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 (6th record).
American Wigeon and White-rumped Sandpiper were new for the year and took the cumulative year list to date to 216 (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).
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).
