Saturday 26th June – Friday 2nd July.

Intro:

Return passage of waders gathers momentum …

Waders:

The main highlight of the week was that of returning waders.  Redshank leave the island in late spring with the first birds returning in late June.  7 birds were on the Alaw estuary (26^th, 30^th, 2^nd), with 1 at Traeth Dulas (26^th).  The return date matches up well with that of last year, when the first was seen on the Inland Sea (23^rd).

Likewise, the first returning Greenshank were seen with 2 on the Alaw estuary (26^th), with numbers increasing to 8 (8 on 2^nd, 7 on 30^th).  Elsewhere, 2 returning Greenshank were at Traeth Dulas (29^th).  Again, a good match for the date of last year’s returning birds when the first was at the Alaw estuary (25^th).

Both species of Godwit were seen with 10 Bar-tailed Godwit at the mouth of the Alaw estuary (30^th) and sightings of Black-tailed Godwit included 1 at the Alaw estuary (26^th) and up to 5 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (5 on 26^th & 1st, 2 on 27^th).

Whimbrel and Curlew numbers are starting to build up, with 5 Whimbrel at Treath Cymyran (26^th) and up to 2 were at Traeth Dulas (2 on 1^st, 1 on 26^th, 30^th).  33 Curlew were counted on the bend in the river at Traeth Dulas (29^th).

There were reports of both Common and Green Sandpiper.  The Alaw estuary had 2 Common Sandpiper (29^th), 1 was at Llyn Maelog (1^st), 1 was at Holyhead Harbour (2^nd) and 1 was on the Alaw estuary (2^nd).  A Green Sandpiper was at the Alaw estuary (30^th), with another was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st).

3 Sanderling were seen on the beach at Rhosneigr (30^th), while a Little Ringed Plover (with chicks) was seen again at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th).

There was a belated, unconfirmed and unattributable, report of a Collared Pratincole at Rhosneigr (25^th).

Notable by their absence from reports are both Dunlin and Common Ringed Plover.  The 2^nd week of July should see more birds returning. 

Gulls and Terns:

As with returning waders, there was evidence of a movement in gulls.  10 2^nd calendar Common Gulls were at Treath Dulas (26^th); any early date for that number of birds.  A 2^nd calendar year Mediterranean Gull was at Traeth Dulas (26^th) and an adult bird was at Cemlyn (26^th, 2^nd).  At least 1 Roseate Tern – the bird seemingly paired with a Common Tern – was reported on the main island at Cemlyn on most days (26^th-2^nd), with 1 off the headland at Cemlyn (2^nd).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Cattle Egret was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (30^th-1^st), while Great White Egrets were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th,1^st), Cemlyn (29^th) and Llyn Llywenan (1^st).  There was a further report of a calling Quail at Aberffraw (29^th).

Passerines:

A Grasshopper Warbler was still reeling at Cors Efail Newydd, Benllech (27^th) and a male Common Cuckoo was at the former Octel site, Amlwch (27^th).  A Common Kingfisher was on the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (29^th), 40 Swifts were over Llyn Trafwll (30^th) and a Hooded Crow was on a ploughed field at Henborth (29^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

An unseasonal Pale-bellied Brent Goose was at Traeth Dulas (26^th-29^th), but was found to be injured and later died.  730 Greylag Geese were moulting at Llyn Trafwll (30^th), while 27 Mute Swans were counted at Llyn Maelog (1^st).  A female Common Eider was off Beaumaris (26^th) and 2 were in the bay at Cemlyn (2^nd). 

Raptors:

An Osprey was seen over the Alaw estuary (2^nd).

Seabirds:

26 Puffin were seen off the headland at Cemlyn (2^nd), albeit distantly.

Divers & Grebes:

No reports of note.

 

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

Waders have included a Red-necked Phalarope at Cemlyn (3^rd) in 1970 and a Black-winged Pratincole at Mona airfield (4^th) in 2001.  Two very good seabirds were a Sooty Tern at Rhosneigr - then Skerries & Cemlyn (5^th) and a Cory’s Shearwater at South Stack (6^th) in 1991.  Raptors have included a Black Kite at South Stack (6^th) and the 2018 Snowy Owl was relocated again at South Stack (7^th).  Passerines have included a Turkenstan Shrike at Cemlyn (7^th) in 1998, a Common Rosefinch at South Stack (7^th) in 2009 and a Rose-coloured Starling at Cemlyn (9^th) in 2019.