Friday 24 October 2014


A lovely day to be on Bardsey with a cool breeze and bright sunshine. It clouded over by the evening only to disappear at the last moment, presenting the islanders with a picture-perfect sunset.

For the first time this week the sightings are not dominated by sea passage. The calm seas did little to move seabirds, though we were content with the current selection of migrants moving around the island. Highlights mostly came from the visible migration overhead during the morning. These include 41 Skylarks, 102 Meadow Pipits, nine Ravens, 284 Starlings, 79 Chaffinches, one Greenfinch, 15 Siskins, 75 Goldfinches, 65 Linnets, one Lesser Redpoll, and 18 Reed Buntings. Elsewhere, a high count of 64 Rock Pipits were recorded, along with 12 Blackbirds, seven Song thrushes, one Blackcap, five Chiffchaffs, and 14 Goldcrests.

A small group of gulls fed around the North West Coast with a total of five Mediterranean Gulls found amongst the 98 Black-headed Gulls. Finally, a Water Rail called from the Withies and 28 Oystercatchers and 15 Turnstones were on The Narrows.

Though there may have not been any american vagrants, many of the current guests were treated to excellent views of the island's Peregrine Falcons. These supreme raptors put on a show throughout the day, at times chasing each other around the Cristin garden!

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