Saturday 20th November - Friday 26th November 2021

 Intro:

 … scarce seabirds keep on coming …

Seabirds:

Whilst Storm Arwen hasn’t yet delivered anything of interest (there is still time in the forthcoming days), the northerly bias to the wind in the early part of the week produced some late skua action with 3 species seen from Point Lynas (21^st) – a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, a Great Skua and a Pomarine Skua.  A single Fulmar flew past Point Lynas (25^th) and 4 Black Guillemots were in Holyhead Harbour (22^nd). There have been 2 reports of Brϋnnich’s Guillemot elsewhere in the UK today, so perhaps it would be worth brushing up on the finer identification features!

Passerines and others:

It was another good week for Black Redstarts with a male at the former Octel site, Amlwch Port (20^th), 2 female / immature birds on the rooftop of Plas Newydd (21^st) and 1 at St Cybi’s, Holyhead (22^nd).  The Snow Bunting was still at the Trwyn, Cemlyn (22^nd), with another at South Stack (22^nd).  Chiffchaffs showing characteristics of the tristis sub-species were seen at The Range, Holyhead (20^th) and at Octel water treatment plant, Amlwch (22^nd) – the latter was heard to call on two occasions.  A collybita Chiffchaff was at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (22^nd).  Up to 2 Water Pipits were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 20^th, 23^rd, 1 on 21^st) and a Brambling was seen to fly over Amlwch Port (24^th).  Up to 4 Barn Swallows at Tregele (4 on 20^th, 1 on 22^nd-23^rd) were a little unseasonal, as was a singing Dipper on the Afon Cefni, near the Council Offices, Llangefni (20^th).  2 Dippers were also on the upper reaches of the Afon Cefni at the road bridge at Bodffordd (22^nd).

Waders:

The most intriguing feature of the wader sightings were just how many Black-tailed Godwits were seen.  The flooded fields at RSPB Cors Ddyga seem to be providing good conditions and held 200+ birds (200+ on 24^th, 170 on 21^st, 107 on 20^th), while up to 80 birds were on the Gorad flood, Valley (80 on 25^th, 46 on 23^rd) with smaller numbers on the flood off Lon Spencer.  Last week’s Common Sandpiper was seen again at Holyhead Harbour (22^nd) and up to 7 Purple Sandpipers were at Trearddur Bay (7 on 23^rd, 3 on 21^st).  There were 2 Greenshank at Llyn Penrhyn (25^th) and 22 Redshank at Traeth Dulas (25^th).  A Jack Snipe was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (20^th) and 2 Woodcock were flushed from the steps down to Elin’s Tower, RSPB South Stack (22^nd).

Divers & Grebes:

Sightings of Great Northern Diver included 1 past Cemlyn (21^st), 1 past Point Lynas (21^st), 1 past Point Lynas (25^th) and 1 in Holyhead Bay (23^rd).  There were good numbers of Red-throated Divers to be had during sea-watching sessions with 35 past Point Lynas (21^st), 32 past Point Lynas (25^th) and 6 birds past Cemlyn (21^st).  Others were seen in Holyhead Harbour (20^th) and Holyhead Bay (20^th).  3 Slavonian Grebes were at Beddmanarch Bay (22^nd-23^rd), with 2 birds at the Inland Sea (21^st, 23^rd).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

2 Whooper Swans were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (20^th-22^nd), while 2 Barnacle Geese were on the flooded fields north of Lon Spencer, Valley together with a Barnacle x Snow hybrid (23^rd-24^th).  c.30 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at 4 mile bridge (24^th).  3 Eider were in Holyhead Bay (23^rd) and 1 was seen to fly past Point Lynas (25^th).  84 Pintail were on the Inland Sea (21^st) and c.80 Wigeon were on the Lon Spencer flood (26^th).

Gulls and Terns:

2 Little Gulls flew past Point Lynas (25^th), while 2 Mediterranean Gulls were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (20^th).

Raptors:

Up to 6 Marsh Harriers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6 on 23^rd, 5 on 21^st, 3 on 20^th), which also had 2 reports of a Hen Harrier (21^st, 23^rd).  Sightings of Merlin included 1 at Traeth Dulas (24^th) and 1 hunting coastal fields near Bodorgan (25^th).  A Red Kite was seen to glide over the High Street, Llangefni (22^nd) – unthinkable even 30 years ago, how the fortune of Red Kites have changed for the better.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

6 Great Egrets were at the east end of Llyn Alaw and the surrounding fields (22^nd), with up to 2 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 21^st, 1 on 22^nd).  21 Little Egrets were at the Inland Sea, Holyhead (21^st).  Up to 2 Great Bitterns were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 20^th, 1 on 21^st).

 

Forthcoming week – 27^th November  – 3^rd December?

There was a Richard’s Pipit at the Braint estuary (27^th) in 2000 and a Rose-coloured Starling at Llangristiolus (30^th) in 2005.  There was a Long-billed Dowitcher on the Inland Sea and Alaw estuary (28^th) in 2006 and two records of Green-winged Teal – a bird at RSPB Cors Ddyga (29^th) in 2006 and a bird at Llyn Trafwll (2^nd) in 1990.

Saturday 13th November - Friday 19th November 2021

Intro:

… a new species for the year …

Seabirds:

Whilst Anglesey does well for a range of Auks, with breeding Puffins, Common Guillemots, Black Guillemots and Razorbill, the diminutive Little Auk is a far rarer species with only a handful of sightings over the past years.  Whilst it has been a pretty good year for them off the east coast of England, it wasn’t really on the radar for one to be found off the Anglesey coast this week.  But one did turn up – and it was no fly-by of a coastal headland - being found by a JCB driver (other makes of mechanical digger are available) on a building site at Trearddur Bay (18^th), before being taken first to RSPB South Stack to be checked over before being released at Porth Dafarch.

Photo: Little Auk at RSPB South Stack, 18^th November, by Andrew Clarke.

Passerines and others:

A Black Redstart was seen at Cemlyn, initially on the old barn by the west car park before getting on the wall surrounding Bryn Aber (13^th), while a male Black-Redstart was seen again at the former Octel plant, Amlwch Port (13^th & 19^th).  A Snow Bunting was seen on the sandy beach to the east of the Trwyn, Cemlyn (13^th).

There were a few warblers to be had, the pick of the bunch being a Lesser Whitethroat at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (15^th).  Blackcaps were seen at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (13^th) and at Holyhead Breakwater County Park (14^th).  A Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling at Llyn Coron (19^th).  Chiffchaffs – some showing an eastern influence and considered by some as being good for tristis – were seen at the former Octel plant, Amlwch Port (13^th), the willows behind the beach at Traeth Lligwy (13^th) and at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (14^th&15^th).  Up to 2 Water Pipits were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 13^th, 1+ on 19th), while up to 3 Barn Swallows were at Tregele (13^th-19^th) with 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (19^th).  There is a sizeable roost of Starlings at RSPB Cors Ddyga with the number of birds being said to be in excess of 100,000 (16^th) and in excess of 1 million (19^th) – whatever the exact detail, there are likely to be some impressive murmurations.  A Hooded Crow was again at The Range, Holyhead (16^th).

Waders:

A very late Common Sandpiper was at salt island, Holyhead harbour (19^th) and was scrutinised closely to eliminate Spotted Sandpiper.  Up to 5 Purple Sandpipers were at Cemlyn (5 on 13^th, 1 on 14^th, 2 on 15^th), 9 Knot were at Beddmanarch Bay (13^th), 7 Knot were at the Alaw estuary (17^th) and 11 Sanderling were at Traeth Lligwy (13^th).  Records of Dunlin included 263 at the Alaw estuary (17^th), 92 at Beddmanarch Bay (13^th) and 40 at Traeth Lligwy (13^th).  There were 40 Ringed Plover at Traeth Lligwy (13^th) and 29 at the Alaw estuary (17^th).  59 Grey Plover were at the Alaw estuary (17^th), with 18 at Beddmanarch Bay (13^th).  There were 400 Golden Plover off the Trwyn at Cemlyn (15^th), with 106 at the Alaw estuary (17^th).  The latter site also held 331 Lapwing (17^th), 28 Bar-tailed Godwit (17^th), 88 Curlew (17^th) and 155 Oystercatcher (17^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 4 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (15^th) and 3 at the Alaw estuary (17^th), while there were 40 Redshank at the Alaw estuary (17^th) and 36 at Traeth Dulas (17^th).  There were an estimated 500 Common Snipe at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th), with 12 also being seen on The Range, Holyhead (16^th).  A Jack Snipe was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (19^th), while Woodcock were seen at the former Octel factory site, Amlwch Port (13^th), The Range, Holyhead (16^th) and South Stack (16^th).

Divers & Grebes:

The bay at Cemlyn held both Great Northern Diver (1 from 13^th-15^th) and 3 Red-throated Divers (15^th).  2 Slavonian Grebes were seen on the Inland Sea (13^th&17^th), with 1 bird being seen at Beddmanarch Bay (13^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Sightings of Whooper Swan included up to 3 on the Inland Sea (3 on 17^th, 1 on 13^th), 4 that flew south over Llanerchymedd (14^th) and 2 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (19^th).  There were 43 Mute Swans on the Inland Sea (17^th).  There were 133 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at the Alaw estuary (17^th), with 9 at Benllech (14^th).  The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (14^th & 19^th), a site which also held up to 8 Eider (13^th).  A Common Scoter was on the Inland Sea (13^th), while sightings of Goldeneye included 6 on the Inland Sea (13^th), 6 on the lagoon at Cemlyn (15^th) and 1 at Llyn Trafwll (19^th).  There were 300 Pintail at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th), with 92 birds at the Alaw estuary (17^th).  84 Wigeon were at the Alaw estuary (17^th).  Sightings of Goosander included 2 at the Alaw estuary (17^th) and 1 on the Inland Sea (17^th).

Gulls and Terns:

A Little Gull flew west past Point Lynas (13^th), while sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included 2 at Traeth Dulas (13^th), 3 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th) and 4 at the Alaw estuary (17^th).

Raptors:

A Short-eared Owl was seen at Cemlyn (13^th), up to 5 Marsh Harriers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th) and a Merlin was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (19^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

3 Spoonbills were again seen in flight over RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th), with the site also holding up to 2 Great Egrets (2 on 13^th, 1 on 19^th).

 

Forthcoming week – 20^th November – 26^th November?

Just the two rare and scarce birds; a Richard’s Pipit at Cors Erddreiniog (24^th) in 2002 and a Desert Wheatear at North Stack (26^th) in 2011.

Saturday 6th November - Friday 12th November 2021

Intro:

… the finer points of sub-species identification …

Passerines and others:

A Black Redstart was at the Mackenzie Pier, Holyhead (6^th) and 10+ Water Pipits were seen to fly out of the marsh at RSPB Cors Ddyga at dawn (10^th) though none are understood to have been seen in an area where they might be watched.  There were several sightings of Common Chiffchaff – with birds at Traeth Lligwy (6^th), Penrhos Coastal Park (9^th), Llyn Coron (11^th) and at the Octel / Amlwch Port water treatment plant (10^th&12^th).  At least 2 of the birds were possibly of the Tristis sub-species although it is always difficult to be certain unless the bird calls. 

 

Common Chiffchaff, possibly of Tristis sub-species, Octel / Amlwch Port Water Treatment Plant, 10^th November.

A Cetti’s Warbler was at Llyn Cerrig Bach, near RSPB Valley wetlands (11^th) and a Blackcap was at the Octel / Amlwch Port water treatment plant (12^th).  There were a number of late sightings of Barn Swallow, with 1 at Holyhead (6^th), 1 at Penrhos (7^th), 1 at Bull Bay (11^th) and 1 at Llyn Coron (11^th).

It was a good week for finches with 22 Brambling over South Stack (11^th), 4-5 Brambling on coastal fields between Aberffraw dunes and Bodorgan (11^th) and 2+ Brambling calling over Octel, Amlwch Port (2+ on 11^th, 1 on 10^th).  10 Siskin were at Penrhos Coastal Park (9^th).  Up to 1641 Woodpigeon were seen over South Stack (1641 on 11^th, 92 on 10^th), while a Hooded Crow was also seen (9^th, 11^th).  Good numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing and continental Blackbirds continue to be seen.

Divers & Grebes:

2 Slavonian Grebe were on the Inland Sea (8^th).  Sightings of Great Northern Diver included up to 2 birds at Cemlyn (2 on 11^th, 1 on 6^th), 1 at Penrhos Coastal Park (7^th) and 1 off Benllech seafront (11^th). Up to 5 Red-throated Divers were off Benllech seafront (11^th), with up to 2 at Cemlyn (2 on 11^th, 1 on 6^th& 10^th) and 1 off Penrhos beach (8^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Sightings of Whooper Swans included 5 birds at Llyn Alaw (11^th), 2 at Cemlyn (10^th) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th&12^th).  14 Mute Swans were on the Inland Sea (10^th).  Counts of Pale-bellied Brent Geese included 305 off Penrhos Coastal Park (7^th) and 268 on the Alaw estuary (8^th).  A single Dark-bellied Brent Goose was off Penrhos Coastal Park (8^th).

The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (7^th&8^th, 12^th) where there were also up to 10+ Eider (10+ on 7^th, 2 on 11^th).  There were up to 114 Wigeon on the Alaw estuary (114 on 7^th, c.80 on 6^th) and 24 Shelduck (7^th).  Sightings of Goldeneye included 9 birds on the Inland Sea (10^th) and 1 on the Alaw estuary (7^th).  4 drake Goosander were on Llyn Coron (11^th).

Gulls and Terns:

A Mediterranean Gull was at Cemlyn (6^th) and another at RSPB Cors Ddyga (10^th).  A 1^st winter Sandwich Tern was at Penrhos beach (8^th).

Waders:

Sightings of Purple Sandpiper included 13 birds at Cemlyn (6^th) and 3 on Holyhead breakwater (8^th).  There were 8 Knot on the Alaw estuary (7^th), 5 Knot at Beddmanarch Bay (11^th) and up to 62 Dunlin on the Alaw estuary (62 on 7^th, 12 on 6^th).  There was an impressive count of 53 Grey Plover at the Alaw estuary (53 on 7^th, 3 on 6^th).  42 Bar-tailed Godwit were at the Alaw estuary (7^th), 100+ Black-tailed Godwit were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th) and 40 Black-tailed Godwit were at the Gorad flood, Valley (10^th).  5 Greenshank were on the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (11^th), with 1 at the Alaw estuary (7^th).  Sightings of Redshank included 32 at Traeth Dulas (11^th) and up to 27 Redshank at the Alaw estuary (27 on 7^th, 20 on 6^th).  89 Curlew were at the Alaw estuary (7^th), which also held 295 Oystercatcher (7^th).  A Jack Snipe was at The Range (7^th), while Woodcock were seen at South Stack (7^th, 10^th).

Raptors:

Merlins were seen at South Stack (7^th), The Range (7^th) and on coastal fields between Aberffraw dunes and Bodorgan (11^th).  Up to 3 Marsh Harriers were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3 on 11^th, 2 on 7^th&10^th).

Seabirds:

A very late Atlantic Puffin was seen from the coastline between Amlwch Port and Point Lynas (7^th).  Up to 3 Black Guillemots at Holyhead harbour (3 on 7^th, 1 on 6^th), with 1 off the Benllech seafront (11^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

3 Spoonbills were seen in flight over RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th), while there were sightings of Great Egret at Llyn Llywenan (11^th) and RSPB Cors Ddyga (11^th).  A very late Common Quail was heard calling at Aberffraw dunes (7^th).

 

Forthcoming week – 13^th November – 19^th November?

4 Richard’s Pipits with birds at Newborough (13^th) in 1963, at Ynys Llanddwyn (14^th) in 1960, at Red-Wharf Bay (14^th) in 1996 and at The Range (18^th) in 2019.  There was a Rose-coloured Starling at Amlwch Port (14^th) in 2020 and a Pallas’s Warbler at South Stack (15^th) in 1987.  A Cattle Egret was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (14^th) in 2018, a Glossy Ibis at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th) in 2014 and a Purple Heron at Cors Crygill (18^th) in 2014.  A Bean Goose was at Llyn Coron (14^th) in 2011 (not split at that time) and a Green-winged Teal was at Llyn Alaw (19^th) in 1984.  Just the one wader of note, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Cemlyn (13^th) in 1977.

Saturday 30th October – Friday 5th November 2021

Intro:

… Snow Buntings, Black Redstarts and Bramblings …

Passerines and others:

Perhaps the week’s highlight was further sighting of Snow Buntings with 1 seen in flight at South Stack (31^st) and up to 2 around the Trwyn at Cemlyn (2 on 31^st, 1 on 1^st).  

Snow Bunting, Cemlyn, 1st November - Martin Jones

The Black Redstart previously seen in a private garden at Beaumaris was seen again (1^st), whilst a female / juvenile plumage bird was in the walled garden opposite the Pilot’s cottage at Point Lynas (3^rd- 4^th).  A Firecrest was at South Stack (3^rd), a tristis - type Siberian Chiffchaff was at the Amlwch Port / Octel water treatment plant (2^nd), a collybita Common Chiffchaff was at Rhoscolyn (5^th), 6 Blackcap were at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (1^st) and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard calling at RSPB Cors Ddyga (4^th).  Brambling were seen in a number of private gardens, but the latest concentration of 20+ birds continued to be within the mixed finch flock near Llanddaniel (31^st).  3 Common Crossbill flew over Cemaes (30^th) and a Hooded Crow was at South Stack (3^rd).  There was a major arrival of Redwing and Fieldfare to the North East of the island (5^th), with significant numbers of both species from Benllech to Hen Borth.

Divers & Grebes:

Up to 2 Slavonian Grebe on the Inland Sea (2 on 3^rd, 1 on 30^th & 2^nd) and 1 was seen at Beddmanarch Bay (1^st, 2^nd).  43 Little Grebes were at the Cefni reservoir (5^th).  Sightings of Great Northern Diver included 1 off Moelfre (30^th), 1 at Borth Wen, Rhoscolyn (3^rd) and 3 past Cemlyn (5^th).  2 Red-throated Diver were in the bay at Cemlyn (5^th)

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Sightings of Whooper Swans included 5 seen west of Llanfachraeth (30^th), 9 on flooded fields at RSPB Cors Ddyga (4^th) and 9 at Llyn Llywenan (5^th).  Up to 257 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Beddmanarch Bay (257 on 2^nd, 195 on 1^st) with 62 birds on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  A White-fronted Goose – probably of the Greenland race – flew south at Trearddur Bay (2^nd).  The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech (31^st & 1^st), along with up to 20 Eider (20 on 4^th, 2 on 1^st).  The Cefni reservoir (5^th) held 74 Tufted Duck, 44 Gadwall, 37 Shoveler, 19 Wigeon, 5 Pochard, 3 Goldeneye and 221 Coot.  A Goosander was on the pool between the A55 and the Cob, near the Inland Sea (3^rd).

Gulls and Terns:

Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included 5 at Penrhos Coastal Park (30^th), 2 on the Alaw estuary (1^st), 2 at Traeth Dulas (1^st, 2^nd) and 1 off Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (5^th).

Waders:

2 Green Sandpiper were on the flooded field near Valley cemetery (1^st), with 1 at Traeth Dulas (2^nd).  A Purple Sandpiper was seen off the headland between Silver Bay and Borth Wen, Rhoscolyn (3^rd), while 14 Dunlin were on the Alaw estuary (1^st) and 25 Dunlin were at Rhoscolyn (5^th).  Up to 8 Grey Plover were on the Alaw estuary (2 on 30^th, 8 on 1^st, 5 on 4th), 1 was at Cemlyn (1^st) and 1 was at Rhoscolyn (5^th).  There were 100+ Golden Plover at Cemlyn (1^st) and 78 Lapwing were on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  Up to 24 Bar-tailed Godwit were seen on the Alaw estuary (2 on 30^th, 19 on 1^st, 24 on 4^th) and 55 Black-tailed Godwit were at Gorad flood, Valley (2^nd).  Up to 4 Greenshank were on the Alaw estuary (4 on 30^th, 1 on 1^st & 4^th), while 12 birds were at Traeth Dulas (2^nd).  Traeth Dulas also held 38 Redshank (2^nd).  2 Woodcock were on The Range (30^th).

Raptors:

A Short-eared Owl was seen between Holyhead Breakwater Country Park and Soldier’s Point (1^st), while a Red Kite was seen north of Cefni reservoir (1^st).  A Merlin was seen to come in off the sea at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (1^st) and 2 others were seen hunting near the south side of Holyhead (4^th).  A juvenile Marsh Harrier was at the Cefni reservoir (5^th).

Seabirds:

A late Arctic Skua flew past Octel, Amlwch Port (3^rd).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

No records of note.

 

Forthcoming week – 6^th November – 12^th November?

A big reduction in the number of rare and scarce birds, with just the two records.  A Glossy Ibis was at Valley (7^th) in 2019 and there is a historical record of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo (10^th) at Menai Bridge in 1899.