As we near the start of meteorological winter, bird news has settled into somewhat of a predictable pattern of winter visitors. Red-necked Grebe is always a good bird for Anglesey (albeit that this is the 4th record for 2025!), while 5 Greater Scaup is a notable count. Single Barnacle Geese were seen at two sites.
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 Cors Ddyga (25th).
7, on fields to the south-west of Maenaddwyn (25th).
Barnacle Goose
1, at Cemlyn (23rd).
1, viewed from the stone bridge at Cors Ddyga (25th).
Pink-footed Goose
8, viewed from the stone bridge at Cors Ddyga (25th).
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
c. 60, at the Braint estuary at hide tide (25th).
35, at Beddmanarch Bay (25th).
Pintail
c. 50, at the Braint estuary at hide tide (25th).
Goldeneye
6, all ducks - at Llyn Llygeirian (25th).
Greater Scaup
5, drake and 4 ducks at Llyn Llygeirian (25th).
Pochard
40, on eastern basis of Llyn Cefni (23rd).
Wigeon
c. 400, at the Braint estuary at hide tide (25th).
Teal
c. 150, at the Braint estuary at hide tide (25th).
Eider
2, a pair off Moelfre (22nd).
Shelduck
c. 150, at the Braint estuary at hide tide (25th).
Waders:
Stint sp.
1, associating with Black-tailed Godwits at Cors Ddyga (23rd).
Dunlin
5, on wet fields at Gadfa (23rd).
Knot
c. 500, at the Braint estuary at hide tide (25th).
Ringed Plover
14, on wet fields at Gadfa (23rd).
European Golden Plover
c. 1000, on damp pastures west of the Afon Cefni, below Llwdwigan farm (22nd).
c. 300, on fields at Cemlyn (23rd).
c. 1250, at Cors Ddyga (26th).
Grey Plover
2, at the Braint estuary at hide tide (25th).
Lapwing
c. 1000, on damp pastures west of the Afon Cefni, below Llwdwigan farm (22nd).
c. 1300, at Cors Ddyga (26th).
Jack Snipe
2, at Traeth Dulas (26th).
Snipe
c. 30, at flood north of Cors Ddyga (22nd).
Ruff
1, at Cors Ddyga (23rd).
Redshank
c. 175, at the Braint estuary at hide tide (25th).
Black-tailed Godwit
c. 75, on damp pastures west of the Afon Cefni, below Llwdwigan farm (22nd).
c. 300, at Cors Ddyga (23rd & 26th).
1, at Cemlyn (23rd).
Oystercatcher
c. 400, at the Braint estuary at hide tide (25th).
Seabirds and gulls:
Black Guillemot
2, at Beddmanarch Bay (22nd).
4, at Holyhead harbour (25th).
Divers & Grebes:
Great Northern Diver
2, at the Inland Sea (22nd).
Up to 3, at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 23rd, 2 on 22nd, 1 on 25th).
Red-throated Diver
1, off Penmon Point (22nd).
2, off Moelfre (22nd).
Red-necked Grebe
1, at Holyhead harbour (22nd, 23rd, 25th).
Great-crested Grebe
1, at Holyhead harbour (25th).
Slavonian Grebe
Up to 5, at Beddmanarch Bay (5 on 22nd, 4 on 25th, 2+ on 23rd).
Little Grebe
20, on eastern basis of Llyn Cefni (23rd).
Passerines & others:
Chiffchaff
2, at Cors Ddyga (23rd).
Water Pipit
1, at Cors Ddyga RSPB (23rd).
2, from the cycle track from Cors Ddyga to Llangefni (25th).
Kingfisher
1, at Cemlyn (23rd).
1, at Traeth Dulas (26th).
Raptors:
Marsh Harrier
2, over flood north of Cors Ddyga including a female hunting near Llangefni water treatment plant (22nd).
3, at Cors Ddyga (23rd & 26th).
1, from the cycle track from Cors Ddyga to Llangefni (25th).
Red Kite
1, over the eastern basis of Llyn Cefni (23rd).
Osprey
1, belated report of a bird at Malltraeth (20th).
Merlin
1, from the cycle track from Cors Ddyga to Llangefni (25th).
Herons, Egrets & allies:
Cattle Egret
4, at Cors Ddyga RSPB (23rd).
Water Rail
1, at flood north of Cors Ddyga (22nd).
1, calling at Llyn Llygeirian (25th).
