Week: Saturday 14th March - Friday 20th March 2026.

We are still holding on to a few winter visitors, not least the splendid drake Smew that continues its stay at Llyn Alaw.  Other winter visitors that may soon be off include White-fronted Geese, Pink-footed Geese, and Whooper Swans all of which were seen across the week.

The fine and settled weather in the latter half of the week encouraged migration, with good numbers of migrants such as Sand Martin, Chiffchaff and Northern Wheatear.  But among the species that had already been notched up on the year list, there were 4 new species.  Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Puffin and Tree Sparrow all put in an appearance.  Tree Sparrow can now be considered rare on Anglesey, so three heard and then seen flying over the lagoon at Cemlyn with a flock of Goldfinches was particularly noteworthy.  Likewise, a flock of c.30 Crossbill away from traditional sites was an impressive count.

The four new additions take the 2026 year list up to 156 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Wildfowl:

Whooper Swan

13, on roadside fields between Bodffordd and Llangwyllog (14th).

3, on fields to the NW of Cors Ddyga (19th).

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

2, at Holyhead Harbour (14th, 18th).

184, at the Alaw estuary (17th).

38, at Porth y Mor, near Traeth Lligwy (18th).

White-fronted Goose - Russian

Up to 10, on fields to the east of Llyn Coron (10 on 18th, 3+ on 14th).

Pink-footed Goose

2, on fields at Llyn Coron (14th).

2, flew over at Llyn Llywenan (14th).

c. 130 on fields north of Cors Ddyga - from stone bridge (c.130 on 18th, 33 on 19th).

Egyptian Goose

1, at the seasonal flood opposite the Pig y Rhos turning, Burwen (18th).

1, at Llyn Llywenan (20th).

Shelduck

2, at Llyn Llywenan (14th).

c. 110, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Long-tailed Duck

1, juvenile or female at the Inland Sea (14th), at Beddmanarch Bay (14th).

Eider

1, drake in the bay at Cemlyn (18th).

9, at Traeth Bychan (18th).

1, flew west at Cemlyn / Hen Borth (19th).

7, at Ynys Moelfre (19th).

20, at Penmon Point (20th).

Goldeneye

Up to 6, at Llyn Llywenan (6 on 20^th, 4 on 14th).

Smew

1, drake at the NE end of Llyn Alaw (14th, 19th).

Red-breasted Merganser

4, at the Alaw estuary (17th).

Goosander

1, flew up from the Afon Ffraw near Llyn Coron (14th).

Greater Scaup

2, drake and a duck at the Inland Sea (14th).

1, duck on the lagoon at Cemlyn (14th, 15th, 17th, 20th).

Wigeon

156, at the Alaw estuary (17th).

c. 300, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Pintail

11, at the Alaw estuary (17th).

35, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Teal

c. 100, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Waders:

Oystercatcher

c. 300, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Grey Plover

1, at Cemlyn (19th).

Golden Plover

Up to 300+, at Cemlyn (300+ on 17th, 200+ on 19th).

Ringed Plover

4, at Porth y Mor, near Traeth Lligwy (18th).

Curlew

c. 45, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Snipe

8, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Common Sandpiper

1, on the Afon Wygyr / harbour, Cemaes Bay (20th).

Green Sandpiper

1, on a pool to the south of the road from Bryteg to Maenaddwyn (14th, 19th, 20th).

1, on the wet fields to the east of Ynys Wen cemetery (15th).

Redshank

27, at the Alaw estuary (17th).

c. 180, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Greenshank

3, at the Alaw estuary (17th).

1, at Porth y Mor, near Traeth Lligwy (18th).

2, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Ruff

1, at Cors Ddyga (18th).

Purple Sandpiper

Up to 15, at Cemlyn (15 on 18th, 14 on 19th).

3, at Penmon Point (20th).

Seabirds and gulls:

Puffin

Up to 3, off Ellin’s Tower, South Stack (3 on 19th, 1 on 20th).

Black Guillemot

28, at Fedw Fawr (18th).

3, at Porth y Mor, near Traeth Lligwy (18th).

1, at Holyhead Harbour (20th).

Mediterranean Gull

Up to 12, at the Inland Sea (12 on 17th, 5 on 14th).

4+, at Cemlyn (17th).

Lesser Black-backed Gull

3, at Llyn Llywenan (14th).

13, on a ploughed field near Llyn Coron (18th).

Grebes & Divers:

Slavonian Grebe

Up to 2, at Beddmanarch Bay (2 on 17th, 1 on 14th).

Great-crested Grebe

5, at Porth y Mor, near Traeth Lligwy (18th).

Red-throated Diver

6, at Porth y Mor, near Traeth Lligwy (18th).

Great Northern Diver

1, at Beddmanarch Bay (14th).

2, at the Inland Sea (14th).

1, at Holyhead harbour (18th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Little Egret

17, at Malltraeth cob (19th).

Great Egret

Up to 2, at Llyn Llywenan (2 on 20th, 1 on 14th).

Cattle Egret

1, on roadside fields from lane to Sandy Beach caravan park / Porth Trwyn Mawr, near Llanfwrog (19th).

Raptors:

Marsh Harrier

1, over the wet field near Pencareg, near Cemlyn (20th).

1, at Llyn Llywenan (20th).

Red Kite

2, at Llyn Llywenan (14th).

1, to the south of the road from Bryteg to Maenaddwyn (15th).

2, over Holyhead mountain (18th).

1, at Cemlyn / Hen Borth (19th).

2, over Wylfa woods (19th).

2, over Cemaes Bay (20th).

Merlin

1, at Aberffraw (15th).

Peregrine

1, flew over Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (17th).

Passerines & others:

Kingfisher

1, at the pool at Penrhos coastal park (16th, 17th).

Hooded Crow

1, on a field at The Range (19th).

Sand Martin

Up to 6, at Cemlyn (6 on 18th, 3 on 17th).

1, at South Stack (20th).

c. 10, at Llyn Llywenan (20th).

Barn Swallow

1, over Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (18th).

1, over A5025 near Pandy Cottage, Tregele (18th).

Cetti’s Warbler

1, at Valley tidal doors / A55 (14th).

Willow Warbler

1, near Llyn Coron (18th).

1, at Penmon Point (20th).

Chiffchaff

3, at Porth Eilian (17th).

6, near Llyn Coron (18th).

3, at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (18th).

Redwing

c. 20, at Llyn Llywenan (14th).

Black Redstart

1, female on coastal cliffs at South Stack (18th).

Northern Wheatear

2, at South Stack (18th, 20th).

2, at Cemlyn - on rocks near east car park (18th).

1, at Cors Ddyga (18th).

1, at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (19th).

2, at Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (19th).

Tree Sparrow

3, flew over Cemlyn lagoon and headed in the direction of Tyn Llan (20th).

Redpoll

2, at Newborough Forest (14th).

Crossbill

c. 30, in conifers at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (20th).

Week: Saturday 7th March - Friday 13th March 2026.

While there were no new additions to the year list, there were nonetheless plenty of species to see and maintain interest.  Of note, three sites held Common Sandpiper.  If you happen to see one it is always worth having the possibility of Spotted Sandpiper in your mind, so that this rarer vagrant can be excluded:

https://www.birdguides.com/articles/identification/common-spotted-and-terek-sandpipers-photo-id-guide/  There is just the one accepted record of Spotted Sandpiper for Anglesey; another one would prove very popular:

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/rare-scarce/british-birds-rarity-committee/spotted-sandpiper 

The cumulative 2026 year list remains at 152 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Wildfowl:

Whooper Swan

6, at Cors Ddyga (8th).

13, on roadside fields between Bodffordd and Llangwyllog (10th).

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

37, off Penrhos Coastal Park (37 on 9th, 18 on 10th).

158, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

White-fronted Goose - Russian

3+, on fields to the east of Llyn Coron (11th).

White-fronted Goose - Greenland

Up to 18, on fields to the east of the Lon Las cycle track between Cors Ddyga and Pont Marquis (18 on 11th, 15 on 8th, 8 on 13th).

Pink-footed Goose

230+, seen in flight from Cors Ddyga with birds heading towards Llangristiolus (10th).

Egyptian Goose

1, at Llyn Llywenan (13th).

Shelduck

33, at Traeth Dulas (8th).

Long-tailed Duck

1, juvenile or female at the Inland Sea (7th, 10th), at Beddmanarch Bay (8th) and off the mouth of the Alaw estuary (9th).

Eider

10, in the vicinity of Ynys Moelfre and the Lifeboat station (7th).

Common Scoter

c. 100, to the south of Moelfre (7th).

Goldeneye

5, at Llyn Llygeirian (8th).

6, at Cemlyn (8th).

4, at Llyn Llywenan (13th).

Smew

1, drake at the NE end of Llyn Alaw (11th).

Red-breasted Merganser

5, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Greater Scaup

1, drake at the Inland Sea (8th).

1, duck on the lagoon at Cemlyn (7th, 8th, 9th).

Gadwall

1, at Llyn Llygeirian (8th).

2, at Llyn Cefni (10th).

Wigeon

15, at Llyn Llygeirian (8th).

132, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Pintail

8, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Teal

c. 40, at Llyn Llygeirian (8th).

18, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Waders:

Oystercatcher

8, at Traeth Dulas (8th).

71, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Grey Plover

Up to 8, at the Alaw estuary (8 on 11th, 4 on 9th).

Golden Plover

120, at the Alaw estuary (9th).

c.500, at Cors Ddyga (10th).

Ringed Plover

47, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Curlew

7, at Traeth Dulas (8th).

64, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Bar-tailed Godwit

71, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Black-tailed Godwit

Up to 49, at Cors Ddyga (49 on 10th, 25 on 8th).

3, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Common Sandpiper

1, at Valley tidal doors (8th).

1, at Ynys Tysilio / Church Island, Menai Bridge (8th).

1, on the Afon Wygyr / harbour, Cemaes Bay (11th).

Redshank

39, at Traeth Dulas (8th).

37, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Greenshank

3, at Traeth Dulas (8th).

1, at Ynys Tysilio / Church Island, Menai Bridge (8th, 11th).

6, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

1, at Valley tidal doors (13th).

Knot

134, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Ruff

Up to 6, at Cors Ddyga (6 on 10th, 1 on 7th).

Sanderling

1, on shore between Traeth Lligwy and Traeth Dulas (7th).

Dunlin

25, on foreshore, just south of Traeth Lligwy (7th).

30, at Traeth Dulas (8th).

15, at Cors Ddyga (8th).

Seabirds and gulls:

Black Guillemot

2, in the vicinity of Ynys Moelfre and the Lifeboat station (7th).

Razorbill

10, on Ynys Moelfre (7th).

Mediterranean Gull

2, summer plumaged adults at Llyn Llygeirian (8th).

3, at the Inland Sea (10th).

2, at Beddmanarch Bay (13th).

Lesser Black-backed Gull

14, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

5, at Llyn Llywenan (13th).

Fulmar

18, on coastal ledges between Moelfre and Traeth Lligwy (7th).

Cormorant

35, on Ynys Moelfre (7th).

Grebes & Divers:

Slavonian Grebe

Up to 3, at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 7th, 1 on 13th).

Up to 4, at the Inland Sea (4 on 7th, 3 on 8th, 1 on 10th).

Red-throated Diver

1, to the south of Moelfre (7th).

Great Northern Diver

1, at Beddmanarch Bay (10th).

1, at Holyhead harbour (13th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Great Bittern

1, booming at Cors Ddyga (8th, 10th).

Little Egret

4, at Traeth Dulas (8th).

6, on roadside fields from lane to Sandy Beach caravan park / Porth Trwyn Mawr, near Llanfwrog (9th).

Great Egret

1, at Llyn Llywenan (13th).

Cattle Egret

6, on roadside fields from lane to Sandy Beach caravan park / Porth Trwyn Mawr, near Llanfwrog (9th).

Raptors:

Marsh Harrier

3, over Cors Ddyga (8th, 10th).

1, at Llyn Llywenan (13th).

Red Kite

1, over the A55 at Llangefni junction (11th).

Merlin

1, female at Cors Ddyga (10th).

Passerines & others:

Stock Dove

3, on fields inland of the Cemlyn to Hen Borth road (8th).

Kingfisher

1, at Traeth Dulas (8th).

Sand Martin

Up to 15, at Cors Ddyga (15 on 7th, 1 on 10th, 5 on 8th).

Cetti’s Warbler

1, singing at Cors Ddyga (8th).

Blackcap

1, at the Inland Sea (9th).

1, singing at Cyttir Mawr, Llandegfan (10th).

Redwing

2, at Tyddyn y Cob - Valley tidal doors (9th).

2, at the Inland Sea (9th).

3, flew over Cyttir Mawr, Llandegfan (10th).

Fieldfare

c. 25, flew past Gadfa (9th).

3, at the Inland Sea (9th).

Siskin

8, minimum - on a garden feeder at Talwrn (across the week).