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.