Saturday 24th – Friday 30th October 2020.

Intro:

And the 'sibes' still keep coming ….

Passerines:

The headline bird by some way was a Dusky Warbler found at Wylfa woods (25^th) and heard the following day.  There is only 1 previous record for Anglesey on the 31^st October 1996 of a bird at Soldiers Point, Holyhead that was not submitted to the rarity committees.  It is not too late to make a submission and hopefully this will now occur.  

Photo: Dusky Warbler, Wylfa woods, 25th October by Stephen Culley.

Whilst at Wylfa woods, one observer also heard a Yellow-browed Warbler (25^th) – the 6^th or 7^th bird in 2020.  The Yellow-browed Warbler tally was added to further with a bird at Tan Dinas quarry, near Llanddona (30^th).

Video: Yellow-browed Warbler, Tan Dinas Quarry, Llandonna 30th October by Richard Birch.

Other warblers seen this week include Blackcap at Soldiers Point, Holyhead (25^th & 30^th) and up to 2 Chiffchaff at Soldiers Point, Holyhead (2 on 25^th, 1 on 30^th).  Last week’s Snow Bunting was still present at the start of Holyhead breakwater (23^rd – 30^th).  There are still some late Barn Swallow’s about with birds at Soldiers Point, Holyhead (25^th& 30^th) and 3 at Wylfa woods (30^th).  A late Northern Wheatear was at Cemlyn (26^th).  At the ‘patch’ level, a Treecreeper at the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (30^th) was only the 2^nd record in 46 years, whilst 1km SE of Parys Mountain (30^th) a rough estimate of 350,000 starling went in to roost in a wetland area that they have used in previous years. The murmuration was said to be pretty spectacular between 1650 and 1715.

Waders:

2 Purple Sandpiper were at Cemlyn (26^th) and 3 Sanderling were at Traeth Lligwy (28^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

3 Barnacle Geese were on fields towards Bodewryd as seen from Llanfechell (26^th).  There was a female Scaup on Inland Sea (25^th & 30^th), 20+ Common Scoter off Benllech (25^th) and 12 Goldeneye on the Inland Sea (30^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

2 Slavonian Grebe were on the Inland Sea (30^th).

Seabirds:

100+ Gannets were seen off Benllech (25^th) and 4 Razorbill were on the Inland Sea (30^th).

Raptors:

A Goshawk was seen near Talwrn (23^rd), a probable late Hobby was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (23^rd) and a Hen Harrier was seen hunting around Mynydd Bodafon (30^th).

Gulls and Terns:

No reports of note.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

No reports of note.

Species – year to date:

The cumulative Anglesey year list for 2020 has increased by 1 with the addition of Dusky Warbler to take the cumulative Anglesey year list to 218 species.

What is there still to get I hear you ask.  It is getting rather late for Dotterel, Pied Flycatcher, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Common Rosefinch and Barred Warbler.  Still a chance for Black-necked Grebe, Twite, Pallas’ Warbler, Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull.  And there is still room for some spectacular vagrant to put in an appearance or perhaps we will need to rely on some plastic-fantastic in the form of Mandarin or Egyptian Goose (but not Snow Goose).  So there is still a few to search for – breaching the 220 mark is still possible.

 

The forthcoming week 31^st October – 6^th November?

A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Llyn Alaw (31^st) in 1980, a Marsh Warbler was at Soldiers Point (31^st) in 2002 and a Pallas’s Warbler was at Penmon Point (2^nd) in 1991.  Aside from that, there was the minor matter of a Chimney Swift at Penmon (2^nd) in 2005 – now if there is to be one this year, please let it be after the firebreak lockdown is lifted.

Saturday 17th October - Friday 23rd October 2020

Intro:

The BTO’s October Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) on the 18^th produces a scarce wader and some exceptional counts …

Waders:

In terms of scarcity, a Wood Sandpiper at Traeth Dulas (18^th) takes top prize in the wader category.  Our estuarine sites include some excellent and important habitat for migrating waders as shown by some of the returns shared on social media.  Oystercatcher are a familiar sight along our coastline, but counts of 651 between the Inland Sea/ Beddmanarch / Cymyran (18^th) and a further 384 birds at the Alaw estuary (18^th) were noteworthy and show just how many birds depend on the Anglesey coastline.  Other species included 167 Curlew on Alaw estuary (18^th), over-wintering Whimbrel at Red Wharf Bay (1 on 18^th, 2 on 19^th) and Cemlyn (19^th), 26 Grey Plover on the Alaw estuary (18^th), 30 Grey Plover on the Cefni estuary (17^th), 22 Bar-tailed Godwit on the Alaw estuary (18^th) and 9 Knot on the Alaw estuary (18^th).  Greenshank are always a delight and there are some good numbers about which included 6 birds on the Alaw estuary (18^th), 1 bird at RSPB Valley Lakes (18^th), 11 birds between Cymyran and Four-mile bridge (18^th), 23 birds between the Inland Sea/Beddmanarch Bay/Cymyran (18^th) and 6 birds at Red Wharf Bay (19^th).  Jack Snipe were seen at Red Wharf Bay (18^th & 19^th), Cors Crugyll (18^th), The Range, Holyhead (21^st) and Cemlyn (22^nd).  It appears to be a good autumn for Purple Sandpiper – their visibility perhaps being helped by some big tides – and included up to 9 birds at Cemlyn (9 on 22^nd, 3 on 17^th & 19^th), 1 bird at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (17^th) and 5 birds at Trearddur Bay (19^th).

Purple Sandpiper at Cemlyn by Lewi Burgess

Purple Sandpiper at Cemlyn by Martin Jones

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

9 White-fronted Geese flew past Cemlyn (21^st), with 1 bird past Point Lynas (22^nd).  717 Brent Geese were counted as part of the WeBS count at Traeth Melynog (18^th) (aka Traeth Abermenai) – the highest ever count at this site - with a further 171 Pale-bellied Brent Geese on the Alaw estuary (18^th).  The lone Barnacle Goose was seen again at Cemlyn (17^th).  2 Goosander were on Llyn Maelog (18^th).  353 Shelduck were counted at Traeth Melynog (aka Traeth Abermenai) (18^th), whilst the first returning Goldeneye (3) were on the Inland Sea (18^th).  There were 165 Pintail at Malltraeth cob pool (17^th), 75 Pintail at Traeth Melynog (18^th) and 20 Pintail on the Alaw estuary (18^th).  Wigeon are present in good numbers with 1554 birds between the Inland Sea / Beddmanarch / Cymyran (18^th), 1448 birds at Traeth Melynog (18^th) and 125 birds on the Alaw estuary (18^th) – surely there must be an American Wigeon amongst them waiting to be found!.  Given some of the large numbers of duck counted, it is perhaps surprising that the most notable count for some was the first ever winter WeBS at Llynnau y Fali SSSI (part of RSPB Valley lakes) without any Tufted Duck at all and only 3 Pochard on the whole reserve. 

Divers & Grebes: 

Alongside the returning Goldeneye, the first report was received of returning Slavonian Grebe with 2 birds on the Inland Sea (18^th).  2 Great Northern Diver were seen a Traeth Melynog (aka Traeth Anermenai (18^th) and a Black-throated Diver flew past Point Lynas (22^nd).

Passerines:

The headline passerine was a Woodlark seen to fly west at Cemlyn (21^st).  There were up to 9 Lapland Bunting at Cemlyn (9 on 21^st, 1 on 22^nd) and a Snow Bunting at the start of the Holyhead Breakwater (23rd).  It was an excellent week for Black Redstart with birds near Pen-y-sarn (22^nd) and Soldier’s Point at the start of the Holyhead Breakwater (23^rd).  1, possibly 2, Yellow-browed Warbler were at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (20^th), with 1 the next day presumably being a bird that lingered.  The Breakwater Country Park also hosted a Firecrest (19^th – 20^th).   There were a number of Blackcaps about, with 2 birds at Octel, Amlwch (17^th), up to 4 birds at Soldiers Point, Holyhead (4 on 19^th, 2 on 20^th, 2 on 22^nd), 1 at South Stack (22^nd) and up to 6 at the Holyhead Breakwater Park (6 on 22^nd, 2 on 17^th, 1 on 19^th).  Likewise, there were a number of Chiffchaff about with up to 2 at South Stack (2 on 20^th, 1 on 17^th, 1 on 20^th, 1 on 22^nd) and up to 2 at Soldiers Point (2 on 20^th, 1 on 17^th, 1 on 19^th, 1 on 21^st, 1 on 22^nd).  There were 3 Cetti’s Warbler at RSPB Valley Wetlands (17^th & 18^th), with 2 at Llyn Maelog (18^th).  There are still a few summer migrants with 6 Barn Swallow at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17^th), 1 Barn Swallow at Bodorgan (18^th) and 2 at Cemlyn (21^st).  A late Northern Wheatear was at Cemlyn (17^th), with the same or another on the 21^st.  18 Rock Pipit were seen on the beach behind Holyhead breakwater (19^th) and 4 Brambling flew over Cestyll gardens, Cemlyn (17^th).  A Hooded Crow was at The Range, Holyhead (21^st) and another at Soldiers Point (23^rd).  A single Coal Tit was at South Stack (22^nd); a patch scarcity.

Snow Bunting at start of Holyhead Breakwater by Steve Culley

Black Redstart, near Pen-y-sarn by Martin Jones

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Bittern was seen in flight at RSPB Valley Lakes (17^th), whilst a Great White Egret was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (18^th).  64 Little Egrets were counted as part of the WeBS count between the Inland Sea/ Beddmanarch Bay/ Cymyran (18^th).

Seabirds:

A seawatch off Point Lynas by 1 hardy observer produced a Balearic Shearwater (22^nd), a Manx Shearwater (22^nd) and a Leach’s Petrel (22^nd).  2 Razorbill were on the Inland Sea (18^th), whilst a Common Guillemot was seen feeding in the tidal area of Afon Cefni, just up from road bridge at Malltraeth (17^th).  It was clearly visible underwater and was seen to catch sand eels and the like.

Gulls and Terns:

A single Mediterranean Gull was seen off Soldiers Point (17^th & 19^th).  25 Common Gulls were seen from the sea wall on the Llandonna side of Red Wharf Bay (21^st).

Raptors:

A Merlin was at Porth Llydan / Silver Bay (17^th), and another was over the marsh near Llangefni sewage works (21^st).  2 Barn Owls were seen in the Llanddaniel area (date not noted) and another was accidentally flushed near the stables on Plas Road, Holyhead (21^st).  A Short-eared Owl was seen to fly in over the sea at Cemlyn (21^st).

Other:

A Common Kingfisher was seen at Malltraeth cob pool (17^th).

 

Species – year to date:

The cumulative Anglesey year list for 2020 has risen by 1 to 217 with the addition of Woodlark. 

 

The forthcoming week 24^th October – 30^th October?

A quite week for scarce and rare birds, but some exceptional quality.  A Ring-billed Gull was seen at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (24^th) in 2003, an Isabelline Shrike at Holyhead (25^th) in 1985, a Great Shearwater (25^th) at Point Lynas in 1998, a Blyth’s Reed Warbler at Porth Eilian (27^th) in 2019 and a Green Heron at Red Wharf Bay (30^th) in 2005.

 

What is the WeBS Count? – for those who might not be familiar with the details:

 

Copied from BTO website at: https://bto.org/our-science/projects/wetland-bird-survey

 

 

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) monitors non-breeding waterbirds in the UK.

WeBS surveyors monitor the UK's internationally important non-breeding waterbirds. Following a tradition begun in 1947, wetland sites are counted once per month, providing data for population and trends in abundance and distribution. The network of sites legally protected for their importance to wintering waterbirds depends fundamentally on the WeBS counts.   "Waterbirds" includes wildfowl (ducks, geese and swans), waders, rails, divers, grebes, cormorants and herons. Gulls and terns are optionally included. In a typical year over 220 waterbird species, races or populations are counted in WeBS, including non-native, feral and vagrant species. National trends are produced for the most numerous 110 of these.

Over 3,000 volunteer counters contribute to the survey, making over 40,000 visits each year to 2,800 sites. Each counter adopts a place to count monthly. Non-breeding waterbird numbers peak in different numbers for different species, so counting is done year-round and reported on WeBS years running from July to June. As non-breeding waterbirds can be very mobile, the Counts are nationally synchronised, with counters requested to visit during the day on priority Core Count dates (Sundays) if at all possible. At coastal locations, counting is done at high tide. At large sites, several counters will be working as a team. Each counter surveys the whole of their defined count area, known as a WeBS sector, identifying all the waterbird species present and counting the number of individuals of each species. Counters can also add supplementary data, such as evening roost counts of gulls, or casual counts of notable numbers of passage species that are higher than those present on their Core Count visits.

Waterbird indices and trends are produced every year for the annual report, "Waterbirds in the UK".  All of these can be viewed on the WeBS Report Online application, with a wealth of other information including the total number of birds recorded at each site, and the peak numbers of each species per year. Results of the Low Tide Counts are also published here, where extra counts are made at Low Tide at certain estuaries each year. For more specialised information, for example for site management, research or environmental impact assessments, there is a bespoke WeBS data request service.

If you are interested in taking part as a counter, the first step is to use the WeBS Vacant Sites tool to see if there are any sites in need of help near you. You need to be able to confidently identify and count all the waterbirds at the site - this might be a few common species at a small lake or river, or it might be a wide range of species at a coastal site with many habitats present. Filling out the online form will put you in touch with your volunteer Local Organiser. There are 140 of these, each covering a region such as a county or estuary. If there are no vacant sites near you but you are keen to get involved, contact the relevant Local Organiser who may be able to set up a new site for you or add you to an existing team.

When you have been assigned a site as a new counter you will receive a new starter pack with more details of the methods. After registering for the WeBS Online data entry system you will be set up for your count sector by your Local Organiser and be able to add your counts each month and see all the previous data for the site. All counters receive a summary annual report and an annual newsletter by post each year and are contributing to the understanding and conservation of our internationally important waterbird populations.

 

 

Saturday 10th October - Friday 16th October 2020

Intro:

The harbingers of winter arrive en-masse.

Passerines:

The arrival of our winter thrushes is a sure sign of shortening daylight hours and a gathering of pace towards winter.  This week has seen large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfare arrive, together with good counts of Blackbird, Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush.  Counts of Redwing include c. 200 between Tregele and Henborth (14^th) and 300+ Fieldfare over South Stack (16^th).  There have also been some weighty flocks of Common Starling with 5000-6000 birds at Henborth (14^th) and 300+ at Gadfa (16^th).

There have been few reports of warblers, but there was some quality in the form of Anglesey’s 4^th Yellow-browed Warbler for the year that was seen at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (12^th).  A Cetti’s Warbler that was heard from the cycle track between Llangefni and RSPB Cors Ddyga (10^th & 11^th).  The only report of Chiffchaff, was of a bird in the Rhoscolyn area (16^th).

There are still a few summer migrants loitering, but they will surely soon be off.  Northern Wheatear were reported from Talgwyn, Red Wharf Bay (14^th) and 2 at South Stack (16^th).  There are a few Swallows remaining with birds reported from Llangefni (10^th), South Stack (13^th) and Rhoscolyn (15^th). 

Finches have included 4 Common Crossbill at South Stack (13^th), 6 Bullfinch at South Stack (14^th), 3 Brambling at South Stack (15^th), 9 Siskin at South Stack (13^th), 2 Lesser Redpoll seen from cycle track between Llangefni and RSPB Cors Ddyga (11^th) and a further 2 Lesser Redpoll over South Stack (13^th).  Great-spotted Woodpeckers have been both noticeable and present at a few unexpected sites.  A Water Pipit flew and called over Cemlyn (10^th).  Hooded Crows continue to be seen in the Holyhead area, with birds reported at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (10^th) and at The Range, South Stack (13^th).  An impressive count of 30 Magpie going to roost in scrub near the water treatment plant at Llangefni (10^th) was noteworthy.

Seabirds:

Last weekend had a NW-N direction to the wind and whilst not particularly strong it still produced a few good seabirds.  The best was a Leach’s Petrel that flew past Bull Bay (11^th), whilst the same winds brought a few Skua sightings with an Arctic Skua past Point Lynas (10^th), a Great Skua past Point Lynas (10^th) and 5 Arctic Skua past Cemlyn (10^th).  There are still a few shearwaters about, with 5 Manx Shearwater seen to fly past Cemlyn (10^th).  4 Razorbill were on the Inland Sea (16^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

5 Red-throated Divers flew past Cemlyn (10^th), with 1 Red-throated Diver past Bull Bay (10^th).  A Great Northern Diver was seen to fly past The Range, South Stack (13^th).  13 Little Grebe were on the Inland Sea (13^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Another sure sign of the approaching winter was the return of 8 Whooper Swans to the fields east of the Llangefni – Llanerchymedd (16^th).  The Barnacle Goose remained at Cemlyn (10^th, 13^th) and a pair of Common Eider flew past Llam Carw (11^th).  There were 64 Pale-bellied Brent Geese on the Inland Sea (16^th) and 407 Wigeon (16^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Great White Egret used to be somewhat scarce on Anglesey, been all that seems to have changed over the past few years.  1 was seen east of the Llangefni water treatment plant from the cycle track between Llangefni and RSPB Cors Ddyga (10^th, 11^th), 1 was on the Cefni estuary (15^th) and 2 birds were seen briefly at Traeth Dulas (15^th).  16 Little Egrets were on the Inland Sea (16^th).  2 Water Rail were heard from the cycle track between Llangefni and RSPB Cors Ddyga (10^th).

Waders:

A Jack Snipe was seen at The Range, South Stack (13^th), whilst 8 Jack Snipe were at Red-Wharf Bay (16^th) together with c. 250 Common Sniipe (16^th).  75 Golden Plover were seen between Aberffraw and Porth Cwyfan (11^th), with 200 birds at Cemlyn (10^th).  Up to 7 Greenshank are being seen at the mouth of the Afon Nodwydd, Red Wharf Bay (7 on 14^th, 6 on 15^th), with up to 3 Greenshank at Traeth Dulas (3 on 10^th).  Bar-tailed Godwit were seen at Cemlyn (10^th) and the Inland Sea (13^th), with 2 Black-tailed Godwit also at the Inland Sea (16^th).  Three late / wintering Whimbrel were reported, with birds at Bull Bay (10^th), Talgwyn, Red Wharf Bay (15^th) and Cemlyn (16^th).  On the Inland Sea, 119 Curlew were counted (16^th) and 190+ Redshank (13^th).

Gulls and Terns:

5 Mediterranean Gulls were on the Inland Sea (13^th).  Circa 600 Kittiwake were seen in just over an hour’s sea-watch off Point Lynas (10^th), as was 1 ‘Comic’ Tern past Point Lynas (10^th) – ‘Comic’ refers to either an Arctic or Common where identification down to species wasn’t possible.

Raptors:

2 Merlin at The Range, South Stack (13^th), with another bird at Porth Llydan / Silver Bay.  Barn Owls were seen at dusk near the Llangefni end of Cefni cycle track (10^th, 16^th) and near Talwrn (11^th).  A Short-eared Owl was photographed on a trailcam on the Cefni estuary (14^th), whilst others have been seen in the Aberffraw / Llyn Coron area.

Other:

2 Common Kingfisher seen from the bridge over the Cefni at Malltraeth (15^th).

 

Species – year to date:

The cumulative Anglesey year list for 2020 remains static at 216.  Following the arrival of a number of Pallas’s Warblers on the East coast of the UK, will this be the 217^th species?

 

The forthcoming week 17^th October – 23^rd October?

Last week’s update included a Foster’s Tern at Penmon (15^th) in 1988, which had been seen at Penmon in this week during the preceding 2 years (17^th) in 1987 and (22nd) in 1986.  It has now been some years since we had a bird either around Anglesey or close by in Bangor harbour and I’m sure another would be very much welcomed.  This has been a good week for Red-breasted Flycatcher with birds at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (17^th) in 2012, at South Stack (18^th) in 1987 and at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (20^th) in 2007.  Other rare or scarce passerines have included a Penduline Tit at Llyn Rhos Ddu, Newborough (21^st) in 1992, a Melodious Warbler at South Stack (23^rd) in 1988 and a Pallas’s Warbler at South Stack (23^rd) in 1988.  Scarce waders have included a Red-necked Phalarope at Valley (17^th) in 1929 and more recently a Lesser Yellowlegs on the Alaw estuary (22^nd) in 2011.  Finally, not so long ago a 1^st for Anglesey was found in this week in the form of Lesser Scaup at Llyn Llygerain (20^th) in 2018 which stayed for an extended period before disappointing year listers by doing a bunk before New Year’s Day 2019. 

 

 

Saturday 3rd October - Friday 9th October 2020

Intro:

One of the quieter weeks, but still a good array of birds. 

Passerines:

As mentioned in a previous blog, Turtle Dove has been a very scarce migrant to Anglesey with sightings over the past 30 years being less than annual.  Last year was exceptional with 3 sightings, but this year has now gone 1 better with 4 sightings in the year to date.  The 4^th sighting involved a Turtle Dove at Capel Coch (2^nd – 7^th), which was in private gardens and was not generally available due to social distancing measures.

 

Turtle Dove, Capel Coch by Peter Jones

Another species which has amassed an unusual number of sightings is Common Redstart.  There are probably only 1 or 2 records reported each year on Anglesey, but this year a total of 5 have been reported – the latest being a female seen in a back garden at Malltraeth (3^rd). 

Warblers reported during the week included a Yellow-browed Warbler in a small willow patch off the coastal path at Tyllau Duon, 1 mile south of Point Lynas (9^th), a Garden Warbler at the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (8^th), whilst Blackcaps were seen at multiple sites including up to 7 at South Stack (7^th), 4 at the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (8^th), 1 at Portheilian (4^th) and 1 at Cemlyn (7^th).  There were 2 Chiffchaff at South Stack (7^th) and 1 at the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (8^th).  There are still a few Northern Wheatear about with 2 at South Stack (3^rd) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (5^th).  Swallows are hanging on in small numbers with 6 at Plas Cymyran near RAF Valley (3^rd) and 4 at Cemlyn (7^th). 

25 Long-tailed Tits at Malltraeth cob pool (4^th) was a good count.  A Hooded Crow was still at The Range, South Stack (7^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

A drake Greater Scaup flew past Point Lynas (4^th), whilst another drake was seen on the Inland Sea (6^th).  Other sea ducks included 2 Common Eider past Bull Bay (3^rd)  and 3 Common Eider at Benllech (3^rd).  120 Common Shelduck were counted on the Cefni estuary (4^th), with 40 Pintail at Malltraeth cob pool and surrounding area (4^th).  A Barnacle Goose was at Cemlyn (4^th - 7^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Bittern was seen at Malltraeth cob pool (3^rd).  2 Great White Egrets were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga.

Waders:

7 Purple Sandpipers were seen at Cemlyn (4^th), with 2 Grey Plover (4^th) and 50 Golden Plover (4^th) at the same site.  50 Golden Plover were also seen on the Cefni estuary (3^rd).  5 Greenshank were on the river at Traeth Dulas (3^rd).  There was a belated report of a Little Stint on Malltraeth cob pool (29^th) – only report of the autumn and only the 2^nd for the year.

Seabirds:

Nothing of note reported. 

Gulls and Terns:

Nothing of note reported.

Divers & Grebes: 

2 Red-throated Diver were seen to fly past Bull Bay (3rd), with another bird seen off Benllech (3^rd).  A Great Northern Diver flew past The Range, South Stack (7^th).

Raptors:

A Barn Owl was seen hunting fields near Talwrn (4^th), whilst a Little Owl was seen at The Range, South Stack (7^th).  A Merlin was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th).

Other:

Common Kingfisher were reported from multiple sites including Holyhead Fish quay (3^rd), Malltraeth cob-pool (4^th), Traeth Dulas (5^th) and 2 at Holyhead Harbour (5^th).

 

Species – year to date:

The cumulative Anglesey year list for 2020 remains at 216.

 

The forthcoming week 10^th October – 16^th October?

A good week for scarce passerines with three records of both Barred Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher.  Barred Warblers have been seen at Soldier’s Point (11^th) in 1986, in Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (13^th) in 2013 and again at the Breakwater Country Park (14^th) in 2005.  Red-breasted Flycatchers have been seen at Soldier’s Point (10^th) in 1999, at the South Stack Plantation (12^th) in 2008 and at South Sta (13th) in 1990.  There have been two records of Siberian Stonechat with birds at South Stack (10^th) in 1987 and at Holyhead (11^th) in 2011.  There have also been two relatively early records for Pallas’s Warbler with birds at Carmel Head (16^th) in 2011 and at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (16^th) in 2016.  A Rose-coloured Starling was at Holyhead (11^th) in 2011 and an Isabelline Shrike was at the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (15^th) in 2017.  Aside from the passerines, there was an American Golden Plover at Cemlyn (14^th) in 2008, a Foster’s Tern at Penmon (15^th) in 1988 and a Glossy Ibis at Cefnysgwydd Bach, Valley (15^th) in 2010.

 

Saturday 26th September – Friday 2nd October 2020

Intro:

The birds continued to turn up at RSPB Cors Ddyga!

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Headline bird for the week was a Taiga Bean Goose found at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th – 28^th) amongst the Greylag Geese.  Whilst there are old records of Bean Goose on Anglesey, these often weren’t assigned to what were then sub-species levels of Tundra and Taiga, but which are now recognised as 2 distinct species.  There have been records of Tundra Bean Geese on Anglesey, but this is the first known record of Taiga Bean Goose not only for Anglesey but also North Wales. 

Taiga Bean Goose – found by Ed Betteridge @EdJBetteridge, photo by Martin Jones 

The sense of Autumn migration was added to be the sight of 14 Whooper Swans in off the sea at Bull Bay (26^th).  The Garganey continued to be seen on the mitigation pool, Inland Sea (26^th, 28^th).  A Barnacle Goose was at Cemlyn (29^th), 69 Common Scoter past Point Lynas (26^th) and there were good numbers of Teal including c.300 on an unnamed pool one mile north of Talwrn (27^th).

Passerines:

After last week’s prediction that it wouldn’t be too long before Yellow-browed Warbler was added to the Anglesey year list, birds duly obliged with 1 at Amlwch Port (28^th – 30^th) and another at Wylfa woods (1^st).  After a period of not being reported, the Rose-coloured Starling was seen again behind the Bull Bay hotel (1^st).  Up to 2 Lapland Bunting were in a stubble field south of Hen Borth (1 on 30^th, 2 on 1^st), whilst 1 and possibly 2 were seen over South Stack (1^st).  2 Yellowhammer were seen at Llandyfrydog (29^th), 2 Grey Wagtail were on the river Cefni by the Council offices, Llangefni (27^th), a Hooded Crow was at The Range, South Stack (26^th, 1^st) and single Blackcaps were seen at Penmon Point (1^st) and near the Amlwch water treatment plant (1^st).  Winter thrushes started to arrive, with the first report of returning Redwing being over Holyhead mountain (28^th).

 Rose-coloured Starling (aka Rosy Starling) photo by Martin Jones

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The 2 Glossy Ibis continued to be seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th – 27^th), but ranged over a larger area.  On 1 occasion they were seen to fly north of Llangefni and it is still possible that they may be on the island.  There were up to 2 Great White Egret on Inland Sea (1 on 26^th, 2 on 27^th) and another at the Cefni estuary at Malltraeth (29^th).  Little Egret numbers seem particularly high, with a count of 61 birds on the Inland Sea (27^th).

Waders:

There were up to 2 Green Sandpiper on Alaw estuary (1 on 26^th, 2 on 2^nd), 2 Common Sandpiper at Church Island (26^th), 3 Grey Plover at Cemlyn (26^th), 8 Grey Plover on Alaw estuary (26^th), 18 Golden Plover on the Alaw Estuary (2^nd), 1 Jack Snipe at the Alaw estuary (26^th), whilst 15 Purple Sandpiper flew past Point Lynas (26^th).

In respect of the larger waders, there were up to 24 Bar-tailed Godwit on the Alaw estuary (7 on 26^th, 24 on 2^nd), 3 Bar-tailed Godwit on Penmon Pool (1^st), 12 Black-tailed Godwit at RSPB Cors Ddyga (28^th), up to 19 Greenshank on Alaw estuary (13 on 26^th, 19 on 2^nd), 6 Greenshank on the old Brickworks pool at Traeth Dulas (26^th) and 210 Curlew at Penmon Pool (1^st).

Seabirds:

4 Arctic Skua seen off Point Lynas (26^th), 3 Arctic Skua past Cemlyn (26^th) and 2 Arctic Skua past Llam Carw, Amlwch Port; it is possible that some of the same birds were seen at multiple sites.  8 Razorbill were on the Inland Sea (26^th).

Gulls and Terns:

A juvenile Sabine’s Gull was seen off Point Lynas (26^th), as was a Little Gull (26^th) and 625 Kittiwake (26^th) during a 3-hour sea-watch.  37 Mediterranean Gulls on Inland Sea (27^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

9 Red-throated Diver flew past Point Lynas (26^th), with 4 past Cemlyn (26^th).  Again, some of the birds may have past and been seen at both sites.

Raptors:

Merlins were seen at Henborth (26^th) and The Range, South Stack (1^st), whilst an Osprey continued to be seen over the Inland Sea (26^th – 1^st).

Other:

Kingfishers were reported from multiple sites including the river Cefni by the Council offices, Llangefni (27^th), RSPB Cors Ddyga (28^th), Inland Sea (28^th) and at the mitigation pool, Inland Sea (28^th).

 

Species – year to date:

The cumulative Anglesey year list for 2020 has ticked up by another 2 species with the addition of Taiga Bean Goose and Yellow-browed Warbler.  The 2020 Anglesey year list now stands at 216.

 

The forthcoming week 3^rd October – 9^th October?

The 4^th October is a special date in Anglesey birding history with both Grey Catbird and Red-eyed Vireo found at South Stack in 2001.  Other scarce passerines have included a Short-toed Lark (7^th) at Tyn Llan, Cemlyn in 2014, an Alpine Swift (8^th) at South Stack in 1960 and a Red-breasted Flycatcher (8^th) at the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead in 2005.  There is a historical record of a Red-necked Phalarope (5^th) at Valley in 1893 and more recently an American Golden Plover (8^th) on the Alaw estuary in 2004.  Finally, there was a Glossy Ibis (9^th) at RSPB Cors Ddyga in 2014.