Friday 27 August 2021

Saturday 21st August – Friday 27th August.

Intro:

… approaching 24 years since the last real opportunity …

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Common Cranes are a rare sight on Anglesey with a number of the records relating to birds just seen to ‘fly over’.  The last opportunity to catch up with this species for many was a bird that was present in the Llantrisant area west of Llyn Alaw from the 28th September – 11th October 1997 … approaching 24 years ago.  It was, therefore, very welcome when news emerged during the early evening of the 24th that 2 birds had been seen earlier in the day on wet fields to the west of RSPB Cors Ddyga.  Whilst the area the Cranes had chosen was difficult to view – albeit that some enterprising souls managed to see them from farm access roads off the Llangaffo road - the pair were obliging enough to take a pre-roost flight around the western end of the reserve to the delight of those watching from the cycle track at the west end of the reserve.  The birds were reported to have circled over the southern edge of reserve the following morning before heading off south.

Keeping with ‘fly overs’, there was a report of a probable Purple Heron seen in flight over Beaumaris which headed west (26th) and a Spoonbill was seen to fly over Holyhead and Beddmanarch Bays in direction of the Inland Sea (23rd).  Up to 2 Great Egrets were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 22nd, 1 on 24th1 on 25th, 1 on 27th), with another at the east end of Cemlyn (27th).  15 Little Egrets were at Traeth Dulas (21st).  A Bittern was seen in flight at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th) and 2 ‘squealing’ Water Rails were heard at the reserve (25th).

Waders:

Another good week for waders, with a Wood Sandpiper seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (22nd-23rd) and a Spotted Redshank at the Braint Estuary (24th & 27th) being the two highlights.  Up to 3 Common Sandpiper were seen on the Alaw estuary (3 on 22nd, 1 on 27th) and up to 2 birds were at Traeth Dulas (2 on 21st, 1 on 22nd).  There were 74 Dunlin on the Alaw estuary (23rd) and up to 47 Dunlin at Traeth Dulas (47 on 23rd).  There were also good numbers of Ringed Plover at Traeth Dulas with up to 62 birds (26th & 27th).  Up to 32 Knot were on the Alaw estuary (32 on 23rd, 10 then 29 on 27th) with up to 2 birds at Traeth Dulas (1 on 23rd, 2 from 25th-27th).  3 Sanderling at the Alaw estuary (23rd) and 1 bird was at Traeth Dulas (22nd).  There was a juvenile Ruff at RSPB Cors Ddyga (24th-25th), 2 Ruff at the Alaw estuary (27th), while Cemlyn had up to 7 Golden Plover (7 on 27th, 5 on 24th).

Sightings of Bar-tailed Godwits continue to be concentrated around the Holyhead area with up to 22 birds at the Alaw estuary (22 on 23rd, 16 then 20 on 27th) and 1 bird at Holyhead breakwater (26th).  Black-tailed Godwits were more widely distributed with up to 10 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (10 on 23rd, 8 on 26th), 3 birds at the Alaw estuary (27th), up to 2 birds at Traeth Dulas (2 from 21st-22nd, 1 on 25th) and 1 bird at Penmon pool (22nd).  Up to 15 Greenshank were on the Alaw estuary (15 on 27th, 13 on 22nd), with 7 birds at Llyn Penrhyn (24th), 4 birds at the Braint estuary (24th & 27th), 1 at Traeth Dulas (22nd), 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th) and 2 at Cemlyn (27th).  10 Redshank were on the Alaw estuary (22nd) and 6 Redshank were at Traeth Dulas (22nd).  There were 3 Whimbrel at Traeth Dulas (21st), with 1 bird on the Alaw estuary (23rd & 27th).  233 Curlew were on the Alaw estuary (23rd), 138 Curlew at Traeth Dulas (23rd) and 217 Oystercatcher at the Alaw estuary (23rd).

Passerines and others:

A Melodious Warbler was reported at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (25th), but the bird could not be relocated.  It is always difficult at this time of year to know whether sightings of flycatchers and warblers are of local breeding birds or birds on passage, but whatever their origins there were reasonable numbers of commoner summer migrants.  There was a Spotted Flycatcher at RSPB Cors Ddyga (23rd) and 2 others at South Stack (22nd - 23rd).  Sightings of Common Whitethroats included 2 birds at South Stack (2 on 22nd & 24th, 1 on 23rd), 5 birds at The Range, Holyhead (22nd), 1 bird at Parys Mountain (23rd), 1 bird at Soldiers Point, Holyhead (26th) and 2 birds at the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead (26th).  There were 2 Garden Warblers at the Plantation, South Stack (24th), a Blackcap at South Stack (24th) and another Blackcap at Soldiers Point, Holyhead (24th).  Up to 8 Chiffchaff were at South Stack (8 on 22nd, 3 on 23rd, 1 on 24th), with 1 bird at The Range, Holyhead (22nd), up to 2 birds at the Breakwater Country Park (2 on 24th, 1 on 26th), 1 bird at Soldiers Point, Holyhead (26th) and 2 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26th).  There were 2 Willow Warblers at South Stack (23rd), with a further 2 birds at the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead (26th).  Sightings of Northern Wheatear included a bird at Traeth Dulas (22nd), 4 birds at The Range, Holyhead (22nd) and 3 birds at Soldiers Point, Holyhead (24th).  A Hooded Crow was at RSPB South Stack (24th).  Kingfishers were seen at a number of sites including 1 on the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (22nd), 2 on the Afon Cefni, adjacent to RSPB Cors Ddyga (24th), 1 at Cemlyn (27th) and 1 at the Inland Sea (27th).

Gulls and Terns:

Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included 2 adults and a juvenile at Traeth Dulas (22nd- 23rd), a German ringed adult at Beddmanarch Bay and a 2nd calendar year bird at Braint Estuary (24th).

Raptors:

Marsh Harriers were seen at Cemlyn (23rd) and RSPB Cors Ddyga (23rd & 24th).  A Red Kite was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27th).

Seabirds:

2 Great Skuas were seen off Cemlyn (27th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

8 Wigeon and 3 Pintail were seen on the Inland Sea (27th) and are further evidence of returning waterfowl.

Divers & Grebes:

Nothing of particular note.

 

The forthcoming week – 28thAugust – 3rd September?

A good week for Pectoral Sandpiper with birds at Llyn Llaethdy (1st) in 1984, at Malltraeth (3rd) in 1961 and at Malltraeth (3rd) in 1999.  Seabirds have included a Great Shearwater past Point Lynas and Soldiers Point (30th) in 1982 and a Cory’s Shearwater past Point Lynas (30th) in 1999.  A Barred Warbler was at South Stack (28th) in 2004, a Melodious Warbler at Cemlyn (30th) in 2005 and a Melodious Warbler at the Plantation, South Stack (31st) in 2014.

Friday 20 August 2021

Saturday 14th August – Friday 20th August.

Intro:

Skua season!!!

Seabirds:

The week started with some slight-moderate NW winds that brought an early start to the skua season.  Whilst recognising that it is likely that there will have been some duplication in daily counts as birds travel west around the coast, 10 Arctic and 11 Great Skuas was nonetheless a good start.  Of the 10 Arctic, 1 was seen from Point Lynas (14th), 1 from Llam Carw, Amlwch Port (15th), 3 from Point Lynas (16th), 2 from Octel, Amlwch Port (16th), 1 from Bull Bay (16th) and 2 from Cemlyn (16th).  The bulk of the Greats were seen on the same day (16th), with 6 past Point Lynas, 3 past Cemlyn and 1 past Bull Bay; 1 was then seen at Cemlyn (18th).  Amongst the many Manx Shearwater there were a few gems, with 3 sightings of Balearic Shearwater with 1 past Point Lynas (14th), 1 past South Stack (16th) and 1 past Point Lynas (16th).   6381 Manx Shearwater were counted past South Stack in a 2hr seawatch (16th).  There were 16 Black Guillemots in Holyhead Bay (16th) and a further 2 birds flew past Cemlyn (16th).

Waders:

Another good week for waders.  A Wood Sandpiper was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15th), which is likely to have been the same bird as last week.  Three Green Sandpipers were seen with a bird on the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (14th) and then on the river (15th), 1 at Cemlyn (16th) with a further bird at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17th).  Up to 5 Common Sandpiper were at the Alaw estuary (5 on 15th, 4 on 18th) with 2 birds at Cemlyn (20th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (18th-20th).  A European Golden Plover was at Traeth Dulas (19th), with another at Cemlyn (20th) and a Grey Plover was on the Alaw estuary (20th).  The number of Dunlin have increased with up to 105 birds at the Alaw estuary (105 on 15th, 84 on 18th) and up to 32 birds at Traeth Dulas (32 on 19th, 22 on 16th).  Likewise, the number of Ringed Plover are up with up to 142 birds at the Alaw estuary (142 on 15th, 103 on 18th) and up to 89 birds at Traeth Dulas (89 on 18th, 62 on 16th).  The Alaw estuary held up to 23 Knot (23 on 19th, 21 on 18th, 1 on 20th) and up to 11 Sanderling (11 on 18th, 2 on 15th, 1 on 19th, 2 on 20th); a single Sanderling was at Traeth Dulas (18th).  While Turnstones have been present on rocky coastline such as Cemlyn for a while, this week brought a few records from estuarine sites including 4 on the Alaw estuary (15th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (16th).  Sightings of Common Snipe included 1 at the Alaw estuary (15th & 18th) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga.

It was a good week for Black-tailed Godwits with 12 birds on the Inland Sea (20th), 9 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17th), 6 birds on the Alaw estuary (6 on 18th, 1 on 15th), 5 birds at Cemlyn (16th), up to 2 birds at Traeth Dulas (2 on 17th, 1 15th- 20th) and 1 bird at Malltraeth cob pool (16th).  There were up to 15 Bar-tailed Godwit at the Alaw estuary (15 on 19th, 12 on 18th, 8 on 15th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (15th -16th).

Sightings of Greenshank included up to 16 birds at the Alaw estuary (16 on 15th, 12 on 18th, 9 on 20th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (17th).  The number of Redshank continue to increase with up to 35 birds at the Alaw estuary (35 on 19th, 27 on 15th, 16 on 18th), 22 birds at Malltraeth cob pool (16th) and 5 birds at Traeth Dulas (17th).  Whimbrel were thin on the ground with up to 2 on the Alaw estuary (2 on 20th, 2 on 18th, 1 on 15th) and 2 on the Inland Sea (17th).  There were 156 Curlew at Traeth Dulas (17th), with up to 120 birds at the Alaw estuary (120 on 20th, 97 on 18th, 72 on 15th) and c. 80 birds on the Inland Sea (17th).  There were up to 259 Oystercatcher at the Alaw estuary (259 on 15th, 206 on 18th).

Gulls and Terns:

A Little Gull was seen on the rocks at Octel, Amlwch (16th), with another seen to fly up the Dulas estuary (16th).  Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included up to 53 birds on the Alaw estuary (53 on 16th, 42 on 18th, 5 on 20th), 10 on the Inland Sea (17th), an adult at Traeth Dulas (20th) and a white darvic ringed juvenile 35PV at Traeth Dulas (15th).  It was ringed in the Netherlands on the 01/07/21 at Zwarts eiland, Ventjagersplaten (Haringvliet), Den Bommel; Goeree-Overflakkee.  Traeth Dulas also had a black darvic ringed Black-headed Gull (20th), with a white inscription of 2CTA which had been ringed as a pullus at Marsh Lane Nature Reserve, Meriden, West Midlands on the 01/06/2018.  It was its first sighting after having being ringed.  A good number of Kittiwake are passing offshore, with 810 counted from Cemlyn (18th).

Raptors:

A Red Kite was seen over Llangaffo (16th) and 2 Marsh Harriers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17th).  A Sparrowhawk with young were at the Malltraeth cob (17th).  A Little Owl was at The Range, near Holyhead (14th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

There were 38 Mute Swans on the Cefni reservoir (17th).  Further evidence of returning waterfowl came in the form of increased numbers of Teal with 8 birds on the Alaw estuary (15th), 9 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17th), 6 birds on the mitigation pool, Inland Sea (17th) and 28 birds on the Inland Sea (20th).  There were 3 Wigeon on the Cefni reservoir (17th), a single Shoveler on Malltraeth cob pool (16th), 4 Gadwall at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17th) and 104 Coot at the Cefni reservoir (17th).  Seawatching in the early part of the week produced Common Scoter as might have been expected, with 11 birds past Llam Carw, Amlwch Port (15th) and 7+ past Cemlyn (15th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Cattle Egret was reported at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17th), with 2 Great Egrets (17th) also being seen at the site.  Little Egrets are now a well-established part of the island’s avifauna, with good counts of 30 birds at the Pentraeth end of Red Wharf Bay (16th), 20 birds on the Bodorgan side of the Cefni estuary (16th) and 8 birds at Traeth Dulas (17th).

Divers & Grebes:

A Great Northern Diver flew past Cemlyn (16th) and was the 1st for the 2nd half of the year.  There were 14 Little Grebes on the Cefni reservoir (17th).

Passerines and others:

Perhaps the first sight of autumn migrants with 7 Spotted Flycatchers (20th), with 3 at South Stack, 3 at Cemlyn and 1 at a Benllech garden.  Also, Common Whitethroats were noted (20th) with 4 at South Stack and 1 at a Benllech garden.  South Stack (20th) also produced 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warblers, a Blackcap and 2 Goldcrest.  A Reed Bunting at Breakwater Country Park (16th) was noteworthy for the site, whilst a juvenile Cuckoo was at Cemlyn (20th).  Kingfishers were seen at the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (14th) and at Pont Bulkeley, Afon Cefni (14th).

 

The forthcoming week 21st – 27th August?

A ticking up in the number of scarce and rare sightings.  Three good waders with a Temminck’s Stint at Malltraeth (22nd) in 1970, a Pectoral Sandpiper at Malltraeth (22nd) in 1994 and a Black-winged Stilt at Newborough Warren (23rd) in 1965.  Two Cory’s Shearwaters were seen with one at Fedw Fawr (24th) in 1985 and one at Cemlyn (27th) in 1985.  A mix of European and Northern passerines, with a Melodious Warbler at South Stack (22nd) in 1987, a European Bee-eater at South Stack (25th) in 1984, and a Woodchat Shrike at Cemlyn (26th) in 1981.

Looking back to 2020, Storm Francis was named on the 24th and hit on the 25th.  It led to some good sightings from sea-watching efforts, particularly on the 26th - https://angleseybirdnews.blogspot.com/2020/08/saturday-22nd-august-friday-28th-august.html

Friday 13 August 2021

Saturday 7th August – Friday 13th August.

Intro:

Wader numbers increase by the day …

Waders:

It is always a good week when Wood, Green and Common Sandpipers are all reported, with the former being a scarce bird on Anglesey.  Anglesey’s 2nd Wood Sandpiper for the year was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13th) – the same site as the 1st – but stayed all too briefly.  There were two sightings of Green Sandpiper with birds at the Alaw estuary (10th) and RSPB Cors Ddyga (12th).  Common Sandpipers were more plentiful, with up to 8 birds at the Alaw estuary (3 on 13th, 6 on 12th, 8 on 10th, counts of 5 and 4 on 8th), up to 3 birds at Traeth Dulas (3 on 10th, 2 on 7th & 8th) and 2 birds at Cemlyn (10th).

Grey Plover are stunning birds in summer plumage and birds on return passage were seen at Cemlyn (7th), the Alaw estuary (12th, 13th) and at Traeth Dulas (12th).  The number of Ringed Plover have shown a marked increase with up to 42 birds at Traeth Dulas (40 on 13th, 42 on 12th, 13 on 11th, 7 on 9th) and up to 42 birds at the Alaw estuary (42 on 13th, 22 on 10th, counts of 20 & 16 on the 8th).  The numbers of Dunlin continue to be rather modest, with up to 37 birds at the Alaw estuary (5 on 13th, counts of 37 and 33 on 8th) and up to 11 Dunlin at Traeth Dulas (10 on 13th, 11 on 12th, 9 on 11th).  Sanderling were seen at Cemlyn (7th) and at Traeth Dulas (11th-12th).  12 Snipe were in the field with the electrified fence at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13th).

Up to 16 Greenshank were at the Alaw estuary (13 on 13th, 16 on 12th, 14 on 11th and counts of 12 and 10 on 8th), with up to 3 birds at Traeth Dulas (2 on 13th, 2 on 11th, 3 on 10th).  A Spotted Redshank was reported from the Alaw Estuary (11th).  There were 18 Redshank on the Alaw estuary (10th & 12th) and up to 10 birds at Treath Dulas (10 on 11th).  There were up to 12 Bar-tailed Godwit at the Alaw estuary (12 on 13th, 5 on 12th, 1 on 10th , 7 on 8th), with 2 birds at Beddmanarch Bay (7th).  Up to 10 Black-tailed Godwits were at Traeth Dulas (10 on 13th, 1 on 12th) with up to 4 birds at the Alaw estuary (1 on 13th, 1 on 10th, 4 on 8th).  Sightings of Whimbrel included up to 4 birds at Traeth Dulas (1 on 12th, 4 on 10th, 1 on 8th), 3 birds at the Alaw estuary (2 on 13th, 3 on 12th, 2 on 8th), 1 bird at Cemlyn (7th) and 1 bird at Holyhead harbour (10th).  The number of Curlew have increased with up to 154 birds at Traeth Dulas (154 on 12th, 95 on 8th) and up to 107 birds on the Alaw estuary (107 on 12th, 94 on 10th).  The Alaw estuary also held up to 286 Oystercatcher (201 on 13th, 286 on 10th).

Gulls and Terns:

The number of Mediterranean Gulls continues to increase with at least 77 birds at the Alaw estuary (77 on 13th, at least 63 on 12th – possibly 90 with birds commuting to nearby fields and counts of 42 & 32 on 8th and 22 & 10 on 10th).  1 was seen at Beddmanarch Bay (7th).

There are still Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns at Cemlyn but the number of birds is now much diminished following the post-breeding dispersal.

Seabirds:

Whilst the winds haven’t been that supportive of sea-watching, a few skuas were nevertheless seen with 3 Arctic Skuas past Cemlyn in a 3-hour sea-watch (7th), an Arctic Skua past Point Lynas (8th) and a Great Skua past Point Lynas (8th).

A European Storm Petrel seen off South Stack (7th) was an excellent record, with most records of this species over recent years coming from night-time ringing sessions.  A single Puffin was seen off Cemlyn (7th).

Passerines:

1 possibly 2 albino Swallows were reported from Malltraeth (10th), with 1 bird subsequent being seen and photographed at a site between Newborough and Llangaffo (11th).  A Spotted Flycatcher was seen feeding 2 young at Malltraeth (12th).  A Wheatear was at the Alaw estuary (8th), a Hooded Crow at South Stack (10th) and up to c. 250 Linnets were at the Alaw estuary (250 on 13th, 80 on 12th).

Raptors:

There was a further sighting of a Hobby at RSPB Cors Ddyga (10th) and an Osprey was seen at the Alaw estuary (13th).  Red Kites were reported from several places along the A55 with birds seen over the A55 near Rhosneigr (7th), 2 Red Kite over the A55 near Gwalchmai (10th) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (10th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Some evidence of returning Teal, with 15 birds on the pools in field surrounded by electrified fence at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13th).  c. 12 Common Scoter flew west past Octel (8th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

No records of note.

Divers & Grebes:

No records of note.

 

The forthcoming week 14th – 20th August?

Still in the Doldrums in respect of the number of rare and scarce birds, with just the three records of note.  An Icterine Warbler was found and photographed at Newborough Forest (18th) in 2020, a Rose-coloured Starling was in Rhosneigr (20th) in 1997 and a Cory’s Shearwater flew past Point Lynas (20th) in 2005.

Friday 6 August 2021

Saturday 31st July – Friday 6th August.

Intro:

Just enough to keep interests piqued …

Waders:

Waders have traditionally been one of the main sources of interest during late July and early August.  While Anglesey can boast a good list, there is one particularly glaring gap following the recent filling of another gap with last week’s Pacific Golden Plover.  Each year, Ireland and the east coast of England turn up records of White-rumped Sandpiper, with one being as close as the Swords estuary, Dublin at the time of writing.  It’s a rare bird in the context of North Wales with only two previous records – a bird found at Shotton, Flintshire on the 30th July 1984 and a late record of a bird at Broadwater, Tywyn on the 5th November 2011.  Perhaps it is a tad greedy to look to have another gap filled so soon after last week’s Pacific Golden Plover, but here’s hoping!

Getting back to what has been seen, there were 2 Green Sandpiper on the Alaw estuary (31st), up to 7 Common Sandpiper on the Alaw estuary (7 on 2nd, 3 on 31st) and 2 Common Sandpiper at Traeth Dulas (6th).  There are still very few small waders being reported with up to 22 Dunlin at the Alaw estuary (22 on 5th, 3 on 2nd), a single Dunlin at Traeth Dulas (1st), up to 21 Ringed Plover at the Alaw estuary (18 on 2nd, 21 on 5th), 1 Sanderling at the Alaw estuary (2nd, 5th), 2 Snipe at the Alaw estuary (2nd) and 1 Snipe at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2nd). 

Up to 16 Greenshank were on the Alaw estuary (16 on 31st, 12 on 2nd), 1 Greenshank at Malltraeth cob (5th), 45 Redshank at Malltraeth cob (5th), 3 Black-tailed Godwit were at Treath Dulas (1st) and up to 10 Bar-tailed Godwit were on the Alaw estuary (4 on 31st, 10 on 2nd, 10 on 5th).  There were up to 3 Whimbrel on the Alaw estuary (3 on 2nd, 1 on 31st), 1 Whimbrel at Traeth Dulas (2nd), 86 Curlew at the Alaw estuary (5th) together with 238 Oystercatcher (5th).

Gulls and Terns:

Having been found on the 4th July, the Elegant Tern was last seen on the 30th and has since been seen at the Formby Point / Hightown areas of Merseyside.  The number of Sandwich Terns at Cemlyn has fallen to c. 40 birds (5th), with 60+ Common Terns (5th) and a few Arctic Terns still present (5th).  A colour ringed Sandwich Tern seen at Cemlyn (3rd) had been seen at Minsmere, Suffolk as recently as the 1st July 2021.  Several of the Common Terns had yellow flags and are part of a ringing scheme on the Skerries off the north Anglesey coast.

 

Common Tern - Colour flagged Yellow LM, Cemlyn 05/08/21 - ringed as an adult on the Skerries 24/06/19.  Photo: J Martin Jones.

25 Mediterranean Gulls were seen at the Alaw estuary (25 on 31st, 12 on 2nd), with just the 1 bird at Treath Dulas (2nd, 5th).

Seabirds:

The wind direction hasn’t offered particularly good sea-watching opportunities, but 2197 Manx Shearwater past South Stack in 1 hour (1st) was noteworthy.  There was just the 1 report of a skua, with a Great Skua being seen off Cemlyn (5th).  Cemlyn also had 3 Black Guillemot in the bay Cemlyn  (5th).

Passerines:

Perhaps an early sign of some migrants with a Wheatear at Cemlyn (6th) and the first trickle of warblers with Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff at the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (6th).  A Hooded Crow was at Mynachdy (1st), a Kingfisher at Malltraeth cob (5th) and a Kingfisher on the Afon Cefni south of Llangefni (6th).

Raptors:

Three good raptor reports with an Osprey at the Braint estuary (4th), an Osprey at Malltraeth cob (5th) and a Hobby at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Up to 2 Great Egrets were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 2nd, 1 on 4th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Nothing of particular note, but please assist if you can with records of evidence of breeding of Red-breasted Merganser on the island as the UK’s Rare Breeding Birds Panel has asked for records.  Please send details to Steve Culley, Anglesey County recorder either via twitter @Zoobirder or e-mail at: SteCul10@aol.com.  There were 2 uneven broods at Traeth Dulas (6th) with one female with 17 young and another with just the 3.

Divers & Grebes:

No records of note.

 

The forthcoming week 7th – 13th August?

A quiet week with just the three records of note; a Spotted Crake at Malltraeth (7th) in 2001, a Rose-coloured Starling at Llanfachraeth (7th) in 2003 and a Temminck’s Stint at the Cefni reservoir (12th) in 1984.


Other news:

A couple of changes to the scientific names of birds on the Anglesey list with the IOC Word Bird List having changed the scientific name of Shag to Gulosus aristotelis and Leach’s Petrel to Hydrobates leucorhous.