At this time of year, the opportunities to open the mist nets for ringing in the garden at Cristin, where we are staying for the winter, are limited on account of the wind rarely abating. However, today was one of those calm days you get every couple of weeks here. So, it was a case of being up before dawn and getting the nets open. This was well rewarded with 40 plus birds ringed, including thrushes, finches, the fourth Black Redstart of the autumn and a stunning Wryneck which was migrating very late in the year.
We are Elaine and Jim Lennon, and we have been visiting Bardsey for a week or so every year since the 1980s. However, for a long time now we’ve wanted to over winter on the island and experience the place at a different time of year when they are less people and boats, in order to experience the highs and lows of island life for longer than our usual stay. Through a combination of quitting our jobs and early retirement we are now lucky enough to do this.
Friends and family are keen to hear about our exploits, and with this blog we plan to share our experiences. These are likely to be a mix of our volunteer work on conservation tasks on the island and winter jobs at the Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory where we are staying in Cristin, bird news and our everyday exploits and challenges.
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