Bardsey's Willdlife 2020

CHOUGH

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1 INTRODUCTION

Choughs Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax breed across much of central Asia, southern and eastern Europe and
Morocco, with small outlying populations in the Canary Islands, Ethiopia and Sudan. Historically, Choughs
bred around much of the UK’s coastline and some parts of inland Scotland. However, thanks to changes
in livestock management and indiscriminate persecution, the UK population underwent a steep decline
and range contraction during the late 1800s, with the only remaining birds breeding in their current
strongholds (Bullock et al., 1983). By the early 20th century, Chough populations in England and Scotland
continued their downward trajectory, while those in Wales and on the Isle of Man showed some signs of
recovery.

The most recent national census of Choughs in the UK and the Isle of Man took place in 2014, and
estimated the population to be 433 breeding pairs, with the majority found in Wales (55%) and the Isle of
Man (31%; Hayhow et al., 2018). Overall, numbers of Choughs in the UK and the Isle of Man have
remained stable between the two most recent national surveys in 2002 and 2014, but these population
trends exhibit some geographical variation, with increases in the Isle of Man, Cornwall and south Wales
contrasted by declines in Scotland and parts of north and mid-Wales.

Choughs are heavily protected in the UK and Europe since they are listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife
and Countryside Act 1981 as well as Annex 1 of the EC Conservation of Wild Birds Directive 1979. The
Bardsey population is further protected as they are a feature of the Ynys Enlli Glannau Aberdaron Special
Protection Area (SPA) and Bardsey Island Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), in addition to being listed
in Gwynedd’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

STATUS AND LEGAL PROTECTION SUMMARY

• Listed as a protected species under Annex I of the EC Conservation of Wild Birds Directive 1979
(2009/147/EC)

• Protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
• A designated feature of the Ynys Enlli SSSI
• Feature of the Ynys Enlli and Glannau Aberdaron SPA
• Listed in the Gwynedd Biodiversity Action Plan

Number of pairs 10
9
8 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 2013 2018
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1953

Year Mean 4.56 ±s.d.2.25
Number of pairs

Fig. 1 Bardsey Chough breeding population 1953-2020

194 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

CHOUGH

The Chough population on Bardsey has increased substantially since the Observatory began monitoring
them in 1953. Prior to the start of this century, an average of four pairs nested each year, but since 2001
this has increased to around seven pairs annually. Seven pairs bred on Bardsey in 2019, which is less than
in each of the two preceding years. Again seven pairs nested in 2020 53.49% greater than the mean
number of pairs for 1953-2020 is 4.56 (±s.d.2.25).

Table 1. Breeding data 1953-2020. The average number of breeding pairs, average number
of chicks fledged and average productivity 1953-2020.

1953-2020 Average number Average number Average productivity:
1953-1970 of breeding pairs (±s.d.) of chicks fledged (±s.d.) chicks/pair (±s.e.)
1973-2000 2.65 ±0.13
2001-2010 4.56 ±2.25 11.40 ±6.02 3.27 ±0.29
2011-2020 2.11 ±0.96 6.24 ±3.03 2.48 ±0.18
4.29 ±1.24 2.79 ±0.28
6.00 ±0.67 10.89 ±5.03 1.96 ±0.15
8.20 ±0.79 16.90 ±6.30
16.10 ±4.07

4.5 30
4
25

3.5
3 20

2.5
15

2
1.5 10

1
5

0.5
00
Productivity
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

Number of Pairs and Young

Year

Pairs Productivity young

Fig. 2 Number of Chough pairs, their chicks and productivity rates 1998 – 2020.

2 AIMS

Choughs are a designated feature of the Bardsey Island SSSI and NNR. As such, the Welsh government
have a statutory obligation to monitor the population. This is done through the countryside agency,
Natural Resources Wales (NRW), who in turn contract BBFO to undertake the work through Section 16 of
the Wildlife and Countryside Act Management Agreement.

3 METHODS

Choughs were observed during the early part of the nesting season and their nests located. Each pair
was observed for up to two hours per visit to confirm breeding and other activity. Chicks in all of the
accessible nests were fitted with a single metal and three plastic colour rings in a unique combination
that allows them to be individually identified in the field post-fledging. All nest visits and ringing were
conducted under the appropriate licences from NRW and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Once
the chicks fledged, they were monitored until they left the island.

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4 RESULTS

Fourteen traditional nest sites were checked and monitored during the 2020 breeding season, with seven
pairs attempting to breed, equal to 2019. Five pairs were confirmed to successfully fledge young, with a
total of 15 chicks fledging (1 x 1 chick, 3 x 3 chicks and 1 x 5 chicks).

The number of fledged chicks in 2020 is 6.83% lower than the ten-year mean (16.10±s.d.4.07), but an
improvement of 36.36% when compared to 2019. Productivity was the highest it’s been since 2017, and
the third highest in the last ten years. 2.14 chicks per pair is 8.96% above the ten-year mean and 36.36%
above 2019.

Table 2. Breeding data 2010-2020

Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
№ of pairs 8 9 9 8 9 8 9 8 7 7
№ of young 14 15 13 24 18 14 22 15 11 15
Productivity
1.75 1.67 1.44 3.00 2.00 1.75 2.44 1.88 1.57 2.14

Fig. 3. Choughs near Solfach © Richard Layton

196 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

CHOUGH

4.1 NEST DETAILS OF CHOUGHS ON BARDSEY IN 2020
4.1.1 NORTH WEST CORNER

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
No activity
03/04/20 9:00 1100 No activity
24/04/20 11:00 1300 No activity
15/05/20 9:30 1130
summary – no activity

4.1.2 OGOF MORLAS

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
No activity
30/03/20 12:00 15:00 No activity
24/04/20 13:00 15:00 No activity
15/05/20 12:00 14:00

summary – no activity

4.1.3 BLACK ANVIL

Bird Ring number Right Left combination
Un-ringed combination
Female
Male ASH/METAL ORANGE/BROWN

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
30/03/20 13:00 15:00
The pair flew in from the west carrying nest material, no colour
rings were read. Pair entered nest site at ~14:30 and sat on
ledge for ~five minutes before one bird took off and flew east
but stayed around the general area and other bird sat for
further 5 minutes before taking off and flying East around the
mountain.

31/03/20 13:30 14:00 Seen carrying nest material into the nest, at least one is
unringed. Male is colour-ringed (see above). Male ‘bill-
stropped’ on the slope above the nest while the female sat at
the entrance after depositing the material. pair flew off after a
few minutes and went east.

02/04/20 10:00 10:10 Incidental sighting - pair seen on Nant Valley West feeding,
07/04/20 15:00 15:40 male was umbrellaing which helped confirm the sex. Female
23/04/20 15:00 16:30 appeared to be getting fed by the male.
15/05/20 14:15 14:20
Pair carrying nest material from the west into the nest and left
~five minutes later and flew west

Pair at nest on arrival, female sitting on the ledge outside the
nest hole, male on the slope above. Flew east after a few
minutes.

Incidental sighting - pair at nest site and flew West

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01/06/20 17:30 18:00 Nest visited and three fully feathered chicks present.

13/06/20 9:30 11:30 Three juveniles had fledged and were sitting on the rocks below
the nest site, parents were present for the entirety of the
monitoring session feeding the chicks and flying around.

summary – three young fledged

4.1.4 THE PINK TRYWN

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
30/03/20 No activity
24/04/20 12:00 15:00 No activity
15/05/20 13:00 15:00 No activity
12:00 14:00

summary – no activity

4.1.5 CARREG LLEWYDION

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
28/03/20 9:00 12:30 No activity
14/04/20 14:00 15:00 No activity
No activity
15/05/20 1500 1600 No activity
01/06/20 1500 1700 No activity
08/06/20 14:00 17:00
summary – no activity

4.1.6 BAE FELEN

Bird Ring number Right combination Left combination
Female Un-ringed ORANGE/ORANGE ASH/METAL

Male

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
28/03/20 9:00 12:30
07/04/20 13:00 14:30 No activity
14/04/20 14:00 16:00 No activity
No activity

23/04/20 17:00 18:00 Pair both seen entering nest site and bill stropping just at the
entrance to the nest. After ~five minutes the male flew up the
slope and went amongst the boulder scree, female went to
the nest and didn’t come out. Same pair that was looking
interested in the Zawn.

15/05/20 1500 1600 Pair flew into nest together and stayed at nest for two minutes
and flew back out towards the Zawn, they were feeding on
the slope for ~30 minutes

198 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

CHOUGH

01/06/20 1500 1700 Nest was visited by observer, but not found amongst the
08/06/20 14:00 boulders. The pair was clearly agitated by our presence and
the male bird was seen sitting close by watching us.

17:00 Nest site was watched from the slope for one hour, 'the pair' sat
above the observers for the entirety of the session. Observers
then went to find the nest, which was nothing but a bundle of
twigs, looking much like the failed Barcut nest.

summary – failed at the nest building stage

4.1.7 THE ZAWN

Bird Ring number Right combination Left combination
Female ORANGE/ORANGE ASH/METAL

Male

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
28/03/2020 09:00 12:30
Pair visiting nest frequently during the monitoring session (every
~20 minutes), also feeding around the site on the slope above
the nest.

14/04/2020 14:00 16:00 Pair seen visiting nest together from north, exiting ~five minutes
23/04/2020 17:00 18:00 later and sitting on slope for 30 seconds before flying north.
Male bird feeding and ‘umbrellaing’ on the grass above the
nest site, indicating its sex which was previously unknown. Bird
then entered the nest and left a few minutes later and flew
north.

15/05/2020 15:00 16:00 Pair flying between Bae Felen site and Zawn site.
01/06/2020 15:00 17:00
'Bae Felen' (ORANGE/ORANGE male) pair entered Site on two
08/06/2020 14:00 17:00 occasions for ~ five minutes each time, in and out together

No activity

summary – failed and pair began moving between this site and Bae Felen

4.1.8 SEAL CAVE

Bird Ring number Right combination Left combination
Male EX04731 #H0/ METAL WHITE/WHITE
Female LIME/ METAL
Chick 1 ORANGE /RED ASH/METAL
BLACK / WHITE

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
02/04/2020 15:00 17:00
03/04/2020 10:00 12:00 No activity
Pair feeding on the slope, then went into the nest site carrying
material exited a couple of minutes later. Colour rings read as

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pair was sitting outside nest site, with male ‘umbrellaing’, pair
flew north after two minutes.

15/04/2020 13:00 15:00 Pair feeding close by and visiting nest site every half hour for c2
minutes at a time, female would stay at the nest for a further
23/04/2020 17:40 couple of minutes each time before joining the male. Male was
27/04/2020 14:00 ‘umbrellaing’ at one point for ~five minutes.
15/05/2020 13:30
27/05/2020 15:00 17:50 Incidental sighting - Male entered the nest site at 17:45 and
13/06/2020 13:00 exited a couple of minutes later and flew north.

15:00 Observer visited nest and four eggs were present, pair was
14:10 agitated and returned to nest ~ten minutes later.

16:00 Pair present around site as observer visited nest to find one
15:30 ~three-day-old chick and three eggs. Pair both returned to the
nest ~ten minutes later.

One chick present in the nest and ringed, pair returned to the
nest ~ten minutes after ringers left

One juvenile outside nest being fed by adults and
flying/hopping around outside, adults came back to feed every
15-20 minutes

summary – one young fledged

4.1.9 OGOF BRAICH Y FWYAF

Bird Ring number Right combination Left combination
Female Unringed
Unringed
Male

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
02/04/2020 13:00 17:00
No activity

14/04/2020 15:00 17:30 Two unringed birds were seen entering the nest site for ~five
minutes on two occasions during the monitoring session,
entering together and leaving together.

15/05/2020 13:00 15:00 Unringed pair was travelling between Barcut and Little Kit,
presumed to be the Barcut pair that had failed.

27/05/2020 12:00 14:00 Pair still travelling between Barcut and Little Kit with no true
nesting behaviour.

01/06/2020 17:00 18:30 Pair flying between Barcut and Little Kit once again

summary – no breeding occurred at this site

200 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

CHOUGH

4.1.10 TORNADO LEDGE

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
26/03/2020 14:30 16:00
06/04/2020 09:00 10:15 No activity
14/04/2020 15:00 18:00 No activity
25/04/2020 11:00 13:00 No activity
15/05/2020 13:00 15:00 No activity

No activity

summary – no activity

4.1.11 OGOF BARCUT

Bird Ring number Right combination Left combination
Female Un-ringed
Un-ringed
Male

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
26/03/2020 15:30 16:00
Pair visited nest every 15 minutes and feeding close to nest.
Pair flew south, both are unringed which is the same as last
year.

06/04/2020 09:00 10:15 Pair feeding above slope, two in one out, both back on slope
by 10:15.

14/04/2020 15:00 18:00 Male bird ‘umbrellaing’ outside nest entrance and both birds
flew around and entered the nest on one occasion for ~five
minutes.

25/04/2020 11:00 13:00 No activity for the duration of the monitoring session. Observer
went down to check the nest and it was undeveloped, just a
ball of twigs and grass.

15/05/2020 13:00 13:30 Pair flying between Little Kit and Barcut

27/05/2020 14:30 16:00 Pair was flying between Barcut and Little Kit for the whole
afternoon.

01/06/2020 17:00 18:50 Pair flying between Little Kit and Barcut.

26/03/2020 15:30 16:00 Pair visited nest every 15 minutes and feeding close to nest.
Pair flew south, both are unringed which is the same as last
year.

summary – failed at incubation stage

4.1.12 PEN CRISTIN

Bird Ring number Right combination Left combination
Female METAL WHITE/WHITE
METAL
Male YELLOW/BLACK
201
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Date Start Finish Nesting activity
24/03/2020 09:00 11:00
Pair feeding around the general nest site area for the duration
of the monitoring session but never entered the nest.

26/03/2020 10:00 10:20 Pair visited the nest for ~two minutes, female stayed in the nest
site for a further two minutes after the male left and perched on
the slope above the nest. Pair flew west after female flew from
the nest.

06/04/2020 09:00 10:15 Pair flew in from south at 09:15 and fed on slope above nest.
Female took wool into nest site at 09:45. 10:00 both back out
and at 10:10 flew north.

14/04/2020 12:00 13:00 Pair feeding on Pen Cristin and entered nest site from the north,
left ~five minutes later and flew north.

17/04/2020 08:00 08:10 Incidental sighting - Pair feeding together on the Narrows.
25/04/2020 10:00 12:00
Pair seen and colour rings read which confirm it is the usual Pen
Cristin pair. Male entered nest (where female already was), both
birds then exited the nest and flew south together.

10/05/2020 13:00 14:45 Pair exited nest at 13:40 and went north, they returned to the
nest at 14:30 for ~five minutes, male bird deposited faecal sac
outside nest site, pair flew south at 14:35.

04/06/2020 13:30 14:00 Three chicks seen exploring around the nest site, one chick is
slightly smaller and did not come nearly as far out as the other
two which were flying short distances.

13/06/2020 15:50 16:20 Three young birds seen with parents flying and being fed mid-
way between Barcut and Pen Cristin.

summary – three young fledged

4.1.13 OGOF DIBAN

Bird Ring number Right combination Left combination
Female ORANGE/# “0F” LIME/METAL
EX04727 METAL
Male EX04728 BLUE /BLACK GREEN/GREEN
Chick 1 Unringed BLACK/BROWN ASH/METAL
Chick 2 ASH/METAL
Chick 3

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
23/03/2020 08:00 10:30
Pair fed for almost the entirety of the monitoring session around
the south-east corner of the South End. Neither ever visited the
known nest site. Rings were read, confirming the same pair as
last year.

04/04/2020 08:30 09:00 Incidental sighting - Pair flew over the Narrows with nest material
and headed in the direction of the South End nest site. The pair
was then re-located at the South End, still the same pair as
previously seen.

202 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

CHOUGH

07/04/2020 14:00 14:15 Male alone, ‘umbrellaing’ on the South End just north of the
14/04/2020 09:00 Lighthouse compound. Flew north after ten minutes.
21/04/2020 09:00
09:15 Incidental - Male seen ‘umbrellaing’ near the nest site and flew
09/05/2020 17:30 north after ten to 15 minutes. Looked quite agitated by the
25/05/2020 16:30 observer’s presence.
11/06/2020 08:30
11:00 Male entered the general area from the north and called, which
appeared to lure the female out of the nest hole. The male then
appeared to feed the female and the pair did some bill-
stropping for a several of minutes. The male fed the female once
more and the pair remained for ~5 minutes before female went
back to nest and male flew north.

18:00 Chicks heard from the nest hole and adults seen with faecal
sacs.

17:30 Nest visited, three chicks in nest but one jumped to an
unreachable cavity behind the nest, two were ringed. Pair was
present and returned to the nest ten minutes after the chicks
were returned.

09:30 Three young birds were outside the nest area and adults were
coming to feed every ~20 minutes. Chicks have been seen
every day since at the south end as of 15/06

summary – three young fledged

Fig. 4. Chough chick © Steven Stansfield 203

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4.1.14 OGOF TRWYN-YR-HWCH BACH (WEST COAST)

Bird Ring number Right combination Left combination
Female GREEN/ #“3T”, GREEN/METAL
ASH/METAL BLUE
Male

Date Start Finish Nesting activity
23/03/2020 11:00 13:00
Pair carried nest material into the nest cavity at 11:10, flying in
from the east. Pair were in the nest site for two minutes before
flying out and heading east.

29/03/2020 09:00 09:30 Pair feeding in the North-west Fields, colour rings read.

09/04/2020 16:40 17:00 One bird flew in high from the west over Plas calling. Second bird
(presumed female) to join, both birds landed.

10/04/2020 10:00 10:20 Male bird on its own ‘umbrellaing’ on west coast south of the
nest site. Seemed agitated as it was calling in observers
direction, but allowed observer to get within ten metres, flew
north after 10 minutes of continued ‘umbrellaing’.

10/05/2020 13:00 13:50 Pair entered nest at 12:10 after feeding in the field just east of
nest site. pair exited with faecal sacs and flew east after ~ five
minutes.

28/05/2020 17:30 17:40 Pair flew into nest from the east and exited after two minutes
and flew back east.

12/06/2020 15:15 15:30 Five chicks on the grass above the nest site. Chicks have been
seen every day since around the west coast and the Mountain
as of 15/06.

summary – five young fledged

.

5 DISCUSSION

Chough numbers on Bardsey have fluctuated dramatically since monitoring began in 1953. However,
the trend clearly shows an increase in the breeding population, with a minimum of nine pairs attempting
to breed in four of the last ten years. The population trend also suggests that Choughs are responding
positively to the management of the island, where grazing by both sheep and cattle is creating an
abundance of short sward semi-natural vegetation.

The number of Choughs breeding on Bardsey this year was equal to last year but was one pair (14.63%)
fewer than the ten-year average (8.20 ±s.d.0.79). Breeding success was greater than last year, with an
extra four chicks fledging from the same number of pairs (n=7). Of the seven active pairs, two failed to
rear young and were thought to have failed at the nest-building or incubation stage. Whether this was
due to predation is unclear. Of the five nests that were successful, the productivity was 3.00, as the one
chick that fledged from Seal Cave was compensated for by the high brood of five chicks that fledged
from the West Coast pair.

Choughs on Bardsey will be affected by wider environmental variables such as changes in climate or
population fluctuations elsewhere. However, on a local level, specific management on the island is likely
to have a significant impact, particularly on the extent of suitable feeding habitat and the fact the
population is stable goes someway to indicate that the management of the island for Choughs is being

204 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

CHOUGH

Chough family © Steven Stansfield

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successful, and by grazing both sheep and cattle, the island maintains an appropriate amount of short
grassland areas as favoured feeding areas for Choughs.

5.1 MANAGEMENT STATEMENTS AND SPECIES’ TARGETS

Although now quite outdated, the latest management statement for Choughs on Bardsey (2010-2015)
from the 2010 Conservation Management Plan Supplement (Moralee 2010):

To contribute to the maintenance of the internationally important population
(1% or more of the Great Britain population) of breeding and non-breeding
season Chough within the Glannau Aberdaron and Ynys Enlli SPA.

The species’ targets as listed in the 2010 Management Plan Supplement are:

• The breeding population of Chough is at least four pairs
• The wintering population of Chough is at least ten individuals
• Sufficient suitable habitat is present to support the populations
• Breeding population is stable or increasing
• Productivity is stable
• Breeding and non-breeding birds use Ynys Enlli for feeding

throughout the year
• Chough feeding habitats are themselves in a favourable conservation

status and that the specified and operational limits and grazing
prescriptions for these habitats incorporate Chough feeding
requirements (i.e. sward height and bare ground)
• Disturbance of breeding and feeding Chough is minimal
• The factors affecting the feature are under control

In the Guide for land managers: Summary of Island Management Plan 2002-2006, Wilkinson
(2004) gives a ‘Vision’ for the Feature:

‘VISION’ FOR THE FEATURE

Size of breeding population is stable or increasing as far as availability of nest
sites will allow (min 1% UK population) and non-breeding individuals are
present and utilising the island for feeding and social interaction.

206 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

CHOUGH

Further to the Wilkinson plan (2004), Moralee (2010) refined the grazing prescriptions for many of the areas
which are managed for, amongst other things, Chough feeding. Most areas within the SPA and SAC
have very similar, if not identical sward height objectives within the plan. The area known as Penryn
Gogor has grazing prescriptions as follows:

PENRYN GOGOR GRAZING PRESCRIPTION

• 75% of grasses between heather patches should be 3-5cm tall
• 10% of the sward between heather patches can be less than 1cm tall
• Some (1-10%) bare ground should be present. No signs of excessive

erosion
• 90% of grasses in maritime grassland should be 1-5 cm tall
• 75% of grasses in maritime grassland should be 1-3 cm tall

5.2 BREEDING AND PRODUCTIVITY

HEALTH OF THE FEATURE WILL BE INDICATED BY

• >2.5 fledglings per breeding pair each year
• All identified feeding areas are managed for Chough (60% grasses

<1.5cm throughout year)
• Breeding and non-breeding birds recorded feeding on the island each

year (summer & winter)
• No deaths or instances of disturbance from avoidable activities,

incorrect procedures or unnecessary structures

The Management Plan for Ynys Enlli (Wilkinson 2004) stated that the acceptable minimum limit for nesting
pairs of Choughs is five pairs in three of any consecutive five-year period. The number of pairs has now
been five or more for the last 20 years and should therefore be seen as being in a favourable condition.
Productivity in 2020 was 2.14 chicks per pair. This is 36.36% higher than the 2019 productivity rate of 1.57
and is 14.40% below the acceptable minimum of 2.5 chicks per pair which is set in the Management
Plan. The supplement to the Management Plan (Moralee, 2010) targets ‘stable productivity’, but this
target has not been met since 2008. The last time productivity was greater than the minimum set out as
‘acceptable’ was in 2014 when 3.00 chicks per pair were raised from eight pairs which fledged 24 young.

Mean productivity over the last decade is 1.96±s.e.0.15 with fluctuations as low as 1.44 in 2012 and
reaching a peak of 3.00 in 2014; the 2020 productivity rate of 2.14 was 8.96% lower than the ten-year
mean. Wilkinson (2004) stated that one of the indicators of the ‘health of the feature’ would be the
production of >2.5 chicks per pair each year, however Fig. 5. shows that productivity of >2.5 chicks per
pair has been achieved in only one out of the past ten years. Based on this alone the feature would not
be in a favourable condition. However, productivity is calculated by dividing the number of young

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fledged by the total number of pairs breeding or attempting to breed and does not take into account
the age structure or experience of the birds within that population. A larger population with a high
proportion of young, inexperienced birds, as currently on the island, will inevitably lead to lower
productivity than from a smaller population made up of experienced pairs. Therefore, the productivity
of Bardsey’s Choughs is expected to increase over the coming years as the current young birds gain
experience.

Productivity 5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0

1953
1955
1957
1959
1961
1963
1965
1967
1969
1971
1973
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019

Productivity Year
Mean 1953-2020 2.65 ±s.e.0.13

Fig. 5. Chough Productivity (chicks per pair) 1953-2020.

4.0

3.5

3.0

Productivity 2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
2011

Year Mean 1.96 ±s.e.0.15
Productivity

Fig. 6 Productivity (chicks per pair) 2011-2020.

Over the past decade 161 young have been produced, with the lowest total of 11 in 2019 and the
highest in 2013 (24), the same year which saw the highest productivity of the last decade. The ten-year
mean is 1.96, 21.6% below the proposed target productivity of 2.5 chicks per pair.

208 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

CHOUGH

Number of young 30
25
20 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
15
10

5
0

2011

Year

Young Mean 15.40 ±s.d.4.81

Fig. 7 Number of young produced per annum 2010-2020.

5.3 WINTERING AND NON-BREEDING CHOUGHS

No staff were present on the island during the first two months of the year, by March when staff had
arrived, pairs had started to form and some were nest building, meaning there were no flocks of
significant size. The first large flock appeared over the Mountain on the morning of 10 September and
contained 48 individuals. However, the largest flock recorded this year was on 26 September and
contained approximately 69 individuals, 66 were flying north along the West Coast whilst a further three
were feeding on Solfach. As usual, Solfach was almost exclusively where choughs were seen feeding in
flocks. This feeding behaviour began in late September/early October and from this point on, it was not
uncommon to see 20-30 Choughs feeding on Solfach and the closely surrounding grass.

Fig. 8 Non-resident Chough on Solfach in autumn © George Dunbar

64: 192-211 209

PRETTYMAN

80

70

Daily count of birds 60

50

40

30

20

10

0

J FM AM J J A S O ND

Fig. 9 Maximum daily counts for Choughs on Bardsey in 2020.

6 SUMMARY

2020 was another fair breeding season for Choughs on Bardsey, picking things up from last year’s low
productivity. Despite this, it has proved to be another year that Chough have not met the proposed
productivity rate.

During 2020, seven pairs attempted to breed and of these, five successfully fledged young. The other
two pairs failed during the incubation/nest building stages and subsequently destroyed their nests and
started flying between other nest sites. All the colour-ringed pairs that attempted to breed this year
match the pairs of 2019, and the un-ringed pair that nested at Barcut this year is likely to be the same
un-ringed pair that bred at Barcut in 2019.

The South End pair that was newly formed last year and failed to raise any offspring managed to fledge
three chicks from the usual nest site. Two of these chicks were ringed and were seen feeding with the
parents around the South End and the Narrows for several weeks after fledging. The West Coast was the
most productive pair this year; again, this was another pair that only formed last year after the female
switched from the South End male to the West Coast male. Five young fledged. This pair has now fledged
eight young in two seasons. The pair that bred at Ogof Morlas last year had moved to the sister site of
Black Anvil this year. This pair does include an un-ringed female, but it can be assumed that the pair is
the same as last year and has been breeding at either Ogof Morlas or Black Anvil since 2015. The male
is eight years old and fledged from Ogof Barcut. This year they fledged three young, which was the
average for 2020 and an improvement after only fledging one in 2019. The Bae Felen/Zawn pair includes
one un-ringed bird, but is likely to be the same bird that was at this site in 2019. The colour-ringed bird is
peculiar because it is smaller than its partner, but by all behavioural accounts is the male, fledged from
Barcut in 2015. This pair began the season nest building at The Zawn nest site, but by 23 March had
switched their attention to the Bae Felen nest site, indicating a failed attempt. They were then seen flying
between and entering the Bae Felen and Zawn sites on several occasions, and a nest visit to Bae Felen
on 8 June yielded nothing but a destroyed nest. The usual Seal Cave pair had four eggs by 27 April,
however, two weeks later, only one chick had hatched and was covered in down, whilst the other three
eggs were cold. The remaining chick was ringed on 27 May and was seen outside the nest on 13 June
being fed by the parents. Ogof Barcut’s un-ringed pair was regularly seen entering the nest site from 26
March up until 25 April when neither bird was seen throughout an entire monitoring session. A visit to the
nest confirmed a failed attempt, with the destroyed nest being located. One week prior to this
monitoring session, an un-ringed pair had started visiting the Little Kit nest site; at the time it was hoped
that this was a new pair, but it proved to be the failed Barcut pair visiting nearby sites. The Pen Cristin pair

210 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

CHOUGH

remained the same for the sixth year in a row, the female of this pair has been nesting at this site since
2006. They failed during their first nesting attempt in 2014 but have fledged at least two offspring per year
ever since, with a maximum of four in 2019. They fledged three chicks this year, consistent with the 2020
average.

The resulting 2.14 chicks per pair is 8.96% above the ten-year mean (1.96±s.e.0.15). The number of young
fledged (15) is 6.83% below the ten-year mean (16.10±s.d.4.07). These figures are outside the acceptable
limits set out for the management of the NNR, SPA and SAC. However, looking long-term, the population
is 53.49% greater than the long term (1952-2020) mean (4.56 ±s.d.2.25), with the productivity being 36.36%
greater than the long-term mean (2.65 ±s.e.0.13).

7 REFERENCES

Baillie, S.R. 1990. Integrated population monitoring of breeding birds in Britain and Ireland. Ibis, 132: 151-
166.

Bullock, I., Drewett, D. & Mickleburg, S. 1983. The chough in Britain and Ireland. British Birds, 76: 377–401.
Hayhow, D.B., Johnstone, I., Thorpe, R., Moore, A. and Finney, S. 2007. Breeding status of Choughs

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax in the UK and Isle of Man in 2002. Bird Study, 54: 23-34.
Hayhow, B.D et al. 2018. Status of breeding Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax in the UK and Isle of Man

2014. Bird Study 65: 458-470.
Hewitt, K. & Wilkinson, H. 2003. Ynys Enlli NNR Conservation Management Plan. Countryside Council for

Wales.
Loxton, R.G. and Jones, P.H. 1995. The breeding birds of Bardsey, Skomer, Skokholm and the Calf of

Man.Part1: Introduction and species accounts. Rep. Bardsey Bird Fld Obs. 38: 84-159.
Loxton, R.G., Kittle, T. and Jones, P.H. 1999. Atlas of recoveries of birds ringed by Bardsey Bird and Field

Observatory 1953-1996. BBFO, Bethesda, Gwynedd.
McCanch, N. 2000. The relationship between Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax breeding populations

and grazing pressure on the Calf of Man. Bird Study, 47: 295-303.
Moralee, A. 2010. Ynys Enlli Nature Conservation Management Plan drafted on behalf of the Bardsey

Island Trust by RSPB. Unpublished. Natural Resources Wales.
Perfect, E. 2018. Chough breeding studies update. Rep. Bardsey Bird Fld. Obs. 61: 208-219.
Reid, J. M., Bignal, E. M., Bignal, S., McCracken, D. I. and Monaghan, P. 2003. Environmental variability,

life-history covariation and cohort effects in the Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax.
Journal of Animal Ecology 72: 36-46
Reid, J. M., Bignal, E. M., Bignal, S., Bogdanova, M. I., Monaghan, P. and McCracken, D. I. 2011.
Diagnosing the timing of demographic bottlenecks: sub-adult survival in red-billed choughs.
Journal of Applied Ecology 48: 797-805
Roberts, P. 1983. Feeding habitats of Choughs on Bardsey Island. Bird Study, 30: 67-73.
Roberts, P. 1985. The Choughs of Bardsey. British Birds 78: 217-232.
Stansfield, S.D. 1999. Chough breeding success and choice of feeding habitat on Ynys Enlli in 1998. Rep
Bardsey Bird Fld Obs. 42: 59-64
Stansfield, S.D. 2003. Breeding success of the Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax on Ynys Enlli in 2002.
Unpublished Report to NRW for Grant-aided work in 2002
Stansfield, S.D. & Carter, M. 2017. Chough breeding studies update. Rep. Bardsey Bird Fld. Obs. 60: 170-
180.
Wilkinson, H. 2004. Guide for Land Managers, Summary of island management plan 2002-2006 Volume
1: background & designated features. Countryside Council for Wales.

64: 192-211 211

BIRD RINGING The purpose of ringing birds is to collect data that are used to monitor
survival rates and birds’ movements, amongst other things. This
Birds ringed on Bardsey in 2020 provides a fundamental contribution to conservation as it helps
George Dunbar scientists to understand the causes of changes in population sizes over
time, and therefore how to prevent and reverse declines. The data
collected from ringing can be analysed and used to inform decision
making by governments, conservation bodies and economic
developers.

All naturally occurring wild birds in the UK are protected from
persecution under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). It is illegal
to kill, injure or ‘take’ any wild bird, or to take or damage the nest of
any wild bird whilst in use or being built. The eggs of all wild birds are
also protected. It is an offence to have in your possession any live wild
birds. As a result, all bird ringing in the UK requires a special licence,
and is done under specific regulations.

The British and Irish Ringing Scheme is run and administered by the

British Trust for Ornithology (BTO*) - www.bto.org

The BTO issue ringing licences on behalf of the UK and Irish
Governments. A licence to ring birds is issued only after initial approval,
followed by a lengthy training process by an authorised instructor.
Qualified ringers catch birds using mist nets, Heligoland traps, spring
traps and other methods; a small, uniquely numbered metal ring is
then carefully placed around the bird’s leg providing a reliable and
harmless method of identifying the birds as individuals.

Ringing at Bardsey Bird Observatory operates to a high standard and
ringing training is also available. In line with BTO regulations, all of the
ringing data that Bardsey Bird Observatory has collected since 1953
has been submitted to the BTO and has been incorporated into their
national database, as well as being held in our own databases both on
and off the island for safekeeping.

*The BTO is one of the world’s leading impartial scientific research organisations

specialising in knowledge about wild birds. BTO are interested in changes to wildlife
populations in relation to their ecology and the habitats on which they depend. Their
information base includes long-term datasets that have been in place for at least 50
years.

208 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

Brambling © George Dunbar 209
64: 212-237

DUNBAR

1 INTRODUCTION

Each year birds migrate along their flyways all over the world in spring and autumn; many, as seen in the
systematic list on page 62, are endangered. One of the ways we can understand more about them is to
collect scientific data to support conservation; ringing forms part of the important research necessary to
help protect species that are declining. Ornithologists around the world have been ringing for over 100
years and much of our current knowledge about migration and populations that we have today has
come from ringing data.

Bardsey Bird Observatory started ringing when it was established in 1953 and has an ongoing program
of ringing, with data now spanning over 66 years. Up to the end of 2019 there have been 293,967 birds
of 196 species ringed on the island.

2 METHODS

Birds are trapped by licenced ringers in a variety of ways, such as in mist nets, Helgoland traps, spring
traps, by woosh-netting, dazzling and a number of other methods. A small metal ring is then placed on
the bird’s leg using specialised pliers and rings; data are recorded about each individual bird.

A summary of the ringing that was undertaken during the 2020 season is presented below, broken down
monthly from mid-March when ringing began, to late October, followed by a table showing the totals
of each species ringed during the year.

3 RESULTS

A total of 5189 birds was ringed in 2020, 1451 birds more than last year’s total of 3738, an increase of
38.81% and 14.1% greater than the 1953-2019 mean (4535.58±s.d.1912.72). Full-grown birds made up
92.48% of this total, which equates to 4799 birds, an increase of 67.15% compared to the total in 2019 of
2871. However, the total number of pulli ringed in 2020 was 390, which is a decrease of 55.01% compared
to 2019; as usual, seabirds made up the vast majority of this total. The decrease in the number of pulli
ringed was due to two main reasons: A large storm in April saw the vast majority of auk eggs on the East
Side of the island being swept away and, due to Covid-19, we were unable to travel to the Gwylan
Islands for seabird ringing trips. In both spring and autumn, we enjoyed several good days of warbler
passage through the island, with good numbers of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. This was
clearly evidenced in the ringing totals, as this year in April 199 Willow Warblers and 262 Blackcaps were
ringed compared with last year’s totals of 63 and 97 respectively. There were not many glaring omissions
from this year’s species tally, other than Fieldfare and Water Rail, with none being trapped for the third
consecutive year.

As stated earlier, no trips to the Gwylan islands were made this year which accounts for the main lack of
pulli seabirds ringed. The storms in April also had a large impact on the East Side colonies, with the vast
majority of auk nests being destroyed and resulting in only 30 Razorbills and nine Guillemots being ringed,
in comparison with last year’s totals of 243 and 76 respectively. Herring Gull totals were also down on last
year, 80 were ringed this year on Bardsey compared with 144 last year – 43 of these were also fitted with
Darvic rings. More Lesser Black-backed Gulls were ringed though, with 18 being caught in contrast with
eight last year, six of these were fitted with Darvic rings. No Great Black-backed Gulls were ringed as no
nests were located on the island. 19 Shag chicks were ringed on the island, only slightly down on last
year’s 24, well below last year’s total of 101, with most Shag chicks being ringed on Ynys Gwylan Fawr.

214 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

Manx Shearwater was once again the most numerous bird to be ringed in 2020 by a huge margin, more
than doubling the next highest species total. A total of 1474 birds was ringed, comprising 1260 full-grown
birds and 214 pulli. This total is the highest since 2005.

A total of 81 species was ringed this year, 19 more than last year. 2020 was a brilliant year for diversity,
with relatively good numbers of expected migrants, and also a few rarer birds thrown in, such as Greenish
Warbler, Marsh Warbler and Common Rosefinch. After the first Grey Wagtail for over 20 years was caught
last year, an incredible total of 15 was ringed this year, doubling the overall total ringed on the island
and dwarfing the previous highest annual total of three.

Grey Wagtail © Steven Stansfield

3.1 MONTHLY SUMMARIES

Number Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
Ringed 0 0 246 1023 368 298 1162 667 564 860 1 0 5189
Number
Species 0 0 24 32 28 17 25 36 32 36 1 0 81

MARCH

A Barn Owl that had overwintered at Cristin was trapped on 18th, this being the eighth to be ringed on
Bardsey. Mist netting began on 19th when the first nets were erected at Cristin; migrants were around in
reasonable numbers throughout the month, and 13 Blackcaps, 55 Chiffchaffs and eight Willow Warblers
were similar totals to those ringed in 2019. Goldcrests were the most plentiful captures with 106 ringed,
these were accompanied by three Firecrests. More unusual though, was the influx of tits towards the end
of the month – three Blue Tits, six Coal Tits and eight Great Tits were ringed this month, all are scarce
species on the island. A couple of scarcer species this month came in the form of a single Black Redstart
and a single Jack Snipe. Twenty more species were ringed in March this year than last year.

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APRIL

The first full month of ringing resulted in a total of 1023 birds of 32 species being ringed, 252.75% higher
than last April’s total of 290 birds. April is the month for peak spring warbler passage on Bardsey, and
more specifically, Willow Warbler passage. This year’s totals in April were far better than last year: 199
Willow Warblers were ringed, compared with 62 last year, a 220.96% increase; similarly, 262 Blackcaps
were ringed, comparing well with last year’s month total of 97, a 170.10% increase, 82 Chiffchaffs were
ringed, a similar total to last year. The first and only Lesser Whitethroat, Greenfinch, Bullfinch and Redstart
of the year were caught, as were the first four Grasshopper Warblers, the first five Whitethroats, the first
two Pied Flycatchers and the first 13 Sedge Warblers. Tits continued to move through this month, and a
further five Blue tits, three Coal Tits and three Great Tits were ringed. Goldfinches moved through in good
numbers and were pulled into sunflower hearts in the garden at Cristin, leading to a month record total
of 149 ringed; other finches included six Chaffinches, one Lesser Redpoll and three Siskins.

Dazzling began this month, resulting in totals of five Dunlin, three Oystercatchers, three Wheatears, and
three Whimbrels, the latter also being colour-ringed. A Grey Plover was caught and ringed on 26th, this
was only the fourth to be ringed on Bardsey, and the first since 2008. Other night-time ringing saw 222
Manx Shearwaters being ringed over a few nights towards the end of the month.

MAY

The month’s tally increased by 5.75% compared to last year, 368 birds of 28 species were ringed, four
more species than in May 2019. 189 Manx Shearwaters made up for 51.35% of this month’s total;
excluding this species, a more modest total of 179 birds was ringed. Chiffchaffs outnumbered Willow
Warblers in the nets, with 29 of the former and 23 of the latter being ringed. It appeared that the main
passage had taken place back in April, with several day counts in triple-figures which were not nearly
reached this month. The 23 Willow Warblers ringed is a 41.02% decrease on May 2019’s total of 39.

A further 50 Blackcaps and 14 Sedge Warblers were ringed, along with the year’s first of three Garden
Warblers. Two more Grasshopper Warblers and another three Whitethroats were caught. Spotted
Flycatcher numbers were low on the island in May, mirrored in the ringing data, by the total of five ringed,
an 80% decrease on May 2019’s total of 25. Finches were present in low numbers and three Chaffinches,
12 Goldfinches and one Lesser Redpoll were caught. The first juvenile Great Tits and Song Thrushes
fledged this month with four of the former and one of the latter being ringed. Three pulli Choughs were
ringed, two from one nest site, and one from another nest site on the island. A trip to the East Side of the
island to survey seabirds saw two adult Kittiwakes caught and ringed, these were the first ringed since
2016 and the highest total since 2011 when 19 were ringed.

Only one scarcity was caught, a Greenish Warbler, which was found singing in the garden on 29th and
was caught and ringed soon afterwards, the 13th ringed on the island. The other scarcity was a Knot
which was caught whilst dazzling on 12th, the 76th Knot ringed on Bardsey, the first for eight years.
Dazzling also produced one Dunlin, two Oystercatchers, one Ringed Plover and a further two Whimbrels
which were the last of this species caught this year, bringing the total to five – 285.32% above the long-
term 1953-2020 mean (1.89±s.d.3.82).

JUNE

Migration had all but come to a standstill by the time June arrived. One Chiffchaff, two Blackcaps, two
Spotted Flycatchers and four Goldfinches were the only signs of any real movement. The bird of the
month though, must have been the Common Rosefinch which was first heard singing in the garden at
Cristin and was then caught on 5th when it came to feeders in the garden.

216 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

156 birds of the total 298 ringed this month were seabirds, making up the bulk of the June ringing totals.
All seabirds this year were ringed on the island as no trips to the Gwylan Islands were possible due to the
Covid-19 pandemic. This month, 79 Herring Gulls, 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 19 Shags, one Puffin, nine
Guillemots and 30 Razorbills were ringed. Auk numbers were well below last year’s totals due to large
storms back in April which saw the vast majority of auk nests on the East Side colonies being destroyed,
leading to a very poor breeding year for them.

A net was erected in front of the Observatory building this month to try and tape-lure Storm Petrels in for
ringing; there were no high hopes for this being successful, but we were all pleasantly surprised with the
19 new birds which were caught there during the month.

JULY

This month, the weather was very mixed, most days were dry but there were a few total washouts; rainy
weather was rarely a problem for ringing, but the wind was on many occasions. The wind particularly
caused problems with catching adult Manx Shearwaters at night, as some of the windiest nights
coincided with the darkest nights which would have otherwise been ideal. However, a brilliant total of
683 new adult Manx Shearwaters were ringed, along with the first 21 pulli.

A few more nights of trapping Storm Petrels outside the Observatory building using voice playback lures
were had, before the net was moved to Bae y Rhigol and an additional net added. This new site turned
out to be excellent, and by far the best site ever used on Bardsey. Previous to this year, the highest annual
total of Storm Petrels ringed on Bardsey had been 126, yet by the end of July alone, we had managed
to ring a staggering 255 new birds, and catch a further 79 birds which were already ringed. Included in
these already ringed birds was one bird from France, and another ringed on Alderney, Channel Islands
(further details in the Ringing Recoveries report).

The first waders started to turn up on their return passage from the breeding grounds and so when the
weather wasn’t suitable for Storm Petrel ringing, time was spent trying to catch birds at night around the
coastline. Four Dunlin, one Oystercatcher, two Redshanks, one Ringed Plover and six Wheatears were
the main catch; however, three Common Sandpipers were the highlight. These were the first Common
Sandpipers to be caught since 2005 – two were caught while dazzling on 25th, and the third was caught
in the beach Heligoland on 29th. The beach Heligoland trap also saw the first Rock Pipits of the year
being ringed, with 13 ringed this month, all receiving new white Darvic rings. A trip to the East Side of the
island saw a further four Puffins ringed, bringing the year total to five.

Warbler totals picked up this month, both due to some return passage and some young starting to leave
the nests on the island: 85 Willow Warblers, four Chiffchaffs, six Blackcaps, one Grasshopper Warbler, and
13 Sedge Warblers were ringed through the month. Of these, two Blackcaps, one Chiffchaff, 12 Sedge
Warblers and one Willow Warbler had fledged on the island. Other scarce breeders fledged more young
this month, with a further seven Great Tits and two Song Thrushes being caught and ringed.

AUGUST

This month, 667 birds of 36 species were ringed, the highest species diversity for any month this year,
along with October. The month started with more Storm Petrels and Manx Shearwaters being ringed, the
last to be ringed of the year of the former. With a further 47 new birds being ringed, one of which was a
pullus ringed on the East Side in the nest box there, this brought the total for the year to 321 new Storm
Petrels; a new record for Bardsey, being 195 higher than the previous record total of 126 which was set
in 2016.

Autumn Willow Warbler passage peaked, and a further 203 new birds were ringed alongside nine
Blackcaps, one Garden Warbler and the final nine Sedge Warblers of the year, bringing the year’s total

64: 212-237 217

DUNBAR

to 49 – almost double last year’s total, yet still 71.31% below the long-term 1953-2020 mean
(170.77±s.d.132.79). Other migrants ringed this month included three Goldcrests, nine Goldfinches, three
Lesser Redpolls, two Pied Flycatchers, 19 Robins, five Spotted Flycatchers, four Grey Wagtails and three
Tree Pipits, the only ones caught this year and the first since 2018.

Wader passage picked up further as expected and so more effort was put into dazzling on nights that
the weather was favourable and led to nine species being caught this month: seven Dunlin, one
Oystercatcher, two Purple Sandpipers, a Redshank, a Ringed Plover, a Turnstone, four Wheatears, a
Curlew and a Grey Heron. The Curlew was the first since 2017, and the Grey Heron was the first since
2016, but previous to that, the last was caught in 1986, this was the sixth Grey Heron to be ringed on the
island.

SEPTEMBER

Warbler passage kept going well into September and some respectable totals were had: 15 Blackcaps,
29 Chiffchaffs, a Garden Warbler, the first and only Reed Warbler of the year, a Whitethroat, 21 Willow
Warblers and the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn. Other migrants also began moving through
in larger numbers with 31 Chaffinches, 65 Goldcrests and nine Grey Wagtails ringed. The first two Great
Spotted Woodpeckers of the year were ringed, these being migrants to Bardsey. Also this month, a new
ringing site was formed down at Rhedynogoch between the willow bed and the seed crop there; the
seed crop was planted by the farmer Gareth Roberts earlier this year, to provide a food source for the
birds this autumn. It attracted hundreds of finches, mainly Linnets and Goldfinches, but also scores of
migrant Dunnocks; good numbers of Phylloscopus warblers were seen fly-catching amongst the
sunflowers on many occasions early in the month, and this was also where the Yellow-browed Warbler
was caught.

Totals of birds caught in and around the seed crop were: 26 Dunnocks, 11 Goldfinches, 28 Lesser Redpolls,
nine Linnets and five Reed Buntings - these are the first to be ringed since one back in 2016. The willows
here turned out to be an ideal location to play White Wagtail song in the evenings to try and catch a
few of the flock coming into roost; it was very successful and this month 38 were ringed. A triangle of nets
was set up in one of the nearby fields, and a Meadow Pipit song lure was played in the centre, this turned
out to be very successful too, with a total of 156 new birds ringed. With high concentrations of passerines
come their predators, and this month singles of Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Merlin were caught at
Rhedynogoch; this was the first Merlin ringed since 2012 and the tenth ringed on Bardsey.

Night-time ringing activities saw the final Manx Shearwaters of the year being ringed, mostly juveniles
that were picked up on the track in the evenings as they were making their way to the coast before
setting off for South America for the winter; 11 were ringed. Wader dazzling also took place on nights
which were suitable – one Redshank, six Turnstones and the final four Dunlin and nine Ringed Plovers of
the year were caught, bringing the annual total of each to 21 and 12 respectively - the highest ringing
totals for both of these species since 2009.

OCTOBER

This month, 860 birds of 36 species were ringed, an excellent total given that the weather was less than
favourable on a number of occasions, particularly towards the end of the month with both rain and wind
preventing ringing. Despite it being October, five species of warblers were ringed: 21 Blackcaps, 17
Chiffchaffs, one Willow Warbler, two Yellow-browed Warblers and the bird of the month, a Marsh Warbler,
which was caught in Plas Withy on 15th. The Marsh Warbler was carrying a large amount of fat (score
6/8) and the highest measure of muscle (3) – so it was definitely on the move.

Finches were around in good numbers, Goldfinches were most plentiful, with 208 ringed this month,
closely followed by Chaffinches with 184 ringed, and Lesser Redpoll with 74 ringed. These 74 Redpolls

218 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

bring the year total to 108, a new record total by 20 birds and a staggering 522.53% above the long-term
mean (17.35±s.d.22.85). 68 of the Redpolls this month were caught at the new Rhedynogoch ringing site,
along with 67 of the Goldfinches, 41 of the Chaffinches, and all 43 of the Linnets ringed, highlighting the
value of the seed crop there. Four Bramblings were ringed as were the final two Siskins, bringing the year’s
total to 11. A further 42 Dunnocks were ringed, the majority coming from Rhedynogoch seed crop; this
brings the year total to 95, a new record, beating the previous record of 93 set in 1988. Another highlight
of the month came from Rhedynogoch in the form of a Tree Sparrow, this is only the 12th ringed on
Bardsey and it has been 25 years since the last was caught here. A House Sparrow was also caught in
the Withies on 15th, this was the only one to be ringed this year. Four more Reed Buntings took the year
total to nine ringed, the highest total since 1989 when nine were also ringed.

Reed Bunting © Steven Stansfield

Thrushes were a main feature of the month with 36 Blackbirds, 11 Song Thrushes and 51 Redwings being
ringed bringing the year’s total to 53, the highest year total since 1996. Two of these Redwings were of
the Icelandic race ‘coburni’ and were caught on the evening of 22nd at a roost catch at Nant. Six
Starlings were caught as they were coming into roost at Rhedynogoch in the willows. Another five Great
Spotted Woodpeckers took the year’s total to seven, a new record number for the island after the
previous record total of five was set back in 2015. The final three Great Tits were also ringed, bringing the
year total to 30 – the highest total since 1993 when 33 were ringed. Two Grey Wagtails were ringed,
taking the year total to 15, doubling the total number previously ringed on the island. Goldcrests
continued to move in reasonable numbers: 82 were ringed, and the final two Firecrests were ringed,
making a total of five for the year. Three Meadow Pipits were ringed taking this year’s total to 167, one
less than the record total of 168 set in 1987. Four Stonechats were also ringed taking the year’s total to
25, the highest total since 2005 when 26 were ringed.

Finally, night-time ringing again held much interest; one Oystercatcher, two Redshanks (taking the
annual total to six, the highest since 2008), six Turnstones, one Bar-tailed Godwit (the first since 2016) and
a further five Purple Sandpipers were ringed. The year’s total of seven Purple Sandpipers ringed is the
highest since 1978 when 17 were ringed. A second Grey Heron was also caught; this is the first time two
have been caught in the same year on the island and was the seventh to be ringed here. This year’s
dazzling efforts produced 83 birds of 15 species. Away from dazzling, a session to try and catch owls at
Nant on 22nd had mixed success, a Long-eared Owl evaded capture, but a Barn Owl was caught and
ringed, taking this year’s total to two, and the island’s grand total to nine.

64: 212-237 219

DUNBAR

3.2 TOTALS TABLE

Table 1. Number of birds ringed in 2020, a comparison with the 2019 totals and with the 1953-2020
mean, number of birds ringed from 1953-2020, the annual maxima, and the 1953-2019 mean

∑ compares 2020 total with 2019 total, x̄ compares 2020 total with 1953-2020 mean, ↑ = Up on, = = Equal to, ↓ = Down on, FG = Full Grown

Species 2020 2020 2020 ∑ x̄ 53-2020 53-2020 53-2020 Annual 53-2020
Pullus FG Total Pullus FG Total Maxima Mean
Quail
Shelduck 3 1 =↓ 2 5 5 1 0.08
Mallard 1 =↓ 28 8 10 3 0.15
Teal 79 ↓↓ 17 45 6 0.68
Nightjar 18 1 =↓ 1 9 9 2 0.14
Swift 8 5 =↓ 1 3 3 1 0.05
Cuckoo 25 =↓ 44 29 29 6 0.44
Rock Dove 2 1 ↓↓ 87 88 8 1.33
Stock Dove 12 =↓ 53 1 2 2 0.03
Woodpigeon 5 =↓ 703 1 1 0.02
Turtle Dove 1 =↓ 149 136 1 12 2.73
Collared Dove 1 =↓ 37 180 9 0.56
Water Rail 1 1 =↑ 26 58 6 0.88
Corncrake 13 =↓ 2 221 37 17 3.36
Sora 1 =↓ 3 15 58 5 0.23
Moorhen =↓ 1 221 1 0.02
Little Grebe 21 1 ↑↓ 1,037 399 15 37 6.85
Oystercatcher 7 =↓ 1,088 3 2 0.05
Lapwing 8 ↑↓ 10,203 164 1 54 13.14
Golden Plover 1 =↓ 2,573 10 452 26 2.41
Grey Plover =↓ 1,835 4 1 0.06
Ringed Plover 3 1 ↑↑ 4,828 4 3 1 0.06
Dotterel 6 12 ↑ ↑ 187 867 16 3.23
Whimbrel 2 =↓ 2 2 159 1 0.03
Curlew 5 ↑↑ 652 123 26 1.89
Bar-tailed Godwit 1 1 ↑↓ 113 4 22 1.76
Turnstone 1 ↑↑ 44 4 6 0.67
Knot 1 13 ↑ ↑ 320 213 31 4.85
Curlew Sandpiper 5 1 ↑↓ 76 2 18 1.15
Sanderling 3 =↓ 6 125 3 0.09
Dunlin ↓↓ 20 116 4 0.30
Purple Sandpiper 21 ↑ ↑ 593 44 45 8.98
Baird's Sandpiper 7 ↑↑ 73 320 17
Little Stint =↓ 1 76 1 1.11
Pectoral Sandpiper =↓ 8 6 1 0.02
Woodcock =↓ 2 20 1 0.12
Jack Snipe =↓ 58 593 12 0.03
Snipe 1 ↑↑ 40 73 6 0.88
Grey Phalarope =↓ 55 1 8 0.64
Common Sandpiper =↓ 4 8 1 0.83
Spotted Sandpiper 3 ↑↑ 67 2 9 0.06
Redshank =↓ 1 58 1 1.02
Greenshank 6 ↑↑ 137 40 11 0.02
Kittiwake =↓ 3 55 1 2.08
Sabine's Gull 2 ↑↓ 191 4 144 0.05
Black-headed Gull =↓ 2 67 1 18.61
Great Black-backed Gull =↓ 1 1 1 0.03
Herring Gull ↓↓ 13 137 88 0.02
Lesser Black-backed Gull 80 ↓ ↓ 130 3 768 16.68
Little Tern 18 ↑ ↓ 211 1,228 237 156.56
Guillemot =↓ 1 2 1 42.18
Razorbill 9 ↓↓ 255 1 272 0.02
Black Guillemot 30 ↓ ↓ 1,294 1,101 325 31.67
Puffin =↓ 10,333 2 92.79
5 ↓↓ 758 2,784 85 0.03
220 1 21.36
2,090
6,122
2
1,410

REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

Species 2020 2020 2020 ∑ x̄ 53-2020 53-2020 53-2020 Annual 53-2020
Pullus FG Total Pullus FG Total Maxima Mean
Storm Petrel 320
Leach's Petrel 1 1,260 321 ↑↑ 19 1,343 1,362 126 20.64
Fulmar 214 1,474 =↓ 105 35 35 4 0.53
Manx Shearwater 2 =↓ 7,885 51 156 21 2.36
Gannet 19 1 19 ↑↑ 4,628
Shag 2 2 =↓ 1,319 38,183 46,068 2243 699.45
Cormorant 3 1 ↓↓ 3 3 1 0.05
Bittern 7 2 =↓ 11 71.36
Grey Heron 16 1 =↓ 82 4,710 243 20.17
Sparrowhawk 1 7 ↑↑ 45 12 1,331 128 0.02
Hen Harrier 1 ↓↓ 1 0.11
Barn Owl 3 1 =↓ 1 1 1 1.82
Little Owl ↑↑ 24 7 7 1 0.02
Long-eared Owl 9 3 =↓ 56 109 120 9 0.14
Hoopoe 8 3 =↓ 1 1 1 1.45
Kingfisher 30 =↓ 270 9 9 1 0.36
Wryneck 9 =↓ 514 51 96 8 0.05
Great Spotted Woodpecker 5 8 =↓ 156 23 24 4 0.02
Green Woodpecker 30 ↑↑ 335 3 3 1 0.53
Kestrel 3 =↓ 66 1 1 1 0.62
Merlin 21 ↑↑ 35 35 4 0.02
Peregrine 540 ↑↑ 2 41 41 5 0.65
Ring-necked Parakeet 217 3 =↓ 24 1 1 1 0.15
Red-backed Shrike =↓ 19 43 4 0.85
Isabelline Shrike 1 540 =↓ 15 10 10 2 0.02
Great Grey Shrike 49 217 =↓ 1,245 56 4 0.14
Woodchat Shrike =↓ 1 1 1 0.02
Red-eyed Vireo 1 1 =↓ 3 9 9 2 0.02
Golden Oriole 1 49 =↓ 1 1 1 0.18
Jay =↓ 6 1 1 1 0.02
Magpie 1 =↓ 1 12 12 2 0.32
Chough 1 ↑↓ 1 1 1 0.06
Jackdaw =↓ 5 21 21 4 6.09
Carrion Crow =↓ 4 4 2 8.53
Raven =↓ 132 402 29 5.12
Coal Tit =↓ 49 563 31 5.21
Willow Tit ↑↑ 182 338 67 1.00
Blue Tit =↓ 9 344 16 6.03
Great Tit ↑↓ 66 8 0.02
Penduline Tit ↑↑ 398 398 57 15.59
Woodlark =↓ 1 1 1 9.91
Skylark =↓ 1,029 266 0.02
Sand Martin =↓ 1,027 654 62 0.02
Swallow =↓ 630 1 1 8.85
House Martin ↓↓ 1 1 1 0.33
Cetti's Warbler ↓↓ 1 584 119 31.27
Long-tailed Tit =↓ 569 22 6 0.58
Wood Warbler =↓ 22 2,064 137 0.02
Western Bonelli's Warbler =↓ 819 38 6 5.32
Yellow-browed Warbler =↓ 35 1 1 1.64
Pallas's Warbler ↑↑ 1 351 53 0.12
Radde's Warbler =↓ 351 108 7 1.64
Dusky Warbler =↓ 108 8 2 0.26
Willow Warbler =↓ 8 108 14 0.06
Chiffchaff ↑↓ 108 17 3 0.03
Greenish Warbler ↓↓ 17 4 1
Arctic Warbler =↑ 4 2 1 824.52
Great Reed Warbler =↓ 2 54,418 2789 287.45
Sedge Warbler =↓ 18,972 859
Paddyfield Warbler ↑↓ 54,412 13 3 0.20
Blyth's Reed Warbler =↓ 18,971 1 1 0.02
Reed Warbler =↓ 2 1 0.03
Marsh Warbler ↓↓ 13 11,271 644 170.77
Booted Warbler ↑↑ 1 1 1 0.02
=↓ 2 4 2 0.06
174 10 2.64
11,266 9 1 0.14
1 2 1 0.03
4

174
9
2

64: 212-237 221

DUNBAR

Species 2020 2020 2020 ∑ x̄ 53-2020 53-2020 53-2020 Annual 53-2020
Pullus FG Total Pullus FG Total Maxima Mean
Melodious Warbler
Icterine Warbler 2 7 7 =↓ 1 86 86 9 1.30
Lanceolated Warbler 378 378 =↓ 1 37 37 3 0.56
Grasshopper Warbler =↓ 1 0.03
Blackcap 3 3 ↑↓ 19 2 2 197 26.85
Garden Warbler ↑↑ 1,771 1,772 728 114.71
Barred Warbler 1 1 =↓ 48 7,570 7,571 112 23.80
Lesser Whitethroat =↓ 1,571 1,571 3 0.27
Western Orphean Warbler 14 14 ↓↓ 36 19 2.77
Whitethroat ↓↓ 284 18 18 1 0.02
Subalpine Warbler 5 5 ↓↓ 183 183 489 98.70
Firecrest 280 280 =↓ 15 2 0.30
Goldcrest ↑↑ 73 1 1 20 4.30
Wren 116 116 ↓↓ 6,495 6,514 2566 481.76
Nuthatch ↓↑ 104 166 70.29
Treecreeper 6 6 =↓ 589 20 20 1 0.05
Rosy Starling =↓ 284 284 3 0.79
Starling 64 64 =↓ 2 31,795 31,795 1 0.02
Grey-cheeked Thrush ↑↓ 60 4,590 4,638 812 84.08
Ring Ouzel 53 53 =↓ 252 1 0.03
Blackbird 20 20 ↓↓ 341 3 3 13 1.77
Eye-browed Thrush ↑↓ 146 52 52 550 152.91
Fieldfare 12 12 =↓ 25 1 0.02
Redwing 64 64 =↓ 1 1 16 2.79
Song Thrush ↑↓ 51 5,507 5,543 554 80.68
Mistle Thrush 4 4 =↓ 1 156 51.23
Spotted Flycatcher =↓ 2 2 2 0.20
Robin 1 1 ↓↓ 15 117 117 264 57.86
Bluethroat 1 1 ↓↓ 9,781 10,065 167 72.29
Nightingale =↓ 1 0.03
Red-flanked Bluetail 25 25 =↓ 1 1 5 0.44
Pied Flycatcher 13 13 =↓ 183 183 1 0.02
Red-breasted Flycatcher ↓↓ 5,300 5,300 84 16.00
Black Redstart 1 1 =↓ 3,356 3,371 4 0.73
Redstart 1 1 ↑↓ 6
Whinchat 95 95 ↑↓ 13 13 55 1.21
Stonechat =↓ 3,819 3,819 15 9.97
Wheatear 15 15 ↑↑ 4,694 4,767 54 2.02
Isabelline Wheatear 43 45 ↓↓ 197 14.26
House Sparrow ↓↓ 2 2 1 30.27
Tree Sparrow 167 167 =↓ 29 29 75 0.02
Dunnock 3 3 ↑↑ 3 7.35
Yellow Wagtail ↑↑ 1 1 93 0.18
Grey Wagtail 26 26 =↓ 1,056 1,056 8 29.77
Pied/White Wagtail 233 233 ↑↑ 3 0.21
Richard's Pipit ↑↑ 48 48 48 0.45
Meadow Pipit 4 4 =↓ 80 80 1 13.44
Tree Pipit ↑↑ 658 658 168 0.02
Water Pipit 1 1 ↑↑ 133 133 12 35.76
Rock Pipit 1 1 =↓ 833 937 1 2.08
Chaffinch 1 1 ↓↑ 1,409 1,998 95 0.02
Brambling ↑↑ 957 23.58
Hawfinch 56 56 ↑↓ 1 1 326 217.56
Bullfinch =↓ 483 485 1 10.65
Common Rosefinch 108 108 ↑↓ 7 0.09
Greenfinch ↑↑ 12 12 3 1.05
Twite 404 404 ↓↓ 1,902 1,962 233 0.45
Linnet 11 11 =↓ 1 38.94
Common Redpoll ↑↑ 14 14 105 0.02
Lesser Redpoll =↓ 30 30 3 26.73
Redpoll Sp. ↑↑ 635 887 88 0.26
Crossbill =↓ 45 17.35
Goldfinch =↓ 1 1 1 1.59
Siskin ↑↑ 2,018 2,359 230 0.03
↑↑ 26 32.76
222 137 137 5.55
1 1

1,410 1,556
14,332 14,357

703 703
6 6

69 69
30 30
2,567 2,567

1 1
1,712 1,763

17 17
1,142 1,143

105 105
2 2

2,147 2,162
366 366

REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

Species 2020 2020 2020 ∑ x̄ 53-2020 53-2020 53-2020 Annual 53-2020
Pullus FG Total Pullus FG Total Maxima Mean
Lapland Bunting =↓
Snow Bunting =↓ 3 9 9 2 0.14
Yellowhammer =↓ 1 1 1 0.02
Ortolan Bunting =↓ 9 78 81 11 1.23
Little Bunting =↓ 4 4 2 0.06
Yellow-breasted Bunting =↓ 7 7 2
Black-headed Bunting =↓ 1 1 1 0.11
Reed Bunting ↑↑ 3 3 1 0.02
Song Sparrow =↓ 266 275 27 0.05
White-throated Sparrow =↓ 1 1 1 4.17
Dark-eyed Junco =↓ 1 1 1 0.02
Blackpoll Warbler =↓ 1 1 1 0.02
Summer Tanager =↓ 2 2 1 0.02
Rose-breasted Grosbeak =↓ 1 1 1 0.03
Red-headed Bunting =↓ 1 1 1 0.02
1 1 1 0.02
Totals 0.02

Number of Species 390 4,799 5,189 42,040 257,116 299,156
12 78 81 63 192 196

Marsh Warbler © Jeff Wragg

64: 212-237 223

DUNBAR

Grasshopper Warbler (top) Pied Flycatcher (bottom) © Steven Stansfield

224 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

Common Rosefinch (top) Greenish Warbler (bottom) © Steven Stansfield

64: 212-237 225

DUNBAR

Barn Owl © George Dunbar REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
226

BIRD RINGING

RECOVERIES, RETRAPS & CONTROLS

1 INTRODUCTION

Capturing birds which already have rings on, or finding a dead bird wearing a ring enables the collection
of data about birds’ movements around the world, as well as knowing how long they live. When a bird
with a ring on is re-captured, the number on the ring can be matched up to its original ringing details,
along with any subsequent information collected, thus helping build up a picture of the bird’s travels,
history and lifecycle. The more information that is collected, the more of an understanding of species’
behaviour and longevity can be made.

2 METHODS

Bird rings are made to fit different species of birds and are therefore produced in various sizes; each ring
size is assigned to a species according to the diameter of their tarsus (leg bone) and each ring is stamped
with a unique number. When a bird is caught, the appropriate ring size is carefully fitted by licenced
ringers, and details are recorded about the bird such as the length of the wing, its weight, the name of
the ringer, time, date etc. before releasing the bird back into its natural habitat. When birds are
subsequently trapped or found dead, they fall into one of the following three categories:

Re-trap - a bird that has been both ringed and re-captured
at the same site - in this case Bardsey

Recovery - a bird that was ringed on Bardsey and
subsequently found either at a different site (i.e. away from
Bardsey) or dead at the same site; in this case Bardsey

Control - a bird found to be wearing a ring which was fitted
at a different site - i.e. away from Bardsey

Data from controls are collected by Observatory staff and sent to the British Trust for Ornithology
(BTO) who process them and send back details of the history of the bird with its original ringing details.
They also send back information about recoveries of birds that were ringed on Bardsey and re-captured
elsewhere.

3 RESULTS

This season we received 151 recovery/control reports from the BTO with details relating to birds either
ringed on Bardsey and recovered elsewhere, or birds that were ringed elsewhere and controlled on
Bardsey. We were also notified about a number of our own colour-ringed birds directly from the
observers.

64: 212-237 227

DUNBAR

Below are a selection of some of the most interesting retraps, recoveries and controls from the year.

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, probably healthy; caught and released but not by a ringer
VV alive, 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, 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, probably healthy - fate unknown
AC alive, probably healthy – now captive
/ / condition on finding wholly unknown

3.1 RECOVERIES AND CONTROLS

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

FB38395 6 27.03.2017 Bardsey
S 03.07.2017 Burnley, Lancashire

98 days 204km 56˚ENE

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

FB36990 4 24.06.2014 Bardsey
XF 05.06.2020 Porthgain, Croes Goch, Pembrokeshire
95 km 197˚SSW
2173 days

228 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

B A R - T A I L E D G O D W I T Limosa lapponica BIRD RINGING
Rhostog Gynffonfraith

DR31288 3 16.09.1999 Bardsey
VV 01.09.2019 Snettisham, Norfolk
352 km 89˚E
7260 days

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

EX41207 8 09.07.2011 Puffin Island, Isle of Anglesey
AJF VV 24.07.2020 Bardsey

3303 days 80 km 220˚SW

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

HT57162 1 24.06.1997 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

XF 12.07.2020 Forge, Machynlleth, Powys

8419 days 63 km 111˚ESE

HT64422 1 16.06.1998 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

S 23.01.2020 Llanor, Gwynedd

7891 days 17 km 71˚ENE

MA24987 1 19.06.2019 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

B:147 VV 14.01.2020 Pembroke Dock
209 days
123 km 195˚SW

MA24972 1 19.06.2019 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

B:162 VV 14.08.2020 Grassholm, Pembrokeshire

423 days 128.9 km 202˚SSW

Great Black-backed Gull B:162 on Grassholm, Pembrokeshire © Dave Astins/West Coast Birding 229
64: 212-237

DUNBAR

MA24973 1 19.06.2019 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

B:163 VV 14.08.2020 Aberarth, Ceredigion

423 days 66.95 km 145˚SE

MA24980 1 19.06.2019 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

B:170 VV 17.08.2019 Bangor, Gwynedd

// 29.08.2020 Beaumaris, Isle of Anglesey

437 days 66 km 203˚SW

MA24967 1 19.06.2019 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

B:158 VV 11.09.2020 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire

449 days 124 km 197˚SW

MA24969 1 19.06.2019 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

B:161 VV 09.10.2019 Gann Estuary, Dale, Pembrokeshire

113 days 123 km 192˚SSW

VV 14.02.2020 Plogoff, Bretagne, FRANCE

241 days 529.5 km 179˚S

VV 14.10.2020 Nevern Estuary, Newport, Pembrokeshire

484 days 86 km 136˚SE

MA24981 1 19.06.2019 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

B:141 VV 23.10.2020 Ring, Clonarkilty, Cork, IRELAND

492 days 313 km 246˚WSW

MA24992 1 21.06.2019 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

B:171 VV 02.03.2020 Ilfracombe Harbour, Devon

256 days 180 km 164˚SSE

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

GA00731 1 24.06.1996 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

R 08.06.2020 Pen-y-Groeslon, Bryncroes, Gwynedd

8750 days 13 km 45˚NE

GV85161 1 23.06.2020 Bardsey

B:056 VV 06.10.2020 Abercastle Beach, Pembrokeshire

105 days 92.54 km 212˚SW

In total, 43 Herring Gulls chicks were fitted with darvic rings this year, only one of these has been re-
sighted.

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

GG72582 1 19.06.1990 Bardsey

VV 29.08.2019 Matosinhos, Porto, PORTUGAL

10666 days 1640km 142˚SE

Six Lesser Black-backed Gulls were darvic-ringed this year, none have been re-sighted.

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

R21500 1 09.06.2005 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd
XF 04.10.2020 Llandawg Estuary, Harlech, Gwynedd
39km 82˚E
5596 days

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

K09900 1 28.06.2005 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd

XF 25.08.2020 Cloughley, Newtonards, Down, NORTHERN IRELAND

5537 days 191km 347˚NNW

230 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

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

2420176 4 08.07.1999 Wooltack Point, Marloes, Pembrokeshire
2515417
2524293 R 19.07.2020 Bardsey
2637053
2705614 7682 days 120 km 16˚NNE
2709790 163˚SSE
2655185 4 24.07.2004 Sheepland Harbour, Ardglass, Down, NORTHERN IRELAND 163˚SSE
SE33605 16˚NNE
2473723 R 24.08.2019 Bardsey 17˚NNE
2701218 104˚ESE
2722803 5509 days 177 km 23˚NNE
2718092
2740294 4 08.07.2006 Sheepland Harbour, Ardglass, Down 0˚N
2683491 355˚N
2754515 R 07.08.2020 Bardsey 156˚SSE
2754518 17˚NNE
2740791 5144 days 175 km 180˚S
17˚NNE
4 01.07.2014 Wooltack Point, Marloes, Pembrokeshire 12˚NNE
12˚NNE
R 22.07.2020 Bardsey 12˚NNE
16˚NNE
2213 days 120km

4 01.08.2015 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire

R 29.06.2019 Bardsey

1428 days 124 km

6 06.08.2015 High Island, Galway, IRELAND

R 08.08.2020 Bardsey

1829 days 375 km

4 07.08.2017 Grassholm, Pembrokeshire

R 27.08.2019 Bardsey

750 days 125 km

2 13.06.2018 Le Conquet, Finistère, FRANCE

R 02.07.2020 Bardsey

750 days 491 km

4 05.07.2018 Hartland Point, Devon

R 29.06.2019 Bardsey

359 days 198 km

4 19.07.2018 Ballyreagh, Londonderry, NORTHERN IRELAND

R 22.07.2020 Bardsey

734 days 296 km

4 21.07.2018 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire

R 29.06.2019 Bardsey

343 days 124 km

4 22.07.2018 Calf of Man, ISLE OF MAN

R 14.06.2019 Bardsey

327 days 143 km

4 22.07.2018 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire

R 29.06.2019 Bardsey

342 days 124 km

4 07.08.2018 Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra, Cornwall

R 29.06.2019 Bardsey

326 days 311 km

4 21.08.2018 Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra, Cornwall

R 24.07.2020 Bardsey

703 days 310 km

6 21.08.2018 Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra, Cornwall

R 24.07.2020 Bardsey

703 days 310 km

4 22.08.2018 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire

R 20.07.2020 Bardsey

698 days 126 km

64: 212-237 231

DUNBAR

Storm Petrel © George Dunbar

2740793 4 25.08.2018 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire
2637156
2746089 R 29.06.2019 Bardsey
2742231
2738303 308 days 124 km 17˚NNE
2741000 20˚NNE
2740951 4 05.07.2019 St Justinian, St David’s, Pembrokeshire 17˚NNE
2738310 16˚NNE
2746380 R 22.07.2019 Bardsey
180˚S
383 days 106 km 17˚NNE
16˚NNE
4 16.07.2019 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire
180˚S
R 07.07.2020 Bardsey 16˚NNE

357 days 124 km

4 16.07.2019 Wooltack Point, Marloes, Pembrokeshire

R 19.07.2020 Bardsey

369 days 120 km

4 21.07.2019 Calf of Man, ISLE OF MAN

R 14.07.2020 Bardsey

359 days 143 km

4 23.07.2019 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire

R 07.07.2020 Bardsey

350 days 124 km

4 23.07.2019 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire

R 24.07.2020 Bardsey

367 days 126 km

4 27.07.2019 Calf of Man, ISLE OF MAN

R 20.07.2020 Bardsey

359 days 141 km

4 28.07.2019 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire

R 24.07.2020 Bardsey

362 days 126 km

232 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

2738317 4 30.07.2019 Calf of Man, ISLE OF MAN

R 07.07.2020 Bardsey

343 days 143 km 180˚S
17˚NNE
2746432 4 01.08.2019 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire 17˚NNE
17˚NNE
R 14.07.2020 Bardsey 17˚NNE
192˚SSW
348 days 124 km
180˚S
2746453 4 02.08.2019 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire 192˚SSW
167˚SSE
R 24.06.2020 Bardsey 16˚NNE
16˚NNE
327 days 124 km 192˚SSW
13˚NNE
2746598 4 26.08.2019 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire 30˚NNE

R 24.06.2020 Bardsey 180˚S
201˚SSW
303 days 124 km 333˚NNW
201˚SSW
2746598 4 26.08.2019 Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire 20˚NNE

R 14.07.2020 Bardsey

323 days 124 km

2738180 4 19.06.2020 Bardsey

R 23.07.2020 Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra, Cornwall

34 days 311 km

2738347 4 01.07.2020 Calf of Man, ISLE OF MAN

R 02.07.2020 Bardsey

1 day 143 km

2738208 4 07.07.2020 Bardsey

R 11.08.2020 Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra, Cornwall

35 days 311 km

2619666 4 10.07.2020 Copeland Bird Observatory, Down

R 10.08.2020 Bardsey

31 days 219 km

2742253 4 11.07.2020 Wooltack Point, Marloes, Pembrokeshire

R 19.07.2020 Bardsey

8 days 120 km

2742250 4 11.07.2020 Wooltack Point, Marloes, Pembrokeshire

R 21.07.2020 Bardsey

10 days 120 km

2738235 4 12.07.2020 Bardsey

R 15.08.2020 Gwennap Head, Porthgwarra, Cornwall

34 days 311 km

2738260 4 14.07.2020 Bardsey

R 01.08.2020 Portknockie, Moray, Scotland

18 days 560km

R 16.08.2020 Collieston, Aberdeenshire

33 days 539km

2738355 4 18.07.2020 Calf of Man, ISLE OF MAN

R 21.07.2020 Bardsey

3 days 141 km

2765743 4 20.07.2020 Bardsey

R 21.07.2020 St Justinian, St David’s, Pembrokeshire

1 day 105 km

P13267 6 20.07.2020 Burhou Island, Alderney, CHANNEL ISLANDS

R 22.07.2020 Bardsey

2 days 382 km

2765763 4 21.07.2020 Bardsey

R 22.07.2020 St Justinian, St David’s, Pembrokeshire

1 day 105 km

2637200 4 21.07.2020 St Justinian, St David’s, Pembrokeshire

R 24.07.2020 Bardsey

3 days 106 km

64: 212-237 233

DUNBAR

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

FP52590 1 20.08.2002 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire
FB29118
FB33162 R 11.07.2019 Bardsey
EX60706
EX83265 6169 days 120 km 17˚NNE
EX74442
EZ05131 4 20.07.2007 Bardsey
FB54057
FB54611 X 02.06.2020 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire
FB55462
FB58138 4701 days 122 km 197˚SSW

1 28.08.2008 Bardsey

R 25.04.2020 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

4285 days 119 km 198˚SSW

1 09.09.2010 Copeland Bird Observatory, Down, NORTHERN IRELAND

R 16.07.2020 Bardsey

3598 days 221 km 168˚SSE

1 26.07.2011 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

R 14.07.2020 Bardsey

3276 days 121 km 18˚NNE

4 06.06.2013 Lundy Island, Devon

R 19.06.2020 Bardsey

2570 days 178 km 358˚N

1 09.09.2015 Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire

R 10.04.2020 Bardsey

1675 days 107 km 21˚NNE

4 02.08.2018 Bardsey

XF 05.10.2020 Peruibe, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL

795 days 9502 km 206˚SSW

4 09.08.2018 Bardsey

XF 13.08.2020 Bourne May Road, Knott End, Lancashire

766 days 175 km 44˚NE

1 15.08.2019 Bardsey

X 20.10.2020 Capão Novo, Capão da Canoa, Rio Grande do Sul, BRAZIL

432 days 10171 km 206˚SSW

1 13.08.2020 Bardsey

X 17.10.2020 Praia de Ipanema, Pontal do Parana, BRAZIL

65 days 9701 km 207˚SSW

Bardsey is home to 25,000 pairs of breeding Manx Shearwaters which begin to arrive in mid-March and
leave the island from mid-August, heading for Brazil. This year, six of our Manx Shearwaters were
recovered in Brazil, all of which were picked up after stormy weather. With increasing incidences of
storms, it will be interesting to see whether the number of recoveries of these birds increases. It is known
through ringing that these birds make the long migration between Bardsey and Brazil, and it is also
informative to see the time difference from when the first adults are recovered there (30.08.2018)
compared to the arrival of the first pulli (12.10.2018).

S H A G Phalacrocorax aristotelis Mulfran Werdd

1357790 1 31.05.1999 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd 153km 47˚NE
1469718 X 02.03.2020 Saint Anne’s, Lancashire

7581 days 304km 192˚SSW
1 19.06.2019 Ynys Gwylan Fawr, Gwynedd
XF 31.12.2019 Newlyn, Cornwall

195 days

234 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

S P A R R O W H A W K Accipiter nisus Gwylog

EX04721 3F 02.10.2019 Bardsey 11km 47˚NE
XF 19.04.2020 Rhoshirwaun, Gwynedd
200 days

B L U E T I T Cyanistes caeruleus Gwylog
178km 251˚WSW
AHH3889 4 22.12.2019 Great Warford, Cheshire
R 01.04.2020 Bardsey

101 days

W I L L O W W A R B L E R Phylloscopus trochilus Gwylog

2B5657 3 03.08.2019 Marais de Parture, Maves, Loir-et-Cher, FRANCE 323˚NW
69˚E
R 09.04.2020 Bardsey
19˚NNE
250 days 709km Siff-saff

JLJ130 3 01.09.2019 Keelnacronagh West, Enniskeane, Cork, IRELAND 220˚SW
358˚N
R 14.04.2020 Bardsey

226 days 304 km

LLK654 4 10.04.2020 Bardsey

4 16.05.2020 Muttonhall, Peebles, Scottish Borders

36 days 325 km

C H I F F C H A F F Phylloscopus collybita

KXD335 3J 16.06.2019 Rowlands Gill Sewage Works, Tyne and Wear
LEH396
R 25.09.2019 Bardsey

101 days 313 km

3 17.09.2019 Lundy Island, Devon

R 27.03.2020 Bardsey

192 days 178 km

S E D G E W A R B L E R Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Telor penddu

A03132 2 05.02.2019 Diawling National Park, MAURITANIA 4169 km 11˚NNE
R 02.05.2020 Bardsey
452 days

Sedge Warbler © Steven Stansfield

64: 212-237 235

DUNBAR

D208673 4 12.05.2014 Bardsey
R 30.07.2020 Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, Hampshire
2271 days
326 km 132˚SE

This bird was ringed in Mauritania by the Non-Governmental Organisation ‘World Travelling Birds’ on a
ringing trip they were conducting in the Diawling National Park.

B L A C K C A P Sylvia atricapilla Gwylog

AHE5808 5M 10.04.2020 Bardsey 79km 146˚SE
S434979 241 km 190˚S
XF 11.05.2020 Soar, Tal-sarn, Lampeter, Ceredigion

31 days
3J 01.08.2019 Killiegowan, Dumfries and Galloway
R 22.04.2020 Bardsey

265 days

Blackcap © Steven Stansfield

G O L D C R E S T Regulus regulus Dryw Eurben

LEV249 3F 19.10.2019 The Firs WWT Reserve, Wiltshire
R 26.03.2020 Bardsey
235 km 305˚NW
159 days

R O B I N Erithacus rubecula Gwylog
260˚W
9CK5267 3 02.10.2016 Geder Fugelstation, Sydfalster, Storstrøm, DENMARK
R 25.03.2020 Bardsey
1270 days
1120 km

R O C K P I P I T Anthus petrosus Gwylog
106˚ESE
2434321 3 01.09.2015 Bardsey

VV 20.09.2020 Le Zwin, Knokke, West-Vlaanderen, BELGIUM

1846 days 579km

236 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

BIRD RINGING

C H A F F I N C H Fringilla coelebs Gwylog

AXH5346 3J 27.08.2019 Acomb, Northumberland 302 km 216˚SW
AXH6970 R Bardsey 49 km 224˚SW
ARJ6970 21.10.2019 49 km 224˚SW
3 Groeslon, near Caernarfon, Gwynedd Gwylog
R 55 days Bardsey
356˚N
3 03.06.2020 Groeslon, near Caernarfon, Gwynedd 139˚SE
R 29.09.2020 Bardsey

118 days
16.06.2020
01.10.2020

107 days

G O L D F I N C H Carduelis carduelis

AHE5871 5F 14.04.2020 Bardsey 242 km
AAN1717 R Leswalt, Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway 107 km
27.05.2020
3 Bardsey
XF 43 days Cynghordy, Carmarthenshire
14.10.2020
22.10.2020

8 days

3.2 RETRAPS

For the purposes of the ‘Retraps’ section:
S = Standard recapture of an already ringed bird
R= Recapture of an already ringed bird which then had a replacement ring fitted as the original ring was
old, and the ring number was becoming illegible.

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

FR23492 1 31/08/1981 Bardsey
S 09/07/1983 Bardsey
FB56810 S 20/07/1990 Bardsey
FC23744 R 15/07/2020 Bardsey
FB29007 14198 days
4 12/08/1987 Bardsey
FC30396 R 14/06/2007 Bardsey
S 13/07/2020 Bardsey
FC46704 12024 days
4 13/05/1988 Bardsey
FC48208 S 14/07/2020 Bardsey
FB56760 11750 days
FC48146 4 18/05/1989 Bardsey
FB56165 S 03/04/1991 Bardsey
S 18/05/2020 Bardsey
11323 days
4 20/07/1990 Bardsey
S 31/08/2005 Bardsey
R 15/07/2020 Bardsey
10953 days
4 26/07/1990 Bardsey
R 16/06/2020 Bardsey
10918 days

This year, 794 Manx Shearwaters were re-captured: of these, 53 were at least 20 years old and six were
at least 30 years old, these are shown above. The oldest Manx Shearwater caught this year was
‘FR23492’, this bird was ringed in the nest so can be aged accurately at 39 years old. Interestingly, this
bird was recaptured two years after the original ringing date, this is unusual as Manx Shearwaters usually
only return to the breeding grounds four years after fledging.

64: 212-237 237

PRETTYMAN AND STANSFIELD

RARE BIRD REPORTS The following account was
Accounts of rarities in 2020 taken from the description as
Steven Stansfield submitted to the British Birds
Rarities Committee (BBRC).
The record was accepted by
BBRC and will be published as
such in their report for 2020 in
the journal British Birds.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

© Dave Astins / West Coast Birdwatching

238

BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT

64: 212-237 239

PRETTYMAN & STANSFIELD

Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tsutchensis

A new species for Bardsey

Steven Stansfield

Eastern Yellow Wagtail © Dave Astins / West Coast Birdwatching

240 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL

FINDING ACCOUNT

On 3 October there appeared to be a good number of migrants grounded in the Observatory garden
on Bardsey. The wind was blowing strong easterly and had been overnight. There had been quite a bit
of rain during the night too and it was still raining at dawn. By about 10am I decided that it was not going
to get much better, so I went out in the pouring rain to conduct part of the daily census of migrant birds
on Bardsey Island as part of my work as Observatory Warden.

Shortly after I left the house I saw a grey and white bird fly from a fence towards a hedge and disappear.
I searched for it in the area for a few minutes, but to no avail. This would later prove to be the Eastern
Yellow Wagtail.

I continued on and got soaked through to my skin. On my travels I found a Firecrest, two Yellow-browed
Warblers and an Eastern-type Lesser Whitethroat.

I started to squish my way back to the Observatory with the heavens still pouring down. As I walked past
where I had seen the grey and white bird earlier, I heard a very buzzing call of a wagtail. It was extremely
windy, and I had not heard it clearly, but it sounded like either a Citrine or Eastern Yellow Wagtail, but
my gut feeling was it was more like the Eastern Yellow Wagtail I had heard at Sedgeford in Norfolk in
January. I had found several Citrine Wagtails ‘on call’, the latest one a couple of months earlier on
Bardsey. The bird did not sound right for Citrine and my gut was saying that it was an Eastern Yellow – but
where was it!??

I immediately grabbed my radio as I was looking for the bird and radioed Sam Prettyman, my Assistant,
and told him that there was an Eastern Yellow Wagtail, but I had only heard it call at this point.

After what seemed like an age, I eventually saw the bird, but only distantly, and my glasses and bins
were both completely covered in rain. I could see the bird superficially looked like a Citrine Wagtail but
the face pattern looked wrong. Surely my gut feeling was right, and this had to be an Eastern Yellow
Wagtail? I radioed Sam again asked him to bring me some lens cloths as mine were all sodden. I told
him I had seen the bird but with the conditions as they were, I had not fully eliminated Citrine.

By the time Sam, along with George Dunbar and Alex Starace, arrived on the scene, I had seen the bird
better and I was now happier that it was an Eastern Yellow Wagtail. Sam, George and Alex agreed with
my identification when they had seen it and they too were happy that it was not a Citrine.

I managed to clean my optics, and then obtained much better views and was able to begin taking
some initial notes. Sam had also brought my camera for me and I managed to get a few photographs
of the bird.

We knew we had to get recordings of the bird’s call if we were to have the slimmest possibility of this bird
being accepted by BBRC so later in the day, George and I set out to try and get some audio recordings
when the wind had dropped a little and the rain had stopped. Fortunately, we were successful late in
the afternoon and obtained a short recording of the bird calling a few times, three of the calls were quite
clear..

The bird remained in the area until 6th and was seen by a number of other birders staying on Bardsey,
including Dave Astins from Pembrokeshire, and Jeff Wragg and Richard Leighton from Barnsley.

If accepted by BBRC this will represent the first record for the island and the second for Wales.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail has an extremely large range, it breeds in east Asia (extending to Alaska) and
was ‘split’ as a separate species from Yellow Wagtail in 2018. The identification of Eastern Yellow Wagtail
is not easy and indeed has only been established in recent years. Key references are the monograph
Pipits and Wagtails of Europe, Asia & North America (Alström & Mild 2003), a main identification paper
published in 2014 in Dutch Birding (36: 295-311) and a 2013 paper on the British records to that date
published in British Birds (106: 36-41).The species winters in south eastern Asia (Myanmar and Thailand east
to Maly Peninsular, south eastern China and Taiwan, China), west to India and east to the Philippines,
south to Indonesia and northern Australia. There were only 15 accepted UK records to the end of 2019.

64: 238-245 241

STANSFIELD

DESCRIPTION

Typical Flava wagtail shape, longish body, with long tail and quite a horizontal stance.

The bird was generally a monochrome grey and white wagtail, superficially identical in shape to Western
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava. The underparts were almost all white, with a slight rusty/peachy patch
on the shoulder/upper breast sides. There was a very slight yellowish/cream hue on the lower part of the
flanks and also the undertail coverts. The upperside was generally a mat steely grey colour, with darker
wing feathers, two whitish wing bars. The head was strikingly marked with a white supercilium and dark
eyebrow, pale inner ear covers and a dark bill.

242 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.