Saturday 21st November – Friday 27th November 2020.

Intro:

Snow Buntings ….

Passerines:

One of the features of this week’s birding news across North Wales was the presence of Snow Bunting at a number of coastal sites.  Up to 5 birds were on the rough ground on the approach to the start of Holyhead breakwater (5 on 22^nd) and another bird – of the nivalis race - was at Cemlyn (25^th-27^th).  The adult Rose-coloured Starling continues to show on and off in a private garden in Amlwch Port (22^nd – 26^th).  There were 5 separate sightings of Black Redstart with birds at the start of Holyhead breakwater (22^nd), between Trearddur Bay and The Range (26^th – 27^th), 2 just south of Porthdafarch (27th) (male and juv/female - 1 possibly the Trearddur Bay bird?) and at Octel, Amlwch Port (27^th).  60 Skylark were counted over Cemaes (21^st), a Crossbill was at Pen Cob Car park, Malltraeth and a Blackcap was at the Benllech beach upper car park (22^nd).  A Hooded Crow was at South Stack above the lighthouse steps (26^th).

Snow Bunting, Holyhead Breakwater, 22/11/20 by Martin Jones

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

There were reports of Whooper Swan from several locations including 3 at Beddmanarch Bay (23^rd), 9 flying west over Cemlyn (25^th) and up to 6 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6 on 26^th).  2 Greenland White-fronted Geese were with Greylag Geese in a field to the east of the Menai Bridge to Pentraeth coast road (21st), 4 were on fields on the approach to Red-Wharf Bay (26^th) and 18 were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (22^nd & 27^th).  3 Barnacle Geese with Greylag Geese near Rhosgoch (21st).  2 Goosander were on the main river channel at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th).  It was a good week for Long-tailed Duck with a single bird on the Inland Sea at Four Mile Bridge (22^nd – 27^th) and 3 off Benllech (26^th).  Up to 7 Greater Scaup were on the Inland Sea (23^rd – 26^th) and 3 pairs of Eider were off Benllech (26^th).

Long-tailed Duck, Inland Sea, 26/11/20 by Jonathan Bull

Divers & Grebes: 

Great Northern Divers were reported from several locations including up to 3 at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 27^th), 2 off Benllech (26^th), 3 at Four Mile Bridge (23^rd) and up to 4 on the Inland Sea (4 on 26^th).  2 Slavonian Grebe were in Beddmanarch Bay (26^th- 27^th), with 1 reported from the Inland Sea (27^th).

Seabirds:

A late Great Skua flew past Point Lynas (21st).  2 Black Guillemot, 2 Common Guillemot and 25+ Razorbill were at Penmon Point (27^th). 

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Up to 3 Great Egret to east of Llyn Alaw (3 on 25^th)

Waders:

Up to 3 Green Sandpiper were on flooded field between Valley cemetery and A55 (21^st – 27^th).  It has been suggested that the lane leading to a farm immediately on the right when coming off the A55 roundabout when heading towards Valley is the safest viewing point.  The road between the A55 and Valley itself is a very busy one.  A Woodcock was at Octel, Amlwch Port (22nd) and a Jack Snipe was at the saltmarsh at the Pentraeth Bridge end of Red Wharf Bay (21st).

Raptors:

Reports of harriers included a male Hen Harrier at RSPB Cors Ddyga (22nd), a ring-tailed Hen Harrier at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th) and up to 4 Marsh Harriers at RSPB Cors Ddyga (22^nd & 27^th).  Merlin were seen from the road bridge at Malltraeth (22^nd), The Range, Holyhead (27^th), Porthdafarch (27^th) and RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th).  Short-eared Owls were reported from Octel, Amlwch Port (22^nd) and RSPB Cors Ddyga (22^nd, 25^th).  A Little Owl was on The Range (27^th).

Gulls and Terns:

Up to 5 Mediterranean Gulls were on the Inland Sea (5 on 23^rd), with a single bird at Traeth Dulas (26^th).

Other:

Kingfisher at Tal-y-foel pier, Menai Strait (21^st).

Species – year to date:

2020 cumulative year list remains stubbornly stuck at 218.  A juvenile Iceland Gull was seen flying over Bangor pier (27^th).  In the past, Glaucous Gulls roosting in Bangor harbour have been seen feeding on fields across Anglesey, so maybe this will make a foray over to Anglesey.

 

The forthcoming week 28^th November – 4^th December?

A Long-billed Dowitcher was at the Inland Sea & Alaw estuary (28^th) in 2006 and perhaps another is now overdue given that there have been several since in the North West of England.  A Rose-coloured Starling was at Llangristiolus (30^th) in 2005, whilst there have been 2 records of Green-winged Teal with birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (29^th) in 2006 and Llyn Trafwll (2^nd) in 1990.

Saturday 14th November – Friday 20th November 2020.

Intro:

Let’s start with the raptors, where eight species were seen during the week.

Raptors:

RSPB Cors Ddyga has been the premier location, with up to 2 Hen Harrier (2 on 16^th), up to 4 Marsh Harrier (4 on 16^th), a Red Kite (19^th) and a Merlin (16^th, 19^th).  There was also a Merlin at the Cefni Saltmarsh (19^th), with the wider Malltraeth cob area also producing a Peregrine (19^th), 2 Sparrowhawk (19^th) and a Kestel (19^th).  Peregrine were also seen at Traeth Dulas (16^th), where 2 young birds were pitting their aerial skills against the waders and gulls on the estuary.  c. 20 separate Buzzard were seen during one outing by two local birders (19^th), whilst a very pale bird near Cemaes (19^th) caused questions as to whether it might have been something scarcer.  If the weather settles, perhaps some better images might be had.

Passerines:

An adult Rose-coloured Starling was seen in a garden at Amlwch Port (14^th, 15^th, 17^th, 19^th); possibly the Bull Bay bird having made its way a little further around the coast.  Firecrest were reported at by the gates of the sewage works at Benllech (14^th) and in the woods on the approach to Church Island, Menai Bridge (15^th).  2 Cetti’s Warbler were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17^th) as was a Water Pipit (15^th, 16^th, 19^th).  2 Snow Bunting were at the start of Holyhead breakwater (14^th), with another at Red Wharf Bay, Llandonna (15^th). 6 Siskin were at Llyn Parc Mawr, Newborough (19^th), a Dipper was singing from the Afon Cefni at Llangefni (16^th) and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker was in the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (16^th).   A Hooded Crow was at Henborth (16^th, 19^th) and 30 Chough were near Caergeiliog (19^th).  The Starling roost at the south end of RSPB Cors Ddyga involved an estimated 100,000 birds.

Seabirds:

Some late skua action with 2 Great Skua and 2 Arctic Skua  flying past Point Lynas (19^th), with another Arctic Skua seen at Penmon (20^th).  Earlier in the week, a late Manx Shearwater flew past Cemlyn (16th).  Black Guillemot were reported from several locations including 1 off Benllech (14^th), 2 at Holyhead Fish Quay (15^th), 1 in Holyhead Harbour (16^th), 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (19^th) and 3 at Penmon (20^th).  2 Razorbill were on the Inland Sea (19^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

5 Whooper Swans were between Llangefni and Llanerchymedd (16^th), with a further 2 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (19^th).  125 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were on the Alaw estuary (15^th).  Up to 6 Greater Scaup were on the Inland Sea (6 on 19^th), 2 Greater Scaup were on Llyn Penrhyn/ RSPB Valley wetlands (16th) and 4 Eider were off Benllech (14^th).  Sightings of Goldeneye included 4 birds at Llyn Maelog (14^th), 2 birds on the Alaw estuary (15^th) and 2 on the Inland Sea (15^th).  Llyn Maelog also held 2 Goosander (14^th) and 2 Pochard (14^th).  100+ Common Scoter were off Benllech (14^th), 19 Shoveler were on Llyn Penrhyn/ RSPB Valley wetlands (16th) and 133 Wigeon were on the Alaw estuary (15^th).  Counts of Pintail included 62 birds on the Alaw estuary (15^th) and c.200 birds on the Malltraeth Estuary and Cob Pool (19^th).  300 Shelduck were on the Cefni Estuary (19^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

Great Northern Diver were reported from a number of locations which included 1 off Benllech (14^th),1 in Holyhead Harbour (16^th), 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (19^th), 3 past Point Lynas (19^th) and up to 4 on Inland Sea (4 on 19^th).  Sightings of Red-throated Diver included 1 in Holyhead Harbour (16^th), 2 at Penmon (20^th), 9 past Cemlyn (16^th) and 42 past Point Lynas (19^th).  Up to 2 Slavonian Grebe were seen on the Inland Sea (2 on 16^th) and up to were seen in Beddmanarch Bay (2 on 19^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Up to 2 Great Bittern have been seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 16^th), while up to 5 Great Egret continue to be seen east of Llyn Alaw (5 on 15^th).   15 Little Egret were counted at RSPB Cors Ddyga (19^th).  2 Water Rail were heard calling down to 2m away from 2 observers at Malltraeth Cob Pool (19^th).

Waders:

Green Sandpiper has become a scarce wintering species on Anglesey and it was good to hear that 2 had been seen on a flooded field between Valley cemetery and A55 (19^th).  Sightings of Purple Sandpiper included 22 birds at Cemlyn (16^th) and 7 at Trearddur Bay (16^th).  There were 19 Bar-tailed Godwit at the Alaw estuary (15^th) and 7 Black-tailed Godwit at Malltraeth Cob (19^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 6 birds on the Alaw estuary (15^th), 5 birds on the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (16^th) and 3 birds at the Inland Sea (19^th).  98 Grey Plover were on the Alaw estuary (15^th), 300 Golden Plover were near Caergeiliog (19^th), 36 Knot were at the Alaw estuary (15^th) and 310 Dunlin were counted on the Alaw estuary (15^th).  Sightings of Lapwing included 1500 birds on fields inland of the Malltraeth Cob Pool (19^th) and 300 near Caergeiliog (19^th).  25 Common Snipe were on the upper foreshore by Malltraeth Cob Pool at high tide (19^th) and a Jack Snipe was at Red Wharf Bay (15^th).

Gulls and Terns:

Scarcity or the spectacle of numbers?  A Little Gull past Cemlyn (19^th) was the scarcest gull, but c. 2000 Kittiwake past Point Lynas (19^th) during a 2 ½ hour sea-watch was impressive.  23 Kittiwake were fishing off Soldiers Point (16^th).  Sightings of Mediterranean Gull included 6 birds on the Alaw estuary (15^th), 1 off Soldiers Point (16^th) and 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (19^th).

 

Species – year to date:

No new species were seen during the week, with the cumulative Anglesey 2020 year list remaining at 218.

 

The forthcoming week 21st November – 27^th November?

Just the one record of a rare or scarce bird on Anglesey; a Desert Wheatear at North Stack (26^th) in 2011.

Saturday 7th November – Friday 13th November 2020.

Intro:

A tale of large white birds, late hirundines and the one that got away …

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Over the past 20 years there has been a marked increase in the number of Great White Egrets seen in the UK and this has been mirrored on Anglesey albeit that the frequency of sightings has increased more recently.  Whilst RSPB Cors Ddyga is known to have had up to 4 birds in the past, the sight of at least 6 birds on wet fields to the east of Llyn Alaw as viewed from the Rhosgoch road (7^th) was - in the view of seasoned observers - a new high count for any Anglesey site.  In addition to sightings around the wider Llyn Alaw area, other reports of Great White Egrets came in from near Cemlyn (9^th), RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th) and the Inland Sea (12^th).  Little Egrets are very much an established part of Anglesey’s avifauna – 12 were reported from RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th).  Sightings on Great Bittern have been few of late, so it was good to receive news of a bird seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th & 12^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Continuing with the large white bird theme, Whooper Swans were reported from several sites across the week with 13 birds on the Inland Sea (7^th), 3 in flight over Cors Goch (7^th), 2 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th) and another near Llanerchymedd (9^th).  

Whooper Swans over Inland Sea by Steve Culley

There were 283 Brent Geese on Inland Sea (7^th), with 27 birds at Traeth Lleiniog (9^th) and up to 37 at Red Wharf Bay (37 on 11^th).  The Inland Sea and Llyn Coron are probably our two best sites for Greater Scaup and both delivered during the week with up to 6 birds on the Inland Sea (6 on 13^th) and 1 at Llyn Coron (10^th).  13 Eider were seen to fly over the Inland Sea and on over the embankment (7^th), while 18 Pintail (7^th) and 10 Goldeneye were more settled on the Inland Sea itself (7^th).  There are good numbers of Teal wintering with c. 300 seen on a farmland pool near Talwrn (7^th).

Passerines:

The relatively mild November weather has produced some late hirundines, with a Swallow at Carmel Head / Mynachdy (10^th), a House Martin at Carmel Head / Mynachdy (10^th) and a Sand Martin at Cemlyn (11^th).  However, the most intriguing bird - and the one that got away - was the sighting of a Swift at the former Octel site, Amlwch (10^th).  The late date and a few stills taken from brief video footage suggested the possibility of a Pallid Swift, but alas the bird was not present the following morning - much to the chagrin of those who had assembled, whilst maintaining social distance, for first light.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Benllech (13^th), 3 Cetti’s Warblers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (10^th), a Chiffchaff was at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (13^th) as was a Blackcap.  A Firecrest was near the water treatment plant, Octel, Amlwch (7^th) with another at Llangoed (13^th).  Black Redstart were seen near Amlwch (9^th) and at Carmel Head / Mynachdy (10^th).  Lapland Bunting were seen and heard to fly over Carmel Head / Mynachdy (10^th) and Cemlyn (11^th), with 2 Snow Bunting on the rough ground at the start of Holyhead Breakwater (13^th).  A Water Pipit was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th), whilst a Hooded Crow was at the The Range, South Stack (9^th), with another at Henborth, near Cemlyn (9^th & 11^th). 

Black Redstart near Amlwch by Martin Jones.

Divers & Grebes: 

Up to 4 Great Northern Diver were in the Beddmanarch Bay / Inland Sea area – with 2 seen in each area (8^th).  Up to 4 Slavonian Grebe on the Inland Sea (8^th), with up to 3 birds at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 13^th) – as with the Great Northern Divers there is always the possibility of movement of birds between the two sites.  There were 14 Little Grebe on the Inland Sea (7^th).

Waders:

Purple Sandpipers were reported from 3 locations, with 1 on the Inland Sea (7^th), 3 at Trearddur Bay (11^th) and 3 at Cemlyn (11^th).  Up to 3 Greenshank were at Red Wharf Bay (3 on 12^th) and 1 was on the Inland Sea (7^th).  The Inland Sea (7^th) also held 19 Grey Plover, c.50 Common Ringed Plover, 5 Knot, and c.160 Dunlin.  Building on last week’s first reports of Woodcock, further birds were seen with 5 flighting out of wet scrub north of Talwrn (7^th), 2 over the Cefni estuary (8^th) and 1 at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (13^th).  2 Jack Snipe were seen on The Range, South Stack (9^th), with 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th).  RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th) also held 75 Common Snipe, 200+ Lapwing and 15 Black-tailed Godwit (9^th).  4 Bar-tailed Godwit were at Beddmanarch Bay (8^th) and a Whimbrel was at Red Wharf Bay (13^th).

Raptors:

An excellent week for records of Hen Harrier and Merlin.   A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was at Henborth (7^th), a male was on the Cefni estuary (8^th), a male was at Aberffraw (10^th) and a ring-tailed was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (10^th).  Up to 2 Marsh Harriers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 12^th), whilst a Red Kite (first to be reported for some time) was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th).  Merlin were seen on the Cefni estuary (8^th), The Range, South Stack (9^th), RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th & 10^th) and Red Wharf Bay (11^th).  A

Little Owl was at The Range, South Stack (9^th).

Gulls and Terns:

5 Mediterranean Gulls were on the Inland Sea (7^th), with 2 at Beddmanarch Bay (8^th).

Seabirds:

No seabirds of note were reported.

Other:

A Kingfisher was seen on the Afon Cefni (9^th), with another on the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (10^th).

Species – year to date:

No new species were seen this week, with the cumulative 2020 year list remaining on 218.  Oh, a Pallid Swift would have been most welcome …

The forthcoming week 14^th November – 20^th November?

There was a Bean Goose at Llyn Coron (14^th) in 2011, a Glossy Ibis at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th) in 2011, a Purple Heron at Cors Crygill (18^th) in 2014 and a Green-winged Teal (19^th) in 1984.  And just to prove that the magic of autumn migrant warblers is not completely behind us, there was a Pallas’s Warbler at South Stack (15^th) in 1987.

Saturday 31st October – Friday 6th November 2020.

Intro:

A good selection of sightings despite the firebreak lockdown, with the late autumn/early winter weather heralding a changing of the guard.

Passerines:

The first two weeks of November are the last hurrah in respect of migrant passerines, before many observers will turn to wintering divers and duck.  This week didn’t disappoint with a Yellow-browed Warbler in trees near St David’s Park from coastal footpath between Benllech and Traeth Coch (1^st), a Firecrest at South Stack (2^nd), a Ring Ouzel on a field at Mynydd Bodafon (2^nd), a Black Redstart on a house at Mynydd Bodafon (6^th) and a Snow Bunting over Elin’s Tower, South Stack (6^th).  Brambling are still being recorded at coastal migration sites with 4 at South Stack (6^th), but are also now being seen at garden feeding stations with a female at Talwrn (1^st) and another bird at a garden in Benllech (6^th).  10 Siskin were at Cefni Reservoir (6^th) and there were Hooded Crows at South Stack (6^th) and Henborth (6^th).  A Chiffchaff was at South Stack (2^nd) and there was a belated report of the Rosy Starling at garden feeders in Bull Bay as recently as the 29^th so the bird may still be in the area.  Is it too much to hope that it stays into the New Year for the 2021 year list?

Divers & Grebes: 

There was a marked increase in the number of reports of Great Northern Diver.  Birds at Beddmanarch Bay and Inland Sea are probably moving between the two locations, with 2 Great Northern Diver at Beddmanarch Bay (3^rd) and 2 Great Northern Diver on the Inland Sea (4^th & 6^th).  Elsewhere, there was a Great Northern Diver on the sea off Bull Bay (1^st), 1 at Cemlyn (4^th) and 1 off Moelfre (4^th).  2 Slavonian Grebes were seen on the Inland Sea (31^st & 6^th), with 1 in the mouth of the Alaw estuary (5^th).  17 Little Grebes were counted on Cefni reservoir (6^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

5 Whooper Swans were seen over Traeth Dulas (4^th), with 4 Whooper Swans (part of same group?) then seen flying east past Amlwch (4^th).  A further 2 Whooper Swans were on the Inland Sea (6^th).  A Snow Goose, along with 3 Barnacle Geese, was seen with a flock of Greylag Geese south of Llyn Trafwll (2^nd).  A Long-tailed Duck was seen to fly over the Cefni estuary (31^st), with 2 Long-tailed Ducks being seen and photographed on the Menai Strait at Brynsiencyn (3^rd).  5 Greater Scaup were on the Inland Sea (6^th).  30+ Common Scoter were seen off Benllech (1^st).  A female Goosander was on the Afon Crigyll at Rhosneigr (6th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

3 Great White Egrets were in a sheep field adjacent to Afon Alaw east of Llanerchymedd; viewed from St Ceidio’s church, Rhodogeidio (5^th & 6^th).  A Water Rail was on a marsh north of Talwrn (5^th).

Waders:

The wintering Whimbrel was seen again at Bull Bay (1^st).  8 Purple Sandpiper were seen at Cemlyn (3^rd), with a further 3 Purple Sandpiper seen at Trearddur Bay (3^rd).  2 Jack Snipe were at Cemlyn (4^th) and 1 was on a marsh north of Talwrn (5^th).  On the Alaw estuary there were 3 Greenshank (5^th), 19 Bar-tailed Godwit (5^th), 2 Grey Plover (5^th) and 110 Lapwing (5^th).   Woodcock have returned, with 2 at South Stack (6^th) and 1 at Wylfa woods (6^th).

Seabirds:

A Black Guillemot was seen at Beddmanarch Bay (3^rd) and 5 Razorbill were on the Inland Sea (3^rd).

Raptors:

A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen, from Bangor pier, to fly east on to Anglesey (4^th). A Barn Owl was seen over a marsh north of Talwrn (5^th). 

Gulls and Terns:

The heady days of July and August when Mediterranean Gulls regularly exceeded a 100 birds are now well behind us, with most sites just reporting single birds.  Single birds were reported from Trearddur Bay (3^rd), the mouth of the Alaw estuary (5^th) and on the Inland Sea (6^th).  The only report of multiple birds involved 4 (3 adults and 1 2nd year) at Beddmanarch Bay (5^th).

Other:

115 Red-legged Partridge were counted on a single 4 acre-field near Cefni reservoir (6^th).

 

Species – year to date:

There were no new additions to the Anglesey 2020 year list, with the cumulative Anglesey year list remaining at 218. 

 

The forthcoming week 7^th November – 13^th November?

Some of the historical records are probably of limited use in predicting vagrancy in modern times, but nonetheless birders may hope wishfully for a repetition.  A Yellow-billed Cuckoo would be a case in point, with the only Anglesey record – and the 1^st for Wales – being at Menai Bridge on the 10^th November 1899.  In more recent times by comparison, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Cemlyn on the 13^th November 1977.