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.