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