Saturday 27th March - Friday 2nd April 2021.

Intro:

Four new additions to the year list …

Waders:

RSPB Cors Ddyga provided 2 new waders for the year in the form of a Little Ringed Plover (2^nd) and up to 3 Ruff (3 on 2^nd, 2 on 31^st).  The former is a scarce migrant on Anglesey with only a handful of records each year, but the field to the right of the path down to the Afon Cefni is becoming one of the best places to search for them.  Both Green and Common Sandpipers were seen this week, with a Green still on the flooded field between Valley cemetery and the A55 (28^th, 29^th) and a Common by the weir at Cemlyn (31^st).  Circa 200 Golden Plover were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th) and 100+ birds at Cemlyn (2^nd).  Sightings of Black-tailed Godwit included up to 7 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (7 on 31^st, 4 on 2^nd, 2 on 27^th) and 7 birds (5 in summer plumage) at Cemlyn (30^th).  The wintering Whimbrel remained at Red Wharf Bay (1^st).  30 Sanderling were seen at Penmon (30^th), which also had 3 Purple Sandpipers (2^nd).

Seabirds:

It seems like the auk colonies are yet to settle, with the cliffs holding birds one day and then none on another.  The good days offered up a terrific count of 35+ Puffin off Puffin Island (31^st), with 1 bird being reported on 3 consecutive days at RSPB South Stack below Elin’s tower (30^th-1^st).  A single Black Guillemot was in at Beddmanarch Bay (31^st) and another was off Penmon (27^th, 2^nd).

Gulls and Terns:

A 1^st winter Little Gull at Llyn Llywenan was a great find on an inland waterbody and was a new addition to the 2021 year list (29^th, 31^st).  Up to 5 Mediterranean Gulls (3 adults, 2 1^st winter) were at Cemlyn (31^st).

Sandwich Terns were seen at a number of coastal locations including 1 at Beddmanarch Bay (27^th), 4 on the Inland Sea (30^th), up to 5 birds at Cemlyn (5 on 30^th), 2 at Beaumaris (31^st) and 3 birds off Penmon (2^nd).

Divers & Grebes:

A Great Northern Diver was seen off Penmon (2^nd).  Up to 4 Slavonian Grebe were seen on the Inland Sea, Holy Island, 1 of which was in summer plumage (4 on 2^nd, 3 on 27^th, 2 on 29^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The drake Ring-necked Duck continued its stay at Llyn Maelog (27^th, 2^nd).  A single Whooper Swan was at Llyn Llywenan (27^th, 31^st) - with possibly the same bird near Bodedern (1^st) – while a Pink-footed Goose was at Penmon (2^nd).   Up to 55 Pale-bellied Brent Geese are still at Red Wharf Bay (31^st, 1^st).

The large counts of Common Eider continue with up to 141 off Penmon (2^nd).  It will be interesting to see whether the birds are just staging on a move further north or whether these numbers will stop to breed – whatever the case, they are becoming far more established around the Anglesey coast.  The Long-tailed Duck was seen again at 4-mile bridge, Holy Island (27^th), but there were no further updates on sightings at Cors Erddreiniog. 

There are still good numbers of the commoner ducks with 2 Pintail at Llyn Llywenan (31^st), 2 Pintail at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd), 30 Shoveler at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th), 125 Teal at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th). 5 Gadwall at Llyn Maelog (2^nd) and 3 Goldeneye at Llyn Maelog (2^nd).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The Cattle Egret was seen again 1-mile NE of valley; seen from the gorad road with the bird close to Cleifiog Fawr farm buildings (27^th).  2 Great Egret were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th, 31^st).

Raptors:

A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was at Llyn Llywenan (31^st) and an Osprey was seen flying over Bangor towards Anglesey (1^st) with another over Llansadwrn (2^nd).  Red Kites were seen at Aberffraw (30^th), over Brynsiencyn (30^th) and over Talwrn (2^nd).  A Merlin was seen at Henborth (31^st), with another at RSPB Cors Ddyga (31^st).  A Short-eared Owl was seen at South Stack (2^nd).

Passerines:

A scattering of summer migrants were found early in the week with 2 Sand Martin at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th), 20 Sand Martin at Newborough (27^th), 10 Sand Martin at Llyn Llywenan (27^th), 100 Sand Martin at Cefni reservoir (29^th), a House Martin at Newborough (27^th), a Swallow at Penrhos Coastal Park (27^th) and 2 Swallows at Cefni reservoir (29^th). 

The weather improved considerably on Tuesday 30^th and this marked a big arrival of summer migrants.  Sightings of Willow Warblers included 10 at Cemlyn, 2 at Wylfa head car park, 2 at South Stack and 1 at Amlwch Port - 30^th.  There were 18 Chiffchaff at Cemlyn and 7 at South Stack.  Whilst there have been a number of wintering Blackcap, the 30^th marked the first major arrival of migrant birds with 4 at Wylfa head car park, 2 at Cemlyn, 1 at Amlwch Port,1 at Dulas and 1 at South Stack.  Northern Wheatear were present in good numbers with 52 at Cemlyn, 14 at Amlwch Port and 4 at South Stack.  Hirundines also put in a good showing with 34 Sand Martin at Cemlyn, 30+ Sand Martin at South Stack, 3 Swallow at Cemlyn, 1 Swallow at South Stack and 1 Swallow at Dulas.  Adding a little bit more scarcity and variety were a Lapland Bunting found singing at Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn and a Crossbill that flew over Cemlyn; the latter being a new addition to the 2021 year list.

Good numbers of Sand Martins continued to be seen across the week, with 300+ at Llyn Llywenan (31^st), accompanied by 6 Swallows.  Aside from the summer migrants, Cetti’s Warblers were heard singing near the old chimney, RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th, 31^st), at Llyn Llywenan (31^st) and at Llyn Maelog (2^nd).  3 Hooded Crows were seen between The Range and South Stack (29^th) and 5 Redwing were at Wylfa woods (31^st).

 

The forthcoming week 3^rd April – 9^th April?

A week in which one of Anglesey stellar birds was found; a Great Spotted Cuckoo (3^rd) at Pen-lon, Newborough in 1960.  Another would very much be appreciated.  A little more recently, there was an American Golden Plover at Cemlyn (3^rd) in 1983, a Spotted Crake (3^rd) at Gwenfro Isaf, Llanbedrgoch in 1999 and a White Stork (6^th) at Dwyran in 1982.

Whilst sharing details of the first dates for summer migrants is always a well-attended to pastime, recording the last dates for winter species is less so.  Last year, the latest sightings of Redwing and Fieldfare were the 2^nd April and 7^th April respectively.  Can you beat these this year?