Weekly roundup - Saturday 4th April - Friday 10th April 2020

Summary:

Spring migrants continued to arrive, whilst some of the long staying winter visitors were still present.  A scarce wader at Malltraeth would have normally drawn some interest.

Passerines

Perhaps this birding week was all about the warblers.  The first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was found at Cemaes (6^th) and then another west of Octel, Amlwch (8^th).  The first Sedge Warbler was found at RSPB Valley Lakes (9^th), whilst a Common Whitethroat was at Holyhead (9^th).  Sightings of Blackcap are becoming more regular, with reports including 3 at Amlwch Port and 1 at a Holyhead garden (5^th).  A Willow Warbler was at Cors Goch (5^th).  Just behind the warblers in terms of interest were 3 scarce finches.  Firstly, a Snow Bunting was found at Holyhead Bay (7^th), a Crossbill flew over Cemaes (8^th) and a Hawfinch was found between Cemaes & Wylfa (10^th).  In terms of pipits and wagtails, the first Tree Pipits were reported with flyover birds at South Stack (9^th) and Cemaes/Wylfa (10^th).  3 White Wagtails, the continental form of our Pied, were seen at Amlwch Port (5^th).  Swallows and Martins started to arrive in good numbers, with 5 Barn Swallows over Llyn Penrhyn (4^th) and a House Martin over Cemaes (4^th).  Sand Martins were seen widely including one at Moelfre (4^th).  There was a Hooded Crow at Cemaes (7^th) and a Fieldfare at Cemaes (7^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

The Great Northern Diver continued to be seen on the Inland Sea throughout the week.  2 Red-throated Diver were off Moelfre (8^th).  2 Slavonian Grebe were still on the Inland Sea (4^th).

Seabirds:

Gannets were seen off Moelfre (4^th) and Amlwch Port (5^th).  4 Black Guillemot’s were off Moelfre (8^th).

Herons, Egrets:

There were no rare herons or egrets reported during the past week.

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

11 Whooper Swans were seen over Tregele (4^th).  38 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen at Benllech (6^th), with 25 off Moelfre (8^th).  The pair of Greater Scaup were still on the Inland Sea (4^th), whilst the 2 Long-tailed Ducks were still on the lagoon at Cemlyn (6^th).  An Eider was reported off Beaumaris (7^th), with up to 6 off Benllech (6^th, 10^th) and up to 8 off Moelfre (8^th, 9th).

Waders:

2 Avocet were at Malltraeth (9^th), together with 2 Snipe.  24 Black-tailed Godwit were on the Inland Sea (5^th).  3 Whimbrel were at Cemaes (7^th), followed by a fly over birds (8^th, 10^th).  3 Grey Plover were at the Inland Sea (5^th).

Gulls & Terns: 

Sandwich Terns continued their return with 7 on the Inland Sea (5^th) and 12 off Amlwch Port (9^th).  There was a Mediterranean Gull on the Gorad flood, Valley (4^th), 1 at  Cemaes (8^th) and 2 at Cemaes (10^th).

Raptors:

Nothing of particular scarcity reported this week.

Species – year to date:

Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, Avocet and Hawfinch were all new species for this year, taking the running total for Anglesey for the year to date to 164.