The request
for people to stay at home as part of the UK Covid 19 shutdown measures has
quite understandable resulted in a lot less news as people have restricted
their movement to that which has been absolutely essential. This has resulted in a lot more ‘garden’
based or local ‘patch’ based birding on foot during the one suggested walk for exercise
each day. Give the restrictions on
travel, there has been a temporary suspension of daily summary reports as promoting
good birds in the knowledge that individuals cannot consider going for them was
only likely to add to any frustration of not being able to get out and about.
One of the
reports that generated some interest was that of 8 Yellowhammers near Brynteg
(25th). Anglesey still has
small numbers of Yellowhammers that can be seen in the North East of the island
in areas from Cors Coch, through Maenaddwyn to Llandyfrydog. They are already back on their breeding
territories and can often be seen atop of roadside telegraph poles belting out
their ‘a little bit of bread and no cheese’ song. See:
Yellowhammer,
Llandyfrydog 2019 @birdinginasuit
Passerines
Spring
migrants continued to arrive with a Ring Ouzel at Amlwch Port (25th),
Willow Warbler at Brynteg (25th), Swallow at Holyhead mountain (27th)
and a Black Redstart at RAF Valley (27th) – all new for the year. Northern
Wheatear were reported from multiple sites and 3 Sand Martins were at the
Inland Sea (25th). Six Siskin
were seen flying over South Stack (22nd) and 2 Redpoll also (species
not confirmed). There are still some
winter visitors about, with a Brambling seen again on feeders at a private
residence in Benllech (21st) and the Snow Bunting still at Red Wharf
Bay on the same date. Sightings of
winter thrushes included 2 Fieldfare at Cors Ddyga (21st ) and 15
at Tregele (23rd), with 7 Redwing at Holyhead mountain (27th). Hooded Crows were seen at South Stack (22nd)
and Holyhead (24th).
Divers
& Grebes:
A Great
Norther Diver continued to be seen on the Inland Sea (21st, 25th)
and 2 Slavonian Grebes were seen at Beddmanarch Bay (21st).
Seabirds:
The first Manx Shearwater was seen distantly from Holyhead mountain (27th).
Herons, Egrets and Cranes:
Two Spoonbills were seen over Brynteg
(27th) and 2 Common Cranes over RSPB South Stack (27th). At any other time the words 'Fire up the quattro' would have echoed around many homes
Swans,
Geese & Ducks:
The 7 Greenland
White-fronted Geese were still present at Llyn Llywenan during the week (22nd).
50 Brent Geese were seen at Red Wharf
Bay (22nd). The pair of
Greater Scaup continued to be seen on the Inland Sea (21st, 25th). Likewise, the 2 Long-tailed Duck continued to
be seen on the lagoon at Cemlyn (21st, 22nd).
Waders:
Black-tailed
Godwits provided some wader interest with 1 in Holyhead Bay (21st),
6 at Cors Ddyga (21st), 5 at Cemlyn (21st), 7 at Llyn
Llywenan (22nd) and 4 at gorad flood, Valley (23rd, 25th). There were 15 Bar-tailed Godwit at Holyhead
Bay (21st), which also held a single Knot (21st).
Gulls & Terns:
The first
returning Sandwich Tern was seen in the bay at Cemlyn (24th). Up to 10+ Mediterranean Gulls were seen at Cemlyn
(21st, 22nd).
Raptors:
Red Kites continue
to be seen across the island, but given that we are approaching the breeding
season it is probably best not to give exact locations. It would be good to see this as a regular breeding
bird species on the island. Marsh
Harriers continue to be seen over RSPB Cors Ddyga and Valley wetlands. A Merlin was seen at Tregele (22nd).
Other:
A
Kingfisher was at Traeth Dulas (22nd) and two Grey Partridge were at
Traeth Lligwy (23rd). In
respect of the latter, it is understood that one of the local estates has
started to release Grey Partridge in addition to their normal release of Red-legged
Partridge. Whatever the origins, they
are still nice birds to see on Anglesey.
Species –
year to date:
The number
of species recorded on Anglesey in the year to date has increased to 159. The new additions are Willow Warbler, Ring
Ouzel, Swallow, Manx Shearwater, Black Redstart, Spoonbill, Common Crane and Grey
Partridge. Snow Goose has been removed
off the list as it was probably pushing credibility of year list! Sub-species such as White Wagtail are not
counted on list.
I’ll look
to put together an account on the Anglesey County list.
Next week?
We might normally expect something like a Garganey, but given the restrictions it looks like it will be a case of all eyes to the sky - today has already produced Spoonbill and Common Crane. Who will spot the first Osprey?
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