Week: Saturday 25th April - Friday 1st May 2026.

Birders are always birding, but noting a spring passage Arctic Skua whilst out surfing is probably something not all of us will get to do.  Approximately 40 Common Terns are back at Cemlyn, with the first Arctic Terns being seen in the past few days. Swift should have been included in last week’s summary, with singles also being noted on a number of occasions this week.  These four new additions to the year list takes the tally up to 184 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Wildfowl:

Red-breasted Merganser

4, at Traeth Bychan (27th).

Garganey

2, drake and duck at Cors Ddyga (25th).

Gadwall

3, at Llyn Llywenan (29th).

Green-winged Teal

1, drake on scrape on the east side of the cycle track and south of the 2nd bridge, Cors Ddyga (26th).

Waders:

Golden Plover

1, flew over Cemlyn (25th).

2, on Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (29th).

Ringed Plover

Up to 17, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (17 on 1st, 15 on 30th).

Little Ringed Plover

1, around a pool on the seaward side of Tyn Llan lane, Cemlyn (26th).

Whimbrel

10, at Cemlyn (10 on 25th, 6 on 27th).

2, at Cors Ddyga (26th).

1, at Traeth Bychan (27th).

Up to 40+, at Llyn Llywenan (40+ on 28th, 13 on 29th, 7 on 1st).

6, at Wylfa Head (29th).

Bar-tailed Godwit

2, at Cemlyn (30th).

Black-tailed Godwit

Up to 13, at Malltraeth cob pool (13 on 1st, 12 on 28th & 30th).

Snipe

1, at Tyn Llan wet fields (27th).

Common Sandpiper

Up to 2, at Llyn Llywenan (2 on 1st, 1 on 28th & 29th).

1, at Valley tidal doors (30th).

Green Sandpiper

1, heard near the scrape on the east side of the cycle track and south of the 2nd bridge, Cors Ddyga (26th).

Wood Sandpiper

Up to 3, at Cors Ddyga (3 on 25th, 1 on 28th).

Greenshank

1, at Cemlyn (28th, 29th).

3, at Traeth Dulas (28th).

1, at Valley tidal doors (30th).

Turnstone

2, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (1st).

Knot

2, in winter plumage at Cemlyn (29th).

Ruff

1, at Malltraeth cob pool (30th, 1st).

Sanderling

2, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (1st).

Dunlin

Up to 12, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (12 on 1st, 2 on 30th).

15, at Cemlyn (30th).

100, at Ynys Leurad, Inland Sea (30th).

25, at Malltraeth cob pool (30th).

Seabirds and gulls:

Arctic Skua

1, pale phase seen chasing terns off Rhosneigr - by a birder who was surfing (25th).

Arctic Tern

1, at Cemlyn (30th).

Common Tern

Up to 17+, at Cemlyn (17+ on 26th, 10+ on 25th) - up to 40 coming into roost.

Mediterranean Gull

Up to 15+, at Cemlyn (15+ on 30th, 13+ on 25th) - including a yellow darvic ringed bird A6HE - thought to be from Germany.  It is understood that there may be up to 33 birds in the Cemlyn area.

Several, at Ynys Leurad, Inland Sea (30th).

Grebes & Divers:

Great Northern Diver

2, at Beddmanarch Bay (1st).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Great Bittern

2, at Cors Ddyga (26th, 30th).

1, near Valley wetlands (28th, 29th, 30th).

Great Egret

2, at Cors Ddyga (26th, 30th).

Raptors:

Osprey

1, over Cors Ddyga (25th).

1, over Llyn Cefni - colour ringed bird - colour marked M below left knee, BW 1B7 below right knee. Ringed as a nestling at a site in Northumberland in 2023.

Marsh Harrier

1, female at Llyn Llywenan (25th).

Up to 4, at Cors Ddyga (4 on 26th, 3 on 30th, 2 on 28th).

Red Kite

1, over Valley wetlands (27th).

2, at Llyn Llywenan (28th, 29th).

Passerines & others:

Cuckoo

1, belated report of a bird calling and photographed at Penrhos woods (20th).

1, at Cors Goch (26th, 1st).

Swift

1, over the flooded field NW of Pont Bulkeley bridge, Cors Ddyga (23rd).

1, over Llyn Penrhyn (28th).

1, over Llyn Llywenan (28th, 1st).

1, at Valley wetlands (30th).

1, at Cors Ddyga (30th).

Kingfisher

1, at Llyn Cefni (29th).

Hooded Crow

1, on fields between Cemlyn and Hen Borth (26th).

Grasshopper Warbler

7, at Cors Erddreiniog (26th).

1, reeling at Tyn Llan pool, Cemlyn (27th).

1, at a marshy field between Cemaes Bay and Wylfa woods car park (29th).

1, at Valley wetlands (30th).

1, at Trearddur Bay (30th).

1, at Valley tidal doors (30th).

Garden Warbler

1, at Llyn Coron (28th).

Lesser Whitethroat

1, near the 2nd bridge at Cors Ddyga (25th).

1, at Traeth Bychan (25th - 1st).

1, north of Tregele (27th).

1, at Valley tidal doors (30th).

1, at Llyn Llywenan (1st).

Ring Ouzel

1, female in a horse paddock at Mynydd Bodafon (28th).

Black Redstart

1, reported at Nebo (26th).

Whinchat

1, at Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (28th-30th).

3, at Cors Erddreiniog (26th).

Northern Wheatear

1, at Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (27th).

1, at Hen Borth beach, Cemlyn (27th).

2, at Wylfa Head (29th).

Yellow Wagtail - (not-identified, presumed flavissima)

1, heard calling over Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (30th).

Yellow Wagtail - (flavissima)

2, at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (26th).

White Wagtail

15, at Cemlyn (25th).

Siskin

4, at garden bird feeders at Talwrn (30th).

Week: Saturday 18th April - Friday 24th April 2026.

Summer migrants continued to arrive with three new additions for the year list in the form of Wood Sandpiper, Garden Warbler and Whinchat.
An unusual Yellow Wagtail at Cors Ddyga looked the part for an Ashy-headed Wagtail which is normally found in Italy, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and Slovenia.  The bird was photographed, but no sound recording of its call was obtained - it would be a great pity if this were to hold back the record when it is submitted to the British Birds Rarity Committee.  With only 10 accepted records of this sub-species, it was a very rare sighting: 
https://www.historicalrarebirds.info/u20/ashy-headed-wagtail
A sub-adult White-tailed Eagle was seen on three consecutive dates, with the observer of the last sighting referring to the bird having a tracking device.  Further checks will be made to try to either confirm or refute the bird being from a re-introduction programme.  For the time being, it won’t be added to the year list while further checks are ongoing.
The three new additions to the year list takes the tally up to 180 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Wildfowl:

Eider

28, at Moelfre (24th).

Garganey

2, drake and duck at Cors Ddyga (18th, 19th, drake 21st).

Shoveler

7+, at Cors Ddyga (18th).

Gadwall

3, on a pool to the NW of Mynydd Bodafon (22nd).

Wigeon

7, at Cors Ddyga (18th).

Pintail

1, drake at Cors Ddyga (18th).

Green-winged Teal

1, drake at Cors Ddyga (18th, 22nd).

Waders:

Golden Plover

c.40, at Cors Ddyga (18th).

Ringed Plover

7, at Cemlyn (20th).

Up to 3, on the seasonal flood opposite the Pig y Rhos turning, Burwen (3 on 22nd, 1 on 21st).

Little Ringed Plover

Up to 2, at Cors Ddyga (2 on 22nd, 1 on 19th).

Whimbrel

2, at Cemlyn (20th).

1, at Malltraeth cob & estuary (22nd).

2, at Cors Ddyga (22nd).

Up to 20, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (20 on 23rd, 2 on 22nd).

12, flew from the cattle pasture near Bryn-y-bar, Rhoscolyn (23rd).

18, at Porth y Môr, near Traeth Lligwy (24th).

Bar-tailed Godwit

2, flew from the cattle pasture near Bryn-y-bar, Rhoscolyn (23rd).

3, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (23rd).

Black-tailed Godwit

2, at Valley tidal doors (18th, 19th).

4, on a flooded field to NW of Cors Ddyga (18th).

20+, at Malltraeth cob & estuary (22nd).

Common Sandpiper

1, at Valley tidal doors (18th).

1, at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (20th).

1, at Cemlyn (20th).

3, at Malltraeth cob & estuary (22nd).

1, at Cors Ddyga (22nd).

Green Sandpiper

1, at Hen Borth withy, Cemlyn (23rd).

Wood Sandpiper

1, seen in flight over Cors Ddyga on two occasions (22nd).

2, on flash on 2nd field down from Pont Bulkeley, east side, Cors Ddyga (23rd), with 3 reported on the main scrape (24th).

Redshank

20+, at Malltraeth cob & estuary (22nd).

Greenshank

2, at Valley tidal doors (18th, 19th).

1, at Malltraeth cob & estuary (22nd).

Sanderling

4, at Cemlyn (23rd).

Dunlin

1, on the seasonal flood opposite the Pig y Rhos turning, Burwen (21st).

c. 50, at Malltraeth cob & estuary (22nd).

35, at Cors Ddyga (22nd).

20, at Cemlyn (23rd).

Seabirds and gulls:

Sandwich Tern

300+, now coming in to roost at Cemlyn (20th).

Mediterranean Gull

3, at  Aberffraw (19th).

Grebes & Divers:

Nothing of note.

Herons, Egrets & allies:

White Stork

1, on a field at Cors Ddyga (20th) then in flight over Malltraeth (21st).

Raptors:

White-tailed Eagle

1, photographed over Llandegfan (20th), then a report of bird over fields along the Menai Strait between the two bridges (21st) and then at CorsGoch (22nd).

Red Kite

1, at Twynni Niwbwrch / Newborough Dunes (18th).

1, over Cymyran Road, Caergeiliog (18th).

1, over A5 near Gaerwen (21st).

Merlin

1, at The Range, Holyhead (22nd).

Passerines & others:

Cuckoo

1, calling at Llanrhuddlad (23rd).

1, calling on the south edge of Mynydd Bodafon (24th).

Chough

12, at Llyn Trafwll (19th).

2, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (22nd).

Hooded Crow

1, at The Range, Holyhead (18th, 24th).

Hooded x Carrion Crow (hybrid)

1, at The Range, Holyhead (24th).

Sedge Warbler

1, at Valley tidal doors (18th).

Grasshopper Warbler

1, at Malltraeth cob (18th).

3+, in Tregele / Wylfa area (18th).

1, at Aberffraw dunes (19th).

1, at Malltraeth cob & estuary (22nd).

1, at Cors Goch (23rd).

Willow Warbler

14, at Twynni Niwbwrch / Newborough Dunes (18th).

Garden Warbler

1, at the Newborough end of Malltraeth cob (18th).

1, at Llyn Coron (23rd).

Lesser Whitethroat

2, in Tregele / Wylfa area (18th).

1, at Cors Ddyga (22nd).

Common Whitethroat

1, at Valley tidal doors (18th).

5+, in Tregele / Wylfa area (18th).

8, at Twynni Niwbwrch / Newborough Dunes (18th).

1, at Aberffraw dunes (19th).

2, at Cemlyn (20th).

Whinchat

1, at The Range, Holyhead (18th, 22nd).

Northern Wheatear

2, at Twynni Niwbwrch / Newborough Dunes (18th).

1, at Aberffraw dunes (19th).

1, at Llyn Trafwll (19th).

5, at Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (20th).

3, around the seasonal flood opposite the Pig y Rhos turning, Burwen (22nd).

29, at Hen Borth beach, Cemlyn (22nd).

30+, at The Range, Holyhead (22nd).

4, at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (22nd).

1, at Traeth Bychan (24th).

4, at Porth y Môr, near Traeth Lligwy (24th).

Yellow Wagtail - (Ashy-headed)

1, at Cors Ddyga - photographed on 18th (18th-19th).

Yellow Wagtail - (not-identified, presumed flavissima)

1, heard over Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (19th).

2, flew over the Cefni valley (23rd).

Yellow Wagtail - (flavissima)

1, at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (20th).

Crossbill

c. 10 Crossbill at Newborough Forest - thought to be in 2-3 family parties, suggesting breeding close-by (18th).

Siskin

4, at garden bird feeders at Talwrn (18th).

Week: Saturday 11th April - Friday 17th April 2026.

Ring Ouzel and Common Redstart are scarce migrants on Anglesey, with just a handful of records of both species annually.  South Stack has a good record for Ring Ouzel, so one at The Range was found around the right part of the island -  one at Hen Borth, Cemlyn was a little more unexpected.  The Range held the Common Redstart the same day as the Ring Ouzel was found.
A Lesser Whitethroat at Tyddyn Gele was at a site where they are regularly recorded over summer months.  Yellow-legged Gull is a rare, but perhaps under-recorded, sighting and one was this week seen and photographed at Hen Borth by birders searching unsuccessfully for the Ring Ouzel that had been seen the previous day.
These four new additions to the year list takes the tally up to 177 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Wildfowl:

Mute Swan

11, in a herd in a field east of the Braint estuary (14th).

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

c. 160, at Beddmanarch Bay (13th).

21, at Sea Zoo / Mermaid, Brynsiencyn (13th). 

3, in a field south of the Alaw estuary (16th).

Dark-bellied Brent Goose

1, at Beddmanarch Bay (13th).

Shelduck

56, on Cefni estuary (13th).

Eider

2, drake and a duck, off Benllech (11th).

Goosander

14, at Llyn Coron (13th).

Tufted Duck

4, 2 pairs at Twr reservoirs (12th).

46, at Llyn Cefni (13th).

Pochard

6, at Llyn Maelog (16th).

Garganey

2, drake and a duck at Cors Ddyga (12th-14th).

Gadwall

Up to 12, at Cors Ddyga (12 on 13th, 8 on 16th).

10, at Llyn Coron (13th).

2, at the Braint river mouth (14th).

1, at Llyn Coron (14th).

Green-winged Teal

Up to 2, drakes at Cors Ddyga (2 on 11th, 13th, 14th, 17th, 1 on 12th, 15th, 16th).

Waders:

Oystercatcher

520, at the Braint estuary (14th).

Ringed Plover

42, at Traeth Dulas (12th).

1, at Cors Ddyga (16th).

Little Ringed Plover

Up to 3, on the flooded field over the stone bridge, Pont Bulkeley, Cors Ddyga (3 on 16th, 1 on 11th,13th).

Whimbrel

6, at Porth Trwyn (12th).

2, at the Inland Sea (13th).

1, on Cefni estuary (13th).

2, at Sea Zoo / Mermaid, Brynsiencyn (13th). 

1, at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (16th).

1, at Cemlyn (16th).

Curlew

2, at Cors Ddyga (13th). 

Bar-tailed Godwit

34, at Traeth Penial (12th).

Black-tailed Godwit

3, at Malltraeth cob / Afon Cefni (13th).

Snipe

1, at Llyn Llygeirian (12th).

Common Sandpiper

1, on the river edge at Traeth Dulas (13th).

2, at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (16th).

Redshank

9, at Traeth Dulas (12th).

78, at Malltraeth cob / Afon Cefni (13th).

8, at the Alaw estuary (16th).

Greenshank

Up to 3, at Traeth Dulas (3 on 13th, 2 on 12th).

2, at the Alaw estuary (16th).

Sanderling

1, on the pool in the field from the west car park, Cemlyn (11th).

Dunlin

2, on the pool in the field from the west car park, Cemlyn (11th).

Seabirds and gulls:

Mediterranean Gull

2, at the Alaw estuary (16th).

Yellow-legged Gull

1, adult on ploughed field at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (14th).

Fulmar

4, past The Range, Holyhead (12th).

Manx Shearwater

9, past Wylfa Head (12th).

Gannet

17, past The Range, Holyhead (12th).

11, past Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (12th).

17, past Wylfa Head (12th).

35, off Llanlleiana (13th).

Grebes & Divers:

Little Grebe

2, pair at Llyn Cefni (13th).

1, at Cors Ddyga (13th).

Great-crested Grebe

6, at Llyn Cefni (13th).

2, at Llyn Coron (13th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

White Stork

1, belated report and photograph of an un-ringed bird at an unspecified site (10th).

Great Bittern

2, booming at Cors Ddyga (13th).

Great Egret

1, at Llyn Llygeirian (12th).

2, at Cors Ddyga (13th).

Cattle Egret

4, with cattle on a field off the access road to the Mitigation pool, Inland Sea (15th, 17th).

Water Rail

1, heard at Cors Ddyga (13th).

Raptors:

Marsh Harrier

3, at Cors Ddyga (14th).

Red Kite

1, at Llansadwrn (12th).

1, over A55 near junction 3 (16th).

1, over Moel-y-Don (16th).

1, over Llangaffo road (16th).

1, flew over Lon y Bryn, Menai Bridge (17th).

Passerines & others:

Stock Dove

2, at Sandy Bay / Porth Tywyn Mawr (12th).

3, at the Breakwater Country Park (16th).

Chough

11, at Sandy Bay / Porth Tywyn Mawr (12th).

Hooded Crow

1, at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (12th).

Sedge Warbler

Several, at Cors Ddyga (13th).

1, at Cors Errdreiniog (13th).

2, at Llyn Cefni (13th).

Reed Warbler

Several, at Cors Ddyga (13th).

Grasshopper Warbler

2, at Cors Errdreiniog (13th).

1, at Tyddyn Gele, Tregele (14th).

4+, in Tregele - Wylfa area (14th).

Sand Martin

c. 200, at Cors Ddyga (13th).

House Martin

3, at Llyn Llygeirian (12th). 

Cetti’s Warbler

6, at Cors Ddyga (13th).

1, at Llyn Cefni (13th).

Willow Warbler

6+, in Tregele - Wylfa area (15th).

Chiffchaff

12+, in Tregele - Wylfa area (15th).

Blackcap

1, at Wylfa woods (12th).

4, at Llyn Cefni (13th).

1, at Church Island, Menai Bridge (13th).

Lesser Whitethroat

1, heard calling at Tyddyn Gele, Tregele (14th).

Common Whitethroat

1, at South Stack (12th).

1, at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (12th).

1, at Bodorgan (13th).

Up to 3, at Cemlyn (3 on 13th, 1 on 16th).

Ring Ouzel

1, male on ploughed field at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (13th).

1, male at field west of the access road to The Range, Holyhead (13th-14th).

Common Redstart

1, male at field west of the access road to The Range, Holyhead (13th).

Northern Wheatear

1, at Llanbadrig (12th).

1, at Wylfa Head (12th).

15, at Cemlyn (13th).

1, at Bodorgan (13th).

1, at Aberffraw / Llyn Coron (13th).

4, in a field west of the Braint stepping stones (14th).

Yellow Wagtail - (Blue-headed)

1, at Cors Ddyga (11th-12th).

White Wagtail

6, at Traeth Penial (12th).

3, at South Stack (12th).

15+, on a ploughed field at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (13th).

Crossbill

11, flew west out of Cestyll gardens, near Cemlyn (13th).