Saturday 22nd May - Friday 28th May 2021.

Intro:

A gull heading for the Arctic tundra and the possibility of a ‘Pleased to meet you’ greeting.

Gulls and Terns:

The best bird of the week was undoubtedly the summer plumaged Sabine’s Gull seen heading north past RSPB South Stack (25^th) on route back to the Arctic Tundra.  Whilst both adult and juvenile birds are seen fairly regularly in the autumn, given the right conditions, spring records are far less common.  Seawatching also produced some good counts of Kittiwake going past RSPB South Stack with 589 (22^nd) and 517 (25^th).  Last week’s Black Tern continued its stay at Cemlyn (22^nd-23^rd) and a Roseate Tern was also seen again (28^th).

Seabirds:

2 Pomarine Skuas (22^nd), 5 Arctic Skuas (22^nd) and 1 Arctic Skua (25^th) were seen flying past RSPB South Stack.  There were also good numbers of commoner seabirds passing RSPB South Stack with up to 1494 Manx Shearwater (1494 on 22^nd, 822 on 25^th), up to 161 Gannet (161 on 25^th, 78 on 22^nd), up to 33 Fulmar (33 on 25^th, 32 on 22^nd).  Sightings of Puffin included 14 birds off RSPB South Stack (25^th), 1 off Cemlyn (23^rd) and 1 off Cemlyn (28^th).  6 Black Guillemot were in the bay at Cemlyn (28^th), with 1 seen flying past Cemlyn earlier in the week (23^rd).

Divers & Grebes:

2 summer plumaged Great Northern Diver were found in the bay a Cemlyn (28^th) and are well worth seeing if they stay into next week.  They spent most of their time in the middle of the bay, but it was still a treat to see birds in their summer plumage with the black heads, black and white stripped neck patch and checkerboard back.

Great Northern Diver, Cemlyn, 28/05/21 - Photo: J Martin Jones

Passerines:

Passage summer migrants continue to be seen in small numbers.  Sightings of Whinchat included 2 at Hen Borth (22^nd), a male at RSPB South Stack (27^th) and 1 at Cemlyn (28^th).  2 Spotted Flycatchers were seen near Tyn Llan farm, Cemlyn (28^th) with 5 just up the road at Cadfan (28^th).  A female Yellow Wagtail of an undetermined subspecies - possibly Grey-headed – was seen at Hen Borth before flying towards Tyn Llan fields (24^th).  A Stock Dove was seen in fields between South Stack and The Range (22^nd), while up to 2 Common Cuckoo were at Cemlyn (25^th- 27^th).  2 Hooded Crows were seen on fields between South Stack and The Range (22^nd), with another 2 birds at Hen Borth (22^nd).  There was also a Hooded x Carrion hybrid in fields between South Stack and The Range (22^nd).

Raptors:

Sightings of a Hobby at Cors Ddyga continue, with the bird being reported on two days (22^nd & 25^th).

Waders:

14 Sanderling were at Cemlyn (22^nd) and 6 Bar-tailed Godwit were seen flying past RSPB South Stack (25^th).  Counts of commoner waders at the Inland Sea included 120 Dunlin (23^rd) and 12 Turnstones (23^rd).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

2 late Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at the Inland Sea (23^rd), a drake Scaup was on Llyn Penrhyn (22^nd) and up to 12 Common Scoter were seen off RSPB South Stack (12 on 22^nd, 5 on 25^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Spoonbill was reported from RSPB Cors Ddyga (24^th)

 

The forthcoming week 29^th May – 4^th June?

This, and the following, week is a great time to look – or listen – for Common Rosefinch with their ‘Pleased to meet you’ song https://www.xeno-canto.org/27694. Previous records included birds at Cerrig-Man (29^th) in 2011 and a bird at Cemaes (31^st) in 2008.  It is also the week of the finding of one of Anglesey’s most infamous birds – the Black Lark at RSPB South Stack (1^st) in 2003.  Other good passerines have included at Bluethroat at RSPB South Stack (30^th) in 1991, a Red-breasted Flycatcher on the Skerries (1^st) in 1998 and a Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush at the dam end of Llyn Alaw (4^th) in 1986.  It is a good week for rare and scarce waders, with a Kentish Plover at the Alaw estuary (29^th) in 2007, an American Golden Plover at Cemlyn (30^th) in 2008, a Spotted Sandpiper at Malltraeth (2^nd) in 2009 and a Broad-billed Sandpiper at Malltraeth (4^th) in 1984.  Herons, Cranes and Crakes have included a Black-crowned Night Heron at Rhosneigr (31^st) in 1919, a Black-crowned Night Heron at Cefni reservoir (2^nd) in 1994, a Common Crane at the Alaw estuary (4^th) in 2007 and a Corn Crake at Penmon Priory (1^st) in 2015.

Saturday 15th May - Friday 21st May 2021.

Intro:

Raptors and Terns.

Raptors:

It is a while since I have started with raptors, but this last week they have made a fair case to come first.

Hobby is a scarce summer migrant to Anglesey and until a few years ago you might have reasonably considered them rare.  The development of the RSPB Cors Ddyga reserve, with its associated dragonflies etc, seems to have provided a suitable habitat and many of last year’s sightings came from the reserve.  It shouldn’t, therefore, have been a surprise that the 1^st report of the year should come from that reserve, but the quality of the views was considerably better than might be expected.  Found on the morning of the 16th, the bird would often alight on the dead tree to the left of the path to the river and one field back (a.k.a Purple Heron tree, although we now have a dilemma).  It would make short flights in search of food and return to a favoured perch.  Although it went missing for some time, many caught up with its during its stay from the 16^th -18^th.

Hobby - RSPB Cors Ddyga, 16/05/21, Photo: J Martin Jones

Moving on to the not so obliging, a Rough-legged Buzzard was seen over Holyhead mountain having flown in from the direction of North Stack, it circled Holyhead and then flew off towards Rhoscolyn (19^th).  As a species that occurs, on average, less than 5 times a year in Wales, a description of the record will be submitted to the Welsh Birds Rarity Committee with the support of the Anglesey County Recorder.

With recent reports of migrant Short-eared Owls on the Great Orme, it was perhaps not too great a surprise that 1 or more would turn up on Anglesey and 2 duly did at the Alaw estuary (17^th) – an excellent find nonetheless.

Gulls and Terns:

Cemlyn has been a ‘buzz’ of activity over recent weeks with 1000’s of Sandwich, Arctic and Common Terns.  Once home to a small colony of Roseate Terns, sightings over recent years have been restricted to 1 or 2 birds putting in an appearance on occasion.  The first sightings of Roseate Terns came this week with 2 sightings of a single bird (19^th, 21^st).  While this would normally be the highlight of weekly tern sightings, this week it was eclipsed by a summer plumage Black Tern (21^st).  Whilst late summer / early autumn seawatches will usually guarantee an annual sighting from the Anglesey coast, spring records are far less frequent and the bird was enjoyed by many observers.

 Black Tern, Cemlyn, 21/05/21, Photo: J Martin Jones

Waders:

The wader passage continues with sightings of Sanderling including 1 at Cemlyn (16^th), 1 at the Alaw estuary (17^th) and then a mighty 16 at Cemlyn (21^st).  At least 1 Little Ringed Plover continues to be seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17^th), 3 Grey Plover were on the Alaw estuary (21^st) as were 2 Knot (21^st).  Up to 25 Bar-tailed Godwit were at the Alaw estuary (25 on 17^th, 24 on 21^st) and 11 Whimbrel were at RSPB Cors Ddyga.  A superb male Ruff was on the wet field at Hen Borth (21^st).  While most Common Sandpiper are busy on their breeding grounds, a late bird at Holyhead Harbour (21^st) necessitated a close grilling to ensure it didn’t have any spots!

Passerines:

Summer migrants continued to make an appearance with a male Whinchat at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th) and a Cuckoo calling near the Gadlys Hotel, Cemaes (16^th).  Sightings of warblers included a Lesser Whitethroat at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (15^th), a Cetti’s Warbler at Llyn Maelog (15^th) and a Garden Warbler at Llyn Cefni (16^th).  Hooded Crows were seen at their usual hotspots of The Range (15^th), over McDonald’s, Holyhead (16^th) and at Hen Borth (21^st).  Another was seen at Newborough Warren (16^th), north of the car park by the easy access trail for wheelchair users.  Two belated reports have been received of a Turtle Dove in the South-East of the island which may have been present for up to the past fortnight.  Efforts are being made to confirm whether this is just the 1 bird or whether there are 2 present in the area.

Seabirds:

2 Black Guillemots were in the bay at Cemlyn (16^th), with 155 Manx Shearwater, 18 Fulmar and 55 Gannet past The Range during a 2hr seawatch (17^th).

Divers & Grebes:

A Red-throated Diver flew past The Range (17^th) – will this be the latest bird of the winter/spring period?

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

A drake Garganey was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (16^th).  Late drake Wigeon included birds at RSPB Valley wetlands (15^th), RSPB Cors Ddyga (16th & 17^th) and the Alaw estuary (21^st).  A pair of Pochard were at Llyn Maelog (15^th).

 

The forthcoming week 22^nd May – 28^th May?

The 22^nd marks one of the outstanding birding discoveries on Anglesey, that of 4+ male Baillon’s Crakes calling at RSPB Cors Ddyga (22^nd) in 2012.  Rare waders include an American Golden Plover at Cemlyn (22^nd) in 2005 and a Red-necked Phalarope at Llyn Trafwll (27^th) in 1994.  There was a White-winged Black Tern at Llyn Alaw (23^rd) in 1985 and a Caspian Tern at Cemlyn (26^th) in 1980.  European Bee-eater were found on two occasions, at Penysarn (25^th) in 1993 and at Cemlyn (27^th) in 2012.  Cemlyn also had a Woodchat Shrike (26^th) in 2019 and nearby a Marsh Warbler was at Cadnan, Cemlyn (28^th) in 2018.  South Stack scored with a Short-toed Lark (25^th) in 1993 and a Lesser Grey Shrike (26^th) in 1961.

Saturday 8th May - Friday 14th May 2021.

Intro:

Wagtails, Whinchats and Waders; where to start?

Waders:

Let’s start with waders.  Before focusing on the sightings of the rarer and scarcer species, it is perhaps worth pausing for a moment to recognise the spectacle provided by our commoner waders as they head north on migration at this time of year.  Most of our estuaries have good numbers of Dunlin and Common Ringed Plover, and these flocks will often pull in more sought-after species as well.  Counts of Dunlin have included up to 259 birds at the Alaw estuary (259 on 10^th, 95 on 8^th), c.200 birds on the Cefni estuary (9^th) and up to 89 birds at Traeth Dulas (89 on 8^th, 65 on 11^th and 48 on 12th).  Sightings of Common Ringed Plover have included up to 209 birds at the Alaw estuary (209 on 10^th, 20+ on 9^th) and up to 69 birds at Traeth Dulas (69 on 8^th, 65 on 12^th, 56 on 11th).  Close scrutiny of these mixed flocks will often turn up something more unusual, which this week included a Curlew Sandpiper at Alaw estuary (10^th) and several Sanderling.  There were 4 Sanderling at the Alaw estuary (10^th), 1 at Cemlyn (8^th) and up to 7 at Treath Dulas (7 on 11^th, 2 on 8^th, 1 on 12^th).

4 Dotterel at Carmel Head (9^th) were an excellent find, as were 3 late Purple Sandpiper at Cemlyn (13^th).  Cemlyn also had several Turnstone, some of which are now in fine summer plumage (14^th).

 

Ruddy Turnstone - Cemlyn - 14th May 2021 by J Martin Jones @birdinginasuit

2 Little Ringed Plover were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th) and 1 Grey Plover was at the Alaw estuary (8^th).  Whimbrel are still present in reasonably good numbers, with counts of 30 south of Llyn Trafwll (11^th), 7 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th), 6 at Red Wharf Bay (9^th), 7 at Penmon Pool (10^th), 4 at the Alaw estuary (10^th) and 5 at Cemlyn (13^th).  There were 7 Bar-tailed Godwit at the Alaw estuary (10^th). 

Passerines:

Back to the Wagtails and Whinchats.  The coastal fields between Tyn Llan, Cemlyn and Hen Borth continued to be the Yellow Wagtail hotspot with 1 at Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (8^th), 3 at Henborth (10^th), 7 at Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (11^th) and 3 at Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (12^th).  Most were clearly of the ‘British’ sub-species flavissima, but a couple of the birds had paler heads and pronounced supercilium prompting speculation as to whether they were female flava or flava x flavissima. 

It has been a particularly good year for sightings of Whinchat and this continued into this week with up to 2 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 14^th, 1 on 8^th), 3 at Hen Borth (10^th), 4 at Carmel Head (11^th) and 1 at Cemlyn (12^th).  Following on from the first sighting last week of Spotted Flycatcher, there were several more sightings this week with 1 at South Stack (9^th), up to 3 birds at Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (3 on 10^th, 2 on 11^th), 1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (10^th) and 1 at Carmel Head (11^th).  The good run of Tree Pipits and White Wagtails continued, with sightings including 2 Tree Pipit at Carmel Head (11^th), 1 Tree Pipit at Cemlyn (12^th), 22 White Wagtail at Hen Borth (8^th) and 10 White Wagtails at Cemlyn (10^th).  Reports of Cuckoos came in from Cemlyn (8^th), Carmel Head (11^th), and Traeth Llydan (14^th).  A Black Redstart was reported from The Range (9^th) and the number of Swifts continues to increase with the largest count being of 27 moving north over the Oystercatcher, Rhosneigr (9^th).  Grasshopper Warblers were still 'reeling' at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13^th) and Cors Bodeilio (14^th).  There were good numbers of Lesser Redpoll reported with up to 54 at South Stack (54 on 11^th - including 45 in 1 flock, 11 on 14^th) and 28 birds at Cafnan, near Cemlyn (12^th).  There were also up to 24 Siskin over South Stack (24 on 14^th, 5 on 11^th).  Reports of Hooded Crow continue from their favoured sights and included 1 at Hen Borth (8^th, 14^th), 1 at The Range (9^th) and 1 at South Stack (11^th, 14^th).  Finally, a late Fieldfare was at Cemlyn (11^th).

Raptors:

An Osprey was seen perched on a post on the saltmarsh, Cefni estuary (9^th), a Red Kite was seen over The Range (9^th) and a female Merlin was at Carmel Head (14^th). 

Seabirds:

A distant Arctic Skua past Rhoscolyn and headed off towards South Stack (14^th).

Gulls and Terns:

Up to 3 Mediterranean Gulls were at Cemlyn (3 on 8^th, 1 on 13^th). 

There are some 2500 Sandwich Terns at Cemlyn, with approximately 600 Arctic and 400 Common Terns.  The good number of Arctic Terns is thought to reflect returning birds that were displaced off the Skerries last year.

Divers & Grebes:

No Divers or scarce Grebes were reported during the week.

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The Pink-footed Goose continues with its stay at Penmon Pool (10^th-11^th), whilst there were 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese on the Inland Sea (8^th).

A pair of Garganey were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13^th) and there were 36 Eider off Penmon Point (11^th).

 

The forthcoming week 15^th May – 21^st May?

A good week for a taste of birds from warmer climes, with a Golden Oriole at Malltraeth (15^th) in 2015 and another at Soldier’s Point (20^th) in 2010.  Further colour came in the form of a European Bee-eater at the Breakwater Country Park (16^th) in 2001, a Citrine Wagtail at Cemlyn (17^th) in 2011, a Black-headed Bunting at South Stack (18^th) in 2001, a Common Rosefinch at South Stack (18^th) in 2008 and a Bluethroat at South Stack (19^th) in 1990.  Corncrake features twice, with a bird at Dulas Bay (15^th) in 2015 and another at Bull Bay Golf club (17^th) in 2001 (yes, that really was 20 years ago!).  Likewise, there are two records of Ring-necked Duck with a bird at Mynachdy Pond (16^th) in 1994 and another at Holyhead Harbour (16^th) in 1998.  The latter was found by birders searching for 2 Bonaparte’s Gulls that had been seen earlier at Beddmanarch Bay (16^th) – 1 of which did the decent thing and returned to the shore of the car park at Penrhos Coastal Park allowing a good few to catch up with this bird.  A single rare tern; a White-winged Black Tern at Aberffraw estuary (21^st) in 1961.  And just in case you think that it is too late for any rare or scarce winter visitors, the Snowy Owl - which had been tantalizing birders with single observer sightings over a period of some weeks – finally gave itself up to an admiring hoard when it was found on the coastline between Point Lynas and Amlwch Port (15^th) in 2018.

Saturday 1st May - Friday 7th May 2021.

Intro:

Although it has seemed a little quiet this week, there were nonetheless 5 new addition to the 2021-year list courtesy of Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Curlew Sandpiper, Arctic Skua and Pomarine Skua.

Passerines:

There were 2 reports of Garden Warblers, with a bird at the Braint estuary (2^nd) and another at the Cefni reservoir (7^th).  A Spotted Flycatcher was at South Stack (2^nd).

The good run of Yellow Wagtail sightings continued with a Blue-headed Wagtail at Hen Borth and then Cemlyn (1^st) and a ‘British’ Yellow Wagtail at Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (1^st).

The 1^st also proved to be a good day for Whinchat with 1 at Rhoscolyn (1^st), 3 from the approach road to South Stack and one field beyond Twr Reservoir (1^st) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st).  A single Tree Pipit was seen between Hen Borth and Carmel Head (1^st), as was the only Cuckoo to be reported during the week.

Grasshopper Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers, Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroats were reported from multiple sites.  The number of Swifts continue to increase with the largest single count being 15 over Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (7^th).  Wheatears are still being seen in good numbers with 31 Wheatear between Hen Borth and Carmel Head (1^st) and 6 ‘Greenland’ type at South Stack (6^th).

3 Stock Doves were on a recently harrowed field at Gadfa (3^rd).  Sightings of Hooded Crows included 1 at Cemlyn (1^st), 1 between Hen Borth to Carmel Head (1^st), 1 on The Range (2^nd, 5^th) and 2 at Hen Borth (6^th-7^th).  A late Redwing was at South Stack (2^nd).

Waders:

There are relatively few spring sightings of Curlew Sandpiper on Anglesey, so a bird found south of Four-mile Bridge (1^st) was both a good find and a new addition to the year list.

There were 2 Purple Sandpiper at Cemlyn (2^nd), 1 Grey Plover on the Alaw estuary (6^th), up to 2 Little Ringed Plover at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1 on 1^st, 2 on 5^th) and a Ruff at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st).  May is always a good month for Sanderling and this week proved to be so with 7 on the Alaw estuary (1^st), 1 at Traeth Dulas (1^st) and 5 Traeth Lligwy (4^th).  There were good counts of Dunlin and Common Ringed Plover, with 170 Dunlin on the Alaw estuary (1^st), 43 Dunlin on the Alaw estuary (6^th), 45 Common Ringed Plover on the Alaw estuary (1^st) and 54 Common Ringed Plover on the Alaw estuary (6^th).  There was a mixed flock of c.100 at Traeth Dulas (1^st).

Redshank can be a difficult bird to see on Anglesey during the month of May as many ‘big day / bird race’ teams have found to their cost; 1 was on the Alaw estuary (6^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st) and 2 on the Alaw estuary (1^st, 6^th).  Reports of Bar-tailed Godwits included 15 on the Alaw estuary (1^st), 10 at Cymyran (1^st) and 9 on the Alaw estuary (6^th).  Whimbrel are still being seen in flocks of double digit and included 17 birds at Braint estuary (2^nd), 19 birds at Cymyran (1^st), 26 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st) and 30 birds feeding in a field south of Llyn Trafwll (5^th).

Raptors:

An Osprey was seen to fly over Cemlyn (6^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Due to sensitivities over potential breeding of Bitterns and (at a stretch) Great Egret, no further reports of sightings will be shared for the next few months.

Seabirds:

Two more species of Skua to add to the previous reports of Great Skua.  4 Arctic Skuas were seen off Llanddwyn Island (2^nd) and another 2 were seen to pass South Stack (4^th).  Also passing South Stack was a Pomarine Skua (4^th) and a Great Skua (4^th).

A 6hr sea-watch (4^th) also produced 873 Manx Shearwater, 171 Gannet and 83 Fulmar.  A Black Guillemot was off Moelfre (2^nd).

Gulls and Terns:

Tern numbers at Cemlyn continue to grow and included 120 Arctic Terns (2^nd).  222 Kittiwake were seen off South Stack (4^th).

Divers & Grebes:

6 summer plumaged Great Northern Divers past Llanddwyn Island (2^nd), with another past South Stack (6^th).  2 Red-throated Divers flew past South Stack (6^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Brent Geese continue to hang on with 20 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Traeth Lleiniog (4^th) and another off Moelfre (1^st).  The Pink-footed Goose was still at Penmon Pool (4^th), with 3 Eider at Braint Estuary (2^nd) and a late drake Wigeon on the Alaw estuary (6^th).

The forthcoming week 8^th May – 14^th May?

A distinctly summer feel to rare and scarce birds this week with a Woodchat Shrike at Henborth (8^th) in 2016, a Tawny Pipit on The Range(10^th) in 2008, a Red-rumped Swallow at South Stack (11^th) in 2004, Golden Oriole at Penmon (13^th) in 1994, a Bluethroat at South Stack (14^th) in 2004 and a European Bee-eater at Cemlyn (14^th) in 2017.  Waders included a Pectoral Sandpiper at Cemlyn (9^th) in 1999, a Stone Curlew at Fedw Fawr (10^th) in 1971 and a Kentish Plover at Ynys Feurig, Rhosneigr (13^th) in 1994.  Egrets and crakes have included a Cattle Egret at Llanfachraeth (12^th) in 2013, a Spotted Crake at Rhoscolyn (10^th) in 2009 and Corn Crakes at South Stack (13^th) in 2011 and 2012.  Just a single raptor of note, a Black Kite at The Range, Holyhead (10^th) in 2016.