Lapland Buntings on Anglesey are usually found on coastal fields and headlands, so it was more than a little unusual for one to be found inland at Cors Ddyga RSPB. Further still, birds are often seen scuttling around alone or in small groups, while on this occasion the bunting could be seen feeding around and beneath a large flock of European Golden Plover. Those subsequently visiting turned up both a Green-winged Teal (there are strong suggestions that this species will be lumped with Eurasian Teal - but not just yet!) and an early Yellow Wagtail. All three species were new for the year, as was a House Martin at South Stack RSPB. So 4 new additions to the year list, that takes the year list up to 166 (LISTS).
Summer migrants continue to arrive. Chiffchaff and Northern Wheatear can be found readily, Blackcap numbers are increasing and Willow Warbler have now been reported from multiple sites. 4 Little Gulls on passage was noteworthy, while Sandwich Tern numbers have now gone into double figures. But winter birding hasn’t given up its offer just yet, with Great Northern Diver, Black-necked & Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Scaup and Twite all featuring across the week.
Swans, Geese and Ducks:
Pink-footed Goose
1, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
Up to 10 at Moel-y-Don (10 on 23rd, 7 on 22nd).
10, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
4, at Holyhead harbour (26th).
Long-tailed Duck
1, 1st winter drake at the Inland Sea (22nd, 28th).
Greater Scaup
4, ducks on the Inland Sea (22nd).
Eider
30+, from Penmon Point (26th).
Wigeon
55, at Moel y Don (22nd).
74, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Pintail
6, at Cors Ddyga (24th).
2, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Green-winged Teal
1, drake at Cors Ddyga (22nd-26th).
Shelduck
10, at Moel y Don (23rd).
Red-breasted Merganser
7, at Moel y Don (23rd).
Waders:
Green Sandpiper
1, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Purple Sandpiper
16, at Cemlyn (22nd).
2, on Perch Rock - viewed from Penmon Point (26th).
Sanderling
17, on Puffin Island and then on Perch Rock - viewed from Penmon Point (26th).
Turnstone
18, at Cemlyn (22nd).
Little Ringed Plover
1, at Cors Ddyga (22nd).
Common Ringed Plover
3, at Cemlyn (22nd).
Golden Plover
Up to c850, at Cemlyn (c 850 on 26thy, 300+ on 22nd).
c. 800 at Cors Ddyga (23rd-24th).
Ruff
4, at Cors Ddyga (22nd-23rd).
Greenshank
1, at Valley doors (22nd).
9, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
4, at Traeth Dulas (28th).
Redshank
25, at Moel y Don (23rd).
49, at Traeth Dulas (28th).
Bar-tailed Godwit
1, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
1, at Cemlyn (26th).
Black-tailed Godwit
10+, at Cors Ddyga (23rd).
17, at Malltraeth cob (28th).
Seabirds and gulls:
Puffin
3, at South Stack (22nd).
Little Gull
4, dip feeding over the Menai Strait - seen from Moel y Don (22nd).
Mediterranean Gull
Up to 3, on the Inland Sea - viewed from the Anchorage (3 on 22nd, 2 on 22nd).
8, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Up to 8, at Cemlyn (8 on 26th, 3 on 28th).
Kittiwake
40, on the sea below Elin’s Tower, South Stack RSPB (24th).
Sandwich Tern
Up to 8, at the Menai Strait - seen from Moel y Don (8 on 23rd, 1 on 22nd).
26, at the Inland Sea (28th).
6, at Cemlyn (28th).
Divers & Grebes:
Great Northern Diver
2, flew north past The Range, Holyhead (28th).
Black-necked Grebe
2 at Beddmanarch Bay (22nd).
Slavonian Grebe
2 at Beddmanarch Bay (22nd).
Passerines & others:
Lapland Bunting
1, at Cors Ddyga (22nd-27th).
Barn Swallow
4, at The Range, Holyhead (22nd).
1, at Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (22nd).
Sand Martin
1, over the Trwyn, Cemlyn (22nd).
30, over Cors Ddyga (23rd).
House Martin
Up to 4, flew north at South Stack (1 on 22nd, 4 on 24th).
Black Redstart
Up to 4, 2 male and 2 female at South Stack, Holyhead (4 on 22nd, 1 on 24th).
Northern Wheatear
Up to 12, at South Stack, Holyhead (6 on 22nd, 12 on 24th, 3 on 26th).
Willow Warbler
1, at Cors Ddyga (24th).
Blackcap
1, singing at Talwrn (22nd).
3, from Wylfa woods to Cemlyn (25th).
Cetti’s Warbler
3, at Cors Ddyga (24th).
Twite
7, at South Stack (22nd-23rd).
Redpoll
1, at Cemlyn (26th).
Yellow Wagtail
1, flew over, circled and landed out of view at Cors Ddyga RSPB (24th).
White Wagtail
2, at Cemlyn (22nd).
Hooded Crow
1, at The Range, Holyhead (22nd).
Raptors:
Marsh Harrier
1, possible - high over Moel y Don (23rd).
3, at Cors Ddyga (24th).
Red Kite
2, at Moel y Don (23rd).
Herons, Egrets & allies:
Cattle Egret
7, at the flood off gorad road, Valley (23rd-26th).
