Weekly roundup – Saturday 14th March – Friday 20th March 2020

Headline:

Northern Wheatears started to arrive on que, with the first two birds being found at Cemlyn on the 14^th.  Cemlyn has been the main location from which records have been received, with up to 5 birds being either on the fields approaching, or on the rocks surrounding, the Trwyn.  Other records have come from areas just down the coast; Henborth (15^th) and a bit further down the coast near to the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead (17^th). 

Northern Wheatear; Trwyn, Cemlyn 18/03/20 @birdinginasuit

Given the main focus of records has been on early migrants, the order of the ‘broad groupings’ has been adjusted.

Passerines: 

In addition to the arrival of Northern Wheatears, there was an influx of Common Chiffchaff and the first hirundines in the form of Sand Martin and House Martin.  Common Chiffchaff were at Tyddyn Isaf caravan park (14^th), followed by 3 at South Stack (16^th), 3 at Wylfa Head woods (16^th) and 1 at Octel, Amlwch (16^th).  The first Sand Martin was seen over the Gorad flood, Valley (17^th), which also held a White Wagtail (continental form of our Pied Wagtail) on the same date.  The number of Sand Martin at Gorad flood increased to 5 on the 18^th and on the same date a House Martin was seen.  The ‘Gorad flood’ is a seasonal flooded field (dries out in the summer) at the junction of the A5 and Gorad Road, Valley which has attracted its fair share of rare and scarce birds.  https://what3words.com/storming.escorting.nights

The Rose-coloured Starling remained at Llanfaethlu and was reported on most days.  It can often be seen resting in a tree on the left side of the hill, opposite the Royal Mail post box.  The Snow Bunting also continues to be seen on the shingle spit or grassed area in front of the Boathouse restaurant, Red Wharf Bay.  The wintering Firecrest was seen again at the entrance to the Breakwater Country Park (17^th).  A Brambling was seen on garden feeders at Benllech (20^th).  There were a number of reports of Hooded Crow from locations around Holyhead, including The Range (16^th) and Soldier’s Point (17^th, 19^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

A Black-throated Diver was seen off Benllech (14^th).  Great Northern Diver continue to be seen around the coast with birds being reported at Moelfre (14^th), Benllech (15^th, 17^th) and the Inland Sea (18^th, 19^9th, 20^th).  Slavonian Grebes continue at their most reliable sites; with 2 birds at Beddmanarch Bay and up to 2 birds on the Inland Sea (17^th, 18^th, 19^th, 20^th).

Seabirds:

The first returning Puffin was seen off South Stack (16^th).  Black Guillemot were reported off Benllech  - 8 (14^th), Traeth Lligwy – 7  (14^th) and at the Holyhead Fish Quay – 4  (19^th).

Herons and Egrets:

A booming Bittern was reported from RSPB Valley Lakes (18^th, 19^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The Greenland White-fronted Geese were still present at Llyn Llywenan at the start of the week - with 7 being reported (14^th); but there have been no reports either way since.  The Snow Goose – almost certainly of feral origin – was seen at Llyn Penrhyn, RSPB Valley Lakes (18^th, 19^th).  The Velvet Scoter was still present off Benllech earlier in the week (14^th, 15^th) – it may still be worth searching for this bird.  There were 10 Common Eider off Benllech (14^th) and 3 off Moelfre (20^th).  The Long-tailed Ducks remain at Cemlyn and were reported throughout the week.  They are now sometimes in the bay, often being seen close in to the shore on the west side of the bay. That said, they were today (20^th), back on the lagoon.  The pair of Greater Scaup remain on the Inland Sea (20^th).

Waders:

Purple Sandpiper continue to be seen in good numbers at Cemlyn with 16 (14^th) and 14 (18^th).  Also reported at Cemlyn on the 18^th were a wintering Whimbrel, 8 Grey Plover and 300+ Golden Plover.  Both the Green and Common Sandpipers were reported during the week; with the Green Sandpiper on the flooded field north of the stone bridge at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw Estuary (16^th) and the Common Sandpiper at Church Island, Menai Bridge (19^th).  Two Common Sandpipers were present on the 20^th.   

Gulls & Terns: 

Up to 7 Mediterranean Gulls were seen at Cemlyn, with birds also being seen on fields towards Henborth.  The birds at Cemlyn included two colour-ringed birds, one being from a Polish scheme and another from a French one.  A Mediterranean Gull was also seen at Penrhos Coastal Park (17^th).

Raptors:

Red Kites was seen over Pentraeth automotive (14^th) and over the A55 south of Gwalchmai (14^th).  The following day, one was seen over Llandegfan (15^th).  Marsh Harriers were seen at both RSPB Cors Ddyga and RSPB Valley Wetlands.  With the land managed by RSPB Cors Ddyga now extending to both sides of the A55, together with the flooded state of much of the land, it is now sometimes possible to see Marsh Harriers crossing overhead of the A55 – two were seen today (20^th).  

Species – year to date:

The number of species recorded on Anglesey in the year to date has increased to 152 with the addition of Northern Wheatear (14^th), Puffin (16^th), Sand Martin (17^th), House Martin (18^th), Brambling (20th) and late news of a Stock Dove.

Next week?

Expect more of the summer migrants already mentioned, plus the possibility of early records of Swallow, Blackcap and Willow Warbler.  There has been a first sighting of Manx Shearwater at Bardsey Island and this is another potential year tick for those putting in a little time seawatching.  In addition to the more commonly seen species, the latter part of March can bring a few rare sightings such as the Snowy Owl seen at Valley (27/3/1959) and a White Stork seen at Gaerwen (30/03/1988) – I’m sure that a repeat of either would be much appreciated.