The Lesser Yellowlegs and Lapland Bunting were carried forward to the start of the week, while there was yet another report of a Hoopoe this time at Mynydd Parys. While it is impossible to be certain, the two reports of a bird at Bull Bay, the one report at Burwen Road and now Mynydd Parys perhaps involve the same bird.
Cattle Egret numbers have picked up with 10-12 birds on the island, with birds both at Cors Ddyga and the Llanfwrog area. Circa half a million Starlings have been seen to come in to roost at Cors Ddyga, which perhaps bodes well for those that enjoy watching murmurations.
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, flew over Cemlyn (9th).
1, at Llyn Maelog (10th).
21+, at Cors Ddyga (13th).
Black Swan - Category E
1, flew down the Menai Strait on the Moel y Don side (9th).
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
167, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
13, off Penrhos Coastal Park (9th).
18, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth access (10th).
193, at Beddmanarch Bay (12th).
Pink-footed Goose
30, at Cors Ddyga (13th).
Shelduck
110, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth access (10th).
Teal
10, at the flood off Gorad Road, Valley (9th).
62, at Traeth Penial, near Llanfwrog (10th).
Gadwall
2, at the flood off Gorad Road, Valley (9th).
Eurasian Wigeon
555, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
100+, at Traeth Dulas (8th).
22, at the flood off Gorad Road, Valley (9th).
180, off Penrhos Coastal Park (9th).
Goldeneye
10, at the Inland Sea (10th).
Scaup
1, 1st winter drake at Cors Ddyga (13th).
Long-tailed Duck
1, at south end of Llyn Trafwll (10th).
Eider
2, off Penmon (12th).
Common Scoter
Up to 60-70, off Benllech seafront (60-70 on 10th, c. 40 on 8th).
Goosander
2, at Llyn Maelog (10th).
Waders:
Lesser Yellowlegs
1, juvenile in the North-West corner of the Inland Sea (8th-9th).
Purple Sandpiper
6, at Cemlyn (8th).
7, by slipway at Trearddur Bay (11th).
Dunlin
2, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
17, at Traeth Dulas (8th).
6, at Moel y Don (8th).
Turnstone
18, at Moel y Don (8th).
15, at Porth Trefadog, near Llanfaethlu (10th).
26, at Porth Trwyn, near Llanfaethlu (10th).
Grey Plover
3, at Cemlyn (8th).
13, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
European Golden Plover
250-300, at Cemlyn (10th).
Lapwing
266, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
37, at Traeth Penial, near Llanfwrog (10th).
110, at Hen Borth / Mynachdy (10th).
Jack Snipe
1, at The Range (8th).
Snipe
2, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
Up to c.50, at Traeth Dulas (c. 50 on 10th, 8 on 8th).
Woodcock
6, at Rhoscolyn (8th).
1, at Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead (8th).
1, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (10th).
1, at Parys mountain (12th).
Ruff
1, with Lapwing on shoreline / field at eastern end (10th).
Redshank
159, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
93, at Traeth Dulas (8th).
51, at Moel y Don (8th).
6, at Porth Trwyn, near Llanfaethlu (10th).
Greenshank
4, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
8, at Traeth Dulas (8th).
8, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth access (10th).
Bar-tailed Godwit
3, at Traeth Dulas (8th).
8, at Traeth Penial, near Llanfwrog (10th).
Black-tailed Godwit
Up to 46, on the flood off Gorad Road, Valley (46 on 9th & 11th, 21 on 8th).
49, at Beddmanarch Bay (12th).
Oystercatcher
47, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
5, at Traeth Dulas (8th).
88, at the flood off Gorad Road, Valley (9th).
27, at Traeth Penial, near Llanfwrog (10th).
21, at Porth Penrhyn Mawr, near Llanfaethlu (10th).
35, at Hen Borth / Mynachdy (10th).
c. 120, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth access (10th).
Curlew
44, at Moel y Don (8th).
33, from Cymyran to Four Mile Bridge (8th).
85, at Traeth Dulas (8th).
11, at Traeth Penial, near Llanfwrog (10th).
54, at Porth Trefadog, near Llanfaethlu (10th).
Seabirds and gulls:
Sandwich Tern
1, roosting on an island at Inland Sea then later in flight over Beddmanarch Bay (10th).
Black Guillemot
2, at Holyhead harbour (8th).
Razorbill
3, at the Inland Sea (10th).
Great Cormorant
85, flew to roost past Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (10th).
Divers & Grebes:
Great Northern Diver
Up to 4, in the bay at Cemlyn (4 on 8th, 3 on 9th & 12th, 2 on 10th).
2, at Beddmanarch Bay (10th-11th).
1, at the Inland Sea (10th-13th).
Red-throated Diver
1, in the bay at Cemlyn (8th).
1, at Aberffraw estuary (8th).
Up to 3, off Benllech seafront (3 on 10th, 1 on 8th).
Red-necked Grebe
1, at Holyhead harbour off deep water berth (10th).
Great-crested Grebe
3, off Church Island, Menai Bridge (9th).
10, off Benllech seafront (10th).
Black-necked Grebe
1, at Beddmanarch Bay (10th-11th).
Slavonian Grebe
Up to 2, on the Inland Sea (2 on 12th, 1 on 9th).
Up to 2, at Beddmanarch Bay (2 on 10th, 1 on 11th & 12th).
3, off the Gazelle, Menai Strait (12th).
Little Grebe
4, off Church Island, Menai Bridge (9th).
Passerines & others:
Yellow-browed Warbler
1, at the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead (8th).
Firecrest
1, in willows between north and south sections of The Range (8th).
Chiffchaff
Up to 2, at Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead (2 on 11th, 1 on 13th).
Blackcap
1, at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (9th).
1, at Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead (13th).
Cetti’s Warbler
1, singing at Llyn Maelog (10th).
Goldcrest
3, at Valley tidal doors (8th).
Up to 5, at Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead (5 on 11th & 13th, 3 on 8th).
Water Pipit
Up to 3, at Cors Ddyga RSPB (3 on 13th, 1 on 10th).
Redwing
c. 100, at Valley tidal doors (8th).
Kingfisher
1, at Penrhos Coastal Park (11th).
1, at Cemaes Bay (12th).
Hoopoe
1, reported at Mynydd Parys (13th).
Starling
c. 500,000 , at Cors Ddyga (13th).
Bullfinch
4, male and 3 females at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (9th).
Greenfinch
7, at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (9th).
11, at Porth Penrhyn Mawr, near Llanfaethlu (10th).
10, at Porth Trefadog, near Llanfaethlu (10th).
9, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth access (10th).
Lapland Bunting
1, near the monument on the way to the Trwyn, Cemlyn (8th - 9th).
Snow Bunting
1, reported at Abermenai Point (12th).
Raptors:
Hen Harrier
1, ringtail at Cors Ddyga RSPB (10th).
Marsh Harrier
5, at Cors Ddyga (13th).
Herons, Egrets & allies:
Grey Heron
29, roosting on an island off Church Island, Menai Bridge (9th).
Cattle Egret
Up to 5, at Cors Ddyga RSPB (5 on 13th, 3 on 10th).
7, behind beach at Traeth Penial, near Llanfwrog (10th).
Great Egret
3, at Cors Ddyga (13th).
1, at the Inland Sea (13th).
Water Rail
3, at Valley tidal doors (8th).
‘Movember’
The month of November has over recent years been one where a particular focus has been given to the issue of Men’s health. You may or may not be involved in an activity or fundraising yourself, but if you are not then you might want to consider supporting Aaron as he runs 60 kilometers over the month of November. The figure of 60 reflects the fact that 60 men are lost to suicide globally every hour. Further details can be found at: https://movember.com/m/15459972?mc=78