Saturday 6th March - Friday 12th March 2021.

Intro:

Early Manxies …

Manx Shearwater - Cemlyn - Library Photo - J Martin Jones

Seabirds:

Whilst the strong winds from Wednesday onwards may have reduced the overall number of sightings, they most likely contributed to the early arrival of Manx Shearwater with 2 birds seen off North Stack, Holyhead (11^th) and 6 off Cemlyn (11^th).  Ken Croft has kept records of sightings on Anglesey over the past 46 years and only once has he had an earlier sighting of a Manx Shearwater with a bird on the 10^th March 2006.  In most years, you might expect the first sightings on a date in the mid-20s, with last year’s earliest reported sighting being on the 27^th March, albeit that the introduction of the first lockdown on the 23^rd may have delayed a first sighting by a few days.

Aside from the early Manx Shearwaters, there were good numbers of Gannet seen around the north coast (11^th) and 1 was seen to fly through the Inland Sea (12^th).  Sightings of Black Guillemot included 6 birds in Holyhead outer harbour (11^th) and 6 at Penmon (11^th).

Raptors:

RSPB Cors Ddyga continues its run as one of Anglesey’s best raptor sites, with up to 4 Marsh Harrier (7^th-8^th), a male Hen Harrier (7^th) and a Short-eared Owl (7^th).   Sightings of Red Kite included 1 bird seen over Llangwyllog heading towards Coedana (6^th) and 2 near Capel Coch (9^th).  A Goshawk was over Llyn Pen-y-Parc, near Beaumaris (6^th) and a Sparrowhawk was at Talwrn (6^th)

Herons, Egrets and allies:

It looks to be a good year for ‘booming’ Eurasian Bittern, with 4 birds reported.  Up to 2 birds were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 8^th, 1 on 6^th-7^th), 1 at Llyn Cerrig Bach (7^th) and 1 at Llyn Dinam, Valley Lake RSPB (7^th).  The Cattle Egret is back at Cleifiog Fawr, Valley near the A5025 (12^th), while up to 2 Great Egret were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 6^th, 1 7^th-8^th).  2 Water Rail were calling at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th).

Waders:

Up to 2 Green Sandpiper were on the flooded field between Valley cemetery and A55 (2 on 11^th, 1 on 8^th), with presumably another bird at the Llanfachraeth end of Alaw estuary (7^th).  Sightings of Purple Sandpiper included 1 at Penmon (11^th) and 12 on the rocks near the lifeboat slipway at Trearddur Bay (12^th).  Up to 3 Black-tailed Godwit were at Inland Sea (3 on 6^th, 1 on 7^th), with 2 on flooded fields off the coast road, 1 mile north of Valley (6^th).  8 Bar-tailed Godwit were on the Alaw estuary (7^th).  Greenshank were reported from 3 sites, with 8 birds on the Alaw estuary (7^th), 1 on the Dulas estuary (7^th) and 1 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (8^th-9^th).

Passerines:

RSPB Cors Ddyga had 2 Sand Martins (6^th), which were earlier than last year’s earliest reported sighting of the 17^th March at the Gorad flood, Valley.  2 Cetti’s Warblers were also singing at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th).  What were presumed to be migrant Chiffchaffs, rather than over-wintering birds, included sightings near Dulas (7^th) and at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (11^th).  Sightings of White Wagtail, the continental form of our Pied Wagtail, included a belated report of 3 birds at Henborth (5^th), 1 on Gorad flood, Valley (6^th) and 1 at Henborth (7^th).  Siskin were seen at garden feeders at Benllech (6^th) and 2 at Talwrn (7^th).  A Hooded Crow was seen again on fields near the Road King, Holyhead (12^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Sightings of Whooper Swan included 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th), 3 near the old school, Capel Coch (6^th) and 10 in fields off the minor road between Bodedern and Llanddeusant (7^th).  23 Mute Swans were seen on fields south of the Alaw estuary (7^th) and 6 Pink-footed Geese were near the old school, Capel Coch (6^th).  The Long-tailed Duck continued its stay on the Inland Sea, Holy Island (6^th-7^th) and there were 31 Common Eider at Penmon (11^th).  A female Goosander was on the Alaw estuary (7^th).

Divers & Grebes:

A Great Northern Diver was off Amlwch Port (11^th), a Red-throated Diver was at Penmon and 2 Slavonian Grebe were on the Inland Sea (6^th-8^th)

Gulls and Terns:

Up to 4 Mediterranean Gull on the Inland Sea, Holy Island (4 on 8^th, 3 on 7^th).

Other:

A Common Kingfisher was at the Llanfachraeth end of Alaw estuary (7^th).

 

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

The sparsity of rare and scarce records continues, with just 1 record again this week; a Blue-winged Teal at Cemlyn (13^th) in 1983.

In respect of more common species, the first returning Puffin to South Stack in 2020 was on the 16^th March.  The winds may need to ease a little if one is to be seen as early this year.