Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory report 2012

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Dryw

Common breeding resident, uncommon migrant

Up to 49 birds were present on the island during the winter. Numbers increased in March and

April as males became more vocal in their territorial battles. Although 71 was the maximum

daily count, a minimum of 121 singing males was noted during the breeding bird census. This,

coupled with non-singing females, suggests that as many as 242 adult birds could have been

present on the island. When we consider that each pair could fledge three or four young we

could be looking at a total of 726 Wrens on the island by late summer, assuming that there

was no mortality. The fact that counts rarely reached 50 suggests that mortality of fledglings is

very high.

Wren © 2012 Steve Stansfield

A very pale looking bird was trapped and ringed at Cristin on 20 September; this bird did not
look like the usual darker resident birds on the island. This, plus its ability to continuously find
the mist-nets in the garden, suggested that it was not of local provenance. There were no
counts in autumn that suggested any major immigration took place.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 49 56 71 47 65 49 42 42 56 59 28 13
Days recorded 536 632 1005 818 1036 866 657 631 863 1113 316 123
31 27 31 30 31 30 30 31 30 31 29 21

Dunnock Prunella modularis Llwyd y Gwrych

Uncommon breeding resident, uncommon migrant

Up to 32 birds were seen in January, with 49 in February. In March 48 were counted on 11th.

April saw counts of up to 34 on 20th, including 21 males. There were no obvious signs of

immigration during spring or summer.

The first sign of arrivals in autumn was in mid-September, when numbers increased, and then
rose to 50 on 7 October. Thereafter there were regular counts of up to 42 to the month’s end.
Numbers fell in November, with 19 on 15th the peak count, just a peak of 16 on 21 December.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 32 49 48 34 28 29 20 20 29 50 19 16
Days recorded 477 523 720 572 556 448 319 272 378 716 333 183
31 26 31 30 31 30 30 31 30 31 29 21

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 95

Robin Erithacus rubecula Robin Goch

Scarce breeding resident, common passage migrant in autumn

Up to nine spent the winter on the island, with numbers reaching 16 in mid-February as a few

birds began to move. There were no real signs of migration during spring, but a single bird on

the South End on 23 March was considered to be a migrant.

The first notable arrivals in autumn were in September, when numbers reached 21 on 3rd.

There were then daily 180 50
counts of up to 20 to the 160 45
month’s end. October began

with 23 on 1st, with 140 40

numbers reaching 44 on 7th. Bird-day totals120 35
Passage was steady during Max. daily count per month10030
the month, and numbers 25
fluctuated with as few as 80 20
seven recorded on 16th; the 60 15
peak count came in the last

week of the month when 46 40 10
were seen on 26th. 20 5
Numbers fell thereafter, and

November’s peak was just 00
16 on 1st and by the end of Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
the month fewer than ten
were being recorded, with Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

seven being the best count

in December.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 9 16 14 16 18 17 12 17 21 46 16 7
Days recorded 162 215 251 219 306 259 204 222 418 768 219 62
31 27 31 29 30 30 30 31 30 31 29 21

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Tingoch Du

Uncommon passage migrant

March saw the first records of the year, with a male at Treath Fynnon on 9th. Two were seen

on 13th, with three on 14th and just one on 15th and 16th. There were two birds on 17th and

singles again on 24th and 28th. In April there were singles on 4th and 8th, with May producing

birds on 11th and 20th.

One was seen on 26 September, with two on 23 October; a poor showing.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Tingoch

Formerly uncommon passage migrant, now becoming scarce

The first record of the year was a single on 21 April. There were then two birds on 25th and

26th, with four present on 27th. Two were seen on 28th and 30th, with a single on 29th. May

began with seven on 1st and then ten on 7th. Just two remained on 3rd, with a single on 4th

and 5th, with further singles on 8th, 9th and 26th.

The first autumnal bird was a single at Cristin on 14 July. There were none in August or
September, and four singles were recorded in October, on 8th, 9th (attracted to the
Lighthouse), 19th and 23rd.

96 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Crec yr Eithin

Uncommon passage migrant

The first record of the year was a male at the northern end of the island on 29 April. Another

was in the wetlands on 29th and 30th. May began with three on 1st, four on 2nd and five on

3rd. There were then singles on five dates, with two on 29th.

In autumn one was seen at Tŷ Nesaf on 6 August, with another in the Carreg/Plas area on 25th
and 26th. None was seen in September, but a single bird was seen on 6 and 7 October.

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus Clochdar y Cerrig

Uncommon breeder and migrant

Up to six birds spent the winter on the island. In March a sudden arrival took place on 12th

when numbers reached 13 as the island’s breeding birds returned. Numbers during the

summer were in the upper teens and low 20s as the breeding birds produced young. Even

though the maximum daily count during the summer was 22, a minimum of 58 birds was

present on the island, though not all simultaneously recorded.

There was no real passage noted in autumn and just six to nine birds were seen from mid-
November onwards as most of the island’s population had moved away for the winter.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 5 6 13 18 22 16 17 17 15 16 9 6
Days recorded 53 52 194 230 449 266 275 279 276 295 105 25
20 17 28 30 31 30 31 31 30 31 26 10

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Tinwen y Garn

Common passage migrant, scarce breeder, population recovering after severe decline

The first record of the year 1600 500
was a male at the 1400 450
Schoolhouse on 12 March. 1200 400
From 14th there were Bird-day totals 350
almost daily records of up to Max. daily count per month

13 birds to the month’s end. 1000 300

In April numbers rose slowly, 800 250
but the passage of nominate 600 200
race birds O. o .oenanthe 400 150
peaked at just 57 on 21st. 200 100
On 26th an arrival of 50
Greenland birds of the race

O. o. leucorrhoa took place, 00
with 148 birds counted. The Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

following day 160 were Five day periods
present, with 403 on 28th.
Bird-days ―o— Max count

Overnight most of the birds

moved on and only 80 were present the following day. Another arrival on 30th totalled 255.

The sustained large passage continued through the first week of May, with 279 on 1st and 454

on 2nd, 251 on 3rd, 231 on 4th, 199 on 5th and 200 on 6th. Thereafter numbers fell, but

fluctuated from as few as eight to 106 on 19th. This was the heaviest sustained passage of

Wheatears that Bardsey has ever witnessed and included the second and third highest-ever

counts (561 on 20 March 1998 is the only previous count over 400, and 350 on 1 May 1978

was the only previous other count over 215. There had been 12 previous counts of 200-215).

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 97

June and July saw just the island’s few breeding birds present. In August a small movement
was noted on 5th, when 37 were counted and then mid-month when numbers reached 26.
Numbers in September were never high, with 15 on 5th and 27th the peak counts. One to six
birds were seen on most dates in the first half of October, with 12 on 6th the peak count and
a late single on 24th the final record of the year.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 0 13 403 454 21 18 37 15 12 0 0
Days recorded 0 0 113 1549 2709 303 323 351 196 40 0 0
0 0 17 30 31 30 31 31 30 13 0 0

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus Mwyalchen y Mynydd
Uncommon passage migrant
A fine male was seen at Plas 76
and Cristin on 23 March,
with another male on the Bird-day totals 65 Max. daily count per month
South End on 27th. In April a
female was on the South 5
End on 25th, with two 4
females and a male on the
Mountain on 26th; one of 4
the females lingered to 28th. 3
In May a male and female
were on Pen Cristin on 2nd, 3
with the female staying to 2
4th. A male on the Mountain
on 18th was the final record 2
of spring.
11

00
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

Ring Ouzel © 2012 Ben Porter

A juvenile bird at Nant on 19 September was an early arrival in autumn. More normal arrivals
occurred in mid-October, with a single on 13th followed by three the next day. There were
then four further singles, and two on 23rd and five on 25th.

98 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Blackbird Turdus merula Mwyalchen

Fairly common to common passage migrant, rare breeder

Up to 11 were seen in January, with 16 in February and 22 In March. April saw up to 23 birds

counted as youngsters began to become more mobile. May and June saw a peak of 17 birds,

with 18 in July and 16 in August.

The first arrivals of autumn were noted in October, when numbers jumped to 53 in the second

week of the month. Birds continued to arrive and passage peaked in the last week of the

month, with 101 counted on 24th and 113 on 26th. A sudden drop in numbers was noted in

the last few days of October and November began with as few as 12 noted on 4th. However,

an arrival overnight on 5th 350 180

saw a minimum of 171 birds 300 160
present on the island at 250 140
dawn. Numbers continued Bird-day totals 120
to fluctuate as waves of Max. daily count per month

birds replaced departing 200 100
ones. By 9th just 14

remained, but 46 were 150 80

present on 11th, just 18 on 100 60
13th and then 92 on 15th. 50 40
Thereafter numbers fell 20
again, with as few as seven

on 27th, but then 34 on 00
29th. December saw just Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

one arrival when up to 26 Five day periods

were counted on 11th. Bird-days ―o— Max count

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Socan Eira

Usually a common migrant, mainly in autumn, but has been scarce since 2006

A single bird was seen at Nant on 13 January, with another there on 18 February. March saw

nine records from 12th onwards, mostly of one to seven birds, but 11 were seen on both 13th

and 30th, and 28 were counted on 15th. There were six singles in April, with the last on 23rd.

Six high over Pen Cristin on 10 October were the first record of autumn. The only movement
of note was 264 on 26 October, with all other counts being fewer than 30. From 21 November
to the month’s end there were frequent records. There were just five records in December of
one or two birds.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Bronfraith
Common to abundant passage migrant,
occasionally winters, formerly bred (last in Song Thrush © 2012 Steve Stansfield
1961)
Up to six birds were present for most of
January and February. Additionally, in
February arrivals of 11 birds were noted on
2nd, with 37 on 12th and 18 the following
day. One or two birds were seen on 13
dates in March, with six on 14th and then 12
the next day. April began with three on 1st,
then two more singles in the month. One
was present on 3 May, with two on 4th and

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 99

another on 16th. There were no records in June, but two were seen on 3 July (one remaining
to 4th) and another on 26th.

A single bird on 28 August could have been the first of the autumn or just a local wanderer as

could one on 24 September. The first genuine autumnal arrivals were noted in the first week

in October, with numbers increasing to 23 by 11th. As with Blackbird, Song Thrushes came in

waves; none was seen on 12th and then eight on 14th and 24 on 15th, falling to none by 18th.

The next wave began on 200 90
19th and numbers

increased to 79 by 26th, 180 80

and fell to three by 31st and Bird-day totals 160 70 Max. daily count per month
zero by 2 November. The 140 60
next arrival peaked at 44 on 120 50
5 November, with none by 100 40
9th and then up to 38 by
15th. Just one bird still 80

lingered from this wave on 60 30
26th when numbers rose 40 20
again to 18 by 29th. There 20 10
were 23 records in

December, most were in 0 0

single figures, though 19 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

were counted on 10th and Five day periods
17 on 13th.
Bird-days ―o— Max count

Redwing Turdus iliacus Coch Dan-aden
Very abundant passage migrant, a few birds have wintered
One was seen on 6 and 8 Redwing © 2012 Ben Porter
January, with three on
28 February. There
were 11 records in
March, most were
single-figure counts,
though 12 were seen
on 16th and 30 on
30th. Two were seen
on 2 and 9 April, with
one on 10th the last
record of spring.

Six seen on 7 October
were the first records of
autumn. Thereafter several
waves of birds arrived on the island. The first wave peaked at 134 on 14th, with just two the
following day and none from 16th to 19th. The next arrival peaked at 258 on 23rd, falling to
41 on 25th, then 103 were counted on 26th. Numbers in early November were low, with ten
the peak count in the first two weeks of the month. On 15th 100 were counted, with 30 the
following day. Thereafter records were scarce and no more than 17 were seen. There were
four records in December from 10th to 15th, with 14 on 11th the peak.

100 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Brych y Coed

Uncommon passage migrant

A single bird was seen at Tŷ Pellaf on 10 and 13 January. Another bird was also seen there on

10 March, with a single at

Nant on 15th. Mistle Thrush © 2012 Steve Stansfield

There were 13 records in
October from 10th to the
month’s end. Most were
singles, though three were
seen on 22nd and 25th, with
four on 27th. In November
there were just six records
and, with the exception of
four on 5th, all were singles.
There was a single on 10
December.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Troellwr Bach

Common passage migrant, bred once in 1989

Two on 14 April were the 30 20
18
first records of the year. 16
14
There were then singles on 25 12

18th and 19th, with at least Max. daily count per month

18 on 20th and 11 on 21st. Bird-day totals 20

Six were seen on 22nd, with

diminishing numbers 15 10

thereafter to the month’s 8
end. May began with seven 10 6
on 1st and 12 on 2nd. There
were daily records of one or 54
two to 7th, two on 9th and 2
16th.
00
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

One trapped on the South Five day periods
End on 25 July was the first
Bird-days ―o— Max count

of autumn. Two were seen the next day and another on 27th. In August there were singles on

13th and 24th, with three on 21st. September saw four singles between 8th and 27th, with

one at Nant on 7 October the final record of the year.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 0 0 18 12 0 2 3 1 1 0 0
Days recorded 0 0 0 62 32 0 4 5 4 1 0 0
0 0 0 13 9 0 3 3 4 1 0 0

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Telor yr Hesg

Common to abundant passage migrant, occasionally breeds

The first record of the year was in Plas Withy on 14 April. There were then a further 12

records to the month’s end, with seven on the final day of the month the peak count. May

began with 15 on 1st, followed the next day by 47, then 21 on 3rd. There were daily records

then until the end of the month, though the heaviest passage was from 15th to 23rd when

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 101

between ten and 28 birds 120 50
were recorded daily. June saw
20 birds on 1st, and this was 45
the only double-figure count 100 40
in the month.
Bird-day totals 80 35 Max. daily count per month
Breeding birds were present 30
throughout the summer
months and probably masked 60 25
the start of any migration in
early August, but 12 birds on 20
21st included four on the 40 15
South End that were certainly
migrants. There were just 20 10
eight records in September to 5
13th, mostly one or two birds,
though five were seen on 8th. 00
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

Sedge Warbler © 2012 Ben Porter

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 0 0 7 47 20 8 12 5 0 0 0
Days recorded 0 0 0 31 429 94 137 100 14 0 0 0
0 0 0 13 31 26 31 26 8 0 0 0

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Telor y Cyrs

Scarce to uncommon passage migrant

Two birds on 7 May were followed by a single on 10th and then another two on 14th. One

was trapped on 1 June and three were seen on 6th.

In August one was seen on 12th, with three on 21st. One was seen on 23rd and 24th, with two
on 26th and singles again on 27th and 29th. One was in Tŷ Pellaf Withy on 1 and 2 September,
with one trapped on 7th. One was singing from Tŷ Pellaf Withy on 8th and moved to Cristin
Withy the following day. On 10th the singing male was still in the withies and another bird

102 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

was on the South End. In October one was in Cristin Withy on 9th, with another in Plas Withy
on 22nd.

Melodious/Icterine Warbler Hippolais sp Telor Aur/Pêr

A yellow Hippolais warbler, probably an Icterine Warbler, was seen in Cristin Withy on 26

May.

Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta Telor Pêr

Scarce to uncommon, 111 previous records

A fantastically yellow male was seen briefly at Cristin on 3 June (SDS et al.). It was later

trapped and ringed, and remained until 5th, occasionally visiting Plas Withy.

In autumn one was found at Tŷ Pellaf Withy on 6 August (RDB, GE et al.). Again this bird was
trapped, but was not seen after release. On 7 September one was discovered hanging in a
mist net in the Plantation extension (GE et al.). The bird was taken to Cristin to be ringed and
was released there. It remained in the area for 12 days and was often showy and very
confiding. It was last seen on 18th.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Telor Penddu

Common passage migrant, has bred three times in 2003, 2005 and again in 2012

A female at the South End on 350 180
3 March was an early arrival 300 160
and the start of an excellent

run of records. The main Bird-day totals250 140
spring passage began on 15 Max. daily count per month200120
March when four were 100
recorded. There were then a

further nine records to the 150 80

month’s end with daily 100 60
counts of up to 13 in the last 50 40
week. April saw daily counts, 20
including some of the largest

counts ever seen on the 0 0

island. Numbers fluctuated Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

in the first two weeks and Five day periods
reached 41 on 14th. On 20th
Bird-days ―o— Max count

a staggering 160 were seen

(even though just eight were seen the previous day!). 100 were counted on 21st, with just 29

on 22nd. Numbers then fluctuated again, with as few as seven on 29th, but 63 on 30th. May

began with 57 on 1st, then 145 on 2nd. There were a further two counts over 60 and daily

records of smaller numbers to the month’s end. Prior to this year there had only been eight

counts in excess of 50 and only one three-figure count - 300 on 2 May 2005. 2012 saw seven

counts of over 50 and was the best spring on record for this species.

Up to six birds were counted in June and this included youngsters from a breeding pair at
Nant

The breeding birds masked any early migration, but numbers rose in September, with up to 15
seen by the beginning of the second week. Numbers then fell to just one by 10th, but 12 were
counted by 19th, just two were present by 23rd, but 16 were seen on 25th and 29 on 26th.
None was present on 28th, but then numbers rose to ten by 11 October. Numbers again fell

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 103

and all birds had gone by 16th. Another mini-wave arrived from 17th, with up to four by 21st.
None was present on 22nd, but then 12 were counted by 26th. Just one remained on 27th,
then none were seen from 28th to 1 November. There were 18 records in November with up
to six birds having arrived by 11th, though just one or two were seen thereafter. One was
seen on 1 December.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 0 13 160 145 6 4 3 29 12 6 1
Days recorded 0 0 49 747 673 54 45 31 150 101 30 1
0 0 11 30 31 27 25 19 29 24 18 1

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Telor yr Ardd

Uncommon passage migrant, formerly fairly common passage migrant

Five on 3 May were the first of the year. There were then a further ten records during the

month of one to four birds, with the last on 27th.

The first record of the autumn was a single at Tŷ Capel on 10 August. One was in Nant Withy
on 25th. In September, there were singles on three dates, two on 26th and eight on 8th. Two
were seen on three dates in the first eight days of October, with a single on 11th and 12th.

Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria Telor Rhesog

Rare, 29 previous records

A juvenile was seen in Nant Withy/Tŷ Capel area on 29 September (MGC, SVH et al.). It or

another bird was then seen in The Chapel Withy on 5 and 6 October (SVH).

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Llwydfron Fach

Scarce to uncommon migrant

In May a single was seen on the South End on 1st. This was followed the next day by four,

with four (all different birds) on 3rd. One was at Cristin on 20th. An unseasonal bird was

recorded on 25 June in Cristin Withy.

In October a bird thought to belong to one of the eastern races, quite probably Siberian
Lesser Whitethroat S. c. blythii was found in Cristin Withy on 23rd. It was trapped in Plas
Withy later in the day and seen at Cristin on 24th. This is under consideration by WRP.

Lesser Whitethroat © 2012 Ben Porter

104 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Whitethroat Sylvia communis Llwydfron

Formerly abundant to very abundant, now a common migrant that breeds most years

The first of the year was a 160 40

single bird at Carreg Bach on 140 35
21 April, one of the latest

‘first arrivals’ for many 120 30
Bird-day totals
years. There was then a Max. daily count per month10025
single on 28th and three on

30th. There were daily 80 20

records in May, with 60 15
numbers peaking at 34 on

3rd and 30 on 19th. 40 10

Breeding birds provided 20 5
almost daily records during

the summer months, and 00
any small numbers of early Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
migrants would have been
lost amongst these birds. Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

The first sign of genuine passage in autumn was 26 birds recorded on 21 August. There were
then small numbers recorded from areas away from the breeding territories until mid-
September when 14 were seen on 8th. There were small numbers thereafter, with the final
record of the year on 26th.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 0 0 3 34 10 11 26 14 0 0 0
Days recorded 0 0 0 5 463 129 113 145 48 0 0 0
0 0 0 3 31 30 28 29 19 0 0 0

Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans Telor Brongoch

Rare, 28 previous records

A female was found on the track near the Lime Kiln on 14 May (SVH, MGC et al.). This is now

the sixth consecutive year that this Mediterranean vagrant has occurred on the island and the

12th individual in the last 12 years.

2011 The male of the eastern race S. c. albistriata seen at Tŷ Pellaf on 20 April (BJP et al.), has
now been accepted by BBRC, along with the singing male from 23 to 30 May 2010 (SDS, SVH).

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Telor y Coed

Scarce to uncommon passage migrant

One was seen briefly at Cristin on 7 May (BJP), with another seen in the same tree on 14

August (SDS, AN).

Radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi Telor Radde

Vagrant, four previous records

One was trapped and ringed at Nant on 14 October (JRJ, IHW et al.). This is only the fifth

record of this chunky Phylloscopus for the island, following singles on 29 October 1987, 18

October 1990 and two on 29 and 30 October 2006. There have now been eight records in

Wales, five of which have been on Bardsey. Skokholm and Skomer have one each and one was

seen on the Great Orme.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 105

Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Telor Gwyrdd

Vagrant, eight previous records

A singing male was discovered at Tŷ Pellaf on 8 June (BJP). The bird was very poorly marked

and almost lacked any wing-bar, but its song and in-hand measurements confirmed

identification. The bird moved from Tŷ Pellaf and relocated at Cristin where it was eventually

trapped and ringed. This bird has been accepted by WRP.

At the opposite end of the spectrum of markedness, a fantastically bright individual was found
singing at Plas Withy on 30 June (SVH et al.). The brightness and its bold marking led some
sharp-eyed internet observers to believe that this was actually a Green Warbler Phylloscopus
nitidus, of which there has been just a single British record on the Isles of Scilly in 1984.
However, after much discussion and debate it was decided, in consultation with various
experts around the world, that it was a very well-marked Greenish Warbler. This bird is still
under consideration by WRP.

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Telor Aelfelyn

Scarce, 120 previous records

Following last year’s poor showing, 12 birds this year was much better. Two were seen on 4

October, one at Nant (trapped) and another at Cristin. Another bird was trapped at Nant on

5th and was present to 7th. One was seen at Tŷ Pellaf Withy on 14th, with another bird

trapped at Nant on 20th. One was seen at Tŷ Capel on 21st, with five (three in the withies and

two at Cristin, two of which were trapped) on 23rd. Finally, another was at Carreg on 25th.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Siff-saff

Abundant passage migrant that often breeds

One in the Lighthouse garden 160Bird-day totals 120
on 26 February was possibly 140 Max. daily count per month100
a bird that had wintered in 120 80
the UK and was moving 100
about in a spell of good
weather.

80 60

The first genuine migrant of 60 40
the spring was a single on 11

March. By 15th numbers had 40

increased to 61, but they 20 20
then fell thereafter, and just

four were counted on 19th 00
and 20th. Numbers grew Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
again, with 56 seen on 23rd.
The constant fluctuation Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

continued, with waves of

birds arriving and departing as the month progressed. April saw the same pattern continue,

with new birds arriving and numbers decreasing, followed by another arrival. The peak count

was 55 on 2nd. May saw a peak of 38 in the first week, with numbers generally decreasing as

the month progressed. By June just breeding birds were present and up to half a dozen birds

were present on the island, until migrants began to appear in September. By 8 September 114

birds were present on the island, though numbers fell and never reached 40 during the rest of

the month. Passage was, however, sustained and many hundreds of birds were thought to

have passed through the island. Smaller numbers were present in October with no more than

106 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

15 seen on any given day. There were just 15 records in November of one or two birds, many
from eastern populations (see below). One bird was seen on six dates in December.

One bird trapped and ringed on 2 May was considered to be a bird of eastern origin, and
possibly of the race P. c. abietinus. Several birds in late October and almost all in November
and December were also thought to belong to this pale form.

One bird seen well and heard calling in Plas Withy from 29 to 31 October was thought to
belong to the Siberian race P. c. tristis. This is a race that requires a description for the WRP;
all of the previous Bardsey, and Welsh records are currently under review from that panel.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 1 61 55 38 16 6 5 114 15 2 1
Days recorded 0 1 405 383 385 117 82 58 492 213 21 6
0 1 21 30 31 29 26 27 30 31 15 6

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Telor yr Helyg

Very abundant passage migrant that occasionally breeds

Three on 23 March were the 800 600

first arrivals of the year. Bird-day totals 700 500 Max. daily count per month
There were then almost daily 600 400
records until the month’s 500
end with 13 on 28th the
peak count. Six were seen on

1 April followed by 120 on 400 300
2nd. Numbers then fell to

just three on 4th, but had 300 200
increased to 101 on 11th. 200 100
Another gradual drop in 100
numbers occurred until just

16 were left on 19th. 00
However, 183 were counted Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
on 20th, and then 221 on
21st. Just 41 were present Five day periods
the following day, and
Bird-days ―o— Max count

numbers remained around

the 50 to 60 mark until 82 Willow Warbler© 2012 Steve Stansfield

were seen on 28th, just 11 on

29th and then 183 on 30th.

May began with a sizeable

‘dump’ of Willow Warblers,

with 322 on 1st. On 2nd 213

were seen, with 90 on 3rd.

Numbers then fell rapidly and

by 14th none was present.

Small single-figure counts

were made almost daily from

16th to the end of the first

week in June, with just three

singles from 11 June to the month’s end.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 107

The first returning birds in the autumn were seen from 1 July, with up to three present in the
first half of the month. On 19th 18 were counted, but numbers fell over the next few days and
just a single bird remained on 23rd. On 25th 77 were counted, with 148 the following day.
Again numbers fell with just 13 remaining by the month’s end. Numbers in August fluctuated,
as ‘waves’ of birds arrived on the island. On 5th 65 birds were counted, with 167 the
following day, but just 11 on 7th. Another 140 were counted on 10th, with just 15 left by 13th
and then 195 on 14th. Another drop in numbers occurred with 32 left by 17th, but then
numbers increased peaking at 535 on 21st. These birds left overnight and just ten were
present the following day and numbers dwindled to just eight by 31st. There were almost
daily records in September of up to 11 birds, however, on 8th 120 were counted. There were
15 records in the first 23 days of October, with six on 7th and 11 the peak count.

During the year several birds that were seen that were believed to belong to the northern
race P. t. acredula, including two on 1 and 3 May.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 0 13 221 322 3 148 535 120 6 0 0
Days recorded 0 0 49 1589 813 22 436 1746 225 29 0 0
0 0 7 30 27 11 25 30 26 15 0 0

Goldcrest Regulus regulus Dryw Eurben

Very abundant passage migrant, bred in 1998 and 2007

Singles in the Plantation and 400 250

then at Tŷ Pellaf on 18 and Bird-day totals350 200
19 February were the first of Max. daily count per month300150
the year. Up to seven had 250
been counted by the end of
the month, with numbers

increasing to 62 by the end 200 100
of the second week in March. 150
On 15 March 200 birds were

counted (the highest count 100
since 2009), but just 43 were
50

seen the following day. 50

Thereafter, just 62 was the 00
peak count to the month’s Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
end. April began with 18 on
1st, this being the month’s Five day periods
peak count. In May up to
Bird-days ―o— Max count

seven were seen in the first week, but none at all in the second week. On 17th, three were

seen, with four the next day and a further six counts of one or two birds to the month’s end.

One was at Cristin on 2 and 7 June.

One at Cristin on 11 August was the forerunner of autumn migration. Two were seen on 21st,
followed by almost daily records and then up to 14 by the month’s end. There were daily
counts in September, with numbers increasing as the month progressed and peaking at 66 on
26th and 27th. In early October the second highest count of the year occurred on 4th when
189 were seen. Just 77 were present the following day, with 136 on 6th and 103 on 7th.
Numbers fell over the following few days and just 27 were present on 12th. On 13th 108 were
counted, with 124 on 14th. Numbers again fell steadily and by the month’s end just six were

108 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

logged. There were almost daily counts in November, though 12 on 10th was the peak count.
Up to eight were present almost daily in December.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 7 200 18 7 1 0 14 66 189 12 8
Days recorded 0 25 925 111 39 2 0 54 655 1619 165 104
0 10 31 23 15 2 0 11 30 31 28 21

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla Dryw Penfflamgoch

Uncommon to fairly common passage migrant

One at Cristin on 18 May was, surprisingly the first record since 13 March 2011! Another male

was at Cristin Withy on 27th, with the third bird of the spring, another male, at Nant on 2 June

(all MGC et al.).

Firecrest © 2012 Steve Stansfield

In September, a very elusive bird was present at Tŷ Nesaf on 27th (CJP et al.). In October one
was trapped and ringed at Cristin on 19th (JRJ et al.) and was present in the withies the
following day. Three were seen at Nant and Tŷ Capel on 21st (SVH et al.), with another in
Carreg Withy on 23rd (MGC). In December a stunning male was present at Nant from 5th to
the year’s end (BJP).

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Gwybedog Mannog

Common to abundant passage migrant

Five on 2 May were the first 140 80

record of the spring. 120 70
Numbers increased to 14 by

the end of the second week Bird-day totals100 60
of the month. By 18th 70 Max. daily count per month8050
birds were on the island;

this was the highest count of 60 40
the month and the largest 40 30
number recorded since 30 20
August 2005 when 129 were

seen. Numbers fell after the 20 10
18th, but as with many

species this year ‘waves’ of 00
birds continued to arrive. As Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
few as three were seen on
both 22nd and 25th, but Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

then up to 40 were counted on 29th. June began with 11 on 1st, but then smaller numbers

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 109

were recorded on a further 20 days in the month. The only record from July was a single on
10th.

Two at Cristin on 6 August was the first sign of autumn passage. One to three birds were seen
regularly to 21st when ten were counted. There were then a further five records of one or two
birds to the month’s end. September saw records on 16 dates, with most counts being one to
five birds. However, 36 were counted on 8th. The only records in October were singles on
11th and 23rd.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 0 0 0 70 11 1 10 36 1 0 0
Days recorded 0 0 0 0 306 69 1 34 79 2 0 0
0 0 0 0 28 21 1 16 16 2 0 0

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Gwybedog Brongoch

Scarce, 75 previous records

A female was found at Nant on 6 June and was trapped and ringed (CJP et al.). This is the first

spring record since a female was in Plas Withy in June 2005.

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca Gwybedog Brith

Now uncommon, but was a fairly common passage migrant a few years ago

The first record of the year was a female wearing a ring on 25 April. On 30th a male was

trapped at Cristin. In May a female was at Nant on 3rd, with another at Cristin on 4th. A male

was at Nant on 7th to 11th, with a second male on 11th also.

August saw some of the best arrivals for many years. One was at Cristin on 11th, with five
seen on 15th and at least 13 on 16th. On 17th 11 were counted, with a minimum of 16 on
18th. Just four were left on 19th and one on 20th. On 21st six were counted, then a single on
24th and two on 26th. In September one was trapped at Nant on 8th. One trapped at Cristin
on 4 October was the final record of the year.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Titw Gynffon-hir

Scarce passage migrant

On 21 October 16 birds were recorded, with 11 of them being trapped and ringed at Cristin

(SDS et al.). In December there were at least six on 5th (BJP, SDS).

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Titw Tomos Las

Uncommon passage migrant, occasionally overwinters, breeds occasionally

Up to five birds were present in January, though three was the peak count in February. Up to

three were seen on most dates in March, but a fourth bird was trapped on 27th. Four birds

were then present on most dates in April, but six were seen on 26th and 27th. In June up to

seven were present, though these included juveniles from the nest at Cristin. Up to six were

present through July, August and September. Any small amount of immigration in autumn

was difficult to detect due to the presence of the now ever-present birds on the island.

However, un-ringed birds were present on the island on several dates in October, though the

exact number of new immigrants was unclear.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 534657443743
Days recorded 89 73 67 100 115 96 41 50 58 82 62 37
30 27 30 30 31 27 23 26 30 31 30 21

110 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Great Tit Parus major Titw Mawr

Uncommon migrant, occasionally over-winters, bred from 1984 to 1986 and in 2012

Up to three birds were 40 9
present on the island in 8
7
January, with four seen on 35 6
5
several dates in February 30 4
and three in March. In April Bird-day totals 3
Max. daily count per month2
two birds were noted daily 25

as they began to build a nest 20
in the Lime Kiln. On 28 May

four were seen, including 15

two fledglings, with the third 10
fledgling appearing in July.

51

Up to four were seen in 00
August and two in Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
September. Immigrants were
noted in October as numbers Five day periods
swelled to eight by the
Bird-days ―o— Max count

beginning of the third week of the month. Up to five remained into November, and three in

December.

Coal Tit Periparus ater Titw Penddu

Uncommon migrant, but rare in spring

One trapped at Cristin on 27 March was seen to 10 April. Another bird was seen at Nant on 29

March. Three were seen on 7 April, with two on 8th and 10th.

In October one trapped at Cristin on 7th was the first of the autumn. There were then a
further eight records during the month, with a peak of seven on 25th. The only record in
November was a single on 5th.

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Dringwr bach
Scarce passage migrant
One was seen in the garden at Cristin on 22 March (BJP).

One was at Cristin on 24 September (BJP), with two seen at Nant on 27th and one on 28th.

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Euryn

Scarce, 54 previous records

One was seen fleetingly in the garden at Cristin on 6 June (SDS). This record is still under

consideration by WRP.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Cigydd Pengoch

Rare, 25 previous records

A stunning male was trapped in the Helgoland trap at Cristin in atrocious weather on 3 June

(SDS et al.). The bird was not seen before it entered the trap, nor after being released.

Magpie Pica pica Pioden
Scarce breeding species
Birds were present throughout the year, but there were no signs of immigration.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 111

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 24 21 16 16 18 19 14 17 23 33 21 16
Days recorded 599 382 367 320 334 334 252 288 323 479 269 112
31 27 31 30 31 30 31 31 30 31 30 14

Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Brân Goesgoch

Scarce breeder, fairly common immigrant from local populations

As well as the island’s breeding birds, immigrants from the mainland were recorded

throughout the year. Many were colour-ringed and were from various sites around North and

mid-Wales.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 26 23 22 32 20 37 30 26 28 35 47 47
Days recorded 604 435 411 545 423 491 356 324 493 678 851 554
31 28 31 30 31 30 31 30 30 31 29 18

Jackdaw Corvus monedula Jac-y-do

Common passage migrant, but extinct as a breeding species since 2006

There were four

singles in

March, with

four on 23rd

and three the

next day. April

saw singles on Jackdaws © 2012 Steve Stansfield

14th and 16th.

One was seen

on 4 May with

two on 5th and

one from 20th

to 22nd.

The first record
of autumn was
nine birds on 7
October. Four
were at Nant on 14th and then a single flock of at least 260 spent the day between Carreg and
Tŷ Bach on 21st. Just 45 were seen on 22nd and six on 23rd. However, another large flock, this
time consisting of 385 birds, was seen on 24th. In November one was seen on 4th and 5th,
with another on 15th, 33 on 16th, four the following day and finally a single on 18th.

Rook Corvus frugilegus Ydfran

Uncommon to fairly common passage migrant

Singles were seen on three dates in March and seven dates in April. Additionally in April two

were seen on 21st and 24th, with eight on 13th. There were singles in May on 2nd, 4th, 6th

and 9th, with four present on 3rd.

One was seen on 22 September, with another on 9 October, three on 21st and two on 24th.
November saw a single on 10th, eight on 16th, four on 17th and finally two on 18th. Three
were seen on 1 December.

112 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Carrion Crow Corvus corone Brân Dyddyn

Scarce breeder, common passage migrant 80
70
Birds were recorded 250 60
through the year, with 50
40
passage birds noted in both 200 30
spring and autumn. The
Max. daily count per month
main notable movements in

spring were 48 on 25 Bird-day totals 150
February, 32 on 10 March,

36 on 13 April, with 37 on 100
23rd.

Up to 20 were counted in 20
September, some of which 50
were immigrants. There
were frequent counts of 20 10
or more in October, with
the peak movements being 00
34 on 7th, 53 on 9th and 38 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

on 15th. Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

Carrion Crow © 2012 Steve Stansfield

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 17 48 32 37 18 21 20 19 20 53 68 37
Days recorded 413 373 415 555 334 354 338 368 351 474 520 221
31 27 31 30 31 30 31 31 30 31 29 17

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix Brân Lwyd

Scarce

One was seen on 11 March, with others on 26th and 29th. April saw a single on 15th and two

on 24th, with one on 12 May.

In October a single was seen on 21st, with another on 17 November. 113

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012

Raven Corvus corax Cigfran

Fairly common passage migrant, one to two pairs breed most years, but four in 2007

Birds were recorded on most dates during the year. The only movements of note were 36 on

6 January, 26 on 25 February and 23 on 20 October.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 36 26 5 3 5 6 9 9 9 23 2 2
Days recorded 91 94 77 60 52 57 73 86 97 104 48 25
29 27 30 30 26 23 22 27 30 29 26 14

Starling Sturnus vulgaris Drudwen
Very abundant passage
migrant, formerly bred, but not 6000 2500
since 1997
January saw almost daily Bird-day totals 5000 2000 Max. daily count per month
records of usually up to 80 4000 1500
birds. There were some 3000 1000
sizable arrivals, however; 876 2000 500
were counted on 13th, with 1000
130 remaining the next day
and then 430 on 28th. Up to 00
180 were counted in Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
February, though most counts
were fewer than 40. March Five day periods
saw 173 on 2nd, and then 350
on 4th. There were no records Bird-days ―o— Max count
in April, and just a single on
the last two days of May and
first two days of June.

Post-breeding dispersal

began in mid-late June with

numbers reaching 130 by

27th. Up to 95 were seen on

most days in July, though

there were peaks of 192, 124

and 141 on 24th to 26th.

August saw up to 90 on most Starling © 2012 Ben Porter

dates in the first three weeks

of the month, with peaks of

124 on 8th and 116 on 11th.

There was just a single record
in September of one bird on
16th. From 7 October birds
began to arrive on the island,
and by mid-month up to 430
were being counted daily and
then up to 650 by the end of the month. Early November saw numbers increase further, with
2315 on 4th, 1200 on 5th and 1400 the following day, 1870 on 15th and 2000 on 16th.

114 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 876 180 350 0 1 130 192 124 1 650 2315 76
Days recorded 2116 582 681 0 2 368 2017 1341 1 5941 16,444 286
27 25 23 0 2 12 31 21 1 25 27 12

House Sparrow Passer domesticus Aderyn y Tô

Rare, formerly bred, but not since 1970

In March a single was on the South End on 23rd, with two in the wetlands on 27th.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Ji-binc

Rare breeder, very abundant migrant and some over-winter

Up to 25 were counted on all but one day in January, with near daily records of up to 27 in

February. Numbers in mid-March increased, with up to 92 seen by 14th and then 108 on 16th.

Numbers then fell to as few as 14 by the month’s end. April through to July saw up to 31 birds

present, but most if not all of 1200 600

these were the island’s

residents. 1000 500

Passage in early autumn was Bird-day totals 800 400 Max. daily count per month
difficult to discern, but up to
69 birds were recorded in 600 300
September. By early October
there were obvious migrants 400 200
being recorded daily and
there were counts of 100 or 200 100
more on 15 dates, including
peaks of 340 on 7th and 00
19th. Passage continued into Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
early November, with 334
seen on 4th and 571 on 5th. Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 25 27 108 30 29 31 40 31 69 340 571 15
Days recorded 436 376 783 532 519 501 570 542 1025 3667 2061 119
30 27 31 30 31 30 30 31 30 31 30 15

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Pinc y Mynydd
Uncommon to common passage migrant
One that dropped into Tŷ Brambling © 2012 Ben Porter
Pellaf Withy on 27
September was the earliest
ever record for the island.
There were 14 records in
October, with 15 on both
21st and 29th the peak
count. There were records
on 15 dates in November
and, with the exception of
28 on 5th, all records were
of seven birds or fewer.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 115

Greenfinch Chloris chloris Llinos Werdd

Common to abundant passage migrant, most numerous in autumn

One at Cristin on 25 February was the first record of the year. There were singles on 14 days in

March, with two on 28th. April saw 17 records of up to three birds, though most were singles.

In May there were two on 4th and singles on the next two dates.

Two at Tŷ Bach on 27 July 300 250
were very early autumnal
arrivals. There was none in Bird-day totals 250 200 Max. daily count per month
August and just one In
September. In October there 200
were records on 20 dates; 150
most were counts of 44 or
fewer, though 217 were 150
seen on 19th and 148 were 100
seen on 21st. There were 20
records in November, with 100
five double-figure counts
and a peak of 28 on 5th. 50 50
Two were seen on 10
December. 00
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Nico

Common migrant, though scarce in spring, has bred in 1901, 1905, 2002, 2004-05, 2007-08 and 2011

Two were at Tŷ Bach on 25 250 140

February. In March there 200 120
were 19 records, with birds 100
seen daily from 14th to the Max. daily count per month
month’s end. From 26th Bird-day totals

numbers rose from the one 150 80
to three seen earlier in the

month and peaked at 16 on 100 60
30th. In April, counts

continued to rise, with up to 40

39 recorded by 10th and a 50
peak of 71 on 27th. Spring
20

passage peaked in May, with 00
records on all but one day Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

(24th). Up to 55 were Five day periods

counted in the first week, Bird-days ―o— Max count

but 30 was the peak in the

second week. On 19th the largest count of spring was made when 92 birds were logged.

Numbers then fell, with no more than 24 seen for the rest of the month. Up to eight birds

were present in June, with up to ten in July (including five juveniles).

September saw one to six birds on most days in the first three weeks of the month, with 16 on
22nd the first sign of any passage. Thereafter there were a series of double-figure counts,
including 36 on 27th. October began with counts reaching 73 by 4th and then 109 by the 7th.
Numbers fell to as few as 15 from 8th to 11th, with 127 on 12th. Just six were seen on 13th
and three on 17th, but another arrival of 131 birds took place on 19th. Thereafter there were

116 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

smaller numbers (up to 53) almost daily to the month’s end. November saw daily counts on
the first ten dates, with 13 on 5th the peak. None was seen from 11th to 13th, though 17
were counted on 14th. After this there were a further eight counts of one to three birds to
30th and then two singles in December.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 2 16 71 92 8 10 20 36 131 17 1
Days recorded 0 2 94 548 656 110 150 201 161 918 98 2
0 1 19 28 30 30 30 31 28 29 19 2

Siskin Carduelis spinus Pila Gwyrdd

Uncommon to common passage migrant

One was seen at Tŷ Pellaf on 80 35

6 January. February saw two 70 30
at the North End of the

island on 25th, with another 60Bird-day totals 25
the following day. There 50 Max. daily count per month20
were 21 records in March, 40
most were in single figures,

but 13 were counted on 30 15
13th, 12 on 14th, 15 on 15th 20 10
and 17 on 21st. There were 10 5
just 12 records in April and,
with the exception of nine

on 6th, all were of three or 00
fewer. There were 17 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

records in May, mostly of Five day periods
one to three, but six were
Bird-days ―o— Max count

seen on 6th and 8 on 17th.

June saw ten records of up to four birds, including two youngsters late on in the month. There

were four records in July of one or two birds.

The first real autumnal bird was a single on the final day of August. Eight were counted on 5
September, two on 19th and 28th and a peak of 12 on 26th. There were 18 records in October
and, with the exception of 15 on 19th, all were of nine birds or fewer. November saw the best
passage of autumn during the first week of the month, with daily counts of up to 26 birds on
3rd, including 18 on 4th and 19 on 5th. There were a further eight records in the last three
weeks of the month, including the year’s highest count of 33 on 15th. One was seen on 18
December.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 1 2 17 9 8 4 2 1 12 15 33 1
Days recorded 1 3 113 28 43 22 7 1 24 82 139 1
1 2 21 12 17 10 4 1 4 18 15 1

Linnet Carduelis cannabina Llinos

Fairly common breeder, abundant to very abundant migrant

There were just five records in January, with up to 26 seen on both 13th and 29th; the

remaining sightings were of one or two birds. From mid-February, there were almost daily

records, with numbers increasing to 63 by 25th. Numbers continued to increase, with up to

130 present by the end of March. Early April saw the heaviest passage of spring, with 200 on

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 117

2nd and 360 on 3rd. Numbers then fluctuated, with peaks of 130 to 150, but by the month’s
end just the island’s breeding birds remained. May saw a peak of 46, with numbers reaching
71 as youngsters began to fledge in June. By late July up to 108 were being counted as
immigrants augmented the island’s population.

Passage in August began to increase towards the middle of the month, with up to 170 seen on

12th; by 23rd numbers had reached 239, and then 325 by 29th. There were daily counts in

September, with just six 1400 400
counts fewer than 100. Peaks

included 230 on 2nd and 256 1200 350

on 15th. October began with 300
245 on 1st, followed by 265 Bird-day totals1000
Max. daily count per month
the next day. Numbers fell 800 250
thereafter, with just 165 600 200
remaining on 7th, as few as 25 150
by 15th and numbers hitting

single figures (or even being 400 100
absent) by the last week of 200 50
the month. There were just 12

records in November, with 22 00
on 15th the only count over Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

six, and two records in Five day periods

December. Bird-days ―o— Max count

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 26 63 130 360 46 71 108 325 256 265 22 3
Days recorded 56 215 1495 2665 881 1024 1235 4451 4189 1861 47 5
5 11 31 29 31 30 31 31 30 26 12 2

Twite Carduelis flavirostris Llinos y Mynydd

Rare, 41 previous records

One was seen on the Narrows on 3 November, with two present near Tŷ Pellaf on 8th.

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret Llinos Bengoch Leiaf

Fairly common to common passage migrant, bred in 2002-2003, 2005-2007, 2010 & 2012

The first record of the year 300 160

was a single at Nant on 13 250 140
March. From 22nd there were

daily records to the month’s 120
Bird-day totals
end with 40 on 27th the peak 200 Max. daily count per month100
count. There were records on

16 dates in April, with a peak 150 80

of just 22 on 13th and 13 on 100 60
1st and 14th. All other records

were in single figures. The 40

heaviest passage of spring 50 20
came in May when there were

near daily counts. Numbers in 00
the first half of the month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
peaked at 32 on 9th, though
the heaviest passage was Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

118 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

noted towards the end of the third week when 48 were counted on 18th and then 135 on
19th. Daily counts were then made to the month’s end, but 42 was the highest figure. Up to
seven birds were present in June, with two pairs nesting on the island. Eight was the peak
count in July, with 12 the peak in August. The latter two months included the island’s breeding
birds and associated youngsters.

September saw daily records of up to nine birds in the first three weeks, but these could refer
solely to the island’s breeding stock. On 27 September 19 were recorded and contained at
least some migrants. Birds were present almost daily in October, with 21 on 12th the only
count over seven. One to four birds were seen on seven dates in November.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 0 0 40 22 135 7 8 12 19 21 4 0
Days recorded 0 0 153 83 620 88 99 139 123 95 16 0
0 0 11 16 30 30 27 29 29 25 7 0

Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea Llinos Bengoch

Vagrant – though status is still unclear

Two were trapped and ringed at Cristin on 29 March (SDS). On 1 May two birds, thought to be

of this species, were photographed at Tŷ Bach (RDB). One was seen at Cristin on 2nd (SDS),

with two trapped on 14th (SDS).

All of these birds and many other Common Redpolls await acceptance by the WRP who are
currently reviewing all Welsh records.

Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Llinos Gogh

Scarce, there have been about 75 previous records

A female was seen in Cristin Withy on 27 May (SVH et al.) and was later trapped at Cristin. On

28th the bird was seen at Cristin again. In June one was seen at Plas and then later at Nant on

4th (CJP), with the third bird of spring at Cristin on 6th (SDS).

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Gylfin Groes
Rare to uncommon, occasionally occurs in good numbers during irruption years
A juvenile was at Nant
on 14 May, with
another there on 14
June. Three were seen
in the Plantation on 25
June, with 21 there on
10 July.

One was at Nant on 5 Crossbill © 2012 Ben Porter
August, with six there
on 30th. One flew
over the Narrows on 2
September, with one
over the Observatory
on 19th. October saw
singles on 14th, 21st
and 22nd, with two on
19th and four on 23rd. Three were seen on 12 November, with another on 18th.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 119

Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Coch y Berllan
Scarce
A female was at Nant on 22 March, with one at Cristin on 28th.

Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus Bras y Gogledd
Scarce to uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn
One was seen on Lapland Bunting © 2012 Steve Stansfield
the South End on 2
and 3 March, with
one there on 14th
and 15th. Another
bird was on the
North End of the
island on 15th,
and was seen on
the Narrows for
the next two days.
On 17th another
bird was seen at
the North End,
with singles over
the south end of
the island on 24th and
27th.

The first record of the autumn was two birds on 23 September. A further two were seen on
26th, with six on 27th, two on 28th and one on 29th. Three were seen on 1 October, with
singles on 3rd, 7th and 9th, two on 14th and another on 23rd. The only record in November
was one on 21st.

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 002000006310
Days recorded 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 13 9 1 0
008000005610

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Bras yr Eira
Uncommon passage migrant
One was seen at Nant Snow Bunting © 2012 Steve Stansfield
on 10 January. In
February singles were
seen on 12th and then
17th and 18th. One
was seen on 13
March, with two the
following day. In April
one was seen on 25th
and 26th, with a rather
dapper male on 28th.
In May another male
was seen from 4th to
6th.

120 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Two over the South End on 7 53
October were the first of a
good run of autumnal 4
records. One was seen on
13th, with another on 14th. 2
One was over the Narrows 3
on 19th, with another on the Bird-day totals
South End on 21st. One was Max. daily count per month
present for two days on the 2
North West Corner on 22nd 1
and 23rd, with singles over
the Mountain on 24th and 1
25th. There were singles on
5, 23, 24 and 30 November, 00
with a single on 10 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
December.
Five day periods

Bird-days ―o— Max count

Max. count Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bird-days 11 21 1 00 00 211
Days recorded 1 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 0 10 4 1
13 23 3 00 00 941

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Melyn yr Eithin

Scarce, regularly bred to 1970 and then a single pair in 1988

A fine male was seen at the North End on 13 March, which relocated to Tŷ Pellaf the following

day. One flew over Cristin on 1 April.

Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla Bras Lleiaf

Vagrant, 11 previous records, with three in 2004

In September one was discovered in the sacrificial crop field at Nant on 26th (SDS et al.). The

bird was quite mobile and visited the Plantation and Tŷ Capel garden. In October one was

seen briefly in Plas Withy and then in Cristin Withy, before heading south towards the new

reed-bed on 23rd (SDS). Both of these records are still under consideration by the WRP.

2011 – One, seen in flight only, on 2 October (BJP et al.) has only recently been submitted to
WRP. This record was not published in the 2011 BBFO Report.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Bras y Cyrs
Uncommon, regular passage in small numbers during spring
and autumn, has bred but not since 1977 Reed Bunting © 2012 Ben Porter
In March there were 17 records of one to three
birds, with the heaviest passage being in mid-
month. There were two records of singles in
April, with two on 1 May and another on 3rd.

The first autumnal birds did not appear until 6
October, when two were seen in the withies
for two days. There were a further 14 records
in October, with up to four seen on 21st and
25th. November saw three single birds in the
first two weeks of the month, plus three on 5th.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 121

Breeding birds

Richard Brown

1 Introduction

Roberts (1985), Jones (1988), Loxton and Jones (1995) and Eagle (2011) have produced
summaries of the breeding birds on Bardsey and, in addition, there have been shorter
summaries of the previous year’s nesting season in the systematic list of the Observatory’s
annual reports. Since 1998, however, a more comprehensive report has been produced and
published in the BBFO Annual Report. The aim is to have a quick reference to the breeding
data from year to year, with numbers of pairs nesting, productivity figures (where available
and relevant) and notes on successes or failures compared with previous years. Data on the
breeding birds have now been collected in the same systematic way since 1998. This report
aims to compare the data for 2012 with that collected in the previous nine years. Additional
to the techniques used since 1998, this year the breeding land birds were monitored using the
four-visit Common Bird Census (CBC) method also used in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

2 Methods

Once again great effort was put into monitoring the seabirds this year, as the
Observatory was given funding through the CCW management agreement to monitor these
important seabird sites as part of the NNR. As in previous years, the monitoring and mapping
of seabirds followed the methods set out by Walsh et al. (1995) in the Seabird Monitoring
Handbook. For the larger cliff-nesting seabird colonies photographs were taken so that the
number of birds could be counted on a computer monitor.

As has been the case since 1998, the non-seabird species had their territories (usually
singing males) mapped or, where nests and/or young were located, these were marked on
maps which are kept at the Observatory. The maps were compiled by the BBFO Assistant
Warden during his routine daily census of the island, along with specific routes covered to
map species such as Oystercatcher, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Wren and Linnet. Additionally,
four CBC-style visits were made during the seven days beginning 17 April, 9 May, 30 May and
17 June. The data generated from this exercise will be helpful when comparing Bardsey with
other sites. Where the results from the two monitoring techniques differ, both are presented
here.

3 Results

The following systematic list summarises the nesting season for each species during
2012. The number of nesting pairs and productivity figures from 2012 are compared with data
from 2003 to 2011 and with the most recently published long-term averages (1986 to 2005)
published by JNCC (Mavor et al. 2008). The number of nesting pairs and productivity
estimates from 2003 to 2012 are shown in table format where sufficient data is available.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis First breeding record in 2011

A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan, where this species bred for the first time in 2011, was not possible

in 2012 due to weather restrictions. Five goslings frequenting Ynys Gwylan Fawr on 11 June

2011 were the first recorded in the BBFO monitoring area, although they were not thought to

fledge.

122 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Rare, population increasing

Up to 15 adults were present around Bardsey during April, up to 19 in May and up to 15 in
June. Only five pairs are known to have nested, however, the same as in 2011. The first brood
appeared in Solfach on 23 May, one day later than last year. The seven chicks were reduced to

five by 25 May. The following day saw a new brood of 12 appear in Solfach, although this
included four larger chicks which may have been adopted from the first brood by the new,

very aggressive, pair. These were joined by the third brood of 2012 on 29 May, nine chicks
which were reduced to seven by the last day of the month. On 5 June the aggressive pair

adopted the remaining seven chicks from the third pair to form an impressive crèche of 19
which they fiercely defended from all predators and usurped parents. The crèche was reduced
to 18 on 8 June. A fourth pair appeared in Henllwyn on 14 June with a brood of eight, but

these were all lost two days later following a period of high gull numbers around the Narrows.
The gulls also focused on the large Solfach crèche and a sustained attack in the afternoon of

15 June saw four killed and a fifth with a broken wing. A brood of ten in Henllwyn on 7 July
had all been lost by 10 July. The Solfach 14, including the injured bird, remained until 18 July
when 12 fledged. One of the remaining two was seen flying a few days later; the last bird

quickly vanished, but may not have fledged due to injuries sustained on 15 June. The total of
13 fledged young is the best ever recorded on Bardsey. It is likely that some of the fledglings

were not produced by the adults which defended them from ducklings to fledging.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs with young 2 3 3 6 4 2 3 6 5 5
№ of fledglings 4 8 2 9 8 0 8 0 0 13

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Scarce, population stable

Seven broods, comprising 48 chicks, were recorded this year. This was one more pair than in

2011, but the mean of 6.86 chicks per brood is almost identical to the value of 6.83 recorded

last year. The majority of records came from the area between Pwll Cain and the Green Lane,

with one brood on Nant Pond and one on a new pond west of the Lime Kiln. Six young were

known to fledge, the first to do so since three fledged in 2009.

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Fairly common, population declining recently

There were 21 pairs of Fulmars occupying nest ledges this year, one fewer than last year and

26.3% fewer than the 2003-2012 mean (28.50±s.d.13.48). Fulmar chicks are the last of the

East Side seabirds to fledge; a late season visit to coincide with this was not possible this year,

meaning that productivity could not be calculated.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 41 45 42 39 32 3 22 18 22 21
Productivity 0.90 0.87 0.88 0.74 0.69 - 0.40 - -
0.33

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus Very abundant, population stable

From 148 marked burrows, 107 contained fledging-sized chicks. This gives a productivity

figure of 0.72 chicks per breeding pair, only just lower than the 2003-2012 average

(0.75±s.e.0.06). The wet weather in 2012 led to some burrows being completely flooded, and

the resulting productivity was as low as 0.60 in some low-lying areas. However, this was

compensated for by values as high as 0.92 in areas of wall and Mountainside.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Productivity 0.88 0.80 0.78 0.74 0.68 0.73 0.71 0.76 0.73 0.72
Sample size 100 100 100 50 50 102 100 90 122 148

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 123

Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus Fairly common, population unknown

A systematic census was not carried out this year, but birds were again present at the
traditional sites visited when ringing Razorbills.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Common, population stable

A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan, where productivity in 2011 was at its highest since 2007, was not

possible in 2012 due to weather restrictions. A pair lingered on the East Coast of Bardsey but

did not construct a nest.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
YGF pairs 51 45 2 15 29 39 55 41 34 -
YGB pairs 0 18 37 35 37 7 0 10 12 -
Total pairs 51 63 39 50 66 46 55 51 46 -
Productivity 3.92 3.66 2.34 2.52 1.22 1.25 0.92 2.15 -
2.21

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis Common, population declining recently

On Bardsey a total of 34 pairs of Shags nested this year, 12.8% fewer than last year, 7.4%

fewer than the 2003-2012 mean (36.70±s.d.9.04), but 9.7% more than the long-term average

(31±s.d.17). Productivity was 24.5% up on last year and 15.1% more than the 2003-2012 mean

(2.25±s.e.0.19).

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 52 36 42 48 37 25 29 25 39 34
Productivity 2.79 2.92 2.59 1.89 2.00 0.92 2.14 2.60 2.08 2.59

A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan, where this species has recently been declining in number, was not
possible in 2012 due to weather restrictions.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 89 84 131 87 85 95 70 75 49 -
Productivity 2.30 2.19 2.17 2.20 2.37 1.99 2.27 2.05 2.12 -

Peregrine Falco peregrinus Rare (Schedule 1), population stable

As in the previous six years, two pairs of Peregrines nested on the island this year.

Traditionally both pairs exhibit small shifts in nest location between years and 2012 was no

exception. The southerly pair returned to the site used in 2008 and 2010, and two chicks were

ringed there on 29 May before fledging in June. The northerly pair was at a new site high

above and to the north of Briw Cerrig; two chicks were ringed on 24 May and had fledged by

17 June.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Productivity
3.00 2.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 2.00 2.00 1.00 2.50 2.00

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Uncommon, population stable

Four pairs were located this year, 50% fewer than last year and the lowest total since four
were also recorded in 1993. No birds were noted around the traditional sites at Nant and only
a single individual frequented Tŷ Nesaf. The four pairs produced a minimum of 11 young in

five broods. Brood sizes were again low, with broods of three at Cristin and Plas Withy the
largest observed. Five of the chicks went on to fledge. Productivity decreased by 23.3%

compared with last year to a level 62.6% below the 2003-2012 mean (3.34±s.e.0.56). This is

124 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

the lowest Moorhen productivity figure so far recorded on Bardsey. Several dead adults were
found during the winter and early spring, at least some of which had been eaten by raptors.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 15 12 9 8 8 10 11 13 8 4
Productivity 3.01 3.67 7.5 3.80 2.09 2.62
4.44 3.40 1.63 1.25

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Common, population stable

A minimum of 85 pairs held territory, the same as in 2011, but 6.4% more than the 2003-2012

mean (79.90±s.d.12.13). This year 48 nests were located and monitored to a conclusion. They

contained 132 eggs, which equates to a mean clutch size of 2.75. This is the second highest

average clutch size to be recorded, 5.8% higher than the 2003-2011 mean (2.60±s.d.0.14). The

last four years have seen the four highest average clutch sizes on record. Of the 48 monitored

nests, six failed at the egg/small chick stage, five failed with chicks and 37 were successful. A

total of 55 chicks fledged from the 37 successful attempts, which gives a productivity figure of

1.15 chicks per pair, a massive 325.9% up on last year and 69.1% above the 2003-2012 mean

(0.68±s.e.0.14). A further 19 fledglings were noted elsewhere.

Oystercatcher © 2012 Ben Porter

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 75 61 60 80 80 82 97 94 85 85
Mean clutch 2.43 2.61 2.57 2.61 2.38 2.45 2.69 2.76 2.71 2.75
Productivity 1.15 1.00 1.34 0.58 0.25 0.39 0.31 0.36 0.27 1.15

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Occasional breeder

Breeding occurred for the third time since 2003, following the two pairs that successfully
fledged seven young in 2010 and the single pair that fledged six young in 2011. This year again

saw a single pair take up residence to the west of Solfach. The four eggs were located in a
small crevice on 9 May; the covered nest site perhaps being in response to the wet spring
weather. Hatching had occurred by 30 May but, despite the presence of down and tiny

footprints in the sand, the hatchlings could not be found. At least one adult bird remained in
the area for the next two months, exhibiting a broken wing display whenever approached, but

it was not until 21 July that any young were recorded. The two recent fledglings may have
been from the 30 May hatching, but the large gap would have been enough time for a first

brood failure and a re-lay. However, poor weather impairing growth rate may also explain the
lengthy wait for fledglings.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 125

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Common, population declining

On Bardsey there was a 10% decrease in the number of apparently incubating adults
compared with 2011, the lowest total since 2009. The June count of 188 is 45.4% lower than
the 2003-2012 mean (344.30±s.d.224.66) and 52.2% down on the long-term average

(393±s.d.165). Productivity was calculated from 83 monitored nests as 0.37 fledglings per pair,
a 184.6% increase on 2011 but 33.9% below the 2003-2012 mean (0.56±s.e.0.11).

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 652 532 596 615 113 111 176 251 209 188
Productivity 0.92 0.92 0.84 0.68 0.79 0.25 0.11 0.13 0.37
-

A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan, where two pairs bred in 2011, was not possible in 2012 due to
weather restrictions.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus Abundant, population recovering

The Bardsey Herring Gull population has apparently stabilised at just fewer than 400 pairs. A

remarkable degree of consistency has been noted over the last three seasons, with a drop of

only three apparently incubating adults this year. However, the breeding population remains

8.8% down on the 2003-2012 average (433.30±s.d.143.04) and 17.4% down on the long-term

average (478±s.d.150). The northerly study plot yielded a productivity estimate of 0.46

fledglings per pair, the lowest recorded since 2008 and 46.5% below the 2003-2012 mean

(0.86±s.e.0.11). The sub-colonies on and around Pen Cristin, which before 2007 held over 150

pairs, contained only 22 pairs, whereas the northerly colonies again remained closer to

historical levels.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 621 543 595 557 172 302 361 389 398 395
Productivity 1.34 1.19 1.01 1.05 1.03 0.40 0.68 0.62 0.46
-

A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan, where a 2003-2011 average of 189.56 (±s.d.131.12) pairs nest,
was not possible in 2012 due to weather restrictions. In 2011 there were 30 pairs present on
Ynys Gwylan Fawr and 105 pairs on Ynys Gwylan Bach.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2011
№ of pairs 285 189 206 489 51 102 134 115 135 -
Productivity 1.40 1.41 1.02 0.64 0.57 0.33 0.78 0.45 -
-

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Fairly common, population fairly stable

On Bardsey six pairs nested in 2012, two more than last year and the most ever observed. A

minimum of three fledglings were recorded.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 2 4 6
Productivity -
2.00 2.33 2.33 2.33 3.00 2.75 0.00 1.00 0.50

A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan, where a 2003-2011 average of 39.56 (±s.d.2.86) pairs nest, was
not possible in 2012 due to weather restrictions. In 2011 there were 32 pairs present on Ynys
Gwylan Fawr and 12 pairs on Ynys Gwylan Bach.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 41 49 48 44 37 39 19 35 44 -
Productivity 1.12 1.71 1.17 1.30 1.41 1.00 - 1.17 0.93 -

126 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Common, population declining

The Bardsey Kittiwake population Kittiwake © 2012 Steve Stansfield
continued its worrying decline this
year, with only 76 nests counted. This
is the lowest total since 1978, a 59.6%
drop from the number counted in
2011 and 69.9% below the 2003-2012
mean (252.90±s.d.105.14). Weather
limited the late July visit to the colony
at SH125216, where 44 monitored
nests contained 23 fledgling-sized
youngsters. The resulting productivity
figure of 0.52 fledglings per pair
matches the lowest productivity on
record, observed in 2011.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
AON 290 358 365 358 346 212 208 128 188 76
№ of young 325 213 201 244 238 194 16* 23*
Productivity 1.12 0.59 0.56 0.68 0.69 0.92 - - 0.52 0.52
- -

*Only partial census carried out; more birds may have fledged. Productivity calculated at study plots from a
smaller number of AON.

Guillemot Uria aalge Abundant, Bardsey population increasing

On Bardsey 1234 adults on ledges (AOL) were recorded, 25.8% more than recorded in 2011,

47.8% more than the 2003-2012 mean (835.00±s.d.209.92) and 172.4% more than the long-

term mean (453±s.d.225). Productivity was calculated at a sub-colony containing 66 AOL to be

0.15 fledging-sized chicks per pair. Productivity of birds nesting in crevices at Bau Felen was

calculated to be 0.53, perhaps due to the extra protection afforded to the chicks. The

combined productivity of 0.22 fledglings per AOL is the lowest since 2008 and 37.1% below

the 2003-2012 average (0.35±s.e.0.06). A full count of young was not achieved.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
AOL 711 688 785 744 646 558 1016 987 981 1234
№ of young 376 353 225 511 202 5* 48* 18*
Productivity 0.53 0.51 0.29 0.69 0.31 0.01 - - 0.30 0.22
- 0.30

*Only partial census carried out; more birds may have fledged. Productivity calculated at study plots from a
smaller number of AOL.

A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan, where the population has steadily declined to only 77 AOL in
2011, was not possible in 2012 due to weather restrictions.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
AOL 386 422 318 294 203 161 151 104 77 -
№ of young 107 177 182 135 102 28 - -
Productivity 0.28 0.42 0.57 0.62 0.50 0.17 - - - -
- 0.49

Razorbill Alca torda Very abundant, population recovering

The maximum count of adult Razorbills seen in the colonies on the East Side of the Mountain
this year was 1579, 19 more than recorded last year but still well below the traditional total of
approximately 2000 adults. A total of 156 young were ringed, 64 more than last year. In

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 127

addition to the birds ringed, there were a further 131 young or eggs in the traditionally
monitored colonies. The combined total of 287 eggs and young is a 3.2% improvement on the
2011 total but 7.4% below the 2003-2012 mean (310.10±s.d.143.59). Results from two study
plots showed that productivity was 0.28. This figure suggests that the eggs/young total should
be higher. This may reflect the fact that the total count of adults includes non-breeders and in
some cases both birds in a pair.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Eggs/young 132 385 542 410 334 38 295 400 278 287

A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan, where 35 adults were recorded in 2011, was not possible in 2012
due to weather restrictions. It is possible that a few pairs occupying burrows in the Puffin
colony may go unrecorded.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Eggs/young
26 69 69 54 38 0 - 15 17 -

Puffin Fratercula arctica Abundant, population stable on Gwylans, increasing on Bardsey

Up to 59 birds, 25 more than in 2011, were seen regularly around the Razorbill colonies at Bau

Felen and near Seal Cave on Bardsey. Provisioning of young was noted in early July.

A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan, where the most active burrows since 2001 were noted last year,
was not possible in 2012 due to weather restrictions.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

AOB 307 689 535 440* 548* 707 190* 240* 759 -

*Only partial census carried out for safety reasons.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Scarce, population stable

This is a difficult species to assess accurately owing to cross-territorial display flights, semi-

colonial nesting and a protracted breeding season. Up to 29 adults were recorded during the

CBC period and at least nine territorial pairs were identified, the same number of pairs as

observed in 2011. Six fledglings were recorded, two more than last year and three times the

number noted in 2009 and 2010.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 9 9 8 10 8 8 9 10 9 9

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Irregular rare parasite

The inclusion of this species in the breeding bird summary is based on the appearance of a

fully-winged juvenile in the area of Cristin Withy on 28 July. Although it begged at the local

Meadow Pipits, prolonged observations did not show birds feeding the Cuckoo. It remained in

the area of the Withies until 1 August, after which it was not seen again. An adult had

frequented the same area in late June. This is not a proven breeding attempt, the last of

which occurred in 2008.

Little Owl Athene noctua Scarce, population stable

A minimum of three territories were recorded this year, the same as in 2011 but one fewer

than in 2010. A pair nested in a field boundary to the south of Carreg Bach for a second

successive year and fledged a singleton in early July. Additional pairs were at Nant and near

Rhedynog Goch, but neither was proven to breed.

128 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Skylark Alauda arvensis Rare, absent from 1979-2002

For the second year in succession, three pairs established territories and two males sang but
did not pair. Two pairs in the West Coast Fields failed to fledge any young; a pair near Plas
Withy had produced five eggs by 16 May, but these were predated by 20 May, and a pair near

Cristin Withy, which had also failed with their first brood, were feeding young on 2 August,
but these did not fledge. The third pair, in the Northwest Fields, had fledged a singleton by 28

May. Following the six fledged young recorded in 2011, the single this year is disappointing
and probably reflects the weather as well as nest predation.

Swallow Hirundo rustica Uncommon, population stable

The total of 19 breeding pairs was two down on 2011, but still the third highest on record and

31% more than the 2003-2012 average (14.50±s.d.4.45). A total of 100 birds fledged from 30

broods, six fewer fledglings than 2011 but the second highest number of fledglings ever

observed. Productivity was the best recorded since 2004, 4.2% up on last year and 13.9%

above the 2003-2012 mean (4.62±s.e.0.45).

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 8 12 11 12 15 21 14 12 21 19
№ of young 57 76 54 52 59 72 32 42 106 100
Productivity 6.33 4.91 4.33 3.93 3.43 2.29 3.50 5.05 5.26
7.13

House Martin Delichon urbicum Irregular scarce breeder

Following a rather precarious few years as a Bardsey breeding species, this year saw seven

pairs attempting to nest at the Lighthouse, the most since 17 nests were utilised in 2001. The

nest on the easterly gable of the Lighthouse Cottage was utilised for the sixth year in

succession and two birds had fledged from this site by 4 August. Four further pairs managed

to construct full nests using mud collected from the South End at Ogof Ystwffwl Glas. All four

contained vocal young on 10 August, but these either failed or departed the natal site as soon

as fledging occurred; only two young were known to fledge from five nests which reached

chick stage. Two further pairs constructed partial nests. Two man-made nests were attached

to the north gable of the LSA hut in readiness for the 2013 season.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Common, population stable

A total of 62 multiple registration territories and four single registration territories were

mapped this year. As a result, a total of 66 pairs was located using the four-visit CBC

methodology. This is the greatest number of pairs recorded since 1961, an 11.9% increase on

the previous year and is 20.7% higher than the 2003-2012 mean (54.70±s.d.6.40). Despite

inclement weather, many fledged young were once again recorded.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 51 53 53 50 44 52 57 62 59 66

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus Fairly common, population stable

The 43 singing males recorded in 2012 is the most observed since 56 were heard in 1990, and

is a 38.7% increase on the number recorded in 2011 and 27.6% more than the 2003-2012

average (33.70±s.d.6.02). Productivity appeared to be good.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 26 31 35 28 29 32 41 41 31 43

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 129

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba Scarce, population stable

Although the number of breeding pairs dropped slightly this year, the total was still the
second highest recorded on Bardsey. The ten pairs fledged a minimum of 31 young, 11 fewer
than last year but 8.4% more than the 2003-2012 mean (28.60±s.d.9.59). The resulting

productivity figure is the lowest since 2009 and is 16.7% lower than the 2003-2012 mean
(3.72±s.e.0.35). The failure of early broods, probably due at least in part to the weather,

inevitably affected productivity.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 6 6 8 9 7 7 6 7 11 10
№ of young 30 31 36 38 20 25 9 24 42 31
Productivity 3.82 3.10
5.00 5.17 4.50 4.22 2.86 3.57 1.50 3.43

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Common, population fluctuates

This year 105 Wren territories were mapped based upon multiple registrations, that is to say
areas where a male was found singing on more than one CBC visit. A further 12 single

registration territories were noted, birds that the methodology states should be included in
the overall total. Four further territories were noted in the East Coast seabird colonies. The
combined total of 121 territories is a massive 49.4% increase on 2011 and 48.1% above the

2003-2012 average (81.70±s.d.20.06). Such a jump in numbers is far from unusual for this
diminutive insectivore, but such a large increase has not been recorded since the spring of

1999 when the population increased by 55.6% compared with the previous season.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of territories 85 74 52 72 68 69 88 107 81 121

Dunnock Prunella modularis Fairly common, population increasing

This year 49 singing males were mapped using the four-visit CBC method, although five of

these were based on single registrations. This breaks the previous record total of 35 recorded

in 1969. This was a 44.1% increase on 2011, following the 17.2% increase between 2010 and

2011 and the massive 81.3% increase between 2009 and 2010. The 2012 total is 143.8%

above the 2003-2012 mean (20.10±s.d.12.96). This species seems to have benefited greatly

from the increases in herbaceous cover observed in all of the gardens and the continuous

availability of large amounts of grain at poultry feeding sites, game cover fields and feeding

stations. However, the wet spring negatively impacted first brood productivity.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of males 10 12 14 12 12 13 16 29 34 49

Robin Erithacus rubecula Scarce, population increasing

Eight pairs of Robins bred in 2012, an increase of two for the third year in succession and the

most pairs recorded since ten were observed in 1955. A minimum of 37 young fledged from

14 broods, but this is likely to be an underestimate as mobile young and closely positioned

territories meant that only family groups could be reliably counted. Productivity equated to a

minimum of 4.63 fledged young per pair, 39% up on last year and 56.9% above the 2003-2012

average (2.95±s.e.0.53). This species is likely to be benefiting from similar factors observed for

the preceding species.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 4 0 2 2 2 3 2 4 6 8
№ of young 16 0 4 4 c.5 c.7 7 18 20+ 37
Productivity 0 3.5 4.5
4.00 2.00 2.00 c.2.50 c.2.33 3.33+ 4.63

130 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Stonechat Saxicola torquatus Uncommon, population declining

An additional four pairs of Stonechat nested on Bardsey this year, more than twice that
recorded in 2011 but 7.1% fewer than the 2003-2012 mean (7.50±s.d.3.54). A total of 44
young fledged from 13 broods, 15 more than fledged in 2011. However, overall productivity

was 35.0% down on last year and 12.2% down on the 2003-2012 average (7.16±s.e.0.80). Post
fledging survival was also seemingly very poor, presumably as a result of the weather;

maximum census counts of 16 adults/fledglings in June, 17 in July and 17 in August suggest
that many fledglings did not survive for long.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 7 7 11 8 13 10 8 1 3 7
№ of young 72 62 83 50 56 35 38 10 29 44
Productivity 7.55 4.31 3.5 10
10.42 8.86 6.25 4.75 9.67 6.29

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Scarce, population fluctuates

This year’s total of 11 pairs mirrors that recorded in 2011 and is 29.4% above the 2003-2012

average (8.50±s.d.3.57). However it should be noted that the average for the previous decade,

1993-2002, was 12.3 pairs (±s.d.7.44) and for 1983-1992 it was 27 pairs (±s.d.6.29). A total of

28 chicks fledged, giving a productivity figure of 2.55 fledglings per pair. This is a 33.9% decline

compared with last year and is 8.6% below the 2003-2012 mean (2.79±s.e.0.37). The poor

spring weather was again probably a factor.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 3 4 8 12 13 11 6 6 11 11
Productivity 2.50 3.00 1.43 3.86 2.55
5.00 1.00 3.63 2.25 2.67

Blackbird Turdus merula Scarce, population increasing after extinction

The number of nesting Blackbirds continued an upward trend this year, with an additional five
pairs present. This is the most pairs recorded since the island was recolonised in 2006 and the

highest total since 13 pairs took up territory in 1989. A minimum of 34 young were observed,
eight more than in 2011, but ringing showed that these birds quickly dispersed across the
island, making an accurate count of juveniles difficult. The proximity of the territories this

year, coupled with the different family groups tolerating each other’s presence around
feeding sites, made an accurate assessment of fledgling numbers more difficult still. The

productivity estimate of 2.83 fledglings per pair is an underestimate. This is another species
benefiting from a noticeable increase in cover in Bardsey’s gardens, a large amount of

anthropogenic food available throughout the season and, no doubt, an absence of breeding
Sparrowhawks for a third consecutive year.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 0 0 0 1 1 4 5 5 7 12
Productivity - - - 2.83
3.00 1.00 1.25 1.80 3.40 3.71

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Former occasional breeder, now established

Passage Sedge Warblers were still strongly in evidence during the CBC period, the recent
breeding territories also proving to be areas of high passage density containing several singing
birds. Further evidence was therefore required to establish a breeding territory. Late June and
July saw pairs provisioning young at eight sites, the same number as the record total recorded
last year. A minimum of nine young fledged, one fewer than in 2011. This is the fifth
consecutive year that this species has bred.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 131

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 3 8 8
Productivity - - - - -
1.00 1.00 1.33 1.25 1.13

Whitethroat Sylvia communis Occasional breeder, possibly now established

Following a single successful pair in 2010 and five pairs in 2011, seven pairs of Whitethroat

were proven to breed this year, a total unprecedented since the famous 1969 population

crash (ten pairs bred in 1968 and up to 15 in the early years of BBFO). A minimum of 15

fledged young were recorded, seven more than last year.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Rare, occasionally absent

Visual evidence of a breeding attempt was required, as birds singing on passage confused the
situation with regards to breeding territories. Pairs at Cristin Withy, Nant Plantation and the
Chapel Garden were seen provisioning food on 16 June, 19 June and 20 June respectively. A

pair at Cristin was not observed provisioning, but a fledgling appeared on 7 July. The Cristin
Withy pair had fledged a minimum of one by 10 July and the same was noted in the Plantation

on 14 July. No fledglings were observed at the Chapel Garden. Four pairs equals the record set
in 2010, but three fledglings is one fewer than produced by the single pair of 2011.

Chiffchaff © 2012 Steve Stansfield

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 3 3 3 3 0 0 2 414

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Occasional breeder

Up until 2011 Willow Warblers had bred in ten of the years that monitoring had been

undertaken by BBFO. Two pairs in 1974, 1975, 1997 and 2005 were the record totals until a

minimum of four pairs bred in 2011. The six fledglings led to hopes that this species may

establish as a more regular breeder, because most Willow Warblers return to their natal areas

to breed (Lawn, 1984). In 2012 males sang for prolonged periods from the four sites used in

2011; however, there were no signs of breeding and no Willow Warblers were recorded

between 14 and 28 June, a period when breeding attempts became obvious in 2011.

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Rare breeder, 1989, 2011 and 2012 only

A pair nested in a hole in the westerly gable of Cristin Lloft for the second year in succession
and had fledged three young by 1 June. A second pair adopted a similar nest crevice in the

wall of the old public toilet at Nant Lloft. A minimum of two young fledged in June, although it

132 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

sounded as though more were present in the nest. This is only the third time that this species
has been recorded nesting on Bardsey and the first time that more than one pair has nested.
The five fledglings is one fewer than that recorded in 2011.

Great Tit Parus major Rare breeder, 1984-1986 and 2012 only

A pair were nest building in the inside wall of the Lime Kiln on 2 April and had fledged three

young by 10 May. The pair then switched to an unknown site for a second brood; three young

fledged on 27 June from somewhere between the Observatory and the farm. This is the first

breeding attempt since 1986 when a single pair at Cristin abandoned their clutch. The

previous year two pairs had fledged approximately three young. Breeding first occurred in

1984 when a single pair fledged 11 young in two broods. It is interesting to note that the

report at the time stated that double-brooding in Great Tits was unusual, an event which has

been repeated in 2012.

Magpie Pica pica Scarce, population stable

Ten pairs held territory this year, two more than in 2011 and the most recorded since ten

pairs were also recorded in 2004. Three pairs were not seen with fledged young. The

remaining pairs fledged a minimum of 18, twice the number of fledglings recorded last year.

Productivity equates to 1.80 fledged young per pair, 59.3% more than that observed in 2011

and only 1.1% below the 2003-2012 average (1.82±s.e.0.24).

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 10 10 7 7 7 6 9 9 8 10
Productivity 1.80 - 1.80
2.86 2.57 2.43 0.33 1.78 1.67 1.13

Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Scarce (Schedule 1), population stable

Nine pairs of Chough attempted to breed in 2012, a total unprecedented on Bardsey.
Disappointingly, two pairs on failed, and a third had an unknown, but probably unsuccessful
outcome. Of the remaining six pairs, one fledged four, two pairs fledged three, two fledged

two and one fledged a singleton, one more than the previous year. The resulting productivity
figure is the second lowest on record, 4.6% below that achieved in 2011 and 31.3% lower than

the 2003-2012 mean (2.43±s.e.0.29). The last four years have been the four least productive
ever recorded. The reason for such poor productivity was previously explained in part by

many of the pairs being relatively new and inexperienced. However this is no longer the case,
with all of the pairs probably the same as those that bred in 2011. The wet spring weather
probably did not help and may have promoted grass growth leading to unfavourable feeding

conditions. All 15 fledglings were colour-ringed this year.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 5 6 5 6 6 6 6 6 8 9
№ of young 14 13 13 22 23 16 11 8 14 15
Productivity
2.80 2.17 2.60 3.67 3.83 2.67 1.83 1.33 1.75 1.67

Carrion Crow Corvus corone Scarce, population stable

Nine pairs held territory this year, two more than last year and a return to that observed in
2010. Seven of the pairs were successful and fledged a total of 21 young, four more than were

recorded in 2011. Productivity equates to 2.33 chicks per pair, 4.1% less than last year.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 9 10 9 7 6 8 8 9 7 9

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 133

Raven Corvus corax Occasional breeder, previously rare

A successful breeding attempt was made for a second consecutive year. Nest material was
collected in early March and added to the substantial platform high in a crag to the north of
Seal Cave. Although quite difficult to monitor, a minimum of three chicks were glimpsed on 3

May. The first fledgling was noted on 12 May and four were observed together soon after.
Four fledged young is the most productive a pair has been since a pair also fledged four in

2004. Unfortunately one of the youngsters was soon found dead close to the nest site.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Scarce, population increasing

Eleven pairs nested on the island in

2012, two more than last year and the Chaffinch © 2012 Steve Stansfield

most ever recorded. This species is

now well established as a Bardsey

resident, with breeding observed every

year since 2001. Prior to this,

Chaffinches had only bred in 1959,

1977, 1995 and 1996. Productivity was

again good, with two broods noted at

most sites. An exact measure of

productivity proved difficult to

calculate, due to considerable overlap

in territories and mobile young, but 24

juveniles had been ringed at Cristin before the end of July, exactly the same number as ringed

in 2011. The increase in vegetative cover in the gardens and the amount of grain being

provided for birds, both wild and domestic, are clearly benefiting this species.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of pairs 1 1 2 4 6 4 7 8 9 11

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Occasional breeder, becoming more regular

A pair at Nant had fledged five young by 3 July. Two further pairs were observed lining nests,

but did not fledge any young. This is only the ninth year that breeding has been recorded,

following single pairs in 1901, 1905, 2002, two pairs in 2004, a pair in 2005 three pairs in 2007

and pairs in 2008 and 2011. The three pairs this year matches the greatest number of pairs

observed in 2007.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina Fairly common, population declining

An accurate census of this red-listed species is difficult to undertake due to it nesting in small

loose colonies and single males pairing with multiple females. The number of breeding birds

increased by 42.1% this year, but was still 29.3% lower than the 2003-2012 mean

(38.20±s.d.22.39). Presumably due to the poor spring weather, first brood success was very

low this year. It was not until July that many pairs managed to fledge young. A total of 58

young, the vast majority from second attempts, were recorded prior to the early autumn

influx from the nearby mainland. This total is 45.3% down on 2011 and 46.2% below the 2003-

2012 mean (107.80±s.d.53.67). Following record productivity in 2011, this year saw a sharp

fall to 30% below the 2003-2012 average (3.07±s.e.0.40).

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
№ of families 72 72 66 30 30 25 24 17 19 27
№ of young 186 180 140 100 150 60 45 53 106 58
Productivity 2.58 2.5 2.12 3.33 5.00 2.40 1.88 3.12 5.58 2.15

134 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret Occasional breeder

This season was the first in which more than one pair of Lesser Redpolls has been recorded
breeding on Bardsey. Single pairs previously bred in 1977, 1986, 2002, 2003, 2005-2007 and
2010. This year three pairs were noted; a pair at Nant fledged a brood of three on 1 July, the

same day that a pair in Tŷ Pellaf Withy fledged a minimum of two, and a pair in Tŷ Nesaf
Garden fledged three on 23 July. A minimum of eight fledged young is a new Bardsey record.

4 Summary

Although the number of seabirds returning to the breeding colonies was generally
stable for most species in 2012, Shag, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Kittiwake numbers
continue to fall. Productivity was disappointing for most species, but Shag and Lesser Black-
backed Gull productivity were both up on recent levels. Kittiwake productivity equalled the
record low of 2011. A visit to Ynysoedd Gwylan was not possible in 2012 due to weather
restrictions.

A very aggressive Shelduck pair led to record productivity and the first Mallard
fledglings since 2009 were recorded. Moorhen numbers again fell and productivity was the
worst yet recorded. The Oystercatcher population remains stable, but productivity was
excellent. Ringed Plovers bred for the third time since 2003.

The breeding passerines had very mixed fortunes, with an obvious dichotomy between
the birds of scrub and garden and the species utilising the farmland. In the gardens, withies
and scrub there were record numbers of Wren, Dunnock, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff,
Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Lesser Redpoll. Robin numbers were at their highest since 1955,
Blackbird at their highest since 1989 and Whitethroat at their highest since 1968. Blue Tits
bred for a third time and Great Tits for a fourth. Increases in available cover and an absence of
breeding Sparrowhawks seem to be having a positive effect and, for the granivorous species,
increases in available food have been substantial. Although the number of farmland species
breeding this year was generally stable, productivity was poor for Skylark, Pied Wagtail,
Stonechat, Wheatear and Linnet. Chough productivity was again bad, with the last four years
being the poorest on record. The disappointing spring weather probably affected these
species, particularly the first broods. On a positive note, good numbers of Swallows and House
Martins returned to breed and Ravens bred for a second consecutive year.

5 References

Eagle, G. (2012) Bardsey’s breeding birds, 1992-2011. Rep. Bardsey Bird Fld. Obs. 55: 138-143.
Jones, P.H. (1988) The Natural History of Bardsey. National Museum of Wales, Cardiff.
Lawn, M.R. (1984) Premigratory dispersal of juvenile Willow Warblers P. trochilus in southern

England. Ringing and Migration 5: 125-131.
Loxton, R.G. and Jones, P.H. (1995) The breeding birds of Bardsey, Skomer, Skokholm and the

Calf of Man. Part 1: Introduction and species accounts. Rep. Bardsey Bird Fld. Obs. 38:
84-159.
Mavor, R.A. et al. (2008) Seabird numbers and breeding success in Britain and Ireland, 2006.
Peterborough, JNCC (UK Nature Conservation, No 31.).
Roberts, P.J. (1985) The birds of Bardsey. BBFO.
Walsh, P.M. et al. (1995) Seabird monitoring handbook for Britain and Ireland. JNCC / RSPB /
ITE / Seabird Group, Peterborough

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 135

Citrine Wagtail - a new species for Bardsey

David Waudby

Following a day of light easterly wind, 10 October 2012 dawned overcast and with light
showers of rain. Looking out from Carreg Bach where Pamela Bridges and I were staying the
week, we observed that many of the birders on Bardsey seemed to be gravitating to the north
of the island. We made the crude calculation that if we head south, the chances of us finding
‘our own’ birds might be increased. And so we ambled down the lane enjoying birds along the
way. We had got as far as the Boathouse when we spotted Philip Goble, an Observatory
visitor whose acquaintance we had already made. While chatting with Philip I vaguely heard
an unfamiliar call, best likened to an electrical buzz! With alarm bells ringing in my head I
turned to look around. On the grass 30 metres away was a Pied Wagtail but immediately
another wagtail landed close by. This bird demanded attention it was very striking and one
glance was enough, I found myself exclaiming "get on this wagtail 'cos it looks like a Citrine!"
or words to that effect. At that moment it flew off and was lost for a few anxious minutes but
to huge relief it was found strutting its stuff along a low turf covered wall about 100 metres
away.

Philip

and ourselves

viewed it

through scopes

and discussed

the salient

details and we

all agreed it

was indeed a

first winter

Citrine Wagtail

Motacilla

citreola. And so

to spread the

news as quickly as possible. Before going to Bardsey Pamela and I acquired a couple of radios

and although simple to use we were at the lower end of the learning curve. We both had

difficulties summoning ‘Warden Steve’ and imparting the message. Later someone told us

they thought it was a hoax while someone else politely said there was ‘a lot of static’!

Eventually the news was out and the speed at which birders arrived was truly amazing. Ben

Porter closely followed by Steve Stansfield were first on the scene both with cameras. The

Citrine Wagtail proved very photogenic and the photographers efforts are outstanding.

The identification of Citrine Wagtail is well understood, but BBFO Warden Steve
Stansfield's supurb photos (see above) are both a joy and an education and in my view
completely negate the need for a detailed description here. Citrine Wagtail occurrences in the
British Isles are on the increase and this Bardsey's first was overdue. Slack (2009)1 states that
of 18 autumn records in the southwest since 1992 the median arrival date is 5th September
and that birds after the first week of October are exceptional. Well Bardsey's bird was a little
late but better late than never. A Motacilla in monochrome it surely was but very, very
beautiful.

David Waudby, c/o The Warden, BBFO, Cristin, Bardsey Island, LL53 8DE

1 Slack, R. (2009) Rare Birds where and when. Rare Bird Books. York.

136 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Moths

Canary-shouldered Thorn
Grey Dagger

Drinker, Chinese Character
Glyphipterix simpliciella, Micropterix aruncella
Pink-barred Sallow, Orchard Ermine All photos SDS

Ringing

Radde’s Warbler SDS,
‘blythii’ Lesser Whitethroat SDS
Greenish Warblers RDB & SDS Woodchat Shrike SDS
Common Rosefinch SDS
Melodious Warblers all SDS

Rare Birds

Dombrowskii’s Wagtail SDS, Subalpine Warbler BJP
Melodious Warbler SDS, Waxwing SDS
Barred Warbler SDS

Red-breasted Flycatcher SDS, Little Bunting RBa

Spring Passage

Yellow Wagtail BJP
Whinchat BJP, Pied Flycatcher BJP
Yellowhammer BJP, Whitethroat SDS
White Wagtail SDS, Turtle Doves RDB

Late Spring and Summer

Leucistic Wheatear SDS
Little Owl SDS, Pomarine Skua and Shelducks RDB

Meadow Pipit SDS
Mediterranean Gull SDS

Cuckoo BJP

Autumn Passage

Willow Warbler BJP
Great Spotted Woodpecker BJP
‘tristis’ Chiffchaff SDS, Ring Ouzel BJP
Snow Bunting BJP, Swallows SDS
Yellow-browed Warbler BJP, Firecrest SDS

Autumn Passage

Pied Flycatcher SDS, Spotted Flycatcher SDS

0 Wheatear SDS, Lapland Bunting BJP

Goldcrest SDS
Hen Harrier SDS, Chiffchaff SDS

Autumn Waders

Turnstone SDS
Bar-tailed Godwit SDS, Knot BJP
Sanderling SDS, Purple Sandpiper SDS
Dotterel BJP