Friday 28 August 2020

Saturday 22nd August – Friday 28th August 2020

Intro:

.. and the wind blew!

Seabirds:

Top prize among the excellent array of scarce seabirds was a Sooty Shearwater seen of Cemlyn (26th) the day following Storm Francis, closely followed in terms of scarcity by a juvenile Long-tailed Skua also at Cemlyn (26th) – both new for the year.  Also new for the year was Pomarine Skua with 1 seen off Cemlyn (24th) and 1 past Cemlyn (26th).  Great Skua (a.k.a. Bonxie) is our 2nd most common skua and 26 were reported (albeit that some may have been seen at more than one site); 8 past Point Lynas (23rd), 7 past Point Lynas (26th), 4 past Cemlyn (24th), 3 past Cemlyn (26th), 2 past Bull Bay (28th), 1 past South Stack (24th) and 1 past Amlwch Port (28th).  Arctic Skua is our most frequently seen skua and 54 were reported during the week; 18 past Point Lynas (26th), 17 past Cemlyn (26th), 9 seen past Point Lynas (23rd), 4 past Cemlyn (24th), 4 past Bull Bay (28th), 1 past North Stack (22nd) and 1 past South Stack (28th).  After an early Balearic Shearwater back in July, 4 more were seen this week with 2 past Cemlyn (26th), 1 past Point Lynas (23rd) and 1 past Cemlyn (24th).  Aside from the scarcer seabirds, there were impressive numbers of commoner species which included an estimate of between 5000 - 10,000 Manx Shearwater past Point Lynas from dawn to ~ 8.50am (23rd) and a count of 812 past South Stack during a 1hr seawatch (24th).

Gulls and Terns:

Sabine’s Gull is quite a scarce bird for Anglesey, so 4 past Point Lynas (26th) was both a good count and another new species for the year.  There were also 2 adults past Cemlyn on the same day (26th) and later in the week there was 1 past Bull Bay (28th) and 1 past Cemlyn (28th).  As with the skuas, it is possible that the same birds might have been seen from more than one site.  A Little Gull flew past Point Lynas (26th) and a juvenile Little Gull went past Cemlyn (26th), with the same or another juvenile seen off Cemlyn (27th).  Mediterranean Gulls are still present in good numbers with 65 on the Alaw estuary (22nd), 13 off Penrhos Coastal Park (26th) and up to 4 juveniles at Traeth Dulas (23rd).  A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull at Traeth Dulas (23rd) was Anglesey’s 2nd for the year.  There were also impressive numbers of Kittiwake, with a count of 1840 seen in a 2hr seawatch off Cemlyn (22nd) and an estimate of between 5,000 -10,000 past Point Lynas from dawn to ~ 8.50am (23rd). 

Waders:

Starting with the larger waders, there were up to 8 Black-tailed Godwit on the ‘gorad flood’, Valley (8 on 22nd, 7 on 23rd, 6 on 24th) and 5 Black-tailed Godwit off Penrhos Coastal Park Car park (26th).  Reports of Bar-tailed Godwit were restricted to the Alaw estuary, where there were up to 4 birds (4 on 22nd, 2 on 24th, 2 on (28th).  The ‘gorad flood’, also held up to 4 Ruff (1 on 22nd, 4 on 24th & 25th, 3 on 26th & 27th).  Whimbrel were seen widely, with 3 at Cemlyn (22nd), 2 on the Alaw estuary (22nd), 3 at the Pentraeth end of Red Wharf Bay (23rd) and 1 between Henborth and Carmel Head (23rd).  There were 163 Curlew on Alaw estuary (24th), c. 100 at Traeth Dulas (26th) and 381 Oystercatcher on Alaw estuary (24th).  Greenshank continue to be seen on our estuaries with up to 13 birds on the Alaw estuary (13 on 22nd 28th ,8 on 24th) and up to 4 birds at Traeth Dulas (23rd, 26th, 27th, 28th).

Turning to the smaller waders, Curlew Sandpiper was a new addition for the year with 1 at Malltraeth (28th) and 2 at the Alaw estuary (28th).  Knot featured prominently with up to 32 on the Alaw estuary (32 on 24th, 10 on 22nd), 9 at Cemlyn (24th), up to 6 at Traeth Dulas (2 on 23rd, 6 on 26th & 27th) and 4 at the Pentraeth end of Red Wharf Bay (23rd). There were up to 8 Sanderling on the Alaw estuary (8 on 22nd, 1 on 24th), 1 at Cemlyn (22nd) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (28th).  The highest count of Common Ringed Plover was 98 on the Alaw estuary (22nd), whilst for Dunlin it was 165 on the Alaw estuary (165 on 22nd, 38 on 24th).  Both species were also reported from Traeth Dulas and Red Wharf Bay.  6 Green Sandpiper were seen; 2 on the Alaw estuary (24th), 1 on the Alaw estuary (28th), 1 at Cemlyn (24th) and 2 at Cemlyn (27th).  There were 3 Common Sandpiper on the Inland Sea (24th), 3 at Traeth Dulas (26th), 1 at Traeth Dulas (28th) and 1 on the Alaw estuary (22nd & 24th, 28th).  There was a single European Golden Plover at Cemlyn (24th), 5 European Golden Plover at the Alaw estuary (28th) and 2 Grey Plover at the Alaw estuary (28th).

Passerines:

The top birds included a juvenile Cuckoo between Henborth and Carmel Head (23rd) and a Rose-ringed Parakeet at Benllech (23rd).  Northern Wheatear appear to be on their southbound migration with 1 between Henborth and Carmel Head (23rd), 1 on the Alaw estuary (22nd), 2 at Cemlyn (24th), 6 near Caergeiliog (25th) and 6 at Cemlyn (27th).  There was a Hooded Crow at The Range, near South Stack (24th & 28th) and another south of Bull Bay (27th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

28 Little Egrets were seen to roost at the Pentraeth end of Red Wharf Bay in a field adjacent to the saltmarsh (23rd).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

There have been some early reports of various species of Geese returning to the UK and the report of 24 Barnacle Geese seen resting on the sand at Beddmanarch Bay (25th) may well have been part of this early return migration.  This number is certainly in excess of that understood to form part of the feral flock around Llyn Trafwll / RSPB Valley wetlands.  The eclipse plumage drake Common Eider was in the bay at Henborth (22nd) and 3 Gadwall were at Cemlyn (22nd).  17 Teal on the Alaw estuary (24th) was further evidence of returning wildfowl.

Divers & Grebes: 

It was noted that there were increased numbers of Great Crested Grebe on the Inland Sea with 32 counted (24th).

Raptors:

A Barn Owl was seen hunting in the early hours over roadside fields near Llanfachraeth (23rd) and 3 Little Owls (family group) were at Cemlyn (24th).

Other:

Common Kingfisher were seen on the Alaw estuary (24th & 28th) and at Traeth Dulas (26th & 27th).

Species – year to date:

Sooty Shearwater, Pomarine Skua, Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull and Curlew Sandpiper were all new for the year; taking the Anglesey year list for 2020 to date to 205.

 

The forthcoming week 29th August – 4th September?

Both Great and Cory’s shearwater have been seen on the 30th, with the Great Shearwater seen off Point Lynas & Soldier’s Point (30th) in 1982 and Cory’s Shearwater seen of Point Lynas (30th) in 1999.  Melodious Warbler has two records with birds at Cemlyn (30th) in 2005 and at the South Stack plantation (31st) in 2014.  Going one better, Pectoral Sandpiper has three records with birds at Llyn Llaethdy (1st) in 1984, Malltraeth (3rd) in 1961 and Malltraeth (3rd) in 1999.  Going further back in the records, Malltraeth also hosted a Temminck’s stint (4th) in 1945, whilst more recently there was a Baird’s Sandpiper at Traeth Dulas (4th) in 2009. 

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

Friday 21 August 2020

Saturday 15th August – Friday 21st August 2020

Intro:

A quiet week, but still good numbers of both waders and warblers on passage.

Waders:

Ruff is a scarce passage migrant on Anglesey, with occasionally a bird or two overwintering.  The last week has proved to be a very good one for this species with one on the Afon Cefni near the railway viaduct (15th), 3 at Malltraeth / Afon Cefni (17th) and up to 6 birds on the ‘gorad flood’, Valley (6 on 19th, 5 on 20th).  Greenshank continue to be present in good numbers with 12 birds on the Alaw estuary (19th), 8 birds on the river up from Malltraeth (15th) and up to 3 birds at Traeth Dulas (19th).  Sightings of Bar-tailed Godwit included 2 on the Alaw estuary (15th) and 1 on rocks on the east side of Beddmanarch Bay (15th).  Reports of Black-tailed Godwit included 1 on the Alaw estuary (15th), up to 4 birds on the ‘gorad flood’, Valley (3 on 19th, 4 on 20th) and one battling the high winds at Cemlyn (21st).  Only 2 Whimbrel were reported, both birds being on the Alaw estuary (19th).  In terms of the smaller waders, this is always a good time to catch up with Knot and there were 7 birds at the Alaw estuary (15th), 1 at Cemlyn (15th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (19th).  There was a good count of 20+ Sanderling at Traeth Cymyran (18th).  Traeth Cymyran also had 20 + Dunlin and 50 Common Ringed Plover (18th).  There were similar numbers of Dunlin at the Alaw estuary (15th, 19th) and Traeth Dulas (19th, 20th), with smaller counts of Common Ringed Plover.  There were 3 Common Sandpiper at the Alaw estuary (19th).

Passerines:

The highlight was a Whinchat seen along field boundaries off South Stack road (15th); a definite passage migrant.  Matters are less clear in respect of the flycatchers and warblers seen during the week, which may either relate to breeding birds on Anglesey starting to move or passage migrants from further afield.  Flycatchers were limited to Spotted Flycatchers with 2 at South Stack (15th), 2 at the Breakwater Country Park (16th) and 1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (19th).  Blackcaps features strongly with 3 at South Stack (15th & 19th) and 8+ at the Breakwater Country Park (16th).  Likewise, there were a number of reports of Common Whitethroats with 1 on the approach to Malltraeth cob pool (15th), 2 at South Stack (15th), 3 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (19th) and 3 at South Stack (19th).  There was just the one report of Sedge Warbler; a bird near Malltraeth cob pool (15th).  Sightings of Chiffchaff included 2 at South Stack (15th), 6 at Breakwater Country Park (16th), 2 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (19th) and 4 at South Stack (19th).   Reports of Willow Warblers included 5 at South Stack (15th), 2 at the Breakwater Country Park (16th) and 2 at South Stack (19th).  There were 2 Wheatear at Cemlyn (15th) and a late Swift flew past Point Lynas (20th).

Gulls and Terns:

Terns are starting to leave Cemlyn after their breeding season with a just a few hundred Sandwich Terns and a few pairs of Arctic and Common Terns remaining (15th).  There were 52 Mediterranean Gulls on the Alaw estuary (19th) and 2 juvenile birds at Traeth Dulas (20th & 21st). 

Herons, Egrets and allies:

There were two reports of Great Egret during the week with one sighting at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15th) and another at Malltraeth / Afon Cefni (17th).  

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Teal continue to increase in numbers with 5 birds in off the sea at Cemlyn (15th) and 4 on the Alaw estuary (19th).  The eclipse plumage male Eider moved from Hen Borth to Cemlyn (15th).  A Gadwall was on the ‘gorad flood’, Valley (20th).

Seabirds:

A single Arctic Skua flew past Cemlyn (21st).

Divers & Grebes: 

No reports of note during the week.

Raptors:

No reports of note during the week.

Other:

A Kingfisher was seen at Malltraeth / Afon Cefni (17th).

Species – year to date:

There were no new species for the 2020 Anglesey year list, which remains at 200. 


The forthcoming week 22nd August – 28th August?

After a few lean weeks for records of rare and scarce birds, this week marks a return to more respectable numbers.  In respect of waders there was a Temminck’s Stint at Malltraeth (22nd) in 1970, a Black-winged Stint at Newborough Warren (23rd) in 1965 and two Pectoral Sandpipers; one at Malltraeth (22nd) in 1994 and another at the Alaw estuary (27th) in 1994.  Some colour was added in the form of a European Bee-eater at South Stack (25th) in 1984 and a Woodchat Shrike at Cemlyn (26th) in 1981.  There are two records of Cory’s Shearwaters – both in 1985 and both off Fedw Fawr (24th and 27th).  Finishing off with the warblers, there was a Melodious Warbler at South Stack (22nd) in 1987 and a Barred Warbler at South Stack (28th) in 2004.

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

Friday 14 August 2020

Saturday 8th August – Friday 14th August 2020

Intro:

Passage migrant waders are still showing up, but it is perhaps the hope of a scarce migrant warbler that is spurring on many.

Passerines:

Whilst none of the rare or scarce drift migrant that have featured on the east coast of England have yet managed to filter across to Anglesey, there was nonetheless a reasonable array of species to keep interests going.  Heading the cast was a Tree Pipit over South Stack & ‘The Plantation’ (13th), a Garden Warbler at South Stack (13th) and 5 Crossbills at Carmel Head (9th).  ‘The Plantation’ is an area of conifers approximately 1 mile east of South Stack, which can’t be accessed but can be viewed from a public footpath that runs north from South Stack road.

Some of our commoner warblers are starting to be seen at coastal watchpoints.  Blackcaps were well represented with 5 birds at South Stack and The Plantation (13th), 4 at Holyhead Breakwater Park (13th) and 1 at Octel, Amlwch (14th).  There were 5 Whitethroat at Holyhead Breakwater Park (13th) and 1 at Octel, Amlwch (14th).  Chiffchaffs included 10 at Holyhead Breakwater Park (13th), 2 at South Stack and The Plantation (13th) and 2 at Octel, Amlwch (14th).  Willow Warblers included 3 at Octel, Amlwch (14th), 2 at South Stack and The Plantation (13th) and 1 at Holyhead Breakwater Park (13th). 

It is still not too late to catch up with a Cuckoo if you missed them during lockdown, as proved by a juvenile bird seen at Henborth – Cemlyn (14th).  Wheatears are being seen quite widely, with 4 on the Alaw estuary (8th), 3 at Cemlyn (8th), 3 at South Stack & The Plantation (13th), 1 at Trecastell Beach (13th) and 1 at Point Lynas (13th).  It appears to have been a good breeding season for Chough, with 48 were seen at Carmel Head (9th).  Swifts appear to have largely departed for warmer climes, with just the 1 reported at Carmel Head (9th).  Swallows are starting to congregate before their journey south, with circa. 450 birds seen going to roost in the reed bed at the southern end of RSPB Cors Ddyga (9th).  A Dipper was on the Afon Cefni near the Council offices, Llangefni 10th).

Waders:

Wood Sandpiper is a scarce passage migrant to Anglesey, with sightings on average being less than annual.  2020 already goes down as a good year for this species with two records to date; the first being that seen on the ‘gorad flood’, Valley on the 6th June and now a second bird at Cemlyn (8th).  Continuing with the sandpiper theme, there was a Green Sandpiper at Carmel Head (9th) and another at Cemlyn (11th).  Rounding off with our most commonly seen sandpiper, there were 3 Common Sandpiper at Cemlyn (8th) and up to 3 birds on the Alaw estuary (1 on 9th & 12th, 3 on 14th).

Ruff is another passage migrant (which occasionally over-winters) and there were 6 on the Alaw estuary (9th) and 3 at Cemlyn (11th).  Both species of Godwit were seen with up to 3 Bar-tailed Godwit on the Alaw estuary (2 on 8th, 14th, 3 on 12th), 2 Black-tailed Godwit on the gorad flood, Valley (8th) and 2 Black-tailed Godwit at Carmel Head (9th).  There were up to 15 Greenshank on Alaw estuary (15 on 9th), with a good scattering of Whimbrel around the island with 2 at Carmel Head (9th), 1 on the Alaw estuary (12th) and 3 at Malltraeth cob pool (13th).  The Alaw estuary also held up to 8 Sanderling (4 on 8th, 8 on 9th, 7 on 14th), 5 Knot (14th) and 3 Golden Plover (9th).  There were also 3 Golden Plover at Carmel Head (9th).

Seabirds:

A European Storm Petrel was caught and ringed at Point Lynas (11th).  A seawatch from Cemlyn produced an Arctic Skua (8th) and a Puffin (8th).

Gulls and Terns:

The number of Mediterranean Gulls seems to know no bounds, with what must be a new Anglesey record of 136 on the Alaw estuary (14th).  Earlier in the week, there had been 40 on Inland Sea (8th) and 28 on the Alaw estuary (12th).  A Roseate Tern was still at Cemlyn during the week (11th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

There was a Great Egret at Valley wetlands (9th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

There was evidence of returning Teal with 1 on the Alaw estuary (12th) and 2 at Malltraeth cob pool (13th).  The eclipse plumage male Eider was still at Hen Borth (8th, 14th ) and 27 Goosander were seen off Beaumaris (10th).

Divers & Grebes: 

No reports during the week.

Raptors:

There was a female or immature Marsh Harrier over Traeth Crigyll, Rhosneigr (9th).  There was a Short-eared Owl at Aberffraw (11th).  Barn Owls were seen at both RSPB Cors Ddyga (9th at dusk) and at Aberffraw (12th).

Other:

2 Kingfishers were on the Afon Cefni behind Pet and Garden, Llangefni Industrial estate (10th).

Species – year to date:

There were no new species for the 2020 Anglesey year list, which remains at 200. 

The forthcoming week 15th August – 21th August?

As with last week, previous records suggest that this is a very quiet time for scarce and rare birds, with just the two notable records of a Rose-coloured Starling at Rhosneigr (20th) in 1997 and a Cory’s Shearwater off Point Lynas (20th) in 2005.

Whilst not supported by historical records, there will be more than a few birders hoping that one of the east coast’s Icterine or Barred Warbler filters across. 

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


Friday 7 August 2020

Saturday 1st August – Friday 7th August 2020

Intro:

Waders are still the dominant feature at the moment, albeit nothing particularly scarce or rare.

Waders:

A Green Sandpiper was on the Alaw estuary (1st, 6th), with another at Cemlyn (7th).  Common Sandpipers were seen at multiple sites including 7 on the Alaw estuary (1st), 2 at Cemlyn (1st), 1 at Traeth Dulas (1st) and 2 at Llyn Alaw (3rd).  The number of Greenshank on the Alaw estuary reached a peak of 16 (16 on 1st, 14th on 6th), with 4 birds on the brickworks pool, Treath Dulas (1st & 7th).  There were 7 Whimbrel on Alaw estuary (7 on 1st, 3 on 6th).  Other waders on the Alaw estuary included 2 Black-tailed Godwit (1st), 1 Sanderling (1st), 2 Turnstone (1st), 1 Knot (6th), 13 Ringed Plover (1st) and 13 Dunlin (1st).  At Traeth Dulas, there were 18 Ringed Plover (7th) and 18 Dunlin (7th).

Seabirds:

An Arctic Skua flew past South Stack in 1-hour sea-watch (1st), as did 240 Manx Shearwater (1st).  A dark-phase Arctic Skua flew over the rocks at Trearddur Bay (7th).  Late report of 4 European Storm-Petrels caught and ringed at Point Lynas on the 31st July, one of which was a bird ringed 10 days earlier at the Calf of Man.

Gulls and Terns:

The best find of the week was a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull on the Alaw estuary (1st).  There continue to be good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls around the island, with 42 at Beddmanarch bay (5th) and 13 on Alaw estuary (6th).  Roseate Terns continue to be seen at Cemlyn (2 on 2nd, 1 on 6th – 7th) and appear to be showing rather well.  

Roseate Tern at Cemlyn - 06/08/20 by Lewi Burgess with Plas Cemlyn farm in background

Passerines:

The Rose-coloured Starling was still at Cemaes at the start of the week (1st), but hasn’t been reported since.  3 Wheatear were seen between Cemlyn – Henborth (1st) and 4 on The Range, Holyhead (6th).  A Hooded Crow was on The Range, South Stack (1st) and another by the burial site near the Road Chef, Holyhead (6th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Egret was at Llyn Alaw (3rd).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

A Goldeneye was found on Llyn Alaw (3rd).  The eclipse plumage Common Eider was still at Henborth (1st) and 6 Common Scoter past South Stack in 1hour sea-watch (1st).

Divers & Grebes: 

A Red-throated Diver was at Cemlyn (5th).

Raptors:

An Osprey was seen over the Malltraeth cob and Cefni estuary on the 6th August.  It is understood that at least 1 bird is summering on the estuary.  A juvenile Marsh Harrier was at Llyn Alaw (3rd)

Other:

A Kingfisher was on the Alaw estuary (6th).

Species – year to date:

Yellow-legged Gull was new for the Anglesey 2020 year list, which ticks up by 1 to 200.

The forthcoming week 8th August – 14th August?

Previous records suggest that this is a very quiet time for scarce and rare birds, with just the one notable record of a Temminck’s Stint on the Cefni reservoir (12th) in 1984.

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