Saturday 5th December– Friday 11th December 2020.

Intro:

A belated addition to the year list …

Passerines:

The male and female / immature Black Redstarts were still at the former Octel factory site at Amlwch Port (5^th – 9^th), whilst the adult Rose-coloured Starling was nearby in private gardens (6^th-11^th).  Up to 4 Snow Buntings continued to be seen at Soldiers Point on rough ground at the start of the breakwater (5^th, 7^th).  A late Barn Swallow at Llangoed (6^th) caused some speculation as to whether it was something rarer, but alas it was not.  There was a sighting of a possible Common Rosefinch over Holyhead mountain (6^th), but unfortunately the identification was not confirmed.  News was received during the week of a belated confirmed identification of an Icterine Warbler at Newbough Forest on the 18/08/20.  

Photo: Paul French, Newborough Forest 18/08/20.

10 Siskin were seen at Llangefni (10^th).  3 Dipper were on the Afon Cefni at Llangefni, two of which were singing.  Other birds in song included a Song Thrush at Talwrn (10^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

5 Whooper Swans flew over Cemlyn (7^th), with a single Whooper being seen with 3 Mute Swan at Capel Coch (8^th).  3 Barnacle Geese were seen at Llyn Llywenan (6^th, 10^th).  3 Barnacle Geese were also seen north of Llyn Trafwll (7^th) in a mixed flock of mainly Greylag Geese that also held a single Pink-footed Goose.

The number of Greater Scaup on Inland Sea increased to 8 birds (8 on 7^th).  The Long-tailed Duck was still at Four mile bridge (5^th – 6^th) with another off Benllech (9^th).  There were several reports of Common Eider with 5 birds off Moelfre (5^th), 4 off Benllech (6^th), 1 off Beaumaris (6^th) and 6 birds off Benllech (9^th).  There were 5 Goldeneye at Cemlyn (7^th) and 2 at Llyn Llygerian (7^th).  A female / immature Goosander was at Llyn Llywenan (6^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

There were several reports of Great Northern Diver with up to 2 birds at Beddmanarch Bay (2 on 5^th), 2 off Moelfre (2 on 5^th, 7^th), up to 2 on the Inland Sea (2 on 6^th) and 2 off Beaumaris (6^th).  There were 6 Red-throated Diver off Benllech (6^th) and 1 off Moelfre (7^th).

Up to 3 Slavonian Grebe were seen at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 5^th) and up to 3 Slavonian Grebe were seen on Inland Sea (3 on 6th, 7^th).  Clearly, there is the possibility of movement of birds between the two sites.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Great Egret were seen at a number of sites including 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (5^th), 4 east of Llyn Alaw (7^th) and 1 at Llyn Llywenan (11^th).

Waders:

At least 1 Green Sandpiper continues to be seen between Valley cemetery and A55 (1 on 5^th, 6^th, 8^th).  Nearby, 2 Black-tailed Godwit were on the flooded field off Gorad Road, Valley (8^th).  4 Greenshank were on the old brickworks pool at Traeth Dulas (5^th) and there were 3 Jack Snipe on The Range, Holyhead (7^th).  Grey Plover were seen at Cemlyn (7^th) and Red Wharf Bay (7^th), whilst 1500 Golden Plover were seen at Aberffraw (6^th).  20 Knot were seen at Red Wharf Bay (10^th) and 750 Northern Lapwing were at Aberffraw (6^th).  Keep checking Lapwing flocks for the long shot of a Sociable Lapwing!  

Raptors:

RSPB Cors Ddyga held up to 2 Hen Harrier (2 on 5^th), up to 4 Marsh Harriers (4 on 5^th), 2 Peregrine (5^th) and a Merlin (6^th).  A Merlin was also seen on the The Range, Holyhead (7^th), as was a Little Owl (7^th).  A Barn Owl was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th).

Gulls and Terns:

An adult winter plumage Mediterranean Gull was at Traeth Dulas (5^th), as were 36 Great Black-backed Gull – an impressive count for the site.

Seabirds:

Nothing of particular note.

Other:

A Common Kingfisher on was seen on the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (5^th).

 

Species – year to date:

The belated addition of Icterine Warbler takes the cumulative Anglesey 2020 year list to 2019.

Can we take it to 220; possible candidates include Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull and what about the possibility of a Ring-necked Duck given the number being recorded across the UK?

 

The forthcoming week 12^th December – 18^th December?

A Rough-legged Buzzard was at Cemaes (12^th) in 2012 and a Pallas’s Warbler was at Soldier’s Point (17^th) in 2006.