Birds
The diverse topography of this small area brings
together birds of contrasting characteristics. Species so common in
many pastoral settings elsewhere in the United Kingdom are commonly
seen side-by-side with visitors who, outside the breeding season,
spend their life thousands of miles away from land, in the Atlantic
Ocean. The Llyn Peninsula is also on an important route for migratory
birds and the R.S.P.B. have established a ringing station on Bardsey
Island to record the species that transit the area. A
walk in the Llyn countryside will reward the avid bird-watcher with
glimpses of species ranging from the Dippers, of the Dwyfor and
Dwyfach rivers to the Jays, Nuthatches, Greater-spotted and Green
Woodpeckers of the woodlands. Moor land and coastal dunes are home to
Stonechats, Goldfinches, and Sand Martins with the ever-present
predators such as the Carrion Crows, Magpies, Kestrels and Buzzards
maintaining a watch over proceedings.
The R.S.P.B, often ringing about 100 bird species in a year on Bardsey
Island, have encountered vagrants such as the Grey-cheeked Thrush and
Blackpoll from North America and Dusky Warblers and Black-Headed
Buntings from Asia. They also report spectacular arrivals of Redwing,
Chaffinches, Starlings and Skylarks during the autumn migration
period. The rocky cliffs and offshore islands are
important nesting sites for the summer pelagic visitors. Bardsey
Island is the summer home of the Manx Shearwater, and along with the
other offshore islands, provides nesting sites for Guillemots,
Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Shags, Curlews, Herring Gulls and
Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The Ynysoedd Gwylan (Seagull
Islands) provide the nesting sites for Puffins. Coastal cliffs provide
the air currents so enjoyed by the Fulmar and the Chough along with
notable predators such as the Raven, Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon.
Photos from Alan Gray Marine
Mammals>>
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