Constitution
 

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory was founded in 1953. A group of keen birders and naturalists from the West Midlands visited the island and saw that Bardsey would be an excellent site not only for studying birds, but also for studying the whole complex ecology of a small island. The Observatory was formed by a group comprising representatives of the Birmingham and West Midland Bird Club, the West Wales Field Society, inhabitants of the island, and interested people from Caernarfonshire. Subsequently the Bardsey Island Trust was formed when the island came up for sale in the mid-seventies. Members of the Observatory and some of the locals from Gwynedd initiated the purchase of the island and formed the Trust, whose main aim is to conserve the rich heritage and natural history of the island.

Bardsey Bird Observatory is the only fully accredited observatory in Wales and is one of a growing network of around 20 bird observatories in the British Isles. It is a registered charity.

The function of Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory

The main objective of the Observatory is the study of natural history, in particular the monitoring of birds and migration. It also aims to help conserve the island’s flora and fauna, and to encourage an intelligent interest in nature, particularly among young people.

Bardsey is considered to have great conservation importance, and carries the following list of national and international designations:

National Nature Reserve (NNR)

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Special Protection Area (SPA)

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA)

Pen Llŷn Heritage Coast

Pen Llŷn Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory plays an important part in implementing the requirements of these designations; it conducts much of the biological research and survey required by Countryside Council for Wales and contributes to the island’s management policy. The warden is also an observer on the scientific advisory committee for the Trust.

Monitoring

‘Monitoring’ for the purposes of the Observatory has been defined as ‘the detection, and measurement, of change over a period of time’. By monitoring we can get an overview of changes in the island’s ecology. Detecting the effects that changes in habitat have on its birds and other species enables us to assist the Bardsey Island Trust in making management decisions and to contribute to the management plan for the island. In this way we are also contributing towards larger issues such as discovering the impacts of global warming, in particular on migrating birds.

Breeding birds on the island

Bardsey is the breeding ground for nationally important numbers of Red-billed Chough and Manx Shearwater. A sizeable seabird colony on the east side of the mountain supports 11 species of seabird including Kittiwake, Storm Petrel, Razorbill and Guillemot. The island’s other breeding birds include Oystercatcher, Wheatear, Little Owl and Long-eared Owl.

Breeding birds on the island are recorded by Observatory staff; an annual census is made of the number of species, and the numbers of pairs of birds. Habitat and territorial studies are carried out and productivity is assessed, with ringing used as a tool for identifying resident individuals and birds returning to the island.

Birds passing through the island

Bird migration is monitored using ringing and observational notes as tools; a census of birds on the island is undertaken daily and all birds recorded are logged. Habitat and feeding behaviour studies are also made. The information is then used for specific studies on various species or groups of species. For example, the Bardsey data for Swallow were included in a recent study to show that changes in migration dates are related to the effects of global warming.

The island is an important site for migrant birds. It lies on the Irish seaboard migration route and is therefore well situated to attract migrants that pass through in prolific numbers. Large arrivals of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest occur in spring and autumn. Regular migrants also include Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, ten species of warbler, three species of wagtail, six species of thrush and 11 species of finch.

Bird migration occurs all over the world and occasionally young, inexperienced birds stray from their normal migration routes. Some of these wanderers have from time to time occurred on Bardsey and the list of species which have made it to our shores is impressive; some of the more memorable birds include Eyebrowed Thrush, Radde’s Warbler and Isabelline Wheatear from Asia. Black-browed Albatross from the southern oceans, and Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow Warbler, Sora Rail, American Bittern, American Robin and Song Sparrow from America. Bardsey also has the only record of Summer Tanager on this side of the Atlantic.

Attractions of birds to Bardsey lighthouse

Bardsey is notable for its lighthouse attractions, a phenomenon peculiar to only a few outposts around Britain. Attractions occur at night when weather conditions are conducive to birds migrating, when there is no moon, and when weather conditions lead to poor visibility. Up to 40,000 birds have been attracted at any one time. During these long nights staff (and visitors if they are lucky) count the birds, and rescue them if necessary; some birds are caught and ringed.

Ringing

Mist netting and other methods of trapping are used to catch birds for ringing. Each bird is given a ring with a unique number. The date and time are noted, together with the location. The bird is then weighed, and its wing measurement is taken. Birds that are re-trapped are of most interest, especially those found abroad, allowing a picture to be built up of the bird’s history and its travels. In 2003 on Bardsey a Manx Shearwater was caught that had been ringed as an adult in 1957, making the bird at least 51 years old (as young birds do not return to breed for several years). This is the oldest known living wild bird and the record has entered the Guinness Book of Records. All ringing data collected by the Observatory are sent to the British Trust for Ornithology and contribute to their huge database of information.

Monitoring other species

Much of the island’s biodiversity is monitored at the Observatory. A daily count is made of the Grey Seals that bask in Henllwyn, and a report is produced annually. The island’s 400 seals are also part of a national study. Members of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society spend three weeks at the Observatory on an annual basis to study Cetacia in the waters around Bardsey, in particular the Risso’s Dolphin and the Harbour Porpoise. However they are always on the look-out for rarities, such as a Killer Whale that was seen in 1998. Butterflies, moths, dragonflies, other insects and Palmate Newts are also recorded at the Observatory. Detailed scientific research is regularly carried out on flora, lichens and on various other aspects of the island’s ecology. New and ongoing projects are carried out by Observatory staff, visiting students, or individuals concerned with specialist subjects.

Collection and publication of data

One of the requirements of the Observatory is to ensure the documentation of all data and publication of summarised results. Records and registers of all birds and other wildlife seen are kept, along with a daily log of migrant and breeding birds, ringing and retrap logs. Most of the data that have been collected over the years on the island’s natural history are held at the Observatory and are available for studies. The Observatory’s council has recognised from the beginning the importance of publishing its findings. The information gathered each year by the Observatory is analysed and published in an annual report, which primarily contains information on birds and bird migration but also on other aspects of the island’s natural history. Annual summaries are included for species recorded, for species ringed and for species seen or killed during attractions at the lighthouse.

Education

Observatory visitors are always welcome to watch activities and are encouraged to contribute. Volunteers are also encouraged on two levels: those with the expertise to contribute to the work of the Observatory, and those wishing to learn. Education and encouragement particularly in young people of an intelligent interest in nature is one of the aims of the Observatory.

All island visitors are invited to join night-time excursions to watch Observatory staff ring some of the thousands of Manx Shearwaters which come in to their burrows after dark. Many visitors have commented on how memorable the experience is. Those interested are also invited to watch, or learn about, other ringing and Observatory activities and are informed of any interesting bird sightings. Every evening in the Observatory’s common room, a meeting is held; the day’s records for birds and other wildlife are reported, then entered in a daily log. All interested visitors on the island are welcome to attend.

At the Observatory there is a well stocked library consisting largely of bird and natural history books, and it is available for the use of all island visitors.

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Slide shows and courses in writing, drawing, ringing, birdwatching and other activities are occasionally run at the Observatory; please ask for details.

The island community

The Observatory is part of the community on the island and has a role to play in this capacity. Observatory facilities and education are available to both permanent residents and visiting holiday makers. Relations are built up with the farming family and other permanent residents, and collaborations are made in many ways. The whole community is involved on any occasion when help is needed such as the rounding up of sheep. On ‘boat day’ the residents work together to get everybody’s luggage to the appropriate destination. The warden also assists in gorse burning and maintenance of the withy beds and other areas of the island.

Accommodation

The Observatory provides comfortable, hostel style accommodation and has room to accommodate up to 12 staying guests on a weekly basis. The main visitor season runs from March to October. Groups or individuals are welcome. Single, double and triple bedrooms are available together with shared communal areas. The cost is £132 per adult person per week including services and boat crossing, gas and limited electricity are provided and toilets are maintained. The Observatory runs a shop selling some basic provisions, but visitors must bring the bulk of their food (particularly fresh fruit and vegetables). There is also a gift shop selling postcards, Observatory gifts and local crafts. Visitors with no natural history expertise are welcome to stay at the Observatory, although it exists as a base for anyone wishing to come and discover more about the island’s natural history. Those visitors wishing to experience lighthouse attractions, bird migration or shearwater ringing should come to the island during the new moon period.

The Observatory is based at ‘Cristin’, a farm building which dates from 1873. It is one of eight houses on the island and was built by the late Lord Newborough, the one-time owner of the island. The two adjoined houses and outbuildings which form the ‘Observatory complex’ are now owned by the Bardsey Island Trust and are leased to the Observatory.

If you want to help the Observatory you can assist by making a direct donation, buying gifts from the Observatory shop, staying at the Observatory or joining the ‘Friends of BBFO’, which also gives you the right to elect members to the Observatory’s council.

For further reading and information please refer to BBFO annual report no. 40 for 1996 - editorial, ‘A policy document’; BBFO information and bookings leaflet; The Natural History of Bardsey by Peter Hope Jones; The Birds of Bardsey by Peter Roberts; Migration Atlas for Bardsey by Dick Loxton, Peter Hope Jones and Tom Kittle. The Observatory also runs a website at www.bbfo.org.uk