Week: Saturday 20th December 2025 - Friday 26th December 2025.

As we rapidly move towards the year end, the focus of some will be moving on to what might be about to kick off a new year list in 2026.  Sightings across the week which may whet the appetite for the 1st January include 2 Green and 1 Common Sandpiper, while Common Crossbill is never a particularly easy addition so two sightings around Newborough were encouraging.  The Long-tailed Duck was seen again at the Inland Sea and will no doubt be popular.

There were no new additions to the 2025 cumulative year list, which remains at 227 (LISTS), subject to acceptance of records to be considered by the appropriate rarity committee. 

The very best to you and yours for the New Year.  Blwyddyn newydd dda.  

Swans, Geese and Ducks:

Whooper Swan

1, at Llyn Coron (26th).

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

9, on shore just east of Menai Bridge (24th).

Long-tailed Duck

1, juvenile or female at the Inland Sea - viewed from the Anchorage (26th).

Pochard

12, at Cefni reservoir (25th).

Waders:

Green Sandpiper

1, at flooded field with clapper bridge at Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (21st).

1, at Valley tidal doors (26th).

Common Sandpiper

1, at Cemaes Bay (20th).

Purple Sandpiper

3, at Ynys Llanddwyn (20th).

Snipe

4, at flooded field with clapper bridge at Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (21st).

Black-tailed Godwit

Up to 500+, at Cors Ddyga (500+ on 26th, 360 on 21st).

Redshank

1, at flooded field with clapper bridge at Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (21st).

Greenshank

1, at flooded field with clapper bridge at Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (21st).

Seabirds and gulls:

Black Guillemot

1, at Holyhead harbour (22nd).

3, at Beddmanarch Bay (22nd).

Common Guillemot

1, at Holyhead harbour (22nd).

Divers & Grebes:

Great Northern Diver

2, at Holyhead harbour (22nd).

2, at Beddmanarch Bay (22nd).

2, at the Inland Sea - viewed from the Anchorage (26th).

Great crested Grebe

2, at Holyhead harbour (22nd).

Slavonian Grebe

1, at Beddmanarch Bay (22nd).

Passerines & others:

Blackcap

1, male feeding on an apple at a private garden at Cemaes Bay (20th).

Kingfisher

1, at Malltraeth (23rd).

1, at the Menai Strait just west of Sea Zoo (26th).

Water Pipit

1, at Cors Ddyga (26th).

Redpoll

1, at Llyn Cefni (25th).

Crossbill

1, singing at Newborough Forest (20th).

3, at Newborough beach car park (25th).

Raptors:

Marsh Harrier

2, females, at Llyn Llywenan (21st).

1, female at Llyn Coron (24th).

Red Kite

1, at Llyn Llywenan (21st).

2, at Malltraeth (24th).

1, from A5025 near Pentraeth (24th).

1, from A5025 near Llanfaethlu (26th).

1, from A55 near Rhosneigr turning (26th).

1, from A55 near Llangefni turning (26th).

1, over Gadfa (26th).

Merlin

1, at Cors Ddyga (25th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Great Egret

1, at Llyn Llywenan (21st).

1, at Cors Ddyga (21st).

Week: Saturday 13th December 2025 - Friday 19th December 2025.

Has it been a good breeding year for Great Northern Diver? It might well have been given just how many are now wintering off the Anglesey coast, with 8+ around the Holyhead area, 3 off Cemlyn etc plus the potential for birds to be in the mouth of the Menai Strait around Penmon and off the likes of Llanddwyn - both good sites in previous years.  The Long-tailed Duck at Llyn Penrhyn is presumably the same as that seen previously at Llyn Trafwll and then the Inland Sea.  Benllech seafront has always been a good site for wintering Long-tailed Duck and presumably the bird seen there was a different individual.

Yellowhammer was missing from the 2025 Anglesey year list and I was grateful for the efforts of Nigel Brown to use his contacts to unearth any records for this year.  First reports were negative in respect of birds around Llanddona and even worse was an account of a wintering flock of around a 100 birds having been lost over just 2 winters.  A record subsequently emerged of 2 having been seen during the month of June (date not noted) around Sling, near Beaumaris.  Sling will be another place to check in the spring in the hope that we might still have a few birds left breeding on the island.  The addition of Yellowhammer to the year list takes the cumulative year list for 2025 up 1 to 227 (LISTS), subject to acceptance of records to be considered by the appropriate rarity committee.  (Note: Green-winged Teal and Hooded Crow have been removed from the year list count following their lumping by the BOURC with Teal and Carrion Crow respectively). 

Just off the island, there is a drake Bufflehead at Foryd Bay (19th) - a potential first for Wales.  Other species have been shown to move between Foryd Bay and Anglesey, so there may be a chance of this bird being seen on the island - if indeed it hasn’t already passed through undetected.

As we move into the festive season, I would wish you and yours a peaceful Christmas.  Nadolig llawen.

Swans, Geese and Ducks:

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

86, at Beddmanarch Bay (15th).

Long-tailed Duck

1, juvenile or female at Llyn Penrhyn (15th).

1, juvenile or female off Benllech seafront (16th).

Greater Scaup

3, 1 male and 2 females / immatures at the Inland Sea (15th).

Pochard

4, drakes at Inland Sea (15th).

23, at Cefni reservoir (16th).

Goldeneye

3, at Cefni reservoir (16th).

Tufted Duck

188, at Cefni reservoir (16th).

Wigeon

75, at Cefni reservoir (16th).

Shoveler

17, at Cefni reservoir (16th).

Gadwall

23, at Cefni reservoir (16th).

Teal

3, at Cefni reservoir (16th).

Eider

8, off Benllech seafront (16th).

Common Scoter

102, off Benllech seafront (16th).

Coot

129, at Cefni reservoir (16th).

Goosander

26, at Llyn Coron (16th).

Waders:

Purple Sandpiper

9, at Trearddur Bay (15th).

Sanderling

2, at Red Wharf Bay (16th).

Eurasian Golden Plover

68, at Cemlyn (15th).

Jack Snipe

1, at Cors Ddyga (16th).

Woodcock

1, at Rhoscolyn (16th, 17th).

Redshank

61, at Traeth Dulas (16th).

Curlew

185, at Traeth Dulas (16th).

Seabirds and gulls:

Black Guillemot

2, off Traeth Bychan (16th).

3, at Beddmanarch Bay (19th).

Common Guillemot

1, at Holyhead harbour (18th).

Mediterranean Gull

7, at the Inland Sea - viewed from the Anchorage (13th).

1, at Four Mile Bridge (13th).

1, at Beddmanarch Bay - from Penrhos Coastal Park (13th, 19th).

Fulmar

5, at Castell Mawr Rock, Red Wharf Bay (16th).

Divers & Grebes:

Great Northern Diver

4, at Beddmanarch Bay (4 on 13th & 18th, 3 on 15th & 19th).

Up to 3, at the Inland Sea (3 on 15th, 2 on 19th).

3, off Cemlyn (15th).

1, off Benlllech seafront (16th).

1, off Traeth Bychan (16th).

1, at Holyhead harbour (17th).

Red-throated Diver

10+, off Benllech seafront (16th).

Red-necked Grebe

1, at Holyhead harbour (13th).

Great crested Grebe

Up to 2, at Holyhead harbour (2 on 15th, 1 on 18th).

1, in Holyhead bay (18th).

Slavonian Grebe

2, at the Inland Sea (15t, 19th).

Up to 6, at Beddmanarch Bay (6 on 15th, 2 on 18th).

Little Grebe

20, at Cefni reservoir (16th).

Passerines & others:

Black Redstart

1, female type on cliff tops north of the old jetty, Point Lynas (15th).

Cetti’s Warbler

1, at Valley wetlands (15th).

3, at Cors Ddyga (19th).

Starling

c. 250,000, at Cors Ddyga (19th).

Kingfisher

1, at Valley wetlands (15th).

1, at Red Wharf Bay (16th).

Skylark

200+, in flock between Llyn Coron and Aberffraw (16th).

Greenfinch

15, at Beddmanarch Bay (15th).

Yellowhammer

2, near Sling, Beaumaris - belated report (June - month only).

Raptors:

Marsh Harrier

1, female / immature at the Inland Sea (15th).

4, at Cors Ddyga (4 on 16th, 2 on 19th).

Red Kite

1, over A55 near Cors Ddyga (13th).

1, over the  A5110, Llangefni - Benllech road, c. 1 mile NE of Llangefni (13th).

1, over A5025 near Red Wharf Bay (19th).

Merlin

1, flew across the A5025 on the approach to Cemlyn (15th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Water Rail

1, at Valley wetlands (15th).

3, at Cors Ddyga (19th).

Week: Saturday 6th November 2025 - Friday 12th December 2025.

A Long-tailed Duck and a Red-necked Grebe were among the best birds for the week, together perhaps with Egyptian Goose which until recent years was a very rare sighting on Anglesey.

There were no new additions to the 2025 year list which remains at 228 (LISTS), subject to acceptance of records to be considered by the appropriate rarity committee. 

Swans, Geese and Ducks:

Whooper Swan

6, at the Llyn Alaw (7th).

Egyptian Goose

1, on freshwater pool at Trwyn y Penrhyn, Penmon (7th).

2, on flooded fields to the east of Llanfechell (9th).

Barnacle Goose

1, at Llyn Coron (8th).

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

6, at Beaumaris (7th).

19, at Llanddona beach (7th).

22, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth end (7th).

315, at Beddmanarch Bay - from Penrhos Coastal Park (7th).

156, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Long-tailed Duck

1, juvenile or female on the Inland Sea - seen from cob (11th).

Pintail

1, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Goldeneye

4, at Beddmanarch Bay (7th).

2, on the Menai Strait - seen from Gallows Point (7th).

3, at Llyn Alaw - dam end (7th).

1, drake at Llyn Coron (8th).

Tufted Duck

6, at Llyn Alaw - dam end (7th).

9, at Llyn Rhos Ddu (8th).

Wigeon

55, at Valley Tidal doors (8th).

c. 200, at Llyn Coron (8th).

120, on floodwaters either side of the railway bridge at Rhosneigr Golf Club (8th).

175, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Shoveler

14, at Llyn Rhos Ddu (8th).

Gadwall

9, at Llyn Rhos Ddu (8th).

Teal

520, on floodwaters either side of the railway bridge at Rhosneigr Golf Club (8th).

62, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Eider

3, off Benllech seafront (7th).

Common Scoter

100+, off Benllech seafront (7th).

40-50, off Llanddona beach (7th).

Shelduck

152, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth end (7th).

14, at Valley Tidal doors (8th).

35, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Coot

109, at Llyn Rhos Ddu (8th).

Red-breasted Merganser

10, at Beddmanarch Bay (7th).

4, at Beaumaris (7th).

7, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Goosander

26, at Llyn Coron (8th).

Waders:

Purple Sandpiper

8, at Trearddur Bay (6th).

23, at Cemlyn - including a Swedish colour ringed bird (7th).

Sanderling

1, at Llanddona beach (7th).

Dunlin

10, at Llanddona beach (7th).

c. 220, at Beddmanarch Bay - from Penrhos Coastal Park (7th).

25, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Turnstone

12, on the shore of the Menai Strait - seen from the Gazelle (7th).

Ringed Plover

14, at Llanddona beach (7th).

Grey Plover

2, at Beddmanarch Bay - from Penrhos Coastal Park (7th).

1, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Eurasian Golden Plover

2000+, on coastal fields between Aberffraw and Bodorgan (8th).

Lapwing

c. 201, at Traeth Penial (8th).

2000+, on coastal fields between Aberffraw and Bodorgan (8th).

820, on a roadside field to the right of the Cefni channel, Maltraeth (8th).

c. 1000-1200, on floods at Bont Farm, Malltraeth (8th).

435, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Snipe

5, flushed at Llyn Alaw - from Penbol side (7th).

12, flushed at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth end (7th).

Woodcock

1, at Pentraeth forest (7th).

Redshank

60, at Llanddona beach (7th).

26, at Four Mile Bridge (8th).

126, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Greenshank

7, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Black-tailed Godwit

23, at Beddmanarch Bay - from Penrhos Coastal Park (7th).

Oystercatcher

c. 200, roosting at Gallows Point (7th).

44, at Traeth Penial (8th).

47, at Porth Tywyn Mawr (8th).

50, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Curlew

c. 140, roosting in field at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth end (7th).

242, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (10th).

Seabirds and gulls:

Black Guillemot

2, at Holyhead harbour (7th).

2, at Beddmanarch Bay (7th).

Razorbill

1, off Benllech seafront (6th).

Mediterranean Gull

1, adult - in the bay at Cemlyn (7th).

1, adult at Beddmanarch Bay (8th).

Divers & Grebes:

Great Northern Diver

1, at Porth y Post, Holyhead (6th).

Up to 5, off Benllech seafront (5 on 7th, 1 on 6th).

3, in the bay at Cemlyn (7th).

Up to 3, at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 10th, 1 on 7th).

Up to 3, at the Inland Sea from cob (on 10th at same time as 3 at Beddanarch Bay on 10th - so 6 in area) (3 on 10th &12th, 2 on 11th).

Up to 2, at Holyhead harbour (2 on 9th, 1 on 12th).

Red-throated Diver

Up to 5, off Benllech seafront (5 on 6th, 1 on 7th).

1, in the bay at Cemlyn (7th).

2, off Llanddona beach (7th).

Red-necked Grebe

1, at Holyhead harbour (6th, 7th).

Great crested Grebe

50+, off Benllech seafront (6th).

6, on the Menai Strait - seen from the Gazelle (7th).

2, at Llyn Coron (8th).

3, on Menai Strait from Anglesey Riding Centre (8th).

5, on Menai Strait from Anglesey Sea Zoo (8th).

2, at Beaumaris (7th).

Slavonian Grebe

2, at Beddmanarch Bay (7th).

1, on the Menai Strait - seen from the Gazelle (7th).

2, at the Inland Sea from cob (12th).

Little Grebe

2, on Menai Strait from Anglesey Sea Zoo (8th).

Passerines & others:

Chiffchaff

2, at Valley Tidal doors (8th).

Cetti’s Warbler

1, at Llyn Maelog (8th).

Goldcrest

4, at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (10th).

Kingfisher

1, at Valley tidal doors (10th).

Skylark

20, in flock at Llanddona beach (7th).

Raptors:

Marsh Harrier

1, at Cors Ddyga (7th).

1, over flooded fields near Llangefni water treatment works (10th).

Red Kite

1, over A55 at RAF Valley exit (10th).

Merlin

1, at Cors Ddyga (7th).

1, at Llyn Penrhyn (10th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Great Egret

1, at Llyn Alaw - from Penbol side (7th).