Bardsey's Wildlife

2026-09-06T12:51:00.000+01:00

Southerly force 5 winds generated sea state 4 conditions with good visibility and temperatures reaching a warm 20°C.

Offshore passage today was varied including two Arctic Skuas passing South End, alongside 17 Manx Shearwaters, 111 Common Scoters including one drake showing partial asymmetric leucism, 83 Gannets, 11 Fulmars, and 27 Shags. Terns moving along the coast included a Black Tern off the West Coast, 76 Sandwich Terns, and six Common Terns off the North End. Gulls and alcids were represented by 12 Kittiwakes, ten Lesser Black-backed Gulls, five Great Black-backed Gulls, four Herring Gulls, three Black-headed Gulls, two Yellow-legged Gulls, 13 Razorbills and two Guillemots. High numbers of waders passed by the West Coast during the morning with the highlights being two Curlew Sandpiper and a Snipe heading south off the North End. Additional shorebird records included 165 Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plovers, seven Sanderlings and seven Purple Sandpiper in passage and nine Turnstones, 19 Curlews, three Whimbrels and a Snipe on the coast. Raptors logged were a male Sparrowhawk in the lowlands and a Kestrel at South End.

Fulmar (c) Joel Tragen

Mixed flock of waders (Dunlin, Snipe, Ringed Plover) moving past the North End (c) Joel Tragen

Landbird migration and grounded songbirds featured a Spotted Flycatcher at Nant, three Goldcrests, five Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, three Wheatears, five Robins, six Stonechats and a Song Thrush. Visible movement overhead included 20 House Martins heading south, eight Swallows, a Sand Martin off the North End, 14 White Wagtails, ten unassigned alba wagtails, three Grey Wagtails, three Pied Wagtails, eight Meadow Pipits, nine Rock Pipits and 17 Linnets.

Invertebrate activity was exceptionally high, led by 50 Painted Ladies scattered across the island, 10–15 Clouded Yellows, eight Red Admirals, three Small Coppers, three Common Blues, two Green-veined Whites, a Comma, a Speckled Wood, a Humming-bird Hawk-moth, a Silver Y, and a Migrant Hawker.

2026-09-05T14:06:00.000+01:00

West winds at force 5 brought sea state 4 conditions with good visibility, dry weather, and a maximum temperature of 17°C.

Seawatching offshore was headlined by 30 Common Dolphins moving south off the West Coast alongside a brief feeding frenzy off the North End featuring 25 Manx Shearwaters and 29 Gannets (with possible tuna present). Additional seabird passage included four Fulmars, eight Kittiwakes, six Sandwich Terns, a single Balearic Shearwater off the West Coast, a male Common Scoter heading south off the West Coast and a Razorbill. Coastal sightings included 32 Curlews, 27 Shags, two Redshanks, a Snipe, a Whimbrel, and a Turnstone. Raptor sightings featured an adult male Sparrowhawk at the Wetlands and a Peregrine on the Mountain.

Migrant passerines and grounded songbirds showed a steady presence, led by 10 Willow Warblers (two trapped and ringed at Nant), five Chiffchaffs (one retrapped at Nant), four Blackcaps, two Goldcrests (one trapped and ringed at the Observatory), a Sedge Warbler, and a Song Thrush. Visible passage and resident counts included 20 White Wagtails, eight unassigned alba wagtails, nine Grey Wagtails, 22 Meadow Pipits, 17 Swallows, four House Martins, 12 Linnets and seven Robins with one trapped and ringed at Nant.

Butterfly and insect highlights benefitted from the dry weather, featuring 12 Red Admirals, 11 Painted Ladies, a Comma and three Migrant Hawkers.

Comma in the Green Lane (c) Phoebe Moss

2026-09-04T22:49:00.000+01:00

Strong west-southwesterly force 6 winds brought rough seas and good visibility with no precipitation, and temperatures peaking at 16°C.

Seawatching passage along the West Coast delivered three Sooty Shearwaters, two Balearic Shearwaters, 900 Manx Shearwaters, nine Arctic Skuas, and three Great Skuas (including two off the West Coast and one passing Narrows). Terns passing offshore were represented by a Sandwich Tern and four Commic Terns off the West Coast. Gulls and other seabirds moving offshore included 132 Kittiwakes, six Great Black-backed Gulls, five Herring Gulls, 200 Gannets, seven Cormorants, four Fulmars, three Shags, three Guillemots, and two Razorbills. Coastal waders and waterbirds featured 41 Curlews, three Ringed Plovers, two Whimbrels, two Turnstones, a Common Sandpiper, and a Redshank.

Passerine activity included 15 White Wagtails, four unassigned alba wagtails, 16 Swallows, 41 Linnets, seven Rock Pipits, four Meadow Pipits, five Wheatears, four Robins, two Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff, and a Stonechat.

Cetacean and terrestrial mammal sightings were highlighted by six Harbour Porpoises off the West Coast, along with single records of a 120 grey seal including 4 seal pups, and Common Shrew and a Wood Mouse around the Observatory.

Grey Seal mother defending her pup (c) Phoebe Moss

2026-09-03T22:49:00.000+01:00

Much of the day was taken up with the Student Bird Race with fresh southwesterly force 6 winds and rough seas at Sea State 6, accompanied by moderate visibility for the majority of the day and a top temperature of 18°C. Everyone put in a fantastic effort across the island, resulting in close scores and a competitive finish, with the winning team tallying an impressive total of 54 species. The day finished with a fun quiz night hosted by Steve and Emma.

Quiz night!

A massive thank you also to West Midlands Bird Club, British Birds, Welsh Ornithological Society/Cymdeithas Adaryddol Cymru and Wildsounds for making this week possible by sponsering this student week and helping so many future conservationists gain experience in the field.

Seawatching provided excellent highlights, including a Leach's Petrel off the North End. Shearwater counts featured a single Balearic Shearwater off the West Coast, three Sooty Shearwaters and 130 Manx Shearwaters moving south. A good showing of Skuas were represented throughout the morning with six Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua off the West Coast. Terns passing offshore included 19 Sandwich Terns, 12 Arctic Terns, and four Common Terns. Gull passage included an adult Sabine's Gull off the North End, alongside 100 Kittiwakes, 16 Herring Gulls, nine Great Black-backed Gulls, two Black-headed Gulls, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Other seabirds offshore included 190 Gannets, 26 Shags, six Fulmars, five Cormorants, eight Razorbills, two Common Scoters, a Guillemot, and two unidentified auks.

Waders species recorded included 27 Curlews, 19 Turnstones, 10 Purple Sandpipers, 10 Knot (including 2 passing the west coast), seven Redshanks, four Ringed Plovers, three Whimbrels, three Dunlin, two Common Sandpipers.

Knot in Henllywn (c) Ezra Sherwell

Purple Sandpiper at the high tide roost on the Narrows (c) Ezra Sherwell

Passerine activity saw good counts of wagtails and pipits, including 43 White Wagtails, four Grey Wagtails, one Pied Wagtail, 38 Meadow Pipits, and 22 Rock Pipits. Overhead hirundines totaled 28 Swallows and four House Martins. Grounded migrants and songbirds included 13 Robins, seven Wheatears (including three Greenland-type individuals at Narrows), five Willow Warblers, five Chiffchaffs, five Blackcaps, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Goldcrest at Nant, 28 Linnet and a Song Thrush.

Marine mammal sightings featured 12 Common Dolphins off the West Coast. Grey Seal counts reached 52 individuals across the island. Invertebrate records included six Red Admirals, two Humming-bird Hawk-moths, two Orange Swifts, a Painted Lady, a Small Tortoiseshell, a Speckled Wood, a Common Blue and a Migrant Hawker.

2026-09-02T22:44:00.000+01:00

Fresh southwesterly force 5 winds generated rough sea conditions, good visibility, and heavy rain, with temperatures reaching 17°C.

Seawatching from the observatory yielded two Balearic Shearwaters moving along the West Coast alongside 152 Manx Shearwaters heading south. Additional seabird movement included an Arctic Skua off the West Coast, 37 Gannets, 14 Kittiwakes, eight Shags, five Common Scoters, four Sandwich Terns, two Cormorants and a single Fulmar. Coastal waders and wetland species were represented by 34 Curlews, 18 Turnstones, two trapped Dunlin at Narrows, a single Bar-tailed Godwit heading south off the West Coast, a Whimbrel at Carreg yr Honwy, and a Redshank at Solfach.

Passerine counts and visible migration was headlined by 28 White Wagtails (including 25 moving south at South End), two Pied Wagtails, 14 Swallows, seven Meadow Pipits, and a House Martin. Grounded passerines and residents included 12 Rock Pipits, a Song Thrush (trapped and ringed at the Observatory), a Willow Warbler, a Robin and a Wheatear.

Offshore seal monitoring recorded 140 Grey Seals hauled out with pup numbers now reaching four. Invertebrates recorded despite the rain included five Painted Ladies, two Humming-bird Hawk-moths, a Speckled Wood, and a Silver Y.

Grey Seal pup (c) Phoebe Moss

The students were taken out for an afternoon of rockpooling which produced some interesting sightings including several Blennys, Green Shore Crabs and a range of Sea anemones.

Students rockpooling on Solfach.

2026-09-01T22:17:00.000+01:00

Force 5 south-westerly winds led to sea state 5 with good visibility, although rain showers were present throughout the day, and a maximum temperature of 18°C.

A morning seawatching session produced the highlights of today, with a Balearic Shearwater seen going south, although difficult to pick up in the rougher waves, whilst a Great Skua was seen high off the west coast. Other seabird highlights included 11 Common Scoter, 19 Sandwich Tern, 10 Arctic Tern, five Guillemot, and six Razorbill passing through. A total of 76 Gannet were recorded across the island, as well as six Fulmar, four Cormorant, 12 Shag, 80 Kittiwake, and 20 Manx Shearwater off the west coast.

Yesterday’s Quail had stayed overnight and was relocated for a second day in the lowlands. Wader numbers weren’t as high as in recent days but included five Ringed Plover, five Whimbrel, 37 Curlew, four Redshank, six Turnstone, and 16 Dunlin, two of which were ringed during a dazzling session in the evening. Passerines included a single Tree Pipit flying over the observatory, 10 Meadow Pipit, seven Rock Pipit, four White Wagtail, and 73 Alba Wagtail throughout the day. Other migrants included 35 Swallow, one House Martin, and five Wheatear, whilst warblers included three Blackcap, five Chiffchaff, three Willow Warbler, and one juvenile Whitethroat in the wetlands.

Several butterflies were of note, including a Small Tortoiseshell, and one Small Copper, as well as a good count of five Humming-bird Hawk-moth. No cetaceans were seen today, but other wildlife included two Violet Ground Beetles, a possible Southern Migrant Hawker, and five Slow Worms in the observatory garden.

Students on a Manx Shearwater chick walk

The students from the University Week helped out with ringing today, with a total of five Storm Petrels at the north end at night, followed by 23 Manx Shearwater chicks ringed from burrows during the day, giving everyone a chance to gain valuable experience.

2026-08-31T16:15:00.000+01:00

Northwesterly force 5 winds generated rough conditions at Sea State 5, accompanied by very good visibility and a top temperature of 17°C.

An exciting day of seawatching comprised much of the birding for the day with all the staff and students lining up on the terrace to watch seabirds fly past the West Coast. Three Sooty Shearwaters provided some early highlights with the first two going through within half an hour after sunrise. Skuas also provided a lot of interest throughout the morning with a variety of different ages and morphs of Arctic Skuas moving through and two Great Skuas, the second of which flew in to the West Coast before circling up over the coast providing good views for the students. Much of the passage was comprised of southward moving terns with a total of six species recorded during through the morning. The highlight was a Black Tern moving south in with a mixed flock of Sandwich and Arctic tern off the West Coast and a juvenile Roseate Tern off the North End. Counts of other species totalled 189 Sandwich Terns, 44 Arctic Terns, 37 Common Terns, eight Commic Terns, and a Little Tern off the West Coast. Headlining the gulls was a juvenile Sabine's Gull passing the West Coast and six Little Gulls also off the West Coast. Other gull counts included two Yellow-legged Gulls, 663 Kittiwakes, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 15 Herring Gulls, 11 Great Black-backed Gulls, four Black-headed Gulls, and two Mediterranean Gulls. Other seabirds passing offshore included 208 Manx Shearwaters four Grey Phalaropes off the North End, 373 Gannets, 31 Common Scoters, 26 Shags, 16 Razorbills, 13 Fulmars, four Cormorants, two Puffins, and a single Guillemot.

The most notable landbird sighting came from a Quail flushed in the lowlands during the afternoon. Wader and wildfowl passage along the coast produced four Purple Sandpipers on the Narrows, 17 Turnstones, 13 Redshanks, nine Whimbrels, six Curlews, six Dunlin, five Ringed Plovers, a single Lapwing, and a Greenshank. Passerine numbers were generally low but were bolstered in the afternoon by a Whinchat in the lowlands, a Skylark passing over the lowlands, 12 Robins, six Wheatears, five Willow Warblers, one Sedge Warbler, two Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and four Stonechats. Overhead hirundines, wagtails, and pipits included 25 Swallows, 10 House Martins, 23 White Wagtails, 20 Rock Pipits, and 16 Meadow Pipits.

Whinchat (c) Ezra Sherwell

Cetacean monitoring off the West Coast and North End yielded seven Common Dolphins and three Risso's Dolphins. Invertebrates started to show later in the day as the wind died off with two female Red-veined Darters, 15 Migrant Hawkers, 283 Rush Veneers, 31 Common Grass Veneers, 22 Painted Ladies, 14 Silver Ys, eight Red Admirals, four Humming-bird Hawk-moths and a Grayling seen. Six Slow Worms were also noted under the refugia at the Observatory.

In the afternoon the students were taken up the mountain to assist with finishing off the final square of the Manx Shearwater census, providing some useful expereince conducting species monitoring as part of a long-term project.

Students helping out with the Manx Shearwater census on the mountain (c) Joel Tragen

2026-08-30T16:44:00.000+01:00

Southerly force 4 winds were accompanied by Sea State 3, moderate visibility, persistent showers throughout the day, and a top temperature of 19°C.

Overhead visible migration picked up despite the wet conditions, headlined by a large surge of wagtails and pipits. Alba wagtails totaled at least 145 individuals, including 100 moving south (70 at South End and 30 at Narrows), 34 confirmed White Wagtails (including 13 moving south at South End and nine south over North End), and a single Pied Wagtail at Solfach. These were joined by nine Grey Wagtails, 25 Meadow Pipits (nine heading south along the West Coast), two Tree Pipits, and 14 Rock Pipits. Hirundine passage produced 64 Swallows and two House Martins. Grounded passerines and songbirds included 11 Willow Warblers, three Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, a Whitethroat on the Mountain, 19 Robins (three trapped and ringed), 20 Wrens (two trapped), 18 Linnets, 12 Woodpigeons, eight Wheatears and six Stonechats.

Seabird counting was productive, highlighted by two Little Terns heading along the West Coast alongside 63 Sandwich Terns and four Arctic Terns. Offshore passage also produced 98 Gannets, 37 Manx Shearwaters, 35 Common Scoters off the West Coast, 20 Shags, nine Razorbills, seven Fulmars, and seven Cormorants. Coastal waders were well represented with 55 Oystercatchers, 40 Turnstones, 37 Curlews, 17 Redshanks, 12 Ringed Plovers, 10 Dunlin, three Whimbrels, a single southbound Black-tailed Godwit off the West Coast, a Greenshank at Narrows, and a Sanderling at Carreg yr Henwy. Gulls included 18 Kittiwakes, six Black-headed Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls, and a Common Gull.

Kittiwake in Solfach (c) Ezra Sherwell

Sandwich Tern in Solfach (c) Ezra Sherwell

Marine mammal activity off the West Coast and South End included 10 Common Dolphins and two Risso's Dolphins. Invertebrate records despite the showers included five Humming-bird Hawk-moths, five Migrant Hawkers, two Common Blues and two Speckled Woods.

2026-08-29T15:23:00.000+01:00

Northerly force 4 winds brought rougher seas at Sea State 3, moderate visibility, steady rain that cleared by 16:00, and a cooler top temperature of 17°C.

The University week students arrived today, making it across to the Island without getting soaked despite a fairly choppy crossing. After the welcome talks the students were led out to see the northern parts of the island where a Western Bonelli's Warbler was soon identified in the plantation pines at Tŷ Nessaf providing good views much to thee students delight. Small passerine migration included a moderate arrival of warblers and flycatchers, including 59 Willow Warblers (35 at Nant), 11 Spotted Flycatchers, five Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, a juvenile Whitethroat, and a Pied Flycatcher. Hirundines heading through consisted of 22 Swallows and three House Martins. Wagtails and pipits included nine Alba Wagtails moving north over Nant, five White Wagtails, five Meadow Pipits, and two Tree Pipits and five Robins.

Western Bonelli's Warbler (c) Joel Tragen

Seabird movement off the coast produced 100 Manx Shearwaters feeding off the West Coast in the evening, alongside five Sandwich Terns, five Kittiwakes, four Shags, four Cormorants, two Fulmars, five Common Scoters (all drakes heading south), and 10 Gannets. Coastal waders included 31 Turnstones, 29 Curlews, 14 Ringed Plovers, six Dunlin, three Redshanks, two Sanderlings, four Grey Herons, and a Common Sandpiper. Raptors on the island were logged as two Sparrowhawks and two adult Peregrines on the Mountain. Gull counts included a second-calendar-year Mediterranean Gull at Carreg yr Honwy, a juvenile Common Gull, and a Black-headed Gull.

Cetacean sightings off the West Coast featured 15 Common Dolphins and three Risso's Dolphins. Grey Seal haul-out numbers reached 127 in total across the island with two pups currently present. Invertebrates recorded in the late afternoon after the rain cleared included four Humming-bird Hawk-moths, and a Migrant Hawker.

2026-08-28T15:06:00.000+01:00

Early morning fog began clearing by 11:00 AM, eventually reaching good visibility, accompanied by Southwesterly force 3 winds, Sea State 2, brief early morning rain, and a top temperature of 19°C.

Highlight of the day was a repeating appearance by an Ortolan Bunting calling at Narrows, while a Wood Warbler at Nant was also spotted for the second consecutive day. Hirundines heading through included 51 Swallows and two House Martins, accompanied by two Swifts. Wagtails and pipits were recorded with 60 White Wagtails (37 off the West Coast), 11 Alba Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 23 Rock Pipits, five Meadow Pipits, and a Tree Pipit. Grounded songbirds and warblers featured 19 Willow Warblers (three trapped), five Chiffchaffs, three Spotted Flycatchers, three Blackcaps (one trapped), a female-type Pied Flycatcher at Nant (presumed the same individual from Tŷ Nesaf seen yesterday), a Sedge Warbler (trapped), and a Goldcrest at the Observatory. Other residents and chats numbered 26 Wrens, 22 Linnets, 12 Stonechats (one trapped in the reedbed), 12 Robins and three Wheatears.

Seabirds were highlighted by four Roseate Terns flying south off the West Coast, 21 Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Skua passing close south along the West Coast, 28 Shags, 25 Gannets, seven Manx Shearwaters, four Cormorants, and three Kittiwakes. Coastal waders and wildfowl totals included 42 Curlews, 34 Turnstones, 16 Ringed Plovers, nine Whimbrels, nine Mallards, nine Teal flying west over Narrows, eight Dunlin, seven Grey Herons, six Common Sandpipers, six Sanderlings, three Redshanks and a Greenshank. Coastal gulls included 11 Herring Gulls, six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, four Great Black-backed Gulls, three Black-headed Gulls, and a Mediterranean Gull.

Ringed Plover with Turnstone and Dunlin in the background (c) Ezra Sherwell

Marine mammals were represented by 123 Grey Seals logged around the island's haul-outs, including 57 at Henllwyn and 23 at Carreg yr Henwy. Four pups were recorded: two living pups (one at Narrows, one at the South End) and two dead pups at the South End. A single Common Shrew was found inside the house. Invertebrates enjoyed the clearing weather, with nine Speckled Woods, three Migrant Hawkers, a Small Copper, and a Humming-bird Hawk-moth.

2026-08-27T15:04:00.000+01:00

Easterly force 4 winds brought moderate sea conditions at Sea State 2, moderate visibility, morning rain followed by afternoon showers, and a top temperature of 18°C.

The easterly winds brought a modest arrival of birds onto the island today with the highlight being an Ortolan Bunting spotted on the Narrows associating itself with a flock of Linnet. It spent much of its time feeding in the cover of a dead thistle patch but did provide some good views when it ventured out to nearby walls or gorse bushes.

Ortolan Bunting (c) Joel Tragen

A Wood Warbler at Nant and a Pied Flycatcher at Tŷ Nesaf provided the other main highlights of the day. Passage migration was steady across the island, with hirundines recorded as 37 Swallows, three Sand Martins, and a House Martin. Wagtails and pipits included 60 White Wagtails (with 50 moving through the South End), a Grey Wagtail, three Meadow Pipits, six Rock Pipits, and two Tree Pipits. Warbler and songbird numbers were well represented by 20 Willow Warblers, seven Spotted Flycatchers, six Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, two Sedge Warblers, a Whitethroat, a Pied Flycatcher, and a Goldcrest. Eight Robins, eight Wheatears, and a Stock Dove made up the remainder.

Seabird passage off the coast included 26 Manx Shearwaters, 25 Sandwich Terns, 23 Shags, 12 Gannets, three Fulmars, three Cormorants, and a Razorbill. Coastal waders and wildfowl gathered around the bays and roosts were led by 17 Curlews, 15 Turnstones, 14 Ringed Plovers, 11 Oystercatchers, 10 Dunlin, seven Mallards, six Whimbrels, six Sanderlings, a Knot at Solfach, a Redshank and a Greenshank. A Sparrowhawk and a Merlin at the South End made up the raptor totals for the day.

Grey Seals totaled 119 individuals across the haul-outs, comprising 54 at Henllwyn, 30 at Carreg yr Henwy, 19 at the East South End, six at the West South End, six at West Narrows, three at the North End, and one off the West Coast, alongside three pups (one at Henllwyn, one at East South End, and one at West Narrows). A single Common Shrew was also recorded at the Observatory.

2026-08-26T15:02:00.000+01:00

An Easterly wind shifting Northerly at force 3 brought calm conditions with Sea State 2, good visibility, dry weather, and a warm top temperature of 22°C.

There was a notable increase in passerine migration across the island with a passage of 337 Swallows (including 247 flying south/east through Narrows in the morning), 14 House Martins, two Sand Martins, 41 White Wagtails, 19 Alba Wagtails, four Pied Wagtails, eight Grey Wagtails, two Tree Pipits, and two Swifts. Passerines on the ground included 28 Linnets, 18 Robins, 15 Rock Pipits, 13 Willow Warblers, five Chiffchaffs, four Blackcaps, a Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, 13 Meadow Pipits, 12 Woodpigeons, two Wheatears, a female Redstart at Nant.

Redstart (c) Joel Tragen

Some offshore passage was also noted with an adult Roseate Tern heading south being the highlight. Other species included 31 Arctic Terns, eight Sandwich Terns, a Puffin flying south through Narrows, and a Razorbill off Solfach, 49 Shags, 47 Gannets, 39 Kittiwakes, 38 Manx Shearwaters, 31 Common Scoters off the West Coast, eight Fulmars, four Teal, one Mediterranean Gull and a Cormorant. Coastal wader activity included 44 Curlews, 40 Turnstones (including a roost of 24 at Carreg yr Honwy), 10 Sanderlings at Solfach, 10 Ringed Plovers, eight Dunlin, five Grey Herons, three Whimbrels, two Snipe, two Greenshanks, two Redshanks, and two Common Sandpipers.

Marine mammal observations were active off the West Coast, featuring 30 Common Dolphins and eight Risso's Dolphins in the afternoon. Terrestrial mammals included two Wood Mice and a Common Pipistrelle in the Observatory garden.

Invertebrates enjoyed the warm conditions, highlighted by a male Clouded Yellow on the Mountain, 80 Pyrausta despicata micro-moths at Narrows, 24 Large Whites, 16 Painted Ladies, 12 Speckled Woods, 12 Rush Veneers, six Common Blues, three Graylings, three Orange Swifts, two Humming-bird Hawk-moths, seven Migrant Hawkers and an Emperor Dragonfly at Plas.

2026-08-25T14:17:00.000+01:00

Light Easterly force 3 winds provided calm water at Sea State 1 and good visibility, accompanied by afternoon rain showers and a top temperature of 17°C.

Passerines activity across the island was varied with hirundines and wagtails showing some movement with 130 Swallows, 36 House Martins, three Sand Martins, 30 White Wagtails, three Alba Wagtails, and a Grey Wagtail recorded. Other passerine sightings included 35 Linnets, 17 Woodpigeons, 13 Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, three Whitethroats, two Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, a Blackcap, a Redstart at Plas, four Spotted Flycatchers, 13 Robins, 11 Rock Pipits, five Meadow Pipits, four Wheatears, three Stonechats, two Swifts and a Chaffinch.

Seabird movement featured 776 Manx Shearwaters (773 off the West Coast), 26 Gannets, 36 Kittiwakes, 16 Black-headed Gulls, eight Mediterranean Gulls, 11 Shags, four Fulmars, two Cormorants, a Sandwich Tern, and a Razorbill. Coastal bird sightings included 30 Oystercatchers, 16 Curlews, eight Turnstones, six Grey Herons, five Dunlin, five Ringed Plovers, four Whimbrels, four Common Scoters off the West Coast, two Common Sandpipers, two Redshanks, a Greenshank, a Purple Sandpiper at Carreg yr Honwy, and a single Canada Goose off the South End. Raptors in the area included a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a female Kestrel, and a Peregrine.

Marine mammals were highlighted by 15 Risso's Dolphins (12 off the West Coast including three calves, and three off Henllwyn). Grey Seal haul-out counts reached 45 individuals in total: 22 at Carreg yr Henwy, 15 at Henllwyn, four at Solfach, and eight at other locations around the island.

Insect sightings produced nine Painted Ladies, two Humming-bird Hawk-moths, two Migrant Hawkers, a Bordered Straw and an Orange Swift.

Turnstone on Solfach (c) Ezra Sherwell

White Wagtail on Solfach (c) Ezra Sherwell

2026-08-24T11:13:00.000+01:00

Easterly force 3 winds brought smooth seas at Sea State 2, good visibility, dry conditions, and warm temperatures reaching 20°C.

Passage highlight of the day was an adult male Redstart trapped and ringed at the Observatory after being first spotted on a picnic bench in the back garden. Migration was evident across passerines and landbirds, led by 28 Linnets, 23 White Wagtails, 15 Grey Wagtails, 13 “Alba” Wagtails, 12 Willow Warblers, five Chiffchaffs, two Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, a Whitethroat, two Spotted Flycatchers, eight Robins, a Tree Pipit, seven Rock Pipits, 13 Meadow Pipits, seven Stonechats, seven Wheatears, 42 Swallows, five House Martins, a Song Thrush, a Collared Dove and eight Woodpigeons.

Redstart caught at the Observatory (c) Steven Stansfield

Seabird movement off the coast included 44 Gannets, 18 Arctic Terns, 14 Shags, nine Manx Shearwaters, six Kittiwakes, two Sandwich Terns, a Fulmar, a Cormorant, and a Razorbill. A remarkable raptor observation came from the East Side, where an adult male Peregrine flew out over the water to hunt and predate a Storm Petrel. Other raptor records included a Merlin tracking south over Narrows and the South End, a Sparrowhawk at Nant, and a second adult Peregrine on the East Side. Coastal waders and waterfowl were logged by 13 Curlews, 11 Mallards, nine Oystercatchers, seven Turnstones, six Ringed Plovers, five Dunlin, five Moorhens, four Common Sandpipers, three Grey Herons, two Whimbrels, and two juvenile Redshanks at Solfach. Gulls included 12 Herring Gulls, five Great Black-backed Gulls, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls, four Black-headed Gulls, and a single Mediterranean Gull.

Cetaceans off the coast featured three Bottlenose Dolphins, with one logged off the North End and two off the West Coast. Insect highlights were headlined by a Bordered Straw feeding on fuchsia in the front garden of the Observatory, marking the 13th island record for the species. Other insects logged included eight Painted Ladies, eight Speckled Woods, four Silver Y moths, three Meadow Browns, a Common Blue, a Grayling and five Migrant Hawkers.

2026-08-23T10:11:00.000+01:00

A light force 4 Northerly wind brought smooth conditions with Sea State 2, good visibility marred by severe heat haze, dry weather, and a peak temperature of 18°C.

Landbirds and passerines produced soe movement throughout the morning, the highlight being a female-type Redstart above Nant. Eight Tree Pipits, seven Grey Wagtails, 10 Alba Wagtails, 36 Swallows, three House Martins, a Sand Martin, 11 Willow Warblers, 10 Robins, four Chiffchaffs, five Spotted Flycatchers, three Wheatears, two Stonechats, two Blackcaps, two Woodpigeons, two Linnets, a Song Thrush, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat were also spotted.

Spotted Flyactcher caught at Nant (c) Ezra Sherwell

Seabird and offshore passage was generally slow with just 154 Manx Shearwaters moving, however, a mixture of Sandwich and Arctic Tern were moving S|outh producing final counts of 43 Sandwich Terns and 10 Arctic Terns. Other seabird counts featured a second-calendar-year Little Gull flying north off the West Coast, and eight Mediterranean Gulls, 55 Gannets, 30 Shags, five Fulmars, a Cormorant, and a Shelduck that landed on the sea off Carreg yr Honwy. The first Yellow-legged Gull of the year was spotted during survey work off the East Side showing classic juvenile plumage characteristics.

Wader and coastal bird counts gathered around the shores included 19 Curlews at Carreg yr Honwy, nine Oystercatchers at Carreg yr Honwy, five Grey Herons, three Ringed Plovers, two Turnstones at Carreg yr Honwy, a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Dunlin at Carreg yr Honwy, and a Little Egret seen heading south off the West Coast. Raptor sightings featured four Peregrines (including an adult pair and a young male on the East Side), a female Kestrel at the Observatory, and a Sparrowhawk.

Marine mammal encounters off the West Coast were exceptional, logged by seven Risso's Dolphins (moving in groups of four and three), five Common Dolphins, and a single Harbour Porpoise. Invertebrate records included two Migrant Hawkers, four Painted Ladies, two Graylings, two Silver Ys, an Orange Swift, a Red Admiral and a Common Blue.

2026-08-22T13:09:00.000+01:00

Northerly winds at force 4 provided good visibility, moderate seas at Sea State 3, and a temperature of 17°C.

Seabird movement was much lower today with 65 Manx Shearwaters, 19 Gannets, three Sandwich Terns, three Cormorants, and two Shags recorded. Waders logged across the island included 35 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlews, six Redshanks, six Turnstones, three Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin and a Whimbrel. Raptor sightings featured a Peregrine at the South End and a Sparrowhawk at the Observatory.

Passerine counts included a Grey Wagtail and seven White Wagtail on the South End, 33 Swallows, 12 Choughs, 10 Woodpigeons, six Willow Warblers, six Meadow Pipits, five Rock Pipits, five Stonechats, four Robins, four Chiffchaffs, three Greenland Wheatears at Narrows, two Pied Wagtails, two Whitethroats, two Blackcaps and two Linnets.

White Wagtail on the South End (c) Ezra Sherwell

Insect records were varied, headlined by three Migrant Hawkers, seven Meadow Browns, six Common Blues, three Silver Y moths, three Painted Ladies, two Red Admirals, a Small Copper, a Green-veined White, and a Humming-bird Hawk-moth at the Observatory.

2026-08-21T16:20:00.000+01:00

Temperatures today came in at 18°C with overall excellent visibility despite several showers moving through in the morning. A brisk force 4 Northerly wind and sea state 4 winds brought some continued seabird passage. The bulk of this was 1,169 Manx Shearwaters, however, a selection of other species were also noted including 50 Common Scoters, 48 Gannets, 46 Kittiwakes, three Fulmars, two Guillemots, two Puffins, and a single Razorbill. Terns were actively moving as well, featuring two Roseate Terns flying south off Solfach, 23 Sandwich Terns, five Arctic Terns, and two Common Terns. Gull activity off the South End was also notable, with 21 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Mediterranean Gulls, and a single Common Gull all tracking north.

Waders and coastal species logged across the island included 23 Curlews, 21 Shags, 10 Ringed Plovers, seven Turnstones, three Grey Herons, three Redshanks, two Dunlin and two Whimbrels, many of which were observed moving onto or through the island. Raptors on the wing featured two Sparrowhawks and two Peregrines.

Landbirds and passerines were led by a passage of 43 Alba Wagtails moving south out to sea off the South End. Other landbird counts included 50 Swallows, 25 Meadow Pipits, nine Wheatears, five Woodpigeons, four Rock Pipits, four Willow Warblers and two Chiffchaffs.

Coastal mammalian counts revealed an impressive total of 168 Grey Seals around the island, with 111 gathered at Henllwyn, 44 scattered around other sites, 10 at Carreg yr Honwy, three seal pups at the South End, and a single seal at Solfach. Cetaceans were represented by three Risso's Dolphins (two adults and a calf) seen off the South End.

Grey Seal pup on the South End (c) Phoebe Moss

Insect recordings were modest under the windy conditions, highlighted by a Humming-bird Hawk-moth at the Observatory alongside five Painted Ladies, three Red Admirals, and two Speckled Woods.

2026-08-20T18:54:00.000+01:00

A day of fresh force 6 northerly winds, excellent visibility and sea state 5 brought about favorable seawatching conditions with dedicated watches conducted from the South End in the morning and a short watch from the North End in the evening. Temperatures rose to a maximum of 17°C and some scattered showers moved through the island during the day. Most notable was a record of eight Roseate Terns seen passing north off the South End, four of which were soon also picked up from the Observatory. A selection of other tern species were also observed moving throughout the day, although the majority of passage occurred between 6:45-9:30. This included 57 Sandwich Terns (52 heading north off the South End and five at Carreg yr Honwy), 20 Common Terns (18 off the South End in small flocks and two in the evening off the North End), and 14 Arctic Terns passing the South End. The morning seawatch also produced the first Little Gull record of the year moving north past the South End. Offshore counts were bolstered by 1,232 Manx Shearwaters (928 off the North End, including a raft of c.50, and 304 off the South End), 147 Gannets, 67 Kittiwakes, 12 Fulmars and five Mediterranean Gulls.

Waders and other coastal species recorded included 20 Curlews, 19 Oystercatchers, nine Turnstones, 32 Shags, eight Black-headed Gulls, four Cormorants, four Grey Herons, two Whimbrels and a Dunlin.

Landbirds across the island were led by 21 Swallows, 14 Linnets, nine Meadow Pipits, seven Woodpigeons, six Rock Pipits, five Stonechats, five Wheatears, four Willow Warblers and a House Martin.

Around the coast, Grey Seal counts reached 147 individuals, comprising 93 at Henllwyn, 40 at the South End (including three newly recorded pups), seven at Carreg yr Honwy, three along the West Coast, two at the North End, one at Solfach, and one at Traeth Ffynnon.

One of the new Grey Seal pups found on the South End (c) Phoebe Moss

Insect activity was quiet under the cooler, windier conditions, yielding three Common Blues, three Painted Ladies, four Meadow Browns, two Red Admirals, and a single Silver Y moth.

2026-08-19T13:53:00.000+01:00

Weather conditions today turned fresher with a force 4 Westerly wind, rougher seas (Sea State 4), very good visibility, a temperature of 18°C, and some afternoon showers.

A total of 84 Grey Seals were logged around the coastline, including 38 at Henllwyn, 39 across various sites (31 at the East South End, three at the West South End, three at the North End, one at Traeth Ffynnon, and one at West Narrows), four at Carreg yr Honwy, and three at Solfach. In addition, marine observations yielded six Lion's Mane Jellyfish and two Moon Jellyfish off the South End.

Lion's Mane Jellyfish Ogof Hir (c) Phoebe Moss

Insects recorded across the island included 200 Pyrausta despicata at Narrows, 14 Rush Veneer moths, 12 Silver Y moths, eight Painted Ladies, five Meadow Browns, two Large Whites, two Red Admirals, a Green-veined White, and a single Migrant Hawker.

Offshore bird movement included 159 Gannets (139 passing in an hour in the early morning off the West Coast) and 87 Manx Shearwaters. Also recorded in coastal waters and roosts were 27 Shags, 16 Sandwich Terns, seven Cormorants, four Mediterranean Gulls, four Black-headed Gulls, two Kittiwakes, a Fulmar, a Common Gull, and a Purple Sandpiper at Carreg yr Honwy.

Wader and wildfowl counts featured 35 Curlews, 29 Turnstones, four Grey Herons, four Whimbrels, three Moorhens, three Redshanks, two Common Sandpipers, and a single Dunlin. Non-breeding gulls included 11 Herring Gulls, five Great Black-backed Gulls, and four Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Passerine and landbird activity was highlighted by 31 Swallows, 25 Linnets, 11 Choughs, seven Rock Pipits, five Willow Warblers, four Meadow Pipits, four Stonechats, a Chiffchaff, a Wheatear, and a single Peregrine over the Mountain.

2026-08-18T13:37:00.000+01:00

Conditions were settled with a force 3 South-Westerly wind, moderate seas (Sea State 3), good visibility, and a temperature of 18°C.

A high count of 183 Grey Seals was recorded around the island, including 95 at Henllwyn, 38 at Carreg yr Henwy, 48 across other sites (42 at the South End, three at the North End, and three on the East Side), and two at Solfach. A Grey Seal on the South End was spotted with a small yellow tag, which was later confirmed to be from RSPCA Stapeley Grange where it was rehabilitated. Off the North End, eight Common Dolphins (including a calf/juvenile) were observed. A Wood Mouse was noted on the East Side and 30 Freshwater Eels were discovered in Pwll Cain, 10 of which were relocated to Pwll Gareth as the pond has now dried up leaving with only some wet mud remaining in the pond now.

The Grey Seal with the flipper tag in South End (c) Phoebe Moss

Insects featured 300 Pyrausta despicata moths near Narrows, 50 Rush Veneer moths, 14 Silver Y moths, 10 Common Blues, nine Painted Ladies, eight Graylings, five Small Tortoiseshells, four Large Whites, four Meadow Browns, three Green-veined Whites, three Small Coppers, two Migrant Hawkers, two Mullein Wave moths, and a single Red Admiral.

Some seabirds movement was apparent with the highlight being a single Little Tern noted passing south off the West Coast. Other species included 104 Gannets passing offshore, 380 Manx Shearwaters moving south off the West Coast, 60 Shags, 39 Sandwich Terns, 36 Kittiwakes, eight Cormorants, seven Fulmars, three Arctic Terns, two Mediterranean Gulls, a Guillemot on the East Side and a Common Gull.

Waders and wildfowl recorded across the island included 50 Oystercatchers, 42 Turnstones, 41 Curlews, nine Mallards, nine Redshanks, eight Grey Herons, five Moorhens, five Common Sandpipers, five Whimbrels, four Common Scoters off the West Coast, and two Black-headed Gulls. Gull counts were rounded out by 50 Herring Gulls, 16 Great Black-backed Gulls, and 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Landbirds and passerines were led by 62 Swallows, 21 Choughs, 20 Magpies, 13 Woodpigeons, seven Willow Warblers, seven Rock Pipits, six Meadow Pipits, three Stonechats, two House Martins, two Robins, two Wheatears, a Chiffchaff and a juvenile Peregrine on the East Side.

2026-08-17T10:48:00.000+01:00

Today's conditions were unsettled with a force 3 North-Westerly wind, moderate seas (Sea State 3), and very good visibility despite some light rain passing through during the morning.

Cetaceans put on an excellent display off the headlands. A pod of 41 Common Dolphins included 30 off the South End and 11 off Pen Cristin (including a calf). Seven Risso's Dolphins (six adults and a calf) were logged along the West Coast. Lepidoptera activity was steady in the shelter, featuring 10 Meadow Browns, 10 Common Blues, six Peacocks, five Silver Y moths, three Small Coppers, three Red Admirals, three Graylings, a Large White, a Small Tortoiseshell, a Speckled Wood, and a Mullein Wave moth on the East Side.

Seabirds were active offshore with passage led by 520 Manx Shearwaters along the West Coast. Other offshore observations included 55 Shags, 44 Herring Gulls, 22 Gannets, 19 Sandwich Terns, 18 Mallards, 18 Kittiwakes, 16 Great Black-backed Gulls, nine Lesser Black-backed Gulls, eight Cormorants, six Black-headed Gulls, six Grey Herons, four Fulmars (including two chicks on the East Side), a Razorbill, and a Mediterranean Gull. One of the Sandwich Terns on Carreg yr Honwy was observed to be carrying a red colour-ring marked 'KFS' which was found to have been ringed on 11 August 2017 at Ynys Las in mid-Wales.

Sandwich Tern (c) Steve Stansfield

Shorebird counts across the roosts and coastlines included 57 Oystercatchers, 54 Curlews, 38 Turnstones, four Whimbrels, three Redshanks, two Purple Sandpipers, and two Dunlins. A family group of three Peregrines (an adult pair and a juvenile) was active on the East Side; an examination of older Peregrine predation remains on the East Side revealed a Common Sandpiper, at least two Turnstones, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, and a Collared Dove.

Landbirds and passerines across the island featured a Spotted Flycatcher at Ty Pellaf, alongside 10 Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, and a Chaffinch heard calling over the East Side. Other counts included 41 Swallows, 20 Linnets, 14 Woodpigeons, eight Rock Pipits, seven House Martins, six Meadow Pipits, five Robins, four Wheatears, three Stonechats (a male, female, and juvenile near Pwll Gareth). Ringing totals from Cristin included one Song Thrush, three Willow Warbler and a Robin ringed and one Magpie, one Robin and one Wren retrapped.

Robin ringed in Cristin (c) Ezra Sherwell

2026-08-16T10:37:00.000+01:00

Conditions presented flat calm seas (Sea State 0) and excellent visibility, broken only by a short, very light shower late in the morning.

Marine mammal sightings were highlighted by 85 Grey Seals recorded around the island—including 49 at Carreg yr Henwy, 26 at Henllwyn, two at Solfach, four along the West Coast, and four at the North End. Offshore counts included three Common Dolphins off the North End and three Harbour Porpoises accompanied by a calf along the West Coast.

Insects took full advantage of the clear conditions, led by 16 Meadow Browns, 12 Painted Ladies, eight Red Admirals, three Green-veined Whites, two Small Tortoiseshells, a Large White, a Common Blue, a Speckled Wood, and a Grayling up on the mountain. Day-flying moths and dragonflies included 10 Silver Ys, four Humming-bird Hawk-moths, two Rush Veneers, two Migrant Hawkers, and a Common Plume moth.

Seabird movement was dominated by a passage of 4,003 Manx Shearwaters, mostly moving past the South End and West Coast during the morning. Other notable seabirds and waterbirds included 65 Gannets, 46 Shags, 44 Sandwich Terns, 16 Mallards at Solfach, 15 Cormorants, 12 Great Black-backed Gulls, 10 Kittiwakes, six Razorbills, five Grey Herons, four Storm Petrels on the East Side (including an adult attending a chick), three Mediterranean Gulls (one wearing a white darvic ring), two Fulmars, and a Great Skua off the South End.

Sandwich Terns on Carreg yr Honwy (c) Steve Stansfield

Waders and gulls around the coasts and Narrows included 101 Oystercatchers, 77 Herring Gulls, 45 Curlews, 23 Turnstones, 19 Black-headed Gulls, 14 Redshanks, seven Lapwings, six Lesser Black-backed Gulls, three Dunlins, three Ringed Plovers, two Whimbrels, two Common Sandpipers, and a Purple Sandpiper. One of the Whimbrels carried a color ring combination fitted on the island in September 2016.

Lapwing (c) Steve Stansfield

Some movement was evident today with seven Tree pipit noted passing over the island during the morning. Other new arrivals included a Barn Owl and a Song Thrush at Nant. Other sightings across the island included 122 Swallows, 75 House Martins, 46 Linnets, 19 Rock Pipits, 17 Willow Warblers, 17 Choughs, 12 Woodpigeons, seven Dunnocks, seven Robins, seven Tree Pipits, five Chiffchaffs, four Sand Martins, four Alba Wagtails, three Blackcaps, three Pied Wagtails, two Peregrines (an adult male and juvenile female), two Whitethroats, two Stonechats, a Sparrowhawk, a Meadow Pipit, a Wheatear, a Blackbird. Trapping and ringing efforts added four Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps, two Willow Warblers, one Dunnock, one Robin, and one Song Thrush.

2026-08-15T14:21:00.000+01:00

A light northerly wind and excellent visibility was set in for much of the day, with a few vert light showers passing through during the late morning, nothing enough however, to do anything to the current drought situation.

A small number of migrant passerines were recorded across the island. Willow Warblers were the most numerous, with 13 seen between Withies, the Wetlands, Tŷ Pellaf, Cristin and Nant. Five Chiffchaffs were recorded, while a Sedge Warbler remained in Withies. The first Spotted Flycatcher of autumn was at Tŷ Pellaf and was one of the day's more notable highlights. Five Wheatears were seen between the South End, Narrows and Traeth Ffynnon, and a juvenile White Wagtail was present at the South End. A Sand Martin was seen over the Narrows.

Wader numbers were concentrated around the South End, Narrows and the west coast. Eight Whimbrels were recorded, together with 15 Curlews, 14 Turnstones, four Common Sandpipers, three Redshanks, two Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin. Three adult Mediterranean Gulls at the South End were among the more notable coastal records.

Butterflies were most evident around Nant and Solfach, where four Red Admirals, three Speckled Woods and two Painted Ladies were seen. A Small Tortoiseshell was recorded on the West Coast. Other insect records included a Red-veined Darter at the South End.

Other counts included 35 Linnets at the Narrows, 15 House Martins at the South End, 15 Magpies across the island and 12 Choughs between the Narrows and Traeth Ffynnon. Three Grey Herons were recorded between Carreg yr Honwy, Pwll Gareth and the Narrows, while 14 Mallards were present at Solfach.

The low tide seal count produced a total of 231 Grey Seals around the island. This included 91 at Henllwyn, 52 at Carreg yr Honwy, 75 on the east side of the South End, six west of the South End, four at the North End and two west of the Narrows. A newborn Grey Seal pup was found dead (our sixth of this pupping season) west of Solfach.

2026-08-14T15:29:00.000+01:00

Moderate sea conditions (Sea state 2) and moderate visibility defined the day, with temperatures reaching 19°C alongside some light rain during the mid-morning.

Grey Seals totaled 142 hauled out across the island, with 60 at Henllwyn, 24 at Carreg yr Henwy, 56 around the South End, one near the Narrows, and one at the North End. Insects recorded included two Red Admirals, a Painted Lady, a Silver Y moth, a Vapourer moth, and a Common Plume moth.

Juvenile Grey Seal South End (c) Phoebe Moss

Night-time ringing at the North End during the early hours yielded 40 Storm Petrels flying around, one of which was newly ringed. Other avian sightings included 17 Manx Shearwaters off the West Coast, 21 Shags, four Grey Herons, three Cormorants, three Mallards, a Sparrowhawk, and six Moorhens trapped in the wetlands, five of which were newly ringed and one re-trapped.

Grey Heron with a fish (c) Phoebe Moss

Wader counts across the shores featured 58 Oystercatchers, 22 Curlews, 15 Turnstones, a Dunlin, a Redshank, and a Common Sandpiper at Henllwyn. Gull sightings included five Black-headed Gulls, three Great Black-backed Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and 10 Herring Gulls.

Passerines and other land birds included 27 Swallows, 17 Linnets, 10 House Martins, nine Stonechats, four Woodpigeons, three Rock Pipits, two Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, two Robins, two Wheatears, a Sedge Warbler and a Meadow Pipit.

2026-08-13T14:42:00.000+01:00

A gentle westerly breeze at Force 2 and calm, flat seas made for a lovely day with very good visibility, reaching 22°C before some evening fog rolled in.

It was a productive day for cetaceans around the island. Offshore sightings included five Risso's Dolphins to the northeast and 32 Common Dolphins, 30 of which were co-foraging alongside Gannets off the West Coast. Grey Seals totaled 113 hauled out across the rocks, including 54 at Henllwyn, 43 at Carreg yr Henwy, 12 around the South End, and four at the North End.

Insects thrived in the warm conditions. Butterfly records included 59 Meadow Browns, 20 Small Tortoiseshells, 18 Common Blues, 12 Red Admirals, six Painted Ladies, five Large Whites, three Peacocks, three Small Coppers, and a Speckled Wood at Nant. Three Migrant Hawkers were also recorded around the Observatory.

Visible migration saw a noticeable southbound movement of Swallows, with 288 recorded across the island, including 244 heading south through the Narrows and 14 past the South End. Other hirundines and passerines included 47 Linnets, seven Wheatears, six Meadow Pipits, four Sand Martins, four House Martins, and six Choughs. Ringing at the Withies produced 12 newly ringed Wrens along with one re-trap, seven newly ringed Willow Warblers out of nine recorded, three Sedge Warblers, a Robin, and a re-trapped Chiffchaff. Additionally, a single Storm Petrel was trapped and ringed at the North End during a nocturnal catch.

Willow Warbler (c) Ezra Sherwell

Coastal bird counts included 55 Curlews, 49 Oystercatchers, 19 Turnstones, 17 Ringed Plovers at Solfach, nine Redshanks, six Whimbrels, five Common Sandpipers, two Lapwings, and five Moorhens at Pwll Gloyw. Seabirds included 42 Shags, 15 Gannets, 15 Cormorants, 15 Mallards, 12 Common Scoter, two Fulmars including a chick on the East Side, two juvenile Peregrines, four Sparrowhawks, one of which took one of the Islands colour ringed Stonechat which was ringed this year as an adult and had successfully raised two broods this year on the South End.