Saturday 20th February - Friday 26th February 2021.

Intro:

Warblers in song.

Passerines:

A little bit of sun and the warblers start to sing.  There was a Blackcap singing at Llanfair PG (22^nd), a Chiffchaff singing near the water treatment plant, Amlwch Port (22^nd), a Chiffchaff singing in Penrhos Coastal Park (26^th), 2 Cetti’s Warblers singing at RSPB Valley wetlands (21^st) and an exceptionally early Willow Warbler singing at Llandeusant (25^th).  The Rose-coloured Starling continued its winter stay at Amlwch Port (21^st, 22^nd, 24^th), while a pair of Lesser Redpoll were seen in Pentraeth forest (20^th).  Holyhead must be able to stake a claim as the most reliable place in Wales to see Hooded Crow, with sightings this week including 1 bird at McDonald’s, Holyhead (21^st), 1 near the Range, South Stack (22^nd) and 2 in fields near the construction site beyond the Road King, Holyhead (26^th).  There was a noteworthy record of 3 Dipper on the Afon Cadnant at Menai Bridge; a site which was once known for winter records but which has been quiet for some years.  Perhaps the particularly cold spell earlier in the month encouraged some movement from the mainland to the island.

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

There were 11 Whooper Swans north of road from Valley to Llanynghenedl (21^st) and a Pink-footed Goose at Penmon Pool, Penmon (22^nd).  28 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Benllech (22^nd) and 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Traeth Lligwy (22^nd).  A Long-tailed Duck was at Newlands beach, Valley (22^nd), while 2 Common Eider were at Benllech (22^nd) along with 100+ Common Scoter (22^nd).  Red Wharf Bay held 170 Wigeon and 80 Common Shelduck (21^st).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The Cattle Egret was still approximately 1mile NE of Valley (21^st, 25^th), while 2 Great Egret were in fields adjacent to the Afon Crigyll (24^th).

21 Grey Heron were counted from Church Island, Menai Bridge (25^th) and included 4 active nest sites on Ynys Welltog with displaying birds and nest maintenance.

Waders:

2 Green Sandpiper continue to be seen on the flooded field between Valley cemetery and A55 (21^st), while a Common Sandpiper was seen again at Church Island, Menai Bridge (22^nd).  Sightings of Purple Sandpiper included 7 birds at Trearddur Bay (26^th), 1 at Octel, Amlwch Port (26^th) and 2 in the more unusual location of Trwyn y Penrhyn, Penmon (22^nd).  The shoreline at the Octel site also held 12 Turnstone (26^th).  4 Greenshank were seen on the Inland Sea (22^nd), with 1 at Church Island (25^th).  A small Marsh 1km north of Talwrn produced a Jack Snipe, c.40 Common Snipe and 2 Woodcock (21^st).

Divers & Grebes: 

Sightings of Great Northern Diver included a bird on the Inland Sea (21^st), 1 flying down the Menai Strait (25^th), 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (26^th) and 1 at Penmon (26^th).  Up to 3 Slavonian Grebe were seen on the Inland Sea (3 on 25^th, 2 on 22^nd, 1 on 21^st).

Raptors:

A female Marsh Harrier was at RSPB Valley lakes (21^st), while a Red Kite was seen south of Llangefni which made its way over the lagoon area by the Sewage works and headed off towards Ceint (26^th).  There have been an increasing number of reports of Tawny Owls calling, including 4 at Talwrn (21^st).

Gulls and Terns:

Mediterranean Gull numbers appear to be on the increase with 11 in the bay at Cemlyn (24^th) and 4 on the Inland Sea (22^nd).  There were 300 Herring Gulls, 22 Great Black-backed Gulls and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls among the evening roost of gulls on Ynys Moelfre (26^th).  The number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls continues to grow, with 5 at Cemlyn (24^th).

Seabirds:

A Razorbill was in Trearddur Bay (26^th) and 3 Black Guillemot were at Penmon (26^th).  Ynys Moelfre held 15 Shag and 20 Cormorant (26^th).

Summer migrants – they are on their way!

It is normally expected that Sand Martin and Northern Wheatear are amongst our earliest arrival of summer migrants.  As noted last week, last year's first Sand Martin was reported at the Gorad flood, Valley on the 17^th March and the first Northern Wheatear was seen at Cemlyn on the 14^th March.  With both species already recorded in Wales, an earlier record must be a possibility.  

The forthcoming week 27^th February – 5^th March?

Still a quiet time for records of rare and scarce birds, the only notable record being last year’s juvenile Rose-coloured Startling (27^th) at Llanfaethlu.

 

Saturday 13th February - Friday 19th February 2021.

Intro:

A 2nd Taiga Bean Goose on Anglesey within 12 months!

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

There was an eclectic mix of geese on fields at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (18^th) which included a Taiga Bean Goose, 10 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Barnacle Geese, c.102 Greylag Geese and 234 Pale-bellied Brent Geese.  A Pink-footed Goose was with Greylag Geese off Henllys Lane, Beaumaris (15^th).  Pale-bellied Brent Geese are by far the commoner form on Anglesey, but there were also 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Traeth Lligwy (13^th).  4 Whooper Swans were at Rhosgoch (17^th), while the Long-tailed Duck remained at 4-mile bridge, Holy Island (16^th).  There were 55 Northern Pintail on the Alaw Estuary (18^th), while the north-east of the island did well for Common Eider with 5 at Traeth Bychan (13^th) and 2 off Benllech (16^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The Cattle Egret was still 1-mile NE of Valley (14^th, 15^th, 17^th), while 2 Great Egret were at Llyn Llywenan (18^th).  A Water Rail was at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (15^th).

Passerines:

The Rose-coloured Starling continued its winter stay at Amlwch Port (14^th, 17^th), while nearby the male and female/immature Black Redstarts continued to be seen at the former Octel factory, Amlwch Port (15^th-18^th).  A further female/immature Black Redstart was seen again at Beaumaris (15^th, 17^th).  A Firecrest was at Porth Eilian (17^th) with another at Beaumaris (18^th) , the wintering Lesser Whitethroat was still at Carreglefn (13^th), a Chiffchaff was at Penrhos Coastal Park (17^th) and Blackcaps seen in private gardens at Pentraeth (13^th) and Llanfechell (19^th).  2 Dipper were on the Afon Cefni at Llangefni (13^th).  Hooded Crows were seen at Henborth (13^th) and on the construction site near Roadking, Holyhead (17^th).

Waders:

Purple Sandpipers featured strongly in this week’s reports with 11 at Trearddur Bay (17^th), 9 at Cemlyn (18^th) and 1 seen and photographed in flight at Traeth Lligwy (13^th).  There have been few Sanderling reported this winter; sightings this week were limited to 2 birds at Traeth Lligwy (13^th) and 2 birds at Porth y Mor, N of Traeth Lligwy (17^th).  The Green Sandpiper continues to be seen on the flooded field between Valley cemetery and A55 (15^th), while up to 12 Grey Plover were seen at Cemlyn (18^th).  Sightings of Bar-tailed Godwit included 12 birds in Holyhead Bay (17^th) and 35 on the Alaw estuary (18^th).  There were 2 Greenshank on the Alaw estuary (18^th) and 2 sightings of wintering Whimbrel with 1 at Red Wharf Bay (13^th) and 1 at Cemlyn (18^th).  One of the features of the recent cold spell were sightings of Golden Plover and Northern Lapwing on fields where they aren’t normally seen.  80 Golden Plover (14^th) feeding with 120 Northern Lapwing (14^th) in roadside field by entrance to the Range Car Park, near South Stack were said to have offered wonderful close views.  40+ Northern Lapwing and c.400 Golden Plover were seen near Llyn Trafwll (14^th)

Divers & Grebes: 

A Great Northern Diver was off Traeth Lligwy (17^th), 2 Slavonian Grebe were in Beddmanarch Bay (17^th) and 1 Slavonian Grebe was on the Inland Sea (17^th).

Raptors:

No reports of note.

Gulls and Terns:

Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included 2 birds on the shore at Beddmanarch Bay (17^th) and 2 at the Alaw estuary (18^th).  Lesser Black-backed Gull remains a scarce bird on Anglesey during winter months, but there has now been a marked increase in sightings with 17 birds on the Alaw estuary (18^th), which also held 182 Common Gulls.

Seabirds:

Black Guillemots are into their fine summer plumage, with 4 birds seen in Holyhead harbour (17^th), 3 at Holyhead Fish Quay (17^th) and 2 off Traeth y Ora, north of Treath Lligwy (17^th).

 

Summer migrants – they are on their way!

Aside from the aforementioned return of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, we are rapidly approaching the return of early spring migrant in the form of birds such as Northern Wheatear and Sand Martin.  The first Northern Wheatear for Wales has already been reported from Llanelli WWT, South Wales (17^th) and the first Sand Martin from Cardiff Bay (19^th).  Given the southernly aspect of the wind direction at present, there must be a fair chance of bettering last year’s earliest date for both species.  In 2020 the first Northern Wheatear on Anglesey was found at Cemlyn on the 14^th March and the first Sand Martin at the Gorad flood, Valley on the 17^th March.

 

Species – year to date:

The addition of Taiga Bean Goose to the 2021 cumulative year list takes the running total to 148.

 

The forthcoming week 20^th – 26^h February?

Still a quiet time for records of rare and scarce birds, but made up by the quality.  A Ring-billed Gull was at Penrhos Coastal Park (23^rd) in 2008 whilst Wales’ first White-billed Diver was found in Holyhead Harbour (24^th) in 1991. 

Saturday 6th February - Friday 12th February 2021.

Intro: GPS tagged Geese and a Robin to get the heart pumping!

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Following on from last week’s news that there had been 18 Greenland White-fronted Geese in the Cefni Valley, presumably the same birds relocated to the near Rhosgoch (6^th).  At least 6 of the 18 birds present were noticed to have orange-red neck collars.  Further enquiries led to news that the flock had been frequenting the Llyn Alaw area, with birds often roosting on islands on the lake.  3 of the birds have short collars which are GPS tags and 5 have tall, ordinary, collars.  More on the Greenland White-fronted Goose and the tagging programme can be found at: https://greenlandwhitefront.org/.

5 Whooper Swans were also at the Rhosgoch site (6^th).  The cold weather has caused some movement of Pink-footed Geese and Anglesey got in on the act with the sighting of 50 Pink-footed Goose flying up the Cefni valley (10^th).  The Long-tailed Duck continues to be seen at 4-mile bridge, Holy Island (6^th, 9^th, 11^th, 12^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The Cattle Egret was still 1mile NE of Valley (6^th,13^th) and Great Egrets were at Rhosgoch (6^th) and RSPB Cors Ddyga (date not noted).  Eurasian Bittern is a new addition to the 2021 year list and it’s a particularly good week with multiple records; 1 was on a small private wetland at Llanddaniel (7^th), 1 was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th) and 1 was heard ‘booming’ at Llyn Cerrig Bach (11^th).

Passerines:

The male (6^th) and female/immature (6^th, 10^th) Black Redstarts continue to be seen at the former Octel site, Amlwch Port.  A further female / immature Black Redstart was on the coastal footpath, SE of Porth Dafarch, Holyhead (9^th).  The Rose-coloured Starling has not seen by usual observer, but is understood to still be in the area according to neighbours.  The Lesser Whitethroat was still at Carreglefn (6^th) and a Chiffchaff was in the plantation at South Stack (7^th).  The 2 Snow Bunting were still at Soldier’s point at start of Holyhead Breakwater (7^th, 9^th, 10^th, 12^th), a Dipper was on the Afon Cefni at Llangefni (8^th) and 2 Hooded Crow at Roadking, Holyhead (9^th).

A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker has been heard and seen briefly in flight at a wood near Pentraeth between Wednesday 3rd February and Sunday 7^th.  It has since gone absent with the cold weather, but will be looked for again.  Whilst an excellent find, and a new addition to the 2021 year list, it is in my mind just pipped for pride of place amongst the passerines by a leucistic European Robin found at Porth-y-felin, Holyhead (10^th) which had the finders heart beating faster for a few minutes.  Striking bird!

 

Leucistic European Robin found and photographed by Andrew Clarke

Waders:

A Common Sandpiper was at Church Island, Menai Bridge (6^th) and was a new bird for the year list.  The Green Sandpiper continues to be seen on the flooded field between Valley cemetery and A55 (6^th), whilst a Jack Snipe was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (10^th).  A Greenshank was at Church Island, Menai Bridge (6^th) and a Sanderling was at Benllech (12^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

No Divers or Grebes have been reported this week, despite a couple of updates from sites such as the Inland Sea.

Raptors:

A Red Kite was seen between Llangefni and the A55 (6^th) and another at RSPB Cors Ddyga.  Marsh Harriers have been seen to be displaying at RSPB Cors Ddyga (10^th) and a female/immature was at Llyn Cerrig Bach (11^th).  Merlins were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (10^th) and off the cob at the Inland Sea, Holyhead (12^th).

Gulls and Terns:

3 Mediterranean Gulls were on coastal fields at Holyhead Bay (11^th) and 1 was on the sea in the bay beyond the Holyhead breakwater (12^th).

Seabirds:

A Black Guillemot was in Holyhead harbour (11^th).

Other:

A Common Kingfisher was at Church Island, Menai Bridge (6^th).

 

Species – year to date:

The addition of Great Bittern, Common Sandpiper and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker to the 2021 cumulative year list takes the running total to 147.

How does that compare to last year I hear you ask?  Well, the running total didn’t commence on the blog until the post on the 13^th March 2020, when the total stood at 146.  So, we are a whole month ahead in respect of the number of species seen on the island.  Let’s hope for some easing of restrictions and a good spring to keep the sightings ticking over.

 

The forthcoming week 13^th – 19^th February?

The quietest week in the calendar for scarce and rare birds with no previous records.

 

YouTube talks:

If you are searching for an outlet for your birding interests, the Bangor Bird Group’s YouTube page currently has 11 videos recordings of a number of recent talks. 

A little further afield, I would recommend a look at a video recording of a talk to the Ontario Field Ornithologists entitled ‘Moving Beyond Seagulls: An introduction to Gull Identification by Justin Peter’.

If you are new to birding and want to better understand the aging of gulls etc or are an experienced birder who will appreciate the opportunity to look at images of the Smithsonian form of Herring Gull, plumage variation in Ring-billed Gulls etc then there is something for everyone.   For Gull aficionados, just make sure that there is nothing a good 2 feet below your jaw when you see the photo of the Iceland Gull in the quiz – the colour of the primaries is truly jaw droppingly dark.

 

Saturday 30th January – Friday 5th February 2021.

Intro:

Cumulative 2021 year list ticks up by 4 to 144. 

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The Cattle Egret is still 1mile NE of Valley (31^st – 2^nd), but perhaps the more interesting story is just how many Great Egrets are about.  Sightings of Great Egret included 1 on fields by the Rhosgoch turning (30^th, 1^st), 2 at Cors Erddreiniog (3^rd), 2 at Llyn Llywenan (4^th), 2 on Llangefni marshes (between Llangefni and RSPB Cors Ddyga) (4^th) and 1 at Llyn Llygerian (5^th).  Great Egret was only added to the list of British breeding birds as recently as 2012.  Given how many birds find Anglesey to their liking, speculation has already started as to how long it might be before a pair stay and breed. 

Passerines:

It has been a good year for Black Redstart, with a male (4^th) and a female/immature (31^st- 5^th) still present at the former Octel site, Amlwch Port.  The Rose-coloured Starling is still present close by at Amlwch Port (31^st- 3^rd) and 2 Chiffchaff are still at the water treatment plant, Octel, Amlwch Port (31^st).  A Firecrest at Pentraeth forest (30^th) was the first Anglesey record for 2021.  There are still 2 Snow Bunting at Soldier’s point at start of Holyhead Breakwater (30^th - 2^nd) and the Lesser Whitethroat is still at Carreglefn (1^st).  Sightings of Hooded Crow included birds at the Range, Holyhead (31^st - 3^rd) and at Roadking, Holyhead (31^st - 3^rd).  A singing Dipper was on the Afon Cefni in Llangefni town centre (31^st).

Waders:

The Green Sandpiper continues to be seen on the flooded field between Valley cemetery and A55 (30^th- 4^th).  Sightings of Jack Snipe included a bird in flight at Aberffraw common (30^th), 1 at the Range, Holyhead (3^rd), followed by 2 at the same site the following day (4^th) and 1 at Octel, Amlwch Port (5^th).  Also present at the Range, Holyhead were 20+ Common Snipe (4^th).  Purple Sandpiper were seen at Trearddur Bay with 10 birds (1^st) and 4 (3^rd).  A Greenshank was at 4-mile bridge, Holy Island (3^rd).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The swan herd at Llanfigael has grown to 26 birds with 14 Mutes and 12 Whooper – 3 of which are juveniles (3^rd).  Elsewhere, 3 Whooper Swans were seen to fly over Bull Bay (31^st) and 3 were seen at Rhosgoch (4^th).  Another new addition to the 2021 year list comes from confirmation that 18 Greenland White-fronted Geese are wintering in the Cefni valley (31^st).  A single Pink-footed Goose was between Cae Elen and Llanfihangel yn Nhowyn road, north of Llyn Trafwll (4^th) and in the same mixed flock of Greylags and Canadas there were also 2 Barnacle Geese (4^th).  The Long-tailed Duck continues to be seen at 4-mile bridge, Holy Island (1^st-5^th) and another was seen again at Cors Erddreiniog (4^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

Sightings of Great Northern Diver included 1 off Beaumaris (31^st), 1 in bay behind the Holyhead breakwater (2^nd), and 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (3^rd).  There were 2 Red-throated Diver off Moelfre (3^rd) and 3 at Traeth Lligwy (5^th).  There were up to 4 Slavonian Grebe in Beddmanarch Bay, Holyhead (4 on 1^st), with at least 2 at the same time on the Inland Sea (1^st). 

Raptors:

An immature male Hen Harrier was seen hunting around Mynydd Bodafon (1^st), whilst a female was at Cors Erddreiniog (4^th).  There was a second sighting of a Goshawk near Cestyll gardens, Cemlyn (1^st).  A Red Kite was seen between Llangefni and RSPB Cors Ddyga (4^th), whilst presumably a 2^nd bird was seen feeding on the ground for over an hour at Coedana, near Llanerchymedd (4^th).  A Marsh Harrier was at Cors Erddreiniog (3^rd) and a Merlin was seen on a garden fenceline south of Llyn Trafwll (4^th).

Gulls and Terns:

A Yellow-legged Gull was seen at Penhesgyn tip (3^rd) and a Mediterranean Gull was at 4-mile bridge (3^rd).

Seabirds:

Sightings of Black Guillemot included 1 bird in Holyhead harbour (31^st) and 3 at Traeth Lligwy (5^th).  c. 200 Razorbill and Guillemot were seen off Moelfre (4^th), with an impressive count of 55 Cormorants and 30 Shags on Ynys Moelfre (4^th).

Species – year to date:

Firecrest, Greenland White-fronted Goose and Yellow-legged Gull were new for the year, plus there is a belated report of a Whimbrel from Cemlyn (17^th & 29^th) so 4 new additions to the 2021 Cumulative year list which increases to 144.

 

The forthcoming week 6^th – 12^th February?

A Black-crowned Night-Heron was at Menai Bridge (7^th) in 1960 and was considered as a likely escapee from the free flying colony at Edinburgh Zoo.  A Green-winged Teak was at Llyn Coron (11^th) in 2010 and a Bonaparte’s Gull was at Traeth Lligwy (12^th) in 2011.  Pride of place, however, must go to Ken Croft’s find of a Black-browed Albatross flying past the Range (12^th) in 2005 – just rewards for the commitment and determination of a sea-watch so early in the year.