Weekly roundup – Saturday 29th February – Friday 6th March 2020

Headline:

The Rose-coloured Starling was still present at Llanfaethlu throughout the week and drew a steady stream of admirers. Nonetheless, it quickly became usurped in the eyes of some by a particularly showy Velvet Scoter that was discovered off Benllech on the 3^rd March.  A scarce bird along the North Wales coast, which annually only generates a handful of records – usually amongst large Common Scoter flocks off the coast between Colwyn Bay and Abergele.  On Anglesey, it is a far rarer sighting.  The bird was best seen from the coastal footpath just north of Benllech and on occasions was very close inshore.  It was loosely associating with a single Common Scoter and was still present on the 6^th.

Velvet Scoter, Benllech 03/03/2020 @birdinginasuit

Divers & Grebes: 

Great Northern Divers continue to be seen at some of the more regular sites with birds present at Holyhead Harbour (29^th, 3^rd), the Inland Sea (5^th) and Cemlyn (1^st,3^rd).  A Red-throated Diver was also seen at Holyhead Harbour (29^th).  In terms of scarcer grebes, up to 2 Slavonian Grebes were reported from Beddmanarch Bay (29^th, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd), with a sighting of one on the Inland Sea (5^th)  

Seabirds:

Black Guillemot sightings continue to be numerous around the coast, with up to six birds being reported from Holyhead Harbour (29^th, 1^st, 3^rd).  The increased scrutiny of the Red Wharf Bay area around Benllech - following the sighting of the Velvet Scoter - has resulted in many reports, with a maximum of 12 seen (4^th – 6^th ).

Herons and Egrets:

A Great Egret continues to be seen on flooded fields east of Llyn Alaw (4^th) – viewed from SH426868 – but take extreme care on this busy road.  A Eurasian Bittern was heard booming at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd). 

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Whooper Swans have been seen from a number of sites with an impressive 36 on Llyn Cefni (4^th).  There were 7 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (4^th), with singles at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw (29^th, 3^rd  and north of Capel Coch (29^th, 2^nd, 4^th).  The Greenland White-fronted Geese started off the week at the Llanfachraeth end of Alaw estuary, with 5 birds reported (29^th).  Later in the week they were relocated at Llyn Llywenan with numbers rising from 3 (4^th) to 7 (6^th).  Up to two Long-tailed Ducks remain on the lagoon at Cemlyn (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th, 6^th).  Greater Scaup have been seen at Llyn Coron (5^th, 6^th) – max of 4 and a female on the Inland Sea (5^th).  Three Common Eider were seen of Benllech (4^th, 6^th).  

Waders:

The wintering Common Sandpiper continues to be seen at Church Island, Menai Bridge (29^th, 6^th), whilst the Green Sandpiper was seen on the wet field north of the stone bridge at the Llanfachraeth end of Alaw estuary (1^st, 3^rd).  The regular wintering Whimbrel was seen at Cemlyn (2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th ), whilst a further 3 birds were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (4^th).  There is speculation as to the latter being early migrants.  Purple Sandpipers were reported from Trearddur Bay – 8 (2^nd).  Sanderling were seen at Traeth Lligwy – 2 (2^nd) and Rhosneigr - 6 (6^th).

Gulls & Terns: 

Despite early March being one of the best times for migrant white winged gulls, in the form of Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, none were located this week.  The scarcest gull has been Mediterranean Gull, with sightings of 3 at Beddmanarch Bay (1^st) and 1 at Henborth, nr. Cemlyn (5^th).

Raptors:

Reports of Red Kite at the centre of the island continue, with a sighting at Llangefni (4^th).  RSPB Cors Ddyga is the stronghold of Marsh Harriers on the island and there were several reports of birds (2^nd, 4^th, 6^th).  Merlin were reported at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd, 4^th) and Llyn Coron (6^th). 

Passerines: 

The Rose-coloured Starling was present at Llanfaethlu throughout the week.  If you are visiting, consider making use of the community shop as the local residents have been very accommodating of the many visitors.  It would be a nice gesture to help sustain the viability of the shop by making use of it.  A Hooded Crow was seen at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (29^th), but no reports have been received from around the KFC / Tesco stores – it is possible that the birds are still around the area.  The Snow Bunting remains around the grassed are shingle ridge opposite the Boathouse restaurant / Ship Inn, Red Wharf Bay (3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th).  A Firecrest has been at Pentre Berw water treatment plant – just south of RSPB Cors Ddyga throughout the week and reported on two dates (4^th, 6^th).

Other:

Common Kingfisher were seen at Holyhead Harbour (29^th) and Traeth Dulas (4^th).

Next week?

As can be seen from above, no early hirundines were seen during the past week – so much for last week’s suggestion.  In respect of the forthcoming week, past records give an indication of the rare and scarce migrants that can be found during early March.  Looking back over records from previous years, the undoubted highlight for many was the finding of a white-phase Gyrfalcon at Holyhead on the 8^th March 2002.  The bird was initially seen over Beddmanarch Bay, then relocated at RSPB South Stack allowing many local birders the opportunity to catch up with the bird if only briefly.  The bird went to roost on the cliffs between South and North Stack.  A thick blanket of fog the following morning made searching difficult, but the bird was also seen on both the 9^th and the 10^th.