Friday 28 January 2022

Saturday 22nd January – Friday 28th January 2022

Intro:

… steady as she goes … a week of little change, but enough to keep the interest going.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The 1st winter Glossy Ibis was reported on the field between the railway line and caravan park, north of Llyn Maelog during the early part of the week (22nd-26th).  RSPB wardens advise that there have recently been up to 3 Great Egrets at RSPB Cors Ddyga, with specific reports during the week including 2 (26th) and 1 (27th). 1 was also seen at Llyn Llywenan (22nd & 25th), with 2 on wet fields north-west of the Rhosgoch turning off the B5111 (28th).  A showy Water Rail was at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (25th-27th).

Passerines and others:

The first report of Yellowhammer for the year came from fields around the Braint estuary (23rd), which also continues to hold up to 5 Brambling among a mixed finch flock of up to 600 birds together with 200+ Skylarks (23rd).  RSPB wardens advise that up to 7 Chiffchaff have recently been seen from the road between RSPB Cors Ddyga and the Pentre Berw water treatment plant, with specific reports during the week including 1 at the Pentre Berw Water Treatment Plant (23rd) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th).  2 Blackcap were in a private garden at Benllech (28th).  A male Black Redstart was in the small cove off the Salt Island car park, Holyhead Harbour (26th), while the Benllech bird was seen again on ‘The Wendon’ at the seafront (28th).  A Kingfisher was seen on the small pool adjacent to the car park at Penrhos Coastal Park (26th&28th), and both Dipper and Grey Wagtail were on the stream at Bodfordd (23rd).  Hooded Crows were seen at RSPB South Stack (25th) and on the Alaw estuary (27th).

Waders:

Up to 2 Green Sandpipers were on the Alaw estuary (2 on 27th, 1 on 25th), with Common Sandpiper being seen at 2 sites – 1 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (22nd) and 1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (26th-27th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 9 birds on the Alaw estuary (27th), 6 birds at Traeth Dulas (23rd) and 1 at the Braint estuary (27th).  645 Black-tailed Godwit were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th), which also had a Ruff (25th-26th).  A large flock of Golden Plover (>1000) were on fields off the old Aberffraw - Bodorgan road (27th), with 1380 birds at Llyn Maelog (22nd).  Counts of Lapwing included 193 at Llyn Maelog (22nd) and 277 on the Alaw estuary (27th).   Traeth Dulas had 102 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover (28th), while 23 Ringed Plover were at Holyhead Bay (28th).  37 Snipe were between Silver Bay and Borthwen, Rhoscolyn (23rd), while sightings of Jack Snipe included 1 between Silver Bay and Borthwen, Rhoscolyn (23rd), 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th&26th) and 1 at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (25th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The Whooper Swan herd was still on fields off the Llangefni – Llanerchymedd road (24th), with other sightings including 4 on fields north of RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th), 7 on fields east of the Braint estuary (27th) and 9 at Llyn Lygeirian (28th).  28 Mute Swans were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th), with 23 on the Alaw estuary (27th).  134 Pink-footed Geese flew in from the north and landed north of the Afon Cefni but flew off again after a few minutes heading in the direction of Llyn Coron (25th).  A single Pink-footed Goose was with Canada Geese at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th).  128 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at the Braint estuary (23rd).

The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (24th), with the site continuing in its good form for Eider with 22 birds (22nd).  76 Common Scoter were off Benllech seafront (25th), with 20+ close inshore off Penmon Point (27th).  The female Scaup was seen again on the Cefni reservoir (23rd).  Sightings of Goldeneye included 14 birds on Llyn Maelog (22nd) and 11 birds on the Cefni reservoir (23rd).  The Cefni reservoir also held 97 Tufted Duck, 17 Gadwall, 213 Wigeon, 25 Shoveler and 129 Coot (23rd).  There were 13 Goosander on Llyn Coron (27th) and single birds at Llyn Llywenan (22nd) and on the Afon Cefni, from Pont Bulkeley (26th).

Divers & Grebes:

3 Great Northern Divers were reported off Cemlyn (23rd), with 1 off Benllech seafront (22nd, 25th, 27th-28th).  Benllech seafront also delivered a Black-throated Diver (22nd & 27th) and up to 50 Red-throated Diver (50 on 23rd, 16 on 25th).  2 Slavonian Grebes were off Penrhos Coastal Park (26th, 28th), 21 Little Grebe were at the Cefni reservoir (23rd) and 46 Great-crested Grebes were off Benllech seafront (25th).

Raptors:

RSPB wardens advise that up to 5 Marsh Harriers have recently been seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga, with specific reports during the week including 3 (25th) and 2 (26th).  Elsewhere, Marsh Harriers were seen at Llyn Coron (22nd) and RSPB Valley (22nd).  It was a good week for sightings of Hen Harrier (all ‘ring-tailed’ – i.e. 1st winter or female birds), with reports from 4 sites with 1 at Llyn Coron (22nd), 1 over the Cefni estuary as viewed from the Newborough end of the cob (25th), 1 at Cors Goch (27th) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27th).  A Red Kite was seen from RSPB Cors Ddyga (26th).  Peregrine Falcons were seen on the Cefni estuary (25th), RSPB Cors Ddyga (26th) and from Penrhos Coastal Park (28th).  Sightings of Merlin included 1 at Llyn Coron (22nd), 1 at Llanfaethlu (22nd), 2 on the Braint estuary (23rd),1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th), 1 off Penrhos Coastal Park (26th) and 1 at Cors Goch (27th).  There was a belated report of a Goshawk seen by 2 wardens as it flew over RSPB Cors Ddyga (18th).  A Short-eared Owl was seen hunting the fields north of the Afon Cefni between the two bridges adjacent to RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th).

Seabirds:

A Black Guillemot was seen off Benllech seafront (26th).  Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included an adult winter bird off Penrhos Coastal Park (26th), 3 on the Alaw estuary (27th), 1 at 4-mile bridge (28th) and 1 at Cemaes Bay (28th).  A Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the Alaw estuary (27th) – the first for the year at that site.

Other wildlife of note:

A pod of 11 Bottle-nosed Dolphins moved south off South Stack (27th), while an Otter was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25th).

Friday 21 January 2022

Saturday 15th January – Friday 21st January 2022

Intro:

… Glossy Ibis …

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The highlight for many will have been the 3 Glossy Ibis that we first reported late on the 14th on wet fields north of Llyn Maelog.  A search on the Saturday morning quickly relocated the birds and save for a short movement to an adjacent field the birds – 2 adults and a juvenile – remained in the same area, much to the enjoyment of a steady stream of admirers (15th – 19th).  Subsequently, only 1 bird has been reported (20th).

 Glossy Ibis, Llyn Maelog, 15th January – photo: @birdinginasuit

There were no further reports during the week of the Cattle Egret in the cattle field to the north of Valley, but the field is still holding good numbers of Little Egret with up to 11 birds (16th).  Great Egrets were seen at Llyn Llywenan (16th) and at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17th).

Passerines and others:

For the second year running, Anglesey has a winter record of Lesser Whitethroat.  One was photographed in a private garden in Holyhead (19th) and as per last year’s bird is possibly of the Siberian blythi sub-species.  A Firecrest was found at a wooded stream opposite the main car park at Traeth Bychan (17th), which also held a Chiffchaff (17th).  Other sightings of Chiffchaff included a bird at the Pentre Berw water treatment plant (19th&20th) and 5 in the brassica field, north of Braint estuary car park (17th) – 1 of which may have been of the Siberian sub-species tristis.  A female Blackcap was on a bird feeding station at Trearddur Bay (19th).  There were still up to 6 Brambling in and around the aforementioned brassica field (17th).  Both of last week’s Black Redstarts continued their stay with the Benllech bird being seen on Ty Traeth to the north of the beach car park (16th) and the Amlwch Port bird being seen at the former Octel factory site (16th).  Confirmation has been received that the small population of Tree Sparrows continues to hold on at a private site in the centre of the island (15th-16th).  The ‘Cattle Egret’ field north of Valley held a good variety of birds including 250 Chaffinch, 50 Linnet, 10 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting, 25 Meadow Pipit and 40 Redwing (18th).  A Stock Dove was seen at Bodorgan (17th), while Kingfishers were seen at Penrhos Coastal Park (18th), the Inland Sea (19th) and at 4-Mile Bridge (21st).

Waders:

Both Green and Common Sandpipers were seen, with the former still being seen on the wet fields on the approach to Cors Crigyll (15th) and the latter by the inflow at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead Harbour (16th,18th&20th).  3 Ruff were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (16th-17th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 1 on the river at Malltraeth (18th), 1 at the Alaw estuary (20th) and 6 at Traeth Dulas (19th).  RSPB Cors Ddyga continues to hold a large flock of 300+ Black-tailed Godwits (17th), while the ‘gorad’ flood at Valley had 46 birds (18th).  60 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the Alaw estuary (20th), which also held 4 Knot and 326 Lapwing (20th).  Jack Snipe were flushed west of Octel, Amlwch Port (17th), at The Range, Holyhead (19th) and at Llyn Coron (19th).  2 Woodcock were seen at Newborough Forest (17th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

A new high count for Whooper Swans for the winter, with 53 birds seen from the Llangefni – Llanerchymedd road (20th).  The male Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (21st), where there was also 1 Eider and 140 Common Scoter (21st).  A male and female Scaup were seen on Llyn Cefni (16th), with the female seen again later in the week (19th).  Another female Scaup was seen on the flooded field to the north of the path to the river at RSPB Cors Ddyga (16th-17th).  There were 18 Goosander on Llyn Coron (19th).

Divers & Grebes:

Up to 2 Great Northern Divers were on the Inland Sea (2 on 18th, 1 on 16th), while 15 Red-throated Diver were seen from Benllech seafront (21st).  Up to 4 Slavonian Grebes were in Beddmanarch Bay (4 on 17th, 3 on 16th, 1 on 20th), with 1 on the Inland Sea (16th&18th).  40 Great-crested Grebes were seen off Benllech seafront (21st).

Raptors:

Marsh Harriers were seen at Rhosneigr (15th), RSPB Cors Ddyga (17th) and Llyn Coron (19th).  Sightings of Red Kite included birds seen between Talwrn and Pentraeth (18th), over Dulas (18th) and over the Pentre Berw water treatment plant (19th).

Seabirds:

Lesser Black-backed Gull is our earliest returning migrant; 1 at the Inland Sea was the first record of a sighting this year (18th).  Mediterranean Gulls were seen off Penrhos Coastal Park (17th& 20th) and at Trearddur Bay (19th).  Sightings of Black Guillemot included 1 at Beddmanarch Bay (16th) and 1 at Traeth Lligwy (16th).

Friday 14 January 2022

Saturday 8th January – Friday 14th January 2022

 Intro:

 … one swallow doesn’t make a summer …

Passerines and others:

One swallow doesn’t make a summer’, so the saying goes.  It urges caution not to place too much emphasis on early and positive signs as there could still be bumps in the road ahead. 

It works well with the fact that we generally don’t see the return of our earliest swallows until the last week of March; but are we starting to see the first signs of a change?  Whilst Anglesey has had an occasional record of late departing swallows remaining into the month of December, there doesn’t seem to have been any records of birds remaining into the New Year – that is, until this week.  Following on from one seen and videoed near Ynys Llanddwyn on the 25th December, the same or another was seen this week at the centre of the village of Newborough (11th).  Is this the start of a new migratory strategy with a few birds in the vanguard of a move to see if they can tough it out through milder British winters?  It does seem that there are more records across the UK this January and it will be interesting to see if this becomes an increasing trend.

It has now become fairly routine to have a small number of Chiffchaffs over-wintering, particularly around a number of water treatment plants and various willow beds.  2 were seen this week in willows along the stream between RSPB Cors Ddyga and Pentre Berw water treatment plant (9th), with another in hedges opposite the Cob Pool at Malltraeth (10th).  A female Blackcap was seen in roadside hedge at Valley (13th) and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13th) with another noted north of RSPB Cors Ddyga by the disused railway bridge (11th).

The Black Redstart was seen again at Benllech seafront, on this occasion favouring the ‘wendon’ building next to beach car park, Benllech (9th), while the wintering male remains in and around the former Octel plant at Amlwch Port (9th-13th).  Several Brambling remain in and around the brassica crop north of the Braint estuary car park (8th-14th), a Kingfisher was at Pont Bulkeley, Afon Cefni (9th&12th) and there was an unattributed report of a Snow Bunting at Cemlyn (12th).  Hooded Crows were seen at Henborth (8th&14th), the Alaw estuary (9th) and at South Stack (10th).  5 Chough were at Aberffraw dunes (14th).

Waders:

A Green Sandpiper was seen on the Alaw estuary (9th&12th), with another on wet fields near Cors Crigyll (11th).  A Common Sandpiper was seen off Salt Island, Holyhead Harbour (11th).  11 Purple Sandpipers were at Trearddur Bay (8th).

There were 2 good counts of Dunlin with c. 1000 birds on the Laird’s Beach, 1 mile east of Beaumaris (8th) and 977 birds on the Alaw estuary (13th).  Sightings of Knot included 450 birds on the Braint estuary (12th) and 114 on the Alaw estuary (13th).  There were up to 350 Black-tailed Godwit at RSPB Cors Ddyga (350 on 11th, 300 on 13th), while counts of Bar-tailed Godwit included 30 birds off Penrhos coastal park (11th) and 41 birds at the Alaw estuary (13th).  Sightings of Greenshank included up to 7 birds at the Alaw estuary (7 on 13th, 6 on 9th), 1 on the Braint estuary (12th), 1 at Traeth Dulas (13th) and 1 at Malltraeth (14th).  Counts of Grey Plover included 35 birds off Penrhos Coastal Park (11th) and 90 birds at the Alaw estuary (13th), while tallies of Golden Plover included 395 birds at Llyn Maelog (12th) and c. 800 birds on the Bodorgan fields close to Aberffraw dunes (13th).  There were 136 Lapwing at Llyn Maelog (12th), 235 birds at the Alaw estuary (13th) and c.750 birds on the Bodorgan fields (14th).  30 Snipe were seen to leave the marsh by Llangefni sewage works at dusk (11th) and 4 Woodcock were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

There was a late report of 3 Glossy Ibis in a field north of Llyn Maelog (14th).  The Cattle Egret was again seen in a cattle field north of Valley (8th -10th), but it can at times be a little elusive.  The same field has held up to 22 Little Egrets (8th).  Up to 2 Great Egrets continue to be seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 12th, 1 on 13th).  6 Water Rail were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13th), with 1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (13th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Sightings of Whooper Swans included 3 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8th), 4 on the Alaw estuary (9th) and 2 at Llyn Coron (14th).  50 Pink-footed Geese were seen on fields on north shore of Llyn Alaw (10th).  238 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at the Alaw estuary (9th), while Penmon pool had 68 Pale-bellied Brents and 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (8th). 

The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (9th), where there was also 20+ Eider (9th) and 100 Common Scoter (9th).  Counts of Wigeon included 300 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9th) and 176 at Llyn Cefni (12th).  There were 300 Shoveler at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9th), 185 Shelduck on the Braint estuary (12th), 261 Pintail on Malltraeth cob pool (12th), 190 Tufted Duck at Llyn Cefni (12th) and 127 Coot at Llyn Cefni (12th).  There were 11 Goldeneye at Llyn Cefni (12th) and 9 at Llyn Coron (9th). 

Divers & Grebes:

Great Northern Divers continue to be seen around the coast with 2 off Benllech seafront (9th), 2 on the Inland Sea (8th, 11th), 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (10th) and 1 in Holyhead Harbour (10th).  6 Red-throated Diver were off Benllech seafront (9th).  Up to 5 Slavonian Grebes were on the Inland Sea (5 on 11th, 1 on 8th), with up to 4 birds in Beddmanarch Bay (4 on 13th, 2 on 11th, 1 on 10th) – there is known to be some movement between the 2 sites.  20 Great-crested Grebes were off Benllech seafront (9th) and 48 Little Grebes were on Llyn Cefni (12th).

Raptors:

A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (12th&13th), as were 2 Marsh Harriers (13th).  A Red Kite was seen over Talwrn (13th).  Sightings of Merlin included 1 on the Alaw estuary (9th) and 1 on the Braint estuary (12th).  A Short-eared Owl was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (11th).

Seabirds:

1000+ Common Guillemots were back on the ledges at RSPB South Stack (11th).  6 Mediterranean Gulls were on the Inland Sea (11th).

 

NWWT, Cemlyn Wardens, ABN Annual Reports

Many thanks to everyone who has accessed the 2 annual reports recently and made a donation to the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s ‘Cemlyn Appeal’ for monies towards the cost of wardening.  Feedback from the NWWT has been that there was an increase in donations to the appeal over the early part of the year and that there had also been a number of new applications for membership of the NWWT.

If you are interested in membership, the NWWT have a ½ price offer on membership at the moment, details of which can be found at:

https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/support-us-landing-page/half-price-membership-sale

For ease of access, the appeal page for the funding of Cemlyn Wardens can be found at:

https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/cemlyn-appeal

Ben Stammers, NWWT, made a presentation to Bangor Bird Group this last Wednesday, so if you want to know a little more about Cemlyn and its wildlife the recording of the talk can be found on YouTube at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MyLgwP4pgg

PDF copies of the 2021 and 2020 annual reports of bird sightings on Anglesey can be downloaded at:

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2021-annual-report

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2020-annual-report

Friday 7 January 2022

Saturday 1st January – Friday 7th January 2022

Intro:

… off to a bit of a flyer …

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda; Happy New Year.  The year has got off to a bit of a flyer, with 138 species seen so far, with 2 species added already that weren’t reported in 2021.

Waders:

Following last year’s sighting of an Avocet over Porth Cwyfan and then at the Braint estuary, the same or another was found on the Alaw estuary which stayed at least 3 days (1st-3rd).  It was only the 2nd record for this location, following a bird on the 17th December 1978.

A Green Sandpiper, carried over from 2021, was seen again on wet fields near Cors Crigyll (3rd&5th).  Purple Sandpipers were added to many a year list, with up to 25 birds at Cemlyn (25 on 6th, 10 on 1st), up to 5 birds at Trearddur Bay (5 on 6th, 3 on 2nd), 2 at Moelfre (1st), 2 on the headland behind Holyhead breakwater (3rd) and 1 at Porth Nobla (4th).   Knot were reported from several locations with 250+ in a high tide roost directly east of the old outdoor swimming pool, Beaumaris (2nd), 65 at Beddmanarch Bay (1st) and 45 on the Alaw estuary (1st).  The Alaw estuary also held 2 Sanderling (1st-2nd) and 421 Dunlin.

RSPB Cors Ddyga was the place to see Black-tailed Godwits with 650+ birds (650+ on 1st, 540 on 2nd), with good numbers also at the flooded field off Lon Spencer, Valley (2nd).  There were 116 Bar-tailed Godwits on the Alaw estuary (1st).  Reports of Greenshank included 1 at Beddmanarch Bay (1st), 1 at Church Island (1st), 1 on the Afon Ffraw (4th) and 3 on the Alaw estuary(1st-2nd).  3 Ruff were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3rd).

There were 1000+ European Golden Plover on coastal fields at Bodorgan (5th), while sightings of Grey Plover included 50 birds at Beddmanarch Bay (1st) and 5 birds on the Alaw estuary (1st).  There were 22 Ringed Plover on the Alaw estuary (1st), which also held 254 Lapwing (1st).

Reports of Jack Snipe included 2 at Red Wharf Bay (1st), 1 at Traeth Dulas (1st&6th), 1 at the Alaw estuary (1st) and 1 at Llyn Coron (4th).  4 Woodcock were seen at Mynydd Bodafon (1st), with 1 at RSPB Cor Ddyga (4th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Cattle Egret was again in a cattle field north of Valley (4th-6th), with some speculating that this bird may well have been around the island for some 2 years.  Given a recent report of a flock of 304 Cattle Egrets in just one flock on the Somerset levels, it is perhaps a little surprising that they remain as scarce as they do on the island.  Sightings of Great Egrets included 2 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1st-2nd) and 1 at Llyn Llywenan (5th&6th).  On to a bird that wasn’t reported last year; Glossy Ibis, with 3 birds seen circling Traeth Dulas before flying off to the south east (4th) – hopefully, there is still a chance that these birds might be relocated.

Passerines and others:

Last week’s Black Redstart at Benllech did the decent thing and stayed for the start of the new year (1st-2nd).  Winter warblers included a Chiffchaff at Soldier’s Point (1st) and another at Llyn Coron (3rd&5th).  A male Blackcap was a bit of a surprise in coastal bushes at Valley (2nd), whilst Cetti’s Warblers were seen or heard at Llyn Cerrig Bach (1st-2nd) and Llyn Coron (3rd).  Up to 4 Brambling were in a mixed finch flock in and around a brassica field near the Braint estuary car park (2nd-7th), while 9 Siskin were at Penrhos Coastal Park (4th).  A Dipper was singing on the Afon Cefni at Bodfordd (4th), while another was at Llyn Frogwy (5th).  A Stock Dove was seen at Aberffraw (4th), while Hooded Crows were at the Alaw estuary (1st) and at Henborth (4th) with a possible hybrid at the end of Ravenspoint Road, Trearddur Bay (6th).  Kingfishers were seen at Penrhos Coastal Park (4th) and at Malltraeth (4th).

A Grey Partridge was accidentally flushed at a field gate north of Llyn Coron, close to the village of Soar (5th) and is the 2nd species that was not recorded in 2021.

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Whooper Swans were seen across the island, with the largest herd being of 40+ birds east of Pont Glan-rhyd, off the Llangefni to Llanerchymedd road.  Elsewhere, 9 were on fields west of Cors Crigyll (3rd), 4 were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2nd), 3 were on fields north of Llyn Alaw (1st&4th), 2 were at Llyn Cefni (5th) and 1 was on the Alaw estuary (1st).  The ever-elusive flock of c.20 Greenland White-fronted Geese were seen again in flight from Llyn Coron towards Malltraeth (1st), while 17 Pink-footed Geese were on wet fields south of the A5025 near Burwen (1st) with 3 remaining on fields south of Plas Cemlyn (1st-7th). 

 

Photo: Pink-footed Geese, Plas Cemlyn, 4th January – Martin Jones.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen at a number of coastal locations across the island and included 330 at Traeth Melynog (1st), 244 on the Alaw estuary (1st), 90 south of Four-mile Bridge (2nd), 72 at Lleiniog (6th) and 18 at Traeth Dulas (6th).  3 Barnacle Geese were on fields west of Cors Crigyll (3rd), with another on fields near Llyn Padrig (3rd).  A Snow Goose, most probably destined to be considered of likely captive origin, was seen on fields near Bryngwran (4th). 

The drake Long-tailed Duck made a re-appearance off Benllech seafront (3rd) and the female Scaup on the north-east basin of Llyn Cefni stayed put into the new year (1st, 5th).  A pair of Eider were off Benllech seafront (3rd), with other birds seen at Moelfre (4th).  15 Common Scoter were off Benllech seafron (7th).  An exceptional count of 630 Shoveler at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1st) was noteworthy.  9 Goosander were at Llyn Coron (5th), with up to 7 at Llyn Trafwll (7 on 2nd, 2 on 1st).

Divers & Grebes:

The top prize amongst the divers and grebes was a Black-throated Diver seen off Porth Nobla (4th).  Great Northern Divers were noted at several locations and included 3 birds off Benllech (3 on 3rd, 2 1st-2nd), 2 on the Inland Sea (1st), up to 2 in Beddmanarch Bay (2 on 2nd, 1 on 1st&7th), 1 off Red Wharf Bay village (1st), 1 at Holyhead Fish Quay (1st), 1 in Holyhead Harbour (2nd,4th&7th), 1 off Porth Nobla (4th) and 1 off Gallows Point, Beaumaris (6th). A Red-throated Diver was in Holyhead Harbour (3rd), with others seen off Moelfre (4th) and Benllech seafront (1st).  2 Slavonian Grebes were seen at Beddmanarch Bay (1st), with 2 on the Inland Sea (1st) and away from their Holyhead stronghold there was 1 off Moelfre (4th).  60 Great-crested Grebes were counted off Benllech (1st).

Raptors:

A Ring-tailed Hen Harrier was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3rd&4th), as were up to 3 Marsh Harriers (3 on 2nd, 2 on 5th, 1 on 1st).  2 Red Kites were seen over the A55 near the Rhosneigr turning (1st), with another over Llyn Cefni (4th).  Sightings of Merlin included birds at the Alaw estuary (1st), at Bodorgan (3rd) and at the saltmarsh on the Cefni estuary (4th).  Up to 2 Short-eared Owls were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 4th, 1 on 3rd&5th), with sightings of single birds at the Alaw Estuary (1st) and at Aberffraw (2nd).  A Barn Owl was at RSOB Cors Ddyga (4th).

Seabirds:

6 Fulmars were back on the ledges at RSPB South Stack (2nd), with 2 at cliff nest sites at Moelfre (7th).  3 Gannets were offshore at RSPB South Stack (2nd).  Sightings of Black Guillemot included 6 in Holyhead Harbour (2nd), 4 in Holyhead Fish Quay (1st), 4 at Moelfre (7th), 3 at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 7th, 2 on 2nd, 1 on 1st) and 1 off Benllech (7th).  c.100 Common Guillemots were actively feeding between the headland and Ynys Moefre (7th), while 4 Common Guillemots were in Holyhead Harbour (2nd).  85 Cormorants were counted off Moelfre (7th).

Gulls and Terns:

Single Mediterranean Gulls were seen at Traeth Dulas (1st), Cemlyn (1st), the Alaw estuary (1st), at Holyhead Fish Quay (1st), at Holyhead Harbour (3rd) and at Penrhos Coastal Park (4th).  15 Great Black-backed Gulls were off Moefre (7th).

 

2021 and 2020 annual reports of bird sightings

PDF copies of the 2021 and 2020 annual reports of bird sightings on Anglesey can be downloaded at:

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2021-annual-report

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2020-annual-report

If you enjoy the reports, please consider making a donation to the Cemlyn Wardens appeal (North Wales Wildlife Trust).  Details at:

https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/cemlyn-appeal