Saturday 4th July – Friday 10th July 2020

Intro:

Wader passage is still building, but attention is also starting to turn to seabirds.

Seabirds:

An early Balearic Shearwater flew past Point Lynas (6^th).  Manx Shearwaters are passing in reasonable numbers with 362 seen during a 2hr sea-watch off South Stack (5^th), 84 in 1hr off South Stack (10^th) and 355 in 1hr off the Range (9^th).  Puffins have featured strongly post the lifting of lockdown travel restrictions with up to 5 birds seen on the cliffs at South Stack (6^th – 8^th), 6 seen during a 1hr sea-watch off the Range (10^th) and 1 during a 2hr sea-watch off South Stack (5^th). Gannet numbers are building up with 30 birds seen during a 2hr sea-watch off South Stack (5^th), 7 off South Stack in a 1hr sea-watch (10^th) and 23 during a 1hr off the Range (10^th).  2 Black Guillemot were off Moelfre (4^th).

Waders:

The Alaw estuary seems to be the place to be for waders at the moment.  Up to 7 Greenshank have been on the estuary (5 – 4^th &7^th, 7 – 9^th, 6 – 10^th).  Common Sandpiper continue to make a good showing with up to 8 birds (4 – 4^th, 2 – 7^th, 8 – 9^th, 6 – 10^th).  There was also 1 Common Sandpiper at Cemlyn (8^th).  Dunlin numbers are still quite low, with 4 at the Alaw estuary (9^th) and 5 at Cemlyn (4^th).  There were 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Cemlyn (8^th) and 1 on the Alaw estuary (9^th).  There were 15 Turnstone at Cemlyn (4^th) and 7 Redshank on the Alaw estuary (9^th). 

Passerines:

There was a female Cuckoo at Cemlyn (4^th).  Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Blackcap are still present at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th &10^th).  2 Crossbill were in the plantation, South Stack (9^th).  A Hooded Crow was on the drive to Bodwarren farm, South Stack (8th).

Gulls and Terns:

A Roseate Tern was at Cemlyn (6^th). 2 Mediterranean Gulls were at RSPB Valley wetlands (5^th), 1 at Cemlyn (4^th) and 3 at the Alaw estuary (9^th). 

Herons, Egrets and allies:

13 Little Egrets were on the Alaw estuary (9^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

26 Common Scoter were seen in a 1hr sea-watch off the Range (9^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

An early Red-throated Diver flew past Point Lynas (6^th).

Raptors:

Hobby at RSPB Valley wetlands (5^th).  A Marsh Harrier was at RSPB Valley wetlands (5^th) and up to 3 birds are at RSPB Cors Ddyga.  At least 2 Little Owls are showing well at Cemlyn (6^th & 8^th).

Species – year to date:

The addition of Balearic Shearwater takes the running total for the year to date to 197.

The forthcoming week 11^th July – 17^th July?:

A European Bee-eater was at South Stack (11^th) in 1987, with a Woodchat Shrike at Cemlyn (12^th) in 2012.  A Lesser-crested Tern at Cymyran Bay (13^th) in 1982 was a first for Britain.  A White-winged Black Tern was at Llyn Trafwll (16^th) in 1977 and a Gull-billed Tern was at Point Lynas (16^th) in 1978. 

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