Weekly roundup – Saturday 28th March – Friday 3rd April 2020

Summary:

The continuing restrictions on movement meant that bird sightings were limited to garden birding and that whilst undertaking daily exercise.  Nonetheless, a reasonable number of bird species were seen.

Passerines

There was an ongoing mix of summer migrants, mixed in with some late winter visitors and a few scare residents.  Blackcaps have started to arrive, with a singing male at Treath Lligwy (2^nd).  Both Redwing and Fieldfares were seen at Brynteg (2^nd).  2  Swallows and 3 Sand Martin's were seen flying North over Llyn Penrhyn (3rd). 4 Cetti’s Warblers were at Llyn Penrhyn (30^th) and a Hooded Crow was at the Gorad flood, Valley (3^rd).

Divers & Grebes: 

A Great Northern Diver continued to be seen on the Inland Sea (30^th, 1^st, 2^nd).  Up to 2 Slavonian Grebes were also on the Inland Sea (29^th, 30^th, 1^st, 2^nd ,3^rd).

Seabirds:

There wasn’t much in the way of access to coastal sites, but a Black Guillemot was seen at Benllech (31^st) and 3 Sandwich Terns were seen at Cemlyn (3rd).

Herons, Egrets and Cranes:

No reports of rare or scarce birds in this grouping.

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Potentially the most intriguing record of the week was a drake Blue-winged Teal which was photographed and reported on a Facebook site.  No specific site was detailed, other than the bird was seen and photographed on Anglesey on the 30^th.  A significant degree of speculation then followed as to whether the bird was wild or an escapee from a collection.  If it stays to beyond the lifting of travel restrictions - and its location becomes known - it is bound to create some interest.

The 2 Long-tailed Ducks were seen at Cemlyn (28th, 3rd) and the pair of Greater Scaup were seen on the Inland Sea (30^th, 1^st, 3rd).  Common Eider were seen off Beaumaris (1^st).

Waders:

20 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the Inland Sea (3^rd), with 4 Black-tailed Godwit on the Gorad flood, Valley (3rd).

Gulls & Terns: 

Mediterranean Gulls were seen at several locations including 6 + Cemlyn (28^th), up to 4 on the Inland Sea (30^th, 1^st, 3^rd) and 2 at Cemaes Bay (1st).

Raptors:

A Merlin was seen at Octel, Amlwch (2^nd).  Red Kites were reported from two different locations.

Species – year to date:

No new species were reported during the week.  The sightings of Spoonbills last week have been removed from the list following further reflection by the observer.  The running total for Anglesey for the year to date is 158.