Week: Saturday 31st October 2026 - Friday 6th November 2026.

A week for raptors.

Long-eared Owl is probably a rare breeder on the island, but its secretive and almost entirely nocturnal behaviour means that records are less than annual.  The last few records (2018, 2024) have been down to young chicks giving away the location of a nesting site by their ‘squeaky gate’ call.  This week news emerged of an adult bird whose image had been caught on a trailcam (1st).    

The following day (2nd) news broke of a juvenile female Pallid Harrier that had been photographed at Cors Ddyga.  This will become only the 2nd record for the island.  The bird was seen from the 2nd-4th, but could be elusive at times.  Subsequent to its finding, news emerged of a ring-tailed Harrier with reddish underparts having been seen by two separate observers at Cors Ddyga on the 1st, so it is likely that the bird had been present at least a day before news broke.  Whilst the bird wasn’t seen on the 5th or 6th, it is still hoped that we might get further sightings as others have over-wintered at sites in the UK.

The drake American Wigeon continued its stay at Traeth Dulas, while a significant number of Lapland Bunting were found in the Hen Board - Cemlyn area.

Long-eared Owl and Pallid Harrier were new for the year and took the cumulative year list to date to 220 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Wildfowl:

Whooper Swan

6, at the Cefni estuary, Malltraeth (1st).

3, on the lagoon at Cemlyn (2nd).

1, at the Inland Sea (2nd).

Up to 11, on fields north of Cors Ddyga (11 on 3rd, 5 on 2nd).

2, at Beddmanarch Bay (6th).

Common Scoter

1, at the Inland Sea (1st).

Goldeneye

2, at the Inland Sea (1st).

6, on the lagoon at Cemlyn (2nd).

Goosander

1, at Malltraeth (31st).

Shoveler

20, at Malltraeth (31st).

American Wigeon

1, drake, at Traeth Dulas (31st-1st, 6th).

Waders:

Grey Plover

Up to 14, at Cemlyn (14 on 31st, 2 on 6th).

1, at Cors Ddyga (3rd).

Golden Plover

1300, at Cemlyn (1300 on 31st, 80 on 6th).

American Golden Plover

1, juvenile, at Cemlyn (31st, 6th).

Bar-tailed Godwit

3, at the Alaw estuary (1st).

20, at Traeth Dulas (4th).

Black-tailed Godwit

1, at Valley tidal doors (2nd).

c. 30, at Cors Ddyga (3rd).

Woodcock

1, at Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (2nd).

1, at Gadfa (5th).

2, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (5th).

Snipe

5, at Malltraeth (31st).

Common Sandpiper

1, at Church Island / Ynys Tysilio (4th).

Green Sandpiper

2, at Valley tidal doors (31st, 2nd).

Redshank

10, at the Alaw estuary (1st).

3, at Llyn Llywenan (1st).

Greenshank

2, at Malltraeth (31st).

8, at the Alaw estuary (1st).

Knot

6, at the Alaw estuary (1st).

Ruff

1, at Cors Ddyga (3rd).

Purple Sandpiper

1, at Cemlyn (31st, 6th).

Little Stint

1, at the Inland Sea (1st-2nd).

Seabirds and gulls:

No records of note.

Grebes & Divers:

Little Grebe

7, at Malltraeth (31st).

Slavonian Grebe

1, at the Inland Sea (1st, 3rd).

2, at Beddmanarch Bay (2nd).

Red-throated Diver

1, flew west past Cemlyn (31st).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Great Egret

1, at Cors Ddyga (4th).

Cattle Egret

1, flew west at Cestyll, near Cemlyn (31st).

Water Rail

1, at Valley tidal doors (31st).

Raptors:

Long-eared Owl

1, at a private site near Talwrn (1st).

Pallid Harrier

1, juvenile female at Cors Ddyga (1st-4th).

Marsh Harrier

1, at Llyn Llywenan (31st).

5, at Cors Ddyga (3rd)

Red Kite

1, from B5111 at Llangwyllog (3rd).

1, over A55 at Gaerwen (4th).

1, at Talwrn (1st-6th).

Passerines & others:

Kingfisher

1, at the Alaw estuary (1st).

1, at Cors Ddyga (2nd).

1, over tidal pool at Moelfre (6th).

Green Woodpecker

1, at Cestyll, near Cemlyn (31st, 1st).

Hooded Crow

1, on fields at the entrance to The Range (2nd).

Blackcap

1, at Cestyll, near Cemlyn (31st).

1, at Wylfa woods car park (2nd).

Cetti’s Warbler

3, at Llyn Llywenan (1st).

1, at Cors Ddyga (2nd).

Chiffchaff

2, at Cestyll, near Cemlyn (31st).

1, at Wylfa woods (1st - 2nd).

1, at Amlwch Port water treatment plant (1st).

1, at Llyn Llywenan (1st).

Siberian Chiffchaff

1, at Wylfa woods (1st).

Redwing

200, flew over Traeth Dulas (4th).

Fieldfare

80, at Hen Borth, near Cemlyn (3rd).

200, flew east at Mynydd Bodafon (4th).

Brambling

1, flew west at Cestyll, near Cemlyn (31st).

1, at Mynydd Bodafon (4th).

Crossbill

8, at Cestyll, near Cemlyn (31st).

Snow Bunting

Up to 2, at The Trwyn, Cemlyn (2 on 3rd & 4th, 1 from 1st - 2nd, 6th).

3, at The Range, Holyhead (2nd).

Lapland Bunting

1, on the coastal path west of Point Lynas (31st, 1st).

15, on fields at Hen Borth (3rd).

2, over the Trwyn, Cemlyn (4th).

Week: Saturday 24th October 2026 - Friday 30th October 2026.

‘You wait ages for a bus, and then two come at once’ - or so the saying goes.  

Last week’s eclipse plumage drake at the Inland Sea was still present on the 25th, then a pristine adult drake was found the same day at Traeth Dulas. 

Birders visiting Traeth Dulas for the American Wigeon had a fly over Lapland Bunting.  Lapland Bunting was new for the year and took the cumulative year list to date to 218 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Wildfowl:

Common Scoter

1, at the Inland Sea (24th).

Goldeneye

2, at the Inland Sea (28th).

Goosander

1, at Malltraeth (27th).

Greater Scaup

1, at the Inland Sea (24th).

Wigeon

c.300, at Traeth Dulas (25th).

American Wigeon

1, eclipse drake, at the Inland Sea (25th).

1, drake, at Traeth Dulas (25th-30th).

Waders:

Grey Plover

2, at Traeth Dulas (25th).

1, at Cemlyn (29th).

American Golden Plover

1, juvenile, at Cemlyn (24th-30th).

Bar-tailed Godwit

1, at Traeth Dulas (25th).

Black-tailed Godwit

32, at the Goral flood, Valley (24th).

Woodcock

1, photographed, on the car park of Aldi store, Holyhead (30th).

Grey Phalarope

2, flew past Cemlyn (25th).

1, at Aberffraw (27th).

Green Sandpiper

3, at Valley tidal doors (30th).

Spotted Redshank

1, on east basin of Llyn Cefni (25th).

Greenshank

1, at Cemlyn (29th).

Ruff

3, with Lapwing on fields at Malltraeth (27th).

Purple Sandpiper

2, at Trearddur Bay (24th).

3, at Cemlyn (29th) - 1 being a returning Swedish colour ringed bird.

Little Stint

1, at the Inland Sea (24th).

1, on east basin of Llyn Cefni (25th).

Seabirds and gulls:

Arctic Skua

8, flew past Point Lynas (25th).

Black Guillemot

7, at Holyhead harbour (30th).

Black Tern

2, flew past Bull Bay (25th).

Arctic Tern

1, flew past Cemlyn (25th).

Little Gull

6, juveniles, flew past Ynys Faelog, Menai Bridge and headed NE towards Bangor Pier (26th). 

Mediterranean Gull

1, amongst a flock of gulls behind Valley shopping centre (26th).

Manx Shearwater

4, flew past Point Lynas (25th).

4, flew past Cemlyn (25th).

Grebes & Divers:

Little Grebe

4, at Malltraeth (27th).

Slavonian Grebe

1, at the Inland Sea (24th & 28th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Great Egret

1, at Traeth Dulas (28th).

Grey Heron

27, at Ynys Welltog, Menai Bridge (26th).

Water Rail

1, at Valley tidal doors (30th).

1, at Llyn Llywenan (30th).

Raptors:

Goshawk

1, near Wern Farm, Pentraeth automotive (29th).

Marsh Harrier

1, at Llyn Llywenan (30th).

Red Kite

1, at Traeth Dulas (25th).

2, at Llyn Llywenan (30th).

Passerines & others:

Kingfisher

2, at Malltraeth (27th).

Green Woodpecker

1, seen in flight near the east car park, Cemlyn (29th).

Hooded Crow

1, on fields at the entrance to The Range (26th).

Barn Swallow

1, at Valley tidal doors (30th).

Blackcap

2, at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (30th).

Cetti’s Warbler

2, at Llyn Llywenan (30th).

Snow Bunting

2, at the Trwyn, Cemlyn (27th-30th).

Lapland Bunting

1, in flight and on saltmarsh at Traeth Dulas (29th).

Week: Saturday 17th October 2026 - Friday 23rd October 2026.

What a run of rare and scarce birds on Anglesey! After last week’s American Golden Plover (11th record) - that was still present this week - there were sightings of a further 3 species where there had been 9 or fewer previous records.  
First up was a Dartford Warbler seen and photographed at Carmel Head (10th record).  6 of the 10 records have been from 2024 onwards. If we are fortunate to have some mid winters in forthcoming years, we might hope that this species will colonise the various expanses of what appears to be suitable habitat.  
Next up was one, then two, White-rumped Sandpipers at the Inland Sea (4th and 5th records).  This species was only added to the Anglesey list last year.  4 of the 5 records have been in the latter half of October.  Until recently, I might have argued that July and August were the best months to try to find one, but the Anglesey records clearly suggest otherwise.
Finally, an eclipse plumage drake American Wigeon was also at the Inland Sea (6th record).
Added to which there were the first records of Brambling for the year.
American Wigeon, White-rumped Sandpiper and Brambling were new for the year and took the cumulative year list to date to 217 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Wildfowl:

Mute Swan

46, across both basins of Llyn Cefni (18th).

Whooper Swan

5, flew over Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn before heading off in a North-Westerly direction (17th).

5, flew in off the sea at Carmel Head (17th).

Up to 3, at the Inland Sea (3 on 17th, 1 on 19th).

1, flew in off the sea at Carmel Head (18th).

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

5, at Moel y Don (20th).

163, at Beddmanarch Bay (21st).

Pink-footed Goose

16, flew in off the sea and low over Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn before heading off in a North-Easterly direction (17th).

Eider

2, drake and duck, at Penmon Point (22nd).

4, 2 drakes and 2 ducks, at Moelffre (23rd).

Common Scoter

c. 30, off Benllech sea front (17th).

1, juvenile, at Llyn Llywenan (17th).

1, female / juvenile, at the Inland Sea (17th-22nd).

Goldeneye

1, duck at Beddmanarch Bay (17th).

Red-breasted Merganser

7, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

Goosander

25, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (18th).

7, at Moel y Don (18th).

Tufted Duck

40, across both basins of Llyn Cefni (18th).

Pochard

2, across both basins of Llyn Cefni (18th).

Greater Scaup

Up to 3, at the Inland Sea (3 on 17th, 2 on 18th, 1 on 19th-22nd).

Shoveler

c. 150, at Llyn Cefni (18th).

Gadwall

40, across both basins of Llyn Cefni (18th).

Wigeon

1150, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

10, at Llyn Cefni (18th).

10, at Moel y Don (19th).

American Wigeon

1, eclipse drake, at the Inland Sea (17th-22nd).

Teal

175, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

c.1000, across both basins of Llyn Cefni (18th).

Coot

c.750, across both basins of Llyn Cefni (18th).

Waders:

Oystercatcher

91, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

c.30, at Moel y Don (19th).

8, at Penmon Point (22nd).

Grey Plover

2, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

1, at the Inland Sea (19th).

Golden Plover

c.650, at Cemlyn (19th).

American Golden Plover

1, juvenile, at Cemlyn (17th-23rd).

Ringed Plover

20, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

Lapwing

25, at Llyn Llywenan (17th).

20, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

4, at Moel y Don (19th).

Curlew

57, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

15, at Traeth Dulas (18th).

Up to 17, at Moel y Don (17 on 19th, 7 on 18th).

8, at Porth Tyn Tywyn (22nd).

Bar-tailed Godwit

1, at Traeth Dulas (22nd).

Black-tailed Godwit

Up to 22, at the Inland Sea (22 on 17th, 5 on 18th).

19, on east basin of Llyn Cefni (18th).

2, at Valley tidal doors (20th, 22nd).

Woodcock

1, in flight behind the B&M store, Holyhead (19th).

Snipe

5, at Llyn Llywenan (17th).

2, at Valley Tidal Doors (18th).

1, at Llyn Cefni (18th).

Common Sandpiper

1, at Church Island / Ynys Tysilio (23rd).

Grey Phalarope

1, at the Alaw estuary near bridge (22nd).

Green Sandpiper

Up to 5, at Valley Tidal Doors (5 on 20th, 3 on 22nd, 2 from 17th-19th).

Spotted Redshank

3, on east basin of Llyn Cefni (18th).

Redshank

80, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

25, at Traeth Dulas (18th).

2, at Valley Tidal Doors (18th, 20th).

42, at Moel y Don (19th).

2, at Church Island / Ynys Tysilio (23rd).

Greenshank

4, at Cemlyn (17th).

6, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

1, at the Inland Sea (19th).

1, at Moel y Don (19th).

Turnstone

12, at Cemaes Bay (22nd).

20+, at the Inland Sea (22nd).

20+, at Penmon Point (22nd).

Sanderling

2, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

1, at the Inland Sea (19th).

Dunlin

10, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

120, at the Inland Sea (18th).

20+, at Penmon Point (22nd)

1, at Llyn Cefni (18th).

Purple Sandpiper

2, at Cemlyn (18th).

2, at Trearddur Bay (22nd).

Little Stint

1, at the Inland Sea (17th-22nd).

White-rumped Sandpiper

Up to 2, 1st winter, at the Inland Sea (2 from 19th-20th, 1 from 21st-22nd).

Seabirds and gulls:

Black Guillemot

9, winter plumaged birds at Holyhead harbour (20th).

Mediterranean Gull

22, at the Inland Sea (18th).

Manx Shearwater

2, flew past Cemlyn (23rd).

Grebes & Divers:

Little Grebe

c. 40, across both basins of Llyn Cefni (18th).

Slavonian Grebe

1, at the Inland Sea (22nd).

Red-throated Diver

1, off Benllech sea front (17th).

Great Northern Diver

1, on the Menai Strait off Anglesey sea zoo (18th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Little Egret

5, between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

3, at Traeth Dulas (18th).

2, at Penmon Point (22nd).

Great Egret

2, at Traeth Dulas (18th).

Up to 2, at the Inland Sea (2 on 20th, 1 on 18th & 22nd).

1, on shore of Menai Strait between Moel y Don and Plas Newydd (19th).

Cattle Egret

3, off a minor road between Llanbedrgoch and Llangefni (22nd).

Raptors:

Short-eared Owl

1, at the east end of The Range, Holyhead (17th).

Hen Harrier

1, at Carmel Head (18th).

Marsh Harrier

3, at Llyn Llywenan (17th).

1, at Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (19th).

Red Kite

1, at Cymyran (17th).

1, at Llanerchymedd (17th).

2, over east basin of Llyn Cefni (18th).

3, at Cors Bodeilio (19th).

1, at Pentraeth (19th).

1, at Valley Tidal Doors (22nd).

Merlin

1, female at Newborough (19th).

1, at Valley Tidal Doors (20th).

1, at Hen Borth (22nd).

Passerines & others:

Green Woodpecker

1, at site offices, Wylfa power station (19th).

1, at Porth Cafnant (20th).

Jay

1, at Carmel Head (17th).

2, at Cemlyn (17th).

10+, at Talwrn (17th).

5, at Carmel Head (18th).

Hooded Crow

1, on the intertidal area between Cymyran and Four Mile Bridge (17th).

Hooded x Carrion Crow (hybrid)

1, at Holyhead Marina (22nd).

Skylark

200, at Carmel Head (17th).

Sand Martin

1, at Llyn Llywenan (17th).

Barn Swallow

3, at Carmel Head (18th).

Cetti’s Warbler

2, at Llyn Llywenan (17th).

1, singing from withies at the end of the RAF runway, Cymyran (17th).

4, at Llyn Cefni (18th).

Lesser Whitethroat

1, at Cwm reservoir, Holyhead - do not trespass (17th).

Dartford Warbler

1, at Carmel Head (17th).

Firecrest

1, at Porth Cafnant (20th).

Redwing

50+, at Talwrn (17th).

30, flew over Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (18th).

12, at Valley Tidal Doors (18th).

Fieldfare

40, at the Inland Sea (17th).

c. 150, at Llyn Cefni (18th).

Brambling

2, in flight over Cwn reservoir, Holyhead - do not trespass (17th).

2, at Carmel Head (17th).

2, at Ty Du / Porth Wen, off Llanbadrig road (18th).

8, at Carmel Head (18th).

Chaffinch

200, at Carmel Head (17th).

Crossbill

8, at Carmel Head (18th).

Siskin

Up to 180, at Carmel Head (180 on 18th, 150 on 17th).