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| News, Events and Wildlife Sightings at
Cemlyn Last year's wardens, Dawn and David, returned to Cemlyn at the end of April 2011. Forthcoming Events
Summary 2011
2011 was another successful season with a minimum of 1500 Sandwich Terns fledged from a minimum estimated 1700 breeding pairs. This has increased at least 3.6% from 2010. The Common Terns number where up from 2010 to an estimate of 155 pairs this year, 140 on the Main Island and 15 on the Small Island. A maximum count of 70 ‘commic’ juveniles, but it is known that many juveniles were already out to sea by that point. On the 23rd July the first signs were found of a large predation incident on the small Island with 66 fledged juveniles and two adults found dead. From the daily counts and known predation, an estimate of 110 Common Terns fledged. Arctic Terns numbers where lower again from last year; with an estimate of 35 pairs, there was however greater success with fledglings, an estimate of 25. At least 390 pairs of Black-headed Gulls bred on the islands, with at least 110 pairs on the Small Island. This is an increase of 27% from 2010. They suffered heavy predation at the start of the season; some pairs re-laid but not as many as last year. A minimum estimate of 250 young successfully fledged. A pair of Mediterranean Gulls bred again this year for the second year running. Unfortunately no young were fledged. Conditions for breeding success were very good for all species this year. The weather was very good during April, May, June and July, but with high winds during May. Daily weather records were kept in the wardens’ log. 342 species of fauna were recorded on or around the reserve over the duration of the season. This comprises of 141 birds; 15 mammals; 4 reptiles & amphibians; 8 fish and 172 invertebrate species (mostly moths). Casual sea watches were done. All mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates were recorded. Butterfly transects and moth-trapping was carried out. Visitor numbers and donations were lower than last year.
Monthly Report - June 2011
Weather June was fine during the first week with cool sea breezes. It then became more showery with a persistent westerly breeze. There was heavy rain all day on the 12th. The next few days were fine with light rain until the 17th when it rained heavily all day. The next fortnight was cool and changeable until the final three days when the weather became settled and dry. Overall a changeable month, cool with average rainfall. Tern colony Unfortunately no tern count was able to be made this year due to poor weather. Therefore numbers of breeding pairs had to be estimated throughout. An estimate of a minimum of 1700 Sandwich Tern pairs was made towards the middle of the month. Breeding and productivity was very successful and an estimate of 890 fledglings/juvs was noted on the 29th. The first fledged bird was seen on the 23rd . There was a minimum of 140 pairs of Common Tern on the Small Island with 20 pairs on the Main Island. The first chicks were noted on the 10th June with a minimum of 80 visible by the end of the month. 30 pairs of Arctic tern were incubating on the Small Island early in the month but this decreased for some unknown reason mid month, as last year. Five pairs were scattered round the edge of the Main Island. The first chick was seen on the 16th June and only 14 were visible by the month end. Black Headed Gulls had fledged 140 young by the month end with an estimate of another 40 still present on the islands. All hatching and fledging dates were about a week earlier than last year. Predation Known predation between 1st June and 30th June
Predation was much reduced this month. Laser There has been little need to use the laser this month as there were no perceived threats to the colony.Bird Census This has been conducted daily and species of interest include: All the passerines had a very good breeding season with lots of juveniles noted. However, waterbirds such as Coot and Shelduck had a disastrous breeding season, the reasons for this are not clear, either predation or poor windy weather. Mergansers were faring better towards the month end. Butterfly transect: Four transects have been carried during June as well as casual observations. Most species were recorded but in very small numbers. Mammals: Grey Seal and Hare seen daily. One record each of Common Seal and Bottle-nosed Dolphin. An Otter was reported on the Trwyn. Reptiles: Adder, Common Lizard The moth trap: Eight traps have been set during June. Poor windy weather meant results were disappointing in terms of numbers and species. More moths emerged as the weather settled at the month end and a few immigrant species were noted. Humming Bird Hawk Moths were present on the Trwyn for several days. Volunteers Visitors and Donations:
Monthly Report - April/May 2011
Weather The season started on the 21st April. April was mainly warm and dry. May was a windy month, with variable wind directions and cooler temperatures. Tern colony The first noted sitting/incubating sandwich tern was on the 1st May. The incubation period for Sandwich tern is for 23 to 25 days. Unfortunately the nest count did not take place because weather conditions were not suitable. The nest count was going to be carried out on either the 23rd or 24th of May. However, the Cemlyn Wardens carried out estimates. The table below are estimates of nesting pairs to the 31st May.
The first Sandwich tern chick was seen on the 28th May. A pair of Mediterranean Gulls have again decided to breed on the big island. However, they appear not to be last year's pair. The wardens have identified this because last year the pair were 2nd summer birds with a small bit of black on the tip of their primary wings This year's pair also have black tips on their primary wings meaning they are 2nd summer birds. Last year birds would have lost their black tips on their primaries for this year. Predation A GBBG and a LBBG were noted predating BHG chicks from the point of when BHG chicks began to hatch. The first BHG chicks were noted on the 17th May and the predation noted from 19th May onwards. An adult Peregrine was seen 7 times and was also observed taking 1 BHG chick on 1 occasion. An immature Peregrine had been seen on 4 occasions and even landed on the Big island, but with out taking any chicks. Laser We have continued to make use of the laser as a deterrent and are still enjoying good results. The laser was used to scare Heron off the weir at Bryn Aber and the road bridge. Geese were scared away from the colony at dawn and dusk. Human Disturbance There were no significant incidents during the period.Bird Census This has been conducted daily and species of interest include: Butterfly transect: Due to the unseasonal cold temperatures, and high visitor numbers on days when the temperatures increased, only one butterfly transects was conducted. With casual observations also Wall Brown, Orange Tip, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue, Speckled wood, red admiral, Small Heath and Small Copper were seen. Mammals: Grey Seal; Harbour Porpoise; Brown Hare; Rabbit; Common Shrew; Field Mouse; Fox; Bat sp.. On the 28th May a pod of Bottle Nosed Dolphin were seen in Bay. Reptiles: An Adder and Common Lizard were seen at the start of the season. Amphibians: Common Toad; Common Frog. Fish: Dogfish; Eel; Mullet, Sandeels and flat fish. Invertebrates: No pitfall traps have been put out to date. The moth trap: Eight traps were set during April and May. 165 moths were caught. The numbers of moths are down 83% from last year, even with on extra trap in the same period. This is probably due to the high winds and cool temperatures during May. For species list see spreadsheet. Volunteers Visitors and Donations Media and Organised Events
Summary 2010
A hugely successful season with a minimum of 1100 Sandwich Terns fledging from a total of 1641 pairs. This is a record number of pairs for the reserve.The season was very long with chicks still being fed on 11th August at least. The Common Terns fared reasonably well with similar numbers to last year. They fledged 70 chicks from 105 pairs. Arctic Terns however, did very badly and only raised two young from 37 pairs. The reasons for this are unclear, but predation, flooding or crowding out by other species may be the reason/s. 308 pairs of Black-headed Gulls bred on the islands, with at least 100 pairs on the Small Island. They suffered heavy predation at the start of the season but many pairs re-laid, leading to a very long breeding season. A minimum of 350 young successfully fledged. A pair of Mediterranean Gulls bred, for the first time in Wales, on the Main Island. They successfully raised two young to fledging. Conditions for breeding success were very good for all species this year. Predation was kept to a minimum by the constant disturbance of potential predators and swift action dealing with persistent individual predators. The weather was very good during April, May and June but becoming more unsettled from July onwards. 332 species of fauna were recorded on or around the reserve over the duration of the season. This comprises of as of 130 birds; 13 mammals; 5 reptiles & amphibians; 8 fish and 176 invertebrate species. Casual sea watches were done. All mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates were recorded. Butterfly transects were done irregularly but regular moth-trapping was carried out. Daily weather records were kept in the wardens’ log. Visitor numbers and donations were lower than last year. Monthly Report - April/May 2010 Weather The season started on the 23rd April. April was mainly warm and dry. May was very dry with cold northerly winds predominating for many days. Winds became milder from mid month, temperatures increasing with light variable winds becoming very warm on 22nd/23rd. The only significant rainfall of the period was on the 29th May. Tern colony The nest count was done on the 28th May.
Predation A pair of LBBG established a territory on the Big Island at the end of April and laid two clutches on the east end of the island. These took a toll on the BHG eggs and chicks in mid-May; 18 eggs and 18 chicks were seen predated but many more were thought to have been taken. Peregrine was also observed attacking the colony on 5 occasions, mainly in the evening. It was seen to take 5 adult terns and 1 BHG chick. GBBG was seen on one occasion taking 1 BHG chick.Laser We have continued to make use of the laser as a deterrent and are still enjoying good results. Mainly used on a pair of LBBG that had established a territory on the Big Island since the season started. This was effective at dusk but the birds would return to the colony by dawn, and they seemed to become used to it. The laser was also used to scare Heron off the weir at Bryn Aber and the road bridge. Geese were scared away from the colony at dawn. The laser was used on the Peregrine once during a dusk attack but did not deter its attacks. Human Disturbance There were no significant incidents during the period. Bird Census This has been conducted daily and species of interest include: Butterfly transect Due to the unseasonal cold temperatures, and high visitor numbers on days when the temperatures increased, no butterfly transects were conducted. However casual observations produced Wall Brown, Orange Tip, Painted Lady, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue and a good hatch of Small Heath on the ‘trwyn’. Mammals: Grey Seal; Common Seal (29/4); Harbour Porpoise; Brown Hare; Rabbit; Common Shrew; Field Mouse; Fox; Bat sp.. On the 24th April a pod of 15 Bottle Nosed Dolphin were seen. Smaller numbers were seen on the 9th and 29th May. Reptiles:An Adder was seen at the start of the season and a dead Common lizard. Amphibians: Common Toad; Common Frog Fish:Dogfish; Eel; Mullet. Invertebrates: No pitfall traps have been but out to date The moth trap: Seven traps were set during April and May. 248 moths were caught. Volunteers Visitors and Donations: Media and Organised Events Monthly Report - June 2010 Weather June was mainly warm and dry. June was very dry with cold northerly winds early in the month with Southerlies by the end of the month. The only significant rainfall was on the 6th and 7th with over night rain on the 13th and 28th. Tern colony The largest number of Sandwich tern chicks/fledglings visibly on the islands was on 28th June with 403 counted. The first sandwich fledgling was noted on the 29th. The number of Sandwich AIA increased from the 28th May when there was a nest count. The numbers on the New Island increase from 26 to an estimated 100 nest. Two small pockets developed on the Big Island. One area is estimated at 20 and the other 25 AIA. This gives an estimate of 1641 nests. The number of comic terns increased also since the nest count on the 28th May. An estimate of a 120 AIA on the New Island from the 82 nest on the nest count. The estimate on the Big Island of AIA Commic’s has increased to 22. A total of 142 nests. The first Commic chick was seen on 16th June. The colony has now spread to cover all of the Big Island, invading that part of the island previously had no nesting birds, east side. Predation Known predation between 1st June and 30th JuneThe Lesser Black-back Gull was last seen predating on the 10th June.
Laser There has been little need to use the laser this month as herons have not been a threat to the colony. Similarly, geese have not caused any disturbance to the islands. Bird Census This has been conducted daily and species of interest include: One red-breasted merganser formed a crèche with only 11 young, 24th June compared to 30 last year. 8 young seen at the end of the month. Butterfly transect Four transects have been carried during June as well as casual observations. High numbers of Meadow Browns noted at the later part of the month. Mammals: Grey Seal; Hare; Rabbit and Hedgehog. Reptiles: Adder Amphibians: Common Toad; Common Frog Fish: Dogfish; Eel; Sand eel; Blenny spp.; Clupideo; Mullet. Invertebrates: No pitfall traps have been but out to date The moth trap: Seven traps have been set during June bringing the season’s total to 14 . 91 species have been recorded this season. Volunteers Visitors and Donations: Monthly Report - July 2009 Weather It has been a mixed month with many days overcast and showery. Wind remained quite strong. Tern colony The largest number of Sandwich tern chicks visibly on the islands was on 7th July with 211 counted. By continuous counting and observing from other areas of the reserve – on the back of the ridge, the trwyn, the bridge and Hen Blas – we were able to determine a minimum of 850 fledglings. The first Commic fledgling was seen on 10th July. Using the same technique as for the Sandwich Terns, there were a minimum of 125 Common Tern fledglings and 75 Arctic Tern fledglings. By the end of the month the Big Island was empty with 130 Sandwich Terns (both young and adults) on the New Island. Predation
Laser There has been little need to use the laser this month as herons have not been a threat to the colony. Similarly, geese have not caused any disturbance to the islands.Bird Census This has been conducted daily and species of interest include: One red-breasted merganser formed a crèche with 30 young and at the end of the month 28 were still surviving. Mammals: Grey Seal; Stoat; Rabbit; Common Shew; House Mouse. On the 30th 2 stoats were seen on the reserve. A common shrew and house mouse were seen in Hen Blas yard. Reptiles: Adder and Common Lizard. Amphibians: Common Toad; Common Frog Fish: Dogfish; Eel; Sand eel; Blenny spp.; Clupideo; Mullet. Invertebrates: No pitfall traps have been but out to date The moth trap:Twelve traps have been set during July bringing the season’s total to 26 trapping nights. 140 species have been recorded this season. Volunteers Visitors and Donations: Monthly Report - June 2009 Weather It has been predominantly sunny and warm becoming very warm near the end of the month. Tern colony The nest count was done on the 1st June.
Predation
Deterrent We have continued to make use of the laser (actually an astronomical laser pointer) as a deterrent and are still enjoying good results. The herons are still disturbed by its intrusion though we no longer find it necessary to use on the geese. To date there has still been no predation and little disturbance by herons, perhaps in part due to their continued disturbance by the laser and human presence. Additionally, the laser was found to be extremely successful in “spooking” a peregrine which landed on the Big Island to feed on the Sandwich Tern chick it had killed. This was very pleasing as a peregrine on the island causes immense disturbance as the terns become very panicked. Bird Census This has been conducted daily and species of interest include: Butterfly transect A combination of high winds at the beginning of the month and high visitor numbers in the second half of the month has meant that only one butterfly transect has been conducted to date. Species seen were Green-veined White, Small White, Wall Brown, Orange Tip and Painted Lady. Casual observations revealed a large amount of Painted Lady and Red Admiral towards the end of the month. Mammals: Grey Seal; Harbour Porpoise; Brown Hare; Rabbit. On the 19th, 22nd and 23rd Bottlenose Dolphins were spotted swimming in the bay with a pod size of approximately 15. Reptiles: Adder and Common Lizard. Amphibians: Common Toad; Common Frog Fishes: Dogfish; Eel; Sand eel; Blenny spp.; Clupideo; Mullet. Invertebrates: No pitfall traps have been but out to date The moth trap: Six traps have been set during June bringing the season’s total to fourteen. 90 species have been recorded this season. A complete species list is kept on a spreadsheet. Volunteers Visitors and Donations: BBC Springwatch Monthly Report - May 2009 Weather Mainly very high winds, overcast and heavy showers. During last week in May the wind dropped. It has also been brighter, warm and very warm on occasions. Tern colony Chris, Dawn and Phil went on the main island to do some maintenance on the wire surrounding the main island, 27th April. The wire was placed around both islands before the season started to prevent geese and heron walking on the islands and trampling on eggs. The Sandwich terns and Black-headed gulls did not go on the main island for five days but roosted on the small island. From the 2nd May Sandwich terns and Black-heads started to roost on the main island again and the numbers increased during the month. There appears to be two pockets of Sandwich terns and a third one developed from 25th. Predation Individual big gulls and the occasional crow attempted to attack the main island but with little success. There does not seem to be any patterns developing. Only one Black-headed gull egg was seen taken by a Herring gull. The peregrine has also made a few appearances and it is suspected that there is more than one pair in the area. Peregrine(s) has been seen going over Tyn LLan direction; possibly Carmal Head. A peregrine attacked the island on the 27th and took a Black-headed gull chick and flew over towards Wylfa power station. Bird Census This has been conducted daily. Species of interest include: Butterfly transect Due to wind speed, only one butterfly transect has been conducted to date. Species seen were Green-veined White, Small White, Wall Brown, Orange tip and Painted Lady. Casual observations revealed a large amount of Painted Lady butterflies towards the end of the month. Mammals: Grey Seal; Harbour Porpoise; Brown Hare; Rabbit Reptiles: Adder Amphibians: Common Toad; Common Frog Fishes: Dogfish; Eel; Sand eel; Blenny spp.; Clupideo; Mullet Invertebrates: No pitfall traps have been but out to date The moth trap: Eight traps have been set, the species list is starting to grow! Visitors and Donations: 1,117 visitors between 27th April and 31st May Summary 2009 289 species of fauna were recorded on or around the reserve over the duration of the season. This breaks down as of 107 birds; 11 mammals; 4 reptiles & amphibians and 167 invertebrate species. Casual sea watches were done. All mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates were recorded. Butterfly transects were few due to strong winds but regular moth-trapping was carried out. Daily weather records were kept in the wardens’ log. Visitor numbers and donations were higher than last year attributable to a successful breeding season, BBC Springwatch and better weather. |
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