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).

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).

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).

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).

Lesser Black-backed Gull

14, at the Alaw estuary (11th).

Fulmar

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

Cormorant

35, on Ynys Moelfre (7th).

Grebes & Divers:

Slavonian Grebe

3, at Beddmanarch Bay (7th).

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).

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).

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).

Week: Saturday 28th February - Friday 6th March 2026.

The week saw something of an arrival of spring migrants, with reports of singing Chiffchaff from multiple sites which are known not to have held birds over the winter.  There were early records for both Sand Martin and Northern Wheatear, both of which were new for the year.

At this time of year, we have both the added interest of new arrivals and the continued benefit of some of the highlights of the winter months which include the likes of the drake Smew, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebes etc just to name a few.

The addition of Sand Martin and Northern Wheatear takes the cumulative 2026 year list up to 152 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Wildfowl:

Whooper Swan

Up to 10, at Cors Ddyga (10 on 2nd, 4 on 28th).

Black Swan - Category E

3, at Cors Ddyga (28th).

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

65, from Llanddona beach (3rd).

11, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth access (3rd).

2, at Holyhead harbour (4th).

118, at the Alaw estuary (6th).

White-fronted Goose - Russian

Up to 8, on fields to the east of Llyn Coron (8 on 4th, 4 on 6th).

Egyptian Goose

1, at Llys y Gors, Llandegfan (6th).

Shelduck

11, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth access (3rd).

35, at the Braint estuary (3rd).

46, at Traeth Dulas (4th).

Long-tailed Duck

1, juvenile or female at the Inland Sea - viewed from the Anchorage Hotel (28th, 2nd, 4th, 5th).

Common Scoter

100+, from Llanddona beach (3rd).

Goldeneye

7, at the Inland Sea (2nd).

2, pair at the Braint estuary (3rd).

8+, at the NE end of Llyn Alaw (6th).

Smew

1, drake at the NE end of Llyn Alaw (6th).

Red-breasted Merganser

13, at the Inland Sea (2nd).

2, pair at Traeth Dulas (4th).

Goosander

6+, at the NE end of Llyn Alaw (6th).

Greater Scaup

2, drake and a duck at the Inland Sea (28th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd - drake only 4th, 6th).

1, duck on the lagoon at Cemlyn (2nd).

Shoveler

6, on Twr reservoir, South Stack road (5th).

Gadwall

10, at Cors Ddyga (5th).

Wigeon

80, at Traeth Dulas (4th).

110, at Cemlyn (4th).

Pintail

10, at Cors Ddyga (5th).

Waders:

Oystercatcher

460, at the Braint estuary (3rd).

Grey Plover

1, at Hen Borth, near Cemlyn (4th).  

1, at the Alaw estuary (6th).

Golden Plover

Up to c. 2100, at Cors Ddyga (2100 on 28th, 2000 on 4th).

c. 500, at Hen Borth, near Cemlyn (4th).  

Lapwing

>1000, at Cors Ddyga (28th).

Curlew

55, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth access (3rd).

Bar-tailed Godwit

1, at the Alaw estuary (6th).

Black-tailed Godwit

Up to 140, at Cors Ddyga (140 on 28th, 77 on 5th).

Jack Snipe

5, at Traeth Dulas (6th).

Woodcock

1, flushed from scrub near Llyn Cefni (2nd).

1, flushed at Cyttir Mawr LNR, Llandegfan (3rd).

Snipe

2, at Llanddona beach (3rd).

9, at Llyn Garreglwyd (4th).

6, at The Range (5th).

13, at Traeth Dulas (6th).

Redshank

4, at Cors Ddyga (4 on 28th, 3 on 5th).

88, at Red Wharf Bay - Pentraeth access (3rd).

Greenshank

3, at the Braint estuary (3rd).

3, at Traeth Dulas (4th).

Turnstone

17, at Llanddwyn (3rd).

9, at Hen Borth, near Cemlyn (4th).  

6, at Holyhead harbour (6th).

Ruff

Up to 9, at Cors Ddyga (9 on 28th & 5th, 6 on 2nd, 5 on 3rd).

Dunlin

c. 40, at Cors Ddyga (28th, 5th).

Purple Sandpiper

12, at Trearddur Bay (5th).

Seabirds and gulls:

Black Guillemot

1, at Holyhead harbour (6th).

Razorbill

c. 20, at South Stack (4th).

Guillemot

100+, at South Stack (4th).

Several hundred, at Middle Mouse (4th).

Mediterranean Gull

2, at Beddmanarch Bay - 2nd winter birds (1st).

4, came in to roost on the large island in the lagoon at Cemlyn (2nd).

5, at the Inland Sea (4th).

Fulmar

6, on coastal ledges at Ynys y Fydlyn (4th).

Grebes & Divers:

Slavonian Grebe

Up to 4, at Beddmanarch Bay (4 on 3rd, 2 on 4th, 1 on 28th).

Up to 5, at the Inland Sea (5 on 6th, 2 on 2nd & 4th, 1 on 1st).

Great-crested Grebe

12, at Traeth Lligwy (4th).

Great Northern Diver

Up to 3, at the Inland Sea (3 on 6th, 2 on 2nd & 3rd, 1 on 1st).

Up to 2, at Holyhead harbour (2 on 3rd, 1 on 2nd).

2, at Beddmanarch Bay (3rd, 4th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Great Bittern

1, booming at Cors Ddyga (28th).

1, booming at Llyn Trafwll (3rd).

Little Egret

8, at Cors Ddyga (5th).

Great Egret

1, at Cors Ddyga (5th).

1, at Llyn Alaw (6^th).

Cattle Egret

1, between Four-mile Bridge and Trearddur Bay (28th, 1st, 4th).

6, on roadside fields from lane to Sandy Beach caravan park / Porth Trwyn Mawr, near Llanfwrog (5th).

Raptors:

Goshawk

1, over Newborough forest (3rd).

Marsh Harrier

Up to 2, at Cors Ddyga (2 on 5th, 1 on 28th).

Red Kite

1, near Llangefni water treatment plant (28th).

2, from B5112 north of Trefor (28th).

1, from B5112 south of Llanerchymedd (3rd).

1, from B5112 south of Trefor (3rd).

1, at Cors Bodeilio (3rd).

1, at Llyn Garreglwyd (4th).

1, at Ynys y Fydlyn (4th).

1, at Cors Ddyga (5th).

Kestrel

3, hunting together over the coastal path at Amlwch Port (4th).

Merlin

1, at Cors Ddyga - north of the A55 (28th).

Peregrine

1, flew over Llyn Rhos Ddu (3rd).

1, over Mynydd Eilian (4th).

Passerines & others:

Hooded Crow

1, at South Stack / The Range (28th, 4th, 5th).

1, hybrid at Newborough beach (3rd).

Sand Martin

Up to 5, at Cors Ddyga (5 on 6th, 2 on 28th &1st, 1 on 2nd).

Cetti’s Warbler

Up to 4, singing at Cors Ddyga (4 on 5th, 3 on 28th).

Chiffchaff

1, singing at Gors Avenue, Holyhead (3rd).

1, singing at Traeth Lligwy (4th).

3, singing at Wylfa woods (4th).

1, singing at Hen Borth, near Cemlyn (4th).  

1, singing in the valley at Cemaes Bay (5th).

3, singing at Cyttir Mawr LNR, Llandegfan (6th).

4, singing at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (6th).

Goldcrest

2, at Pentraeth forest (3rd).

Redwing

4, at Cors Bodeilio (3rd).

6, at Nelson’s monument, Llanfair PG (3rd).

Northern Wheatear

1, female on field off approach road to the car park for The Range (5th).

Crossbill

4, in the plantation near Ynys y Fydlyn (4th).

Siskin

6, at Pentraeth forest (3rd).

Up to 10, on a garden feeder at Talwrn (all week).