A SONG SPARROW on Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, on 9th had twitchers springing into action. A brilliant co-ordinated effort from observatory staff and local boatmen allowed 23 birders to reach the island that afternoon, where the bird remained – albeit mobile – into the evening. Impressively for a species with just ten (or 11) previous British records – and five of those from Fair Isle – this is Bardsey’s second. The first – Britain’s third at the time – resided on the island from 5-8 May 1970. Unfortunately, this latest individual bucked the trend of extended stays and proved a one-day bird, having performed an overnight disappearing act.
Bardsey also boasted its first subalpine warbler since 2020 – a singing male EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER on 30th – after a run of thirteen in a 10-year period. A GOLDEN ORIOLE toured the island on 31st and two Common Cranes flew south on 26th. The island also demonstrated the lateness of some summer migrants, with high numbers of Spotted Flycatchers towards the end of the month.
A song-flighting GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK at Dale Airfield, Pembrokeshire, appeared a close match for the North African subspecies hermonensis, with a pale sandy plumage, ginger crown, reduced dark breast patch and unstreaked rump.
Both a RED-BACKED SHRIKE and GOLDEN ORIOLE were on Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, with another oriole on the mainland at St Ann’s Head on 31st. An adult male Rosy Starling was in a garden at Harmony, Pembrokeshire, on 26th, with a vocal European SERIN over South Stack RSPB, Anglesey, the following day. Hoopoes and Grey-headed Wagtails were at two sites apiece, with reports of BLACK KITE received from Clwyd, Powys and Pembrokeshire.
A BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER at Inland Sea, Anglesey, on 31st was an excellent record for North Wales. Other highlights comprised an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Llanelli Wetland Centre WWT, Carmarthen, and a TEMMINCK’S STINT at Goldcliff Pools, Gwent, plus two Black-winged Stilts and 10 Eurasian Dotterels.
New adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were at Afon Wen, Gwynedd, and Cosmeston Lakes, Glamorgan, with a lingering first-summer in Carmarthen. PURPLE HERONS, meanwhile, were in Glamorgan, Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire, with a bumper flock of 17 Glossy Ibis over Skomer, Pembrokeshire, on 13th. On 11th, a CASPIAN TERN was off Burry Port, Carmarthen.
Eastern Subalpine Warbler on Bardsey (Ed Betteridge)
Golden Oriole flying over Bardsey (Ed Betteridge)
Spotted Flycatcher on Bardsey (Ed Betteridge)
Pectoral Sandpiper, Llanelli Wetlands
Broad-billed Sandpiper (BirdGuides)
