Mon 15th June, Brendan arrived on Bardsey first and after an agonising wait connected with the Cretzschmar's Bunting. Brendan's 500th BOU/BTO bird so well done Brendan!! Dave's boat was not leaving until 16:30 so he had a long wait watching all those smiling faces leaving Porth Meudwy. Eventually Dave got onto Bardsey and much the same as everyone else throughout Monday he had brief but decent views of the Cretzschmar's Bunting.
LGRE has now taken control of ferry bookings up to Wednesday.
Tuesday 16th, Cretzschmar's still showing every hour or so.
Wednesday 17th, Cretzschmar's still showing and LGRE taking bookings up to Friday only. From this point things start to get a bit messy, confusing, frustrating, annoying.............
Late Wednesday morning I phone Paul and say if LGRE starts taking bookings for Saturday shall I reserve us 2 spaces? Paul agrees.
Someone tweets LGRE if any sailings on Saturday could he swap his Friday for Saturday?
Then another tweet to LGRE from someone asking if any sailings on Saturday could he have spaces?
I tweet LGRE asking for 2 spaces on Saturday if any sailings?
A few more tweets from people requesting spaces for Saturday sailings bearing in mind no sailings planned or announced at this point.
Announced a bit later on Weds five boats running on Saturday from 05:30, 60 spaces in total.
Later same day a list on LGRE's blog but no spaces for me and Paul. I was a bit surprised but never mind the bird will probably have gone by then anyway. Weds evening a general tweet from LGRE "2 spaces for Saturday now available phone me now" I phone and engaged, phone again a couple of minutes later enquire about 2 spaces for Saturday? LGRE abrupt response "no chance" "Ok Lee only I did tweet for spaces a while ago" LGRE "I filled them all up this morning" So a bit miffed, confused and at work so no time to do much about it and in the back of my mind, make a big fuss, p*ss myself off and birds gone by Saturday anyway. After work (late shift) I start randomly checking the passenger list for Saturday. Some of the names I recognised, so decided to check what time they tweeted LGRE for spaces on Saturday. The first 3 people I checked had all tweeted LGRE after I had and coupled with fact that I thought he had "fobbed me off" by saying all spaces had gone early in the morning I tweeted LGRE "asked for 2 spaces for Saturday but people that tweeted after me got spaces?" LGRE replied "what were the names?" "didn't supply names just asked for 2 spaces" LGRE "you can have ****** *****'s spaces for sunday?" "can't do sunday only Saturday" no reply from LGRE
Thursday 18th, Cretzschmar's still being seen and this boat booking thing eating away at me but I resist winding myself up any more by contacting LGRE.
Friday 19th, Phone Paul and he is still interested in going. LGRE tweets "tomorrow's sailings final list now on my (his) blog" I tweet again "wanted 2 for tomorrow requested them at 13:20 weds 17th looks like people tweeted after me but got places" LGRE "maybe because you didn't supply names?" "Ok but keep me in mind for late cancelations?"
Later at work on Friday evening I check twitter when I should be working and a message from LGRE asking to phone him immediately. Posted 15 mins ago so quickly searched his previous tweets for his mob number and rang him. He confirms 2 spaces for myself and Paul for 09:30 sailing in the morning. That's the shortened version, what a palaver! Stupid, flipping, bloody Cretzschmar's Buntingthingy better be there!!
I phone Paul and tell him we have spaces on 09:30 sailing.
Saturday 20th. Paul picks me up from my house at 03:30 so a nice lie in compared to previous Saturday. No real problems on the journey down to Porth Meudwy usual cones and one diversion.
Walking down the track towards the quay we encounter some non birders who assure us the bird is still on the island, hmm really? Arriving at the quay we joined a few other expectant birders. Nothing on the news services about the Bunting but it was before 08:30 and the hardworking "Colin the Boatman" soon arrived and assured us the Cretzschmar's Bunting had been seen by everyone he had taken over that morning. The bird was there, the weather was really nice so everything was in place. An hour later Colin returned to pick us up and still good news on the bird. Nice calm sea and fair weather on our crossing to Bardsey but a few minutes before we landed a few spots of rain but nothing too serious. We hurried up to where Steve the warden was waiting for us. The 08:30 boat people had not yet connected with the Bunting. We joined the assembled birders most of which had not seen the bird. Myself and Paul found a decent perch on top of a low wall. As we got settled the rain got heavier and heavier and soon we were drenched. Should we seek some shelter or wait for the bird to show. No contest really we couldn't get any wetter! Over an hour in the pouring rain and then as it started to ease off, BOOM! the Cretzschmar's Bunting flew in. Although it showed quite well the views weren't that great due to my optics being soaking wet and a bit steamed up. The bird fed on the scattered seed for a few minutes before flying off. Although the usual pattern for this bird was to feed for a few minutes and then fly off for over an hour, we decided to stay where we were. It had stopped raining now and didn't take long for our optics to dry out. Then the bird flew back in and landed for a couple of seconds on the nearest concrete pad, unfortunately for me it was obscured by a gatepost. It then flew to it's usual feeding spot where we were able to get some decent views. So what to do next? If in doubt drink tea! Off to the café we wandered and enjoyed a well earned cup of tea, encountering a family party of Chough on the way. The sun was now shining brightly and all was good in the world! With the exception of my baldy head that was starting to burn and I had no hat as I had left it at home. From the café we headed down to the quay for more rest and recuperation. Paul started snoring so I went for a bit of a wander as I did a noisy and somewhat ragged Raven put in an appearance as did a few Chough. I also stumbled upon a juvenile Chough at it's nest site so a quick pic and off I went. Still time before our boat so another bash at the Cretzschmar's Bunting. We didn't have to wait long before it put in appearance, again in it's usual spot and as usual it didn't hang around for too long. This was the cue for the occupants of the second from last boat to head for the quay. We stayed a bit longer and the Cretzschmar's Bunting showed again for us. This time suddenly appearing on the wall of the compound before dropping down and going on a tour of the compound including a look around the garage before a quick feed and off again. As the bird was not reported on Sunday this could well have been the last time it showed. We headed down to the quay for our boat back to Porth Meudwy.
On our journey back home we stopped at "the Knockin Shop" Paul insisted it was a service station and to be honest it was, just not the kind of "service" I was expecting. Did enjoy my Pukka pie!
A big thank you to Colin "the boatman" who's hard work ensured so many grateful birders got over to Bardsey safely and efficiently.
Finally, what a fantastic effort by Steve and all at Bardsey Bird Observatory! Very much appreciated.
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