Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory report 2012

A possible ‘Romanian Wagtail’ Motacilla flava dombrowskii

Richard Brown and Steven Stansfield

On 11 June 2012, RDB was making his way down to the Narrows with Giselle Eagle. 137
They had just reached the gate that separates the South End from the Narrows when he
heard a ‘flava’ wagtail calling from somewhere low, possibly on the ground. He scanned the
grass ahead, sadly into the sun, and picked up a Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava which was
clearly not a M. f. flavissima. GE quickly got on the bird as RDB noted its dark (too dark for
nominate), but not black, crown and blackish ear coverts. M. f. thunbergi sprang to mind and
RDB radioed SDS to say that he had what might be a Grey-headed Wagtail. Within a minute
the bird flew, again giving a typical ‘flava’-type call, over a bank, but looking as if it was
dropping back down. RDB and GE skirted the bird to get the sun behind them and were soon
treated to much better views. RDB rattled off a few photos…

SDS soon arrived, quickly looked at the the bird and, it has to be said rather
impressively, said ‘mmm, looks like a dombrowskii’. The three of us watched the bird for a
while before it flew off towards the Lighthouse. After lunch RDB re-found the bird, with GE,
at the north of the Island, but could add nothing more to the description, other than that it
again sounded like a ‘flava’, and not like a Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola.

The photographs (see colour plates) are very good representations of what was seen in
the field. That is to say the crown and hind-neck were a deep slaty grey with the hind-neck
showing a subtle blue wash. The white supercilium was narrow before the eye and broader
behind. The ear-coverts were blackish, lacking the slaty grey colour. The throat was white
just below the bill, extending below the ear coverts, but a predominantly yellow breast,
nearly to the lower mandible. The bill appeared relatively heavy for a Yellow Wagtail but I
would hesitate to draw anything from this.

The appearance very closely matched that shown for M. f. dombrowskii (also called
Romanian Wagtail) in various reference material, but there were still two issues. Firstly,
what actually is a ‘dombrowskii’, and secondly how to separate ‘Eastern Yellow Wagtail’ M. f.
tschutschensis. To tackle the second issue first, we believe this might be done on call alone,
regardless of their very similar appearance. The Bardsey bird called like a Yellow Wagtail,
whereas M. f. tschutschensis reputedly gives a Citrine Wagtail-type call. However, RDB has
no experience of this and couldn’t rule out a M. f. tschutschensis, or even some form of
eastern hybrid, giving a flava-like call. SDS has a fair amount of experience with Citrine
Wagtail and has heard M. f. tschutschensis in Asia and thought that our bird sounded unlike
the M. f. tschutschensis and Citrines he had heard.

With regards to what a dombrowskii is, there seem to be two likely candidates. Either a
Blue-headed M. f. flava x Black-headed M. f. feldegg (the stereotype Romanian Wagtail) or a
M. f. flava x Grey-headed M. f. thunbergi. We don’t have enough experience to comment on
this. We don’t see why the Bardsey bird couldn’t be a hybrid between any blue-grey
crowned, white throat, white supercilium form e.g. beema x black ear coverts, dark crown
form. With Yellow Wagtails as they are, there is also the obvious possibility of a second-plus
generation hybrid-type thing going on. The typical form of M. f. superciliaris seemingly lacks
the white on the throat and has a darker crown. Ultimately the Bardsey bird does look a spot
on match for M. f. dombrowskii in all the reference material we could put our hands on, but
we couldn’t feel 100% confident what subspecies the parent birds were, despite feldegg x
flava being the most likely in terms of proximity and given the recent range expansion of
feldegg.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012

Arrival and departure dates of migrants

Richard Brown

There were two extralimital dates noted this year; a Common Tern on 20 November
was 19 days later than the previous latest bird of 2002 and a Brambling on 27 September was
the earliest by three days.

Table 1. The arrival and departure dates of migrant birds on Bardsey

Summer migrants

Species Arrival date Departure date Earliest spring arrival Latest autumn departure
2012 2012 pre 2012 pre 2012
Manx Shearwater 13 March 7 November 1 March 2005 5 December 2006
Common Sandpiper 11 April 7 September 21 March 1994 27 October 2003
Arctic Skua 27 April 16 October 3 March 2011 7 November 1996
Great Skua 18 April 14 November 27 March 1966 6 December 2006
Sandwich Tern 7 April 4 October 26 March 2009 29 October 2009
Common Tern 14 May 20 November 14 April 1981 1 November 2002
Arctic Tern 25 May 16 October 20 April 1984 5 December 2009
Turtle Dove 4 May 23 May 18 April 1963 25 October 1988 & 91
Cuckoo 22 April 1 August 17 April 2009 5 October 1981
Swift 26 April 31 August 13 April 1995 28 October 1976
Sand Martin 13 March 8 October 7 March 2002 24 October 1990
Swallow 15 March 22 October 12 March 2003 21 November 1989
House Martin 7 April 19 October 20 March 2005 9 November 1984 & 94
Tree Pipit 30 March 27 September 29 March 1968 6 November 2011
‘flava’ Wagtail 1 May 23 September 5 April 1980 24 October 1962
Black Redstart 9 March 23 October 16 Feb 2001 & 03 31 December 2009
Redstart 21 April 23 October 26 March 2005 24 October 2001
Whinchat 28 April 7 October 28 March 1960 14 November 1989
Wheatear 12 March 24 October 6 March 1977 8 November 2009
Ring Ouzel 23 March 26 October 19 March 2000 & 09 21 November 2010
Grasshopper Warbler 14 April 7 October 1 April 1999 24 October 2001
Sedge Warbler 14 April 13 September 7 April 2011 29 October 1962
Reed Warbler 7 May 22 October 15 April 2001 31 October 1967
Blackcap 3 March 1 December 21 January 1997 23 December 2004
Garden Warbler 3 May 12 October 25 March 1960 21 November 1969
Lesser Whitethroat 1 May 24 October 16 April 2004 15 November 1978
Whitethroat 21 April 26 September 8 April 2011 4 November 1982
Wood Warbler 7 May 14 August 22 April 1984 28 September 1999
Chiffchaff 26 February 6 December 15 February 2002 20 December 2004
Willow Warbler 23 March 23 October 18 March 2009 5 November 2000
Spotted Flycatcher 2 May 23 October 22 April 1984 26 October 1984
Pied Flycatcher 25 April 4 October 7 April 1985 18 October 2006
Golden Oriole 6 June 6 June 11 April 1981 19 September 1961

Winter migrants

Species Departure date Arrival date Latest spring departure Earliest autumn arrival
2012 2012 pre 2012 pre 2012
Whooper Swan No Record 27 October 6 March 1987 5 October 2000
Jack Snipe 20 February 2 October 22 May 1989 27 August 1993
Woodcock 17 March 11 October 17 May 1997 23 September 1963
Fieldfare 23 April 10 October 18 May 1970 10 August 1983
Redwing 10 April 7 October 25 May 1991 5 September 1995
Brambling No Record 27 September 15 May 1985 30 September 2007 & 10
Lapland Bunting 27 March 23 September 1 June 1957 28 August 2010
Snow Bunting 6 May 7 October 22 June 1970 4 September 2002

138 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Lighthouse attractions

Richard Brown

1 Introduction

This year 53 attractions to the Lighthouse were recorded, 13.1% fewer than in 2011
and 4.4% less than the 2003-2012 mean (55.44±s.d.11.95). The majority of the attractions
were small, with 34 comprising ten or fewer individuals, 11 of between 11 and 50 individuals,
three of between 51 and 100 individuals and only five seeing over 100 birds attracted. The
largest attraction of the year saw 362 birds attracted during the night. The diversionary gantry
lights used at big attractions were only used once during 2012, when the permanent cabling
provided to the south of the Lighthouse in 2011 proved very useful. The largest five
attractions are documented in the results section.

2 Results

There was a total of 1708 birds of 28 species attracted this year. This was 140.6% more
individuals, but 6.7% fewer species than recorded in 2011. There were 431 birds (110.2%
more than in 2011) of 12 species (33.3% fewer) trapped and ringed and 72 birds (16.3%
fewer) of 8 species (46.7% fewer) fatally attracted. These differences in recorded numbers are
likely to reflect genuine differences between 2011 and 2012 as the Assistant Warden was
again based at the LSA Hut to monitor attractions. When looking at Table 1 it should be noted
that the Assistant Warden was based at Cristin in the years 2008-2010 and thus some small
attractions, or those starting late in the night, may have been missed in those years. A further
difference in 2012 was that the two permanent down-lighters mounted beneath the lantern,
which in previous years have illuminated the tower, were not functioning.

Table 1. Total numbers of birds attracted, trapped and killed at Bardsey Lighthouse 2003-2012

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Number of attractions - 61 72 64 63 48 34 43 61 53
Number of birds - 5211 2419 2741 1131 734 2962 256 710 1708
Number of species - 48 50 50 31 29 33 17 30 28
Number trapped 557 581 431 411 219 349 121 205 431
Species trapped 191 18 15 16 6 8 12 4 18 12
Number killed 4 149 118 223 82 60 80 34 86 72
Species killed 25 18 14 17 6 10 13 10 15 8
8

The five largest attractions of 2012, three in the spring and two in the autumn, are
detailed below. A large proportion of the other attractions involved small numbers of Manx
Shearwaters; 28 of the 53 recorded attractions this year were solely comprised of this
species. For the following summaries cloud cover and wind speed are given for the start of the
attraction and changes are detailed in the text. Cloud cover is measured in octas and wind
measured using the Beaufort scale. It is recorded whether the outline of the Mountain, the
lights of the Llŷn Peninsula and the beams of Strumble Head Lighthouse could be seen.

17/18 May Cloud 8/8 Calm Mountain: Yes. Llŷn: Yes. Strumble: No.

The fifth largest attraction of the year was three nights before the new moon. At 2330

hrs there were three Manx Shearwaters, one Common Sandpiper, eight Wheatears and a
Sedge Warbler attracted and a misty drizzle was beginning. Ten minutes later the number of
Manx Shearwaters in the beams had increased to nine and the first of the night was trapped.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 139

Additionally, two

Whitethroats were at

the light. Over the next

20 minutes the number

of Manx Shearwaters

increased to 50 in the Whitethroat © 2012 Steve Stansfield

beams, with a further

five trapped. Three

Sedge Warblers joined

the two Whitethroats,

but the number of

Wheatears dropped to

just two. In the following

half hour the number of

Manx Shearwaters

increased to 80, with a

further seven trapped. A

Whitethroat was the first

fatality of the night at 0020

hrs and a Manx Shearwater was collected dead ten minutes later. Over the following 90

minutes the number of Manx Shearwaters dropped to just 20 and a Sedge Warbler was

found dead. More birds began to ground by 0225 hrs when 11 Manx Shearwaters and a

Whitethroat were trapped. Two Manx Shearwaters were fatally attracted (including a bird

ringed as a pullus on Pen Cristin in August 2009). At 0230 hrs the weather cleared; however, a

Blackcap grounded and was trapped. The following five minutes saw five Manx Shearwaters

and a Whitethroat trapped and a further Manx Shearwater was found dead. These were the

last birds of the night.

Table 2. A summary of the 17/18 May 2012 attraction

Species Total attracted Trapped Killed
Manx Shearwater 94 29 4
Common Sandpiper 1
Wheatear 8 1 1
Sedge Warbler 3 2
Blackcap 1 32 1
Whitethroat 3 3 6
Total 110 3
Number of species 6

20/21 June Cloud 8/8 SW4 Mountain: Just. Llŷn: Just. Strumble: No.

The largest attraction of the year was one day after the new moon. A calm and clear
night gave way to a squall at 0200 hrs. A minimum of 300 Manx Shearwaters were
immediately brought to the light, with 54 trapped and eight fatalities over the following two
hours. The passing of the weather, coinciding with dawn, allowed the birds to disperse quickly
and the following morning saw no signs that an attraction had occurred.

Table 3. A summary of the 20/21 June 2012 attraction

Species Total attracted Trapped Killed
Manx Shearwater 362 54 8

140 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

27/28 June Cloud 8/8 SW4 Mountain: Just. Llŷn: Just. Strumble: No.

The fourth largest attraction of the year was on the half moon. At midnight clearing
fog gave way to drizzle and 80 Manx Shearwaters were attracted, with a further 61 trapped
over the following 30 minutes. With improving weather the number of birds attracted had
dropped to 20 by 0100 hrs and 15 by 0130 hrs. However, passing drizzle at 0200 hrs again
downed birds, with 24 Manx Shearwaters trapped whilst a further ten remained in the
beams. Stars were soon visible, and only two Manx Shearwaters were at the light when
observations ceased. Two grounded Manx Shearwaters, along with the only fatality were
found at 0630 hrs. Despite this attraction being considerably smaller than that on 20/21 June,
more birds were trapped on this date than on any other during the year. All 87 birds flew
strongly upon release the following morning.

Table 4. A summary of the 27/28 June 2012 attraction

Species Total attracted Trapped Killed
Manx Shearwater 141 87 1

22/23 October Cloud 8/8 SE3 Mountain: Yes. Llŷn: No. Strumble: No.

The second largest and most Redwing © 2012 Steve Stansfield
diverse attraction of the year

occurred on the half moon. A light

drizzle at 0120 hrs saw a Blackbird, a

Song Thrush and six Redwings

attracted. The weather deteriorated

to rain at 0135 hrs and a Redwing

became the first fatality of the night.

By 0150 hrs the Mountain was no

longer visible and ten Song Thrushes

and five Redwings were at the

beams. A further Redwing was

picked up injured and was dead by

0700 hrs. At 0200 hrs the gantry

lights were turned on to the south of

the compound and a Robin, six Song

Thrushes and 15 Redwings were attracted. In the following 30 minutes the number of birds

attracted increased to include a Woodcock, two Black Redstarts, three Fieldfares, 12 Song

Thrushes, 80 Redwings and two Starlings. Additionally 30 Redwings and two Starlings were

grounded in front of the gantry lights. At 0245 hrs two Blackbirds had joined a minimum of

100 Redwings in the beams and a further Blackbird was trapped. The number of birds in the

beams dropped noticeably over the next 15 minutes until only a Fieldfare, ten Song Thrushes

and 40 Redwings could be seen, although an additional 12 Blackbirds, five Song Thrushes and

40 Redwings were in front of the gantry lights and a Song Thrush was trapped at the base of

the tower. The rain stopped by 0315 hrs when the majority of birds had grounded and

observations ceased until 0600 hrs. When observations recommenced there were six

Redwings and 15 Starlings attracted and a Redwing was trapped. In the following 30 minutes

a Manx Shearwater was trapped and a Snipe, a Goldcrest and 45 Starlings attracted. As dawn

broke it was clear that there had been more Starlings attracted and that they had roosted on

the rails above the lantern. A minimum of 195 were counted from below the tower, ten

Redwings were calling in the compound and a Chiffchaff and four Goldcrests were grounded

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 141

by the gantry lights. By 0730 hrs the Mountain was visible, the gantry lights were turned off
and observations ceased. The only two fatalities in an attraction of well over 300 birds
occurred prior to the use of the gantry lights.

Table 5. A summary of the 22/23 October 2012 attraction

Species Total attracted Trapped Killed
Manx Shearwater 1 1
Snipe 1
Woodcock 1 1
Robin 1 1
Black Redstart 2 12
Blackbird 13
Fieldfare 3 42
Song Thrush 12 41
Redwing
Chiffchaff 102
Goldcrest 1
Starling 4
Total
Number of species 195
336
12

23/24 October Cloud 8/8 SW3 Mountain: Yes. Llŷn: No. Strumble: No.

The third largest attraction of the year occurred six days before the full moon. A
routine check of the light at 0200 hrs found three Song Thrushes and five Redwings in the
beams, despite the fact that it was a pleasant, dry night and the Mountain was clearly visible.
Over the following hour two Robins, a Blackbird, five Song Thrushes, ten Redwings and 20
Starlings were attracted and a further Robin was trapped. However, few of the birds lingered
in the beams, presumably finding places to roost on a relatively bright night. Observations
ceased at 0300 hrs and recommenced at 0600 hrs from when four Blackbirds, two Song
Thrushes, three Redwings and six Goldcrests were noted and a further two Goldcrests were
trapped. As the sky brightened the Starling roost above the lantern was found to number 120
individuals and a Redwing was found dead.

Table 6. A summary of the 23/24 October 2012 attraction

Species Total attracted Trapped Killed
Robin 3 1
Blackbird 4 1
Song Thrush 5 2 1
Redwing 10 3 1
Goldcrest 8 2
Starling
Total 120
Number of species 150

6

There were several other notable nocturnal events at the Lighthouse in 2012. A
Leach’s Petrel was trapped at 2330 hrs on 19 September and became the 35th to be ringed on
Bardsey, all of which have been attracted to the light and three of which have occurred in the
last three years. A second bird was found dead a few days later. Of the three Woodcocks seen
at the light this year, two grounded during the night of 16/17 November and were the 50th
and 51st to be ringed here, all but eight of which have been attracted to the Lighthouse. Of
the 408 Manx Shearwaters trapped this year, two already bore rings; one was a third-year,
probably returning to Bardsey for the first time, and one was a control ringed elsewhere.

142 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Table 7. Total numbers of birds attracted, trapped and killed at Bardsey Lighthouse during 2012

Species Total attracted Trapped Killed
Manx Shearwater 1019 408 56
Leach’s Petrel 2 1 1
Oystercatcher 2 1
Ringed Plover 1 2
Knot 1 2
Sanderling 3 1 8
Dunlin 10 1 2
Snipe 1 1
Woodcock 3 4 1
Whimbrel 11 1
Redshank 6 3 72
Common Sandpiper 2 2 8
Wheatear 21 2
Robin 4 4
Black Redstart 2 2
Redstart 1
Blackbird 37 431
Fieldfare 4 12
Song Thrush 20
Redwing 146
Sedge Warbler 5
Blackcap 2
Whitethroat 8
Willow Warbler 22
Chiffchaff 10
Goldcrest 20
Spotted Flycatcher 4
Starling 341
Total 1708
Number of species 28

Lighthouse © 2012 Steve Stansfield

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 143

Bird ringing

Richard Brown

A total of 3264 full-grown birds of 69 species was ringed in 2012, with a further 518
pulli of 21 species. The combined total of 3782 birds is 3.2% fewer than last year, 5.0%
lower than the average total for the last ten years (3978.10±s.d.903.76) and 18.4% fewer
than the mean for 1954-2012 (4628.68±s.d.1929.17). The full-grown total was the highest
since 2008, but poor pullus numbers dragged the overall total down, this primarily being a
result of not accessing the Ynysoedd Gwylan seabird colonies in 2012.

The combined total of 77 species ringed is ten fewer than last year and is 2.05%
down on the BBFO average (78.61±s.d.11.11), this again mainly due to several seabird
species not making the totals this year. There were two species ringed in 2012 that had not
been ringed in the previous four years, namely Long-eared Owl and Radde’s Warbler,
meaning that an impressive 125 species have been ringed in only the last five years. This
goes to show just how varied the ringing is on Bardsey from year to year. With no new
additions to the BBFO ringing total in 2012, it remains at 193 species.

A total of 203 birds was ringed in March, 181 fewer than in 2011. Goldcrests were
the most abundant species, with the 86 trapped contributing to a year total of 562, 13.8%
more than the 1954-2012 mean (493.86±s.d.513.70) and the best year total since 2008.
The only notable birds were the 20th and 21st Common Redpolls to be ringed on Bardsey.

April was disappointing following the very high standards set in recent years. Only
448 birds were ringed, 706 fewer than achieved in 2011 and 469 fewer than in 2010.
Willow Warblers were predictably the most abundant species, but the 161 trapped was
371 fewer than in April 2011. Recent years have proven to be very good for catching
Blackcaps; the year total of 183 in 2011 was the fifth best on record and the 103 caught in
April 2012 contributed to an impressive year total of 289, the best ever and 41% more than
the previous record year total of 205 achieved in 1988. A Whimbrel dazzled on Solfach was
the 100th to be ringed on Bardsey. The first Tree Pipit of the year was trapped in April,
with three more in May taking the all-time total to 131 and the annual total to four, the
best since seven were trapped in 1996.

A total of 634 birds was ringed in May, 341 more than last year. Manx Shearwaters
were the most abundant with 187 trapped, 135 of which were attracted to the Lighthouse.
Four Peregrine chicks was the best ever ringing total, one more than the three achieved on
ten previous occasions. A Collared Dove this month was the 53rd to be ringed on Bardsey.
The 15 Chough pulli ringed (14 in May and one in June), was the best achieved since 2002
and took the Bardsey total for this species to 517. There were mixed fortunes for two of
our regular migrants this month; three Spotted Flycatchers contributed to the year’s total
of just eight, the second lowest on record; whereas two Reed Warblers took the year total
to eight, a figure 225.2% up on the 1954-2012 mean (2.46 ±s.d. 2.48), and the second best
total ever following nine in 2008. The highlight of the month was the 26th Common
Rosefinch to be trapped on Bardsey.

In total of 589 birds were ringed in June, 103 more than in 2011 but 228 fewer than
in 2010. The majority of attention during this period was focussed on seabird trapping, and
as a result only 114 passerines were ringed, 24 more than in 2011. Two Shelduck pulli were
the first to be ringed on Bardsey. Highlights included the 82nd Melodious Warbler to be
trapped on Bardsey, two Greenish Warblers (the first time ever that two have been caught
in a season and which takes the all-time total to seven) and the 12th Woodchat Shrike for

144 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Bardsey (the first time that this species has been trapped in successive years since the latePied Flycatcher© 2012 Steve Stansfield
1960s).

The July
and August total of
595 was 331 fewer
than that achieved
in the same period
in 2011. The
majority of this
total comprised
225 Willow
Warblers and 158
Manx Shearwater.
A total of 74
Swallows ringed
during the month
took the year total to
137, the best ever and 20.2% up on the previous best of 114 trapped in 2011. Highlights
during the period included the 75th Knot to be ringed on Bardsey, the 21st Sand Martin
and the 83rd Melodious Warbler. Six Pied Flycatchers trapped in August took the year’s
total to ten, the best achieved since 2003.

A total of 421 birds was ringed in September, 229 more than in 2011. The majority
of the total comprised 131 Goldcrests. In September 2010 we ringed the first Leach’s
Petrel since 2004; in 2011 September again proved the month for trapping this species;
and on 20 September 2012 we trapped the 35th for Bardsey which, as with all previous
records, was attracted to the Lighthouse. This month saw the 43rd Bar-tailed Godwit and
the 48th Treecreeper to be trapped by our Observatory. The third and final Melodious
Warbler of the year, occurring in a third consecutive month, was the 84th for Bardsey.
Trapping three Melodious Warblers in a year is not particularly unusual here; three were
trapped in 1995, 1986, 1981, 1977, 1974, 1967 and 1964, five were trapped in 1983 and an
amazing nine were trapped in 1962.

October saw 826 individuals ringed, 414 more than in 2011 and the best month
total of 2012. The majority of the total was made up of 325 Goldcrests and 227
Chaffinches. The Chaffinch year total of 317 is the best achieved since 328 were trapped in
1996. Good birds during October included the 9th Merlin for BBFO, the 22nd Long-eared
Owl (the first since 2005) and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers which took the Bardsey all-
time total to 21 and the year total to three (only bettered by four in 2008). Five Yellow-
browed Warblers trapped this month takes the all-time total to 67 and equals that
recorded in 2007, 1988 and 1987 (but doesn’t quite match the ten trapped in 1986 and
1985). The bird of the month, and arguably of the season, was a fantastic Radde’s Warbler
trapped in the New Plantation on the 14th; this was only the third to be trapped on
Bardsey. Two Bramblings and 11 Long-tailed Tits were also trapped this month.

Weather restrictions limited November’s total to 66, one fewer than in 2011. The
majority of the total was made up of 27 Blackbirds which took the year total to 79, the
most trapped since 139 in 1994. Two Woodcocks were trapped in November for a third
consecutive year, both attracted to the Lighthouse and taking the all-time total to 51.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 145

Table 1. Number of birds ringed in 2012 and 1954-2012 and comparison with the 2011 totals and the
1954-2012 mean

* First symbol compares total with 2011, second with BBFO average. ↑ Up on, = Equal to, ↓ Down on

2012 Pullus 2012 FG Total * Pullus Total FG Total Grand Total
2
Shelduck 102 475 2 ↑↑ 2 8 10
Teal 8 1 7 7
Mallard 4 1 25 16
Little Grebe 13 3 41
Fulmar 2 577 ↑↓ 105 49 3
Manx Shearwater 31 1 1 ↓↓ 6,149 32,915
Storm-petrel 53 1 =↑ 666 154
Leach's Petrel 2 16 35 39,064
Gannet 3 4
Cormorant ↓↓ 1,279 2 682
1 8 ↓↓ 4,110 129 35
Shag 1
Bittern 1 2 ↑↑ 12 5 4
Grey Heron 2 21 1
Hen Harrier 1 1 ↑↑ 96 1,281
Sparrowhawk 2 4 ↑↑ 50 21 4,239
Kestrel 4 9
Merlin ↓↓ 48 1
Peregrine 3 2 =↓ 712 5 5
13 ↑↓ 26 218 1
Quail 3 ↓↑ 108
Water Rail 1 42
Sora 150 14 9
Corncrake 375
Moorhen 1 =↓ 195 50
Oystercatcher ↓↓ 127 5
Ringed Plover
Dotterel 1 ↓↓ 2 2 218
Golden Plover 3 4 1
Grey Plover ↓↓ 3
Lapwing 2 =↑ 9 14
Knot 1 ↑↑ 75 423
Sanderling 2 ↑↑ 18 907
Little Stint 8 153
Baird's Sandpiper 4 ↑↑ 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 2 2
Curlew Sandpiper 3 ↑↓ 2,596 6 4
Purple Sandpiper 8,983 55 3
↓↓ 503 159
Dunlin 934 27 75
Jack Snipe 31 ↑↓ 1,107 47 18
Snipe 53 ↓↓ 51 8
Woodcock 43 1
Bar-tailed Godwit ↓↓ 99 2
Whimbrel ↓↓ 114 6
Curlew
Redshank 126 55
3 503
Greenshank 27
Common Sandpiper 63 47
Spotted Sandpiper 1 51
Turnstone 43
Grey Phalarope 281 101
Sabine's Gull 3 117
Black-headed Gull 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 126
Herring Gull 3
Great Black-backed Gull 211
Kittiwake 207 63
Little Tern 1
2
187 281
3
1 2
1

2,807
9,190

936
1,294

1

146 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Guillemot 2012 Pullus 2012 FG Total * Pullus Total FG Total Grand Total
Razorbill 8 11 19 ↑↓ 1,671
156 26 182 ↑↑ 4,220 203 1,874
Black Guillemot
Puffin 94 1 1 2 1,202 5,422
Rock Dove 1 1 ↓↓ 628 2
Stock Dove 5 724
Woodpigeon 8 1 1 1 1 1,352
Collared Dove 2 1 2
Turtle Dove 1 3 3 ↓↓ 27 1
Cuckoo 1 ↓↑ 140
Barn Owl 1 1 53 167
Little Owl 43 137 1 36 53
Long-eared Owl 82 36
Nightjar 4 4 ↓↓ 41 83
Swift 7 7 ↑↑ 1 7 7
Kingfisher 29 29 54 95
Hoopoe ↓↓ 21 22
Ring-necked Parakeet 9 14 3
Wryneck 71 71 ↑↑ 3 30
Green Woodpecker 35 35 ↓↓ 12 30 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 73 81 3
Skylark =↑ 1 1
Wood Lark 2 2 ↑↑ 860 3 33
Sand Martin 5 5 1 1
Swallow 5 7 7 33 21
House Martin 1
Richard's Pipit 78 79 ↑↑ 21 607
Tree Pipit ↓↓ 305 595 1
Meadow Pipit 14 14 ↑↑ 137 1
Rock Pipit 12 12 21 21
Water Pipit ↓↑ 183 727 1,587
Yellow Wagtail 5 5 ↓↑ 17 24
Grey Wagtail 44 45 ↓↑ 42 1 31
Pied/White Wagtail ↑↑ 57 131 1
Wren 8 8 1,613
Dunnock ↓↓ 1,162 131
Robin ↑↓ 2 1,918
Nightingale 14 1,299
Red-flanked Bluetail ↓↓ 94 13
Black Redstart ↑↓ 560 454 2
Redstart 3,821 14
Whinchat ↑↓ 257 1,569 13
Stonechat 3,904 637
Wheatear ↓↓ 28 3,838
Grey-cheeked Thrush ↑↓ 14 1 1,611
Ring Ouzel ↑↓ 78 3,961
Blackbird 648 28
Eyebrowed Thrush ↓↓ 131
Fieldfare ↓↓ 5 760 1
Song Thrush 1,356 78
Redwing ↑↑ 2 648
Mistle Thrush 109 131
Lanceolated Warbler 9,221 854
1 1,916
Grasshopper Warbler 176
Sedge Warbler 3,203 2
Paddyfield Warbler 5,130 109
Blyth's Reed Warbler 11 9,478
Marsh Warbler 2
Reed Warbler 1,729 1
10,469 176
1 3,217
1 5,130
5
140 11

2
1,729
10,474

1
1
5
140

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 147

2012 Pullus 2012 FG Total * Pullus Total FG Total Grand Total

Great Reed Warbler 4 3 ↓↓ 1 2 2
Booted Warbler 289 3 ↑↑ 9 2 2
Icterine Warbler 4 3 289 ↑↑ 36 36
Melodious Warbler 15 3 3 ↓↓ 2 84 84
Blackcap 1 10 6 4,696 4,697
Garden Warbler 5 ↓↓ 1,523 1,523
Barred Warbler 1 2 3 =↑ 1 17 17
Lesser Whitethroat 10 ↓↓ 24 162 162
Whitethroat 5 6,218 6,227
Subalpine Warbler 1 ↓↓ 18 18
Sardinian Warbler 1 1
Greenish Warbler 291 2 ↑↑ 7 7
Arctic Warbler 547 2 2
Pallas's Warbler 562 ↓↓ 15 15
Yellow-browed Warbler 2 5 ↑↑ 67 67
Radde's Warbler 8 1 ↑↑ 3 3
Dusky Warbler 10 2 2
Western Bonelli's Warbler 11 ↓↓ 7 7
Wood Warbler 1 104 104
Chiffchaff 9 291 ↓↑ 15,964 15,966
Willow Warbler 3 547 ↓↓ 49,080 49,086
Goldcrest 562 ↑↑ 28,150 28,150
Firecrest 1 243 243
Spotted Flycatcher 2 ↑↓ 3,517 3,517
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1 8 ↓↓ 45 45
Pied Flycatcher 1 1,015 1,015
Long-tailed Tit ↓↓ 271 271
Blue Tit 5 10 ↑↓ 984 985
Great Tit 11 ↑↑ 563 587
Coal Tit 312 311 311
Willow Tit 2 1 ↓↓ 1 1
Nuthatch 76 13 ↑↑ 3 3
Treecreeper 71 48 48
Penduline Tit 2 3 ↑↓ 1 1
Golden Oriole 4 21 21
Red-backed Shrike 39 1 ↑↑ 9 9
Isabelline Shrike 2 ↓↓ 1 1
Great Grey Shrike 1 1
Woodchat Shrike 1 =↑ 253 12 12
Jay 451 4 4
Magpie 5 ↑↓ 163 136 389
Chough 15 ↑↑ 294 66 517
Jackdaw 61 243 406
Carrion Crow 1 ↓↓ 36 21 315
Raven 8 69
Starling 5 ↑↓ 2 5,459 5,495
Rosy Starling 1 1
House Sparrow 317 ↑↑ 11 476 478
Tree Sparrow 2 ↑↓ 11 11
Red-eyed Vireo 2 1 1
Chaffinch 76 ↑↑ 13,169 13,180
Brambling 71 ↑↑ 26 663 663
Greenfinch 2,503 2,503
Goldfinch 2 ↓↓ 1 1,000 1,002
Siskin 5 ↓↓ 259 259
Linnet 1,564 1,590
Twite 39 ↓↑ 1 1
Lesser Redpoll 2 =↑ 833 834
Common Redpoll 21 21

148 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Crossbill 2012 Pullus 2012 FG Total * Pullus Total FG Total Grand Total
Common Rosefinch 1 1 ↑↑
Bullfinch 518 ↓↓ 2 2
Hawfinch 21 3,264 3,782 ↓↓ 26 26
Blackpoll Warbler 69 77 48 48
Summer Tanager ↓↓
Song Sparrow 4 5 5
White-throated Sparrow 2 2
Dark-eyed Junco ↓↓ 9 1 1
Lapland Bunting 1 1
Snow Bunting 36,828 1 1
Yellowhammer 62 1 1
Ortolan Bunting 9 9
Little Bunting 1 1
Yellow-breasted Bunting 74 78
Reed Bunting 3 3
Red-headed Bunting 6 6
Black-headed Bunting 1 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 251 260
2 2
Totals ringed 3 3
1 1
Number of species
227,011 263,839

191 193

Long-tailed Tit © 2012 Steve Stansfield

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 149

Ringing recoveries

Giselle Eagle

In 2012, we were informed of 59 recoveries of birds either ringed on Bardsey and
found elsewhere, or of birds ringed elsewhere and found on Bardsey. Some of the more
interesting recoveries are listed below.

Age/ Sex codes

1 = pullus (nestling or chick)

2 = fully grown, year of hatching quite unknown

3 = hatched during calendar year of ringing

4 = hatched prior to calendar year of ringing, exact year unknown

5 = hatched during previous calendar year

6 = hatched prior to previous calendar year, exact year unknown

7 = definitely hatched two calendar years before ringing

8 = hatched more than two calendar years before year of ringing

M = male F = female

Condition at recovery

+ = intentionally killed by man
X = found dead
XF = found freshly dead or dying
XL = found long dead
V = alive and probably healthy; caught and released but not by a ringer
VV = alive and probably healthy; ring/ colour mark read in field but not by a ringer
R = caught and released by a ringer
B = caught and released by a ringer – nesting
RR = alive and probably healthy; ring or colour mark read in field by a ringer
S = found injured, not known to have been released
Sx = found moribund (sick or injured eventually died)
Sr = found sick or injured, released after rehabilitation with ring
A = alive and probably healthy - fate unknown
AC = alive and probably healthy – now captive
/ / = condition on finding wholly unknown

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus

FB17858 4 28.07.04 Bardsey

R 18.07.11 Copeland Bird Observatory, Down, N.Ireland

2546 days 221km 348˚

FB18901 1 26.07.05 Bardsey

R 04.08.11 Copeland Bird Observatory, Down, N.Ireland

2200 days 221km 348˚

FC46605 1 24.08.1989 Bardsey

R 04.08.11 Copeland Bird Observatory, Down, N.Ireland

8015 days 221km 348˚

There are regular movements of Manx Shearwaters between Bardsey and Copeland Bird
Observatory. With an estimated 4633 pairs breeding at Copeland and 16,000 on Bardsey, it is
no surprise that Bardsey-ringed birds have been recorded at Copeland, and vice-versa,
regularly since 1956. Interestingly, FB18901 and FC46605 were ringed as pulli and were both
retrapped on the same date in the Copeland colony as breeding birds (six and 12 years later
respectively). FB17858, however, was ringed as an adult on Bardsey in July 2004 after being
attracted to the Lighthouse in bad weather. It was subsequently controlled on Copeland
during the breeding seasons of 2005, 2006, 2010 and most recently in August 2011.

150 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

FB17916 4 09.08.04 Bardsey
XF 28.06.12 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, Wales
2880 days
118km 197˚

A bird moving in nearly the same direction as the Assistant Warden and his partner.

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis

1171113 1 26.05.86 Bardsey
XL 15.07.11
9181 days Bardsey

0km 0˚

1396162 1 15.06.08 Ynys Gwylan Islands, Gwynedd, Wales
XL 15.09.12
Landing Beach, Lundy Island, Devon, England

1553 days 182km 180˚

Shag 1171113 ringed as a nestling on the East cliffs of Bardsey was just over 25 years of age
when its leg and ring were recovered. While this is of a notable age, the longevity record of
this species is held by an Irish individual ringed as a nestling on Great Saltee, Wexford in 1977
and found dead in County Wicklow in 2007, an impressive age of 29 years, 10 months and 25
days (BTO).

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

GC06932 1 23.06.10 Bardsey

XF 25.04.12 La Baule-Escoublac, Loire-Atlantique, France

672 days 634km 165˚

Found on a beach after ‘violent weather’.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

GC06828 1 11.06.10 Bardsey
Pitsea Landfill Site, Essex, England
R 14.01.12
386km
582 days 111˚

This Herring Gull was no doubt attracted to Pitsea Landfill site by the 800,000 tonnes of
London’s solid waste which are dumped there each year. This bird was retrapped by North
Thames Gull Group and a colour mark added. Interestingly, there is a new Defra directive
stating that there should be no food waste on landfill sites. The group is already seeing
reduced numbers of gulls visiting such ‘scavengers gold-mines’. This was one of 17 Herring
Gulls controlled by the group in 2012.

Razorbill Alca torda

K09652 1 19.06.05 Bardsey
12.05.12 Great Saltee Island, Wexford, Ireland
VV 2519 days
22.06.96 142km
M83557 6 17.01.12 Bardsey 241˚
X 5687 days Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France 146˚

1226km

KO9652 was ringed as a pullus on Bardsey’s east side and re-sighted on Great Saltee Island in
Ireland. The Saltees, two uninhabited islands 5km off the Wexford coast, form one of Ireland’s
largest bird sanctuaries. Retrapped birds and rings read in the field have provided much
evidence about the movements of Razorbills between colonies. Generally, there is a high level

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 151

of site fidelity, with breeding adults returning to the same nest site year after year. There is
also strong evidence that suggests young birds return to their natal colony to breed, although
it has been observed that a large number of birds ringed as pulli have been subsequently
recovered breeding at different colonies. While this particular bird moved 142km, such
movements tend to be relatively local, with studies showing a median distance of 97km
(Wernham et al., 2002).

Razorbill M83557 is another Bardsey-ringed bird of notable age, but it was still well short of
the longevity record of 41 years, 11 months and three days held by a Bardsey-ringed bird. Up
until the end of 2011, of 1807 British and Irish-ringed Razorbills controlled abroad, over 36%
were in France.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

L705490 5F 19.04.11 Bardsey
Plaisance, Charente-Maritime, France
R 10.10.11
808km
174 days 161˚

This bird, which was ringed on passage in the spring of 2011 as an adult female, was trapped
six months later in October on the north-west coast of France. It was subsequently re-trapped
at the same site three days later. This individual therefore falls in with the vast majority of the
western European breeding population, which embark on a south-westerly European route to
wintering grounds in Southern Iberia and North Africa. Ringing recoveries have shown that
juvenile Blackcaps reach their wintering grounds earlier than adults, with the latter moulting
in Britain before departing. This explains the relatively late recovery date of this individual in
north-west France. However, there is increasing evidence that this species is successfully over-
wintering in central-western Europe (Kopiek & Ozarowska, 2012).

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Bardsey

CJX356 6 17.04.11 The Haven, Thorpeness, Suffolk, England
R 20.10.11
186 days 439km 99˚

During 2011 there were 174 British and Irish-ringed Chiffchaffs controlled in Suffolk, a county
which serves as an important refuelling point before birds cross the Channel to the Continent
(BTO).

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

L705831 3J 04.06.11 Bardsey
R 15.09.11 Tynewd Farm, Gwynedd, Wales

103 days 6km 43˚

L705841 3J 07.06.11 Bardsey
R 26.09.11
111 days Pen-y-groeslon, Bryncroes, Gwynedd, Wales

14km 48˚

L705945 3J 27.07.11 Bardsey
R 26.03.12 Tynewd Farm, Gwynedd, Wales
243 days
6km 43˚

Blue Tits bred on Bardsey in 2011 for the first time since 1989, thus their dispersal movements
are of interest. The single pair that nested in a wall crevice at Cristin loft fledged a brood of

152 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

which five were subsequently ringed in the Observatory garden. L705831 and 841 were
subsequently retrapped just 11 days apart from each other at nearby sites on the Llyn
Peninsula (6km and 14km away respectively). L705831 was ringed as a 3J on 4 June 2011 at
Cristin, retrapped over a month later at the same site on 19 July and was last trapped on
Bardsey, at Tŷ Nesaf on 24 August. L705841 was ringed as a 3J on 7 June 2011 and was
retrapped only once on the island, on 3 July of the same year. L705945, however, which was
ringed as a 3J on 27 July 2011, went missing until March 2012 when it was retrapped at the
same site as L705831. Away from island Bird Observatories, Blue Tits are the most commonly
ringed species in the UK scheme. A staggering 132,951 Blue Tits were ringed in the UK in 2011,
contributing to the enormous total of 3,726,040 individuals ringed since 1909.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

FB18601 1 21.05.05 Bardsey
XL 15.08.11 Bardsey

2277 days 0km 0˚

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Y111380 3F 26.10.11 Bardsey

R 13.03.12 Astcote, Towcester, Northamptonshire, England

139 days 265km 105˚

X724553 5F 01.05.10 Bardsey

XF 14.09.12 Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway

867 days 292km 24˚

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret

X724494 4 24.04.11 Bardsey

R 16.10.11 Icklesham, East Sussex, England

540 days 428km 119˚

L705078 5 20.04.11 Bardsey

R 02.03.12 Woorgreen Lake, Gloucestershire, England

317 days 186km 125˚

L705403 5 10.04.11 Bardsey

R 16.02.12 Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, England

312 days 347km 99˚

Despite the fact that this species is Red-listed and of high conservation concern due to
dramatic population declines, the three highest annual ringing totals in the history of the
Observatory have come in the past four years. This may be linked to a dramatic increase in the
use of gardens and feeders by this species, as noted in the BTO Garden Birdwatch.

References

British Trust for Ornithology, 2012 Online Ringing Reports. [online] Available at: http://www.
bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/publications/online-ringing-reports

Kopiec, K & Ozarowska, A. (2012) The origin of Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla wintering on the
British Isles. Ornis Fennica. 89: 254-263.

North Thames Gull Group, 2012 North Thames Gull Group Ringing Totals. [online} Available
at: http://www.ntgg.org.uk/ringing.shtml

Wernham, C., Siriwardena, G., Toms, M., Marchand, J., Clark, J. & Baillie, S. (2002) The
Migration Atlas: Movements of the Birds of Britain and Ireland. Christopher Helm
Publishers for BTO.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 153

Non-avian animals

Stephen Hinde

1 Introduction
Records of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, Odonata and a few miscellaneous

arthropod and insect species were collected through the daily census log and are summarised
below.

2 Results

2.1 Vertebrates

Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius, 1791) Grey Seal

Regular counts of grey seals were made throughout the year, with particular attention paid to

the numbers of animals hauled out in Henllwyn. The maximum monthly count is given in the

table.

During late September, October and November at least 15 pups were found.

Month Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Max. count 210 148 166 198 155 205 102 102

Phocoena phocoena (Linnaeus, 1758) Harbour Porpoise

The first of the year was a single animal seen on 5 February. There were then numerous

sightings through the summer and autumn. Notable days included 17 animals on 13 March, 12

on 21 May, nine on 10 June, 12 on 13 July and ten on 11 August. A mother with calf was seen

on 25 June, 5 July and 11 August although we cannot be certain if the same animals were

involved in all three sightings.

Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821) Bottlenose Dolphin

Animals were recorded on four dates. There were four including a calf on 31 August, six

including a calf on 4 September, and then three on 7 October.

Grampus griseus (G. Cuvier, 1812) Risso’s Dolphin

There were records from late May to mid-October. The first of the year was of four animals

including a calf on 29 May.

There were no sightings in June

and only one in July of two

adults on the 9th. Animals were

recorded on six dates in August;

on 10th a pod of ten included

three females with calves, and

on 31st a group of six also

included a calf. In September

there were sightings on nine

dates, 34 recorded by WDC on

2nd was by far the highest daily

count of the year, on other

dates three to six animals were Risso’s Dolphin © 2012 WDC

involved. Sightings on three

154 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

dates in early October involved three or less animals, but on 22nd 17 were seen out to the
west.

Delphinus delphis (Linnaeus, 1758) Short-beaked Common Dolphin

Following no records Common Dolphin © 2012 WDC
in 2011 it is good to
be able to report
occurrences on four
dates in 2012. There
were five animals on
9 August, one on 2
September, followed
by six on 12th. 30
were seen from a
WDC survey cruise
on 22 September.
The final record for
the year was of two
on 5 October.

Apodemus sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758) Wood Mouse

In spring there were a scattering of records of single animals from many areas of the island.

The wet summer did not present a problem to their breeding cycle and from mid-August

onwards there were frequent sightings, particularly from inhabited buildings. Six were seen to

run from a bed of dried bracken on Pen Cristin on 28 August. There were also six recorded

from the crop of Fat Hen at the Chapel on 27 September.

Sorex araneus (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Shrew

This animal is still thought of as being common though sightings remain few. Singles were
seen on six dates, at Cristin on 8 and 18 July, 29 September, 10 and 30 October. The only

other record was of a single at Carreg on 4 September. Corrugated steel sheets used at Cristin
to attract basking slow worms have also provided shelter (and recording opportunities) for
this species.

Pipistrellus pygmaeus (Leach, 1825) Soprano Pipistrelle

Nigel Brown and his team of students from Bangor University identified a Soprano Pipistrelle

Pipistrellus pygmaeus at Cristin on the night of 12 June using a bat detector. This is the first

time this species has been recorded on the island.

Myotis sp. (brandtii / nattereri) Myotis sp.

A bat was seen over Cristin on the evening of 1 September; this was thought to be bigger than

a Pipistrelle sp. and likely to be one of these two species.

Anguis fragilis (Linnaeus, 1758) Slow Worm

All of this year’s sightings came from the gardens surrounding Cristin. The addition of three

small corrugated iron sheets provided impetus for regular searches on sunny mornings. The

first observation for the year was of a single adult on 2 May. Three were present on 13 June

and 18 July and a thorough inspection on 22 July resulted in eight being found. The final

record for the year was of a single adult on 29 September.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 155

Lissotriton helveticus (Razoumowsky, 1789) Palmate Newt

With plenty of water in the various ponds and wells there were more records than in recent
years. Two seen in the Cristin pond on 26 March were the first of the year, with many more
records here throughout April and May, eight on 27 April was the best count. At the

Schoolhouse pond there was a splendid sighting of 30 on 12 June. A small well above Tŷ Capel
had four, also on 12 June; the last record of the year came from this vicinity with a single on 5

October.

2.2 Invertebrates
2.2.1 Odonata - dragonflies and damselflies

All dragonflies and damselflies seen were recorded in the daily census log. The generally wet
and cool weather conditions did not favour frequent observation of these species, though we
can hope that the abundance of water in ponds will have helped them to breed.

Ischnura elegans (Vander Linden, 1820) Blue-tailed Damselfly

There were just two records. A single was seen on 1 June, then two at Pwll Cain on 22 July.

Aeshna mixta (Latreille, 1805) Migrant Hawker

There were records on nine dates from mid-August to mid-October. The first were on 14

August, when there was one at Nant and two at Cristin. On 5 September one at Nant, one at

Cristin and one at Cristin Withy. On 9 October there was one at the Lighthouse, one at Cristin

Withy and one at Nant. The last record of the year was of one at the Plantation on 19

October.

Sympetrum striolatum (Charpentier, 1840) Common Darter

This species was recorded on three dates. A single on 26 May was the first of the year, then

two males in the withies on 27th. There was also a record of a single on 19 September.

2.2.2 Miscellaneous Arthropods and Insects

Strigamia maritima (Leach, 1817) Centipede

This coastal species of centipede was reported from several sites around the island, including

Henllwyn, between 13-16 August, with a maximum of six found on 15th.

Helophilus pendulus (Linnaeus, 1758) Sun Fly

This attractive hoverfly

species was recorded on

three dates in August. One

was photographed in the

withies on 12th, one was

seen in the wetlands on

16th, with another on the

South End a week later.

This appears to be only

the fifth to seventh time

this insect has been

recorded on the island, Sun Fly © 2012 Steve Stansfield
but it is almost certainly

overlooked.

156 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Cetacean Survey

Sonja Eisfeld and Mark Simmonds

1 Introduction Dolphin Surveying © 2012 SDS

The Risso’s Dolphin Grampus griseus is present in UK waters all year round, but with 157
some seasonal patterns of occurrence. They are seen in greater numbers in shelf waters from
May to October, and during the remainder of the year sightings are greater in offshore areas
(Evans et al. 2003; Reid et al. 2003). No more than a handful of sites around the world have
been documented as important coastal habitats for Risso’s Dolphins e.g. Pico Island, the
Azores and La Herradura, southern Chile. In the UK, Bardsey Island is one of two locations (the
other one being around the Eye Peninsula, Isle of Lewis, west Scotland) where Risso’s
Dolphins can be observed close to land.

For the past 13 years, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)1 has been conducting
research from and around Bardsey Island and the Llŷn Peninsula.

2 Methods

Full details of data collection methods for both land- and boat- based data are given in
Eisfeld & Simmonds (2012). Opportunistic sightings data were collected from an elevated
vantage point (approximately 10 m above sea level) at the Observatory on Bardsey with an
Optolyth TBS 80 telescope with 45x magnification. These observations were not considered
‘dedicated’ as they did not follow a certain protocol, so all sightings made during these
observations were noted down as ‘incidentals’ and excluded from calculation of encounter
rates.

2.1 Boat-based data

2.1.1 Photo-identification

During boat-based surveys, photographs were taken of as many animals as possible
within each group. Individuals were photographed using a Canon 5D digital SLR with Sigma
135 – 400mm lens and/or a Canon 40D with Canon 75 – 300 mm lens under licence
40349:OTH:SA:2012 from Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).

2.2 Public outreach

WDC designed
new laminated cetacean
ID guides which were
handed out to visitors to
the island and also
distributed to focal
tourist points on the Llŷn
(see Figure 1). Further
details are given in
Eisfeld & Simmonds
(2012).

1 Formerly called the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), prior to 2012.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012

Figure 1. Laminated cetacean ID Guide to the most commonly seen cetacean species in Welsh Waters.

Front side

Reverse side

158 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

3 Results

3.1 Land-based data

During the 2012 field season, 742.5 scans of ten minutes each were carried out. Total
observer effort amounted to 116 hours over 23 survey days. The aim was to spread survey
effort evenly across the platforms; however, for logistic reasons (including the effects of
unfavorable weather conditions) this was not possible and effort varied between sites (Table
1).

Three species of cetaceans were encountered in 89 encounters: Harbour Porpoise, Risso’s
Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphins (Figure 2). The most frequently sighted species was the
Harbour Porpoise with 86 sightings of 135 animals (Table 2). One group of Risso’s Dolphins
with a total of six individuals, including one calf, and two groups of Bottlenose Dolphins with a
total of seven individuals including one calf were encountered (Tables 3 and 4).

Two measures of sightings rate were derived. The sightings rate per unit effort (SPUE) is the
number of sightings per hour. This is referred to as the ‘encounter rate’ (Table 1).

Individuals per unit effort (IPUE) is the number of animals seen per hour. This is referred to as
the ‘peak count’ (Table 1). Both provide an index of relative abundance.

Table 1. Survey effort for each site during Bardsey Island Survey 2012

Site Survey No. of 10 Total no. of Total no. of Encounter Peak count
NorthEnd effort (hrs) min. scans encounters sighted rate (SPUE) (IPUE)
Cliff animals 1.5924
Total 87.92 527.5 83 140 0.9441 0.2824
28.33 215 6 8 0.2118 1.2731
116.25 742.5 89 148 0.7656

Table 2. Basic statistics for Harbour Porpoise (HP) sightings in the study area. The total number of
animals encountered is given in parentheses.

Site Survey effort (hrs) HP encounters Encounter Peak count
North End 87.92 (# enc. animals) rate(SPUE) (IPUE)
Cliff 28.33 1.4445
Total 116.25 80 (127) 0.9100 0.2824
6 (8) 0.2118 1.1613
0.7398
86 (135)

Table 3. Basic statistics for Risso’s Dolphin (RD) sightings in the study area. The total number of animals
encountered is given in parentheses.

Site Survey effort (hrs) RD encounters (# Encounter rate Peak count (IPUE)
North End 87.92 enc. animals) (SPUE) 0.0682
Cliff 28.33 1 (6) 0.0114 -
Total 116.25 - - 0.0682
1 (6) 0.0114

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 159

Table 4. Basic statistics for Bottlenose Dolphin (BND) sightings in the study area. The total number of
animals encountered is given in parenthesis.

Site Survey effort (hrs) BND encounters (# Encounter rate Peak count (IPUE)
North End 87.92 enc. animals) (SPUE) 0.0796
Cliff 28.33 1 (7) 0.0227 -
Total 116.25 - - 0.0796
1 (7) 0.0227

Figure 2. On-effort land-based sightings of cetaceans during WDC Bardsey survey 2012.

Botlenosed Dolphin Llŷn
Harbour Porpoise Peninsula
Risso’s Dolphin
Platforms 2012

A total of 28 incidental sightings of 82 animals were made while not on a dedicated
watch, 14 sightings of 34 Harbour Porpoises, 13 sightings of 43 Risso’s Dolphins and one
sighting of five bottlenose dolphins. Most of them were made from the elevated platform at
the Bird and Field Observatory (Table 5).

160 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Table 5. Incidental sightings of cetaceans during Bardsey Island survey 2012; HP = Harbour Porpoise,
RD = Risso’s Dolphin, BND = bottlenose dolphin.

North End Incidental HP Incidental RD Incidental BND
Observatory encounters (# enc. encounters (# encounters (# enc.
Cliff enc. animals)
Total animals) animals)
11 (26) 1 (3) -
12 (40)
3 (8) 1 (5)
- - -
13 (43)
14 (34) 1 (5)

3.2 Boat-based data

Total boat-based survey effort amounted to 4.5 hours on two days. One group of 13
Risso’s Dolphins and two Common Dolphins Delphinus delphis, including two Risso’s Dolphin
calves and one group of over 30 Common Dolphins engaged in feeding activity were
encountered (Figure 3). This group included at least five calves, one of which still had foetal
folds. A total of 338 possible photo-ID images of Risso’s Dolphins were taken and we are now
in the process of analysing them. From preliminary analyses of the pictures, we have matched
one Risso’s Dolphin photographed off Bardsey last year with one photographed this year.
Further analyses will show if we have other matches. No Harbour Porpoises were
encountered from the boat.

Figure 3: Boat tracks from two surveys around Bardsey Island in September 2012, with indication of
encounters with cetaceans.

Llŷn
Peninsula

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 161

4 Discussion

Generally poor weather conditions this summer restricted the amount of field data
that could be collected. Encounter rates were lower than the year before. However, Risso’s
Dolphin and Common Dolphin calves with foetal folds were observed, indicating that this area
is still an important nursing ground. Bardsey Sound is an area of sea influenced by strong tidal
streams and currents which are likely to concentrate prey species and hence provide a
“hotspot” for porpoise foraging activity. Sightings rates of Harbour Porpoises this year,
however, were much lower than in past years around Bardsey Island. In previous years,
porpoise activity around Bardsey has also been correlated with the tidal state and a peak of
activity noted just over two hours after Low Water, which is when slack water occurs in and
around the Sound. It is expected that further analysis of this years’ data will again confirm this
relationship between tidal state and porpoise distribution. These analyses are ongoing.

Risso’s Dolphins are a section 42 species of principal importance in Wales under the
NERC Act 2006. However, they remain poorly known. Lack of data hampers the development
of effective conservation management strategies for them and other cetaceans in the area,
and also makes an assessment on whether or not their conservation status can be seen as
‘favourable’, as laid out under the Habitats Directive, impossible. The results of this study will
play an important role in contributing to all levels of conservation efforts in this region.
Conservation efforts underpinned by our research should help to ensure long-term protection
for Risso’s Dolphins and other marine life at these sites. Data from our study will inform
conservation management plans which take into account the Risso’s Dolphins and other
cetaceans.

Alongside improving protection through legislation, this project aims to raise
awareness of this species and its important local habitats. Growing awareness of the Risso’s
Dolphins and other cetaceans in this region will empower the local community to recognise
and record them and to assist in their conservation.

5 Acknowledgements

Financial support of the Elite Courier Company, the BBC Wildlife Fund and the
Ecosystem Resilience and Diversity Fund enabled this field project. Thanks to the Countryside
Council for Wales for granting WDC a photo-id license to carry out this work. A big thank you
to our field researchers Rob, Vicki, Harriet, Kirsty, James, Ingela, Lucy, Ben and Pete for all
their willing enthusiasm and contribution this year; to Colin Evans & family, to the Bird
Observatory crew for their help, advice and patience, to Steve Porter and his family for their
help and friendship and to Mrs. Jones.

6 References

Eisfeld, S. & Simmonds, M. (2012) Cetacean Survey. Rep Bardsey Bird Fld. Obs. 55, 147-160
Evans, P.G.H., Anderwald, P., & Baines, M.E. (2003). UK Cetaceans Status Review. Report to

English Nature & Countryside Councils for Wales, Oxford.
Reid, J.B., Evans, P.G.H. and Northridge, S.P. (2003). Atlas of cetacean distribution in north-

west European waters. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Peterborough, UK.

Sonja Eisfeld and Mark Simmonds, The Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Brookfield House, 38
St Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1LJ. Email [email protected]

162 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Butterflies

Richard Brown

1 Introduction

Butterfly recording on Bardsey was carried out sporadically up to 1984, when the first
butterfly transects were undertaken (Jones et al. 1985). Since then increased effort has been
put into recording emergence times, maximum counts and instances of immigration (Silcocks
1998, Stansfield 1999-2008, Brown 2009-2012,).

2 Method

All butterflies identified by staff and guests were recorded in the Observatory’s Daily
Census Log as in previous years. These data are analysed and used to produce the systematic
list in the results section.

3 Results

The numbers of each species of butterfly recorded in the Daily Census Log are
summarised in the following systematic list and accompanying tables. Butterfly-days are the
cumulative number of butterflies seen per a defined period of time. Nationally, 2012 proved a
disappointing one for butterflies. The warm winter led to earlier than average emergence
times for the early species, but the wet spring and summer brought emergence back to
average dates for the later species and second broods were up to two weeks later than
average (Butterfly Conservation, 2011). The low temperatures, strong winds and rain, so
typical of the 2012 weather, reduce the amount of time that adults can spend on the wing
and, therefore, make it harder for them to feed, find mates and lay eggs, whilst making them
more vulnerable to predation and disease. This inevitably reduces numbers, as well as making
the remaining butterflies more difficult to observe.

The national picture was mirrored on Bardsey, with every commonly occurring species,
with the exception of Meadow Brown, noted in below-average numbers; Large White
numbers were 61.6% below the 2003-2012 mean, Small White 92.6% below, Green-veined
White 75.5% below, Small Copper 72.7% below, Common Blue 33% below, Painted Lady
95.1% below, Small Tortoiseshell 25.5% below, Red Admiral 39.5% below, Peacock 64.6%
below and Grayling 67.7% below. Speckled Wood was not recorded for the first year since
2007 and, following a good year for the Wall in 2011, there were no records this year. The
first Gatekeeper since 2007, Orange Tip for a fourth consecutive year, and the sixth ever
record of Comma, all added a little diversity. However, the number of species recorded in
2012 was 2.8% below the 2003-2012 average (14.40±s.d.1.51).

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Number of species 17 15 14 13 13 12 15 16 15 14

3.1 Systematic List

Large White Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) 163
Following the record low total of 2011, this year saw only nine more butterfly-days and
became the third poorest year on record for this species. The cumulative number of sightings
was 61.6% down on the 2003-2012 mean (247.30±s.d.218.11). August is usually the best
month for Large Whites when second brood individuals take to the wing; 2011, the poorest

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012

year on record, was notable as there were no August records at all, probably due at least in
part to the weather. This year saw a return to the normal pattern of records, with 62.11% of
all butterfly-days coming in August. The 2012 spring was the worst recorded, presumably as
the almost absent 2011 second-generation provided few overwintering pupae.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 318 112 117 212 132 506 745 150 86 95
Maximum day count 24 10 10 100 120 12 15 16
First date 16/4 25/4 29/3 8 8 2/4 14/4 6/5 27/4 21/4
7/5 17/4

Small White Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758)

This species may undoubtedly be overlooked among swarms of the abundant Green-veined
White. However, with the presence of several experienced observers in the field most days, it
would seem that the recent drop in records genuinely reflects a massive drop in numbers.
There were only 12 butterfly-days recorded in 2012, 11 of which were observed in a five-day
period from 9 June and definitely included four separate individuals. The total is 92.6% below
the 2003-2012 mean (162.40±s.d.202.60). The reason for such low numbers is not clear, but it
is of interest that the Small White chrysalis and caterpillar contain few of the poisons utilised
by the Large White (Thomas & Lewington, 1991). This species is common on the mainland and
a regular migrant, so it seems likely that numbers will increase in the future.

Small White © 2012 Steve Stansfield

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 192 235 239 669 171 82 14 9 1 12
Maximum day count 22 56 19 70 9 6 3 1 4
First date 8/4 11/4 7/5 3/5 9 9/4 7/5 3/5 2/5
10/5 23/7

Green-veined White Pieris napi (Linnaeus, 1758)

There was a 30.9% decline in the number of butterfly-days compared with 2011 and the total
was 75.5% below the 2003-2012 mean (2868.40±s.d.3710.74). Numbers of Green-veined
Whites have fluctuated widely throughout the history of the Observatory, with day counts
exceeding the 2012 year total (702) recorded on, for example, 9 August 1954 and 28 July

164 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

2008. The first record of the year was two days later than in 2011, but the third-equal earliest
date of the last decade. The majority of records came from the arable fields and the damp
pasture around the withies, areas where the crucifer larval food plants are common.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 864 1696 430 1307 318 11,610 3556 7185 1016 702
Maximum day count 110 340 36 500 17 2307 600 1500 70 87
First date 12/4 11/4 20/4 16/4 12/4 1/4 9/4 9/4 11/4
9/4

Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines (Linnaeus, 1758)

Following on from the six butterfly-days recorded in 2011, this year saw records of single
males in the vicinity of Cristin on 2 , 5 and 12 May. This species has now been recorded in four
consecutive years, but only in 13 seasons since 1961. That all the recent records have referred
to males may reflect the fact that this sex is more prone to dispersal as they search out
females. However, the well camouflaged female does not exhibit the bright orange warning
colours of the male and may go unrecorded as they hide near suitable larval food plants, such
as Cuckooflower Cardamine pratensis, a species common in Bardsey’s wetlands. Mating was
recorded on Bardsey in 1987.

Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus, 1761)

Following four years of high annual totals, including the record total of 2009, this year saw a
sharp 84.1% drop in numbers compared with 2011 and a total 72.7% down on the 2003-2012
mean (102.40±s.d.72.88). As with the following species, the second generation proved
particularly disappointing, the 12 butterfly-day total no doubt reflecting the weather. The lack
of any October records is also likely to be due to the weather; the last record of the year was a
single on 2 September, 44 days earlier than in 2011 and 49 days earlier than in 2010.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 103 50 19 41 59 158 220 170 176 28
Maximum day count 8 3 5 5 20 22 10 12 5
First date 7 13/5 29/5 11/5 29/4 3/5 18/4 24/4 15/4 12/5
12/5

Common Blue Polyommatus icarus (Rottemburg, 1775)

Following the two best years on record for this species, 2012 saw a 64.3% drop in numbers
compared with 2011 and a total 33% below the 2003-2012 mean (312.00±s.d.220.99).
Although August provided more butterfly-days than any other month, more butterfly-days
were recorded for the spring generation, perhaps reflecting the disappointing summer
weather. The first of the year on 15 May was only two weeks later than the first recorded
emergence in the whole of Britain; Common Blues were recorded on the Isle of Wight and in
Sussex on 1 May (Butterfly Conservation, 2011). A single on 22 September was the last record
of the year, six days later than in 2011.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 312 195 91 167 96 267 429 768 586 209
Maximum day count 25 15 9 11 8 23 45 50 26 21
First date 5/5 17/5 29/5 12/5 3/5 14/5 30/4 6/5 27/4 15/5

Painted Lady Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus, 1758)

This year again proved a disappointing one for this highly erratic immigrant. The 41 butterfly-
days recorded, although 23 more than in 2011, is a total 95.1% below the 2003-2012 mean
(833.70±s.d.1462.47). The maximum day count of only three is the equal-lowest recorded this

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 165

century, matching that recorded in 2011. Three successive years with only double-figure
annual butterfly-days counts is unusual.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 3085 322 34 492 220 38 4035 52 18 41
Maximum day count 750 93 4 35 22 7 800 4 3 3
First date 5/5 11/2 10/4 5/5 6/6 12/5 23/4 2/5 27/2 1/6

Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae (Linnaeus, 1758)

The total number of butterfly-days was 48.2% down on last year and was 25.5% down on the
2003-2012 mean (377.20±s.d.209.15). The first record of the year on 2 March was the earliest
ever noted on Bardsey, ten days earlier than the previous 2003 record. This mirrors
observations nationally, where a mild winter led to early records (Butterfly Conservation,
2012). Numbers usually peak in September and 2012 was no exception, with 99 butterfly-days
in the month.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 874 138 235 248 326 396 285 447 542 281
Maximum day count 240 31 44 11 46 18 34 40 29 26
First date 12/3 26/3 2/4 3/4 7/4 26/3 19/3 3/4 13/3 2/3

Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758)

Given that emergence dates for the early species were earlier than average nationally in 2012,
the fact that the first record of the year was 20 days later than in 2011 is a bit of a surprise.
The annual butterfly-days total decreased by 25.7% compared with 2011, was 39.5% below
the 2003-2012 mean (545.30±s.d.218.79) and the lowest total since 2004. As with the
preceding species, September is normally the month with the most butterfly-days and this
was the case in 2012; 36.06% of all Red Admiral records came in September including the
maximum day count of 19. Indeed, 43.91% of all butterflies seen in September were Red
Admirals. A single on 30 October was the last butterfly seen in 2012.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 1042 293 496 699 598 493 655 403 444 330
Maximum day count 76 37 45 60 50 52 39 28 45 19
First date 17/4 29/3 26/3 26/4 29/4 29/4 25/4 5/4 2/4 22/4

Peacock Inachis io (Linnaeus, 1758) Peacock © 2012 Ben Porter

There was a 50% decline in numbers of this
striking butterfly compared with 2011 and the
butterfly-days total was 64.6% down on the
2003-2012 mean (42.40±s.d.26.69). This year
saw a return to the disappointing pattern
recorded in 2010, where the majority of
records came in March and April with almost
no second generation. Only three butterfly-
days were recorded in July and August, in
contrast to 2011 when there were 18
butterfly-days in July alone.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 75 87 37 37 75 33 19 16 30 15
Maximum day count 4 17 6 5 3 3 2 3 5 3
First date 18/3 29/3 6/3 6/3 2/4 27/3 8/4 10/4 15/4 25/3

166 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Comma Polygonia c-album (Linnaeus, 1758)

One in the front garden of Cristin on 10 August was only the sixth record for Bardsey (GE et
al.). The first for Bardsey was on 1 August 1992, since when there have been singles on 10
October 2004, 14 October 2006, 19 September 2009 and 10-11 October 2010. The larvae will
utilise Common Nettle, but Typically in more wooded areas than exist on Bardsey.

Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria (Linnaeus, 1758)
There were no records of this regular immigrant to Bardsey for the first time since 2007.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 1 1 4 - - 2 22 4 2 -
Maximum day count 1 1 1 - - 1 4 1 1 -
First date 8/8 - - 12/9 -
30/5 8/10 22/9 24/6 26/5

Grayling Hipparchia semele (Linnaeus, 1758)

The first record of the year was a day earlier than in 2011 and was the earliest record since
2008. The total number of butterfly-days decreased by 70% this year, to a level 67.7% below
the 2003-2012 average (247.60±s.d.182.82). This decline was no doubt influenced by the
weather which not only makes the sheltering butterflies harder to see, but also reduces the
amount of time observers spend on the Mountain (the majority of all Grayling records, and all
of the peak day count, came from the Mountain). The last record was on 13 September, 12
days later than in 2011.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 286 599 461 259 44 312 120 48 267 80
Maximum day count 79 372 150 100 8 60 25 20 66 40
First date 24/7 30/6 7/7 13/7 15/7 5/7 9/7 17/7 9/7 8/7

Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina (Linnaeus, 1758)

This year saw a 27.9% decline in the total number of butterfly-days recorded compared with
2011, following a 23.4% decline between 2010 and 2011. However, the 2012 total was still 2%
more than the 2003-2012 average (699.70±s.d.400.06), despite there being no June record for
the first time since 2006. A minimum of 100 Meadow Browns on 2 August was the second
highest day count since 2002, the highest being on 4 August 2011. The 2012 butterfly-days
total of 714 was the highest recorded for any species on Bardsey, an accolade recently
reserved for the Green-veined White. The last record of the year was a single at Nant on 9
September, the same date as the last record of 2011.

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Butterfly-days 332 338 300 496 316 944 1275 1292 990 714
Maximum day count 50 70 30 50 20 80 85 80 112 100
First date 25/7 21/6 30/6 4/7 17/6 23/6 23/6 16/6 20/6 5/7

Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus (Linnaeus, 1771)

A single at the Observatory on 13 August was the first since a single on 14 September 2007.
The Gatekeeper was recorded more regularly in the last century, but was generally only seen
in low numbers and did not occur at all in some years. There have only been seven butterfly-
days since 2000, four of which were in 2001.

Wall Lasiommata megera (Linnaeus, 1767)

Following a first brood singleton in 2010 and five widely distributed records in 2011, there
were no sightings this year.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 167

3.2 Maximum daily counts and cumulative number of butterflies seen (butterfly-days) per month
Table 1. Maximum daily count of butterflies for each month

Species Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Large White
Small White 2 2 3 3 16
Green-veined White
Orange-tip 14
Small Copper
Common Blue 11 18 35 8 87 2
Painted Lady
Small Tortoiseshell 1
Red Admiral
Peacock 54 21
Comma
Grayling 21 21 1 12 5
Meadow Brown
Gatekeeper 32322

4 2 2 5 5 26 18 4

2 1 12 4 6 19 12

31 11

1

3 40 2

42 100 3

1

Table 2. Butterfly-day totals per month

Species Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Large White
Small White 6 3 14 13 59
Green-veined White
Orange-tip 1 11
Small Copper
Common Blue 49 125 138 60 328 2
Painted Lady
Small Tortoiseshell 3
Red Admiral
Peacock 10 6 11 1
Comma
Grayling 57 53 1 71 27
Meadow Brown
Gatekeeper 11 3 10 14 3

4 References 15 7 5 25 29 89 99 12

3 4 48 30 64 119 62

75 12

1

5 72 3

299 409 6

1

Brown, R.D. (2009-2012) Butterfly Reports 2008-2011. Rep. Bardsey Bird Fld. Obs. 52: 123-
126; 53: 142-146; 54:139-143; 55:161-166

Butterfly Conservation (2011) Big Butterfly Count. http://www.bigbutterflycount.org
Jones, P.H., Phillips, Wood, J. & V. (1985) Butterflies at Bardsey in 1984. Rep. Bardsey Bird

Fld. Obs. 28: 97-103.
Silcocks, A. F. (1998) Changes in butterfly populations on Bardsey 1994 – 1997. Rep.

Bardsey Bird Fld. Obs. 41:48-54.
Stansfield, S.D. (1999-2011) Unpublished reports to CCW for Grant Aided Work in 1998

-2011.
Thomas, J. and Lewington, R. (1991) The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland. Dorling

Kindersley. p.48.

168 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Moths

Ben Porter

1 Introduction and methods

A very large amount of effort was once again put into moth recording this year. The
number of traps set this year was just over last year’s bumper total, illustrating the benefit of
operating a third trap for most of the year. For most of the season, at least two traps (Battery-
powered Actinic Heath 05 traps) were set on the island: one at Cristin, and one residing for
the most part in the withies. A third trap was first operated near the Lighthouse in early July,
before being set mostly near Nant Withy for the rest of the year. During calm weather in July
and early August, this trap was moved to the top of the Mountain, and for the remainder of
August was placed near the Carreg reed-bed for the benefit of sampling different habitat
types. Weather limited trapping throughout the year, although particularly in the early spring
and late autumn.

This year saw the addition of two new moth traps on the island: two Robinson
Mercury Vapour 240 volt, 320 amp light traps. One of these was run at Cristin from late
August onwards. The addition of these traps should be very beneficial in future seasons,
owing to their bright lights which lit up most of Cristin garden.

In total, 329 traps were run from 22 February to 26 October. This total consisted of:
four traps set in February, 24 set in March, 28 in April, 27 in May, 30 in June, 77 in July, 69 in
August, 47 in September and 23 in October. All moths identified from the traps were entered
into a computerised database. In addition to trapping nocturnal species, a large effort was
again put into finding and identifying the so-called micro-moths that fly largely during the
daytime. Diurnal species were recorded whenever they were encountered and these sight
records were entered into the database with the other records.

It was another record year for the number of species recorded on Bardsey, with a total
of 244 species identified during the year. Of the 244 species seen during the year, a record 88
were micro-moths and 156 were macro. 16 species of micro-moths were new to the island,
and five species of macro moths had not been recorded previously. Many more species of
both macro and micro-moths had only been recorded once or twice on the island before.
Considering that the species of micro-lepidoptera which are encountered during the daytime
have been recorded rigorously for the last three years, it is very surprising that there are still
new species being encountered. It is especially surprising that some of the new species found
this year were found to be fairly common on the island, as opposed to being one-time
migrants.

Having three moth traps set in the three main vegetated areas for most of the mothing
season was also very beneficial towards the recording of so many species. As usual, sampling
the different habitats proved worthwhile, especially trapping near the Carreg reed-bed in mid-
August and on top of the Mountain in late July. The latter recorded record numbers of True
Lover’s Knots, whilst also trapping several species which have not been seen on the island for
many years. Trapping near the Carreg reed-bed was beneficial in recording two ragwort-
feeding species, namely the Cinnabar and Eucosma campoliliana.

The particular highlights of the year included: the re-finding of the Nationally Scarce B
coastal subspecies of Eana penziana, E.p.colquhounana, after apparently being the first record
for Caernarvonshire in 1966; the continued presence of the ‘Nationally Scarce B’ species

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 169

Apotomis semifasciana after one was first found last year; and the continued colonisation of
Small Elephant Hawkmoths on the island.

All species recorded in 2011 are included in the systematic list given below. The
nomenclature here follows that of Bradley (2000). Reference to historical moth records is
made from Loxton (2000), BBFO annual reports, and R. J. Else’s ‘Annotated List of the
Lepidoptera of Bardsey, 1953-2010’.

2 Annotated systematic list of all moth species identified during 2012

New species for the island are indicated by an asterisk (*)

Hepialidae

15 Hepialus sylvina (Linnaeus, 1761) Orange Swift

In total 17 were trapped between 11 August and 6 September, predominantly around the

Nant area.

17 Hepialus lupulinus (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Swift
There were 51 recorded from 28 May to 15 August.

18 Hepialus fusconebulosa (DeGeer, 1778) Map-winged Swift

A total of 37 individuals was taken from the light traps in June, July and August.

Nepticulidae
50 Stigmella aurella (Fabricius, 1775)

A total of five adult moths were recorded this year: one in the Cristin trap in June, two in the
withies during the day in July and two in the withies trap in August. The trails left by the larvae
in bramble leaves were also noted once again this year.

Zygaenidae

169 Zygaena filipendulae (Linnaeus, 1758) Six-spot Burnet

Many larvae and larval cases were noted on the fence posts running along the track in May

and June. In July, August and September good numbers of adults were present on sunny calm

days, with a peak count of 130 on 14 July.

Tineidae
229 Monopis obviella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
There were 13 individuals recorded in the outbuildings around Tŷ Pellaf during July.

245 Tinea pallescentella Stainton, 1851 Large Pale Clothes Moth *

A single adult moth was found in one of the outbuildings at Tŷ Pellaf on 7 July. This species has

not been recorded on the island before.

Gracillariidae
288 Caloptilia stigmatella (Fabricius, 1781)

There were 37 recorded, predominantly in the withies trap from 2 March to 15 October, with
a high count of 12 moths in the withies trap on 9 October.

170 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

Choreutidae

385 Anthophila fabriciana (Linnaeus, 1767) Nettle-tap

This species was noted in small numbers around patches of common nettle all over the island

from May to August, peaking with 326 moths in July. 24 second-generation moths were

recorded in October.

Glyphipterigidae

391 Glyphipterix simpliciella (Stephens, 1834) Cocksfoot Moth

An incredible record total of 1671 adult moths was recorded almost exclusively in the New

Plantation during May, June and July, including a day count of 530 here on 28 May. The

reason for this massive escalation in numbers is not entirely clear; although it may be that

they have just been under-recorded due to their small size.

396 Glyphipterix fuscoviridella (Haworth, 1828)
56 adult moths were seen largely in the wetlands between 2 June and 20 July.

397 Glyphipterix thrasonella (Scopoli, 1763)

Large numbers of this species were recorded in the Juncus sp. around the Lighthouse in June
and July, with the largest count being 85 individuals on 6 June. This is a location where this
species has not previously been recorded on the island.

Yponomeutidae

412 Argyresthia pygmaeella (Treischke, 1833) *

A total of 51 moths were recorded both during the day and in the light traps in June, July and

August. This species was previously identified as the scarcer A. sorbiella when it was first

found in 2011, but was re-identified as the commoner A. pygmaeella this year.

420 Argyresthia spinosella (Stainton, 1849)

Small numbers of this species were seen during the day on damson bushes in Cristin garden
between 31 May and 14 July.

422 Argyresthia albistria (Haworth, 1828)

This species was noted during the day on the damson bushes in Cristin garden in very small
numbers: 11 were seen in July, two in August and one in September.

425 Yponomeuta padella (Linnaeus, 1758) Orchard Ermine

A single adult specimen trapped in Tŷ Pellaf Withy on 14 August was assumed to be of this

species due to the foodplants present and flight season, although the members of this family

are extremely similar. There is one previous record of this species in 1997.

436 Pseudoswammerdamia combinella (Hübner, 1786)

A single adult was found in Cristin garden on 31 May. This is the second record of this species
on the island, following one in this location in 2011.

Plutellidae

464 Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) Diamond-back Moth

Only ten moths were seen during the day in April, May and June, although an influx in July saw

50 recorded around the coast and Mountain.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 171

Schreckensteiniidae

485 Schreckensteinia festaliella (Hübner, 1819) Blackberry Skeletonizer

In total 11 were recorded in the bramble bushes during July and August.

Coleophoridae
544 Coleophora albicosta (Haworth, 1828)

The only records this year came from the withies trap, with singles caught on 31 May and 10
June.

584 Coleophora alticolella (Zeller, 1849) Field Rush Case

Five individuals found around Juncus sp. in the wetlands in July were thought to be of this

species but were not confirmed by dissection.

Elachistidae
610 Elachista argentella (Clerck, 1813)

There were three daytime records in May and July, and another was taken from the withies
trap in July.

641 Batia lambdella (Donovan, 1793)
Three were found during the day in July, and one was taken from the Nant trap in August.

Oecophoridae

647 Hofmannophila pseudospretella (Stainton, 1849) Brown House-moth

This moth was recorded in small numbers in the buildings and out-houses around Cristin and

Tŷ Pellaf from May to September.

648 Endrosis sarcitrella (Linnaeus, 1758) White-shouldered House-moth

Small numbers were noted in the island’s buildings between April and September.

649 Esperia sulphurella (Fabricius, 1775)
There were 20 individuals recorded in April and May comprised mostly of day-flying moths.

672 Depressaria heraclei (Retzius, 1783) Parsnip Moth
In total 25 were taken from the moth traps from 23 March to 9 September.

688 Agonopterix heracliana (Linnaeus, 1758)
In February and March 23 were trapped, with a further 20 caught between July and October.

705 Agonopterix umbellana (Fabricius, 1794)
Four were caught in February and March, and one in October.

706 Agonopterix nervosa (Haworth, 1811)
This species was trapped in small numbers in July and August.

Gelechiidae

728 Monochroa cytisella (Curtis, 1837) *

Singles were seen on Pen Cristin on 13 and 15 July, with another five recorded by day later in

the month. This species has not been recorded on the island before.

172 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

776 Teleiopsis diffinis (Haworth, 1828)
A single was taken from the Nant trap on 16 July.

787 Bryotropha terrella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Ten were recorded in July, mostly during the daytime.

792 Mirificarma mullinella (Zeller, 1839)
Two were seen during the day on 13 July, and singles were trapped on 13 and 31 August.

797 Neofaculta ericetella (Geyer, 1832) *

One was found on the ling heather on the north-east side of the Mountain on 6 July. There are

no previous records of this species on the island.

819 Scrobipalpa costella (Humphreys & Westwood, 1845)

In total 11 were taken from the withies trap between 18 July and 23 October. There is only
one previous record of this species on the island, which was on 30 September 2010 in the
same location.

856 Anarsia spartiella (Schrank, 1802) *

The first record for the island was of one taken from the withies trap on 7 July. Further

records included two on the 11th, singles on the 13th, 16th and 23rd, and two on the 24th. All

but two of these were taken from the withies traps.

Blastobasidae
873 Blastobasis adustella (Walsingham, 1894)
There were 62 trapped between 11 July and 21 September in all three traps.

Batrachedridae

878 Batrachedra praeangusta (Haworth, 1828) *

This species was first recorded on 18 July when an individual was found in Cristin Withy.

Subsequent records included singles on 27 July, 4 and 5 August seen in the same location.

There are no previous records on Bardsey.

Elachistidae

905 Blastodacna hellerella (Duponchel, 1838) *

A single was taken from the Cristin trap on 2 July, and another was seen in the back garden on

4 July. This species has not been recorded before on Bardsey.

Tortricidae *
926 Phalonidia manniana (Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1839)
One was seen during the day in Cristin Withy on 17 July. There are no previous records.

937 Agapeta hamana (Linnaeus, 1758)
A total of six adults was recorded in July, all but one of which were taken from the traps.

946 Aethes rubigana (Treitschke, 1830)
One trapped on 5 July was the only record this year.

972 Pandemis heparana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix

This moth was caught commonly in the summer, and one or two were also found by day.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 173

981 Archips rosana (Linnaeus, 1758) Rose Tortrix

200 records throughout July and in early August comprised mostly of day-flying individuals.

Cnephasia sp.

35 moths thought to be either of the species C. stephensiana or C. incertana were trapped
during July and August. Separation of any Cnephasia species is very difficult without genitalia
examination, and so several specimens were kept to be sent off for dissection. This species
was first recorded last year.

1029 Eana osseana (Scopoli, 1763)

One was taken from a trap on the Mountain summit on 5 August. One found by day in a
similar location in 1967 is the only other record.

1031 Eana penziana (Thunberg, 1791)

An adult of the coastal form E. p. colquhounana was seen by day near Tŷ Pellaf on 13 July, and
another was trapped near Carreg reed-bed on 17 July. There is only one previous record of
this Nationally Scarce species (Nb) on the island, in 1966.

1038 Acleris laterana (Fabricius, 1794)

There were nine taken from the Cristin and withies traps in July and August, whilst two were
recorded during the daytime in August.

1042 Acleris rhombana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Rhomboid Tortrix

There were six records between 27 August and 14 September, most of which came from the

traps.

1043 Acleris aspersana (Hübner, 1817)
Three were taken from the traps on 18 August and on 4 and 6 September.

1048 Acleris variegana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Garden Rose Tortrix

There were three daytime records from Cristin in August, and a single was trapped here on 22

September.

1053 Acleris hastiana (Linnaeus, 1758)
21 were trapped in March, and one in July.

1063 Celypha striana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) *

A single was taken from the withies trap on 16 July. This species has not been recorded before

on the island.

1067 Celypha cespitana (Hübner, 1817)

A much smaller total of 14 moths was recorded on the east side of the Mountain in the
summer, partly due to the lack of calm weather in which to find them.

1076 Celypha lacunana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

A total of 160 were seen around bracken during the day in July and August, with smaller
numbers in the moth traps.

1082 Hedya pruniana (Hübner, 1799) Plum Tortrix
12 were seen around Cristin in May and July.

174 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

1087 Orthotaenia undulana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
32 were seen around the withies from late May to mid-July, three of which were taken from
the moth trap there.

1089 Apotomis semifasciana (Haworth, 1811)

Although only first recorded last year, this species was taken from the moth traps in small
numbers from mid-July to early August this year.

1110 Bactra furfurana (Haworth, 1811) *

The first record came from Cristin Withy on 18 July, although a further 28 were seen around

Pwll Cain during August. There are no previous records.

1111 Bactra lancealana (Hübner, 1799)

Large numbers of this species were again seen in the lowland areas of the island in each
month from May to September, although it was most numerous in July and September (177
and 92 recorded respectively)

1138 Epinotia nisella (Clerck, 1759)
A single was trapped at Nant on 13 August. There is only one previous record.

1155 Empinotia brunnichana (Linnaeus, 1767) *

A single was trapped near Nant Withy on 13 August. This is another addition to the island

Lepidoptera list.

1159 Rhopobota naevana (Hübner, 1817) Holly Tortrix *

A single adult was taken from the Nant trap on 13 August. There are no previous records of

this species which feeds on blackthorn, as well as holly.

1175 Epiblema uddmanniana (Linnaeus, 1758) Bramble Shoot Moth
27 were taken from the moth traps in July and August.

1176 Epiblema trimaculana (Haworth, 1811)

A single was seen by day in June, and four were trapped in August and September. All
specimens were thought to be of this species, although were not confirmed by dissection.

1197 Eucosma campoliliana ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Two were taken from a moth trap near Carreg reed-bed on 20 July, followed by another the
following day. The foodplant of this species is ragwort, which has been reduced to a few small
clumps in the lowlands in the interest of livestock farming. There is one previous record from
2009.

1201 Eucosma cana (Haworth, 1811)
16 were trapped in July, and one in August. Most of these were taken from the Nant moth
trap.

1255 Cydia ulicetana (Haworth, 1811)

Hundreds were seen on the Mountainside on calm, sunny days from May to June, with
smaller numbers noted during July, August and September.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 175

1260 Cydia splendana (Hübner, 1799) *
A single was trapped near Nant Withy on 13 July. There are no previous records.

1273 Dichrorampha petiverella (Linnaeus, 1758)
Eight individuals were seen along the trackside during the day in June and July.

Alucitidae

1288 Alucita hexadactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Twenty-plume Moth

One was taken from the Cristin trap on 19 August. There are six previous records.

Crambidae
1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella (Linnaeus, 1758)

1652 individuals were recorded in July, with only a few records in June and August. Most of
these were daytime records, the highest day total being 540 on 5 July.

1294 Crambus pascuella (Linnaeus, 1758) *

One taken from the withies trap on 2 July was the first record of this common species on the

island.

1301 Crambus lathoniellus (Zincken, 1817)
29 were seen mainly during the day in May, June and early July.

1304 Agriphila straminella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

1300 were seen during the daylight in areas of long grass in July and August, and a single was
recorded in September.

1305 Agriphila tristella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
This species was seen and taken from light traps commonly in August and early September.

1306 Agriphila inquinatella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) *

In July, nine were taken from the Nant trap, including five extracted from the trap on 9 July.

There are surprisingly no previous records of this species on Bardsey, possibly due to a lack of

trapping at this location at this time of year.

1309 Agriphila geniculea (Haworth, 1811)

There were 13 records of this species this year in August and September; nine were daytime
sightings and four were taken from the traps.

Scopariinae
1342 Eudonia angustea (Curtis, 1827)

Two were trapped in May, and a further ten were taken from the traps in September and
October.

Eudonia sp.

There were 20 specimens recorded largely by day between April and September were either
of the species E. murana, E. truncicolella or E. lineola. These three species have all been
recorded on the island before, although are virtually inseparable without dissection.

Pyraustinae
1365 Pyrausta despicata (Scopoli, 1763)

In total 21 were seen around the coast in April and early May, and another emergence
between July and September saw 60 individuals recorded, mainly on the Mountain.

176 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

1376 Eurrhypara hortulata (Linnaeus, 1758) Small Magpie
Small numbers were noted largely by day between May and July.

1385 Ebulea crocealis (Hübner, 1796)
Four were taken from the withies and Nant traps in July and August.

1390 Udea prunalis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
A total of eight moths were seen around the damson bushes at Cristin from July to August.

1395 Udea ferrugalis (Hübner, 1796) Rusty-dot Pearl

2012 was not a good year for this immigrant moth, with only two found in October.

1398 Nomophila noctuella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Rush Veneer
A single was seen in June, nine in August and three in October.

Pyralidae

1428 Aphomia sociella (Linnaeus, 1758) Bee Moth

Four were taken from the moth traps in July and August. These are the first records since

2008 of this moth which feeds on the comb inside bee and wasp nests.

1439 Acrobasis advenella (Zincken, 1818) *
A single was taken from the Cristin trap on 13 August. There are no previous records.

1442 Pempelia palumbella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Nine were recorded in July and August, mostly from the moth traps. There are only three
previous records.

1452 Phycita roborella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) *

A single was trapped in Tŷ Pellaf Withy on 12 August. This is an unexpected addition to the

island list, since the larvae feed on oak; its

origin can only be guessed at.

1462 Pempeliella dilutella ([Denis &
Schiffermüller], 1775)

In total, seven were recorded during the
daytime on the east side of the Mountain in
July and August.

Pterophoridae
1513 Pterophorus pentadactyla (Linnaeus,
1758)
White Plume Moth

One was trapped at Cristin on 25 July.

1524 Emmelina monodactyla (Linnaeus,
1758)

Three were caught in March.

White Plume Moth© 2012 Ben Porter 177
Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012

Lasiocampidae

1634 Malacosoma neustria (Linnaeus, 1758) Lackey

Only 67 adults were recorded from 19 June to 26 August this year, and very few larval nests

were seen in comparison to previous years.

1637 Lasiocampa quercus (Linnaeus, 1758) Northern Eggar

There were 40 of the northern form recorded from late July to the end of August. Most of

these were day-flying individuals, although several were also taken from the moth traps.

1640 Euthrix potatoria (Linnaeus, 1758) Drinker

It was another record year for this species: 130 were recorded in the withies and Cristin moth

traps from early July to 26 August. Several larvae were also noted in April and May.

Drepanidae

1651 Cilix glaucata (Scopoli, 1763) Chinese Character

Singles were trapped on 10 and 12 August, in both the Cristin and withies traps.

Geometridae Grass Emerald
1665 Pseudoterpna pruinata atropunctaria (Walker, 1863)

Six were taken from all moth traps in July and August.

1669 Hemithea aestivaria (Hübner, 1799) Common Emerald
Eight were trapped at Cristin and Nant during July.

1689 Scopula marginepunctata (Goeze, 1781) Mullein Wave

Only five were recorded in the moth traps in July and early August this year.

1702 Idaea biselata (Hufnagel, 1767) Small Fan-footed Wave

From 21 July to 19 August 14 were caught - only one was during the daytime.

1708 Idaea dimidiata (Hufnagel, 1767) Single-dotted Wave
13 were attracted to the light traps in July and August.

1713 Idaea aversata (Linnaeus, 1758) Riband Wave
24 were trapped in July and August.

1719 Orthonama vittata (Borkhausen, 1794) Oblique Carpet

Singles were recorded in June and August, and seven were trapped in the withies in

September.

1722 Xanthorhoe designata (Hufnagel, 1767) Flame Carpet
A single trapped on 18 August was the only record of the year.

1724 Xanthorhoe spadicearia ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Red Twin-spot Carpet
One was caught in May, and another in August.

1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Linnaeus, 1758) Garden Carpet
13 were trapped in every month from May to September.

178 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

1738 Epirrhoe alternata (Müller, 1764) Common Carpet

29 were recorded between 17 May and 20 August, both in moth traps and in the daytime.

1740 Epirrhoe galiata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Galium Carpet
Five were trapped during June, July and August.

1742 Camptogramma bilineata (Linnaeus, 1758) Yellow Shell

There were 19 daytime records in June and July, and two were trapped in the latter month.

1755 Cosmorhoe ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758) Purple Bar

Singles were trapped in May, June and July, followed by 11 in August and September.

1758 Eulithis pyraliata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Barred Straw

One was caught at Nant on 6 July. There is one previous record of this species on Bardsey,

from last year.

1760 Chloroclysta siterata (Hufnagel, 1767) Red-green Carpet

A single was trapped on 27 March, and then five were taken from the traps in late September

and October.

1761 Chloroclysta miata (Linnaeus, 1758) Autumn Green Carpet
A single was trapped at Cristin on 8 October.

1764 Chloroclysta truncata (Hufnagel, 1767) Common Marbled Carpet

There were nine caught in May and June, and seven second-generation moths were trapped

during August and September.

1769 Thera britannica (Turner H J, 1925) Spruce Carpet

There were 74 trapped in from March to October but none was caught in July.

1775 Colostygia multistrigaria (Haworth, 1809) Mottled Grey
Seven were trapped in February, followed by an incredible 106 in March.

1776 Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch, 1781) Green Carpet

Four were trapped between 20 May and 3 June, followed by a further seven in September.

1777 Hydriomena furcata (Thunberg, 1784) July Highflyer
A total of 411 moths was trapped between 7 June and 21 September.

1808 Perizoma flavofasciata (Thunberg, 1792) Sandy Carpet
Singles were taken from the Nant trap on 1 and 2 June.

1817 Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens, 1831 Foxglove Pug
There were 24 trapped between 20 May and 20 August.

1832 Eupithecia assimilata Doubleday, 1856 Currant Pug
Three were trapped at Cristin on 5 and 6 July.

1834 Eupithecia vulgata (Haworth, 1809) Common Pug
A single trapped in the withies on 17 July was the only record of the year.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 179

1837 Eupithecia subfuscata (Haworth, 1809) Grey Pug
A single trapped on 1 June was the only record of the year.

1846 Eupithecia nanata Prout, 1938 Narrow-winged Pug

Singles were taken from a moth trap on the Mountain top on 10 and 13 July, followed by two

in the same location on 12 August.

1852 Eupithecia abbreviata Stephens, 1831 Brindled Pug
24 were caught in March, followed by three in April.

1858 Chloroclystis v-ata (Haworth, 1809) V-Pug
One was caught on 17 August.

1862 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Haworth, 1809) Double-striped Pug
A total of 70 was recorded between 15 March and 15 September.

1867 Aplocera plagiata (Linnaeus, 1758) Treble-bar *

One was trapped on 20 May, and separated from the similar Lesser Treble-bar by the distinct

shape of the tip of the abdomen. There are no previous records.

Treble-bar © 2012 Ben Porter

1884 Abraxas grossulariata (Linnaeus, 1758) Magpie

It was an appalling year for this species: only five were recorded in August and September,

mostly at Cristin.

1902 Petrophora chlorosata (Scopoli, 1763) Brown Silver-line
In total, 15 were recorded from April to June.

1906 Opisthograptis luteolata (Linnaeus, 1758) Brimstone Moth

This moth was recorded in small numbers in every month from April to September.

1913 Ennomos alniaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Canary-shouldered Thorn
Three were caught in the withies in September.

180 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

1917 Selenia dentaria (Fabricius, 1775) Early Thorn

There were 33 first-generation moths recorded in March and April, whilst the second

generation comprised 59 in July and August.

1920 Odontopera bidentata (Clerck, 1759) Scalloped Hazel
Singles were trapped on 29 and 30 May.

1921 Crocallis elinguaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Scalloped Oak
65 were caught from 13 July to 15 August.

1922 Ourapteryx sambucaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Swallow-tailed Moth
Six were taken from light traps from late July to early August.

1934 Agriopis marginaria (Fabricius, 1777) Dotted Border

A single was trapped near Nant Withy on 25 February. There are two previous records.

1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Willow Beauty
A total of 33 was taken from all the traps in July and August.

1941 Alcis repandata (Linnaeus, 1758) Mottled Beauty
In total 16 were caught from 21 June to 1 August.

1956 Cabera exanthemata (Scopoli, 1763) Common Wave

A single was seen in the daytime on 8 July and another was trapped on 22 July. There are five

previous records.

1958 Lomographa temerata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Clouded Silver

One was trapped near Nant Withy on 27 May. Two recorded last year are the only previous

records.

1962 Hylaea fasciaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Barred Red

A single was trapped in the New Plantation on 30 August. One found last year is the only

previous record.

1964 Charissa obscurata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Annulet
Two were taken from a trap on the Mountain top on 10 August.

Sphingidae Poplar Hawkmoth
1981 Laothoe populi (Linnaeus, 1758)
In total 12 were trapped from early June through July.

1984 Macroglossum stellatarum (Linnaeus, 1758) Hummingbird Hawkmoth

It was a poor year for this migrant species: singles were seen during the daytime on 31

August, and on 3 and 28 September.

1992 Deilephila porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758) Small Elephant Hawkmoth

Singles were caught on 2 and 28 June, near Nant Withy and in Cristin respectively.

Notodontidae Buff-tip
1994 Phalera bucephala (Linnaeus, 1758)

There were 21 adults trapped between 21 June and 4 August.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 181

1995 Cerura vinula (Linnaeus, 1758) Puss Moth

An adult was trapped at Cristin on 30 May; this was one of around five adults that were

hatched out from the eggs which were laid by the female near Cristin Withy in 2011.

Lymantriidae Yellow-tail
2030 Euproctis similis (Fuessly, 1775)

There were 41 trapped in August, along with a single in September.

Arctiidae Dingy Footman
2044 Eilema griseola (Hübner, 1803)
Three were trapped in July, followed by 17 in August.

2047 Eilema complana (Linnaeus, 1758) Scarce Footman

A record 179 adults were taken from all three traps during July and August.

2057 Arctia caja (Linnaeus, 1758) Garden Tiger

A total of 537 moths was recorded in July and August, a much higher total than in 2011.

2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda (Linnaeus, 1758) White Ermine
A total of 198 moths was recorded between 31 May and 10 August.

2061 Spilosoma luteum (Hufnagel, 1766) Buff Ermine
In July and August, 57 individuals were taken from the moth traps.

2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Ruby Tiger
One caught at Nant on 19 August was the only record of the year.

2069 Tyria jacobaeae (Linnaeus, 1758) Cinnabar

One was taken from a trap near Carreg reed-bed on 15 July. There are only three records from

this decade, although this species used to be found commonly on the island.

Noctuidae Square-spot Dart
2080 Euxoa obelisca grisea (Tutt, 1902)

20 were taken from the traps throughout August and in early September.

2081 Euxoa tritici (Linnaeus, 1761) White-line Dart
13 were caught in August.

2087 Agrotis segetum ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Turnip Moth

Singles were recorded in August and September, followed by four in October.

2088 Agrotis clavis (Hufnagel, 1766) Heart and Club
Singles were taken from the Cristin trap on 14 and 15 July.

2089 Agrotis exclamationis (Linnaeus, 1758) Heart and Dart
There were only 48 records this year, between 27 May and 15 August.

2090 Agrotis trux lunigera Stephens, 1829 Crescent Dart
A total of 569 moths were trapped throughout July and August.

182 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

2091 Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel, 1766) Dark Sword-grass

Eight were trapped in March, followed by one in May, four in July, three in August, one in

September and one in October.

2098 Axylia putris (Linnaeus, 1761) Flame
Singles were trapped on 24 and 26 July, both in the Nant trap.

2102 Ochropleura plecta (Linnaeus, 1761) Flame Shoulder

74 individuals were recorded throughout the period 8 May to 21 September.

2104 Standfussiana lucernea (Linnaeus, 1758) Northern Rustic
Five were taken from all the traps in July and August.

2107 Noctua pronuba Linnaeus, 1758 Large Yellow Underwing

A total of 649 individuals was recorded from 5 June to 25 October, peaking on 13 August with

37 moths.

2109 Noctua comes Hübner, 1813 Lesser Yellow Underwing
There were 193 trapped between 22 July and 15 September.

2110 Noctua fimbriata (Schreber, 1759) Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

A female was taken from the Nant trap on 26 July. There is one previous record from 2011.

2111 Noctua janthe (Borkhausen, 1792) Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

From July to September, 82 moths were taken from the moth traps.

2112 Noctua interjecta Schawerda, 1919 Least Yellow Underwing

A smaller total of 55 were caught this year in August and September.

2117 Eugnorisma glareosa (Esper, 1788) Autumnal Rustic

Singles were taken from the moth traps in the withies on 14 and 16 September.

2118 Lycophotia porphyrea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) True Lover’s Knot

An incredible total of 1543 individuals were attracted to the moth traps in July and August.

Most of these records came from a moth trap that was placed on the Mountain top for a

period in August, and included a total of 622 on the 12th.

2119 Peridroma saucia (Hübner, 1808) Pearly Underwing
One was trapped at Cristin on 19 August.

2120 Diarsia mendica mendica (Fabricius, 1775) Ingrailed Clay

225 individuals were recorded exclusively in the traps from 10 June to 15 August.

2122 Diarsia brunnea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Purple Clay

One was caught at Cristin on 13 July. There are four previous records on Bardsey, the last of

which was in 2009.

2123 Diarsia rubi (Vieweg, 1790) Small Square-spot

56 were trapped between 23 May and 17 September, although the majority were recorded in

the second generation in September.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 183

2126 Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus, 1758) Setaceous Hebrew Character

24 first-generation moths were trapped in March, followed by 29 in September and October

in their second generation.

2127 Xestia ditrapezium ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Triple-spotted Clay
There were 126 caught in July, followed by 30 in August.

2134 Xestia xanthographa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Square-spot Rustic

420 were trapped between 20 July and 23 October, although 363 of these were recorded in

September.

2135 Xestia agathina (Duponchel, 1827) Heath Rustic
The only records of the year were seven in September.

2139 Cerastis rubricosa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Red Chestnut
68 individuals were attracted to the light traps in March and April.

2145 Discestra trifolii (Hufnagel, 1766) Nutmeg
Singles were taken from the Cristin trap on 13 and 14 August.

2147 Hada plebeja (Hufnagel, 1766) Shears
A total of 60 moths were attracted to the light traps in May, June and July.

2160 Lacanobia oleracea (Linnaeus, 1758) Bright-line Brown-eye
Only 55 were trapped between 19 June and 15 August this year.

2163 Melanchra pisi (Linnaeus, 1758) Broom Moth
Six were recorded from late May to early June.

2171 Hadena confusa (Hufnagel, 1766) Marbled Coronet
Eight adult moths were trapped in May, mostly in the withies.

2173 Hadena bicruris (Hufnagel, 1766) Lychnis
One was caught at Nant on 25 July. There are five previous records of this species.

2176 Cerapteryx graminis (Linnaeus, 1758) Antler Moth
A total of 165 moths was trapped between 10 July and 6 September.

2182 Orthosia cruda ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Small Quaker

A single was caught near Nant Withy on 25 March, followed by three on the 27th. There are

five previous records.

2187 Orthosia cerasi (Fabricius, 1775) Common Quaker
There were 250 attracted to the Nant trap in March and April.

2188 Orthosia incerta (Hufnagel, 1766) Clouded Drab
Six were trapped from late March to mid-April.

2190 Orthosia gothica (Linnaeus, 1758) Hebrew Character
132 were taken from the moth traps from 12 March to 17 May.

184 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012

2193 Mythimna ferrago (Fabricius, 1787) Clay
108 were recorded during July and August.

2197 Mythimna straminea (Treitschke, 1825) Southern Wainscot

A record 39 individuals were taken from the light traps through July to early August. The fact

that the number of this species has gradually increased annually from 2008 supports the

theory that this species has only recently colonised the island.

2198 Mythimna impura (Hübner, 1808) Smoky Wainscot
A total of 491 were trapped in July and August.

2199 Mythimna pallens (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Wainscot
Five individuals were trapped in the withies and at Nant in July.

2205 Mythimna comma (Linnaeus, 1761) Shoulder-striped Wainscot
One was caught at Cristin on 20 July.

2229 Dasypolia templi (Thunberg, 1792) Brindled Ochre

One was trapped in May, followed by another in September and three in October. All were

taken from the Cristin trap.

2232 Aporophyla nigra (Haworth, 1809) Black Rustic
77 were taken from all the light traps in September and October.

2240 Lithophane leautieri Boursin, 1957 Blair’s Shoulder-knot *

One was caught at Cristin on 9 October. There are no previous records.

2241 Xylena vetusta (Hübner, 1813) Red Sword-grass
Two were trapped in early March, followed by one on 15 October.

2243 Xylocampa areola (Esper, 1789) Early Grey
24 were taken from the Nant trap in March and early April.

2245 Allophyes oxyacanthae (Linnaeus, 1758) Green-brindled Crescent

Singles were taken from all three traps on 9, 10, 15 and 24 October. There are only two

previous records.

2250 Blepharita adusta (Esper, 1790) Dark Brocade
Singles were trapped on 28 and 29 May.

2255 Polymixis lichenea (Hübner, 1813) Feathered Ranunculus

One was taken from the light trap in August, followed by 22 in September and 92 in October.

2256 Eupsilia transversa (Hufnagel, 1766) Satellite
One caught in the Nant trap on 3 March was the only record of the year.

2259 Conistra ligula (Esper, 1791) Dark Chestnut

Singles were trapped in the withies on 23 and 24 October. This species was first recorded on

the island last year.

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory Report 2012 185

2262 Agrochola circellaris (Hufnagel, 1766) Brick
One was taken from the withies trap on 24 October.

2263 Agrochola lota (Clerck, 1759) Red-line Quaker
A total of 16 were trapped at Cristin and in the withies in October.

2270 Omphaloscelis lunosa (Haworth, 1809) Lunar Underwing

It was a much poorer year for this species this year, with a total of 352 individuals trapped

from late September to late October.

2273 Xanthia togata (Esper, 1788) Pink-barred Sallow
In total 11 were trapped, mostly from the withies in September.

2274 Xanthia icteritia (Hufnagel, 1766) Sallow
One was caught in the withies trap on 26 August.

2284 Acronicta psi (Linnaeus, 1758) Grey Dagger

One thought to have been this species was taken from the withies trap on 31 May. This

species has been proven to breed, as both caterpillars and a single imago has been recorded

on the island before.

2293 Cryphia domestica (Hufnagel, 1766) Marbled Beauty
Four were taken from the traps from 11 to 15 August.

2295 Cryphia muralis (Forster, 1771) Marbled Green
One was trapped at Nant on 25 July, followed by two on 15 August.

2297 Amphipyra pyramidea (Linnaeus, 1758) Copper Underwing *

An individual thought to be of this species was taken from the Nant trap on 16 August.

However, separating Copper Underwing from Svensson’s Copper Underwing is not reliable

without genitalia examination, and so the specimen was kept and prepared to be sent off for

confirmation.

2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis (Clerck, 1759) Mouse Moth
The only record of the year was one trapped at Nant on 24 August.

2302 Rusina ferruginea (Esper, 1785) Brown Rustic
11 were caught in May, followed by 36 in June, and four in July.

2305 Euplexia lucipara (Linnaeus, 1758) Small Angle Shades
Seven were recorded in July and August.

2306 Phlogophora meticulosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Angle Shades

Three were caught in April and May, followed by 57 in September and October.

2311 Ipimorpha retusa (Linnaeus, 1761) Double Kidney *

One was taken from the Nant trap on 19 August. There are no previous records.

2318 Cosmia trapezina (Linnaeus, 1758) Dun-bar

A total of five adult moths were attracted to the moth traps in mid-August. There is only one

previous record from this decade.

186 Adroddiad Gwylfa Maes ac Adar Ynys Enlli 2012