Saturday 26th December– Friday 1st January 2021.

Intro:

Blwyddyn Newydd dda / Happy New Year.

 

Passerines:

Snow Bunting continue to show well, with 3 birds on the shingle ridge, Cemlyn (26^th –1^st) and the 3 birds at Soldier’s Point. Holyhead on the rough ground on the approach to the Breakwater (27^th – 1st).  Away from what have now become the regular sites, a further bird was seen near the radio mast at South Stack (26^th).  Black Redstart also features strongly in news reports with birds at the former Octel factory, Amlwch Port (27^th & 1st), Beaumaris (29^th), Holyhead mountain (30^th) and Point Lynas (1^st).  The Rose-coloured Starling continues to be seen in a private garden at Amlwch Port (26^th –1^st) and was also seen away from the regular garden on the 31^st.  A male Blackcap was in a private garden near the Alaw estuary (27^th), whilst a Chiffchaff was at the Amlwch Water treatment plant (1^st) with up to 2 birds being present over recent days.  A Water Pipit was seen at Traeth Dulas (1^st), a Hooded Crow at Amlwch Port (1^st) and a Stock Dove at Traeth Dulas (1^st).

Waders:

At least 1 Green Sandpiper remains on the flooded field between Valley cemetery and the A55 (28^th & 1^st), with another bird at the Inland Sea (28^th).  Purple Sandpiper were seen at Bull Bay (30^th), Trearddur Bay (1^st) and Cemlyn (1^st).   A Black-tailed Godwit was on the gorad flood, Valley (28^th), a Greenshank was on the old Brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (1^st) and 4 Grey Plover were at Holyhead Bay (28^th).  Sightings of Jack Snipe included 1 at Holyhead mountain (30^th) and 3 at Traeth Dulas (1^st).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

5 Whooper Swan were on fields between Bodedern and Llanddeusant (27^th).  Sightings of Pale-bellied Brent Geese included 55 birds at Benllech (26^th) and 340 birds at Beddmanarch Bay (28^th).  The latter site also includes a single Dark-bellied Brent Goose (28^th).  The Long-tailed Duck remained at 4 mile bridge, Holy Island (28^th & 1^st), with another bird off Benllech (30^th).  5 Greater Scaup continued to be seen on the Inland Sea (28^th &1^st).

Divers & Grebes: 

Sightings of Great Northern Diver included up to 4 birds on the Inland Sea, Holyhead (4 on 28^th), 3 off Benllech (27^th), 1 in Holyhead Bay (28^th) and 1 at Beddmanarch Bay (28^th).  Red-throated Diver were seen off Benllech (27^th) and in Holyhead Harbour (1^st).  Up to 4 Slavonian Grebe were seen on the Inland Sea, Holyhead (4 on 31^st, 3 on 29^th & 1^st), with 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (28^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Great Egret continue to be seen across the island with sightings including birds at Aberffraw (30^th), in fields west of the Rhosgoch turning (1^st) and at Llyn Llywenan (1^st).  Sightings of Water Rail included 1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead – the first sighting at this site during the winter months (30^th).

Raptors:

There have been few reports of raptors over the holiday week, probably due in part to the travel restrictions to RSPB Cors Ddyga which has been the source of most sightings of late.  One report did emerge, that of a Short-eared Owl at RSPB Cors Ddyga (31^st).

Gulls and Terns:

Up to 2 Mediterranean Gull on gorad flood, Valley (2 on 28^th, 1 on 31^st), with an adult at Trearddur Bay (28^th).  A Lesser Black-backed Gull was on fields to north of Llyn Alaw (1^st) – a scarce bird on Anglesey during the winter months.

Seabirds:

Reports of Black Guillemot included 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (28^th), 2 in Holyhead Harbour – 1 of which was in breeding plumage (30^th) and 1 at Trearddur Bay (1^st).

Other:

A Common Kingfisher was at the Dingle, Llangefni (29^th).

 

Species – year to date:

The 2020 Cumulative year list finished on 220.

At the end of the 1^st day of the 2021 birding year, the year list stands at 95 (at least, with no doubt more records to be shared).  If you have seen species not listed on the 2021 cumulative list then please email or Direct Message me so that I can update the list.

 

The forthcoming week 2^nd January – 8^th January?

For year listers, every species is new for the year so will keep individuals busy for a while.  Which is a rather good job as this week isn’t the best for newly found scarce and rare birds with a Green-winged Teak (6^th) at Llyn Parc Mawr in 2007 and a Little Bunting (8^th) at Llanddeussant in 1957.

 

2020 Annual Report of Bird Sightings

The 2020 Annual Report was made available this morning and is already helping raise funds for the Bangor Bird Group.  Many thanks to those who have requested a copy and made a donation.

If you want a copy of the report, please email angleseybirdnews@gmail.com so that a PDF copy can be provided by return.  If you enjoy the report, it is suggested that you consider making a minimum donation of £4 to the Bangor Bird Group’s Just Giving Page to support their programme of talks.  The Just Giving Page can be found at:

https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bangorbirdgroup