Bardsey's Willdlife 2020

MIGRATION DIARY

Sandpiper being the best of a slow day. A calm Sandpipers gave some familiarity to the scenery.
day on 14th allowed for better passerine The running year total for Black-headed Gulls was
recording, However, the passerines were all beaten when five flew along the West Coast.
breeding birds. The main passage was once Torrential rain fell on Bardsey on the morning of
again seen on the Narrows. A Grey Heron was 18th but gave way to clear skies later in the day.
seen, quite expected in ones and twos at this A walk to the Narrows was rewarded with the first
stage. Also seen were two Curlews, two Sanderlings of the month, which were feeding on
Whimbrels, two Redshanks and three vocal Solfach with a Turnstone. Nice signs of return
Common Sandpipers. Curlew numbers, as passage for high arctic breeders. There were also
expected, finally shot up on 15th when 19 were two Dunlins, one Whimbrel, two Curlews, two
seen on the South End. It was a good day for Redshanks and two Common Sandpipers - very
waders, with the first Turnstone of the month also respectable variety of migrant waders. The 19th
recorded on the Narrows, and two Dunlins on saw glorious blue skies and sunshine with just a
Solfach, these small wader species are always slight south-westerly that totally died off by the
nice to watch as they feed on Solfach. More evening. Nine Lesser Redpolls were recorded
regular waders in the form of three Whimbrels, five flying over during the course of the day, with a
Redshanks and three Common Sandpiper were single Sand Martin. Down on the Narrows, three
also recorded. The first arrival of young Willow Sandwich Terns were feeding in Henllwyn, whilst
Warblers struck on 16th with 41 dotted around the one Whimbrel, two Redshanks and two Common
island, predominantly the Withies and Nant. A Sandpipers were spread across Henllwyn and
Spotted Flycatcher was seen at Nant. Three Sand Solfach. Three Black-headed Gulls were sighted
Martins flew north over Pen Cristin and a surprise on Carreg yr Honwy, also. On the South End, a
Grasshopper Warbler in the North-west fields Sparrowhawk was seen coming in off the sea;
added to the migrant passerines. Non-passerines other visible migration included a Grey Heron
included four Black-headed Gulls flying south flying north over the Lowlands in the early
along the West Coast, two Sandwich Terns flying morning. Sunny skies and a light northerly saw
north along the West Coast and five Common Sandwich Tern numbers increase on 20th when 11
Scoters flying south. 17th got off to a sunny start, were seen during a seawatch from the South End.
but a 27mph south-westerly set in later in the day. Five Common Sandpipers around the Narrows
After the lack of waders the previous day, one was an increase on recent days. Other wader
Whimbrel, four Curlews and two Common counts included one Whimbrel, one Curlew, four

Red Kite © Steven Stansfield

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Redshanks and a Dunlin which was feeding on were 17 Turnstones (the month high count), eight
Solfach. A few migrant passerines in the form of Common Sandpipers, ten Redshanks, 13
two Grey Wagtails and one Sand Martin flew Whimbrels and the first Golden Plover of the
south and north over the island respectively. Two month, circling over the South End. What’s more,
Black-headed gulls on Carreg yr Honwy made up the Curlew flock grew to 35 and stayed on the
the rest of the migrant numbers. A gentle south- South End throughout the day. It was still early for
westerly on an otherwise sunny morning on 21st passerine migration, and nothing of note was
produced some nice records. Firstly, the first recorded. Willow Warblers were on the move on
Greenshank of the autumn flew north along the 24th, the first real arrival of young birds took place
West Coast in the morning, calling as it went. Also, with a total day count of 203 spread across the
on the West Coast were three Sandwich Terns, island, but largely in the short vegetation on the
four Black-headed Gulls and 15 Common Scoters side of the Mountain. 46 were ringed across the
that flew over a pod of 15-20 Risso’s Dolphins. Withy and Cristin sites, the highest total of the
Apart from Greenshank, other waders included a autumn. Other passerines were making the most
nice increase in Dunlins, with five on Solfach and of the calm clear weather, two Grasshopper
ten Common Sandpipers, the year high count to Warblers were caught in the Withies, and the
this date. Passerines included a single Sand Martin resident Whitethroats and Blackcaps could be
and three Lesser Redpolls. Curlew numbers heard throughout the day. Waders had another
reached regular autumn levels on 22nd, 22 were good day; there were two Golden Plovers on the
recorded on the South End, flocked together with South End and the Curlew flock remained large
four Whimbrels and a Turnstone. Six Redshanks on at 27. Down on the Narrows, five Whimbrels, a
the Narrows pushed up the month’s high count to Dunlin, nine Redshanks, seven Common
date, and other waders included six Common Sandpipers and a Turnstone were a nice sight as
Sandpipers on the Narrows and five Dunlins on they fed around the coastline. Fog rolled in thick
Solfach, one of which was a juvenile. 23rd on 25th and visibility was down to 25 metres, but
showed that wader passage was well under way it dissipated by 0800 and the sun broke through
when the first three Purple Sandpipers of the soon after. There had been a huge clear-out of
autumn appeared on the Narrows. With them Willow Warblers, with just six recorded, down from

Risso’s Dolphin © George Dunbar

44 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

203 the previous day… Wader counts remained young birds), it was a slow day for migrant
consistent with previous days, the familiar sight of passerines. The weather was flat calm on 29th
two Dunlins, 11 Whimbrels, 29 Curlews, six and a trickle of Willow Warblers was present at
Redshanks, eight Common Sandpipers and three Cristin, 44 were recorded in total. Two juvenile
Turnstones could be seen around the South End Yellow-legged Gulls were identified on the South
and Narrows as autumn migration continued. End and looked to be different individuals to the
One Black-headed Gull was on the South End, previous day. Waders included, four Dunlins,
and six Common Scoters flew south past the seven Whimbrels, five Curlews, four Redshanks
South End. Two Lesser Redpolls flew over Cristin, and six Common Sandpipers, all of which were
but this was about it for migrant passerines. The around the Narrows. There was a slight increase in
Curlew flock burgeoned further on 26th, 53 were raptor migration, over the course of the day a
counted flying between the Narrows and South Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard and a Kestrel cruised
End and two Purple Sandpipers added some over the Mountain. A 22mph south-westerly on
variety to the usual cast of waders on the 30th didn’t provide the best conditions for
Narrows; this included 15 Whimbrels, 11 seawatching, but from Cristin in the early morning
Redshanks, six Common Sandpipers and an an Arctic Skua was seen chasing a Kittiwake.
impressive 27 Turnstones. A Grey Wagtail flew Passerines gained some interest when a
north over the North End and it won’t be too long Melodious Warbler was located just outside Tŷ
before we see these increase in numbers. The first Capel where it was seen very briefly before being
Collared Dove of the month appeared in the picked up again at Cristin where the
Lowlands, the first trickle of spring migration for the identification was confirmed. A much-needed
species. Two Lesser Redpolls flying south over record and the first for two years! Yellow-legged
Cristin and a Black-headed Gull in Henllwyn were Gulls continued to appear on the South End with
the other migrants to be had. Horizontal rain with an almost unbelievable total of nine individuals
45mph south-westerlies hit Bardsey on 27th which identified from photographs alone, and 11 in total
of course kept the passerines low to the shelter of over the last three days! A Mediterranean Gull on
bushes and trees. Seawatching was the preferred the tip of the South End was the first of the month,.
choice in the morning, but this early in the year it Waders included 25 Whimbrels, 40 Curlews, 11
proved unfruitful with 39 Gannets, 27 Kittiwakes Redshanks, four Dunlins and nine Turnstones.
and 3289 Manx Shearwaters being the best of the Three Yellow-legged Gulls were recorded on 31st
lot. Down on the Narrows, eight Turnstones, four during the slight south-westerlies. Curlews
Common Sandpipers, eight Redshanks, 40 reached their highest count of the year to date
Curlews and eight Whimbrels were seen. During a with 57 on the South End. Other waders present
dazzling session two Ringed Plovers made late were five Whimbrels, four Redshanks, 16
additions to the day list, as did a single Dunlin. Turnstones and three Dunlins. It was the best day
Yellow-legged Gull madness began on 28th of the month for Black-headed Gulls, in total 28
when two were identified on the South End with flew over the Narrows, stopping with flocks of
the regular flock of Herring Gulls; these were the Herring Gulls. Two Swifts and a Grey Wagtail were
7th and 8th records for the island, but more were the best that visible migration had to offer. Willow
to come. The north-westerly wind also provided Warblers continued to trickle through the island,
the first skuas of the year in the form of three dark- 22 were recorded, mainly at Nant and in the
morph Arctic Skuas and two Great Skuas which Withies.
flew south in the early morning. Other than the
usual suspects, a Little Egret was the only other AUGUST
migrant that the seawatch produced which flew
south down the West Coast. The waders were There was a relatively quiet start to the month with
varied, a nice arrival of seven Ringed Plovers was four Turnstones, three Redshanks, two Common
seen on Solfach. With them were 23 Turnstones, Sandpipers and 12 Curlews being the only waders
two Purple Sandpipers, a Dunlin, five Whimbrels, around on 1st, while two Black-headed Gulls
five Curlews, five Redshanks and two Common passed through over the sea and three Yellow-
Sandpipers. A Black-headed Gull could be seen legged Gulls were on the South End. Six Willow
in Henllwyn, a regular sight at this time. A Spotted Warblers were all that were to be found in the
Flycatcher at Cristin provided a refreshing bushes, and a Buzzard headed over the island
change, but besides 25 Willow Warblers (mainly
45
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PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR & STANSFIELD

Purple Sandpiper and Turnstones © Steven Stansfield and 3962 Manx Shearwaters were counted
passing the island heading south in the morning.
during the day. The 2nd was a scorching hot day On the Narrows, five Ringed Plovers, 14
with only a light south-westerly breeze offering Redshanks, 43 Curlews, six Whimbrels, seven
any relief. Waders had changed since the Purple Sandpipers, 39 Turnstones, a Common
previous day: four Ringed Plovers, eight Sandpiper and a Dunlin were present. The
Whimbrels, 21 Curlews, ten Redshanks and three Sabine’s Gull from the previous day was nowhere
Turnstone were on the Narrows. Three Yellow- to be seen, but four Yellow-legged Gulls were still
legged Gulls were still on the South End along with on the South End with 26 Lesser Black-backed
55 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 38 Great Black- Gulls, 356 Herring Gulls, 27 Great Black-backed
backed Gulls and 552 Kittiwakes including a Gulls and 254 Kittiwakes. More south-westerly
French-ringed bird. At Cristin, the only migrants gales swept across the island on 5th and resulted
caught this morning were a Lesser Redpoll and a in some good seabird counts: 68 Fulmars, 9932
Willow Warbler. The 3rd held a little more interest, Manx Shearwaters, 1182 Gannets, 11 Common
on the South End five Yellow-legged Gulls were Scoters, 1211 Kittiwakes, a few auks and three
present along with two Mediterranean Gulls, a Puffins were counted heading south through the
Common Gull, 747 Kittiwakes and five Sandwich morning. On the Narrows and the South End, four
Terns. Later, when checking through pictures to Ringed Plovers, 22 Turnstones, six Purple
count the Kittiwakes, a second calendar year Sandpipers, 11 Whimbrels, 61 Curlews, and seven
Sabine’s Gull was picked out in the flock, a very Redshanks were trying their best to find shelter
unusual record for early August. Wader numbers from the rough seas. Enjoying the surf, however,
are constantly changing at this time of year and were again two Yellow-legged Gulls, joined by
five Purple Sandpipers, a Bar-tailed Godwit, eight two Mediterranean Gulls, eight Black-headed
Whimbrels, 18 Curlews, 11 Redshanks, two Gulls and a handful of other large gulls. On 6th the
Common Sandpipers and 19 Turnstones were wind had dropped and so some nets were
logged. A Buzzard was still around, while four opened at Cristin; a Whitethroat, a Sedge
Kestrels were new arrivals; other migrants Warbler and a handful of Willow Warblers were
consisted of one Robin, two Sedge Warblers, two caught, while a Garden Warbler was present in
Blackcaps, a Redpoll and a slight increase in the garden showing some new migrants had
Willow Warbler numbers to 13. The wind had
picked up to a stiff 40mph south-westerly on 4th REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

46

MIGRATION DIARY

come in overnight. An emergence of flying ants Warblers were around in the garden at Cristin first
in the early evening prompted a feeding frenzy of thing on 12th. On the Narrows, 23 Curlews were
gulls over the South End, including 56 Lesser Black- on Henllwyn, along with five Redshanks, two
backed Gulls, 358 Herring Gulls, 21 Great Black- Ringed Plovers, three Dunlins, 11 Turnstones and a
backed Gulls, 356 Kittiwakes and one Yellow- Sanderling. The 13th began with heavy rain
legged Gull. In the evening, 34 Black-headed showers which thankfully moved through pretty
Gulls, 26 Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua were rapidly. After the showers had passed, six Spotted
seen heading south down the West Coast. The Flycatchers, three Robins and 16 Willow Warblers
day had a very foggy start, though a few more were around in the garden and a Buzzard
birds had arrived overnight with three Spotted headed along the Mountainside. Overhead, four
Flycatchers, 26 Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, Redpolls and a single Siskin hinted at the
three Blackcaps, four Whitethroats and a handful beginning of autumn finch passage, while down
of Goldcrests in the bushes. Between the Narrows on the Narrows things were comparatively quiet
and the South End, there was one Yellow-legged with one Ringed Plover, three Dunlin, three
Gull, 12 Mediterranean Gulls, 38 Black-headed Whimbrels, 29 Curlews, six Redshanks and ten
Gulls, seven Sandwich Terns, four Common Terns Turnstones. 14th was another hot day with the air
and four Guillemots noted, along with three being warm before the sun had even come up.
Purple Sandpipers, eight Whimbrels, 55 Curlews, a The first bird seen in the garden at Cristin was a
Common Sandpiper, 26 Turnstones and a Grey Spotted Flycatcher and nets were opened here
Wagtail. A Storm Petrel ringing session in the early and in the Withies; however, seven Willow
hours of 8th produced another 23 new birds and Warblers were the only migrants caught. A walk
seven retraps. The weather for the rest of the day to the South End produced 18 Redshanks and a
was poor and heavy fog hampered any real bird Greenshank, the second record of the autumn for
attempts, although eight Whimbrels, two Ringed the latter, two Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin were
Plovers, ten Turnstones and three Sandwich Terns present on the Narrows. The second Gatekeeper
were noted around the coastline. The morning of of the year was at Nant, a nice butterfly which is
9th was flat calm so nets were opened at Nant, rare on Bardsey. 15th was once again a very
the highlights of birds caught were two Tree Pipits, warm day which just continued to heat up as the
two Spotted Flycatchers, three Blackcaps, a day went on. The day started with a Wryneck at
Garden Warbler, a Stonechat and 23 Willow Tŷ Pellaf, while over on the South End three Willow
Warblers. On top of birds caught, there was also Warblers were in the gorse, 28 Sand Martins
a good amount about on the island including a headed south overhead, and the first White
Grey Wagtail, four Sedge Warblers, a Reed Wagtail of the autumn was on Solfach. Also on
Warbler, three Garden Warblers, 43 Willow the Narrows were one Ringed Plover, four
Warblers, four Spotted Flycatchers and four Whimbrels, 11 Curlews, five Redshanks and 15
Redpolls. Another emergence of flying ants in the Turnstones. Up at Nant, 55 Willow Warblers were
late morning saw 40 Black-head Gulls overhead spread between the Plantation and the
taking advantages of the masses along with a Mountainside, while five Spotted Flycatchers and
single Swift; meanwhile a Little Egret was in two Pied Flycatchers were also present.
Henllwyn. The South End and the Narrows also Hirundines were moving overhead, with 36
helped a few birds of interest: three Ringed Swallows and 47 Sand Martins heading west. A
Plovers, nine Dunlin, six Whimbrels, 32 Curlews, trip to try and re-find this morning’s Wryneck was
seven Redshanks, 24 Turnstones, four Sandwich unsuccessful, but a male Redstart was now
Terns and one Swift. The 10th saw another session present along with a further two Spotted
of Storm Petrel ringing being conducted in the Flycatchers. An Icterine Warbler turned up in Tŷ
early hours; 20 new birds and three retraps were Capel garden in the afternoon and there were
caught. From about 0400, it was raining heavily, now at least 12 Spotted Flycatchers here, and a
but had cleared by about 0900 hrs. A handful of grand total of 35 across the island. Other migrant
Willow Warblers and Blackcaps were around in totals for the day were 67 House Martins, four Grey
the garden, and the first Great Spotted Wagtails, five Robins, a Grasshopper Warbler, six
Woodpecker of the year was seen at Cristin. A Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler, three
wet walk to the South End in the late afternoon Blackcaps, 167 Willow Warblers, four Goldcrests,
produced only six Turnstones and six Redshanks. A three Pied Flycatchers, 11 Great Tits, two Siskins
couple of Spotted Flycatchers and Willow and a Redpoll. Gentle easterlies on 16th helped

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PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR & STANSFIELD

to deliver a good number of migrants overnight. Turnstones, 60 Curlews, five Ringed Plovers and
Things were quiet first thing, but a rain shower four Dunlins were present. Migrant passerine
passed through mid-morning and the bushes numbers had dropped off massively and only 27
were alive with birds afterwards. Across the island, Willow Warblers and one Spotted Flycatcher were
417 Willow Warblers were counted, including 106 present. 19th was again wet and breezy, but
trapped in the Withies in a couple of hours. 13 there were more birds around than the previous
Spotted Flycatchers and five pied Flycatchers day. Down on Solfach, there were 11 Ringed
were also present, while down on the South End, Plovers, two Sanderlings and nine Redshanks
28 Wheatears had arrived along with two along with a juvenile Kittiwake and a White
Whinchats. Down on the Narrows, one Sanderling Wagtail. There were also more passerines
was the only new wader. The highlight of the day around, and totals included 180 Willow Warblers,
was however, not seen, but only heard – a Citrine ten Spotted Flycatchers, one Pied Flycatcher and
Wagtail was heard calling over the narrows, and one Whinchat. There was incredibly windy start to
even though a thorough search of the area was 20th, with winds almost constantly gusting at
made, the bird could not be located. The 17th 50mph from the south-south-west. The stand-out
was wet for most of the day with showers passing highlight of the day was found early on Solfach,
through throughout. It finally dried out mid- the first winter Citrine Wagtail was found on
afternoon, so a few nets were opened in the Solfach and spent the whole day on the Narrows,
Withies to try and catch some of the Willow but was incredibly difficult to pin down, probably
Warblers remaining from the previous day. 125 only being seen for five minutes in total across the
were counted in the Withies along with one each entire day. On the very windy days like these on
of pied and Spotted Flycatchers. A Green Bardsey, it is always a joy to look out at the masses
Sandpiper flew south over the Wetlands, the first of seabirds moving offshore and was no
of the year. The only other migrants of note were exception, at least 10,000 Manx Shearwaters
two Tree Pipits, a Grey Wagtail and a Redpoll. passed the coast along with nine Fulmars, 422
There was a very wild and wet start to 18th, Gannets, one Arctic Skua, one Mediterranean
though the rain stopped by early morning. Gull, two Little Gulls, 1162 Kittiwakes and two
Between the Narrows and the South End, 45 Arctic Terns. The Narrows and South End held

Manx Shearwaters © George Dunbar

48 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

good numbers of waders, with six Ringed Plovers, Great Skuas; terns began to move in number from
two Sanderlings, 13 Purple Sandpipers, six Dunlins, around 09:00 again, with just two Black Terns
three Whimbrels, 36 Curlews, nine Redshanks, two moving through before then. The Narrows held
Common Sandpipers and 77 Turnstones along plenty of waders again with two Dunlin, nine
with a single White Wagtail. Some migrant Whimbrels, two Curlews, three Redshanks and 70
passerines were still about, five Willow Warblers, Turnstones. While checking Manx Shearwater
four Spotted Flycatchers, one Pied Flycatcher Burrows, a Wryneck was flushed behind Cristin.
and one Redpoll, while 15 House Martins moved
overhead. The 24th saw gentle north-easterlies meaning nets
were able to be opened for the first time in a
The wind picked up even further on 21st, it was while. Not much was caught, the captures did
blowing constantly at 50mph but regularly gusting include a Tree Pipit and a handful of Willow
at up to 65mph creating some impressively rough Warblers, so well worth it. There was some gull
seas around the island. Seawatch totals from the passage, throughout the day, 235 Herring Gulls
South End were 16 Fulmars, 4467 Manx and 84 Lesser Black-backed Gulls cruised south
Shearwaters, 362 Gannets, three Great Skuas, 537 over the island. The Citrine Wagtail showed well
Kittiwakes and one Arctic Tern. There was a good on Solfach throughout the day and was joined by
variety of waders on the Narrows, six Ringed eight Ringed Plovers, five Dunlins, a Snipe, ten
Plovers, one Knot, four Sanderlings, 12 Purple Whimbrel, 55 Curlews, three Redshanks, four
Sandpipers, six Dunlins, four Whimbrels, 45 Common Sandpipers and 18 Turnstones on the
Curlews, 12 Redshanks, a Common Sandpiper Narrows. Also on the Narrows were the first decent
and 40 Turnstones. The Citrine Wagtail was flushed numbers of White Wagtails with 36. Out to sea,
from Solfach and it flew inland towards some of one Great Skua, ten Mediterranean Gulls, 46
the ponds in the Wetlands. Winds had dropped Black-headed Gulls, 2065 Kittiwakes, 17 Sandwich
slightly on 22nd, now blowing at 40mph and Terns, 41 Arctic Terns, and three ‘Commic’ Terns
gusting 50mph, again from the south-west. The moved south. Overhead, Hirundines were moving
sea appeared to be quiet, but Arctic Terns began through with six Sand Martins, 90 Swallows and 31
moving at 0900 and by the end of the morning, House Martins being recorded, along with two
468 had flown down the West Coast along with Tree Pipits, 120 Meadow Pipits, four Grey Wagtails
seven Common Terns, one Roseate Tern, 20 and a Crossbill. The 25th saw winds pick up again
Sandwich Terns and three Little Terns. Also on the to 55mph along with gusts reaching 70mph. The
move were 169 Fulmars, 5886 Manx Shearwaters, only birds of note came from a walk to the
a Storm Petrel, 865 Gannets, three Grey Narrows in a dry period, this yielded one Ringed
Phalaropes, an Arctic Skua, a juvenile Long-tailed Plover, six Sanderlings, two Purple Sandpipers, four
Skua, 3252 Kittiwakes and a Puffin. The Narrows Whimbrels, 26 Curlews, 11 Redshank, one
held plenty of waders with 18 Ringed Plovers, 11 Common Sandpiper and two White Wagtails.
Purple Sandpipers, six Whimbrels, 13 Redshanks Winds on the 26th were much weaker, only
and 51 Turnstones being the pick of the bunch, blowing at 20mph, but had changed direction to
the Citrine Wagtail was still present on Solfach the north-west. This prompted another mass
along with a White Wagtail. A Wryneck was found movement of terns and a new record count of
between Tŷ Pellaf and Cristin in the afternoon, Arctic Terns – 1298. Other totals from the
while five Willow Warblers were the only migrant seawatch were four Roseate Terns, one Little Tern,
passerines of note. The wind had halved in five Black Terns, 173 Sandwich terns, 48 Common
strength by 23rd but had swung round to the Terns, a Long-tailed Skua, two Pomarine Skuas,
north-west giving a much chillier feel to the day. ten Arctic Skuas, four Great Skuas, one Sooty
Seawatching was the main event once more, Shearwater, 1323 Manx Shearwaters, 58 Fulmars,
and the undoubted highlights were two Long- 2824 Kittiwakes, 777 Gannets, 51 Razorbills, 22
tailed Skuas along with another Roseate Tern, Common Scoters, 12 Purple Sandpipers and five
three Black Terns, one Sooty Shearwater and two Turnstones. Overhead, one Swift and three Sand
Storm Petrels. The supporting cast was again Martins moved south while 42 Stonechats, three
good, with 5033 Manx Shearwaters, 612 Blackcaps and 12 Willow Warblers were in the
Kittiwakes, 270 Gannets, 42 Fulmars, 366 Arctic bushes. 27th was wet from late morning onwards,
Terns, 16 Common Terns, 14 Sandwich Terns, eight so a short seawatch from the North End was done
Common Scoters, three Arctic Skuas and three in the morning, it was quieter than recently, but

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PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR & STANSFIELD

another Roseate Tern made it worthwhile along the Withies and out to sea, eight Black-headed
with 134 Gannets, 450 Kittiwakes, 85 Arctic Terns, Gulls and 14 Sandwich Terns flew south.
33 Sandwich Terns, 26 Common Terns, 189
Razorbills, one Arctic Skua and nine Fulmars. SEPTEMBER
28th held a north-easterly wind gusting at around
20mph. The Citrine Wagtail was still present, flying The weather started to turn on 1st, with the wind
between the West Coast and Pwll Cain. Three picking up slightly to 15mph from the south.
Pied flycatchers were spread between Cristin Overhead passage totalled 120 Meadow Pipits,
and Nant, and a Wryneck was found in the 149 Swallows, 27 House Martins, a Sand Martin, six
Lowlands, however only seven Willow Warblers Grey Wagtails and two Yellow Wagtails. 12 Black-
were noted. The Narrows and South End yielded headed Gulls were in Solfach feeding, and there
39 Wheatears, 45 Curlews, 23 Oystercatchers, four were waders present, including a Sanderling, two
Dunlins, 19 Turnstones, a Ringed Plover, two Dunlins, two Ringed Plovers, three Redshanks, a
Redshanks and a single Greenshank, a less Common Sandpiper and 22 Turnstones. 17
common migrant wader on Bardsey. There was a Sandwich Terns flew south past the South End
drizzly start to 29th, but this cleared up into a nice early on, 20 Wheatears were present here. Winds
day. In Henllwyn a group of 11 Redshanks was had picked up to a 35mph south-westerly on 2nd
joined by a juvenile Ruff – a scarce migrant to the and plenty of rain had come in with the wind. A
island. Also on the Narrows were two Dunlins, Bonxie was the only bird of note out to sea, along
three Whimbrels, 28 Curlews and a Common with a small movement of Manx Shearwaters and
Sandpiper. Land birds were again in short supply Kittiwakes. On the Narrows there were 45 Curlews,
with two Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, three five Redshanks and seven Turnstones. 3rd saw the
Willow Warblers, four Goldcrests and two Siskins, wind drop to a 25mph south-westerly with cloud
while out to sea a Great Skua was seen. Gentle clearing by 0900. Overhead three Skylarks, 109
northerlies overnight that carried on into 30th held Meadow Pipits, 65 Swallows, 25 House Martins, a
some promise of migration. There was some Grey Wagtail, five White Wagtails, 14 Siskins and a
reasonable overhead passage with 191 Meadow Redpoll were on the move. Down on the Narrows,
Pipits being joined by a single Tree Pipit, and 21 there were more Ringed Plovers around, with nine
Grey Wagtails, two of which were caught at being recorded between Henllwyn and Solfach.
Cristin, only the 2nd and 3rd ringed in the last 15 Other waders include a Whimbrel, 50 Curlews,
years on the island. Also, overhead were 223 five Redshanks, 38 Turnstones and 42
Swallows, three Sand Martins and 19 House Oystercatchers. A Wryneck was found near Tŷ
Martins. Up at Nant, a male Redstart was found in Pellaf and 15 Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaffs and
the company of a Pied Flycatcher, and a five Blackcaps were in the bushes. Two Arctic
Whinchat was found here later in the day, while Terns flew south. In the morning of 4th an onshore
14 Buzzards headed north. Other migrant totals breeze from the West prompted a seawatch. It
from the day include two Lesser Redpolls, 90 wasn't particularly busy, but a Sooty Shearwater
Linnets, nine Siskins, 12 Willow Warblers, three which passed the North End at 0900 made it
Whitethroats, 55 Stonechats, 74 White Wagtails, worthwhile, and there was a reasonable passage
17 Black-headed Gulls, 52 Curlews, 15 Buzzards of terns, totalling 158 Sandwich Terns, 44 Arctic
and three Sparrowhawks. 31st was sunny Terns and another two Roseate Terns, an adult
throughout and the heat really picked up in the and a juvenile. One Arctic Skua also headed
middle of the day. Visible migration was slightly south along with 800 Manx Shearwaters, one Ruff,
slower than the previous day with 63 White 1529 Kittiwakes, 167 Gannets and three Common
Wagtails, 17 Grey Wagtails, 14 Skylarks, 149 Scoters; Over the land, 22 Siskins, three Grey
Swallows, 29 House Martins and one Sand Martin. Wagtails and two flava wagtails also moved
Down on the Narrows, a juvenile Knot in Henllwyn south. Down on the Narrows, passage was
was only the second of the autumn along with evident, 44 Ringed Plovers were across the two
two Ringed Plovers, a Snipe (with another flying beaches, along with three Sanderlings, two
over Cristin), a Whimbrel, 48 Curlews, eight Purple Sandpipers, a Dunlin, a Whimbrel, 38
Redshanks, one Common Sandpiper, and 27 Curlews, nine Redshanks and 64 Turnstones. With
Turnstones, meanwhile the first flava wagtail of a stronger wind from the north-west on 5th,
the autumn flew south. A Pied Flycatcher was in seawatching was again the main event. There

50 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

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Golden Plover © Steven Stansfield The weather on 8th was rather inclement, fog and
drizzle were present throughout. Up at Nant there
were not huge numbers, but there was good were a few more Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, and
variety with the first Red-throated Diver of the the highest count of Robins so far for the autumn
autumn, 38 Fulmars, 1027 Manx Shearwaters, a – 33. Over at Tŷ Pellaf, a Spotted Flycatcher, a
Storm Petrel, 796 Gannets, five Common Scoters, Pied Flycatcher and two Wrynecks were the
two Grey Phalaropes, two Pomarine Skuas, eight standout highlights. Overhead 60 Swallows and
Arctic Skuas, seven Great Skuas, three 12 House Martins were on the move while on the
Mediterranean Gulls, 2218 Kittiwakes, 356 Narrows, 72 White Wagtails were present.
Sandwich Terns, a Roseate Tern and 48 Arctic Northerly winds carried on through the night and
Terns heading south. Two Lapland Buntings into the morning of 9th; seawatching began first
passed over the island, very early records, and thing and although total numbers were quite low,
another Wryneck was present by the the variety of birds was pretty good, with
Schoolhouse. Gentle westerly winds on 6th highlights including two Pomarine Skuas, two
carried hope of continued sea passage from the Great Skuas and two Great Northern Divers. Nant
previous day, but a pale-morph Arctic Skua, a was comparatively quiet with two Spotted
Golden Plover and three Common Scoters were Flycatchers, 12 Siskins and a Redpoll. Down at Tŷ
the sole highlights, while overhead, 88 Swallows, Pellaf however, 35 Chiffchaffs and 40 Willow
11 House Martins, seven Grey Wagtails, seven Warblers were taking full advantage of the
White Wagtails and six Siskins were recorded. 143 sunflower crop and flycatching amongst the
White Wagtails were present on the Narrows, stems. There was a Wryneck there too, and a
many more than recently. Grounded passerine Wheatear was in the crop field. Over Pen Cristin,
migrants totalled 11 Chiffchaffs, seven Blackcaps, the winds produced some excellent overhead
14 Willow Warblers and four Goldcrests. The 7th passage with 914 Swallows, 89 House Martins, a
again saw 20mph westerly winds hitting the Sand Martin, a Skylark, 189 Meadow Pipits, 14
island, all that was noted out to sea were two Grey Wagtails, 55 Siskins, 16 Redpolls and the
Arctic Skuas, a single Great Skua and a single highlight, two Lapland Buntings. 10th saw a
Common Scoter. Waders were thin on the continuation of yesterday’s gentle northerlies,
ground, between the usual haunts of Solfach and and therefore promise of better migrant numbers.
Henllwyn just one Curlew, four Redshanks and 19 Ringing this morning was very productive,
Oystercatchers were recorded, along with 23 especially at the new Tŷ Pellaf ringing site with five
White Wagtails. Overhead, things were a little
better with 13 Siskins and 23 Grey Wagtails. 51

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Chiffchaffs, ten Willow Warblers, five Blackcaps, a of the year chased a Swallow over the North End.
Garden Warbler, four Lesser Redpolls, two Siskins, Other migrants included a Merlin, a Great Skua
seven Linnets, four Goldfinches, a Chaffinch, four and a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, six
Grey Wagtails, five White Wagtails, two Siskins, 17 Wheatears and 33 White Wagtails. The
Stonechats, 19 Goldcrests, 30 Meadow Pipits, 15th saw tough birding conditions with no breeze
seven Robins, seven Wrens and five Dunnocks and high temperatures; it was incredibly muggy
being the day’s ringing totals. A flock of 48 and a thick sea mist rolled in off the sea in the
Choughs was seen over the Mountain during the afternoon. Migration really picked up, 505
morning, and a Treecreeper was seen at Tŷ Nesaf. Meadow Pipits, a Tree Pipit, 93 Skylarks, 157 White
11th saw the wind pick up to 20-30mph south- Wagtails, 52 Grey Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and
westerlies, which generally aren't the best 178 Linnets were recorded across the island, most
conditions as far as bird migration is concerned. It were overhead, but plenty stopped off to feed on
wasn't a quiet day by any means though, 265 their way. 18 Wheatears on the South End
Meadow Pipits were noted throughout the day, included a few of the Greenland race
most of which were on the South End. Three O.l.leucorhoa. Most of the birds were heading
Spotted Flycatchers were at Nant, along with four over the South End, and off the coast, a Curlew
Willow Warblers and a Whitethroat. In the Withies, Sandpiper was seen amongst a group of
a Long-eared Owl was a new bird for the year Turnstones passing by. Two Ringed Plovers flew
and two Black-tailed Godwits flew past the South over, closely followed by two Little Stints. Also, off
End. A short seawatch in the morning was pretty the South End, an Arctic Skua moved south with
good for variety, with another Long-tailed Skua two Great Skuas, and three Golden Plovers
which was an adult. Also recorded were: four moved overhead. A Wryneck was in the gorse
Arctic Skuas, four Great Skuas and small numbers here and a Whinchat. A Great White Egret
of Gannets, Kittiwakes, Manx Shearwaters and headed south over the centre of the island, but it
auks. Better numbers of waders were on the quickly headed back to the mainland. In the
Narrows with a Dunlin, 51 Curlews, two Redshanks, Withies, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a
a Greenshank, 19 Turnstones and 32 Reed Warbler were caught, while a Long-eared
Oystercatchers. A fresh brisk northerly breeze was Owl and a Water Rail were seen.
still present on 12th, and a seawatch to start the
day was relatively productive with nine Great The dense fog from the day before was still
Skuas, two Arctic Skuas and one Pomarine Skua present on 16th, and it was a damp start. Whilst
along with small numbers of Gannets, Kittiwakes the Withies were quiet, a walk around the Narrows
and Manx Shearwaters. Robins reached a new and South End proved more productive. Six
record count for the autumn with 59 spread Purple Sandpipers and six Dunlins were on, and
across the island along with two Whitethroats, two around, the Narrows along with 84 Turnstones, 56
Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers Oystercatchers and seven Skylarks. A lone
and four Goldcrests. Golden Plover in front of the Lighthouse and a
single Siskin were the highlights from the South
The wind swung to the south-west on 13th and End. Three Yellow Wagtails were below Cristin and
rain came with it. A Skylark was the only bird of a Reed Bunting was in the garden. At Nant, a Pied
note on the South End, while the Narrows held 51 Flycatcher and a female Redstart were present.
Curlews, 31 Oystercatchers, six Redshanks, 13 The fog lifted at around 1500 and 20 Chiffchaffs
Turnstones and 67 White Wagtails. At the North and a couple of Willow Warblers were in the pines
End, Swallow passage was good, 332 were at Tŷ Nesaf, while a Tree Pipit headed south. Two
counted, adding to the days total of 372, these Kestrels were at the North End an immigrant
were joined by 53 House Martins. An Arctic Skua Peregrine on the South End and an Osprey
was the only seabird of note, but the poor visibility headed south down the West Coast and
was no help with looking out to sea. 14th held only proceeded to attempt to catch fish in both
a light breeze, and an unseasonably high Henllwyn and Solfach, sadly failing, this is only the
temperature of 24C. It was a good day for second of the year. A cool north-easterly breeze
passage with 306 Meadow Pipits, 214 Swallows, 16 on 17th delivered more birds to the island. A few
Skylarks, 31 Grey Wagtails, a flava Wagtail and Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests and Siskins were all that
the fifth Lapland Bunting of the autumn. A Tree was present in the trees at Nant, while more was
Pipit was at Tŷ Pellaf at dawn and the third Hobby moving overhead: 12 Siskins and 19 Chaffinches,

52 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

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Peregrine © Steven Stansfield being of the Greenland O. l. leucorhoa. A Water
Rail and a Reed Bunting were seen in the Withies
with the highlight being two Crossbills which flew and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Thirteen
north at around 9am and a Hooded Crow which Spotted Flycatchers were spread across the
flew south shortly after. In the North-west Fields, a island along with three Pied Flycatchers. Five Grey
new flock of 32 Carrion Crows also contained Herons circled the Mountain and two Hooded
another two Hooded Crows. Swallows began to Crows were in the North West Fields while two
move for half an hour over Pen Cristin totalling 228 Golden Plovers were on the South End. There
birds. From the Narrows, three Curlew Sandpipers were noticeably more insect migrants with two
headed south with a Dunlin amongst them. Other Vestals, 28 Silver Ys, two Painted Ladies, 49 Large
wader numbers were healthy, and there was a Whites and 25 Red Admirals being the
nice variety, with 13 Ringed Plovers, two Golden Lepidopteran highlights. The Narrows held
Plovers, ten Dunlins, a Snipe, a Whimbrel, 52 reasonable interest: 11 Dunlins, eight Ringed
Curlews, eight Redshanks and 86 Turnstones. On Plovers, a Snipe and nine Teal. There were
the South End, the Wryneck from a couple of days reasonable numbers of migrants, with 16 Skylarks,
before was still present in the same bush. Out to nine Grey Wagtails, 19 White Wagtails, 42 Robins,
sea 11 Common Scoters passed along with five two Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, 30 Chiffchaffs,
Mediterranean Gulls, five Black-headed Gulls and a Starling, nine Siskins and 48 Goldfinches. There
two Common Gulls. There were again good was a colder and windier feel to 19th, with winds
overhead passage numbers delivered by the still coming from the north-east. Many of the
winds and these combined with grounded previous day's birds had moved on, but three
migrant totals came to: 38 Skylarks, a Tree Pipit, 21 Spotted Flycatchers were still present along with
Grey Wagtail, 85 White Wagtails, 38 Robins, a one of the Hooded Crows in the Northwest Fields.
Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 17 There had been a small arrival of Wheatears as 28
Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, seven Goldcrests, were seen across the island, all being of the
37 Chaffinches, 23 Siskins and 82 Linnets. The Greenland subspecies. Three Lapland Buntings
north-easterlies continued into 18th and left things were the highlight of overhead migration,
feeling a little brisker. A Yellow-browed Warbler including one individual that briefly came down
was found at Tŷ Pellaf, this is the second earliest onto Pen Cristin. Meadow Pipits also continued to
ever for Bardsey, with the first coming just one day move through the island, as 245 were recorded.
earlier in 1988. The bird was elusive, but was briefly There were 11 Redshank, five Ringed Plovers and
joined by a Wood Warbler, only the second of the nine Dunlin on Solfach, as well as four
year, and a Wryneck was seen along the Mediterranean Gulls and 11 Black-headed Gulls
Mountainside between here and Cristin. An on the sea together. Five Common Gulls were
arrival of Wheatears had taken place with at least
35 in the North West Fields with about 80% of these 53

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PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR & STANSFIELD

also seen between here and the South End. The with totals being 11 Lesser Redpolls, 72 Linnets, 36
first Jack Snipe of the autumn was seen on the Goldfinches, three Siskins, two Chaffinches, four
South End amongst a flock of Skylarks, as well as Ravens, 22 Goldcrests, five Blackcaps, 13
two Snipes and four Golden Plovers. Passage at Wheatears, 26 Robins, 28 White Wagtails, a Grey
sea was restricted to four Common Scoters, a Wagtail, four Skylarks and 14 House Martins.
Whimbrel, ten Sandwich Terns. The 20th again Heavy rain fell throughout the night but had
saw a fresh north-easterly breeze with another mostly cleared by the morning of 24th, the wind
Lapland Bunting over the North End in the was still in the north-west and was feeling
morning. A Merlin on the Narrows was trying to particularly biting. The westerly winds seem to be
catch some of the Wheatears and White Wagtails blocking most migrants with only 19 Swallows and
there, while a Grey Plover flew over Cristin 45 Meadow Pipits noted, though 26 White
heading north. The 21st saw almost no wind and Wagtails were still feeding down on Solfach.
clear skies to start the day, provoking good Seawatching was very quiet with three Great
overhead passage. 300 Meadow Pipits, 41 Skuas, 19 Manx Shearwaters, 56 Gannets, 250
Skylarks, a Woodlark, 17 Swallows, 20 Grey Kittiwakes and 24 Razorbills being the only birds of
Wagtails, 40 White Wagtails, three Siskins and 31 note. The Narrows again held decent wader
Redpolls comprised the majority of the day’s numbers with 38 Oystercatchers, eight Ringed
migrant totals. Brent Geese were seen for the Plovers, nine Dunlins, a Whimbrel, 43 Curlews, five
second consecutive day along the West Coast Redshanks and 52 Turnstones. north-westerlies
when 11 flew north in the afternoon along with 27 continued into 25th, with 21mph winds
Common Scoters and a Teal. Between the throughout the day. Seawatching took place
Narrows and the Wetlands, eight Ringed Plover, during the morning, it wasn't the most action-
five Purple Sandpipers, 14 Redshanks and eight packed day, but totals included 11 Manx
Snipes were seen. The winds had changed by Shearwaters, 483 Gannets, four Teals, five
22nd and a 20mph south-westerly had taken Common Scoters, six Arctic Skuas, 11 Great Skuas,
hold. The Narrows were reasonably active with six a Mediterranean Gull and 1874 Kittiwakes. A Bar-
Ringed Plovers, ten Dunlins, nine Redshanks, 41 tailed Godwit was present with 43 Curlews on the
Turnstones, four Purple Sandpipers and a Bar- South End while on the Narrows were two Ringed
tailed Godwit! A flock of 12 Black-tailed Godwits Plovers, five Dunlins, three Redshanks and 11
flew past the Narrows during the morning. A Turnstones, all accompanied by 22 Rock Pipits
seawatch took place throughout the morning, and 18 White Wagtails. The 26th saw 18mph
and although quiet on almost every front, a very northerly winds, so eyes were on the sea in the
notable passage of 18 Balearic Shearwaters morning. The highlight was a summer-plumaged
made up for the lack of other numbers. Swallows Black-throated Diver, and a Sooty Shearwater
trickled through during the day and totalled 88 with a supporting cast of a Fulmar, two Manx
birds, while 41 White Wagtails were on Solfach. A Shearwaters, 87 Gannets, 17 Common Scoters,
15mph north-westerly had picked up on 23rd, a 844 Kittiwakes and 288 Razorbills. The second
change from the day before; Nant produced Yellow-browed Warbler of the year was in the
three Blackcaps, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, garden at Tŷ Pellaf and a Reed Bunting was also
a small flock of Lesser Redpolls and decent present here. Other migrant totals were relatively
numbers of Goldcrests, plus three Sparrowhawks low: two Lesser Redpolls, 75 Linnets, 65
circling over the Plantation. The highest count of Goldfinches, 15 Goldcrests, five Chiffchaffs, two
Curlews this year by far was had with 143 on the Blackcaps, 19 Stonechats, 13 Robins, 166
South End, while 15 Oystercatchers, seven Ringed Meadow Pipits and a Skylark. The weather
Plovers, 12 Dunlins, two Snipes, a Bar-tailed calmed down and brightened up on 27th, it was
Godwit, two Whimbrels, four Redshanks and 43 sunny until the late evening, with a gentle
Turnstones were spread between there and the northerly giving a cool, autumnal feel. A Water
Narrows. Seawatching in the morning produced Rail was heard calling from within the Withies, a
highlights of one Balearic Shearwater, two Great Little Egret then flew across the Narrows where
Skuas and three Great Northern Divers, four Black- seven Starlings were also seen. Overhead
headed Gulls and three Mediterranean Gulls, passage was better than in previous days with 32
and the highlight was a Great Crested Grebe Skylarks, 83 Swallows, 151 Meadow Pipits, five
which flew through the Sound late morning. Grey Wagtails and two each of Siskin and
There were a good variety of migrants around
REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
54

MIGRATION DIARY

Ringed Plover © Steven Stansfield 55
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Redpoll. Wader numbers had decreased it was raining heavily in the morning of 30th. A
somewhat to four Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin, 11 walk along the West Coast and the Narrows
Curlews, four Redshanks and 12 Turnstones. A produced one Sanderling, two Dunlins and three
southerly breeze on 28th brought in a very foggy Ringed Plovers. A huge feeding flock had formed
and rainy beginning to the day. At Cristin there off the South End and 1000 Gannets, 5000
was a Yellow-browed Warbler calling briefly first Kittiwakes, 1500 Razorbills, three Balearic
thing while the autumn’s first Redwing was Shearwaters and a Sabine's Gull, the second of
present. A flock of 39 House Martins was feeding the year. Down in the Withies, a Barn Owl was
over the Plantation and 48 Goldfinches were at flushed, and a Redwing was seen at Tŷ Pellaf.
Tŷ Pellaf. 17 Dunnocks were recorded, suggesting
there may have been a small arrival overnight. OCTOBER
Migrant totals included two Siskins, nine
Chaffinches, 31 Carrion Crows, 12 Choughs, 13 The month started off a lot more pleasantly than
Goldcrests, three Blackcaps, two Song Thrushes, the last ended, the wind had dropped, and it was
77 Meadow Pipits and a Skylark. The Narrows held sunny for most of the day. Five Redwings were at
49 Turnstones, seven Redshanks, 52 Curlews, a Cristin, while nine Buzzards were riding thermals on
Whimbrel, two Snipes, three Dunlins, 21 Mallards the Mountainside behind here. A total of seven
and two Wigeons. Calmer weather on 29th Grey Wagtails were seen on overhead passage,
seemed to allow migration to continue as as well as ten Skylarks and 49 Chaffinches. A Bar-
numbers were slightly up. Finch numbers were tailed Godwit was on the Narrows and a Merlin
reasonable with 28 Chaffinches, 38 Linnets, and was hunting here, while two Snipes and a single
32 Goldfinches. Other migrants included one Jack Snipe were in the Wetlands. The feeding
Redwing, a Song Thrush, four Blackbirds, 18 flock of seabirds was still present off the South End,
Dunnocks, 34 Skylarks and 38 Swallows. At Tŷ but in reduced numbers, totalling 83 Gannets, 400
Pellaf, the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the year Razorbills, c.1500 Kittiwakes, ten Mediterranean
was caught, while overhead a Red-throated Pipit Gulls and 100 Black-headed Gulls. Two Arctic
was in with a group of Meadow Pipits. This group Skuas and a Great Skua were also seen. Large
seemed to land on the eastern side of Pen Cristin, finch and pipit flocks were still present around Tŷ
but it was not re-found subsequently. A 40mph Pellaf with 100 Meadow Pipits, 50 Goldfinches
south-westerly wind had picked up overnight and and 34 Linnets; another Reed Bunting was caught

Yellow-browed Warbler © Jeff Wragg

56 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

here too. The wind turned north-easterly on 2nd western type Common Redpolls, while a further
and was a steady 30-35mph throughout the day. 25 Lesser Redpolls were in the Wetlands. Three
These winds are favourable for finch passage on Yellow-browed Warblers were seen in the Withies
the island and nine Siskins, four Redpolls and a along with the first Firecrest for a while, and a
Crossbill were seen. Another Yellow-browed probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat was in Plas
Warbler was at Tŷ Pellaf, 13 Skylarks and two Withy. An Eastern Yellow Wagtail was found in the
Golden Plovers were in a field on the West Coast field east of Plas Withy in the afternoon where it
and three Lapland Buntings were on the South remained for the rest of the day. Gale-force
End. On the Narrows, there were two Bar-tailed north-westerlies and torrential rain both persisted
Godwits, 52 Curlews, a Whimbrel, 14 Redshanks, until late morning on 4th, both then completely
78 Turnstones, three Snipes, a Ringed Plover and eased off in the afternoon and some nets were
28 Oystercatchers. There was also interest out at opened. At Tŷ Pellaf, hordes of finches were
sea with the highlight being the second Black- taking advantage of the seed crop, the majority
throated Diver of the year along with 64 Gannets of these being Goldfinches, finch totals came to:
and six Common Scoters, three Great Skuas, 43 275 Goldfinches, 253 Linnets, 88 Redpolls, 42
Mediterranean Gulls, 273 Black-headed Gulls and Chaffinches, ten Siskins and a Bullfinch; these
135 Razorbills. Howling north-easterlies and rain were joined by seven Blackcaps, 13 Chiffchaffs, a
were had throughout the majority of 3rd, making Willow Warbler, 18 Goldcrests and five Reed
birding conditions difficult. Seawatching in the Buntings – this made up most of the passerine
morning produced quality rather than quantity, migrants of the day. The ringing totals from Tŷ
the best was two Whooper Swans which flew Pellaf and Cristin came to 64 Goldfinches, 37
south at 0740 and returned a couple of minutes Linnets, 31 Lesser Redpolls, 14 Chaffinches, two
later – these are the first since 26 October 2018. Siskins, five Chiffchaffs, five Starlings, three
Also noted were 28 Common Scoters, two Pintails Dunnocks, two Goldcrests, a Robin, a Wren and a
in with a group of four Wigeons and also nine Reed Bunting – 166 birds of 12 species. On the
Mediterranean Gulls. Goldfinch numbers at Tŷ Narrows, two Wigeon and one Teal were in
Pellaf had increased to 120 while flocks were Solfach, while two Merlins harassed the finches
moving over the Narrows – the day total came to and pipits passing over. One ‘flava’ wagtail was
273. An impressive flock of 100 Lesser Redpolls in the Lowlands along with seven Song Thrushes
were at Tŷ Pellaf, including three probable north- and two Redwings. The wind had turned to the

Eastern Yellow Wagtail © Dave Astins

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PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR & STANSFIELD

south-west on 5th but hadn’t seemed to halt finch noticeably lower, with Goldfinches dropping to
passage too severely. Some reasonable flocks 65 and Linnets to 89, mainly at Tŷ Pellaf; other
were still around the island and totalled 130 finches were three Lesser Redpolls, 14 Siskins and
Goldfinches, 126 Linnets, 27 Chaffinches, nine 22 Chaffinches. A passage of 122 Skylarks
Lesser Redpolls and five Siskins. One Wheatear on however was most notable, some of which were
the Narrows was joined by only two White moving out at sea. Also, on this morning’s
Wagtails, while from here a feeding flock of 2000 seawatch was the highlight of the day – a Nightjar
Kittiwakes and 400 Herring Gulls was seen off the which flew south low to the sea, the first record
South End. Down in the Wetlands, the Eastern since 2006. A Buzzard passed over the Mountain
Yellow Wagtail was still present, along with three in the late afternoon while two Merlins were
Snipes, and a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Tŷ around on the island. 51 Turnstones were on the
Pellaf Withy. There were again more strong winds Narrows along with 14 Redshanks, 68 Curlews, a
on 6th clocking in at 28mph north-westerly. Down Bar-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel and 36
in the Wetlands, the Eastern Yellow Wagtail was Oystercatchers; two Snipes were in the Wetlands.
present for its fourth day and a good number of A Great Crested Grebe flew over the Narrows
finches were still around the island with 140 Linnets towards Pen Cristin in the early afternoon, only the
at Tŷ Pellaf. Seawatching produced some good 23rd island record. Other seabirds included 400
birds, of more quality than quantity. One Red- Razorbills, a Mediterranean Gull, 16 Mallards, 16
throated Diver, 24 Manx Shearwaters, seven Shags, four Manx Shearwaters and a Great
Common Scoters, 85 Razorbills, an Arctic Skua, Northern Diver.
three Great Skuas, a Mediterranean Gull and a
Sabine's Gull, while a feeding flock of 1500 A fresh north-westerly wind was sweeping across
Kittiwakes was still off the South End. Only 53 the island on the morning of 8th, so eyes once
Meadow Pipits were around, mostly on the more were directed to the sea. The third Black-
Narrows, also here were one Dunlin, two Bar- throated Diver of the year was the highlight, with
tailed Godwits, six Redshanks, 42 Oystercatchers, 17 Common Scoter, 14 Mediterranean Gulls, 39
70 Curlews and a Common Gull. There was only a Black-headed Gulls and a Common Gull also
14mph north-westerly breeze on 7th and it was noted. A Mistle Thrush at Tŷ Pellaf was the first of
dry for most of the day. Finch numbers were the autumn, while other thrushes were thin on the

Wheatear © Steven Stansfield

58 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

Mediterranean Gulls © Jeff Wragg days, with only one Redwing, three Blackcaps,
three Chiffchaffs and six Goldcrests on the island.
ground – only two Song Thrushes and two Overhead, the first Brambling of the autumn was
Redwings. Other grounded migrants comprised heard at Cristin, along with two Siskins and two
two Blackcaps, 21 Goldcrests, four Yellow- Redpolls. More north-westerlies gusting at 32mph
browed Warblers, two Reed Buntings and a north- were had on 11th; it started off rainy, but both the
western type Common Redpoll at the farm. wind and rain eased off by early afternoon.
Overhead, 21 Siskins moved through, and a Seawatching didn’t produce many birds, 108
Hooded Crow moved east with a group of Kittiwakes, ten Mediterranean Gulls and 57
Carrion Crows. The wind was gusting at 30mph Razorbills were recorded. But unexpectedly, two
from the south west on 9th and squalls passed Great White Egrets flew along the West Coast
through throughout the day. Goldfinches were past the South End Hide. 26 Skylarks were
few in number with only 39 recorded and only a recorded on overhead passage during the
handful of Linnets and Siskins were around. Three morning, while four Redwings were at Cristin and
Yellow-browed Warblers were recorded across a further four were at Nant. More strong north-
the island, seawatching was quiet with only 20 westerlies were had on 12th, yet three Yellow-
Mediterranean Gulls and 39 Black-headed Gulls browed Warblers were still recorded across the
being the highlights. A Great Spotted island, with one in the withies, one at Tŷ Capel
Woodpecker was at Cristin. A north-westerly wind and one at Tŷ Pellaf. Two Reed Buntings were also
greeted us on the morning of 10th, so hopes were seen at Tŷ Pellaf and a Great Spotted
high for seawatching. There was a passage of Woodpecker was seen at Cristin. Fifteen Snipes
ducks earlier on, with seven Common Scoter and were counted in the wetlands later in the
13 Teals; seven Red-breasted Mergansers flew morning, the highest number so far for the
south over the West Coast, a new species for the autumn, also in the Wetlands was a flock of 40
year. It was a productive seawatch in the end, Redwings, also the highest count of this species
with a Black-throated Diver, a Fulmar, seven for the autumn. Sightings from the sea were three
Manx Shearwaters, a Sooty Shearwater, 234 Common Scoters, five Mediterranean Gulls, a
Gannets, nine Golden Plovers, a Grey Phalarope, Wigeon and a Bar-tailed Godwit. The wind was
a Pomarine Skua, an Arctic Skua, 11 Great Skuas, once again from the north, gusting at 19mph on
16 Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Gull, 669 13th. The crop fields at the farm were full of
Kittiwakes, a Sandwich Tern and 458 Razorbills.
Landbirds were less numerous than in previous 59

64: 24-63

PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR & STANSFIELD

finches again, 123 Goldfinches were joined by 57 and 11 Common Gulls joined by three Wigeons, a
Linnets, 12 Siskins and five Redpolls. Overhead, 31 Pintail and five Teals. Two Firecrests were caught
Skylarks were recorded, along with two Grey at Nant while many more thrushes continued to
Wagtails. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Cristin pass overhead. A male Ring Ouzel was present
while the first Fieldfare of the autumn was seen at above Carreg Fawr on the Mountainside with a
Tŷ Pellaf along with four Redwings, four Song Lesser Whitethroat, and a ring-tail Hen Harrier
Thrushes and 11 Blackbirds. There were few birds slowly made its way north before disappearing
of interest around the Narrows and over the sea around the East Side. A flock of 30 Jackdaws was
with totals of 39 Curlews, 37 Turnstones, four in the North West fields with 220 Starlings, while 16
Mediterranean Gulls and seven Black-headed Rooks flew over. A walk through the Wetlands in
Gulls. The wind had switched and was now the evening saw eight Snipes flushed along with
blowing from the north-east on 14th. It was clear a single Jack Snipe, many thrushes were feeding
from first thing that there had been an arrival in the fields here, allowing more counts to be
overnight as Redwings, Blackbirds, Chaffinches made, totals were: 157 Blackbirds, 84 Fieldfares,
and Goldfinches could be heard calling from 14 Song Thrushes, 585 Redwings, three Mistle
every bush in the garden at Cristin. At Tŷ Pellaf, Thrushes and 26 Robins. The wind had moved
two Bramblings were calling from within further round to the east on 15th and a good
Dynogoch garden and a Lapland Bunting number of the previous day’s migrants had
headed south overhead. On the South End, a moved on overnight. Ringing produced both
Black Redstart was on the roof of the Lighthouse quality and quantity, the highlight by far was the
Compound and another two Lapland Buntings first-year Marsh Warbler caught in Plas Withy
headed south. Four Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs and which was not seen subsequently after release. A
37 Goldcrests were in the bushes and finch Tree Sparrow caught at Tŷ Pellaf was the first of
numbers were back up with totals including three this species caught on the island since 1997, and
Bramblings, seven Siskins, 163 Goldfinches, 68 a House Sparrow was caught in Cristin Withy, one
Linnets, 11 Redpolls and one Reed Bunting. Out to of two present. Three Bramblings were caught
sea, gulls were moving in good numbers with 678 between the two sites with twelve being
Black-headed Gulls, four Mediterranean Gulls recorded in total, other finches included 212

Ring Ouzel © Steven Stansfield

60 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

Goldfinches, 153 Chaffinches, 46 Linnets, 14 Pellaf. A group of around 350 Jackdaws passed
Redpolls and 12 Siskins along with a single Reed over the island late morning again. Finch totals
Bunting. Despite the reduced thrush passage were 43 Goldfinches, five Linnets, six Siskins, six
compared to the previous day, 75 Blackbirds, 16 Redpolls, two Crossbills, two Bramblings and 64
Fieldfares, 17 Song Thrushes and 55 Redwings Chaffinches, of the Chaffinches caught and
were still present. Overhead passage produced ringed, the majority were of the larger continental
219 Skylarks, three Woodlarks which passed over race. Four Great Spotted Woodpeckers were
the South End, four Grey Wagtails and three White present and the fifth of the year was ringed, the
Wagtails. Late morning saw a group of 464 joint highest total ever on Bardsey. Winds were still
Jackdaws pass south over the island before coming from the east on 17th but had picked up
heading back to the mainland at great height. A a little. Eight Blackcaps were at Cristin, suggesting
Water Rail was still present in the Withies, two Coal a small arrival had occurred overnight. There
Tits were at Tŷ Pellaf with a Yellow-browed were also eight Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Warbler and three Great Spotted Woodpeckers present, with three at Nant, three at Cristin, a
were up at Nant. On the Narrows, a Ringed single at Carreg Bach and another single at
Plover, three Lapwings, a Knot, 63 Curlews, eight Traeth Ffynnon; another was ringed at Cristin
Redshanks, 53 Turnstones and four Common Gulls bringing the year’s total to six – a new record. A
made for good variety. couple of nets opened in the Withies quickly
caught the year’s second and third Yellow-
The wind had calmed slightly on 16th, but there browed Warblers. There was again a passage of
was still a breeze coming from the east. It small gulls down the West Coast, and in Solfach
produced a day which was the much the same were two foreign-ringed Mediterranean Gulls:
as the previous couple, just with slightly lower one from France and one from Sweden. On the
numbers again. Thrushes totalled 46 Blackbirds, Narrows were a Purple Sandpiper, two Dunlins, a
five Song Thrushes, 40 Redwings and a Mistle Bar-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel, 23 Redshanks and
Thrush. Overhead passage was reduced with 39 73 Turnstones. The wind on 18th became more
Skylarks recorded, but Dunnocks reached a southerly throughout the day, swinging round
record count of 45, most of which were at Tŷ from the east. There a was decent passage of

Bar-tailed Godwit © Steven Stansfield

64: 24-63 61

PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR & STANSFIELD

finches over the island, focussed mainly along the numbers of waders were counted between the
Mountainside and passing over Tŷ Pellaf. Finch Narrows and South End again totalling six Purple
numbers totalled 238 Chaffinches, six Bramblings, Sandpipers, a Dunlin, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a
155 Goldfinches, 47 Linnets and 68 Lesser Whimbrel, 60 Curlews, 13 Redshanks and 58
Redpolls. Overall thrush numbers were down on Turnstones. A Bar-tailed Godwit caught on
previous years, however a total of 22 Song Solfach overnight was the first ringed since 2016.
Thrushes were counted, the highest number thus It was a calmer day on 21st and a few bits and
far for the Autumn. Also present were 23 pieces had begun to move through again. Ten
Blackbirds, six Fieldfares, 18 Redwings and a Mistle Chaffinches, a Brambling, 19 Siskins, 20
Thrush. Other migrant totals included a Merlin, a Goldfinches, 45 Linnets and the most abundant
Water Rail, 11 Swallows, a Grey Wagtail and eight finch of the day were Redpolls with 60 counted.
Blackcaps. The Narrows again held interest with Late morning, a band of rain moved across the
one Bar-tailed Godwit, one Whimbrel, 45 island, although just beforehand 300 Swallows
Turnstones and 12 Mediterranean Gulls. One of and 50 House Martins dropped in and fed over
the previous day’s Yellow-browed Warblers was the Lowlands. The Black Redstart from 19th
re-trapped in the Withies and another Great reappeared in Cristin courtyard in the afternoon.
Spotted Woodpecker was caught along with a Later in the day, the first Short-eared Owl of the
Reed Bunting, both uncommon species on the season was seen on the South End being
island. Winds had really picked up on 19th, still mobbed by a Merlin. A Long-eared Owl was
coming from the south. A seawatch from the present in the Cristin garden in the late evening
North End produced 22 Common Scoters, two being mobbed by Blackbirds, and a Barn Owl
Teals, 450 Razorbills, seven Mediterranean Gulls, was seen on the Narrows at night. Winds were
49 Black-headed Gulls, seven Common Gulls and now blowing from the north-west on 22nd, there
121 Kittiwakes. Gulls were also sheltering around was a nice clear start to the day though. Up at
the Narrows from the rough conditions and Nant, eleven Long-tailed Tits were the first of the
totalled seven Mediterranean Gulls, 94 Black- year, these quickly headed south along the
headed Gulls, 14 Common Gulls and 99 Herring Mountainside. In the Northwest Fields, a Richard’s
Gulls. Many waders were feeding on both the Pipit was flushed, while out to sea a Goldeneye
Narrows and South End with two Purple flew south. A Ring Ouzel was in the Wetlands with
Sandpipers, a Dunlin, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a a group of Redwings and a Yellowhammer was
Whimbrel, 70 Curlews, 19 Redshank and 65 feeding in the seed crop planted in the previous
Turnstones. 14 Snipes were also seen, 11 of which year’s pig field. Up at Nant later on, some nets
were in the Wetlands. Elsewhere, three Great were opened to try and catch some thrushes
Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, two Swallows coming into roost. Two Redwings of the Icelandic
were at Nant along with a Brambling, two Siskins, race ‘coburni’ were caught, the weather system
three Fieldfares and a Song Thrush. A Black sweeping down from the north-west must have
Redstart was seen briefly around Cristin. Other brought these birds in overnight. A Barn Owl was
thrush totals were 22 Blackbirds and nine also caught at Nant after dark, the second of the
Redwings. Finch numbers had dropped with 40 year and a new record year total for the island.
Chaffinches and two Redpolls. It was overcast on Winds were still in the west on 23rd, though they
20th, with winds continuing to pick up from the had now picked up to 30mph. A seawatch from
south, blowing at 40mph for the majority of the the North End was reasonably productive with the
day. A seawatch from the North End produced a highlight being the first Leach’s Petrel of the year.
Sooty Shearwater within the first couple of In just over two hours, one diver sp., 44 Gannets,
minutes, while the rest of the watch was less three Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a Common
productive it did produce some nice wildfowl Scoter, 71 Mediterranean Gulls, 144 Black-
records, best of all were three Pintail, although headed Gulls, two Common Gulls, 420 Kittiwakes,
five Wigeon, six Common Scoter and two Teal two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 600 Razorbills
were also nice to see on their journey south. headed south. A feeding flock of around 1000
Wildfowl aside, it was very quiet, with 22 Gannets, Black-headed Gulls and 2000 Kittiwakes were
a Purple Sandpiper, four Mediterranean Gulls, 41 present off the North End. Wader highlights
Black-headed Gulls, 11 Common Gulls, four Lesser included a Grey Plover, a Purple Sandpiper, a
Black-backed Gulls, 57 Herring Gulls, a Great Bar-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel, while 16
Black-backed Gull and 91 Kittiwakes. Good Snipes were flushed on a walk through the

62 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

Wetlands and Lowlands and presumably the Narrows included six Oystercatchers, nine Purple
same Woodcock as the previous day was still Sandpipers, a Jack Snipe, two Snipes, two
present at Nant. A 50mph southerly wind carried Curlews, five Redshanks and 15 Turnstones.
with it almost non-ceasing heavy rain throughout, Weather was better on 30th, a Wigeon was in
only finally giving up at around 1900. The only Solfach and a diver sp. headed south offshore.
birding came between the bands of rain, with a Across the Narrows and South End were eight
few quick spells of seawatching, yielding only a Oystercatchers, 65 Curlews, six Redshanks and 25
few records of note: a Wigeon, two Common Turnstones. In the Lowlands, seven Snipes were
Scoters, six Mediterranean Gulls, 32 Black-headed counted along with a single Skylark and two
Gulls, a Common Gull, three Great Black-backed Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Thrush numbers
Gulls, 120 Kittiwakes and 250 Razorbills. Winds consisted of 16 Blackbirds, a Song Thrush and two
were now back in the north-west on 26th and Redwings. 18 Chaffinches, a Brambling, three
were blowing at 30mph. Seawatching was Siskins, a Goldfinch and four Redpolls were
productive and early on, three Eiders, two Great recorded across the island.
Skuas and a Sooty Shearwater were the
highlights. The rest of the seawatch also brought NOVEMBER
some good quantity and quality of birds passing
with two Manx Shearwaters, 240 Gannets, three A few more thrushes were around on 3rd with 11
Wigeon, 54 Mediterranean Gulls, 34 Black- Blackbirds, three Fieldfares, five Song Thrushes
headed Gulls, nine Common Gulls, 822 Kittiwakes, and 40 Redwings. 350 Starlings were feeding on
285 Razorbills, a Puffin, a Pomarine Skua, another the South End by the Lighthouse Compound,
Sooty Shearwater and a Balearic Shearwater. Out while finches had also increased in number at
to the north, the feeding flock had grown and Cristin: 75 Chaffinches, two Bramblings, four
now held an estimated 10,000 Kittiwakes and Siskins, 25 Goldfinches and three Redpolls. The
5000 Black-headed Gulls. Seawatching aside, the 2020 Season finished on 4th and a few last-minute
rest of the day was quite quiet, however there highlights were had amongst the frantic packing.
was some overhead passage in the morning Four Golden Plovers and a Grey Plover were on
consisting of 735 Starlings, 25 Redwings, 192 the Narrows, with two Snipes flushed from the
Chaffinches, 29 Siskins and three Redpolls. Wind Lowlands. 20 Skylarks headed south along the
and rain battered the island again until late West Coast and thrushes were still around in small
afternoon on 27th, allowing for some birding at numbers: Ten Blackbirds, eight Fieldfares, nine
the end of the day. A Short-eared Owl was Song Thrushes and 42 Redwings. A Siberian ‘tristis’
hunting on the South End in the evening while a Chiffchaff was in Plas Withy along with two
Great Skua headed south offshore and a Golden nominate Chiffchaffs, and 15 Goldcrests were at
Plover was in Henllwyn. 14 Redshanks were Cristin. 500 Starlings were in the North West Fields,
around the Narrows and three Snipes were 140 Chaffinches headed south overhead while 80
flushed from near the Lighthouse Compound. 92 were at Cristin with four Bramblings and 40
Starlings moved through the island, while three Goldfinches.
Redwings were recorded, along with a Great
Spotted Woodpecker and a Merlin. Wind and rain
were present again throughout 28th and small
numbers of Chaffinches in Cristin garden were all
that were noted, with 29th being much the same.
Also on 29th, waders on the South End and

… so this brought the 2020 season on the island to an
end, with 186 species recorded, including one addition
to the island’s avifauna list.

64: 24-63 63

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Annotated list of birds seen during 2020

Steven Stansfield
Stansfield

Oystercatcher

© George Dunbar

Rep. Bardsey Bird Fld Obs.

Systematic list

81

59: 40-114

STANSFIELD

1 INTRODUCTION

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

1.1 CONSERVATION STATUS

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

Stonechat © George Dunbar

66 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

1.2 LOCAL STATUS

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

STATUS DESCRIPTION OF STATUS

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

1.3 TAXONOMY

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

Two year’s ago we changed the taxonomic order throughout BARDSEY’S
WILDLIFE and adopted the latest BOU’s 9th Edition of the British List
(December 2017). This order follows the International Ornithological
Congress (IOC) World Bird List version 10.1. Each species on the List is
assigned to a species category. Only those species in Categories A, B and
C form the British List. As at 24 January 2020 the British List stands at 621
species, 334 of which have been recorded on Bardsey.

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

In 2020 birds were recorded from 18 March when the staff arrived on the island until they departed on 2
November, with a few incidental winter records from individuals who either visited or were resident on
the island for part of the winter.

1.4 RARE BIRDS AND DECISIONS FROM RARITIES COMMITTEES

Up to 1998, rarities on which a records committee has made a decision were noted in the introduction
to this list. It was decided in 1998 that the format used in the annual report of the British Birds Rarities
Committee (BBRC) in British Birds would be adopted and, therefore, the accepted/not proven records
would appear in the systematic list of the year in which the decision was made. Records awaiting
decisions will, therefore, appear in the list of the year in which they were recorded, and then again when

64: 64-137 67

STANSFIELD

accepted/not accepted, under a sub-heading of the year of the record. Decisions on all species dealt
with by BBRC will also appear in British Birds and all species dealt with by the Welsh Birds Rarities
Committee (WBRC) will appear in Welsh Birds should the record be accepted.

1.5 SPECIES REQUIRING DOCUMENTATION BY THE WELSH BIRDS RARITIES COMMITTEE

Scarce species (assessed by WBRC) are defined as those occurring on average five times or fewer
annually in Wales. As of 1 January 2020 the full list of species which the Panel considers is as follows:

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

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

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

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

68 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

2 METHODS

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

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

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

3 RESULTS

This year a grand total of 186 species of birds was recorded during the season, three more than last year.

There was one new species for the island in the form of an Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tsuctchensis.

There were the fifth record of Citrine Wagtail and Black Kite, the sixth and seventh records of Blyth’s Reed
Warbler. The tenth to 18th records of Yellow-legged Gulls were recorded as part of an unprecedented
influx, and the 11th record of Rose-coloured Starling was recorded. The 13th Marsh Warbler, 19th Shore
Lark and 20th Greenish Warbler was also seen.

Other highlights included 13 Wrynecks (one in spring and 12 in autumn) and three Common Rosefinches
in late spring. Both Icterine and Melodious Warbler put in an appearance after five years of none being
recorded and both Red-backed and Woodchat Shrikes were seen in spring.

Shore Lark © Steven Stansfield

64: 64-137 69

STANSFIELD

SPECIES ACCOUNTS

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 77 previous records, ten records in 2017 and six in 2020

September saw three unraced birds fly south along the West Coast on 12 September. Two birds from the
pale-bellied Canadian population B.b.hrota flew south on 20th, with eleven seen flying north the
following day. A single pale-bellied bird was seen on 23rd. In October there were two records: two,
unraced birds, flew south on 13th, with three pale-bellied birds seen on 23rd.

There were no definite records of any dark-bellied nominate form B.b.bernicla this year, whose
population originates in the Taimyr peninsula in the central Russian Arctic and winters in northwest Europe

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

Scarce, 55 records pre-2019 when two pairs were resident throughout the spring and summer
There were fewer records this year, though a pair did take up residence on Pwll Cain again in the spring.
Six on 19 March was the first record of the year, followed by two on four dates to 26th with four present
on 29th. There were eight records in April; all were of two birds on Pwll Cain except for ten on 3rd, which
included the two on Pwll Cain. The pair remained until 12 May, and were joined on 11th by another two.

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

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

One was on Pwll Cain with the Canada Geese from 6 to 10 May (GD et al.).

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

¨ Amber listed Vagrant in spring with two previous records, otherwise scarce, 51 previous records in total

Two adults flew south along the western side of the island on 3 October (SDS).

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce breeder, scarce to uncommon on passage

Up to seven birds were seen on ten dates in March from 18th. There were then daily counts in April, May
and June of up to 14 birds; however, the peak of 14 on 10 May included six chicks which had all been
predated by the following day. June’s peak of 11 on 13th were all adult birds. Numbers in July fell with
records on just eight dates of up to eight birds, the last being two on 8th. Six were in Solfach on 28 August.
October saw a single record of three birds on the West Coast on 14th.

50 15
Bird-day totals40
Max. daily count per month3010
20
10 5

0 0
J F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

70 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

J F MAM J J A S OND
0 0300
Max. count 0 0 7 12 14 11 8 6 0300
Bird-days 0 0100
0 36 194 220 193 30 6
Days seen
0 10 30 31 30 8 1

W I G E O N Anas penelope Chwiwell

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

The first record of the year was a female in Henllwyn on 20 September, a female was in Solfach on 23rd
and on the West Coast on 24th. One was in the Wetlands on the 27th with a pair in Solfach on 28th and
one on Pen Cristin on 29th. October produced records on 15 dates; most were of one or two birds with
four seen on the West Coast on 3rd, three on 14th and five on both 20th and 26th.

Wigeon © Steven Stansfield

M A L L A R D Anas platyrhynchos Hwyaden Wyllt

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

Far less numerous than in 2019, with over 500 bird-days fewer, primarily due to larger numbers of
youngsters present in May. Up to 16 were seen in late March with a peak of 21 in April, with birds seen on
28 days. May's peak was only 14, with peaks of 17 and 18 in June and July respectively. August saw
numbers increased to 22 with birds recorded on a daily basis; up to 25 were seen in September with the
year’s peak of 29 seen on 23 October.

J F MAM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 0 16 21 14 17 18 22 25 29 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 95 217 191 181 161 331 393 362 0 0
Days seen
0 13 28 31 30 27 31 30 26 0 0

64: 64-137 71

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120 35
100Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month30
80
60 25
40
20 20

0 15
J
10

5

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

P I N T A I L Anas acuta Hwyaden Lostfain

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 51 previous records

There were three records this year, all in October; two were seen off the West Coast on 3rd, a single
was seen on Solfach with three Wigeon on 14th, and finally three were seen off the South End on 20th.

T E A L Anas crecca Corhwyaden

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

March saw three records, two on 20th and singles on 21st and 22nd.

The first record in autumn was one in Solfach on 11 August with another there on 14th and two in the
Lowlands on 17th. There were seven records in September; most were singles with two on 20th, four on
both 15th and 25th and nine on 18th. One to three birds were seen on seven dates in October, with five
on 14th and 13 off the West Coast on 10th.

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

Rare, 35 previous records
In May a male flew North through the middle of the island and then landed on one of the ponds in the
wetlands on 9th, the bird was still present on Tŷ Pellaf pond on 10th.

Tufted Duck © Steven Stansfield

72 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

E I D E R Somateria mollissima Hwyaden Fwythblu

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 78 previous records

One flew north along the West Coast on 16 October, with three (one adult male, one immature male
and a female), along the West Coast on 26th.

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

¨ Red listed Fairly common to common passage migrant

The only record in the first half of the year was a female that flew south from the North End of the island
on 18 May.

There were nine records in July, four with double-figure counts, including 34 on 1st and 31 on 30th. August
produced seven records, four of which were in double figures including 22 on 26th. Birds were seen on
16 dates in September, of which seven were double-figure counts, including 20 on 15th and 27 on 21st.
October saw 14 records, 28 on 3rd, 17 on 8th and 22 on 19th were the only counts into double figures.

60 40
50Bird-day totals
40 Max. daily count per month30
30
20 20
10
10
0
J 0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 0 0 1 0 34 22 27 28 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 117 80 147 107 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 0 1 0 9 7 16 14 0 0

G O L D E N E Y E Bucephala clangula Hwyaden Lygad-aur

Rare – 31 previous records from 21 years, last in 2018
A female/immature was off the West Coast on 22 October (SDS).

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

Scarce
In October seven ‘red-heads’ were seen in Solfach on 14 October (SDS et al.).

N I G H T J A R Caprimulgus europaeus Troellwr Mawr

Rare, 25 previous records, last in 2006
One flew south at sea on 7 October, a most unusual seawatch record! (SDS, RL)

S W I F T Apus apus Gwennol Ddu

Common, occasionally abundant
The first of the year was one on 24 April; this was followed by three records in May of up to four birds..
June produced six records, half of which were in single figures with 18 on 13th and the month’s peak of
96 on 24th and 30 the following day. There were just four records in both July and August of one to six
birds, with the final record of the year being on 26th.

64: 64-137 73

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J F MAM J J A S OND
0 0000
Max. count 0 0 0 1 4 96 6 2 0000
Bird-days 0 0000
0 0 1 7 153 15 6
Days seen
00 1 3 6 4 4

Bird-day totals 140 120 Max. daily count per month
120 100
100 F MAM J J A S 80
60
80 40
60 20
40 0
20 OND

0
J

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

C U C K O O Cuculus canorus Cog

¨ Red listed Uncommon, occasional breeder

The first record of the year was a male in the Lowlands on 26 April. May produced just four records; one
bird was seen from 10th to 12th, with two (one male and one female) present on 16th. June saw singles
on 2nd and 19th. July produced 18 records, all but one in the first three weeks and all relating to two
island-hatched youngsters. Both were being fed by Meadow Pipits, one at Cristin and the other in the
Lowlands. There was a record of another juvenile, possibly a passage bird, on 29 June, a week after the
Bardsey birds disappeared.

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

Common
No genuine Rock Doves were recorded this year; all the birds seen were thought to be directionally
challenged ‘Racing Pigeons’. Largest numbers are normally seen at Bank Holidays in early May (May
Day), late May/early June (Spring Bank Holiday) and then August Bank Holiday. However, in 2020 due to
the Covid-19 national lockdowns, there were very few records in spring and especially the May bank
holiday. However, as soon as the lockdowns ended in July, pigeon fanciers let their prize pets free and
the number of records increased immediately, with a second wave of records around the late
August/early September period as normal.

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0001 1 20 2 8 2 0 0
0 0001 3 24 5 39 2 0 0
Days seen 0 0001 3 4 4 11 1 0 0

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

J 5

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

74 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

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

Common migrant and scarce breeding summer visitor
Eight birds were present on the island at the start of the season, numbers increased to 25 by 23rd but then fell
towards the month’s end. April saw up to 26 birds recorded daily, with numbers falling to 20 in May and just 17
in June. July’s peak, which included several youngsters was 24, however August saw a peak of just 17 before
the main autumn migration began.

There were daily records during September with a peak of 39 on 5th, numbers were generally fewer to the
month’s end with only one count over 30 (31 on 12th). There were records on 26 dates in October most were of
11 or fewer; however, there were peaks of 13 on two dates and 14 on 4th and 15th.

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

0 10
J
0

F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 25 26 20 17 24 17 39 14 0 0
0 0 165 383 356 328 301 232 468 234 0 0
Days seen 0 0 13 30 31 30 31 30 30 26 0 0

T U R T L E D O V E Streptopelia turtur Turtur

¨ Red listed Uncommon passage migrant, almost becoming scarce

The only record of the year was a single bird on 29 May that spent the day around Tŷ Pellaf (SDS, GR).

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

Fairly common to common migrant
The first of the year was one on 23 March. There were then a further four records of one or two to the
month’s end. April saw records on 11 days, nine were singles, there were two on two dates and three on
21st. From the 14 records in May, 11 were of one or two individuals with three on 8th, four on two dates
and the month’s peak of six on 23rd. There were just three records in June, two on 2nd, three on 14th
and one the following day. July saw singles on the 26th and 29th, with the only record in August coming
on 30th. Two were present on 12 September, with the last record of the year a single on 14th.

15 8 Max. daily count per month

Bird-day totals 6
10

4
5

2

0 0
J
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 002363112000
0 0 6 15 33 6 2 1 3 0 0 0
Days seen 0 0 5 11 14 3 2 1 2 0 0 0

64: 64-137 75

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

Uncommon but regular on passage, numbers can vary from scarce to fairly common
There was a slight increase in records this year with a total of 12 records, all single birds between 18
September and 26 October. Although better than 2019, this is still far fewer records than in recent years
and is tending towards the sort of numbers recorded pre-2008.

M O O R H E N Gallinula chloropus Iâr Ddŵr

Scarce/uncommon breeder, population falling, occasional passage migrant
There was a further decrease in the breeding population this year, with just six pairs present, the fewest
since 2012 and 13. A total of ten broods containing a minimum of 19 young was recorded, giving an
average brood size of 1.90 and an overall breeding productivity of 3.16 young per pair, the highest this
decade.

There were no signs of any immigration.

J F MAM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 0 8 5 7 4 5 7 5 7 00
Bird-days 0
0 50 72 105 65 85 71 66 68 0 0
Days seen
0 13 26 31 30 31 28 26 27 0 0

G R E A T C R E S T E D G R E B E Podiceps cristatus Gwyach Fawr Gopog

Rare. 21 previous records, last in 2020
One flew east through the Sound on 23 September (SDS), with another over the Narrows on 7 October
(STP).

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

¨ Amber listed Common breeder, passage migrant and winter visitor

As observer coverage improved in March the daily counts increased, with a peak of 137 on 21st. Up to
191 were counted in April, with eight counts into three figures. Numbers generally increased in May, with
11 counts over 100 and a peak of 142 on 3rd. Numbers in June fell, 100 on 10th the peak.

July saw numbers begin to increase slightly, with a peak of 174 on 9th. August’s peak was just 73 on 1st,
and September’s was two more at 75 on 19th. 57 on 19 October was the peak in that month.

Oystercatcher © Steven Stansfield

76 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

600 250
500Bird-day totals
400 Max. daily count per month200
300
200 150
100
100
0
J 50

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J F MAM J J A S ON D
0 0
Max. count 0 0 137 191 142 100 174 73 75 57 0 0
Bird-days 0 0
0 917 252 273 1952 181 101 897 713 0
Days seen 0 14 249 351 29 331 311 30 29 0

L A P W I N G Vanellus vanellus Cornchwiglen

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

There was a single present on 14 April, with another on 31 May.

Post-juvenile dispersal/migration began in mid-June when three were seen on 12th, one on 15th, two on
25th and three on 27th. Two were seen on 12 July. There were then none until a single was seen on 15
September, with three on 15 October. A very poor showing from this nationally declining plover.

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

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

There were no records in the early part of the year. The first was a single on the South End on 14 and 15
June.

One was seen on 23 July, with two on 24th. One was seen on 12 August, with two on 26th. September
saw seven records from 6th to 30th and, all records were of one to four birds. October produced just four
records; two being singles, two on 2nd and nine on 10th. Four were seen on 4 November.

J F MAM J J A S OND
Max. count 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 4 9 4 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 3 16 13 4 0
Days seen 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 7 4 1 0

G R E Y P L O V E R Pluvialis squatarola Cwtiad Llwyd

¨ Amber listed Scarce

In March a single was seen off the North End of the island on 29th. One was off the South End on 12 April,

with a single on 7 May in Solfach and three (two in Henllwyn and one Solfach) on 9th.

In September there were singles on 20th over Cristin, on 21st in Henllwyn and on 28th on the Narrows. The
only record in October was a singleton in Henllwyn on 23rd. One was heard calling over the West Coast
on 4 November.

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

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

The first record of the year was one on Solfach on 5 April, with further singles on 9th and 15th, with two

on 30th. May saw 14 records, 12 between 3rd and 14th,and two records on 20th and 21st; most records

were in single figures, though ten were seen on 6th and 12 on 14th. There were no records in June.

64: 64-137 77

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The first records in July were two on 27th. Numbers then increased to nine by the month’s end. August
saw records on 25 dates, with up to five in the first half of the month and then up to 18 (on 22nd) in the
latter half. September saw records on 22 dates; all but three counts were in single figures, with 44 on
4th,24 the following day and 13 on 17th. Several small dark birds thought to belong to the race C. h.
psammadroma were recorded through both spring and autumn.

100Bird-day totals 50
80 Max. daily count per month40
60 30
40 F MAM J J A S 20
20 10
0 0
J OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 0 2 12 0 9 18 44 5 0 0
0 0 0 5 72 0 18 107 177 7 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 4 14 0 5 25 22 3 0 0

W H I M B R E L Numenius phaeopus Coegylfinir

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

There were two records in late March ahead of spring passage; two were seen on 24th and one on 29th,
suggesting that these birds had spent the winter on the island. April began with one on 4th and two on
6th. Spring passage began on 9th, and there were then daily counts to the month’s end; up to nine were
seen to 15th, with regular double-figure counts the following week and a peak of 29 on 16th. The final
week of the month saw counts of 18 or more each day, with 30 on 25th, 31 on 29th and 43 on 24th. May

Whimbrel © Steven Stansfield

78 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

began with the month’s peak of 29 on 1st. There were then daily counts to 15th and on most dates into
double figures with 21 on 11th. From 12th numbers began to fall, with just two counts greater than ten to
the month’s end; 11 were counted on both 13th and 16th. June saw one to three birds on most dates,
with five the peak on 11th.

The first returning migrants were noted in early July, with up to 11 in the first week, and then up to 47 on
11th. Only single-figure counts were noted in the third week of the month, though numbers rose in the
last week, with three counts over ten, including 25 on 30th. There were records on all but two days in
August with peaks of 11 on 5th and ten on 24th. September saw 11 records, ten were singles with two on
23rd. October saw singles on seven dates to 23rd, with four on 16th.

50

Daily count of birds 40

30

20

10

0 F M AM J J A S O ND
J
J F MAM J J A S OND
Max. count 0
Bird-days 0 0 2 43 29 5 47 11 2 4 0 0
0
Days seen 0 3 333 271 51 197 152 12 11 0 0

0 2 24 30 22 26 29 11 8 0 0

C U R L E W Numenius arquata Gylfinir

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

By the time Observatory staff arrived on 18th numbers were in low single figures, with a peak of just seven
in March, with April’s peak of just eight and May producing 19 records and a peak of just three. There
were just two records in the first half of June, with almost daily records of up to five birds in the latter half.

Autumn passage continued into July and numbers increased to 20 on 12th. Numbers continued
increasing during the second half of the month with up to 35 by 23rd and 57 seen on 31st. August saw
peak counts increase further with daily double-figure counts regularly in excess of 50 and a peak of 61
on 5th. Numbers reached around 70 by mid-September, but a peak of 133 birds on the South End on
23rd was the years largest count. Numbers remained fairly stable in October, with around 60 to 70 birds
present and a peak of 72 on 23rd.

140

120

Daily count of birds 100

80

60

40

20

0

J FM AM J J A S O ND

64: 64-137 79

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

¨ Amber listed Fairly common migrant

The first of the year was one in Henllwyn on 16 April, with another on the Narrows from 29th to 22nd and
a third on 25th and 26th.

The first record in autumn was one on 3 August, September saw a single on 22nd to 25th, with another
on 29th and 30th. There were 15 records in October to 23rd, with up to two birds on the Narrows on most
dates.

B L A C K - T A I L E D G O D W I T Limosa limosa Rhostog Gynffonddu

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

The first record of the year was two on the South End on 11 September. There was then a flock of 12 birds
which flew over the Narrows on 22nd.

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

¨ Amber listed Common migrant and winter visitor, occasionally summers

March produced nine records, with a peak of 23 on 24th. Numbers in April were slightly lower with records
on 26 days and a peak of 21 on 10th. May saw records on 18 dates as numbers decreased with only
three double-figure counts in the month from 7th to 9th, when 11, 20 and 29 were recorded respectively.
June’s only records were a single bird on both 1st and 2nd.

There were only two singles in the first three weeks of July, but from 22nd autumn passage began with
almost daily counts of up to 27 by 26th. August saw daily counts with a peak in the first half of the month

Turnstone © George Dunbar

80 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

of 39 by 4th; numbers increased in the latter half of the month with regular counts of 50 or more and
peaks of 70 on 2rd and 77 on 20th. September began with regular counts over 30 and a peak for the first
half of the month of 85 on 15th. Numbers in the third week of the month were generally higher, with over
50 on most dates, and a peak of 86 on 17th. The final week of September saw numbers fall with no more
than 52 counted on 24th. October saw daily records, with a peak count of 78 on 2nd. Numbers then
varied, but remained around the 40-60 area in the first two weeks, the third week saw an increase with
74 and 73 counted on 16th and 17th respectively, with numbers remaining in the low 50s to mid 60s for
the rest of the month.

400 100
300Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month80
200
100 60

0 40
J
20

0

F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 23 21 29 1 27 77 86 78 0 0
0 0 110 132 115 2 84 740 1220 1431 0 0
Days seen 0 0 9 16 18 2 10 31 30 30 0 0

K N O T Calidris canutus Pibydd yr Aber

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

A single was seen on the South End on 10 May, this bird was wearing a leg flag and was originally ringed
in Dundrum, Co. Down, Northern Ireland in January 2020. A fine summer-plumaged adult was then seen
on Solfach on six dates from 12th to 19th .

August saw two records of singles on 21st and 31st. There was one in September on 26th, with one on 15
October, the final record of the year. Another poor showing.

R U F F Calidris pugnax Pibydd Torchog

¨ Red listed Scarce

A fine, fully ruffed male was on the South End on 27 June (STP).

A juvenile was in Henllwyn on 29 August (SDS), with another flying past the West Side on 4 September
(GD, SDS)

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 64 previous records

A single flew over the Narrows and South End on 15 September, with three along the West Coast on 17th
(SDS).

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

Scarce, 119 previous records
Two birds flew south with other waders over the South End on 15 September (SDS).

64: 64-137 81

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

¨ Amber listed Uncommon passage migrant

The first record of spring was three on Solfach on 8 May. There were a further seven records in the month,
four of which were singles, with two on 14th, 11 on 20th and 13 on 30th. There were six records in the first
11 days of June, with up to six birds on 2nd. July produced two on 18th, with seven records of one to six
birds between 12 and 26 August. One to three were seen on four dates in the first half of September, with
one on 15th the final record of the year.

Sanderlings and Ringed Plovers © Steven Stansfield

15Bird-day totals 14
Max. daily count per month12
10 10
F MAM J J A S 8
5 6
4
0 2
J 0
OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J F MAM J JA S ON D
0
Max. count 0 0 0 0 13 6 2 6 3 0 0 0
Bird-days 0
0 0 0 33 20 2 17 6 0 0 0
Days seen
00086174000

D U N L I N Calidris alpina Pibydd y Mawn

¨ Amber listed Fairly common to common passage migrant

April saw five records, the first was a single on 15th and the peak was five on 26th. May saw the peak
passage, numbers rose rapidly with four on 3rd, ten were seen the following day, then 22 on 5th and then

82 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

70 on 6th, but only 47 were present on the 7th. Numbers then fell over the next week, though there were
daily records to 4th. None was seen from 15th to 19th, with nine on 20th, two the next day and the final
record of the month being two on 30th. The only records in June were one on 3rd and four on 4th.

Autumn passage began on 11 July; there was a total 14 records during the month; most were of one or
two birds though five were seen on 21st and 22nd, with six on 23rd. August saw 24 records in the month;
in the first two weeks one to three birds were seen on eight dates, with nine present on 9th. From 14th
there were daily records to the month’s end, most were of up six birds, with eight on 25th and the peak
of 11 on 22nd. There were nine records in the first two weeks of September of one to four birds, and then
from 16th there were daily records to the month’s end with a peal of 17 on 20th. October saw two on
1st, one on 6th and then singles on 16th, 19th and 20th, with two present on 17th.

200 80
Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month
150 60

100 40

50 20

0 F MA 0
J M J J A S OND
FM
00 Five day periods
00
00 Bird-days Max count

J AM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 5 70 4 6 11 17 2 0 0
Bird-days 0
12 237 5 36 89 134 8 0 0
Days seen
5 15 2 14 24 25 6 0 0

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

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

March saw just two records; three were logged on 20th, and then 15 on 24th. There were six records in
April, four were singles, with 25 on 11th and 11 on 24th. There were just two records in May; 32 were seen
on 6th and then 25 on 8th.

The first returning birds in autumn were in late July with three records of up to three birds from 23rd. There
were 11 records in August of up to seven birds in the first week of the month. None were seen from 8th
to 20th, and then there were five records to the month’s end including 12 on both 21st and 26th and the
peak of 13 on 20th. September produced six records of one to six individuals and then nine on 15th. The
only records in October were on six dates from 16th, most were singles, with six on 20th and nine on 29th
the peak.

Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 15 25 32 0 3 13 9 9 0 0
0 0 18 40 57 0 7 69 32 20 0 0
Days seen 0 02620 3 11 7 6 0 0

W O O D C O C K Scolopax rusticola Cyffylog

¨ Red listed Uncommon to fairly common migrant

A single was seen in the lowlands on 24 March, with a freshly dropped feather being found on 29th on
the West Coast. Two were seen on the West Coast on 31st, with a single in the Lowlands on 2 April.

The only records of autumn were singles at Nant on 22 and 23 October.

64: 64-137 83

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

Uncommon passage migrant and rare over-winterer, probably overlooked
There was a single on 21 March, with four the following day. Two were seen on 24th and were followed
by singles on 25th and 26th.

One on the South End on 19 September was the first record of autumn, followed in October by singles
on 1st, 6th, 14th, 25th and 29th.

S N I P E Gallinago gallinago Gïach Gyffredin

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

March saw a total of nine records, 15 were counted on 20th, with nine the following day. On 22nd there
were 28 in the Wetlands; however, numbers fell thereafter with only one further double -figure count (ten
on 26th) from the next six records to the month’s end. There were 11 records in April, most were of one
to three birds, with four on 2nd and six on 6th, with the final record of spring on 27th.

The first return passage birds were seen in August, with two on 7th, and then another on 19th, one on
24th and two on 31st. September saw three records in the first half of the month, and then daily counts
up to eight birds from 17th to 23rd, with a further three records of one or two in the last five days of the
month. Of the 23 records in October most were one to eight birds, with five double-figure counts
including 15 on 12th and 16, the peak, on 23rd.

J F MAM J JA S ON D
0 0
Max. count 0 0 28 6 0 0 0 2 8 16 0 0
Bird-days 0 0
0 86 23 0 0 0 6 26 124 0
Days seen F D
0 9 11 0 0 0 4 13 23 0
30
Daily count of birds
25
M AM J J A S O N
20

15

10

5

0
J

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

Scarce, 60 previous records of 8 individuals – none in 2016 and 2019
After a blank year in 2019 there were three records of six individuals. In August three flew south along the
West Side of the island on 22nd, two flew south on 5 September, with the last of the year doing the same
on 10 October (SDS, GD).

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

¨ Amber listed Common passage migrant

Spring passage began on 16 April when one was seen on the Narrows. This was followed in 24th by a
further four. May produced just four records, three on 7th, with singles on 8th, 10th and 19th, the last of
spring.

Return passage began in late June with four on 30th. July saw records on 21 dates from 7th; most were
of one to six birds though there were four counts of seven or more with a peak of ten on 21st. There were

84 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

13 records in August; most were of one or two individuals with four on 24th. There were three singles in
September, on 1st, 8th and the final record of the year on 10th.

12

10

Daily count of birds 8

6

4

2

0

J FM AM J J A S O ND

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 0 4 3 4 10 4 1 0 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 5 6 4 84 22 3 0 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 2 4 1 21 13 3 0 0 0

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

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

The only record of the year was a single which flew south over the island on 17 August.

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

¨ Amber listed Fairly common migrant and winter visitor

Most of the over-wintering birds had departed by the time staff returned to the island in mid-March.
March’s peak count was 12 on 19th, the only count into double figures. There were only ten records in
April and numbers were greatest in the first week with nine on 4th, thereafter numbers fell sharply leaving
just singles as records became sporadic. There were no records in May.

The first returning birds in autumn were two singles in June; one on 15th and another on 22nd. There were
22 records in July of which three were in double figures with a peak of 11 on both 26th and 30th. Numbers
in August reached 14 by 4th, but numbers then fell during the second week and were generally low,
though 18 were counted on 14th. During the latter half of the month there were six double-figure counts
up to 13. The first week in September saw only single-figure counts; however, on 8th 57 were counted on
Carreg Yr Honwy. For the rest of the month there were just low single-figure counts. October saw 27
records, with seven double-figure counts with the month’s peak of 23 on 17th.

80 60 Max. daily count per month
60
40 50
20
Bird-day totals 40
0
J 30

20

10

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

64: 64-137 85

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J F MAM J J A S ON D
0 1 11 18 57 23 0 0
Max. count 0 0 12 9 0 2 100 240 205 234 0 0
Bird-days 0 2 22 30 27 27 0 0
0 47 28 0
Days seen
0 10 10 0

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

Scarce to uncommon on passage
One was seen around the Narrows on 16 April.

July saw a single on 21st. There were two singles in August on 14th and 28th and another in September,
on 11th.

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

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

When staff returned to the island on 18 March there were seven records to the month’s end, with a peak
of 70 on 18th. April saw generally low numbers, with just 12 records, all except 150 on 7th and 200 on 15th
were just double-figure counts. There were 15 records in May, with five three-figure counts including 350
on 3rd and 450 on 15th. Even though there were 143 pairs which fledged 119 young on the East Side,
there were just four records in June, this was mainly due to poor weather stopping staff visiting the
colonies.

The build-up in late summer of failed or non-breeders began in late July and early August, with up to 318
off the South End on the last day of July. Numbers increased in early August with up to 1211 on 5th, but
numbers fell swiftly to 41 by 9th, and then none were seen from 9th to 16th when numbers began to rise
once more. From 18th to 21st there were two counts in four figures; 1000 were present on the East Side
on 18th and 1162 were seen on 20th. On 22nd 3252 were seen, with 2067 on 24th and then 2824 on 26th.
These records were intermixed with counts ranging from just four to 612. There were 25 records in
September, most were under 100; however, when the wind was strong there were some notable
movements; there were six three-figure counts up to 884 on 26th, with a further four counts over 1000:
1529 were seen on 4th, with 2218 the following day, then 1874 on 25th and an estimated 5000 off the
South End of the island on 30th. There were 16 records in October, most of which were three-figure
counts, though five were over 1000; 2000 were off the South End on 5th, with 1500 the next day. The 8th
saw 1068 off the East Side, with 2420 from the North End on 23rd, and then 10,822 counted passing the
island on 26th.

12000 12000
Bird-day totals10000
Max. daily count per month10000
8000
6000 8000
4000
2000 6000

0 4000

2000

J 0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

JF M A M J J A S O ND

Max. count 0 0 70 200 450 220 318 3252 5000 10,822 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 127 655 1696 445 1513 16,194 13,751 19,612 0 0

Days seen 0 0 7 12 15 4 25 24 25 15 0 0

86 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

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

Scarce in autumn, 122 previous records of 184 individuals, one vagrant in spring

In August a first-summer bird was photographed off the South End with the Kittiwake flock on 3rd (DO).
The bird was later relocated 22½ miles away to the north-east a few days later between Criccieth and
Pwllheli. In September an adult was seen off the North End of the island on 30th (SDS), and a juvenile was
then seen on 6 October off the West Side (SDS).

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

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

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

From July records began to increase in number, though the only double-figure count during the month
was 28 on 31st. Early August saw daily records of up to 43 birds in the first nine dates. There were then
three further records from 10th to 23rd. From 24th there six records or up to 46 to the month’s end.
September produced just 15 records and, with the exception of 39 on 20th, all records were of 12 or
fewer. October saw the strongest passage of the year; there were 22 records, eight were in three
figures, and the peak counts were 1144 on 23rd and 5034 on 26th.

J FM AM J J A S O N D
0 04
Max. count 0 04 1 2 1 28 46 39 5034 0 0
Bird-days 0 01
1 8 1 64 304 113 8529 0 0
Days seen F MA
1 4 1 16 18 15 22 00

6000 6000
Bird-day totals5000
Max. daily count per month40005000
3000
2000 4000
1000
3000
0
2000

1000

0

J M J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

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

Scarce, becoming uncommon in recent years, but rare in spring
There were just two records this year: two, an adult and a second-winter, were seen off the South End on
20 September (SDS), with a juvenile off the West Coast on 10 October (DA et al.).

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

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

In March one was seen on 29th. May produced a single on 1st.

One on 30 July was the beginning of autumn passage. August produced records on eight dates, most
were of one to three birds, with 12 counted on 7th and ten on 24th. September saw nine records of one
to five birds scattered through the month, with near-daily records in October. Of the 23 records 14 were
into double figures, with 43 on 2nd, 42 on 22nd, 71 the following day and 54 on 26th the peak counts.

64: 64-137 87

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Mediterranean Gull © Steven Stansfield 80
150
Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month
60
100

40
50

20

0 0
J
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J FMAM J J A S OND
0 01010
Max. count 0 01010 1 12 5 71 0 0
Bird-days 0 01010
1 34 27 391 0 0
Days seen
1 8 9 23 0 0

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

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

March saw six on 24th and then singles on 28th and 29th. Three were off the West Coast on 10 April.

Two juvenile birds off the South End on 30 July were the first of autumn, and were followed by August’s
only record, a single on 3rd. Two to five birds were recorded on five dates from 14 to 20 September, and
then October produced records on 14 dates in the month. Most counts were in single figures, with 11 on
14th, 21 on 19th and 18 the following day being the peaks.

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 6 3 0 0 2 1 5 21 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 8 3 0 0 2 1 16 87 0 0
Days seen 0 0 3 1 0 0 1 1 5 14 0 0

88 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

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

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

There were few movements of note during the first half of the year, with April having a peak of 12. And
May 14. However, in mid-July a large number of large gulls began to accumulate on the southern part
of the island and numbers rose from the regular counts in single figures to produce daily double-figure
counts, to the month’s end including 52 on 25th and 59 the following day. August and September saw
peaks of 54 and 23 respectively. October saw 26 records, all but two were in single figures, with 15 on 7th
and ten on 11th.

J F MAM J JA S ON D
0 0
Max. count 0 0 9 12 14 10 59 54 23 15 0 0
Bird-days 0 0
0 31 84 134 88 417 324 259 137 0
Days seen
0 10 29 31 28 31 29 30 26 0

70

60

Daily count of birds 50

40

30

20

10

0

J FM AM J J A S O ND

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

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

There was little movement of any note in the first part of the year. The peak count in May of 1400 on 14th
was 400 birds ashore on the East Side of the island and an estimated 1000 that were feeding in several
large flocks about 1 mile to the east of the island.

July saw a build-up of non-breeding birds on and around the South End of the island, with regular counts
of 300-570, and peaks of 605 on 24th and 712 on 26th. These numbers continued into early August, with
726 on 1st and 642 on 3rd the peaks. From 12th numbers fell dramatically, with just two birds seen and
then, with the exception of 235 on 24th, there were no other counts over 82. There were daily counts in
September, all but 429 on 14th and 357 the following day, were in double figures. There were 27 records
in October, five of which were into three figures, with 431 on 5th the peak.

3000 1500 Max. daily count per month
2500
Bird-day totals 2000 1000
1500
1000 500

500 0
0 F MAM J J A S OND

J

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J FMAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 357 420 1400 600 712 726 429 431 0 0
0 0 1519 4669 6186 5154 7178 4511 1341 1754 0 0
Days seen 0 0 13 30 31 30 31 31 30 27 0 0

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

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

With just nine previous records, the last in September and October 2017, this year’s invasion was

somewhat unprecedented.

There were daily records of juvenile birds mixed with the flock of large gulls at the South End of the island
from 28 July to 7 August. Close inspection of photographs showed that there were a minimum of 18
different birds were involved. Two were seen on 28th, with two new birds the following day. A minimum
of nine were seen on 30th, with three on 31st. The same three youngsters were present on 1 and 2 August,
with five on 3rd, four on 4th, two on 5th and then singles on 6th and 7th. (DO et al.).

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

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

Birds had already returned to the colonies on the East Side of the island by the time staff arrived. Numbers
increased through March and April and by early May up to 320 were present on the East Side. Up to 250
were seen in June, and numbers then fell in July.

Post-breeding season counts began to fall, with July’s counts usually under 50, though 93 were seen on
25th. Numbers in August were generally low, though 82 and 84 were counted on 1st and 24th
respectively. Records in September were again generally low in number, with the exception of 59 on
15th and 16 the next day, the peak count was six. There were 19 records in October, most of which were
of single figures, however there were four double-figure counts up to 25 on 1st; most of these birds were
heading south along the western side of the island en route to their wintering grounds in North Africa.

500Bird-day totals 350
400 Max. daily count per month300
300 250
200 F MAM J J A S 200
100 150
100
0 50
J 0
OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

Max. count J FMAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0 43 150 320 250 93 84 59 25 0 0
0 0 279 844 1122 1455 869 637 136 153 0 0
Days seen 0 0 13 23 31 30 31 27 22 19 0 0

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

¨ Amber listed Fairly common to common summer migrant

The first of the year was a single on 18 April, another two were seen on 30th and the only record in May
was one on 17th, with June producing just two birds on 13th.

July saw the first returning birds month, with three on 11th, and then three records up to five birds to 21st.
There were 15 records in August, most were of 33 or fewer and regularly in single figures. However 252
were seen passing the island on 26th. September saw fewer records, with birds seen on 11 dates, most
of which were of 28 or fewer, but 158 were counted on 4th and the year’s peak count of 356 was
recorded on 5th. There was just a single recorded in October on 10th.

90 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

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J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 0 2 1 2 5 252 356 1 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 3 1 2 13 410 599 1 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 2 1 1 4 15 11 1 0 0

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce migrant

Three flew south along the West Coast on 22 August (SDS) with another on 26th (GD).

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

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

An adult flew south on 22 August during a day of strong tern passage (SDS). The following day another
adult passed the island. On 26th, two adults and two juveniles flew south, with another adult on 27th
(GD). In September two (an adult and a juvenile) flew south past the North Hide on 4th (GD), with another
adult the following day along the West Coast (GD).

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce to uncommon migrant

The first of the year was one on 24 June. August saw six records, three were in single figures, 16 were seen
on 23rd, with 48 on 26th and 26 the following day. A better showing than last year but still poor.

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce to uncommon migrant

Two were seen off the North End of the island on 30 April.

August produced 11 records; six were in single figures, there were two double-figure counts, and then

468 on 22nd,366 the following day and 1298 that passed the island between 0645hrs and 1200hrs on

26th. There were just three records in September, two on 3rd. 44 on 4th and 48 the next day. A single on

10 October was the final record of the year.

J F MAM J J A S ON D

Max. count 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1298 48 1 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2269 94 1 0 0

Days seen 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 11 3 1 0 0

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

Terns seen too distantly or too briefly to be identified to species were recorded on 20 and 24 August (13).

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

Scarce migrant, usually in autumn
The first record of the year was three birds which flew south along the West Coast on 23 August (SDS,
GD), with five doing the same on 26th.

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

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

The first record of the year was two off the West Coast on 28 July. There were five records in August;
singles were seen on two dates, three were seen on 21st and 23rd, with four on 26th. September
produced 15 records; most were of one to four birds, with seven on 5th, nine on 12th and 11 on 25th. Of
the eight records in October, seven were of one to three birds, with 11 on 10th the peak.

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

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

There was one record in August of two birds on 26th. Two were seen on 5 September, with another two
on 9th and a single on 12th. There were then singles on 10 and 26 October.

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

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

There were none in spring.

There were three on 28 July, with another on 31st. August saw six records; four being singles, with three
on 23rd and ten on 26th. There were ten records in September; four were singles, there were three records
of two, four on 11th, six on 25th and eight on 5th. October saw four records; two were seen on 1st and
then singles on 5th, 6th and 10th.

12 12
10Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month10
8
6 8
4
2 6
0
4
J
2

0
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J F MAM J J A S OND
Max. count 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 10 8 2 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 17 28 5 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 10 4 0 0

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

Scarce, 64 previous records of 105 individuals, 96 individuals since 1996
A single juvenile was seen heading south on 22 August (SDS), with two juveniles on 23rd (SDS, GD). On
26th another juvenile was seen (SDS, GD). September saw just one record, an adult/3rdCY bird flew west
through the Sound on 11th (SDS).

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

A skua seen too distantly to be positively identified on 30 July was probably an Arctic.

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

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

From late March to early July birds were recorded frequently as numbers rose to a summertime peak of
1250. This is an artificially low peak as this would probably be only a proportion of the birds ashore logged
on any given date. The number of breeding adults for the whole of the East Side was 1232 when all the
colonies were totalled up, but these were never all counted on a single day.

There were no movements of note in the latter half of the year.

92 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.