Bardsey's Wildlife 2019

MIGRATION DIARY

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PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

MARCH were seen heading in off the sea on the West
Coast. A brief seawatch in the evening saw six
SPECIES RECORDED 89 Manx Shearwaters. The strong southerly wind
switched to a light northerly overnight and
BIRDS RINGED 92 of 4 species migrants arrived on the island, mainly Chiffchaffs.
The day’s total was estimated at 60 birds with the
YEAR LIST 90 majority in the Plantation and in the garden at
Cristin where the nets were opened for the first
The season started with the return of the time and some were caught, most of which were
Observatory staff on 18 March. Counts from a wearing pollen horns from their feeding on the
short walk around the South End and the Narrows continent. In addition to this there was a host of
included 67 Oystercatchers, five Shags, four other migrants including the first Black Redstart of
Cormorants, a single female Merlin, a Curlew, the year, a female seen at Nant, a Greylag
seven Redshanks, 35 Turnstones, 65 Herring Gulls, Goose which flew east over the Narrows,
12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Stonechats, Wheatears numbered 15, Meadow Pipits were
two Rock Pipits and a pair of Choughs. On 19th seen coming in off the sea with 147 counted
the weather was mild with some sunshine throughout the day, the first Sand Martins were
breaking through the clouds and a morning’s seen (four over Pwll Cain), two Whimbrels were on
walk resulted in a different assortment of birds. The the Narrows, Stonechats had increased to eight,
first two Wheatears of the year were seen on the 11 Goldcrests were spread across the island as
rocks at the South End and a Short-eared Owl was well as 11 Chaffinches, a Blackcap, three
flushed from the gorse. On the Narrows waders Goldfinches, five Starlings, a Song Thrush, a Grey
and gulls included 26 Redshanks, 34 Turnstones, Heron, a Hooded Crow with the Carrion Crows, a
35 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and 339 Herring Red-throated Diver offshore, seven Teals still, 15
Gulls. Elsewhere there was a Sparrowhawk, three Pied Wagtails and three Robins. The 24th
Woodpigeons, 37 Meadow Pipits, eight Rock produced a real island rarity in the form of a male
Pipits, seven Pied Wagtails, two Stonechats, 17 Gadwall seen in Henllwyn; this is only the 16th
Choughs and a small flurry of Chiffchaffs with island record. A single Black Redstart was on the
eight birds present. The following day was foggy West Coast, 12 Ravens were seen over the
giving a spooky feel on the island. Birds did Mountain, a Skylark was in the lowlands and a
appear through the fog including two singing ringing session at Cristin yielded 25 birds.
Chaffinches. The day’s highlight, however, was a
flock of six Teals on Pwll Cain. Birds of prey made The 25th produced the first House Martin of the
more appearances; the female Merlin was still year, but on 26th the island was blessed with a
whizzing around as well as the first Buzzard of the splash of colour when a Kingfisher was seen flying
year and a Peregrine. There were 111 across Solfach heading north, the 23rd record for
Oystercatchers loafing in the Narrows, two of the the island. The light southerly wind and calm nice
resident Dunnocks were seen along with three days were encouraging the odd thing to come
Robins, not such a common bird on the island north, and the first Swallow of the year was seen
anymore, after their collapse due to some harsh on the same day. The following day a White
winters in recent years. The first two Jackdaws of Wagtail was on the Narrows and flocks of
the year and a single Starling, were highlights on Meadow Pipits were seen regularly with over 150
20th. After dark the first Manx Shearwater was birds being counted. A Willow Warbler was heard
heard, as well as some Redwings heading north. singing on 28th along with the season’s first
The 21st was a quiet, overcast day that produced Kestrel, with three Sand Martins seen feeding over
the first Golden Plovers of the year, with two the small pools in the wetlands, where two Teals
heard off the West Coast, the Purple Sandpipers remained. On 29th a female Black Redstart was
totalled 45 birds. A 30mph southerly wind on 22nd still present, along with nine Wheatears, a Bar-
brought with it a few additions to the island; the tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel, but the real
Wheatear count was now up to six, mostly around highlight was the increase in Phylloscopus
the South End, and three Black-tailed Godwits warblers, there were 20 each of Chiffchaffs and
Willow Warblers giving a real feel of spring to
come. The start of some finch migration was

44 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

evident the following day with 11 Siskins, 15 heard in the evening of 7th giving some
Goldfinches, and 11 Linnets as well as Willow indication of breeding numbers for this year. Also
Warbler numbers increasing to 36. Two Canada on 7th, Meadow Pipits had increased to 87 and
Geese were on Pwll Cain and the second there was a single Redwing heading north.
Kingfisher of the year was on Solfach.
The downpour and easterly winds the next day
APRIL dropped some migrants onto the island. A
conservative estimate of 70 Willow Warblers and
SPECIES RECORDED 110 40 Chiffchaffs were seen along the rocky
coastline and in the shrubby areas. In the early
BIRDS RINGED 290 of 15 species morning the first Grasshopper Warbler of the year
was heard ‘reeling’ from a small patch of gorse,
YEAR LIST 121 Sand Martins totalled 18 birds as well as a single
House Martin, and three Barn Swallows in with
Early April had some ever-changing weather; 2nd them. Elsewhere around the island a Ringed
started with a thick fog and finished with bright Plover, a Siskin, two White Wagtails, 12 Wheatears
sunshine with a cool southerly breeze throughout. and a Kestrel were noted. Some calm weather on
Numbers of migrants were small, with 15 each of 9th was welcomed and produced some new
Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers around the birds for the year. Two male Ring Ouzels were
Plantation along with four Blackcaps. Stonechats found on the Mountain and a Red-breasted
had started to build up too, with six in the North Merganser was seen along the West Coast. Other
West Fields. The weather deteriorated over the counts included 22 Wheatears scattered through
next few days and 4th saw strong westerly winds the fields, 20 each of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff
and driving rain keeping singing and calling birds and Blackcap in the gardens, a Robin was at
to a minimum. 17 Choughs was a small increase Cristin and a returning Swallow was caught that
and the following day brought a few more was ringed as a chick on Bardsey in 2017! After a
waders, including 122 Oystercatchers, two Purple spell of not so nice weather, the 10th was glorious;
Sandpipers, a Whimbrel, two Curlews, 19 beautiful blue skies, sunshine, and a cool northerly
Redshanks and 16 Turnstones, with the lingering wind. Swallows increased to nine birds and a
female Merlin still at the South End. Little Owls are male Sparrowhawk came out of the Withies. For
resident on the island still and four individuals were the first time this year, the nets were opened for a
prolonged period at Cristin and 35 birds were
Ring Ouzel © Lewis Hooper caught consisting mostly of Chiffchaffs, Willow
Warblers, and Blackcaps. A Grey Heron arrived

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PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

on the island on 11th and a Starling on 12th was for the year, two Ringed Plovers, 60 Purple
seen on the Narrows. The 12th also produced 12 Sandpipers, 14 Turnstones, two Curlews and seven
Chaffinches and a single Redpoll around the Whimbrels. Two Jack Snipe were flushed from the
Plantation along with two Buzzards circling Wetlands along with 16 Common Snipe. The wind
above. The wind picked up the next day with a calmed again to 7mph the following day and the
blustering 30mph south-easterly making things first two Whitethroats of the year were heard and
difficult. Singles of Collared Dove and Song Thrush seen around Cristin. The first guided walk of the
were notable sightings and more Manx year produced three Rooks and good numbers of
Shearwaters were becoming evident, with 185 hirundines, including 38 Swallows, 11 Sand
heading south. There was a general increase in Martins, and 13 House Martins. More new birds for
numbers on 14th; Linnets were up to 72, White the year list were also discovered in the evening
Wagtails up to seven, Whimbrels up to three, with a female Pied Flycatcher at Tŷ Bach and the
Curlews up to eight, Purple Sandpipers up to 35 first four Dunlins in Solfach. Other birds included 48
and Wheatears up to 17. Additionally, two Teals Wheatears, 17 Shags, 13 Shelducks, a
were seen on in the wetlands, a Jackdaw was in Sparrowhawk, two Buzzards, a Merlin, two
the Northwest Fields, three Sandwich Terns were Peregrines, 12 Whimbrels, two Little Owls, a single
seen off the West Coast and a single Redwing Ring Ouzel and one Redwing. The 18th produced
was on the Narrows. the first arrival of the year with a greater number
of common migrants. Willow Warblers numbered
The wind strengthened on 15th with 40mph gusts at least 140; Blackcaps were also abundant with
from the south-east, though it was relatively clear 44 individuals seen, mostly in the Plantation and
and sunny for most of the day. The day did around Cristin. Swallows trickled through the
produce a new migrant to add to the year list, a island with 67 counted, along with 27 Sand
male Redstart seen on the Mountain just above Martins and seven House Martins. Meadow Pipits
Cristin. The wind eventually did settle down on numbered 128 with Pied Wagtails and Wheatears
16th and some rain in the early morning numbering at least 41 and 71, respectively. Other
produced some migrants with 64 Willow Warblers counts included an increase in Linnets to 108, two
counted by the end of the day, together with 12 Ring Ouzels, a Song Thrush, six Goldcrests, 18
Chiffchaffs and 17 Blackcaps. Meadow Pipit Goldfinches, a Common Whitethroat, and three
numbers increased with 96 counted, Swallows hit Grasshopper Warblers. The highlights of the day,
23, Wheatears numbered 27 and a stunning male however, were the first Sedge Warbler of the year
Ring Ouzel was seen at Nant. In addition to this, that quickly turned into the first five by evening,
the Narrows produced a single Greenshank and and a good spring record of a Great Tit in the
two Common Sandpipers which were both new garden at Cristin. The nets at Cristin were opened

White Wagtail © Steven Stansfield

46 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

on 19th and a few new birds were caught, Yellow Wagtail © Lewis Hooper
including the first ringed Sedge Warbler of the
year, the male Great Tit, Lesser Redpolls, and a were split into two teams and headed off
female Pied Flycatcher. Two birds, in particular, separate ways, both trying to see more species
drew some interest, one of which was a Goldfinch than the other team. There was a constant
bearing a bright red ring with only four numbers tension in the air with neither team wanting to
on it, presumably of captive origin, and the give away how many species they had seen… As
second being a Chiffchaff bearing a Portuguese the day came to an end the winning team
ring. Other new birds for the year list included a triumphed with 64 species, three more species
Tree Pipit heard over the farm and a Reed than the opposing team. Some good species for
Warbler heard briefly in Green Lane. Away from the island were encountered, with the main draw
this the second Short-eared Owl of the year was being a Marsh Harrier that toured very briefly
chased off by the gulls, and the second Hooded before heading south off the island. An Arctic
Crow of the year came in off the sea with two Skua was seen by one team as it headed
Ravens. Other counts included 120 Willow between Bardsey and the mainland, Whimbrels
Warblers, a Kestrel, a Merlin, a Golden Plover, two numbered almost 40, there was a single Kestrel,
Common Sandpipers, a Redstart, six Sedge Buzzard, and Sparrowhawk along with two Great
Warblers and two Rooks. On 20th the first and only Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and three Tree
Reed Bunting of the spring was seen in the Green Pipits. The next day started with some terrible
Lane. The following day was a real scorcher with weather, constant rain until midday and a 30mph
temperatures pushing 20oC. The day produced SSW wind but some migrants appeared to have
the arrival of a group university students on an been grounded. The first bird heard singing on the
organized trip to the Observatory. Finch numbers approach to Nant was a Wood Warbler, the first
increased again and included the first of the year, with another in the withies later in the
Greenfinch of the year as well as 14 Goldfinches, day. A morning seawatching produced singles of
43 Linnets, ten Siskins, seven Chaffinches and 26 Great and Arctic Skua, both good birds here on
Lesser Redpolls. Other counts included three spring passage, a Red-throated Diver plus five
‘reeling’ Grasshopper Warblers, two Whitethroats, Common Scoters which made their way down
four Rooks, a Tree Pipit, 31 Sand Martins, a Short- the West Coast. Elsewhere on the island
eared Owl, a single Sandwich Tern feeding along Whimbrels had increased to 50, the Great
the West Coast and two Kestrels. The most
notable changes were an increase in Whimbrels 47
to 32, as well as the first two Yellow Wagtails of the
year on the Narrows.

22nd held another good wildfowl record for the
year, with two Gadwalls, the second encounter
of the year and the 17th record for the island.
Singles of Lapwing and Skylark, both on the South
End were new for the year. White Wagtails were
up to seven as well as a Kestrel, two Peregrines,
two Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks, and a Merlin.
The 23rd saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker. In
addition to this, there were now two Great Tits
and the first Lesser Whitethroat of the year was
heard singing near the Chapel. Five Canada
Geese were seen along with the two Gadwalls,
24 Whimbrels, two Common Sandpipers, four
Sandwich Terns, 26 Wheatears, seven Sedge
Warblers, eight Chiffchaffs, 29 Willow Warblers
and 37 Lesser Redpolls. A two-hour seawatch
produced over 1000 Manx Shearwaters and the
first Arctic Skua of the year. On 24th a bird race
was held, the students and the Observatory staff

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PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

Sedge Warbler © Lewis Hooper

Spotted Woodpecker was still at Cristin, Few birds were seen elsewhere because of the
Blackcaps numbered 23, Willow Warblers 31 and conditions, but 48 Whimbrels and a single Golden
the Great Tit was still present. Storm Hannah hit Plover were on the Narrows and the Great
the island on 26th bringing strong winds from the Spotted Woodpecker was still present. The
south. Strong winds at this time of year normally following day the weather had calmed down,
result in good sea passage, and this is certainly and a fine summer-plumaged Black Guillemot
what happened: throughout the day, three was off the North End; this was the first record of
Pomarine Skuas were seen heading up the West the year. The fields held a total of 55 Whimbrels
Coast, one with full spoons – this equals the whilst a single Yellow Wagtail was on Solfach. The
highest spring total of this species. Also, four Arctic 29th brought a Cuckoo singing at Cristin in the
Skuas passed harassing Kittiwakes. Again, this early morning which then spent the rest of the
beats the previous spring record count of three. A day at Nant. Also, the first Garden Warbler of the
Great Northern Diver was also seen. The bulk of year was singing at Cristin. There were 13
movement was made up by 6409 Manx Blackcaps recorded around the island and
Shearwaters, 112 Gannets, 71 Fulmars, and six Phylloscopus warblers had increased in number
Common Scoter. On land an Osprey was seen compared to recent days, the best being
briefly as it was chased off by the gulls heading another Wood Warbler at Nant amongst the
north, a Black-tailed Godwit was feeding on the eight Chiffchaffs and 37 Willow Warblers. Other
short grass and the Great Spotted Woodpecker warblers totalled two Whitethroats, three Sedge
and Great Tit was still at Cristin. The strongest Warblers and one Grasshopper Warbler. There
winds were produced the following day when were five Tree Pipits seen and also one Robin, nine
speeds upwards of 80mph were recorded at White Wagtails, another Yellow Wagtail, 13
Aberdaron along with some rain in the morning. Swallows, 37 Whimbrels and two Dunlins around
The day produced yet more exceptional spring the island. The last day of the month produced
Skua passage, and nine hours of seawatching two Bar-tailed Godwits, an exceptionally nice-
produced two Great Skuas, seven Arctic Skuas, looking bird in full summer plumage and
four Pomarine Skuas and two un-identified Skuas contrastingly one (a first-summer bird) still in full
being seen. The first Storm Petrel of the year was winter plumage; this latter bird was bearing
seen from the North Hide; both counts of Arctic colour rings, showing it had in fact been ringed in
and Great Skuas were new spring record totals for Norway back in 2018. The bird was then seen
the island. In addition to this larger numbers of across the Irish sea a few days later at Lady’s
other seabirds that were moving consisted of Island Lake in Co. Wicklow (see page 220).f
7124 Manx Shearwaters, 488 Kittiwakes, 554 auks
and these were joined by three ‘Commic’ Terns. REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

48

MIGRATION DIARY

MAY just 23 and Chiffchaffs down to only nine. The 3rd
started grey again with low cloud but this soon
SPECIES RECORDED 100 cleared to leave blue skies for the rest of the day.
Two Hooded Crows and a single Grey Heron were
BIRDS RINGED 384 of 24 species seen, but the focus slightly changed to the
breeding birds on the island; the gulls were sitting
YEAR LIST 136 on eggs, as were some Razorbills, and the
Chough nests were being established with
May began with a good start on 1st when 17 around eight pairs being seen regularly. A cool
Sedge Warblers, 24 Whitethroats, and 39 northerly breeze kept the temperature down over
Blackcaps were seen. The largest Phylloscopus the next few days and slowed common migrants.
warbler arrival of the spring was had with Willow A pair of Bullfinches were seen at Nant on 4th,
Warblers and Chiffchaffs numbering 163 and 47 and on 5th a singing Firecrest was a nice start to
respectively. The first two Spotted Flycatchers of the day at Cristin though it proved elusive. Later,
the spring were around too, and the Wetlands the first Swift of the year was seen heading north
produced a Lesser Whitethroat and Garden over the Lowlands. Also heading north was a
Warbler as well as the first Whinchat of the year. mixed corvid flock made up of four Carrion
The undoubted highlight was found in Solfach Crows, three Jackdaws and a single Hooded
and then re-found on Pwll Cain; a male Shoveler, Crow. A nice part of spring is when the first Mallard
only the 30th record for the island. Throughout the chicks appear; seven were seen close behind
day, Swallows and Martins moved overhead, not their mother on Pwll Cain and two juvenile
always easy to count but conservative tallies Stonechats were being fed by their parents near
came to 579 Swallows, 22 Sand Martins, and 54 the farm. Other records from 5th included singles
House Martins. Finally, at end the day, the nets at of Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Bar-tailed Godwit.
Cristin were opened and 30 birds were caught, Seven Dunlins and three Ringed Plovers were on
mainly made up of Phylloscopus warblers, with a the Narrows while 200 Swallows moved South
Crossbill seen flying over the Observatory heading overhead. Solfach seemed to hold all of the
south. The 2nd produced three Red Kites circling action the following day with 23 Dunlins, four
over the Mountain briefly before heading back Ringed Plovers, two Sanderlings, 19 Purple
towards the mainland. There had been a huge Sandpipers and seven Pied Wagtails which were
clear-out overnight, with Willow Warblers down to joined by a single male Yellow Wagtail. Mallard
ducklings appeared to be multiplying
Swallow © Steven Stansfield exponentially with 36 juveniles from four broods
on various ponds across the island on 7th, the

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PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

Mallards © Lewis Hooper

calm sunny weather giving the day a summer-like ducklings in Solfach. However, the following day
feel; a Reed Warbler was seen at Nant in the early the brood had already been reduced to five. The
morning, but elsewhere held little in terms of 14th brought doves, with eight Collared Doves
numbers; there were 23 Wheatears, two Swifts, and the first Turtle Dove of the year was seen in
seven Sedge Warblers, five Whitethroats, and four the Plantation
Goldcrests.
More sunshine on 15th saw more waders on
The 8th brought another Cuckoo and the first Solfach as they moved through; there were seven
Spotted Flycatchers to be ringed in the year, and Ringed Plovers, six Sanderlings in various
on 10th Lesser Redpolls were up to five and Lesser plumages, 36 Dunlins, ten Whimbrels, and 14
Whitethroats were up to four, most of which were Turnstones. Migrants elsewhere on the island
heard singing. There was also a Reed Warbler in included a single Turtle Dove again at Nant, a
the Withies the same day, and a count of ten Redstart at Cristin and a Yellow Wagtail over Pen
Swifts and two Grey Plovers on the South End. The Cristin. 16th was relatively quiet, the standout
11th started with a surprisingly strong and cold highlight of the day being three Turtle Doves at
northerly wind, but with blue skies and sunshine. Nant. The 17th started with a stiff northerly wind
Spotted Flycatchers had increased again with 14 and persistent rain that seemed to be on and off
individuals, a Robin was at the Observatory, and all day. However, 24 Spotted Flycatchers were
the first Coal Tit of the year was calling from within seen, mostly around Cristin and Nant, the three
the Plantation. Also, a single Grasshopper Warbler Turtle Doves were still present, and a Redstart was
was heard singing, along with 17 Sedge Warblers, seen. An island rarity was on Pwll Cain in the form
13 Whitethroats and four Garden Warblers that of a Pochard; this is only the 42nd island record
were counted throughout the wetlands. The 12th and the first for nine years. More good counts
saw two Greylag Geese that flew over the from the day included 26 Dunlins, five Whimbrels,
Narrows at 0500 hrs. The rest of the day was nine Turnstones, a single Skylark, 30 Meadow
stunning, and the wind changed to a light breeze Pipits, ten Sedge Warblers, two Lesser
from the south; avian highlights included a Whitethroats, three Garden Warblers, and seven
Common Sandpiper seen in Solfach, a Redpolls. The 18th was a reasonably calm day, still
Grasshopper Warbler at Cristin and four Swifts with a northerly wind giving a chill to the air. The
moved through. In addition to these, two day started with 34 Dunlins on Solfach. A few nets
Whinchats were seen; a female at the Plantation at Nant were opened in the evening and a
and a singing male in the wetlands. A single Firecrest was trapped, the second of the year
Starling was darting around the lowlands and the and the first to be ringed. Away from migration,
first Shelduck brood appeared with nine the Manx Shearwater productivity monitoring got

50 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

underway with lots of burrows being checked JUNE
and many of the birds were now on eggs. The
19th produced the bird of the spring by far... The SPECIES RECORDED 86
nets at Cristin were opened in the morning, but it
initially proved to be quiet. Spotted Flycatchers BIRDS RINGED 867 of 28 species
were down to only 12, Blackcaps also numbered
12 and there were two Swifts that flew over the YEAR LIST 140
North End. The ringing continued however, and
there was a big surprise when, on closer June began with a calm warm day on 1st which
inspection, a ‘large Lesser Whitethroat’ quickly produced some new arrivals. The highlight being
turned into Britain’s 6th Western Orphean the second Common Rosefinch in as many weeks
Warbler! This large pale-eyed Sylvia warbler that was seen with a flock of three Lesser Redpolls
breeds in southern Europe. Needless to say, it was at Nant. There was also a singing Cuckoo at Nant
the first record for the island and only the second together with 14 Spotted Flycatchers and a Reed
record for Wales. The bird was released back into Warbler. Waders had also increased; there were
the garden at Cristin but was unfortunately not now 17 Sanderlings, five Dunlins, and six Ringed
seen again after again despite being searched Plovers. The 2nd was not so pleasant; the wind
for on and off throughout the rest of the day; blew at 30mph from the south and the morning
however, a Firecrest was discovered during the was wet. However, efforts were rewarded when
search. A full account can be found on page 216. a fluty song coming from the Plantation turned
Later in the day the Narrows produced the first out to be a sub-adult male Golden Oriole, the
Knot of the year with four Ringed Plovers, two only record of the year. The following day saw
Sanderlings and 31 Dunlins. On 20th the wind was four Sandwich Terns along the West Coast a Swift
calm, Spotted Flycatchers were abundant: after around Cristin and 4th produced an island rarity
a search around Cristin and Nant, 37 birds were when three Barnacle Geese were seen feeding in
counted. Other birds of note included a smart the Northwest Fields, only the 22nd record for
summer plumaged Grey Plover with 30 Dunlins Bardsey. The rarities this spring weren’t over yet;
and two Sanderlings. 32 Swallows were seen on 6th after being heard singing and seen briefly
feeding on the beaches as well as around the in the garden at Cristin, a Greenish Warbler
barns they breed in. The next day was calm again eventually made its way into the Heligoland trap,
and lots of the Spotted Flycatchers had cleared the 19th record for the island and 9th in as many
out with only 11 left, but wader numbers were still years! After this excitement, some of the
good, with two Ringed Plovers, five Sanderlings, Observatory staff made their way to the Gwylan
nine Turnstones, three Curlews, and six Whimbrels. Islands to count Puffin burrows and ring some of
the Shag and Razorbill chicks. Two adult Puffins
On 22nd the main highlight was the first Common were caught along with good numbers of Shag
Rosefinch of the year which was found at Nant. chicks and a handful of Razorbill chicks. Later the
Fledged Ravens were seen on 23rd still pestering same day, the discovery of a House Sparrow on
their parents and in the following few days, more the feeders at Cristin was another island rarity
juvenile birds started to become evident with being less than annual on Bardsey. The next
young Dunnocks at Cristin, at least seven young couple of days brought rain and wind until the
Stonechats and five Shelducklings still in Solfach. evening of 8th when it started to clear up; a Knot
The 28th had continuous sunshine with a fairly stiff was discovered on the beach and three Spotted
breeze from the west; little had changed on the Flycatchers were feeding in the now dry weather.
island except the arrival of a Reed Warbler at The next day the House Sparrow turned up again,
Cristin and a Redstart on the Mountain, as well as this time in a mist net opened at Cristin. The first
three Common Scoters past the West Coast. The fledged young Choughs were seen in the
last few days of the month saw the additions of evening and other ringing included Shags and
more juveniles including Oystercatchers and Razorbills as well as counting Kittiwake and Fulmar
Meadow Pipits as well as a Black-headed Gull, nests.
only the 3rd of the year.

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Meadow Pipit © Lewis Hooper

Ringing nesting seabirds remained the focal point Herons. The following day, two Redshanks were
for the next couple of days while the weather was more signs of return wader movement, but the
calm and sunny. On 11th the wind picked up, highlight was the first Manx Shearwater chicks.
ruling out mist-netting and sea bird ringing, The following day was hot and clear; three
however a male and female Cuckoo were in the Lapwings headed south during the morning, and
Plantation, along with some more freshly fledged two Common Sandpipers were again present
juveniles: some young Goldcrests, Chaffinches, around the Narrows. A late morning on 26th after
Magpies, Dunnocks and Meadow Pipits. A couple a night catching Manx Shearwaters revealed that
of days later, the wind calmed slightly allowing a bird caught and re-ringed the night before, was
the staff to get into the middle of the gull colony, first ringed on 27 June 1981, making it 38 years old!
ringing 80 Herring Gull chicks; a late-night ringing The daytime produced a Great Tit at Cristin and
trip to Nant Valley produced six Storm Petrels. On 21 Common Scoters that flew past the West
14th a male Cuckoo was caught at Cristin and a Coast; the Narrows held two Dunlins, seven
Skylark was seen heading south through the Curlews, a single Whimbrel, three Black-headed
Narrows. Gulls and a Skylark. The 27th, the hottest day of
the year so far, saw a single Golden Plover along
An improvement in the weather on 18th allowed the coast, two Lapwings heading through the
another trip to the East Side, with more Shag and island and a juvenile Peregrine. The last few days
Herring Gull chicks being ringed, and the male of the month were calm and hot resulting in lots
Cuckoo was again seen at the Plantation. The more ringing; Storm Petrels and Manx
19th saw the second trip to the Gwylans with a full Shearwaters were ringed every night and
day of ringing Shags and Great Black-backed Razorbills, Puffins and other seabirds were ringed
Gull chicks - the Shag chicks were fitted with a during the day.
uniquely coded darvic ring as well as a metal ring
to try and improve the chances of re-sightings of The 30th brought about some new birds including
these birds. The next couple of days were calm a flock of 47 Starlings, 17 Curlews, and a Cuckoo,
and clear, so more trips to the East Side of the while the first large wave of Painted Ladies was
island ensued with everything from Gull chicks to seen in a year when an invasion of this species
adult Common Guillemots and young Puffins occurred across the whole of the UK. A count of
being ringed. 137 around the island was a respectable increase
from the previous day’s total of 54.
On 22nd 37 Swifts were of note and the following
day the first three Common Sandpipers of the REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
autumn were on Solfach along with two Grey

52

MIGRATION DIARY

JULY island, with a flock of five Black-tailed Godwits
heading south through the island on 11th and
SPECIES RECORDED 81 counts on 12th included one Common
Sandpiper, two Turnstones, three Redshanks, and
BIRDS RINGED 562 of 23 species 18 Curlews. The following day saw Common
Sandpipers increase to 12 individuals and 14th
YEAR LIST 142 brought four Black-headed Gulls.

The month started with another hot and sunny The next day the temperature broke 20oC, a sign
day; Painted Ladies were again around in good of more warm weather to come. Waders were
numbers, with 114 being counted. Adult waders around in reasonable numbers with our first Green
started to make their way back south through Sandpiper of the year found early in the day
Bardsey; counts from the Narrows and the South along with 14 Common Sandpipers, one
End included 18 Curlews, two Whimbrels, three Lapwing, 14 Curlews, seven Whimbrels, seven
Common Sandpipers, and singles of both Redshanks, and a Dunlin all seen at high tide. The
Turnstone and Golden Plover. In the evening the guests on the guided walk on 16th were treated
Storm Petrel nets were opened, and 21 birds were to views of a group of Risso’s Dolphins heading
trapped. More ringing continued the following south just off the Narrows. More waders arrived
day and, although the majority of the Razorbills the next day and 45 Curlews were counted. Also,
and Common Guillemots had gone, 14 Razorbill in and around the Narrows and South End at high
chicks were ringed along with one adult; also tide, ten Whimbrels, 13 Redshanks, 12 Common
ringed were a brood of Shags and four young Sandpipers, five Turnstones and two Dunlins were
Puffins along with two adults. On 3rd a single Rock counted. Whimbrels increased to 15 the next day
Pipit was caught along with three juvenile and Curlews were up to 49, but the highlight,
Wheatears. The 4th was a glorious day with blue although expected, was the first Mediterranean
skies and not a breath of wind, perfect conditions Gulls of the year, two juveniles; one heading south
for spotting cetaceans, and in a short spell in the and the other in Henllwyn. Other birds of note
early afternoon, six Harbour Porpoise were included a juvenile Little Owl at Nant and 14
counted, two Risso’s Dolphins went south and a Swallows, 23 Rock Pipits, 12 Pied Wagtails and 19
group of 23 Common Dolphins also went south. Wheatears around the island. The first four
There was a large flock of 60 Swifts in the morning, returning Sanderlings of the autumn were seen on
two juvenile Starlings, ten Curlews, two Whimbrels 19th as the weather changed from the sunny
and five Redshanks. The following day brought a conditions we were getting used to, to thick fog
count of 15 juvenile Wheatears around the island, and stronger wind from the west. In the evening,
giving some idea of their breeding success, and an hour’s seawatch produced 681 Manx
an early moving Lesser Whitethroat was in the Shearwaters heading south. On 21st the wind
Withies. from the south-west picked up in the evening, but
for the most part it was dry and warm. The day
A Snipe was the best of the bunch on 7th as well was spent around the east side of the Mountain
as a Cuckoo in the garden at Cristin. The 9th was counting Kittiwake nests and chicks as well as
yet another sunny calm day to start with but juvenile gulls. The conservative counts from the
before long the fog rolled in. The morning land included 91 juvenile Kittiwakes, 110 juvenile
produced a juvenile Cuckoo at Nant, having Herring Gulls, 63 juvenile Lesser Black-backed
likely fledged on the island. Two Ringlet butterflies Gulls, and 35 juvenile Shags. The same day, a trip
were around the Plantation, a rare species here to Nant produced some good migrants, including
with only the second recorded individual for the the first juvenile Willow Warblers of the autumn
island being found last year. Early on 11th, the lighting up the trees with their bright lemony
team went out to ring some Manx Shearwaters yellow colour. Waders included one Dunlin, 12
and by 0300 hrs 120 new birds had been caught, Whimbrels, 42 Curlews, 11 Redshanks, three
along with 48 re-traps. Waders again provided Common Sandpipers and 13 Turnstones.
some of the most interesting changes on the
The wind increased to 40mph from the south-west
63: 40-65 on 22nd bringing some seabirds a little closer;
1006 Manx Shearwaters and 50 Gannets were

53

PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

counted in an hour in the morning. The Shelduck day after, a small arrival of Willow Warblers hit the
family on Solfach was just about intact with a island with a total count of 31 birds, 17 of which
single chick with the two adults, and a walk up were found in the South End gorse. Linnets had
the coast produced singles of Ringed Plover, increased in numbers, with a total of 92 on the
Dunlin, Redshank, Common Sandpiper and island, mostly around the Narrows and the
Whimbrel as well as an adult Mediterranean Gull Northwest Fields. Finally, the Narrows and the
heading south. Little was seen on 23rd; Willow South End held 17 Turnstones, five Common
Warblers were up to four and Whitethroats were Sandpipers, 11 Redshanks, 20 Curlews, 14
up to eight, but the evening held something a Whimbrels, two Purple Sandpipers and a Snipe.
little different: in the heat, thousands of flying ants New birds the following day consisted of a
poured out of the walls around Cristin taking off in juvenile Cuckoo in the Withies and a Sandwich
their thousands. An amazing sight that did not go Tern off the East Side of the island. Swifts
unnoticed as the sound of screaming Swifts soon appeared with seven seen throughout the day
followed; a flock of at least 65 built up along with and in the shrubby areas nine Chiffchaffs and 22
30 Swallows. Waders again stole the show the Willow Warblers were counted.
following day, the Curlew flock had increased
again with 59 birds. Smaller waders included nine On 29th the sun was out; the wind dropped to
Redshanks, 11 Whimbrels, nine Common almost nothing in the middle of the day and
Sandpipers, ten Turnstones, 11 Dunlins, six Purple Bardsey felt like a tropical island. The
Sandpipers and a Sanderling. The coast also entertainment was provided offshore when a
produced a flock of small gulls made up of three pod of nine Risso’s Dolphins toured the island and
Black-headed Gulls and a single juvenile were seen well from Cristin. In addition to this, two
Mediterranean Gull. The hot weather coming into Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen heading north.
the UK from the south was felt on Bardsey on 25th There had been a clear-out of warblers, but 52
with temperatures reaching 26oC. The highlights Swallows, 14 House Martins and four Sand Martins
came from the Plantation at Nant where there were seen. As well as these, a juvenile Cuckoo
were now eight juvenile Willow Warblers, four was again seen, a Kestrel was being mobbed by
juvenile Chiffchaffs being fed by their parents Swallows at the South End and a Sparrowhawk
and the first Spotted Flycatcher of the autumn. seen from Cristin was the first since early May. The
On 26th, another blisteringly hot day, four Grey penultimate day of the month held some more
Herons were on the South End, a Buzzard was over autumn migrants; the day’s best was a Pied
the Mountain at midday getting mobbed by Flycatcher in the Withies and a Tree Pipit that
three Ravens, and there were eight each of headed over Nant. Three Mediterranean Gulls
Purple Sandpiper and Black-headed Gulls. The headed south in the early morning and around

Willow Warbler © Lewis Hooper

54 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

Purple Sandpiper © Steven Stansfield singles of Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Golden Plover,
Whimbrel, Ringed Plover and Common
the coast ten Common Sandpipers, two Snipe, a Sandpiper, with 11 Redshanks and four Dunlins.
juvenile Ringed Plover and 34 Curlews provided Five Mediterranean Gulls were seen on 3rd and
variety. On the last day of the month the wind 13 Common Scoters (mainly male) flew south. An
picked up from the west in the morning and so a increase to two Ringed Plovers was recorded with
short seawatch produced 465 Manx Shearwaters, increases in other species to 11 Whimbrels, 22
16 Kittiwakes including five juveniles, five Redshanks, 29 Curlews and three Common
Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern heading Sandpipers, and a Green Sandpiper was again
south. The first juvenile Dunlin of the year along recorded. Painted Ladies increased further with
with eight Redshanks were seen on Solfach, but 332 counted, the highest count of the year. On
Willow Warblers were down to 18. Rock Pipits 4th, a single Sanderling and two Purple
around the coast were up to 48 with lots of family Sandpipers on Solfach brought some change
groups. The number of Painted Ladies had with two Ringed Plovers and 12 Redshanks. A high
increased to 70. number of Turnstones was counted, with 36
around Solfach. Six Sandwich Terns were
AUGUST recorded off the West Coast with three Black-
headed Gulls. Two juvenile Peregrines were seen
SPECIES RECORDED 105 on 5th, most likely from the breeding pair. Some
heavy rain the night before brought in the first
BIRDS RINGED 584 of 30 species White Wagtail of the autumn. Strong southerly
wind on 6th produced the best seawatch so far
YEAR LIST 154 of autumn; 1300 Manx Shearwaters, one Balearic
Shearwater, 67 Gannets, 27 Kittiwakes, three
August began with a Cory’s Shearwater flying Mediterranean Gulls and seven Sandwich Terns in
south along the West Coast on 1st; a small arrival four hours spread throughout the day. Other
of 28 Willow Warblers, 18 Sedge Warblers and a good counts included 33 Linnets, 22 Rock Pipits,
Grasshopper Warbler hinted at some movement another four Sandwich Terns and a small flock of
through the island. There was a marked increase Meadow Pipits at the tip of the South End perhaps
in Painted Ladies with 259 around the island. On waiting for the right conditions to head south. The
2nd, a Crossbill flew over the wetlands and wader Curlew flock increased to 45. More of the same
passage had improved, at least in variety, with southerly wind on 7th meant minimal passerine
passage, but the Little Owl chick was in Nant
63: 40-65 Valley, and the Curlew flock swelled to 61 birds.

55

PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

Risso’s Dolphin © Martin Hosier

The southerly winds over the last couple of days flying off out of sight. A flyover Osprey was the
brought some heat for 8th, and the wind calmed highlight on 12th, and 316 Kittiwakes flocked
down. This weather allowed a few migrants to together on the South End; the flock included a
make a move, resulting in two Pied Flycatchers, colour-ringed bird that hatched in Brittany in 2011
three Spotted Flycatchers, 12 Willow Warblers, a and then bred in the same location in 2018. Two
Garden Warbler, and a Lesser Redpoll; out to sea, Tree Pipits were recorded on 13th moving with a
18 Common Dolphins and 12 Risso’s Dolphins flock of Meadow Pipits and Linnets. 18 Common
were seen off the West Coast. The undoubted Scoters provided some variety on 14th; however,
highlight though, must have been the largest a Greenshank was the bird of the day, and with it
movement of Painted Ladies of the year by far, were more waders, four Whimbrels, 48 Curlews, 13
with 926 being counted throughout the day. The Redshanks, two Common Sandpiper, one Purple
9th was a windy day, gusts of 30-40mph meant Sandpipers, one Dunlin and Sanderling.
seabird counts were far more plentiful than
passerine counts; 67 Gannets, four Razorbills, 51 A blast of 50mph northerly winds on 15th
Kittiwakes, seven Sandwich Terns, three Common produced excellent conditions for seawatching,
Terns and 863 Manx Shearwaters were seen in the and the totals included: 2144 Manx Shearwaters,
morning. On the Narrows, 46 Turnstones, 28 1947 Kittiwakes, 217 Gannets, 177 Sandwich Terns,
Dunlins, one Sanderling, four Ringed Plovers, three 13 Arctic Terns, six Arctic Skuas, four Great Skuas,
Whimbrels, 50 Curlews, seven Redshank and three three Whimbrels, five Common Scoters and a
Common Sandpipers were seen. Stormy seas on Little Tern to top it off. The first juvenile Sanderling
10th filled each of the small coves around was recorded on 16th, naturally feeding on
Bardsey with a thick layer of foam and produced sandhoppers and other invertebrates on Solfach.
two Black Terns, two Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, Four Ringed Plovers, four Dunlins and 53
12 ‘Commic’ Terns, 177 Gannets, 29 Fulmars, 193 Turnstones bulked out the wader numbers, yet
Kittiwakes, three Balearic Shearwaters and a another Little Tern was recorded at sea along with
bonus of two Wood Sandpipers, the first record two Arctic Terns, eight Sandwich Terns and a
since 2016. After the rough weather on 10th, the Great Skua, battling through the rain. The 17th
wildlife got a break on 11th which brought a produced the year’s first Sooty Shearwater and
sudden and noticeable change in the weather Arctic Terns gave their best showing of the year
and in the butterfly numbers; Painted Ladies, with 263 flying south. Wader numbers included 37
Common Blues, Large Whites, Peacocks, Red Turnstones, six Redshanks, 64 Curlews, 14
Admirals, Meadow Browns and Graylings littered Whimbrels, two Dunlin, two Ringed Plovers and
the island all day. A juvenile Arctic Tern landed on two Sanderlings. The rain had subsided by 18th
the South End before doing a quick circle and and the sun was out, but a cool westerly kept the

56 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

temperature down. By this point, Wheatears had Terns. Wader numbers at high tide included 60
reduced to two individuals, but Rock Pipit Turnstones, two juvenile Sanderlings, four Dunlins,
numbers were gradually building. Turnstone eight Redshanks, four Whimbrels, 57 Curlews and
numbers rose to 60 birds and other waders singles of Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper,
included four Purple Sandpipers, 54 Curlews, and Purple Sandpiper.
three Whimbrels, two Ringed Plovers, two Dunlins
and a Sanderling. Seawatching produced a total The best land birds of the day on 21st were a
of 485 Manx Shearwaters, 156 Gannets, 14 Spotted Flycatcher, a Snipe and two Tree Pipits;
Fulmars, four Common Scoters, a Great Skua, a passerines had been in limited supply in the
Mediterranean Gull, a Common Gull, 457 previous week due to the relentless westerlies
Kittiwakes, seven Sandwich Terns, 11 Arctic Terns which seemed to be halting most of the passage.
and two Ringed Plovers. The 19th yielded two Seawatching was much quieter; highlights
good seabirds in the form of Great Shearwater included 14 Arctic Terns, 807 Kittiwakes, a single
and Roseate Tern, the former feeding with Manx Great Skua, two Arctic Skuas, six Common Scoter
Shearwaters in the early morning and the latter a and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Land birds were fairly
juvenile flying south along the West Coast. It also thin on the ground on 22nd with counts including
saw the arrival of the group of budding young 1173 Manx Shearwaters, 84 Gannets, three
birders, for the Young Birders’ Training Week. Common Scoters, singles of Buzzard and
Other notable sightings included 4945 Manx Peregrine, three Ringed Plovers, five Sanderlings,
Shearwaters a Sooty Shearwater, 378 Gannets, 22 four Dunlins, 13 Whimbrels, 65 Curlews, two Arctic
Fulmars, a single Arctic Skua, six Great Skuas, 620 Skuas, three Great Skuas, 139 Kittiwakes, six Arctic
Kittiwakes, 86 Arctic Terns, 100 Sandwich Terns, Terns, a single Robin and Spotted Flycatcher, 12
two Bar-tailed Godwits, six Dunlins and seven Wheatears, four each of Willow Warbler and
Redshanks. The 20th brought great excitement, Goldcrest and 185 Linnets. Finally, by 23rd the
especially among the newly arrived Young winds had swung round to a gentle easterly
Birders; a Fea’s Petrel headed south along the overnight and some birds had appeared. The
West Coast and was in view for a total of nine totals for the day, excluding residents, were four
minutes! Great views were had of this North Spotted Flycatchers, nine Goldcrests, 30 Willow
Atlantic breeder – this represents the third record Warblers, eight Chiffchaffs, a Garden Warbler,
for the island (see page 230). Other seabirds three Robins, a Reed Bunting, a Sand Martin, a
noted in the morning included three Common Song Thrush, 144 Linnets and a Goldfinch. The
Scoters, 319 Manx Shearwaters, 278 Gannets, 16 seawatching in the morning was also fairly
Fulmars, three Arctic Skuas, eight Great Skuas, 123 productive with Skuas passing both at sea and
Kittiwakes, 147 Arctic Terns and nine Sandwich over the land, with seven Arctic Skuas and five

Pied Flycatcher © Lewis Hooper

63: 40-65 57

PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

Little Egret © Steven Stansfield

Greats. Terns were moving too with 30 Sandwich Grey Wagtail of the autumn was seen, calling as
Terns and 44 Arctic Terns along with four Common it flew south, and White Wagtail passage
Scoters and a single Puffin. The Young Birders’ continued with 27 on the island. As on 26th, the
Week came to an end on 24th, however, in the wind on 27th was south-westerly which prevented
early hours, ten Storm Petrels were caught in Nant any large movements of birds. Grounded
Valley, and one of two Pied Flycatchers at Cristin migrants consisted of 12 Wheatears, 14 Willow
was caught later in the morning. As well as this, Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher. The highlight
four Tree Pipits were recorded with 30 Pied was not avian though, as the show was stolen by
Wagtails and two Teal. 25th was a bumper day 23 Risso’s Dolphins feeding close in offshore. By
for August passage, providing the best variety of 29th wader numbers started to grow slightly; 88
birds all month. 141 House Martins headed south Turnstones, 30 Curlews, 35 Oystercatchers, 26
over the course of the day, and a record count Whimbrels, three Sanderlings and two Dunlins
of seven Whinchats was recorded. Scarce birds were recorded on Solfach and the Narrows.
of the day included a Black Tern and a Little Egret Choughs were starting to flock together once
that both went south along the West Coast, but again; 15 were feeding together on Solfach,
scarcer than that was a juvenile Great-Crested looking for invertebrates by flicking through the
Grebe at the bottom of Nant Valley, only the 21st sand and seaweed. Willow Warbler passage had
record for the island. Tree Pipits, a species that almost ended, with five recorded; low numbers
had been trickling through in ones and twos over when compared to year totals less than ten years
the last few days, reached 30, the largest count previously. Turnstones increased from 88 on 29th
since 1990! Other records included 44 Sand to a year high count of 96 on 30th, all located on
Martins, 118 Swallows, 145 White Wagtails, 29 the rocks around the Narrows, and 25 Mallards
Wheatears, 11 Robins, six Sedge Warblers, 169 were together in Solfach. The last day of the
Willow Warblers, 11 Spotted Flycatchers, seven month started with the year’s second Grey
Pied Flycatchers, six Swifts, a Teal and 17 Wagtail which flew over during the introductory
Whitethroats. The year’s first Wryneck showed talk to the new guests. Flocks of Linnets totalling
itself on 26th near the Schoolhouse, but the 179 individuals were around the island, mainly the
encounter was only brief before it flew up onto Narrows and North-west Fields; other passerines
the Mountainside and was then lost to view as it included eight Willow Warblers, 37 Meadow Pipits
flew North, deeper into the gorse. There was yet and five Robins. Wader numbers were similar to
more passerine movement on 26th with singles of previous days; 50 Turnstones, seven Dunlins, two
Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Blackcap and Sanderlings and a Common Sandpiper were
Garden Warbler recorded along with 37 Willow present.
Warblers and three Spotted Flycatchers. The first
REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
58

MIGRATION DIARY

SEPTEMBER Observatory. Wader passage remained steady;
three Whimbrels, three Redshanks, 33 Turnstones
SPECIES RECORDED 119 and 13 Ringed Plovers were recorded. As well as
these, another Grey Wagtail called over Cristin,
BIRDS RINGED 771 of 30 species and six Spotted Flycatchers were seen between
Cristin and Nant.
YEAR LIST 171
It started to feel like autumn was picking up by
The highlight for 1st September was a juvenile 8th, as the first Lapland Bunting of the year was
Marsh Harrier which drifted east over the seen at the South End with a flock of Meadow
Mountain, the second record of the year. A Pipits. Birds of prey included a Buzzard, a
seawatch produced 663 Kittiwakes, 247 Manx Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine and a single Goshawk
Shearwaters, 25 Dunlins, 18 Sandwich Terns, three – the first record since 2014. A total of 92
Arctic Terns and one Little Gull. The 2nd showed Goldcrests was the highest for several weeks;
an influx of migrants including 30 Goldcrests, 24 other migrant counts included 19 Chiffchaffs, 14
Willow Warblers and 11 Chiffchaffs in Cristin Blackcaps, three Whitethroats, a Garden
garden. The autumn’s second Reed Warbler was Warbler, a Reed Warbler, five Spotted
seen, and Curlews increased to 59 individuals, the Flycatchers, two Tree Pipits, five Skylarks, 16
highest count for 14 days. South-westerly winds on Wheatears a Greenshank, three Snipe and 12
3rd once again halted good numbers of Ringed Plovers. After the excitement on 8th, 9th
common migrants but, despite this, a Whinchat was slightly quiet by comparison despite the
was a nice highlight and waders continued to continuous north-westerlies; a Mediterranean
pass through in small numbers, with three Dunlins, Gull, a Common Scoter and a Greenshank were
nine Ringed Plovers, four Robins, two Sanderlings, the most notable records. Slow and steady north-
nine Redshanks and 76 Turnstones. The first Grey westerlies over the previous week didn’t
Seal pups of the year was recorded, one in particularly hold much promise for a good
Henllwyn and another on the West Coast. The passerine, however the rarest bird of the autumn
winds did change by 4th to a north-westerly so far appeared on 10th; the third Isabelline
which brought good seawatching conditions Wheatear for the island, which was first seen on
and the first Leach’s Petrels (three recorded
throughout the day) and Sabine’s Gull of the Whinchat © Steven Stansfield
year. Other seabirds included 2502 Manx
Shearwaters, 1518 Kittiwakes, 1027 Gannets, 19
Arctic Terns, 24 Arctic Skuas, 21 Great Skuas and
seven Pomarine Skuas. The 5th had the same
weather conditions which again produced good
numbers of seabirds and in a good variety. One
Leach’s Petrel was heading south with 214
Sandwich Terns, 2589 Kittiwakes, 472 Auks, 35
Arctic Terns, three Great Skuas, nine Arctic Skuas,
two Pomarine Skuas, five Common Scoters and
172 Manx Shearwaters. A Grey Wagtail flew over
Cristin in the morning, and an arrival of White
Wagtails brought the total to 49. Other migrants
included a single Snipe, eight Robins, one Spotted
Flycatcher, 14 Willow Warblers, five Blackcaps, 41
Rock Pipits, 34 Meadow Pipits and 51 Swallows. 15
Ringed Plovers were brought in on the northerly
winds on 6th, along with one Garden Warbler,
two Spotted Flycatchers and 24 Goldcrests. The
best bird on 7th was a Red Kite that flew over the

63: 40-65 59

PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

Sparrowhawk © Steven Stansfield

the South End before being flushed by a Goldfinches, a Siskin, a Song Thrush, 48 Skylarks
Sparrowhawk and being re-found hours later on (highest count of the year so far), 15 Sandwich
the Narrows just south of Solfach where it Terns, 701 Kittiwakes and the first record of a
remained, showing well until the sun went down Purple Sandpiper for almost a month. For the first
(see page 234). Although they were slightly time since its arrival seven days before, the
eclipsed by the rarity, there were plenty of other Isabelline Wheatear was not seen. There was a
good migrants on 10th, including a Garden rare almost windless day on 18th when the first
Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 37 White Wagtails, four Hooded Crow of the autumn was recorded and
Dunlins and the first Merlin of the autumn. The Grey Wagtails had started to pick up; 23 were
winds changed to a south-westerly overnight, recorded over the course of the day and the
and on 11th the Isabelline Wheatear remained on year’s high count of 444 Meadow Pipits spurred
the Narrows; the day produced two Grey an attempt to catch them in mist-nets in the fields
Wagtails, two Sand Martins and a Whinchat. Fog in front of Cristin. Some other good records
and rain set in on 12th; the Isabelline Wheatear included 12 Chaffinches, two Goldfinches, a
was once again found braving the weather on Lesser Redpoll, three Siskins and two Lapland
the Narrows with five Northern Wheatears. 155 Buntings. The bird of the day on 19th was a Short-
Swallows were seen flying north towards the eared Owl at Tŷ Pellaf. Three Spotted Flycatchers
mainland. On 14th Linnet numbers were starting added some nice variety to the day’s passerine
to build; 178 individuals were counted. The records. The wind turned to an easterly on 20th
Isabelline Wheatear was still present on the and like someone had turned the tap on,
Narrows. Birds heading south included 34 Black- migrants arrived. Firstly, a Lapland Bunting on the
headed Gulls, one Common Sandpiper, two Narrows, two separate Wrynecks flushed from the
Dunlins, two Golden Plovers and eight Shelducks. track, a Firecrest in Plas Withy, a Pintail over the
Narrows and a Ring Ouzel on the Mountain were
A juvenile Brent Goose was seen on Solfach on some scarce highlights. There were plenty of
15th and the winds had moved to a gentle other migrants around, including 23 Goldfinches,
westerly. Wader passage was decent with three three Blackcaps, a Spotted Flycatcher, 30
Whimbrels, a Greenshank, 18 Redshanks, 13 Goldcrests, a Garden Warbler, a Common
Ringed Plovers, two Golden Plovers and 37 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whinchat, 25
Turnstones. A count of six Grey Wagtails and 50 Stonechats, 268 Meadow Pipits, ten Grey
Rock Pipits were other good records for the day. Wagtails and 26 Skylarks. Linnet numbers had
After an uneventful day on 16th, gentle held at around 150 for a week or so, and this
northerlies started to produce some good counts continued with 152 recorded. The wind started
by 17th and these included a Reed Bunting, five coming from the south-west on 21st, but some

60 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

migrants persisted; of these, two Tree Pipits were of the year. The relentless westerly winds finally
present along with 19 Skylarks and 149 Meadow produced on 29th in the form of Wales’ first record
Pipits, but it was noticeably quieter. of a Buff-bellied Pipit (see page 238) which was
feeding on the West Coast mid-afternoon and
There were 25 Purple Sandpipers recorded on remained there until late evening; this eclipsed
22nd; other highlights included a Firecrest and a the other good birds seen on the same day; a
Pied flycatcher at Nant, and four Wigeons, two Wryneck and a Long-tailed Skua. Migration
Teals and a Knot in Solfach. 24th saw 30 picked up on 30th with the first two Yellow-
Goldcrests and a male Firecrest along with a browed Warblers of the year along with a high
Yellow Wagtail as the wind continued to come count of 496 Meadow Pipits, 102 Skylarks, 858
from the south-west and reached speeds of up to Swallows, a Lapland Bunting, a Great White Egret
30mph. Two Sanderlings gave some nice variety and a Firecrest all making the most of the
to the waders on Solfach, and with them, again, northerly wind to move south.
was a single Knot. Hirundine passage was the
highlight on 25th; 138 House Martins, two Sand OCTOBER
Martins and 546 Swallows moved through the
island and amongst them was a Red-rumped SPECIES RECORDED 118
Swallow! This was the fourth for the island, the first
autumn record, and the first since 2012. Other BIRDS RINGED 224 of 19 species
passerines included 448 Meadow Pipits, 40
Robins, 50 Chiffchaffs, 135 Goldcrests and 17 Grey YEAR LIST 182
Wagtails. The wind continued to come from the
south-west but on 27th it had increased in speed After a bumper day to close September, October
to 35mph which put another halt to migration of held some promise. The month started with the
land birds; the best of the day was a Firecrest at first Great Northern Diver of the autumn, which
Nant. Seabirds did not disappoint however, and was reasonably close in as it flew past the West
throughout the day a Balearic Shearwater, a Coast. A Merlin was hunting pipits around the
Sooty Shearwater, four Pomarine Skuas, five South End; other noteworthy birds included a
Great Skuas, and 37 Manx Shearwaters were rather late Common Sandpiper, a Short-eared
seen. The weather on 28th was much the same as Owl, five Song Thrushes, 170 Swallows, 23
the previous day and seawatch totals included Stonechats, 13 Skylarks and six Common Gulls.
some good scarce birds, such as the first Long-
tailed Skua of the year, a Sabine’s Gull, a Leach’s
Petrel, a count of 2760 Razorbills and the only Ruff

Sanderling © Steven Stansfield

63: 40-65 61

PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

More visible migration on 2nd, with counts of four Stonechats reached a count of 20, many or all
Lapland Buntings, two Grey Wagtails, nine Rooks, were migrants. A Lapwing was the highlight on
three Jackdaws, two Reed Buntings, eight 7th, flying around the narrows, where the female
Goldfinches and 21 Chaffinches. Seawatching Wigeon remained alone. Only a few Lapwings
provided the second Black Guillemot of the year were recorded in the year, sadly low numbers for
and another Sabine’s Gull; counts of this once breeding species on the island. A
Mediterranean Gulls were slowly increasing, 33 Firecrest at Cristin added some colour to the
flew south past the West Coast throughout the scene, and ten House Martins flying over were
course of the day. There were three Firecrests on good late records.
3rd, and the first Redwing of the autumn was
heard in the late evening of 4th; small amounts of Over the course of the week the winds had been
migration took place during the daylight, from the west, and 8th continued this trend, which
however: three House Martins, a Reed Bunting hindered birds passing over. Seawatching
and six Skylarks flew over, and a juvenile Merlin, a provided the only noteworthy records; two Arctic
Golden Plover and a Common Sandpiper made Skuas, a Great Skua, a Pomarine Skua, seven
their way into the day count. An abundance of Common Scoters, 319 Gannets, two Manx
tiny birds on 5th added some brightness to the Shearwaters, 11 Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Tern
day, two Firecrests, 82 Goldcrests, 40 Chiffchaffs and a Fulmar flew south. The relentless south-
and a Yellow-browed Warbler were perhaps westerlies continued on 9th and the most
brought down by the 20mph south-easterlies. noteworthy bird was a Golden Plover found at
Meadow Pipit numbers started to decline, but 82 the South End. Linnets had become few and far
were present, so they were by no means gone between, but this was the first day that none were
and a high count of 38 Rock Pipits was recorded. recorded. Despite westerly winds once again on
Land birds included two Reed Buntings, nine 10th, there seemed to be a bit more movement
Skylarks, eight Siskins and 39 Chaffinches. A around the island. Firstly, a flock of 20 Goldfinches
female Wigeon north of Solfach remained for at was seen at Nant, 36 Meadow Pipits in the fields
least three days. On 6th dawned to the familiar with a Skylark; there was a Siskin, a Blackcap, 15
sound of two Little Owls; two late Sand Martins Robins, a Kestrel, a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk
were also seen, along with a Common Gull and a around, but a Long-tailed Skua off the West Coast
Whitethroat. Seawatch counts included 110 and a Lapland Bunting on the ground on West
Gannets, two Common Scoters, two Arctic Skuas, Coast were the best of another quiet day.
two Pomarine Skuas, a Great Skua, 13 Mallard numbers did increase, and 25 were in
Mediterranean Gulls, 33 Black-headed Gulls, 469 Solfach.
Kittiwakes, three Arctic Terns and 414 Razorbills;

Lapland Bunting © Lewis Hooper

62 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

MIGRATION DIARY

Although still from the west, the winds died down House Sparrow © Lewis Hooper
a lot on 12th and a few scarce birds were
recorded, including a Lapland Bunting, a Snow Blackcap, a Song Thrush, two Redwings 18
Bunting, a Crossbill and a Firecrest. 25 Choughs Goldfinches, four Chiffchaffs and the wintering
were together feeding on Solfach and the Curlew Barn Owl were among the birds recorded. The
flock remained at 64, all on the Narrows. Rock winds changed yet again on 19th, this time to a
Pipits reached a count of 39 and other good favourable northerly which brought a small flock
records of the day included a Grey Wagtail, 77 of Twite, a Coal Tit and six Little Gulls. Other good
Meadow Pipits, three Common Scoters, three birds were four Woodcocks, 89 Redwings, a late
Snipe, six Song Thrushes, 42 Skylarks, 18 Wheatear, 18 Siskins, 43 Goldfinches, four
Mediterranean Gulls and four Jackdaws. An Blackcaps and 40 Goldcrests. Wigeon numbers
extremely heavy downpour on 13th which turned increased to five giving a wintry feel to the island
the track into a river put a stop to birding during when combined with the influx of thrushes.
the morning, but some migrants must have been Perfect migration conditions occurred on 20th,
grounded because during the afternoon 60 with a steady north-westerly wind and some good
Chaffinches were around Cristin with five counts of finches and thrushes were had. Over
Redwings and a Crossbill. Other highlights and around Cristin throughout the day: 1484
included one Yellow-browed Warbler, 20 Chaffinches, 189 Siskins, 124 Goldfinches, 22
Blackcaps, four Goldfinches, four Song Thrushes, Greenfinches, 20 Bramblings, 158 Redwings, 17
45 Goldcrests and two Barn Owls in the evening. Blackbirds, 14 Fieldfares, 17 Song Thrushes, five
Finally, by 14th, as the winds had dropped, the Mistle Thrushes and a Ring Ouzel were recorded.
autumn passage began in a small way; 98 There were also high counts of several other
Chaffinches, a Crossbill, a Brambling, two species, such as 184 Jackdaws, 67 Carrion Crows,
Greenfinches, 11 Siskins, 27 Linnets and a Lesser 373 Starlings and 1187 Black-headed Gulls. Other
Redpoll were the best of the finches. As well as more unusual birds included four Reed Buntings,
these, 145 Skylarks, 138 Meadow Pipits, 12 a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Collared Dove.
Redwings, ten Song Thrushes, two Grey Wagtails, North-westerly winds on 21st brought another
a Swallow and three Ring Ouzels made for a productive migration day: 215 Chaffinches were
much better day of birding. Gull counts included recorded in Cristin garden, and during the day
279 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 156 Herring Gulls, 603 Jackdaws, nine Lesser Redpolls, 31
23 Common Gulls, 225 Kittiwakes and 435 Black- Goldfinches, 42 Siskins, nine Greenfinches, 28
headed Gulls.
63
The best day of visible migration came on 15th,
with 646 Skylarks, two Richards Pipits, a Woodlark
and 495 Meadow Pipits, 144 Chaffinches, 64
Goldfinches, 142 Siskins, 67 Linnets, 54 Carrion
Crows, 54 Jackdaws, 44 Rooks, nine Tufted Ducks
(the first since October 2018), two House
Sparrows, the 3rd and 4th records of the year and
two Ring Ouzels all due to a very gentle north-
easterly breeze. The first Woodcocks of the year
came on 16th; one at Cristin and one in the
withies. Other highlights came in the form of a
Pomarine Skua, a Great Northern Diver, a Sooty
Shearwater, the autumn’s first Jack Snipe,
another Woodlark and a Lapwing. Constant rain
on 17th meant that counts of land birds took a hit,
but 25 Turnstones were feeding on Solfach with six
Redshanks on the rocks on the Narrows. One
species that is easy to take for granted is the
Starling which started to appear in small flocks; on
18th 40 were recorded. The winds had changed
back to a 20mph southerly, but despite this a

63: 40-65

PRETTYMAN, DUNBAR, HOOPER & STANSFIELD

Merlin © Steven Stansfield

Bramblings, 244 Redwings, 23 Song Thrushes and Highlights on 28th were two Long-tailed Tits in the
319 Fieldfares created a great feeling of early morning at Cristin. The light winds brought
movement. with them 194 Chaffinches, 13 Bramblings, 42
Siskins, 26 Fieldfares, 42 Redwings, 33 Skylarks, 633
After the excitement of the previous two days, Starlings, 340 Jackdaws and a Red Kite.
22nd had less productive winds coming from the Jackdaws continued to move on 29th, not in as
south-west and the highlight was two Yellow- high numbers as the previous day, but 200 flying
browed Warblers that dropped into the garden high over the island was still good to see. Other
at Cristin in the evening. Two Whimbrels and a than that, a Lapwing on the Narrows provided
Firecrest were the most notable birds on 23rd, but good variety along with a Reed Bunting, a Mistle
the south-westerly winds appeared to be holding Thrush and a Ring Ouzel. The penultimate day of
back migrants yet again, with just 20 Chaffinches October produced three Great White Egrets
being recorded around the island, a stark which flew down the West Coast and back over
contrast to a couple of days beforehand when the Observatory, and Jackdaw numbers peaked
numbers were in the hundreds. The bird of the day at 611 migrating high over the island. Apples
on 24th was a Glaucous Gull flying north along placed in the garden at Cristin attracted 30
the West Coast, a scarce bird for the island. Blackbirds, eight Redwings, 44 Chaffinches and
Starlings had been counted in high numbers in three Blackcaps, and down on the Narrows the
the previous few days and a flock of roughly 300 year’s high count of five Lapwings was recorded.
birds was present, feeding mainly in the Lowlands.
Other highlights included two White Wagtails, 17 NOVEMBER
Redwings, a Merlin, two Sparrowhawks, two
Peregrines and 77 Skylarks. A northerly breeze on SPECIES RECORDED 33
26th brought the temperature down to single
figures. Woodcocks were starting to explode out BIRDS RINGED 0 of 0 species
of undergrowth as they were flushed by passers-
by and four were recorded in the Wetlands. YEAR LIST 183
Wader numbers included 41 Curlews, 12
Redshanks and 36 Turnstones. The Wetlands and The Observatory season ended with a bang on
withies produced the best counts on 27th, with 12 2nd November, a very nice splash of colour
Snipe, a Lapland Bunting and a Water Rail. The
wintering Barn Owl was recaptured, having been REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.
ringed four years earlier on the island, and the
Starling flock contained at least 150 individuals.

64

MIGRATION DIARY

arrived in the form of an adult male Red-breasted Plantation throughout the afternoon, along with
Flycatcher, the bird showed well as it fed in the a rather showy Firecrest.

… so this brought the 2019 season on the island to an
end, with 183 species recorded, including two
additions to the island’s avifauna list.

Red-breasted Flycatcher © George Dunbar

63: 40-65 65

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Annotated list of birds seen during 2019

Steven Stansfield
Stansfield

Whitethroat

© Steven Stansfield

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 330 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

Puffin © Steven Stansfield

68 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

2.1 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).

This year we have 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, 330 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 2019 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.

2.1 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

63: 66-129 69

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.

2.2 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 2019 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.

70 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 audio 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 183 species of birds was recorded during the season, 13 fewer than last year.

There were two new species for the island, in the form of a Western Orphean Warbler and Buff-bellied
Pipit.

There were the third records of both Fea’s Petrel and Isabelline Wheatear, the fourth records of Cory’s
Shearwater and Red-rumped Swallow. Both the seventh and eight records of Great White Egret were
seen, the 11th record of Great Shearwater and the 16th and 17th records of Gadwall. Greenish warblers
have been more or less annual now for a few years, and this year we saw the 19th record for the island.
The 21st record of Great-crested Grebe was discovered on the sea at Nant, and three Barnacle Geese
were the 22nd record for the island.

Other highlights included a Golden Oriole and two Common Rosefinches in late spring and a smart adult
male Red-breasted Flycatcher on the penultimate day of the season in November.

Sanderling © Lewis Hooper

63: 66-129 71

STANSFIELD

SPECIES ACCOUNTS

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 71 previous records, ten records in 2017

A single bird, probably a pale-bellied bird from the Greenland\Svalbard population B. b. hrota was seen
on 15 and 17 September.

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

Scarce, 55 previous records, however, seven records were in 2006 alone with six records in 2017

Two birds took up residence on Pwll Cain in March, and were occasionally joined by a second pair. The
first pair became quite territorial and the male killed the male of the second pair. Following this, on 20
April a third pair were seen. Up to five were seen in May, though most records were of the original pair
on Pwll Cain, which appeared to leave the island in late May. June saw the remaining three birds on just
two dates, with a single on 24th.

B A R N A C L E G O O S E Branta leucopsis Gŵydd Wyran

¨ Amber listed Rare, 21 previous records

Three on 4 June along the West Coast and in Solfach was a most unusual record (SP, SDS et al.).

Barnacle Geese © Lewis Hooper Gŵydd Wyllt

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce, recorded in 31 years, with 64 previous records

A single flew east over the Narrows on 23 March, with two on Pwll Cain on 17 April. In May two flew over
the Narrows on 12th.

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce breeder, scarce to uncommon on passage

Four were on the Narrows on 25 February. There were daily records from 18 March when staff returned
to the island, with up to ten seen by the month’s end. April saw counts of up to 13, with up to 22, including
five young, on 4 May. June’s peak was just 11, with up to seven seen on most dates in July and then just
three records of one or two in August. The first post-moult returning birds and only record in autumn were
eight on 14 September.

72 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

100 25
80Bird-day totals
60 Max. daily count per month20
40
20 15
0
J 10

5

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 4 10 13 22 11 7 2 8 0 0 0

Bird-days 0 4 67 216 357 118 97 4 8 0 0 0
Days seen 0 1 13 28 31 24 30 3 1 0 0 0

S H O V E L E R Anas clypeata Hwyaden Lydanbig

¨ Amber listed Rare – 29 previous records – including seven birds for several days in March 2018

A male was seen on Solfach on 1 May and then relocated on Pwll Cain, where it remained for the rest
of the day (LMH, SDS et al.).

G A D W A L L Anas strepera Hwyaden Lwyd

¨ Amber listed Vagrant, 15 previous records

A male was seen in Henllwyn on 24 March (MGC). In April two were seen on Pwll Cain from 21st to 23rd
PJ et al.).

W I G E O N Anas penelope Chwiwell

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

The first of the year was a female in September which lingered off the western side of the island from 21st
to 25th. She was joined on 22nd by four others in Solfach. October saw seven records in the first eight
days of the month, with eight on 1st and four on 4th the only counts above one. The only other record
was five birds passing the northern end of the island on 19th.

M A L L A R D Anas platyrhynchos Hwyaden Wyllt

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

Nine were seen on 25 February. March saw 14 on 1st with a further 14 records from 18th to the month’s
end, with a peak of eight on 20th. April, with a peak of 14 on two dates, saw the first young of the year.
May produced records on every date in the month, with a peak of 44 on 7th including 36 youngsters.
Numbers fell in June as the adults became elusive and began to moult, though new broods occasionally
popped up during the summer, totalling a minimum of 15 broods with 115 ducklings.

Numbers in late August grew to 29 by 30th and, though the peak in September was only 28, there were
an extra 100 bird-days recorded in total. October saw regular counts in the mid-20s, with up to 30 on
16th.

J F MAM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 9 14 14 44 14 27 29 28 30 7 0
Bird-days 0
9 87 183 425 144 277 384 484 450 7 0
Days seen
1 15 29 31 24 25 30 29 25 1 0

63: 66-129 73

STANSFIELD

200 50
Bird-day totals
150 Max. daily count per month40
100
30
50
0 20
J
10

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 Rare, 50 previous records

An immature/female was seen on the Narrows on 20 September (JW).

T E A L Anas crecca Corhwyaden

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

In February 18 were recorded on Pwll Cain on 25th; the only day of recording in the month. March saw
11 records of one to eight birds between 19th and 30th with a peak of 12 on 18th. The only record in
April was two individuals on 14th.

The first record of autumn was two on 24 August; there were a further four singles to the months end.
There were three records in September; a single on 20th with 20 on 21st and two on 22nd. October saw
just two records; one on 8th and two on 26th.

P O C H A R D Aythya ferina Hwyaden Bengoch

¨ Red listed Rare, 41 previous records, last in 2010

A female was seen on Pwll Cain on 17 and 18 May (LMH et al.). This is the first record for almost a decade.

Pochard © Lewis Hooper REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

74

SYSTEMATIC LIST

80 80
70 70
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10

00
Annual bird-day totals
1953
1958
1963
1968
1973
1978
1983
1988
1993
1998
2003
2008
2013
2018

Year's daily maxima

Bird-day totals Yearly maxima

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

Rare, 34 previous records

Nine female/immatures flew south along the West Coast on 15 October (GD et al.).

E I D E R Somateria mollissima Hwyaden Fwythblu

¨ Amber listed Scarce, 76 previous records

Four birds, three immature/females and a drake, flew south on 14 October (SDS), with a further two
immature/females seen on 20th (LMH). A poor showing after last year’s record-breaking numbers.

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

Three on 24 March were the first of the year. April saw a single record of six birds, whilst 31 were seen in
the Sound on 11 May and two were seen on 28th. June produced records on 6th and 26th, with 15 and
21 seen respectively. There were 30 on 7 July, with 13 the following day.

August saw records on 17 dates, most were in single figures, with 13 on 3rd and 18 on 14th. September
saw numbers reduce with just ten records, nine of which were of seven birds or fewer and then 31 were
counted on 28th. October produced eight records, with all but two counts under ten; 14th and 15th saw
11 and 12 respectively.

50 35
40Bird-day totals
30 Max. daily count per month30
20
10 25

0 20
J
15

10

5

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 3 6 31 21 30 18 31 12 0 0
0 0 3 6 33 36 43 98 73 44 0 0
Days seen 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 17 10 8 0 0

63: 66-129 75

STANSFIELD

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

A female was seen on the West Coast on 9 April (LMH). Two ‘red-heads’ were seen in Solfach on 14
October (SDS).

S W I F T Apus apus Gwennol Ddu

Common, occasionally abundant

The first of the year was a single on 5 May; this was followed by ten records to the month’s end, most of
which were of six or fewer, but ten were seen on 10th. June produced nine records, six of which were in
single figures with 12 on both 23rd and 27th and the month’s peak of 37 on 22nd. Of the nine records in
July four were over ten, with 12 on 3rd, 68 on 4th, 27 on 8th and 65 on 23rd. There were seven records in
August, with a peak of seven on 15th. The final record of the year was two on 10 September.

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 0 0 10 37 68 7 2 000
0 0 0 0 37 72 187 21 2 000
Days seen 0 0 0 0 11 9 9 7 1 000

100 80
Bird-day totals80
Max. daily count per month6060
40
20 40
0
J 20

0

F MAM J J A S OND

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 at Cristin on 29 April. May produced just two records; one bird
was seen arriving in over the sea onto the island from the west on 8th, with two present on 9th.

Cuckoo © Lewis Hooper

76 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

June saw a flurry of records with birds seen on nine dates throughout the month; most were singles, but
a pair were seen at Nant on 11th. July produced eight records in the first week, four of which were adults;
a juvenile was seen on 9th and then again from 28th to the month’s end.

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 were seen at Bank Holidays in early May (May Day), late
May/early June (Spring Bank Holiday) and then August Bank Holiday.

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 02332142 100
0 0 2 8 25 13 2 13 8 100
Days seen 0 0 1 5 13 10 2 9 7 100

10 5 Max. daily count per month
8
6 4
4
Bird-day totals 2 3
0
J 2

1

0

F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

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

Common migrant and scarce breeding summer visitor
Six birds were present on the island when staff returned on 18 March. There were daily counts, usually up to
seven to the month’s end, with ten on 30th. April saw up to eight birds for most of the first two weeks, until 13th
when numbers jumped to 17, and then up to 20 by 23rd. May’s counts were generally fewer than 20 though 30
were seen on 15th, with June’s peak being 18 on 20th.

July saw a peak of 24 on 12th, with 17 on two dates being the peak in August. Numbers began to fall in
September and after the end of the first week, which saw a maximum of 15 on 1st, there were only three double-
figure counts. Octobers maximum was nine on 1st and then numbers fell with none seen from 21st.

100 35 Max. daily count per month
80
60 30
40
Bird-day totals 20 25
0
J 20

15

10

5

F 0
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 5 10 20 30 18 24 17 16 9 0 0
0 5 54 274 347 248 269 294 218 58 0 0
Days seen 0 1 14 29 31 27 27 30 28 16 0 0

63: 66-129 77

STANSFIELD

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

¨ Red listed Uncommon passage migrant, almost becoming scarce

One was seen on 14 and 15 May. On 16 May three were seen together at Nant and they remained there
the following day; another was seen on 20th.

160 25

140
120 20

100 15
80
60 10

40 5
20

00
Annual bird-day totals
1953
1958
1963
1968
1973
1978
1983
1988
1993
1998
2003
2008
2013
2018

Year's daily maxima

Bird-day totals Yearly maxima

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 30 March. April saw ten records of one to two birds. May saw the strongest
passage of the year with records on 19 dates; most were of one to five individuals, with eight on 14th
and seven the following day. There was a drop in numbers in June, with just nine records, all were singles
with the exception of three on 9th. July produced three records to 15th of one or two birds.

Autumn passage was weak and began in late August, with one on 25th and 26th. Two were seen on 19
September and there were singles on 4 and 20 October.

20 10
Bird-day totals15
Max. daily count per month108

5 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 1 2 8 3 2 1 2 1 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 1 15 62 11 4 2 2 2 0 0
Days seen 0 0 1 10 19 9 3 2 1 2 0 0

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 were only two records all year; one was heard on 21 March and another on 27 October, both from
the Withes. This is the worst showing since 1956!

78 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

180 80

160 70
140 60
120 50
100

40
80
60 30
40 20
20 10

00
Annual bird-day totals
1953
1958
1963
1968
1973
1978
1983
1988
1993
1998
2003
2008
2013
2018

Year's daily maxima

Bird-day totals Yearly maxima

M O O R H E N Gallinula chloropus Iâr Ddŵr

Scarce/uncommon breeder, occasional passage migrant

There was a large decrease in the breeding population, with seven pairs recorded compared to 13 last
year. A total of 12 broods containing 25 young was recorded, giving an average brood size of 2.08.
Seven reached fledgling size. There were no signs of any immigration.

J F MAM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 3 7 8 9 5 4 6 9 13 0 0
Bird-days 0
3 41 89 155 56 33 72 93 81 0 0
Days seen
1 14 29 31 27 17 24 29 25 0 0

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

Vagrant. 20 previous records, last in 2017

A juvenile was found on the sea just off Nant Valley on 25 August (LMH, SDS).

Great Crested Grebe © Steven Stansfield

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 148 on 23rd. Up to
181 were counted in April, with 11 counts into three figures. Numbers generally increased in May, with a
peak of 208 on 14th. Numbers in June fell, with only three counts over 100 and a peak of 117 on 13th.

63: 66-129 79

STANSFIELD

July saw numbers begin to fall further, with a peak of 97 on 21st. August’s peak was just 47 on 16th, and
September’s was two less at 45 on 22nd. 57 on 10 October was the peak in that month.

700 250
600Bird-day totals
500 Max. daily count per month200
400
300 150
200
100 100

0 50
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 O N D
Bird-days 0 0 0
0 107 148 181 208 117 97 47 45 57 0 0
Days seen 0 107 120 278 345 1336 153 877 673 642 0 0

1 144 350 301 21 301 31 28 25

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 21 and 22 April.

Post-juvenile dispersal/migration began in late June when three were seen on 23rd, and two on 27th.
One was seen on 15 July. There were then none until a single was seen on 7 October, with another on
16th, one on 29th and then six on 30th. 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

Two were heard calling over the West Coast on 21 March. In April there were singles on four dates in the
month. One was seen on three of the last four dates in June and on 1 July.

Golden Plover © Lewis Hooper

80 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Two were seen on 31 July, with one on 2 August and another on 9th. September saw ten records from
14th to 30th and, with the exception of 31 which flew south on 28th, all records were of one to three
birds. October produced just eight records in the first 16 days; five being singles, with three on two dates
and five on 11th.

40 35
Bird-day totals
30 Max. daily count per month30
20
10 25

0 20
J
15

10

5

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 2 1 0 1 2 1 31 5 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 2 4 0 3 3 2 46 16 0 0
Days seen 0 0 1 4 0 3 2 2 10 8 0 0

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

¨ Amber listed Scarce

In May there was one on the South End on 8th, with two there on 10th. On 20th a different bird was

present and stayed to 22nd.

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 over the West Coast on 30 March. From April 8th there were six

records to the month’s end, with four on the Narrows on 18th the peak count. May saw 11 records; most

were of one to four birds, though seven were seen on 15th. June saw six birds on 1st and 2nd, with three

on 3rd and then three records of single birds.

Ringed Plover © Lewis Hooper

63: 66-129 81

STANSFIELD

There were no records from 20 June to 22 July; thereafter autumn passage began with a further single
on 30th. August saw 19 records during the month, mostly one to four birds. September saw records on 23
dates; most were of one to nine birds, with eight double-figure counts up to 16 on 13th. There were only
two records in October; two were seen on 1st and one on 14th.

Several small dark birds thought to belong to the race C. h. psammadroma were recorded through both
spring and autumn.

80 20 Max. daily count per month

Bird-day totals 60 15

40 10

20 5

0 F MA 0
J M J J A S OND
FM
01 Five day periods
01
01 Bird-days Max count

Max. count J AM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 4 7 6 1 4 16 2 0 0
0 10 31 18 2 44 167 3 0 0
Days seen 0 6 11 6 2 19 23 2 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 was a single record of one bird in February, four records of up to two in March and on five dates
in the first week of April, suggesting that they had over-wintered on the island. The first migrants of the
year were noted from 13 April, with up to 32 seen by 21st; by 25th there had been 50 seen, and then 72
were seen on 28th. May saw records on 28 days during the month with the heaviest passage being in
the first ten days; the peak count was 24 on 6th, with numbers falling to single figures in the last two weeks.
June saw 18 records, usually of one to two birds; three birds were seen on two dates in the latter part of
the month, with a peak of five on 22nd. One to three birds were seen frequently in the first two weeks of
July and had probably over-summered on the island.

The first returning migrants were noted in the latter half of July, with counts increasing to 12 by 19th and
then 16 by 28th. There were daily records in August, mostly in single figures, although there were six
double-figure counts with a peak of 26 on 29th. September produced records on 23 dates usually of one
to five birds, though eight were seen on 4th. There were just nine records in October, eight of which were
singles with two seen on 23rd.

80

70

Daily count of birds 60

50

40

30

20

10

0

J FM AM J J A S O ND

82 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

J F MAM J J A S OND

Max. count 0 1 2 72 24 5 16 26 8 2 0 0

Bird-days 0 1 6 446 245 32 153 202 59 10 0 0

Days seen 0 1 4 22 28 18 26 31 23 9 0 0

C U R L E W Numenius arquata Gylfinir

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

The only winter record was 31 seen on the South End on 25 February. On 1 March 52 were counted on
the Narrows, but by the time Observatory staff arrived on 18th numbers were in low single figures. April
saw records on 29 dates, most of which were of one to five birds, the peak being eight on 14th. There
were just 23 records in May of one to three birds, with the first half of June producing almost daily counts
of one to four birds.

None was recorded between 16 and 21 June, but autumn passage began on 22nd when the first
returning birds of autumn were seen, with numbers increasing to 22 on 28th. July saw daily counts with
up to 43 seen in the first half of the month and numbers increasing during the second half with up to 59
seen on 24th. August saw peak counts increase further with several counts in excess of 60 and a peak of
67 on 8th. Numbers reached 70 by 13 September, but then numbers began to fall in October, with a
peak of just 65.

80

70

Daily count of birds 60

50

40

30

20

10

0

J FM AM J J A S O ND

J F M AM J J A S O N D
0
Max. count 0 31 52 8 3 22 59 67 70 65 12 0
0
Bird-days 0 31 71 82 39 92 703 1235 1347 1336 12

Days seen 0 1 13 29 23 22 31 31 30 30 1

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 on the Narrows on 29 March. April saw singles on 21st and 28th with two on
30th, one of which was a colour-ringed individual. A single was seen on eight days between 2 and 13
May with two seen on 5th. One was heard calling after dark over Tŷ Pellaf on 5 June.

The first record in autumn was three on 19 August, and a single seen on 21st was the final record of the
year.

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 three on 22 March. One was seen on the Narrows on 26 April, the final
record of spring.

The first record in autumn was five in the wetlands on 11 July, with another in Henllwyn on 14 September.

63: 66-129 83

STANSFIELD

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

¨ Amber listed Common migrant and winter visitor, occasionally summers

February produced 36 on the Narrows on 25th. March produced 13 records, with a peak of 35 on 18th.
Numbers in April were slightly lower with records on 25 days and a peak of 22 on 19th. May’s peak came
early in the month with 28 on 2nd as numbers decreased with only one double-figure count in the second
half of the month and none recorded from 27th to the month’s end. There were just three records in the
first five days of June of up to three birds.

There were only two records in the first half of July, but from 17th autumn passage began with almost
daily counts of up to 17 by 27th. August saw daily counts with a peak in the first half of the month of 61
by 14th; numbers increased in the latter half of the month with regular counts of 50 or more and peaks
of 88 on 29th and 96 on 30th. September began with its peak count on 2nd when 94 were counted on
the Narrows. Numbers were generally lower in the latter half of the month with counts usually between
20 and 50, although 82 were seen on 18th and 66 on 27th. October saw records on 24 dates with a peak
count of 55 on 16th.

400 120
300Bird-day totals
200 Max. daily count per month100
100
80
0
J 60

40

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
0 36 35 22 28 3 17 96 94 55 8 0
Days seen 0 36 252 307 161 7 117 113 122 673 8 0
1 13 25 22 3 15 371 340 24 1

Turnstones © Steven Stansfield

84 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

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 Solfach on 19 May, with another in Henllwyn on 8 June.

August saw four records from 21st; two were singles, with seven on 23rd and two on 30th. There were
three singles in September with two on 19th. Another poor showing.

R U F F Calidris pugnax Pibydd Torchog

¨ Red listed Scarce

One flew south past the western side of the island on 28 September, the only record of the year.

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 one on Solfach on 30 April. May produced ten records, with up to six seen
on both 15th and 24th. June began with the year’s peak count on 1st with a flock of 17 on Solfach. None
was seen the following two days, and the last of spring was a single on 4th and 5th.

July saw the first autumnal records with five seen on 19th, one on 24th and two on 25th. August saw
records on 24 dates in the month; most were of one to three birds, with five on 21st and 22nd and then
nine on 23rd. There were singles on the first two dates in September, with two on 3rd. There was then a
lack of birds until two were seen on 24th, with one the next day and two on 29th. Four were seen on 10
October and a single the following day was the final record of the year.

30 20
Bird-day totals25
Max. daily count per month2015
15
10 10

5 5
0
0
J 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 1 6 17 5 9 2 4 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 1 36 19 8 57 9 5 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 1 10 3 3 24 6 2 0 0

D U N L I N Calidris alpina Pibydd y Mawn

¨ Amber listed Fairly common to common passage migrant

The first arrival of the spring was four birds on 17 April; these were followed by a further 11 records of one
to four birds to the month’s end. May saw birds on 24 dates, 13 of which were double-figure counts in
the middle of the month, with up to 36 seen on both 15th and 21st. There were eight records in June,
seven of which were of one to six birds in the first nine days, with two seen on 26th the last of spring.

Autumn passage began on 15 July with the first returning birds, presumed to be failed breeders, arriving
on the island. There were ten records in the month and, with the exception of 11 on 24th, all were of one
or two individuals. There were daily records in August with the largest counts coming at the start of the
month, when 24 were seen on 3rd and 25 the following day and then 28 on 9th. September’s peak on

63: 66-129 85

STANSFIELD

Dunlin © Steven Stansfield

1st was 31 and was the largest count of the autumn; 25 of these flew south along the West Side of the
island between 0700 hrs and 0900 hrs. There were a further 20 records in the month of up to five birds,
usually on Solfach. October saw four records (three singles and a two) to 11th.

200 40
Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month
150 30

100 20

50 10

0 0
J
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 0 4 36 6 11 28 31 2 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 24 367 27 23 196 81 5 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 12 24 8 10 31 21 4 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

In February there were 45 in Henllwyn on 25th. March saw five records; 28 were logged on 1st, and then
45 on 21st; these were followed by three single-figure counts. There were 17 records in April, nine of which
were double-figure counts, including 35 on 14th and 60 on 16th. There were just three records in May to
11th with 19 on 6th the peak count.

The first returning birds in autumn were in late July with three records of up to eight birds from 24th. There
were seven records in August of up to four birds, with September producing eight records of one to six
individuals and then 25 on 22nd. October only saw records on five dates in the month, with three single-
figure counts, 12 on 1st and ten on 15th the final record of the year.

86 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Purple Sandpiper © Steven Stansfield

Daily count of birds 70
60
50 FM A M J J A SOND
40
30
20
10

0
J

Max. count J F MAM J J A S OND
Bird-days 0 0 45 45 60 19 0 8 4 25 12 0
0 0 45 86 281 38 0 16 18 42 31 0
Days seen 0 0 1 5 17 3 0 3 7 9 5 0

W O O D C O C K Scolopax rusticola Cyffylog

¨ Red listed Uncommon to fairly common migrant

A single was seen on the Mountain on 18 March, the only record in spring.

The first of autumn were two on 16 October, with four on 19th, one on 20th, four on 26th and the last
record of the month was one on 28th. Most records cane from either the Observatory Garden at first
light, in the Plantation at Nant, of from the Wetlands and Lowland fields after dark.

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

Uncommon passage migrant and rare over-winterer, probably overlooked

One in the Wetlands on 25 February was the only winter record. There were two seen on 16 April, with a
single on both 18th and 19th.

The only records in autumn were singles on 13 and 16 October, both in the Wetlands.

63: 66-129 87

STANSFIELD

S N I P E Gallinago gallinago Gïach Gyffredin

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

The only record in February was on the only day of recording during the winter, when 28 were counted
on 25th. March saw a single in the Withies on 23rd and two in the Lowlands on 30th. There were 17 records
in April between 8th and 30th, usually in single figures but 16 were counted on 16th and 12 on 18th. There
were just two records in May; three on 1st and two on 5th.

The first return passage birds were seen in July, with a single on 7th, and then another on 27th, with two
on 30th. There were three singles in August. September saw seven singles, with one record of two and
then three on three dates. Of the 17 records in October most were one to five birds, with a peak of 12
on 27th.

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 28 2 16 3 0 2 1 3 12 0 0

Bird-days 0 28 3 69 5 0 4 3 18 52 0 0
Days seen 0 1 2 17 2 0 3 3 11 17 0 0

30

25

Daily count of birds 20

15

10

5

0

J FM AM J J A S O ND

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 two were seen on the Narrows; there were a further five records
mostly of two birds during the month with a single on 22nd. May produced three on 1st with a single on
13th and 14th which was the last of spring.

Common Sandpiper © Steven Stansfield

88 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Return passage began in late June with three on 23rd and one on 24th. July saw records on 21 dates
most were of one to five birds though there were five counts of eight or more with peaks of 12 on 13th
and 14 on 15th. There were 21 records in August; again most were of one to four individuals with 14 on
7th and 17 the following day. There were two singles in September, one on 14th and one on 27th, with
singles on 1 and 4 October, the latter being the final record of the year.

40 20 Max. daily count per month

Bird-day totals 30 15

20 10

10 5

0 0
J
F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 0 2 3 3 14 17 1 1 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 0 11 5 4 96 72 2 2 0 0
Days seen 0 0 0 6 3 2 21 21 2 2 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

There were two records in July, one on 15th and one on 28th with singles on 2 and 3 August.

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

¨ Amber listed Fairly common migrant and winter visitor

Up to 27 spent the winter on the island, March’s peak count was 35 on 27th. Numbers in April peaked in
the first week with 19 on 5th, thereafter numbers fell sharply leaving just single-figure counts from 9th
onwards and from 22nd records became sporadic. There were just two records in May, one on 8th and
nine on 13th, the last of spring.

The first returning birds in autumn were two on 24 June; these were followed by a further two on 30th.
There were 23 records in July of which five were in double figures with a peak of 13 on 16th. Numbers in
August reached 22 by 3rd but during the latter half of the month there was only one double figure count;
16 were seen on 19th. September saw records on 27 days; eight were double-figure counts, including
the peak of 20 on 25th. October’s peak of 22 on 19th was one of only five double-figure counts in the
month.

140 40 Max. daily count per month
120
Bird-day totals 100 30

80 20
60
40 10
20
0
0
J F MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

63: 66-129 89

STANSFIELD

J F MAM J J A S ON D
0 2 13 22 20 22 0 0
Max. count 0 10 35 19 9 4 147 256 237 168 0 0
Bird-days 0 2 23 31 27 23 0 0
10 263 141 10
Days seen
1 15 25 2

W O O D S A N D P I P E R Tringa glareola Pibydd y Graean
¨ Amber listed Vagrant, just 17 previous records, last in 2016

Two were seen flying south along the West Side of the island on 10 August (SDS).

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 15 and 16 April.

August saw singles on 14th and another on 25th. There were four singles in September, on 8th, 9th, 15th
and 25th.

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

Two were seen on 25 February. March began with 130 on 1st. When staff returned to the island on 18th
there were ten records to the month’s end, with a peak of 235 on 21st. April saw generally low numbers,
with 256 on 26th and 488 the following day the only records of note during strong winds. There were no
movements of note in May or June. July’s peak of 191 included 91 young in nests.

The build-up in late summer of failed or non-breeders began in early August, with up to 2047 seen on
15th. One bird photographed on the South End on 12th was sporting a set of colour-rings and this bird
was discovered to have been ringed at Pointe du Raz, Brittany, France. There were 20 records in
September, most were under 100; however, when the wind was strong there were some notable
movements, 663 were seen on 1st, 2589 on 5th, 701 on 17th and 1006 on 28th. October failed to produce
any very large counts and of the 19 records, ten were into three figures and the peak on 15th was 1376.

Max. count J F MAM J J A S ON D
Bird-days 0 0
0 2 235 488 157 126 191 204 258 137 0 0
Days seen 0 2 603 102 836 471 554 87570 5956 5649 0 0
1 11 197 25 19 15 289 240 169 0
F
3500 3000
Bird-day totals3000
Max. daily count per month25002500
2000
1500 2000
1000
1500
500
0 1000

500

J 0
MAM J J A S OND

Five day periods

Bird-days Max count

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

An adult was off the West Coast on 4 September (GD), with a juvenile seen there on 28th (SDS, GD). An
adult was seen on 2 October from the South End (SDS).

90 REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

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

At least 350 were counted flying south on 1 March, with a single on 28th. May saw two singles in the last
week of the month, with June producing three records of up to three birds.

July saw records of one to four birds on 16 dates with the peak of eight on 26th. There were 20 records in
August, three of which were double-figure counts, including the peak of 32 on 26th. There were just 14
records in September; however, five were double-figure counts with a peak of 62 on 21st. October
produced the only notable movement of the year; there were records on 21 dates, five of which were
three-figure counts and peaks of 1187 on 20th and 1208 the following day.

J F MA MJ J A S O ND
0 0 350 1
Max. count 0 0 351 1 1 3 8 32 62 1208 0 0
Bird-days 0 021
2 6 38 97 160 5168 0 0
Days seen F MAM
2 3 16 20 14 21 00
2000
1400
1500Bird-day totals
Max. daily count per month1200
1000
1000
500
800
0
J 600

400

200

0
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

The only record in September was a single on 1st. October produced singles on 6th and 12th and then
six on 19th.

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 15 flew south along the West Side along with a large number of Black-headed Gulls.

July saw the first birds of the autumn arriving, with two juveniles seen on 18th. There were then singles on
22nd and 24th, with three on 30th. August produced records on ten dates, with five birds seen on both
3rd and 13th. There was just one record in September of one on 9th. October saw the main passage of
the year, with 14 counts, usually up to 39, though 73 were counted passing the West Side of the island
between 0830hrs and 0930hrs on 3rd.

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 15 0 0 0 3 5 1 73 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 15 0 0 0 7 26 1 289 0 0
Days seen 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 10 1 14 0 0

63: 66-129 91

STANSFIELD

Mediterranean Gull © Lewis Hooper 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

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 45 on 1st with a large gull flock off the West Side of the island. There were single records in
both June and July. There were four records in August with a peak of six, and two records in September
with a peak of four. October saw the only notable passage during the year, with records on 14 dates
including four double-figure counts with the peak of 45 on 15th.

J F MAM J J A S ON D
Max. count 0 0 45 0 0 1 1 6 4 45 0 0

Bird-days 0 0 45 0 0 1 1 10 6 162 0 0
Days seen 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 4 2 14 0 0

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 17.
However, in mid-August numbers rose from the regular counts in single figures to produce eight double-
figure counts, including 18 on 1st. September saw six days when counts reached double figures, with 18
the peak on 14th. October saw just one double-figure count, with ten on 30th.

J FMAM J J A S OND
0
Max. count 0 5 8 17 14 13 11 18 18 10 0 0
Bird-days 0
5 62 125 149 120 111 214 191 146 0 0
Days seen
1 14 28 30 22 24 30 28 26 0 0
92
REP. BARDSEY BIRD FLD OBS.