice to have an indian summer occasion- which is to power all the fridges and the staff offices.
ally) we have been, for some time now, looking at ways we I am now in the process of ordering parts for this initial
can become greener on the island. phase, but we would like to be able to power Cristin as a
Although we have already adapted to using batteries and whole and we are in need of funds, so we are asking if any-
chargers for daytime electricity, BBFO is the only establish- one would like to contribute to the project which is going to
ment on Bardsey that still regularly uses the generator as its cost several thousands of pounds to complete.
main power source; BITL and Ty Pellaf, Dynogoch and the
Lighthouse all now use Solar for the most part. BITL have If you would like to help, please call Steve on 07855
for some years now been using solar to power fridges rather 264151 or email [email protected]
than burning bottled gas.
We are therefore looking to ultimately run the entire Obs
completely on solar power.
Last year we had a very generous offer from two of our
members to pay for a solar set-up for Cristin and for new
electric powered fridges, thus alleviating the need to burn
gas to run them, which will be better for the environment.
As well as this, a couple of years ago Ann Cleeves, the
award winning author of ‘Vera’ and ‘Shetland’ also gave us
£1,000 to put towards a solar setup, and Alicia Normand
having won the auction for the ‘name a character’ in the final
Shetland novel also said we could use her donation to put
towards a solar set up.

bbfo.org.uk Page 5

Volunteering at the Obs

Nils Bussink

I have just spent the best week that I have ever had on out with cutting the grass, weeding, collecting rubbish and
Bardsey. The experience has been really cool. When I ar- hoovering.
rived on the island I got a really warm welcome, with a great On the last evening Billy organised a group log, with Ben
message of welcome on the fridge for me. and Mark as well as Ephraim and we listed all the birds we
The next morning I was up early and I was really pleased had seen in the last few days. It was interesting to do this
because I saw my first pod of Risso’s dolphins, so I was re- with such an experienced group of birders.
ally happy with that. That night a lot of the islanders and me It was disappointing to hear there was a heat wave on the
went to Connor’s birthday party,we had a pizza competition. mainland when we were mostly in the fog but I still had a
Mine didn’t win , but then I only like pizza margarita so that really great time. I am hoping that when I come back for a
wasn’t a surprise. summer holiday this August I can volunteer again for the
The next couple of days I had my best bird count in a while, Obs. Thanks everyone.
In particular I saw a lot of Purple Sandpipers. I spent some
time with Ben Porter ringing birds. Its always really special to
join in bird ringing because I love seeing the birds close up.
On Wednesday I went on the guided walk where I helped
out Billy, one of the Obs assistant wardens. The guided
walks are run by the Obs was for anyone staying on the
Island. We saw two Bar-tailed Godwits. They were my first
two Godwits. I also saw my third Ring Ouzel that day which
was great.
I was really happy to get a chance to see a Little Owl close
up when out for a walk. It wasn’t me that spotted it first. It
was in a gorse bush only a few meters from me and I was
able to take a photo.
They do a moth trap at the Obs every morning. Most of the
time I was there there wasn’t much interesting. But on the
last day we caught a Red Sword Grass, that was my first
one.
After we first saw moth traps on Bardsey many years ago we
got our own moth trap at home. But I like doing moth traps
at the Obs on Bardsey because we often get different spe-
cies from at home and the staff there are good at identifying
them.
On Thursday I helped out on the night walk with Steve and
Connor to see Manx Shearwaters. Steve gave a talk first
and then we went out in the dark above the Obs. I helped
Connor find the birds to show them to the people. After this
experience I took my mum and her boyfriend out in the dark
on the next night to see what we could see. The stars were
amazing and we saw some Shearwaters flying down by the
Narrows.
It wasn’t all birding though, I had to do jobs too. I helped

Page 6 bbfo.org.uk

Birding at Pukorokoro Miranda, New Zealand

Dai Stacey Godwits and Knot

Since retiring three years ago, I have followed the sun to has written a definitive work on The Bar Tailed Godwit,
spend two months volunteering as a guide at the Pukorokoro having followed it on its extraordinary migration from its
Miranda Shorebird Trust Centre on the North Island of New (wintering) summer in New Zealand to its breeding grounds
Zealand. Arriving in December and leaving towards the in Northern Alaska. The birds depart in March initially to fly
end of February is prime time at the top wader site in New up to the China Sea and after feeding up for a month on to
Zealand. Alaska.
The waders are attracted to the 8,500 hectares of mud With the help of Adrien Reigen and his team of banders
exposed each day and most of the birds are pushed up onto (ringers) it was discovered with the help of radio tracking,
a high tide roost of about 50 hectares with hides strategically that the Godwits fly back non-stop from Alaska to New Zea-
placed to allow viewing. In addition to the intertidal mud this land after breeding - a distance of over 12,000 kilometres.
internationally important site is one of a very few examples The first bird that was recorded making this trip had the flag
of Chenier plain made up of ridges of shells. Scrapes and E7 and has been lauded by appearing on postage stamps!
lagoons, mangrove swamps and wet grazing marshes are all The Pukorokoro Miranda team have undertaken a number
important features of research trips following the East Asian flyway, ringing and
The important bird species include up to 10,000 Bar Tailed flagging birds on Chinese and Korean wetlands.
Godwits, 3-4,000 Red Knot, and similar numbers of South They have worked extensively with the Chinese and North
Island Pied Oystercatchers. Korean governments and have contributed to helping to
Of note is the endemic Wrybill which is the only wader protect these sites The Chinese government announced an
whose bill turns to the right. This species, which breeds on end to reclaiming mudflats last year. During my stays I have
the gravels of mountain braided rivers on the South Island, helped show visiting government delegations around.
comes north to feed up on the mudflats after breeding. Up to The spectacle of thousands of waders roosting and wheeling
3,000 of the estimated 5,000 total population end up at PM around when they take flight attracts many visitors from all
by February. over the world and its proximity to Auckland ( about 60 miles
In addition to the more numerous species there are also a away) means that very often visitors arrive on the first or last
resident population of up to 700 Pied Stilts and up to 150 days of their trips.
Pacific Golden Plover. Several commercial small group tours call in each week and
The endemic New Zealand Dotterel is joined by Banded Dot- I have met a number of visitors who have been to BBFO.
terel, Red Necked Stints, Variable Oystercatchers, and the If you are fortunate enough to visit New Zealand, don’t miss
Far Eastern Curlew which has the longest bill of any of the the opportunity to visit.
curlews. The visitor centre has interesting displays, a well stocked
On the shell bank there is a small colony of White Fronted shop and comfortable lounge, kitchen and modestly priced
Terns. A few Caspian Terns, Royal Spoonbills and up to accommodation.
three species of Shag also roost on the shell bank. And if you visit in late December, January or February I may
These regulars are joined by some vagrants despite the well meet you there.
fact that even Australia is 1,200 miles away. Little Whimbrel,
Greater Shore Plover, and Grey Plover showed up on my
last trip.
The Pukorokoro Miranda Centre manager, Keith Woodley

Wrybill

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Bookings for 2019 - secure your favourite week!

Alicia Observatory and back again – no mean feat!
Bookings Administrator We still have a few rooms vacant for later this season,
so how about coming for a week when migration is in full
Now is the time to secure your favourite week or room in the swing?
Observatory for 2019. Already people are sending in re- I shall look forward to receiving your requests.
quests for bookings so please don’t leave it too late and risk
being disappointed.
As you probably all know, the rates for the following year are
set around the time of the AGM and below are the costs per
person per week for 2019:

Accommodation

Adult £190

18 – 25 £174

4 - 17 £120

Whole Obs max 12 people £2020

Single supplement for double room £70

Single supplement for quad £90

Boat £40

As you can see Colin has very generously kept the boat
fare the same for next year. Don’t forget this cost covers not
just the sea crossing but also the transportation of all your
luggage, both ends of your journey, from Cwrt Farm to the

Contact Information: www.bbfo.org.uk • Membership Officer Jill Lawrence
• Chair Dianne Charles 14 Jack Haye Lane, Light Oaks, Stoke on Trent, ST2 7NG.
2 Regent Close, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7PL.
[email protected] 01782 253502
[email protected] 01212 490490

• Hon. Secretary Andrew Lawrence • Newsletter Manager Alison Hill
14 Jack Haye Lane, Light Oaks, Stoke on Trent, ST2 7NG. 57 Exeter Road, London E17 7QZ,
[email protected] 01782 253502. [email protected] 07963 522637
020 8520 8985
• Director of Finance Dianne Charles
2 Regent Close, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7PL. • Warden Steve Stansfield
[email protected] 01212 490490 BBFO, Cristin, Bardsey Island, Aberdaron Gwynedd, LL53
8DE. [email protected] 07855 264151
• Bookings Administrator Alicia Normand
46 Maudlin Drive, Teignmouth, Devon, TQ14 8SB. • Boatman Colin Evans 07971 769895
[email protected] 01626 773908

bbfo.org.uk