Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory is a

bird observatory A bird observatory is a centre for the study of bird migration and bird populations. They are usually focused on local birds, but may also include interest in far-flung areas. Most bird observatories are small operations with a limited staff, many ...

Bardsey Island Bardsey Island (), known as the legendary "Island of 20,000 Saints", is located off the Llŷn Peninsula in the Wales, Welsh county of Gwynedd. The Welsh language, Welsh name means "The Island in the Currents", while its English name refers to t ...

, off the

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, of or about Wales * Welsh language, spoken in Wales * Welsh people, an ethnic group native to Wales Places * Welsh, Arkansas, U.S. * Welsh, Louisiana, U.S. * Welsh, Ohio, U.S. * Welsh Basin, during t ...

coast. It was founded in 1953 by a group of

ornithologist Ornithology, from Ancient Greek ὄρνις (''órnis''), meaning "bird", and -logy from λόγος (''lógos''), meaning "study", is a branch of zoology dedicated to the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related discip ...

s from the

West Midland Bird Club The West Midland Bird Club is the UK's largest regional ornithological society. It has been serving birdwatchers and ornithologists in the four English counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and (since its separation from the ...

(who were represented on the observatory's management committee), the

West Wales Field Society The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) () is a The Wildlife Trusts partnership, Wildlife Trust in south and west Wales, one of 46 such Trusts in the United Kingdom. History Forerunner of the WTSWW, the former West Wales Naturalists' ...

, and local people. The West Midlands Bird club not only saw a possibility for a new bird observatory, but an opportunity for studying the complex ecology of a small island. The observatory's main objective is to monitor and census the breeding and migratory birds which use the island. Observatory staff undertake a daily census, with a log of the day's sightings taken each evening. Spring and summer are particularly intensive times when the populations of breeding landbirds and seabirds are counted. BBFO is one of two fully accredited observatory in Wales and is 1 of 20 accredited bird observatories around the coast of the UK and Ireland. It is recognised by the Bird Observatories Council. Bardsey Island or Ynys Enlli is of great conservation importance and is designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR),

Site of Special Scientific Interest A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Great Britain, or an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom and Isle ...

(SSSI),

Special Protection Area A special protection area (SPA) is a designation under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. Under the Directive, Member States of the European Union (EU) have a duty to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and cer ...

(SPA), Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA), Llyn Peninsula Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB; , AHNE) is one of 46 areas of countryside in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland that has been designated for conservation due to its significant landscape value. Since 2023, the areas in England an ...

. It is part of the Llyn Peninsula Heritage Coast. Steven Stansfield is the current Warden and Director of Operations and has been resident on the island since January 1998 and is the longest serving member of staff at the Observatory. Bardsey Bird Observatory and Field Centre is a

registered charity A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, Religion, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definitio ...

References

External links

Bardsey Lodge and Bird Observatory
Ornithological organizations Bird observatories in Wales Tourist attractions in Gwynedd 1953 establishments in Wales {{ornithology-org-stub

See also

References

External links