The 2021 season started slowly, as we were still in lockdown. We began by letting the South side of the Observatory as a single unit. The staff, Sam, Stuart and Megan, moved into the North side and remained there until the summer, when it became apparent that we would soon be able to open fully again. A major operation ensued to get the North side ready for guests and by early August we were almost back to normal.
The whole Observatory community was saddened to hear of the death of Bevan Craddock, former Chair of Council and then Vice President. Bevan was a great supporter of BBFO and steered us through the difficult period when we took the decision to operate our own boat.
Another of our Vice Presidents, Mike West, announced his retirement from his post as Health and Safety Office and the trustees expressed their gratitude for his long years of service in that role.
Our Warden and Director of Operations, Steve Stansfield, completed his 24[th] season on the island. Sam Prettyman returned for a third year as Assistant Warden, but decided to leave before the end of the season and took up a place at university. Stuart Cossey and Megan Hollywood were with us for the season before moving on to a new life on Lundy Island.
Migration in spring was rather poor. There were very few days with good numbers of migrants and not many unusual sightings. However, breeding birds had a better time and it was good to see that the newly-purchased artificial House Martin nests were a success. It was wonderful to watch the young fledging in August. Seabirds also did well, with 21 pairs of Fulmar, a pair of Storm Petrels in the artificial nestbox and 59 pairs of Shag, the highest count since 1953. The Puffin population on Bardsey continued to increase. The Peregrines fledged two young and for the first time in many years we had a pair of Ringed Plovers nest on the Narrows. The only species that appears not to have had a good time is the Little Owl. There were very few sightings all year and very few were heard calling.
Moth trapping continued to be successful and popular with visitors. Highlights of the season included Lunar Hornet Moth, and several additions to the island list: Brussels Lace, Black Arches, Clouded Magpie, Shaded-broad Bar and Dark Spinach. Other rarities included Small Rivulet, Elderberry Pearl, Blood-vein and Small Blood-vein.
The big non-bird news of the years was the completion of the Solar project. The groundwork had been laid in 2020, but Steve recognised that the job now required outside expertise and we were lucky to enlist the help of Chris Williams and Phil Woollen, Chair and Secretary of Hilbre Bird Observatory. The system was switched on in August and has already saved the Observatory a considerable amount of money as well as cutting our carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuel. Thanks are due to all who made donations, large or small and to all who helped in practical ways, especially Chris and Phil.
Autumn migration started with good numbers of Spotted and Pied Flycatchers seen. Willow Warblers were passing through a little later than normal and in late August two Melodious Warblers were found. An Osprey flew south and a Yellow-legged Gull was one of several
seen in the autumn. The full list of birds has been published in the Beacon, but one or two highlights are worth a special mention: Juvenile Little Stint, Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Black Guillemots, 2 Red Kites, a Nuthatch (6[th] for the island) and a Red-eyed Vireo.
Early September is the time when the next generation of pups begins to appear, and by mid-month many of the 66 which were born on the island in 2021 were already looking fat and healthy. Also of note were the 9 Risso’s Dolphins seen off the island in September.
Thanks are due to the volunteers we were able to have on the island in 2021: Fiona Bithell and Ed Betteridge. We were also glad to welcome Louis Driver as an Intern.
We continue to be grateful to everyone at Cwrt farm (especially Angharad and Carwyn) for their assistance with various aspects of the work of the Observatory during the year, and for accepting deliveries on our behalf. The residents on the island, Ernest and Christine Evans and Gareth and Meriel Roberts, offer invaluable support and Colin Evans continued to provide a safe and reliable boat service in challenging times. Thanks are also due to Emyr Owen and Mari Huws, BITL’s Wardens, for their help during the year and for keeping an eye Cristin during the winter months.
EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
OF BARDSEY BIRD AND FIELD OBSERVATORY
I have examined the Balance Sheet at 31st December 2021 and the Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended on that date as shown on the attached pages 1 to 3 and certify that they are in accordance with the books and records of Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory.
J.S. Craig 31/05/2022
19 The Coppice Mancetter Atherstone Warwickshire
2020
BARDSEY BIRD AND FIELD OBSERVATORY
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2021
| Note CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 1 Stock 2 National Savings Investment Account Cash in Hand Bank Balance High Interest Business Account Bardsey Flora Account PayPal Account Current Account LESS : CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors 3 NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY: ACCUMULATED FUND Balance at 31st December 2020 Less Transfer to AW Fund Less Transfer to Solar Fund Less Transfer to Reserve Fund Excess of Income over Expenditure for the Year Balance at 31st December 2021 RESERVE ACCOUNT AW ACCOUNT BARDSEY FLORA FUND HELIGOLAND FUND TONY CHARLES MEMORIAL FUND BIRDS OF BARDSEY FUND |
28,403.50 1,070.00 4,178.47 - 85,568.74 10,730.69 1,505.38 41,719.68 173,176.46 16,697.49 |
156,478.97 156,478.97 27,521.10 - - - 41,474.59 68,995.69 60,000.00 10,500.00 10,730.69 1,421.67 830.92 4,000.00 156,478.97 |
18,563.11 £ 1,045.82 £ 4,178.05 £ - £ 45,561.56 £ 10,729.61 £ 2,719.10 £ 45,538.20 £ 128,335.45 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13,332.15 £ 115,003.30 £ |
|||
| 115,003.30 £ |
|||
| 31,642.57 £ 980.00 £ 837.20 £ 30,000.00 £ 27,695.73 £ |
|||
| 27,521.10 | |||
| 60,000.00 10,500.00 10,729.61 1,421.67 830.92 4,000.00 115,003.30 |
Page 1
BARDSEY BIRD AND FIELD OBSERVATORY
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021
| Note INCOME Subscriptions Donations and Miscellaneous Receipts Income Tax Recoverable Grant from NRW Other Grants Sales Visitors Fees Bank Interest National Savings Investment Account Interest EXPENDITURE Advertising Cristin - Rent Expenses - Running Expenses Improvements Equipment Bank Charges Report Sales Expenses Salaries and National Insurance Petty Cash and Sundries including Postage and Telephone Professional Services Projects Publicity Insurance EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR |
4,733.00 27,402.41 842.11 17,841.00 7,000.00 4,864.53 38,775.00 7.18 0.42 101,465.65 - 1,497.50 11,433.44 - 744.76 30.39 3,450.00 2,490.82 32,568.71 1,144.40 5,000.00 729.24 - 901.80 59,991.06 41,474.59 |
2020 £ 4,988.00 £ 35,539.73 £ 1,938.17 £ 15,729.00 £ 16,800.00 £ 1,100.00 £ 4,520.00 £ 32.27 £ 29.86 £ 80,677.03 £ 836.00 £ 9,571.16 £ - £ - £ 49.25 £ 3,178.50 £ 146.99 £ 31,795.92 £ 1,436.84 £ 5,000.00 £ - £ 156.00 £ 810.64 £ 52,981.30 £ 27,695.73 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Page 2
BARDSEY BIRD AND FIELD OBSERVATORY
NOTES TO THE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2021
| 1. DEBTORS AND PAYMENTS IN ADVANCE Income Tax Recoverable Grant from NRW 2. STOCK Promotional Merchandise for Resale Stock is stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realisable value 3. CREDITORS Professional Services Running Expenses Salaries Visitors' Fees and Deposits 2022 |
£ 2,762.50 25,641.00 28,403.50 |
|---|---|
| 1,070.00 1,070.00 |
|
| 2,500.00 7,219.20 2,528.29 4,450.00 |
|
| 16,697.49 |
Page 3
EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
OF BARDSEY BIRD AND FIELD OBSERVATORY
I have examined the Balance Sheet at 31st December 2021 and the Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended on that date as shown on the attached pages 1 to 3 and certify that they are in accordance with the books and records of Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory.
J.S. Craig 31/05/2022
19 The Coppice Mancetter Atherstone Warwickshire