The morning started much the same as yesterday with the students joining the Obs staff for morning census, practicing their newly acquired skills from Kate’s bird sounds and Steve’s bird id talks the day before. The wind had improved partially but still gusting 40mph and overcast. The students took great joy in watching a pair of Peregrines stooping meters above their heads at Nant. A Hooded crow and three Rook were seen flying North through the wetlands with the Hooded crow doubling back, heading South over the island disappearing North behind the mountain at Pencristin. Three Star ..read more

The Bangor students had first experience on carrying out the daily census, shadowing the Obs staff on their morning rounds. The island was bathed in glorious sunshine all day, however force seven westerly winds made detecting birds in the bushes hard work.   Students sheltering from the wind at the North End Hide © Kate Fox A Ringed Plover was seen on the Narrows, two Whimbrels around the coast, a Common Sandpiper on the beach at Traeth Ffynnon along with a Redwing in the hedge. A Swallow flew north over Cristin, nine Wheatears were seen around the island, as well as a total ..read more

A windy start to the day with overcast condtions turned to sunny spells duirng ther latter part of the day. The Corncrake was still singing from its favoured spot. The South End bushes contained a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, two Firecrests and a handful of Willow Warblers. A Diver species went distantly passed the South End with a Canada Goose doing a lap of the Island, two Golden Plovers on the Narrows and a good count of 32 Puffins were off Pen Cristin,  Firecrest © Jonathan Dodds Other birds included a Kestrel, two Merlins, a Ringed Plover, two Snipe, four Whimbrels, eight Tu ..read more

The weather finally calmed enough for a rather early boat with guests leaving at 0730! We also welcomed a group of nine students from Bangor University as well as Joel Tragon who came to help out. The weather today at least was in their favour with clear blue skies and a moderate breeze. The students © Steve Stansfield A few birds of prey took advantage of the clear skies with a Buzzard, two Sparrowhawks, three Kestrels and a Peregrine. The welcome talk was slighlty interupted when two Greylag Geese flew north before returning shortley after with two Canada Geese in tow. Surpringly, G ..read more

The day started with fog mixed with drizzle which turned to heavy rain mid-morning before finally clearing in the afternoon. Five Brent Geese were on Solfach early morning and consisted of four pale bellied Brent Geese and a single dark bellied Brent Goose. The Corncrake was again calling during the early morning.  The weather seemed to have dropped in a good number of migrants including two Pied Flycatchers, the first Sedge Warbler of the year, three Tree Pipits, two Grasshopper Warblers, a Siberian Chiffchaff, 214 Blackcaps, 248 Willow Warblers, 27 Chiffchaffs, a Firecrest, 20 Redwings ..read more

Dense fog blanketed the island as it came in overnight, light winds from the southwest remained but not enough to shift the fog, which later turned out to be a productive day for grounded migrants across the island. A couple of firsts for the year arrived in the form of Whitethroat, of which there was one on the South End and another later in the day found at Ty Pellaf. Another first of the year was a Common Sandpiper which was favouring the rocky shorelines across the Narrows. Meanwhile, three White Wagtails frequented the Narrows, three Jack Snipe were in the Wetlands and one-two Grassh ..read more

The island was battered by strong westerly winds for much of the day, but light rain cleared up leaving a beautiful sunny evening.  The Hoopoe was still present, seen feeding on the Lord's Path by a guest. A Swallow was seen circling around the courtyard at Plas, a House Martin flew over the South End, 16 'Alba' Wagtails around the Narrows including some White Wagtails, along with a Black-headed Gull.  The highlights of an hour and a half spent seawatching from the South End hide were 15 Fulmars, 400 Manx Shearwaters, 34 Gannets, 35 Guillemots and 64 Razorbills.  Whimbrel ..read more

A successful trip out dazzling last night and into the early morning saw a Knot, Whimbrel, two Purple Sandpipers, a Moorhen, two Meadow Pipits, five Pied/white Wagtails and a Wheatear trapped. Another team went out with guests to show them and ring Manx Shearwaters with 20 new birds ringed.  The weather during the day was rather grim with strong south-westerlies and light rain. The first Grashopper Warbler was reeling at Nant, with a Redwing in the Wetlands and a total of four Willow Warblers, four Chiffchaffs and five Blackcaps.  Knot © Steve Stansfield Kate showing ..read more

The dominant south-westerlies finally eased overnight to a calmer south-easterly however, this brought rain for most of the day. This break in the weather did allow the last guests of the week to get on, just before the weather changes back to strong winds tomorrow. A small arrival to the garden at Cristin saw 17 Blackcaps, three Goldfinches, two Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff and two Goldcrests ringed. A decent overhead passage had 294 Linnets south with 17 Goldfinches, seven Siskins and a Lesser Redpoll south. The first Tree Pipit of the year went over the Narrows. Hirudines were moving throu ..read more

It was a very blustery day on the island, with gust up to gale force ten leading to some impressive sea conditions leaving the island under a haze of sea spray.  The first Black-headed Gull of the year flew north over the Wetlands, and four Jack Snipe were flushed from the same spot, and a female Reed Bunting was in Ty Pellad Reedbed. Three Whimbrels were recorded on the Black Rocks, and there was a small movement of hirundines with seven Swallows and a House Martin heading north over the island throughout the day.  A successful dazzling session focusing on the South End and Narrows ..read more