‘Another year over, a new one just begun’
Blwyddyn newydd dda! Happy New Year! 2025 ended with a Bewick’s Swan being found at Cors Ddyga on the 31st. Excluding a satellite tagged bird where telemetry showed that it had touched down in darkness on the Cymyran Strait for 90 minutes on the 3rd December 2023, you have to go back to 2004 for the last bird that was available to be seen on the island. Bewick’s Swan took the 2025 cumulative year list to 227 (LISTS), subject to acceptance of records to be considered by the appropriate rarity committee. A copy of the 2025 annual report can be found on the google site by clicking on the link.
The Bewick’s did the decent thing and stayed for the start of 2026. 13 Greenland White-fronted Geese could also be seen in the same field. With only 2 days gone, the 2026 cumulative year list in already up to 128 (LISTS), which is over 56% of what we might expect for the whole year - something of a sobering thought. Perhaps a good strategy is to look to see any scarcities but leave a few commoner species to keep personal interest going in advance of the arrival of spring migrants.
Swans, Geese and Ducks:
Bewick’s Swan
1, on fields north of Pont Marquis (31st, 1st, 2nd).
Whooper Swan
3, at Cors Ddyga before flying towards Malltraeth (28th).
6, at Llyn Padrig (30th).
10, on fields north of Pont Marquis (31st, 1st, 2nd).
Black Swan (Category E)
3, at Cors Ddyga (27th, 31st, 1st).
White-fronted Goose - Greenland
13, on fields north of Pont Marquis (31st, 1st, 2nd).
Pink-footed Goose
15, flew from Llyn Maelog and in direction of Llyn Trafwll (27th).
1, at Llyn Padrig (30th).
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
Up to c. 30, at Penmon (c.30 on 27th, 7 on 31st).
47, at Moel y Don (31st).
55, at the Braint estuary / Abermenai Point (1st).
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
1, at Beddmanarch Bay - off Penrhos coastal park (2nd).
Egyptian Goose
3, on fields north of Pont Marquis (31st, 1st).
1, at Porth Penmon (1st).
Long-tailed Duck
1, juvenile or female at the Inland Sea - viewed from the Anchorage (28th, 29th, 31st, 1st, 2nd).
1, at Penmon Point (31st).
Pintail
75, at the Inland Sea - from Anchorage Hotel (29th).
250, at the Braint estuary / Abermenai Point (1st).
Scaup
Up to 5, 2 drakes and 3 ducks at Llyn Llygeirian (5 on 1st, 3 on 30th).
Goldeneye
8, at Cemlyn (1st).
Goosander
Up to 50+, at Llyn Coron (50+ on 1st, 12 on 30th).
1, on the Inland Sea (2nd).
Waders:
Green Sandpiper
Up to 2, at Valley tidal doors (2 on 30th, 1 on 28th), with presumably the same on the stream near the Ynys Wen cemetery, Valley (28th, 29th, 1st).
Common Sandpiper
1, along Afon Wygyr at Cemaes Bay (30th).
Purple Sandpiper
8, at Ynys Llanddwyn (27th).
12, on rocks between Porth Nobla and Rhosneigr (28th).
6, at Penmon Point (31st).
1, at Cemlyn (1st).
Sanderling
1+, at Porth Nobla (1st).
Dunlin
10, at Moel y Don (31st).
Common Ringed Plover
32, at Traeth Dulas (30th).
11, at Moel y Don (31st).
Jack Snipe
1, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth end (27th).
5, at Traeth Dulas (1st).
Snipe
50, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth end (27th).
Woodcock
3, in woods near Bodffordd water treatment plant (1st).
1, Tyddyn y cob / Valley tidal doors (1st).
Ruff
3, at Cors Ddyga (28th).
Redshank
1, at Valley tidal doors (29th).
34, at Moel y Don (31st).
Greenshank
1, viewed from the Anchorage (28th).
1, at Valley tidal doors (29th).
2, at Traeth Dulas (29th, 1st).
2, at Moel y Don (31st).
Oystercatcher
30, at Moel y Don (31st).
Seabirds and gulls:
Black Guillemot
3, at Holyhead harbour (1st).
3, off Trwyn y Penrhyn, Penmon (2nd).
Mediterranean Gull
16, at the north end of the Inland Sea (28th).
1, at the Inland Sea - viewed from the Anchorage Hotel (29th).
1, at Penrhos Coastal Park (1st).
Divers & Grebes:
Great Northern Diver
Up to 3, at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 30th, 2 on 28th & 29th, 1 on 2nd).
Up to 4, at the Inland Sea - viewed from the Anchorage (4 on 28th, 3 on 29th, 31st, 2 on 1st & 2nd).
3, at the Inland Sea - viewed from the cob (30th).
Up to 2, at Holyhead harbour (2 on 1st, 1 on 28th, 30th).
2, at Abermenai Point (1st).
1, off Traeth Bychan (1st).
1, off Trwyn y Penrhyn, Penmon (2nd).
Red Throated Diver
10, off Benllech seafront (1st).
Great Crested Grebe
30, off Benllech seafront (1st).
Slavonian Grebe
5, at Beddmanarch Bay (5 on 28th, 3 on 1st, 2 on 29th, 1 on 2nd).
2, at the north end of the Inland Sea (28th).
Up to 2, at the Inland Sea - from the cob (2 on 30th & 1st, 1 on 29th & 2nd).
2, at the Inland Sea - viewed from the Anchorage Hotel (31st).
Passerines & others:
Firecrest
1, at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (30th).
1, at Pentre Berw water treatment plant, near Cors Ddyga (31st, 1st).
1, along lane from Bryn Refail to Traeth Lligwy (1st).
Blackcap
1, female type in the park along Afon Wygyr at Cemaes Bay (30th).
2, male on garden feeders in a private garden at Benllech (31st) and a female (2nd).
Chiffchaff
1, at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (30th).
Kingfisher
1, at Traeth Dulas (1st).
Water Pipit
1, at Cors Ddyga (28th, 31st, 1st).
Twite
1, by the entrance road at Penrhos Coastal park (29th).
House Sparrow
53, feeding on grain spill on road near Dulas estate (29th).
Raptors:
Marsh Harrier
Up to 2, at Cors Ddyga (2 on 1st, 1 on 27th).
1, at Valley lakes RSPB (30th).
2, at Llyn Llywenan (1st).
Red Kite
1, at RAF Valley (31st).
1, at Moel y Don (31st).
2, at Llangaffo (1st).
1, at Llyn Llywenan (1st).
Merlin
1, at the Braint estuary / Abermenai Point (1st).
1, female / juvenile at Cors Ddyga (1st).
1, female / juvenile at Sandy beach, near Llanfachraeth (2nd).
Herons, Egrets & allies:
Great Egret
2, at Llyn Coron (1st).
1, at Llyn Llywenan (1st).
Cattle Egret
Up to 5, on fields with cattle along the lane to Sandy Beach, near Llanfachraeth (5 on 1st, 4 on 2nd).
1, at Trearddur Bay opposite the turn off for the White Eagle hotel (2nd).
Water Rail
1, at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (28th, 30th).
