Summary of Birds on Bardsey (all pdf files which can only be read with Acrobat Reader installed)
March 2004  April 2004  May 2004  June 2004  July 2004  August 2004  September 2004  October 2004
March 2005  April 2005  May 2005  June 2005  July 2005  August 2005  September 2005  October 2005
March 2006  April 2006  May 2006  June 2006  July 2006  August 2006  September 2006  October 2006
April 2007     May 2007  June 2007   July 2007

BIRD AND SOCIAL NEWS AT PRESENT BEING PUT ON THE BARDSEY CRIERS BLOG - CLICK HERE to go to the Blog.

13 November 2007 - In case you were thinking we wouldn't hear of any more birds on the island until Steve returned in the New Year, you are mistaken.  Ben Porter (11 years old and recently moved to the farm with his sister Rachel and mum and dad, Jo and Steve Porter)) has promised to do a daily log.   He had a Wryneck today and photographed it!  Keep it up Ben.

12 November 2007 - Richard's Pipit, Hawfinch.   Steve, Emma and Connor left the island today.

4 November 2007 - 3 Richard's Pipits, 21 Med. Gulls, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Wigeon, 3,000 Starlings, 4,000 Razorbills, 12,000 Black-headed Gulls, 67 Skylarks, 60 Blackbirds, 400 Chaffinches, a few Bramblings and Siskins.

1 November 2007 - 2 Snow Buntings.

25 October 2007- Gadwall, Wigeon, Yellow-browed Warbler, lots of Blackbirds

23 October 2007 - 1 Richard's Pipit, 1 Wood Lark, 3 Water Pipits, Bullfinch, lots of Greenfinches and Chaffinches passing through.

22 October 2007 - c800 Chaffinches, c800 Greenfinches, Black Redstarts, 3 Med. Gulls, 1 Bonxie.

21 October 2007 - 13 Black Redstarts, Yellow-browed Warbler (in the last week 6 birds have been ringed and it is estimated that there have been 21 different birds on the island).

20 October 2007 - Barred Warbler, Barn Owl.

18 October 2007 - A MEGA for Emma and Steve, witnessed by 28 others, including Connor. More details to follow shortly of this FIRST for Bardsey.

4 October 2007  -  1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 3 Sparrowhawks,        
                              60 Skylarks, 25 Redpolls.

2 October 2007 - 3 Yellow-browed Warblers

1 October 2007 - 1 Adult Male Red-flanked Bluetail (First for Wales) - found by Ben Stammers.
                             It was trapped and ringed.
                             1 Yellow-browed Warbler, Richards Pipit, 2 Lapland Buntings.

28 September 2007 - 1 Wryneck, 1 Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer, Firecrest, Med. Gull

24 September 2007 - 2 Tufted Ducks, Great Northern Diver

23 September 2007 - 2 Firecrests, Barn Owl.

21 September 2007 - 6 Arctic Skuas.

20 September 2007 - 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Common Rosefinch, Firecrest.

19 September 2007 - 12 Arctic Skuas, 5 Balearic Shearwaters, 1 Long-tailed Skua, Leach's Petrel, Firecrest, Black-throated Diver

18 September 2007 - Firecrest, 3 Common Crossbills.

17 September 2007 - 1 Sabine's Gull, 1 Leach's Petrel, 1 Balearic Shearwater.

13 September 2007 - 1 Common Rosefinch, 1 Ortolan Bunting, 60 Grey Wagtails, 3 Arctic Skuas, 20 Common Scoter, 6 Risso's Dolphins.

12 September 2007 - 1 Common Rosefinch.

10 September 2007 - 17 Arctic Skuas, 21 Sandwich Terns, 12 Arctic Terns, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Blue Fulmar, 1 Lapland Bunting.

9 September 2007 - 24 Arctic Skuas, 1 Pom Skua, 8 Balearic Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 9             Wigeon, 28 Scoter, 10 Risso's Dolphons.

8 September 2007 - 29 Arctic Skuas, 4 Pomarine Skuas, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 9 Risso's Dolphons

7 September 2007 - 1 Gadwall.

6 September 2007 - 34 Risso's Dolphins.

4 September 2007 - 200 Swallows, 1 Gadwall (5th island record - previously Sept. 88, Oct 86, Oct 69 and 2 in Oct 1958), 15 Grey Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 2 Spars, 2 Merlins, 1 Arctic Skua.

3 September 2007 - 1 Whinchat, 15 Sandwich Terns

August 2007 - a quiet month as with most Observatories.  A few waders started to appear, as did Sandwich Terns, the odd Skua and a few Swallows and Spotted Flycatchers on return passage.  A Barn Owl at the end of the month was unusual. 

31 July 2007 - We were beginning to wonder if we would ever get any return migration but the New Moon has delayed things.  Today, however, there are signs that Bardsey Island is still a good spot on which to rest and feed.  One Sanderling and 1 Dunlin were seen today and there were about 20 Willow Warblers in the Withies.  There was a Hirundine movement of Swallows and Martins during the day too.

24 July 2007 - At night Manxies everywhere.  Bird movement NIL at the moment apart from 1 Lapwing yesterday.  Social News much more interesting! 

18 June 2007 - Cuckoo, 3 Little Egrets, Melodious Warbler singing male (trapped and ringed at Cristin).  3 Peregrine chicks ringed on the east side, also 4 Chough chicks and 100 young Razorbills.

17 June 2007 - Green Sandpiper, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Sandwich Terns, Golden Plover, Cuckoo.  A adult pale phase Arctic Skua on the sea on the east side.

16 June 2007 - A Common Wave Moth (first for the island). 

15 June 2007 - A Deaths Head Hawkmoth was found by Connor after it flew into their home at Cristin. (Connor goes on holiday to Yorkshire)

13 June 2007 - 2 Little Egrets (narrows), Second Buff-tip Moth.

12 June 2007 - 1 Turtle Dove, Moths: Buff-tip (3rd record for island)

11 June 2007 - 1 female Red-breasted Flycatcher (Plas Withy), Crossbill.  Moths:  Small Elephant Hawk Moth (new for the island)

31 May 2007 - Arctic Skua.  There would appear to be an 80% drop in the breeding Gull (Herring and Lessers) population on the island this year.  20 Puffins seen on the east side of the mountain. 

30 May 2007 - Pomarine Skua and Arctic Skua.

29 May 2007 - Sub-alpine Warbler singing in Cristin garden;  21 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Great Northern Diver.

25 May 2007 - 1 Black Swan (1st for island);  2 drake Garganey (5th for island).

24 May 2007 - Cristin Garden - 1 male Sub-Alpine Warbler, trapped and ringed. 15/20 Spotted Flycatchers.

22 May 2007 - 1 Redpoll, 3 young hatched in Seal Cave Chough nest

21 May 2007 - 20 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Hooded Crows

20 May 2007 - Nightingale, 16 Spotted Flycatchers

6 May 2007 - Redstart (trapped) and Tree Pipit

5 May 2007 -  Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, 50 Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, White Wagtails, numbers of Willow Warblers tailed off

4 May 2007 - Male Sub-Alpine Warbler (trapped and ringed).

30 April 2007 - Hobby, 2 Reed Warblers.

23 April 2007 - 1st Garden Warbler.  Rain and fog.

22 April 2007 - 160 Willow Warblers, 3 BT Godwits, 4 Grasshopper Warblers, 1 Firecrest

19 April 2007 - Steve reports that it is relatively quiet for birds.  20/30 birds a day are being trapped and ringed (Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Grasshopper Warblers, Blackcap).  A film crew from the BBC were on the island last week and the programme goes out on 30 April at 7pm on BBC1 "Iola's Welsh Safari".  DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN.
GOOD NEWS TOO THAT OUR ELDERLY MANXIE IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL.  She returned again and was handled and checked the other day.  She was originally ringed as an adult back in 1957 so she has now reached her 50th anniversary.  As she was an adult when ringed she must be several years older of course.  SHE HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE LONGEST SURVIVING WILD RINGED BIRD.

13 April 2007 - Trapped 51 birds; Redstart, 130 Willow Warbler, Ring Ouzel trapped.

12 April  2007 - 550 Willow Warblers (214 trapped); 40 Chiffchaff (36 trapped);  Ring Ouzel, Tree Pipit, Grasshopper Warbler.

7 April 2007 - This last week turned out to be a very eventful one for the Wardens, Bev and Neil Healey, and one of your Vice Presidents.   On Saturday 31 March, Neil and the two Bevans crossed with Colin to Bardsey, taking with them a hired Generator.  The plan was to install this to give power to the Obs. temporary until a new one is acquired and to also install and fit new kitchen units in the Obs. Kitchen. The generator was taken up to the Obs in the morning and was installed and running shortly after lunch.  In the afternoon, "Dr. Steve Stansfield" was calling the Coastguard and an RAF Sea King Helicopter was taking off Vice President Bevan Craddock on a 25 minute flight to Bangor A & E.   After 5 hours in hospital being xrayed and treated, Dafydd Phillips very kindly drove from Aberdaron and collected him and provided B&B on Saturday night.  At 9.30am the following morning, Bevan returned to the island with Ernest Evans.   ("I can certainly vouch for the excellent emergency procedures on Bardsey - First Aid by Steve, TLC by Emma, and the transport to Bangor and return was first class").  By the end of the week, the new kitchen was installed and the three very tired volunteers returned to Porth Meuddwy to be relieved by the Chairman and his family.   No, I didn't fall off a cliff, nor was I hit by a wall cupboard - I simply tripped and fell heavily by the gate to Cristin and lost "a few gallons!" of blood - Emma spent the rest of the week swabbing her kitchen out!  Click here for scooped pictures of the Event 

During this week the first Shearwaters were heard flying below the Observatory over the fields calling.

31 March 2007 - Neil and the two Bevans are hoping to be able to cross to the island today to spend a week doing voluntary work for Steve at the Obs.  We are taking over a temporary Generator as we still haven't sourced a new one.

30 March 2007 - 1 Long-eared Owl.

29 March 2007 - 1 Wheatear

28 March 2007 - 4 Sand Martins

27 March 2007 - Bevan Craddock, Bevan and Neil Healey, made a journey to Aberdaron with a Van load of equipment which was loaded on to Ernest and Colin's boats in Porth and taken over to the Island.  A calm and sunny day, although a cold and foggy drive up from the Midlands.  Steve, Emma and Connor appeared to be in good spirits when we met them in the Cafn, as we unloaded not only the equipment but also a calf and two lambs. 

23 March 2007 - 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 30 Goldcrests

22 March 2007 - Short-eared Owl

21 March 2007 - Sand Martin, Wheatear, Leach's Petrel, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting.

Steve, Emma and Connor are back on the island.  Our Assistant, David, has not yet returned.   The weather has been atrocious and an enormous amount of work is needed to get the Observatory back into ship-shape fashion ready for visitors.  A setback is that the Diesel Generator has broken down and efforts are being made to find a replacement and get it out to the island as soon as possible.  In the meantime, a small generator is giving Steve and Emma some electric light and just enough to run the computer.  At present there is no central heating.  

3 March 2007 - At the AGM, Patrick Davies was re-elected Chair and all the other Officers were re-elected.  After the official business, there was an excellent illustrated talk by Alison Palmer Hargrave, the SAC Officer of Gwynedd County Council, about the Llyn Peninsular Special Area of Conservation.   She concentrated on the Marine Life of the SAC, which showed how truly amazing it was and which enthralled the audience.  Alison said she was hoping to visit the island this year.

30 January 2007 - Members will have just received the latest issue of the Beacon Newsletter which informs them that the AGM of the Observatory will be held in Criccieth at the Marine Hotel, on Saturday 3 March at 2pm.     Council Members will be meeting there in the morning for a Council Meeting.  There is also an appeal in the latest issue for £1,700 to be able to replace our ageing Generator as soon as possible.  Please be generous - donations to our Hon. Treasurer.

18 January 2007 - Just spoken to Steve at Rotherham.  He is busy completing the 2006 Annual Report.  Whilst talking we looked at a couple of new Websites showing the weather (blowing gale force winds here in the midlands at the moment).  We have put links to these websites on the first page.  They show spectacular forecasts of the weather over the Atlantic at the moment - and the swell images are very impressive.  There is also a link to a Web Cam situated overlooking Hells Mouth on the Lleyn peninsula which shows white water everywhere - superb surfing conditions if you are a dolphin.

10 December 2006 - Just before going to bed (at 1am) I checked the forecast and I see that strong winds are returning to most parts of the UK with lots of rain so flooding is now a problem in many places.  The Observatory has been closed down now until Steve and David return in February/March.  Don't forget you can email Steve now he is back on the mainland.  Or you can send him messages on the Bardsey Banter.

8 December 2006 - Steve phoned as he was driving down the Lleyn Peninsula to say Colin had at last managed to make it over and brought them all back to the mainland in very rough seas (breaking over the boat).  David (our Assistant) was going back to his home on Anglesey and Steve and his family were heading for Southport to see Emma's family.  

7 December 2006 - Spoke to Steve today - forecast looks as if the winds are going to ease a little on Friday and Saturday but back to rough weather on Sunday.  We are all just hoping that Colin is able to make it over on Saturday if the seas level out.  Other avenues are being explored to try and solve our problem.  I speak to him daily so they (David, Steve, Emma and Connor) know we are all thinking of them out there struggling to stay sane whilst waiting for the weather to change.   I don't know about the rest of you but I think I am at last starting to understand what all those lines on the Weather Maps are about :-)) 

5 December 2006 - 1 Little Auk, Manxie.  A Trinity House helicopter brought two workers on to the island to the lighthouse and came back to fetch them off later.  Steve ran down to the Lighthouse but they wouldn't take our Wardens and family off!  In the early days of the Observatory's life, I seem to recollect that we helped the Lighthouse Keepers when they lived at the lighthouse.  But I suppose community spirit and helping your neighbours has been superseded by "Regulations" and "Sorry mate, we can't help"!   From this you will be right in assuming that our Wardens, plus Emma and young Connor are still stranded.  The window of opportunity that we thought might materialise tomorrow will not occur.  Next remote possibility is next weekend when there might be a lull before a real storm.  Have a look yourself at the Atlantic Weather Map

4 December 2006 - 2 Manxies (latest in year ever recorded)

3 December 2006 - We missed Emma and Steve who are still stranded on the island with David, our Assistant Warden.  We had a long meeting, lasting from 10.30am until 4pm (with a short break for lunch) and discussed many, many items covering all aspects of the running of the Observatory, our finances and fund raising, our staff of course (we had a report from Steve and David via the Chair).  We discussed sales, a new generator, sustainability issues, boat crossing, accommodation among many other items.  We reluctantly had to increase our fees to cross and stay on the island in view of the increase in the boat charges this next year.  We have kept our charges at, we think, a very reasonable rate and we trust it will not mean people cannot afford to visit the island.  Council Members had to consider the viability of the Charity which is their duty and responsibility.  Just phoned Steve - they had a Leach's Petrel off the south end this morning.  Gales Force 11 today from the SW.  Watch the forecast and pray for a lull on Wednesday.  There is a remote possibility that the winds may drop a little - but the sea doesn't flatten out for quite a while so it may still not be calm enough for Colin to cross.

1 December 2006 - Steve, Emma, Connor and our Assistant David are still stranded on the island.  They will be unable to get off for the Council Meeting and the forecast is not good at all.  Their food supply is becoming limited and somewhat boring but loneliness and not being able to get to medical appointments and see family is obviously worrying them.  (If you happen to have a friend with a Helicopter who would ferry them off FREE it would be very much appreciated).  "Who would be a Warden of an Island Bird Observatory?"  :-))  The Bardsey Crier (that's me!, the webmaster) is talking to them most days and trying to keep their spirits up.  Let's face it, they are better off than us on the mainland - they can't get English TV so are not having to watch the going's on of the Celebrities in the Australian Jungle :-))

6 November - 4 Chiffchaffs

4 November - 1 Siberian Chiffchaff.

1 November - Back in September three fisherman stayed at the Obs. and spent the week Sea Fishing off Bardsey.  They have written a report (illustrated with some great photos) which you can see at:  http://www.fishing4u.co.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=3585    They have also contributed on Bardsey Banter.   I am seriously considering giving up birding and taking up fishing - the wildlife below the waves is superb.  Where's my scuba gear?

31 October - 1 Radde's Warbler still on south end; a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Sanderlings.

30 October -  Large Lighthouse Attraction overnight (1,000+ Redwings and lots of waders). 2 Radde's Warblers on the island today (one ringed and one unringed).   (3rd and 4th Welsh records).  Also 1 Barnacle Goose and a Bullfinch.

29 October - 1 Radde's Warbler (trapped and ringed)

24 October - 4 Med. Gulls. 

23 October - 1 Richards Pipit, 1 Rosefinch, 1 Lapland Bunting, 3 Bramblings.  
                        AND A POSSIBLE ELEONORA'S FALCON HAWKING INSECTS OVER THE ISLAND.  GOOD VIEWS AND PHOTOS TAKEN BUT OBSERVERS STILL NOT CERTAIN OF DEFINITE IDENTIFICATION.

22 October - 5 Sabine's Gulls, 1 Little Auk.

18 October - Lighthouse Attraction - c200 Redwing (c30 ringed), 200 Chaffinches, Yellow Browed Warbler (ringed).   Also on island - 3 Ring Ouzels and 1 Lapland Bunting. 

12 October - 1 Bonxie, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Little Gull.

10 October - Steve phoned - Soon as we leave, the birds appear! - 1 Rosefinch, 3 Med. Gulls, 250 Chaffinch, 50 Greenfinch, 50 Goldfinch, 70 Skylarks, 3 Spars, 3 Buzzard, 1 Goshawk, 500 B.H. Gulls.

9 October 2006 - Just back from the island with Bev and Neil Healey after doing some voluntary work making the Obs and the island more comfortable for birds and visitors.  Weather kept us on for a couple of extra days.   Lots of pictures (coming soon) of Colin's new sea truck doing its first job of carrying off 700 Sheep (in one day - a record) and 26 Cattle the following day.  Best bird of the week - 1 Rosefinch but wonderful view of 42 Chough feeding on Solfach beach. (pictures to come).  Some really rough seas at highest tide of year but some warm and sunny days too.   Best was we had the island and the Obs to ourselves while we insulated the roof to make it warmer for you all.  Colin took on today some CCW Seal Counters and a BBC TV crew. 

29 September - Balearic Shearwater and Little Gull past the island this morning. 

24 September - 1 Bonelli's Warbler (trapped and ringed), possibly Eastern race; 1 Wryneck, Short-toed Lark still present, 1 Adult Sabines Gull (summer plumage), several Flava Wagtails, Lots of Meadow Pipits, Wheatears, Linnets and White Wagtails, a few Spotted Flycatchers.  Red-veined Darter (1st for island)

23 September - Hurricane "Helene" is causing problems on Bardsey.  It has been in the centre of the Atlantic and is at present off the Azores but moving NE.   It is interesting to watch the weather out there at this time of the year.  Hurricane news can be got from here  and the Atlantic Weather Forecasts from here

22 September - 13 Balearic Shearwaters, 7 Black Terns, 20 Golden Plovers, 1 Little Gull, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Pied Flycatcher.   Force 11 wind in the night.

21 September - 3 Lapland Buntings, 6 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 6 Black Terns, 2 Little Gulls, 1 Med. Gull, 2 Pintail,  200 Sandwich Terns, 80 Common Terns, 1 Little Tern

20 September  - Short-toed Lark still present, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Balearic Shearwater.  And an awful lot of rain!

19 September - 1 Short-toed Lark found near the Lighthouse, subsequently moved to the north fields.  Only the 6th record for the island, the last being in 2001.

18 September - 3 Black Terns, 1 Balearic Shearwater (heavy rain all day)
 
16 September - 36 Risso's Dolphins (including a pod of 5 calves with their mothers)

14 September - 1 Golden Oriole, 1 Wryneck, 5 Firecrests, 70 Goldcrests, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 12 Spotted Flycatchers, 20 Whitethroats, 300 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Tree Pipits, 5 Balearic Shearwaters, 3 Black Terns, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie.   At last birds are on the move.

13 September - Osprey, 20 Grey Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, Wryneck.

8 September - 15 Robins, 1 Nightjar (only 25th for the island).  Very few birds at the moment as the weather has been fine and sunny and clear skies at night so migrants are flying straight over. (The picture last year at this time was completely different - simply click on August and Sept. above).  Easterlies must be bringing birds into the country but until we get overcast nights, very few will be coming down on Bardsey.  But Steve is patient and there is still plenty of time.  Watch the North Atlantic Weather situation (excellent forecast maps) - and forecast American vagrants!

Three sea fishermen have returned to the Obs. this September and have been going out sea fishing every day while fine (they have their own boat).  So far they have caught 61 fish of 18 species including a 42 lb. Tope.  More details later.

7 September - 2 Pom Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Bonxies, Storm Petrel, Male Hen Harrier, 36 White Wagtails.

5 September - Hen Harrier, Whinchat, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Balearic Shearwaters.

4 September - 1 Wryneck, 10 Balearic Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwaters, 160 Sandwich Terns, 7 Spotted Flycatchers.

1 September 2006 - Some movement beginning.  At sea:  6 Balearic Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skuas, 1 Little Gull, 70 Sandwich Terns.   On the island:  2 Spotted Flycatchers, 20 Goldcrests.

25 August 2006 - Please note that the Warden (Steve's) Freeserve email address is now cancelled.  Send any emails to him at:  steve at bbfo dot org dot uk   or   warden at bbfo dot org dot uk

15 August 2006 - 1 Tree Pipit, 6 Willow Warblers

14 August 2006 - A phone call from Steve tells me that birds are a little scarce at the moment.  2 Bonxies and an Arctic Skua at sea, 3 Spotted Flycatchers (that's more than I have seen on the mainland this year) and the odd Willow Warbler.  Yesterday, 60 Sandwich Terns flew past the island.  

10 August 2006 - A one hour sea watch produced:  2 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Storm Petrels, 1 Sooty Shearwater and 1,000 Manxies.   The new fridge has arrived and is fully working.   A grant from CCW has enabled the Obs. to acquire a Digital Projector, enabling us to give illustrated talks on the island to visitors.

8 August 2006 - A pelagic trip 10 miles SW with Colin produced 1 Storm Petrel, 1 Bonxie, 4 Common Dolphins.

29 July 2006 - The two Bev's motored up to Aberdaron on a "Mercy" mission for some of our visitors (guess who!) who were on the island for two weeks.  With fridge problems in the very hot weather, food was not keeping too well and we took up a load of fresh fruit and one or two other things.  Unfortunately for us, the weather was forecast turning rough and Colin had to collect from Porth Meuddwy at 7.30am.  We therefore had to leave Penkridge at 4am - we made it to Porth before 7am (and Colin didn't arrive until 7.40am !!!).  After loading the boat and taking lots of photos, we returned home at leisure, calling in at Pwllheli Marine Yards to see Colin's new boat which we photographed for you to see here.  We were back in Penkridge for 2pm - and Bev ? then had to go back to work.  The other one went to bed!

26 July 2006 - Great White Egret -  until 9am and then flew Southwest

23 July 2006 - Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo and a scattering of Willow Warblers and Whitethroats.
                           A BBC Film Crew are on the island for two weeks filming for the programme "Wild" -                    
                           Our warden may even feature in it!  Watch this space.

22 July 2006 - Grasshopper Warbler

21 July 2006 - Little Egret

13 June 2006 - BBFO Report gets 3rd place in Best Annual Report competition.  House Martin's stopped nest building and disappeared.

11 June 2006 -  Golden Oriole singing, 2 Clouded Yellow butterflies.  

10 June 2006 - Golden Oriole (5th of the spring);  Hobby, Arctic Tern, 3 Sandwich Terns.

9 June 2006 - Nesting News - House Martin nesting in porch over front door or north side.  Possibly 2 pairs of Peregrine breeding this year.  10 pairs of Wheatears;  70 pairs of Oystercatchers;  5 broods of Shelducks (19 young);  4 pairs Chaffinch;  4/5 pairs Chough (ringed 3 young today;  1/2 pairs of Blackbird (first since 1996);  possibly 2 pairs of Long-eared Owl;  3 pairs of Little Owl;  3 pairs Whitethroat;  Breeding seabirds look ok, possibly increase from last year;  Wrens down to under 20 pairs.   Clouded Yellow butterfly.

7 June 2006 - 6 Crossbills, Red Kite (wing-tagged which was ringed in Rutland area in 2003), Golden Oriole in evening.

6 June 2006 - Crossbill flew over.  Reed Warbler.

2 Jun 2006 - A very good day:  Serin, Black-headed Bunting, Red Kite, Mealy Redpoll, Adult Male Golden Oriole (yet another different one), Turtle Dove, Hoopoe.

1 June 2006 - Adult Male Red-breasted Flycatcher (caught and ringed), 2nd Golden Oriole, female Montagu's Harrier, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Willow Warblers

22 May 2006 - Golden Oriole still around

21 May 2006 - 14 Crossbills, Golden Oriole, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo

19 May 2006 - Immature male Golden Oriole, Cuckoo, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers.

8 May 2006 - 3 Cuckoos, 7 Spotted Flycatchers, Whinchat, Pomarine Skua, Yellow Wagtail.
 
1 May 2006 - Bonxie, Black Guillemot

29 April 2006 - Female Marsh Harrier, Firecrest, Hoodie, 2 Whinchats, Swift

28 April 2006 - 12 White Wagtails, a few Sedge Warblers. 

26/27 April 2006 - Lighthouse Attraction:  180 Grasshopper Warblers, 25 Sedge Warblers, 20 Willow Warblers, 12 Wheatears, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Dunlin, 12 Manxies. 

23 April 2006 - Firecrest, 20 Willow Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 20 Wheatears

22 April 2006 - 10 Blackcaps

21 April 2006 - Redstart, 3 Sedge Warbler

20 April 2006 - Swallows, Lighthouse Attraction:  Redstart, 7 Grasshopper Warblers, 10 Willow Warblers.

19 April 2006 - 166 Willow Warblers, Cuckoo, 50 Swallows, 17 Grasshopper Warblers, 55 Wheatears, 58 Blackcaps.

28 March 2006 - Swallow, Sand Martin, White Wagtail, 6 Wheatears, 200 Manxies.

20 March 2006 - Strong easterly winds prevented the first visitors from going over last Saturday and the forecast is not good for the rest of the week.  Very few birds around but Steve phoned today to say that at the south end there were 2 Wheatears and 1 Snow Bunting - so first summer visitors from Africa meet an arctic migrant from the north! 
RARE BOOK on OFFER:      Steve has come across 2 copies of Peter Hope Jones out-of-print book "The Natural History of Bardsey".  Contact Steve by phone if you are interested.  Price £35.
AND just launched:  Steve and Emma's Website:  http://www.wildlifeartonline.co.uk  where you can see (and buy) a selection of Emma's paintings, drawings and illustrations and some of Steve's photographs.

14 March 2006 - 2 Black Redstarts, 1 Chiffchaff, Stock Dove, Grey Wagtail, 50 Redwing, 25 Song Thrush, 25 Blackbirds, 1 Red-throated Diver.   Steve and Dave (our new Assistant) have been working hard on getting the Observatory ready for visitors - the first of which will be arriving on the 18 March.

13 March 2006 - 1 Manx Shearwater (first of the season)

12 March 2006 - Steve is back on the island (together with our new Assistant David Wright) and they will have started getting the Obs. ready for visitors for the new season.  I have just updated the Vacancies so if you haven't yet booked your week then I suggest you do it quickly as the season fast approaches.

2 and 3 March 2006 - Snow fell on the island.

27 February 2006 - Steve, Emma and Connor returned to the island to very cold weather. Unfortunately, they must have contacted a bug on the mainland and all the family were ill for the rest of the week, spending most of their time in bed.  The National Trust are still working on replacing and repairing the Porth track but it is now possible to reach the cove again.

11 February 2006 - Waiting to hear whether Steve and Emma have made it back to the island.  They were planning to make the journey back this weekend and had already made several journeys to the end of the Lleyn with supplies to go over.  There were problems with Porth Track which had disappeared into the stream, making it impossible for anyone to drive or even walk down to the cove.  Watch this space!  Lis tells me that Bookings are now steadily flowing in so book early to avoid disappointment. 

24 January 2006 - The Chairman is pleased to announce that we have appointed David Wright from Anglesey as our Assistant to the Warden for the coming season.  He will take up his appointment towards the end of February.    Adrian decided not to apply for the post of Assistant Warden this year.  We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

10 January 2006 - The New Year is here.  Steve and Emma are still off the island.  Steve attended the Bird Observatories Council meeting this last weekend and he and Peter Howlett will tell you all that transpired in the next Beacon.   Suffice it to say that Bardsey was well represented.   Applications for the post of Assistant to the Warden are now closed and interviews will take place in the next day or so when hopefully we will be able to announce a full team again for the coming season.  No news from the island (is  hopefully good news!).  Meanwhile Steve is still accessible by email whilst off the island if anyone wants to contact him.  

20 November 2005 - Council Meeting at Penkridge was well attended yesterday with Patrick Davies taking his first Chair. It was a long meeting but we had a lot of decisions to take - not least a decision to increase the Observatory Charges for visitors. Click here for details.  But with increased costs of fuel oil and gas to cope with and in order to put in a better water purification system and to improve yet again the distribution of water to the various tanks and taps, etc., it was felt we had no alternative but to increase the charges.   It is still a very cheap stay on the island and our visitors are guaranteed a warm and comfortable welcome.  Steven, Emma and Connor made it to the meeting, as did most of our Council Members.  

16 November 2005 - Vacancies at Observatory published for 2006.  4 weeks already fully booked - over 70 people have so far booked for next year.

8 November 2005 - Hawfinch - Steve and family are now off the island.  Not just a break but Steve will be travelling the country attending meetings and conferences.  He will be attending our Council meeting at Penkridge on the 19 November.

17 October 2005 - Red-breasted Flycatcher, Stock Dove, Hawfinch, 14 Ring Ouzels, 6 Black Redstarts

16 October 2005 - Blyth's Pipit (First for Wales), Red-throated Pipit.    

  Blyth's Pipit - Click on thumbnail to enlarge and click here for details of the observation

1st week October - Red-backed Shrike still around.  

30 September 2005 - 70 Little Gulls flew past.

27 September 2005 - 1 Red-backed Shrike, 2 Arctic Skuas, 1 Storm Petrel

26 September 2005 - 2 Long-tailed Skuas, 4 Arctic Skuas, 1 Black Tern, 1 Storm Petrel, 38 Common Scoter, 400 Swallows.

25 September 2005 - Red-backed Shrike,  1 ADULT BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS AT 10AM GOING SOUTH.

22 September 2005 - Richard's Pipit, Ortolan Bunting, Lapland Bunting

21 September 2005 - 2 Lapland Buntings, the two Bev's delivered planks to Aberdaron for island.

20 September 2005 - Red-backed Shrike, 37 Robins

19 September 2005 - 4 Balearic Shearwaters, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Red-throated Diver, 70 Manxies, 19 Common Scoter.

16 September 2005 - Rosefinch still present.

15 September 2005 - Common Rosefinch, Wryneck, Osprey, 2 Garden Warblers, 400 Swallows

14 September 2005 - 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua

12 September 2005 - Icterine Warbler, Sunfish, 12 Risso's Dolphins, 26 Common Dolphins.

11 September 2005 - 5 Wrynecks - wow!  (sure they aren't breeding on the island Steve?)

10 September 2005 - Red-throated Diver, Wryneck, 200 Swallows

8 September 2005 - Icterine Warbler, Pom. Skua, 8 Risso's Dolphins.

6 September 2005 - Sunfish in the Sound

                                     Another FIRST for the island - Malcolm Roberts (who installed our central heating system in the Obs.) made the first ever fixed winged aircraft landing on the island.   He flew from Caernarvon in a two seater Microlight aircraft in 33 minutes.   He landed on the narrows, chatted to Steve for half an hour, did a take off and practice landing once more and then returned to the mainland.  We are considering ferrying over visitors by this method - nothing like a bit of competition for Colin :-))

5 September 2005 - 3 Reed Warblers, 120 House Martins, Pied Flycatcher, 5 Tree Pipits, 2 Wrynecks, Rose Coloured Starling, Red-necked Phalarope (First for the island).

4 September 2005 - 3 Wrynecks, 1 Melodious Warbler

3 September 2005 - Wryneck, Ortolan Bunting

2 September 2005 - Wryneck trapped in Obs. garden

1 September 2005 - Lighthouse Attraction:  Curlew Sandpiper, Little Tern, 6 Commic Terns, Black-tailed Godwit, 250 birds in total.    Other birds:  Wryneck, Melodious Warbler, Barred Warbler.

31 August 2005 - Melodious Warbler re-trapped.

30 August 2005 - A fall in the night produced at the South End (mostly) - 200 Willow Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 150 Spotted Flys, 5 Tree Pipits, 2 Melodious Warblers, 21 Grasshopper Warblers, 55 Sedge Warblers, a Flava Wagtail, 2 Wrynecks, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler and 1 Booted Warbler

26 August 2005 - 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Willow Warbler

25 August 2005 - 2 Arctic Skuas, 3 Bonxies, 54 Purple Sandpipers, 32 Dunlin, 10 Sandwich Terns, 3 Storm Petrels.

23 August 2005 - 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint.

3 August 2005 - Mastermind, Bardsey style!  The four who sat in the chair were:  Colin Evans, Libby, Vicky (Libby's daughter), and Adrian (Assist. Warden).   Winner:  Libby with Colin a close second.  Dave played Magnus and Alicia was the scorer.   Questions were set by Steve.   30 people (most of the island population) turned out for the event in the schoolroom.  Colin's specialist subject (not chosen by him) was "Enlli's engines".   A guest appearance "in the chair" was Bob Normand who only scored 5 out of 15 on "Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory".  Shame on you Bob! :-)) not knowing how many Council members came from Wales!   Everyone knows it is 7.   An unfortunate event of the evening was the collapse on the school steps of a young lady staying on the island from the Whale & Dolphin Society.   A phone call to the NHS advised that she be brought off and a helicopter airlifted her from the lighthouse pad around midnight to Bangor hospital.   I am still awaiting news as to her condition but she was being subjected to lots of tests.  (Latest:  she is ok and in fact is hoping to return to the island).

 I understand there are few birds on the island at the moment (apart from the resident population) but that visitors are having still having a great time.  The next big event is the Island Snooker Tournament which will be in October. 

2 August 2005 - Today is Emma's (Steve's better 'alf) birthday.  I am not allowed to divulge her age!  Tonight there will be a big party in the Schoolroom and Steve tells me they are organising Bardsey's FIRST "Mastermind Competition".   The four "lucky persons" are at present being chosen to "take the chair".  Tomorrow, I will be revealing who those four people are/were and the result.  (Perhaps I can persuade Steve to let me have all the questions to put on the website and you can all have a go!)

On the bird front - Last Wednesday, 27 July, a first summer Glaucous Gull was recorded.   The other news is that a group of people from JNCC and CCW are on the island at present, trapping Manxies and putting on radio tracking equipment.  This is to try and establish where exactly they feed and has to do with the boundaries of a Marine Nature Reserve that has been on the cards for around Bardsey for many years.

26 June 2005-  Corncrake still calling.   Long-eared Owl fledged 3 young.   Peregrine fledged 2 young.  10 pairs of Puffin nesting plus several pairs of Storm Petrels.  Observatory never been so busy with last 2 weeks fully booked.  Vacancies in July and then fully booked most of August and September.   Vacancies in October.  Details.  

17 June 2005 - The Webmaster has been birding in the Western Isles so no news for a week or two.  I'm now back and Steve reports that the Corncrake is still calling from the hay meadows near the farm and keeping the farmer, Dave and Libby awake at night!   Photos will shortly appear on this site.   And the other main news is that a Wryneck was outside Steve's bedroom window calling on 8 June.

13 May 2005 - Corncrake returns to island for second year.  Habitat right - will it attract a mate and stay?

2 May 2005 - Lighthouse attraction last night produced:  120 Grasshopper Warblers, 200 Willow Warblers, 200 Blackcaps, 200 Sedge Warblers, 40 Spotted Flycatchers, 20 Whitethroats, 150 Wheatears, 1 Nightingale, and finally, 1 Dotterel (unfortunately flew into the lighthouse and was killed)

26 April 2005 - 36 Risso's Dolphins, 6 Whitethroats, 20 Sedge Warblers (Light attraction)

25 April 2005 - 45 Purple Sandpipers

24 April 2005 - 1 Lesser Whitethroat

23 April 2005 - First Cuckoo

18 April 2005 - 2 Black Redstarts, a few Willow Warblers.  And one Gannet "in care" with broken wing.                      A few days ago Connor celebrated his 3rd birthday with a party.   Forgotten which day! says webmaster.

14 April 2005 - ~ Bullfinch, Hoodie, Kestrel, singing Black Redstart.  Very few Hirundines still.

13 April 2005 - ~ Goshawk, 3 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk.

12 April 2005 - 2 Hoodied Crows, 150 Willow Warblers
 Lighthouse Attraction:  c300 Willow Warblers, 20 Blackcap, 20 Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Wheatears, a few Manxies.

11 April 2005 - 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 1 Black Redstart, 2 White Wagtails, 200 Willow Warblers (100 ringed).  60 Manx Shearwaters re-trapped.  30 new ones ringed.  

10 April 2005 - 1 Black Redstart, 1 Goshawk

8 April 2005 - Steve phoned to say he had built a 5" SNOWMAN this morning for Connor and they had been snowballing in the garden!    A couple of hours later it had all gone!  Snow is rare on Bardsey - much rare than some of the birds we get there.

6 April 2005 - 5 White Wagtails, 20 Common Scoter.   Dave has nearly finished the lambing (only about 100 ewes left to lamb).  The total lambs produced so far this spring is over 500.   

4 April 2005 - Steve phoned to say they had a female Goshawk today.   Migrants are a little slow to arrive.  Lots of Willow Warblers been ringed in March but very few hirundines passing through.  A Chough was caught with all primaries missing.  Steve sent it off to a rehabiliation centre on the mainland but unfortunately it died. 

20 March 2005 - Three Bardsey Obs. meetings in a day!   We started at 10.15am with a Special General Meeting to update the Constitution.  Then at 10.30am we went on to the normal Council Meeting which took us through the AGM at 2pm followed by the talk by Anne Owen-Vaughan .  We finished the day just before the Ireland/Wales Rugby clash!   Our new Chairman is Patrick Davies of Lytham St. Annes.   Bevan Craddock was appointed as a Vice President.  But the big news of the day was that our Bookings are running at an all time high so we are hopeful we will have a successful season so long as the weather is kind and not too many trips get cancelled or delayed.  Steve, Emma and Connor were in the end able to get off the island - it was a beautiful day with a flat calm sea - they are hopefully back today (Sunday).   Adrian George, our new Assistant, is settling in well and is getting on fine with the rest of the island folks.  He is helping Steve and Emma to get the observatory all spick and span ready for our first paying visitors next weekend.  One or two volunteers are going over today to help with the painting.   "You won't recognise Cristin this year!"

The photo below contains (from left to right) - Jim Winsper (WMBC), Nick Barlow, Lis Normand, Diane Craddock, Denise and Bev Healey, and in the background Dianne Charles - all Observatory stalwart supporters.

16 March 2005 - Steve phoned today to say that they had just caught the first Chiffchaff of the spring at Cristin.   He reports that the weather is pretty awful and he is doubting whether they will be able to get off the island for the AGM on Saturday next.   We are all crossing our fingers!

1 March 2005 - Everyone is back on the island.  Steve, Emma and Connor have been there since third week in February, when eventually the winds abated and they were boated over from Porth Meuddwy.   They have now been joined by our new Assistant, Adrian George, who is settling into his new accommodation at the Lighthouse. (Adrian has a "C" ringing permit.  He is 27 years old and has 10 years birdwatching experience in the UK and Southern Europe.  He has a degree in Countryside Management and Ornithology, has worked at various British and Canadian Bird Observatories, is passionate about wildlife, has worked as a volunteer for the RSPB and comes highly recommended.  His interests besides birding and ringing include drawing wildlife and orienteering. He has a wilderness First Aid Certificate with the Canadian Red Cross (which has to be handy living and working on our island!).  Adrian hails from Somerset.  
And some bird news at last - THE EARLIEST EVER RETURN OF MANX SHEARWATER TO THE ISLAND WAS A SIGHTING TODAY, 1 ST MARCH.  Spring migration has started!
Its all hands to the decks as the team is now spring cleaning and painting ready for our first visitors just after our AGM later this month.
Steve is completing the editing of the 2004 Report, Connor is "biting" better with his new teeth now breaking through.  And Emma! - we are all looking forward to seeing some of her latest art work when we visit the island.
Oh!   Steve and the boys have now hung the new gates (made by Bevan Healey) into the yard and into Cristin.   You have to go and see them!  
See you all at the AGM in Criccieth.

12 February 2005 - Steve and family are still on the mainland waiting for the winds to abate so that they can get back to the island.   (I hear they are getting quite used to the luxury of electric light any time at the touch of a button as well as nipping down the shops and to Mcdonalds to buy a burger and see waxwings!).  In a phone call yesterday, Steve asked if you could save any 35mm cannisters that you have.   They will be changing to electronic bird weighing scales for ringing and the small cannisters are ideal for popping small birds into (up to Greenfinch size) head first for a quick and accurate weigh.   So if you are coming to the AGM in march bring any along with you - or stick them in the post to him on the island.  (I think he's stocking up as 35mm film may be going out of fashion with the modern digital cameras :-))  OH! HE ONLY WANTS THE BLACK CANNISTERS.   

31 January 2005 - Hi all - As Bevan said below, both Connor and I have just been into Hospital at Bangor to have minor operations. Connor had to have six teeth removed and I had a small Cyst removed from my eye (I can still use my binoculars though). We are both recovering.

I have just finished putting together my part of the annual report and it is now with Patrick being edited.  I have still a few pieces to come in yet and they should be with me soon. The report then can go on to the printers.

I have also just completed and sent away the draft of my report to CCW for research work done in 2004.  This report takes quite some time to prepare but many members don't even know that such a document is produced.  Copies are kept in the Obs and can be viewed any time. There are sections on breeding birds, shearwater ringing and re-trapping, seal counts and other natural history subjects for which BBFO get grant aid for.

I am now left only to finish off completing outstanding descriptions of rare birds and tidying up last year's census log. It has been good to be able to spend time on the mainland doing this work as I have had access to 24hr electricity and have been able to work whenever I need and not just in the evening when the generator is on!

News from the island is not very exciting - Dave has had a couple of Jack Snipe and there has been no increase in Finch numbers or anything since I left.

Hope all is well with everyone and look forward to seeing you all soon.

PS  Called in to McDonalds yesterday and saw about a dozen waxwings while I drank my coffee!


29 January 2005  -  Steve and family have been off the island for a break and for Steve and Connor to have minor operations at Bangor (I'll leave Steve to tell  you all about it).  They are now doing food runs from Yorkshire and Lancashire to the end of the Lleyn.   Hope he doesn't sink our new boat with all that grub before I get a chance to go in it :-))  And the other news is that I think we have appointed a new Assistant to the Warden but better wait for it officially before I tell you all.  Bevan.

6 November 2004 - Just discovered who caught and ringed the FIRST SABINES GULL IN THE BRITISH ISLES - it was none other than a previous Warden of ours, Tim Collins.    It was on Cape Clear, and he caught it with an angler's landing net (placed in the water where the bird kept coming and then lifted it out!).

2 November 2004 - The "two Bev's" are hoping to be able to get over to the island tomorrow (Wednesday 3rd) so that Bev H can, (with Bev C supervising!) fix the new Cristin gate.   We will then hold an official "opening" ceremony before returning to the mainland.   Steve and family are hoping to be coming off the island shortly and hopefully will be attending our next Council meeting at Penkridge on the 20 November.

1 November 2004 - Steve phoned to say he had just had a personal "Ringing Tick" - an adult Sabines Gull!!   "How on earth did you catch it?" I enquired.   "The bird was fairly tame and we put a large mist net up close by and walked it in!"   And I understand its only the second to be ringed in the UK and is certainly a first for Bardsey.

28 October 2004 - 2 Firecrests, Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Bunting, Common Rosefinch

27 October 2004 - Pallas Warbler, 2 Firecrests, Rose Coloured Starling

26 October 2004 - GN Diver, 2 Richards Pipits, Pallas Warbler, Common Rosefinch, Little Bunting

25 October 2004 - Great Northern Diver, Balearic Shearwater.

23 October 2004 - 3 Ring Ouzels, Waxwing, Grey Phalarope, Hawfinch, Cory's Shearwater, Firecrest, Sabines Gull, 2 Bullfinch, Tree Creeper, Yellow-browed Warbler

21 October 2004 - The two Bevans made a trip to Aberdaron to deliver two new gates (made by Bev Healey), some plywood for Steve and some Scaffolding Planks for the withy nets.  Colin and Ernest Evans will take them over when there is a break in the weather.  (Force 9 gales blowing on Mynydd Mawr and rollers and troughs metres high and deep in all the bays and beaches along the south coast of the Lleyn - see below).   We were hoping to go over so Bev could fit the gates but that will have to wait for a calmer day or two.  

Click on an image to ENLARGE

27 September 2004 -   Richards Pipit. 

26 September 2004 -  Balearic Shearwater

23 September 2004 -  7 Bonxies, 3 Sabines, 4 Leach's Petrels, 2 Arctic Skuas

22 September 2004 -  11 Arctic Skuas, 5 Leach's Petrels, 4 Sabines Gulls (3 summer adults), LT Skua, 7 Bonxies

21 September 2004 -  Storm Petrel, 7 Leach's Petrels, Sabines Gull, LT Skua, Little Gull

20 September 2004 - BAIRDS SANDPIPER - first record for Bardsey - Caught and ringed.

15 September 2004 - Steve said goodbye to Julia Davies who has been his Assistant for nearly 2 years.  In that time she has digitalised all our Daily Log Census data since the Observatory began back in 1953.  We now have the longest set of ditalised data of any Observatory in the UK.  We owe Julia a big debt of gratitude.  The Observatory's new Assistant, at least until the end of this seasons, is Sarah Fuller of Chichester, who will carry on digitalising the information we have gathered over the years - but now moving to all our Ringing data.   (I have asked Steve to send me some photos of all the island people - we ought to have a rogues gallery on here!).  If anyone who has visited the island has some good pictures of any of the island residents, please email them to me for the special page - "bevan at bbfo.org.uk"

14 September 2004 - Seawatch today: 1,200 Gannets, 11,000 Manxies, 3,000 Kittiwakes, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Black Guillemot, 12 Storm Petrels, 61 Leach's Petrels, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Terns, 7 Bonxies, 4 Arctic Skuas, 1 Long-tailed Skua, 1 Sabines Gull, 1 Little Tern, 1 Red-throated Diver.   1 Tree Sparrow.

12 September 2004 - 1 Great Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater

8 September 2004 - 2 Dotterel on the mountain, 23 Spotted Flycatchers, 11 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Blackcap, 45 White Wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits.

7 September 2004 - 15 Goldcrests, 2 Wrynecks, Long-eared Owl, Icterine Warbler, Osprey flew South, 4 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Risso's Dolphins.

6 September 2004 - 370 House Martins, 1,100 Swallows

5 September 2004 - Nightingale, Wryneck, Melodious Warbler, Barred Warbler, probable Sykes Warbler, 8 Restarts, 22 Spotted Flycatchers, 8 Pied Flycatchers, 22 Whitethroat, 23 Grey Wagtails, 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Convolvulus Hawk Moth.

3 September 2004 - Barred Warbler

1 September 2004 - 67 White Wagtails, 4 Grey Wagtails, 1 Melodious Warbler

31 August 2004 - Red-throated Diver, 4 Storm Petrel, 20 Risso's Dolphin

30 August 2004  -  200+ Sandwich Terns, 2 Long-tailed Skuas, 4 Arctic Skuas, 1 Sabines Gull, 1 Storm Petrel, 1 Little Gull

27 August 2004 - 2 Wrynecks, Wood Warbler, Tree Pipit, 3 Bonxies, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 3 Cuckoos, 2 Merlins.

25 August 2004 - Sea Passage - 5 Arctic Skuas, 1 Black Tern, 37 Sandwich Terns, 2 Commic Terns, 1 Little Gull.

24 August 2004 - Reed Warbler and Whinchat on the island.  1 Storm Pretrel attracted to lighthouse plus 1 other at sea.  Sea passage - 3 Black Terns and 1 Little Gull

22 August 2004 - 1 Little Egret

17 August 2004 - Bardsey leads the world in communication technology - Click here to see why!

12 August 2004 - 9 Greylags, 1 Ruff, a Hobby and 2 Bonxies passed through. 

8/9 August 2004 - Lighthouse Attraction:  500 Willow Warblers, 500 Manxies, 350 Sedge Warblers, 100 Grasshopper Warblers, 20 Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatcher, Green Sandpiper, Water Rail, 2 Storm Petrels.

30 July 2004 - Ian Jolly, Hon. Telephone Engineer to Bardsey, emailed me re his research into the people who have lived on Bardsey over the ages.   Read all about his discoveries and see if you can help him trace more people by clicking here

24 June 2004 - A Storm Petrel survey around the Seal Cave area revealed 56 pairs breeding - a well kept Island secret now comes to light thanks to Steve and his tape.   We imagine they have been there for some time, but undiscovered.  Seal Cave isn't a place you would walk past on the way to the pub (even if there was a pub on Bardsey!).   Other news:  a Great Skua flew over this afternoon.  Early indications are that the Gull colony and the Seabirds are having a good breeding season.   The Choughs are not doing too well.  

31 May 2004 - Steve has started ringing the breeding birds and so far, of the three Chough nests he has visited, 1 has produced 3 young and the other 2 young.   The pair that nest in Seal Cave failed this year.   The Peregrines have 2 young.

24 May 2004 - 1 Long-eared Owl in Nant Withy.

23 May 2004 - 3 Storm Petrels taped lured and ringed on Solfach beach.

21 May 2004 - Turtle Dove
                       
19 May 2004 - Female Golden Oriole and Male Marsh Harrier

13 May 2004 - 100+ Spotted Flycatchers; 3 Mealy Redpoll;  1 Long-eared Owl;  1 Red-backed Shrike.

12 May 2004 - A large fall of migrants in the night with the South End producing 100 Whitethroats, 4 Garden Warblers, 12 Blackcaps and a MARSH WARBLER.   Lots of Swifts and Swallows moving through today

11 May 2004 - Out dazzling produced 6 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Whimbrel - caught and ringed. First Summer Sabines Gull off Pen Cristin.

9 May 2004 - Our long lived Manx Shearwater has returned yet again to Bardsey.  Steve caught and checked his/her ring very early today - it is now 47 years since it was first ringed and is at least 51 years old now

7 May 2004 - Small arrival of common migrants including Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler (first of the year), Lesser Whitethroat and lots of Swallows.  But Steve saved the best until last and then told me he had had a bird between the Ty Pellaf and Cristin withies and proceded to play his recording of the bird singing - it was a CORNCRAKE!   Is this the first colonist - wouldn't it be wonderful!

6 May 2004 - 4 Pomarine Skuas

3 May 2004 - At 1305 hours an Osprey flew over.   Passage of 500+ Swallows.

30 April 2004 - 120 Greenland Wheatears

28 April 2004 - A male Ruff and 1 Pomarine Skua

25 April 2004 - 2 Little Gulls, 1 Greylag,

24 April 2004 - Hoopoe and Serin.  362 Grasshopper Warblers (100 Lighthouse Attractions and 64 ringed)

22nd April 2004 - Another second for the Island - a female Cirl Bunting - seen today.   Weather not so good - boat had to cancel so poor old Connor keeps missing his dental appointment!  Any "flying dentists" out there with a helicopter who could nip over? 

21 April 2004 - A first and Second for the Island.   Steve phoned to say that he had seen a 1st Summer Lanner Falcon (if accepted as a wild bird would be the first for the UK) and a Red-rumped Swallow (second for the island).

20 April 2004 - Yesterday (19 April), Steve reports they had a Wood Lark and Mealy Redpoll on the island.  The day before (18 April) they had the earliest ever Cuckoo.   Jim Winsper and Bev Healey have just spent over a week on the island (yes, they eventually managed to get there!) and there is now a much larger and more efficient water storage and distribution system to Cristin and to the Warden's accommodation in the Barn. Click here for pictures

29 March 2004 - The two Bevans delivered the van load of stuff to Porth, it was loaded on Ernest's boat and all taken across.  It all went like clockwork with Colins help.  Dave and Patrick met us to help unload and we then sailed back to Porth on a beautiful sunny Monday afternoon.   Over 100 additional Goldcrests ringed this morning at Nant plus 2 new Firecrests, 2 Blackcaps, more Chiffchaff and a Black Redstart.

28 March 2004 - A message from Steve early today - "Ringed 112 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 20 Chiffchaff" and "don't forget to bring the Mayonnaise for Emma".   Yes, we are at last taking the materials up to Aberdaron and hoping one of our Bardsey boatman friends will get the Hellman's and "the other stuff" over asap.

24 March 2004 - A phone call from Steve stopped me literally in my tracks!  I was driving to collect three 8 x 4 sheets of plywood, two bags of cement and 20 litres of White Emulsion from a local Staffordshire merchant, to add to the growing number of items in my friend Bev H's garage (see story below), when my mobile rang.  As a legally minded driver, I immediately stopped the vehicle to answer the call.   "Bardsey has just hit headlines!" Steve said.  I have just emailed you the BTO Press Release.   So - if you want to hear what its all about, click here to see the Press Release.

19 March 2004 - We are watching the weather but it will be Sunday evening before we know whether we can get over next week.   We are pretty sure Monday and Tuesday are out, so it will be towards the end of the week we think.   If not! - anyone got a helicopter going that way?

14 March 2004 - The two "Bevans" loaded up the Van with 2 new cookers, a bath and a large quantity of piping and plumbing materials today from Jim's in South Birmingham with the intention of driving up to Pwhelli in the next couple of days so that Bev 2 and Jim could deliver it via Tony's boat to the Island.  However, the word tonight is that the weather will not be calm enough for the boat to make a journey over this week so we now have to find somewhere to put all this perishin stuff until we get the go again!   (Whose idea was it to put an island out in the Irish Sea - they should have at least built a bridge?)   "Oh! well Steve, no bath for you this week - its a dip in the sea again I'm afraid!   I told you we should have gone over on the 6th instead of sitting in the pub in Criccieth all day at that meeting - but you wouldn't listen to me!". 

26 February 2004 - Message from Steve - "Snow! - yes, I couldn't drive to work this morning!"  He also tells us that the cold weather has started to bring a few birds in e.g. 73 Redwing; 1 Mistle Thrush;  12 Song Thrush;  1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (11th for the island);  and 1 Bittern.   Shags have started carrying nest material and Dave and Libby have had their new kitchen delivered by Ernest (a flat-pack).  Everyone on the island has been "having a go" trying to put the jigsaw together.  Never again, Steve said!

13 February 2004 - Message from Steve - "On your 70th birthday Bevan (11th), we had the earliest ever Painted Lady Butterfly arrive on the island - it is approx. 2 months early!.  Everybody is fine on the island and looking hard for birds but nothing special yet".  

9 February 2004 - Steve phoned at midday from Pen Cristin.   Sent me a couple of emails.   Flat Calm today he says - expecting some birds soon - maybe very early summer visitors!   Ernest got over today from Porth and has taken Libby and Gwynneth off shopping.

7 February 2004 - Steve writes:  "Hello from Bardsey Island!   We made it back. Emma, Connor and I eventually returned to the island on Sunday 25th on a lovely warm, calm day.   We got back to find the place was still standing and that the only damage was a hole that had been chewed out of the carpet in the barn by mice!!   There were as to be expected few birds around, 3 Shelduck were the best record I suppose.   Emma, Connor and I are still made up with flu/cold.  I am now over my chest infection and feel much better, but Emma is much worse now!
Little has happened during the week, Ernest brought over 25 bails of Hay for Dave on Wednesday afternoon, so Connor and I helped shift them.  Highlander II has been in twice during the week (the first time since before Christmas!).  The first visit was full of Diesel for the generators, animal food and Gas bottles (which we were desperate for again!).  The second time it arrived with a tone of fencing material to replace some of the old fences.   This time he also went away full with 20 6x4x2 foot sacks of wool that came off the sheep last summer.  Dave was glad to see the back of that!
Unlike the rest of the country we didn’t get snow, just wind and rain. The flood on the narrows is huge and full of waders and gulls - nothing of note, just lots of them.
Still not many birds, best is probably a Goldcrest that was at Cristin, an Adult Sparrowhawk at Nant, and the regular Buzzard, Five Shelduck on 26th and the wintering Whimbrel in Solfach.
Help is also needed to fix the North Hide that has taken a battering during the windy winter.  Even though we made it to withstand gales it has been severely damaged again.  Anyone who has got a spare week on their hands and that is good with their hand please contact me ASAP so we can arrange to get the hide sorted.      Steve

25 January 2004 - Midday - Just had phone call from Steve to say they were just leaving Porth Meuddwy with Ernest Evans to sail across the Sound to Bardsey.  And its a glorious day with the sun shining.   Steve said he will be glad to get back after their prolonged stay on the mainland due to the bad weather.  Keep logging on to the site for uptodate news from the island.

20 January 2004 - 9pm  "The gods are against us and we are still stuck off the island. The weather was expected to get better tomorrow but it looks like it may be Thursday now before we return home. Oh well, you cant have it all!".    Steve    

20 January 2004 - Steve writes - "Emma and I have been busy getting stocked up for another season on the island.  I returned from a very productive BOC meeting at Sandwich Bay on Monday. We have been staying with my parents in Rotherham and hope to get back to the island on Wednesday (weather permitting). We have been buying all our food etc to last until the summer and getting things on the mainland sorted.  The sections of the annual report I do are now with the editor and will be ready to go to print soon. The report to CCW is now finished and all last year's ringing data has been submitted to the BTO.  We are now ready to start a new season and look forward to seeing many of you on the island."

19 January 2004 - Steve and family still aren't back - bad gales in North Wales!  (Well, he hasn't told me if he is!)  But some good news - we have had an offer of 2 brand new Gas Cookers for the Observatory kitchen.   Wonderful - thank you Jim Winsper!  Jim has also offered to help us with some serious water plumbing on the island in order that we conserve what little water we get.   Now to organise the logistics of getting a load of equipment up there from the Midlands!  Anyone got a 1 Ton van around that can help us?   And the other news is that Bev Healey from Penkridge is making us a brand new gate to go in Cristin entrance drive.

7 January 2004 - Steve and family returned to the island for Xmas and the message is that they had a wonderful Xmas on the island.  And yes, Santa did manage to get over, despite the weather, and delivered presents for everyone.  More details and a picture will appear on the site shortly.   Steve phoned me yesterday (6 January) to say they are all off the island again at the moment as he has a meeting to attend of the Bird Observatories Council this week.  They will be back on the island next week, weather permitting!

14 December 2003 - Steve, Emma and Connor are hoping to get back to the island tomorrow, Monday 15 December.  The weather has prevented them from returning for the last week.  They are keen to return so that Cristin and their home over Xmas can be decorated and everything got ready for the 25th when Santa is due to make a special visit.

I wonder what the first good bird Steve will see when he returns!   And what will Dave (the farmer and a keen birder) have seen while Steve was on the mainland I wonder?

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