Saturday 20th June – Friday 26th June 2020

Intro:

Return of the waders!

Waders:

Last week’s look at historical records for this week highlighted some rare and scarce vagrant waders.  Whilst nothing especially unusual turned up this year, the week nonetheless marked the return of waders which presumably will have included failed breeders. 

One of the notable omissions during a collective walking birdrace held during early May was that of Redshank and comments were exchanged on how difficult a bird this can be to find in North Wales generally during late spring and early summer.

The first returning Redshank was noted on the Inland Sea (23^rd), followed by another at Soldier’s Point (24^th), then one on the Alaw estuary (25^th), rising to four on the Alaw estuary (26^th).  There were 4 Bar-tailed Godwit in Beddmanarch Bay (23^rd), with the first Greenshank on the Alaw estuary (25^th), then 2 at the same site (26^th).  A Common Sandpiper was on the Alaw estuary (25^th), with 2 the following day (26^th).  Curlew numbers are starting to build up with 17 Curlew at Cemlyn (24^th), 44 at the Alaw estuary (21^st) and 93 on the Alaw estuary (26^th).  Oystercatcher numbers also increased, from a count of 83 on the Alaw estuary (21^st) to 125 (26^th).  The Alaw estuary also held 10 Common Ringed Plover (21^st), a Dunlin (21^st) and a Whimbrel (25^th).

Passerines:

Last week’s adult Rose-coloured Starling at Cemaes was seen again this week (22^nd- 24^th).  A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling and seen at Cors Ddyga (23^rd) and at least 2 male Yellowhammer were near Llandyfrydog (24^th).  There was a report of a Hawfinch at Bod Ednyfed, Amlwch (25^th), a Northern Wheatear was at Cemlyn (25^th) and a Lesser Redpoll flew over South Stack (25^th).  Common Crossbills seem to be on the move and 3 were noted over Gadfa (24^th), with 1 at the plantation, South stack (24^th & 26th).  Hooded Crows and Hooded x Carrion Crow hybrids continue to be seen in the Holyhead area, with 2 Hooded Crows in pastures between South Stack and the Range (24^th) and 1 Hooded and 1 hybrid in fields off South Stack road (25^th).

Gulls and Terns:

A Common Gull in Holyhead Bay (23^rd) was the first returning bird and there was evidence of dispersing juvenile gulls with a Black-headed Gull at the Inland Sea (23^rd) and another at Soldier’s Point (24^th).  5 Mediterranean Gulls were seen feeding on flying insects over Holyhead (25^th).  There were 80 Kittiwake on the lighthouse island, South Stack (26^th).

Seabirds:

There were c. 5000 Guillemot, 300 Razorbill and 7 Puffins at South Stack (26^th).  3 Northern Gannets were seen in Holyhead Bay (23^rd).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Spoonbill was seen near Bryngwran (24^th) and 15 Little Egrets were on the Inland Sea (23^rd).  A quail was heard calling at Cymran near RAF Valley (26th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

3 Wigeon were on the inland Sea (23^rd).

Divers & Grebes: 

No records of note.

Raptors:

A Hobby was seen over the A55 and headed towards RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th).

Species – year to date:

There were no new species seen on Anglesey this week, with the running total for the year to date remaining on 195.

The forthcoming week 28^th June – 3rd July?:

For the second week, historical records suggest that it is time was rare and scarce waders.  A Marsh Sandpiper was at the cob pool, Malltraeth (30^th) in 1977 and a Red-necked Phalarope was at Cemlyn (3^rd) in 1970.  Terns weren’t far behind in offering some quality finds with a White-winged Black Tern at Llyn Maelog (1^st) in 1973 with one of Anglesey’s best birds – Bridled Tern at Cemlyn (1^st) in 1988.  A Squacco Heron was at Cemlyn (30^th).

Want to know more about historical birding records in North Wales - see: Scarce and Rare Birds in North Wales by Robin Sandham @birdsandbike  ISBN: 978-0-9957428-0-2

Saturday 13th June – Friday 19th June 2020

Intro:

Last week’s look at previous records for this week suggested that it was good for rare terns with previous records of both White-winged Black and Whiskered, but this year it wasn’t to be a rare marsh tern!

Gulls and Terns:

The headline bird was undoubtedly the Sooty Tern that was found at Cemlyn (13^th), which was seen by at least 2 observers and photographed.  It was looked for during the course of the remainder of the day – and subsequently, but it hasn’t been relocated; neither on the island nor elsewhere.

This is Anglesey’s 2^nd Sooty Tern following a bird initially found at Rhosneigr on the 5^th July 2005.  That bird was initially reported as either Bridled /Sooty Tern and was seen on one of the offshore islands by the wardens.  It was briefly seen in flight by one other observer, but not seen again that evening.  On the 7^th July, news broke of a Sooty Tern on the Skerries and that evening several local birders made the roughly one-hour trip by boat from the Mackenzie Pier at Holyhead.  Other birders from further afield had chartered boats from other Anglesey ports and there was a surreal sight of boats converging on the Skerries from a number of directions.  Good views were had by all of the bird both in flight and perched on rocks.  On Sunday the 10^th, the bird relocated to Cemlyn. A number of boats laden with birders – who had that morning sailed across to the Skerries – quickly relocated to the bay at Cemlyn with the birders aboard desperately trying to look over the shingle ridge to see the bird in flight.

Over the past few years there have been 1 – 2 pairs of Roseate Terns on the Skerries together with Roseate x Common Tern hybrids.  The recent displacement of the Arctic and Common Terns off the Skerries has also led to regular reports of Roseate Terns from Cemlyn with sightings each day between the 13^th – 17th.  It is thought that at least 2 birds are involved, one bearing a ring on its right leg and the other being un-ringed.   If and when travel restrictions are lifted, these are likely to be popular birds as it has been some years since Roseate Terns were regular at Cemlyn.

Seabirds:

An Arctic Skua was seen at Cemlyn (14^th).  An incredible count of 44 Black Guillemot in the Holyhead outer harbour (18^th) was unprecedented and there is speculation as to whether the foggy conditions had disorientated birds from further North as this number of adults in considerably greater than those known to breed in the area.  

Passerines:

At least 1 and possibly 2 adult summer-plumaged Rose-coloured Starling were about Anglesey with reports of a bird near Parys mountain (15^th), then another report of a bird at Cemaes Bay (17^th).  A Spotted Flycatcher was at Henborth, near Cemlyn (14^th) and a Cetti’s Warbler was at Carreglwyd marsh, near Rhydwyn (19^th).  A Cuckoo was heard calling at Penrhos woods (15^th) and another seen well near Caergeiliog (17^th).  Yellowhammer continue to be seen at Llandyfrydog (13^th, 17^th) and a female Northern Wheatear was near Caergeiliog (15^th).  Siskin started to re-appear at a garden feeding station in Benllech (18th).

Waders:

No records of note.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Bittern was seen in flight at Valley Wetlands RSPB (14^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

A pair of Wigeon on the Alaw estuary was unexpected (13^th); late leaving, early back or just decided to ‘Stay Local’?  Pochard were seen with young at Valley Lakes RSPB (14^th) and a 1^st summer drake Common Eider was at Cemlyn (16^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

No records of note.

Raptors:

A female Marsh Harrier was seen at Valley Lakes RSPB (14^th).  Red Kites continue to be reported from several locations.

Other:

A Common Kingfisher was seen at Cors Ddyga (15^th).

Species – year to date:

The number of species seen on Anglesey has ticked up by 2 to 195 with the addition Sooty Tern and Arctic Skua.

The forthcoming week 20^th June – 27^h June?:

A quiet week, but some good wader records with Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Cemlyn (20^th) in 2013, a Stone Curlew at Penmon (21^st) in 1997 and a Terek Sandpiper at Cemlyn (21^st) in 2005.  A Black Stork was at Carmel Head (22^nd) in 1999, whilst a Black-crowned Night Heron was at Malltraeth (23^rd) in 2005.  There is a historical record of an American Wigeon at Llyn Llywenan (21^st) in 1910 and a Red-footed Falcon was at South Stack (21^st) in 1986.  There was a Common Rosefinch at Porth Eilian (21^st) in 2013 and 2 European Bee-eaters flew over Mariandyrys (26^th) in 2015.

Want to know more about historical birding records in North Wales - see: Scarce and Rare Birds in North Wales by Robin Sandham @birdsandbike  ISBN: 978-0-9957428-0-2

Saturday 6th June – Friday 12th June 2020

Intro:

The week started off rather breezy and an early summer sea-watch proved fruitful.

Seabirds:

2 European Storm-Petrel were seen off Octel, Amlwch (6^th), with good numbers of Manx Shearwater, Gannet and other seabirds passing.

Gulls and Terns:

A Roseate Tern was seen at Cemlyn (6^th).  It understood that most of the Arctic and Common Terns have abandoned their nesting sites on the Skerries, with many relocating to Cemlyn.

Passerines:

A Red-backed Shrike was seen near Malltraeth cob pool (12th).  2 Hooded Crows were on the fields between Holyhead and South Stack (9^th).  5 Crossbills flew over Cestyll gardens (8^th), with further birds heard over South Stack (9^th).  Lesser Whitethroat were still singing at Octel, Amlwch (6^th) and Gadfa (9^th).  A Common Cuckoo was at Octel, Amlwch (10^th - 12^th).

Waders:

No records of note.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

3 Great Egrets were near Caergeiliog (7^th). The Quail was heard again in a field on the outskirts of Tregele (7^th,10^th &11^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

No records of note.

Divers & Grebes: 

No records of note.

Raptors:

An Osprey was over Cemlyn (8^th), with another bird being seen over the Menai Straits between the two bridges (11^th).  A Marsh Harrier was near Caergeiliog (9^th), whilst Red Kite continue to be reported across the island.

Species – year to date:

The number of species seen on Anglesey has ticked up by 1 to 193 with the addition of European Storm-Petrel.

The forthcoming week 13^th June – 19^th June?:

A good week for rare warblers with Savi’s Warbler at RSPB Cors Ddyga (14^th) in 2019, a Marsh Warbler at Llanfachraeth (15^th) in 1986, a Great Reed Warbler at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th) in 2010 and a Blyth’s Reed Warbler (15^th) at Cestyll, near Cemlyn in 2019.  A splash of colour has been provided by Rose-coloured Starlings at Church Bay (13^th) in 2011, and another at Valley (19^th) in 2012, a European Bee-eater at Cemlyn (13^th) in 2010 and a Golden Oriole at Llanfairynghornwy (18^th) in 2013.  Rare waders have included a Wilson’s Phalarope at Malltraeth (15^th) in 1958, a Stone Curlew at Rhoscolyn (18^th) in 1986 and a Kentish Plover at Rhosneigr (19^th) in 1984.  It has also been a good week for rare terns, with White-winged Black Tern at Cemlyn (16^th) in 2014 and a Whiskered Tern first at Llyn Trafwll (18^th) in 1993 before relocating to Cemlyn.

Want to know more about historical birding records in North Wales - see: Scarce and Rare Birds in North Wales by Robin Sandham @birdsandbike  ISBN: 978-0-9957428-0-2

Saturday 30th May – Friday 5th June 2020

Intro:

Despite the continuing restrictions on travel, a good array of birds – particularly passerines – were noted.  For those reading this blog and residing outside of Wales, please note that discretionary travel for leisure purposes is still not permitted in Wales.

Passerines:

A Turtle Dove at Wylfa head (30^th) was an excellent find.  Whilst this summer visitor is largely confined to the south and east of England, the past two years have provided a number of records.  There were 3 last year, with birds seen at Holyhead, RSPB Cors Ddyga and in a private garden in the east of the island.   

Another good record involved a male Firecrest that was seen and heard singing at Llandegfan (1^st).  Whilst there are usually wintering birds on Anglesey, this early summer record of a singing male is both noteworthy and intriguing. 

Other summer visitors included a Spotted Flycatcher was at Wylfa woods (30^th), a Grasshopper Warbler was at Cors Efail Newydd, Benllech (30^th) and a female Common Redstart near the west car park, Cemlyn (1^st).  11 Common Crossbill flew west over Cestyll, near Cemlyn (2^nd) and a Lesser Redpoll was near Benllech (2^nd). 

A single Hooded Crow was at Henborth (3^rd) whilst 3 were on a rolled field between Holyhead and South Stack (4^th).  There were 2 Stock Doves at Henborth (3^rd).  There was an unattributed report of a Rose-coloured Starling (aka Rosy Starling) at Trearddur Bay (3^rd).

Scarcity can take many forms.  A Grey Wagtail at a garden pool of one local birder was the first he had had on the ground in 45 years! 

Waders:

A summer plumaged Little Stint and a late European Golden Plover were on the Alaw estuary (4th-5th).  There were 2 Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 18 Dunlin on the main island at Cemlyn (30^th).  17 Sanderling flew past the Range (5th), whilst 1 was on the Alaw estuary (5th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Egret was seen at Beaumaris (4^th).  A Quail was calling from a field on the outskirts of Tregele (31^st)

Divers & Grebes: 

A summer plumaged Great Northern Diver was seen off the Range, near Holyhead (4^th).

Gulls and Terns:

28 Kittiwake were seen off the Range (4th), with 38 the following day (5th).   8 Sandwich Terns were seen at the same site (4th) and then 6 (5th).

Seabirds:

204 Manx Shearwater were counted passing the Range (4th) during a 3 hour seawatch , then 490 in a 2 hour seawatch (5th).  Other sightings included 78 Gannet (4th), 132 Gannet (5th), 5 Fulmar (4th), 56 Fulmar (5th), 5 Puffin (4^th) and 6 Puffin (5th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

There was a Sub-adult male Common Eider in the bay at Cestyll, near Cemaes (2^nd).  5 Common Scoter were seen off the Range, near Holyhead (4^th).

Raptors:

Sightings of Red Kite continue.

Species – year to date:

The number of species seen on Anglesey has ticked up by 2 to 192 with the addition of Turtle Dove and Little Stint.

The forthcoming week 6^th June – 12^th June?:

A good week for scarce egrets and herons, with Squacco Heron at Cemlyn (11^th) in 1988, Cattle Egret at Plas Bog (12^th) in 2009, and a Purple Heron firstly at Cors Bodeilio then RSPB Cors Ddyga (12^th) in 2016.  Rare waders include a Collared Pratincole at Llyn Maelog, Rhosneigr (6^th) in 1983 and a Red-necked Phalarope at Cemlyn (8^th) in 2006.  There have been 2 Rose-coloured Starlings, 1 at Cemlyn (9^th) in 2001 and another near Valley (9^th) in 2014.  There is a historical record of a Woodchat Shrike at Porth Dafarch (6^th) in 1928, a Savi’s Warbler at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th) in 1999, a Golden Oriole at Cemlyn (9^th) in 2007, a Common Rosefinch at Carmel Head (10^th) in 2012 and a Black-headed Bunting at Cemlyn (12^th) in 1994.

Want to know more about historical birding records in North Wales - see: Scarce and Rare Birds in North Wales by Robin Sandham @birdsandbike  ISBN: 978-0-9957428-0-2