Saturday 19th February – Friday 25th February 2022

Intro:

Bittern or Velvet Scoter?  Both are new for the 2022 Anglesey year list that now stands at 149.  Let’s start with the Bittern.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Whilst they have undoubtedly been hiding away in the island’s reedbeds over the winter, it was something of a surprise that no birds had been reported during the year to date – that is until the first confirmed record came in of a male ‘booming’ at RSPB Valley wetlands (22^nd).  Many will be looking forward to some warmer evenings to hear this wonderful sound emanating from the reedbeds at the likes of RSPB Cors Ddyga and RSPB Valley wetlands. 

The Cattle Egret was seen again in the roadside field 800m north-east of Valley (19^th, 22^nd, 25^th), with sightings of Great Egrets including 1 at Llyn Llywenan (22^nd) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th).  A Water Rail was seen at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (21^st) and others heard at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Velvet Scoter is a scarce bird on Anglesey and many local birders will have fond memories of the drake that lingered off Benllech between the 3^rd -15^th March 2000 prior to the first national lockdown.  None were reported in 2021, but this week there was a further sighting of a drake off Benllech seafront (21^st).

Sightings of Whooper Swans included 52 birds north of the Llangefni – Llanerchymedd road and 4 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th).  36 Mute Swans at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th) was a notable count.  Reports of Pale-bellied Brent Geese included 264 at the Alaw estuary (21^st), 69 at Penmon pool (23^rd) and 5 at Traeth Dulas (20^th).

Back to Benllech seafront, where there was a further sighting of the drake Long-tailed Duck (23^rd), along with up to 15 Eider (15 on 19^th, 3 on 21^st) and 30 Common Scoter (19^th).  Elsewhere, 7 Eider were seen between Aberlleiniog and Trwyn-y-Penrhyn, Penmon (23^rd) and 6 past Penmon Point (25^th).  On inland waters, there were 2 female Scaup on Llyn Cefni (24^th) and 8 Goldeneye (24^th).  A pair of Goosander were on Llyn Penrhyn (22^nd) and 5 Red-breasted Mergansers were at Holyhead harbour (21^st).

Divers & Grebes:

Sightings of Great Northern Divers included 2 birds at Beddmanarch Bay (19^th), 2 between Aberlleiniog and Trwyn-y-Penrhyn, Penmon (23^rd), 1 on the Inland Sea (22^nd) and 1 off Benllech seafront (23^rd).  Records of Red-throated Divers included up to 7 birds off Benllech seafront (7 on 23^rd, 1 on 19^th), 2 at Holyhead Harbour (21^st) and 1 between Aberlleiniog and Trwyn-y-Penrhyn, Penmon (23^rd).  Up to 3 Slavonian Grebes were at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 19^th, 2 on 24^th, 1 on 22^nd), with 2 on the Inland Sea (22^nd).  60 Great-crested Grebes were seen off Benllech seafront (19^th).

Waders:

The wintering Common Sandpiper was seen again at the freshwater outlet at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead harbour (19^th, 21^st, 22^nd, 24^th). 18 Purple Sandpipers were at Cemlyn (21^st) and 25 Knot were on the Alaw estuary (21^st).  Counts of Grey Plover included 62 on the Alaw estuary (21^st) and 12 at Cemlyn (21^st).  RSPB Cors Ddyga continues to hold 200+ Black-tailed Godwits (22^nd), while the Alaw estuary held 75 Bar-tailed Godwits (21^st).  Sightings of Greenshank included 2 birds at the Alaw estuary (21^st) and 2 at Traeth Dulas (19^th).  There was a good count of 45 Redshank at Traeth Dulas (19^th).  25 Snipe and 2 Woodcock were seen at Talwrn (21^st), with a further sighting of a Woodcock at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th).  3 Jack Snipe were flushed from the shore at Llyn Coron (24^th).

Seabirds:

Sightings of Black Guillemots included 9 birds in Holyhead harbour (21^st), 5 between Aberlleiniog and Trwyn-y-Penrhyn, Penmon (23^rd), up to 2 off Benllech seafront (1 on 17^th, 2 on 23^rd) and 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (17^th, 22^nd).  Small numbers of Gannets were seen off the coast with 3 seen off Benllech seafront (19^th) and 7 past South Stack (24^th).  3 Mediterranean Gulls were at Cemlyn (21^st).

Passerines and others:

A Dipper was on the Afon Cefni at Market Place, Llangefni (23^rd) and a Kingfisher was at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead harbour (23^rd).  Reports of Grey Wagtails included 1 on the Afon Cefni at Market Place, Llangefni (23^rd), 1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (22^nd, 24^th) and 2 by the RSPB offices at RSPB Cors Ddyga (24^th).  Cetti’s Warblers were heard singing at Llyn Penrhyn (22^nd), with at least 3 singing birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3 on 25^th, 1 on 24^th).  A flock of 28 Linnets at RSPB South Stack was the first of the spring for one of the wardens (22^nd).  There were 11 Chough at South Stack (22^nd) and 2 at Llyn Penrhyn (22^nd).  Hooded Crows were seen at the Alaw estuary (21^st), Hen Borth (21^st) and South Stack (22^nd).

Raptors:

Up to 3 Marsh Harriers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3 on 25^th, 2 on 24^th), a Goshawk was seen over Llyn Pen-y-Parc, while Red Kites were seen over Penysarn (22^nd) and Malltraeth cob (24^th).  A Merlin was also at Malltraeth cob (24^th) and a Short-eared Owl was seen at Aberffraw (24^th).

Saturday 12th February – Friday 18th February 2022.

Intro:

Despite a week dominated by high winds, there were no wind-blown waifs of note.  Nonetheless, a good selection of birds were still seen.

Passerines and others:

3 Snow Buntings were seen on Ynys Moelfre and even took a brief flight over the headland (15^th).  The Lesser Whitethroat, of possible eastern origin, was seen again in a private garden at Holyhead (15^th).  A Cetti’s Warbler was heard singing at Llyn Maelog (15^th) and the wintering Swallow was seen again near Bodorgan school (15^th).  A Grey Wagtail was at Holyhead harbour (14^th), a Stock Dove was at Traeth Dulas (15^th) and 12 Siskin were at Penrhos Coastal Park (16^th).  Hooded Crows were seen at The Range, Holyhead (14^th), at the Alaw estuary (16^th) and at Henborth (17^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Sightings of Whooper Swans included 10 birds near Rhosgoch (14^th), 7 on fields close to the Braint estuary (15^th) and 4 on fields north of RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th).  18 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were off Benllech seafront (15^th).

The female Scaup was seen again at Llyn Cefni (15^th), while the drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (14^th).  Benllech seafront also produced 6 Eider (15^th).  14 Goldeneye were at Llyn Cefni (15^th), 6 Goosander were at Llyn Maelog (15^th) and 8 Red-breasted Merganser were at Holyhead harbour (14^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The Cattle Egret was relocated back in the original field in which it was found, some 800m NE of Valley  and north of the A5025 (15^th & 17^th).  The same field also held up to 11 Little Egrets (17^th).  A Great Egret continues to enjoy the shallow reedy bay on the north-west side of Llyn Llywenan (17^th), while there was a good count of 20 Grey Herons seen from Church Island, Menai Bridge (16^th).

Waders:

The wintering Common Sandpiper was seen again at the freshwater outlet at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead harbour (14^th).  100+ Black-tailed Godwits continue to be seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th), while 37 were seen on the mudflats off Penrhos Coastal Park (17^th).  Sightings of Bar-tailed Godwits included 60 at the Alaw estuary (16^th), 10 at the north end of Llanfwrog beach (17^th) and 4 off the mouth of the Alaw estuary as viewed from Penrhos Coastal Park (17^th).  4 Greenshank were at Traeth Dulas (15^th).  Counts of Grey Plover included 75 at the Alaw estuary (16^th) and 60 at the north end of Llanfwrog beach (17^th).  2000+ Golden Plover were on the mudflats at Cefni estuary (15^th).  20+ Knot and 10+ Dunlin were also seen at the north end of Llanfwrog beach (17^th), while a Jack Snipe was seen at Traeth Dulas (15^th).

Divers & Grebes:

A quiet week for reports of divers, with just the 1 report of a Red-throated Diver off Benllech seafront (15^th).  1 Slavonian Grebe was seen at Beddmanarch Bay (16^th) and 25 Little Grebes were at Llyn Cefni (15^th).

Raptors:

A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen over the saltmarsh at the Cefni estuary as viewed from the Newborough end of the cob (14^th), while 4 Marsh Harriers were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (15^th).  Sightings of Red Kite included birds over Talwrn (12^th), Llangaffo (12^th) and Brynteg – Marianglas (17^th).  A Merlin was seen between Llyn Coron and Aberffraw (14^th).

Seabirds:

Sightings of Black Guillemot included 6 birds in Holyhead harbour (14^th), 3 off Moelfre lifeboat station (15^th) and 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (17^th).  26 Fulmars were seen on the cliffs between Traeth Lligwy and Moelfre, with 9 at apparently occupied nest sites (15^th).  47 Cormorants were counted on Ynys Moelfre (15^th).  A 2^nd calendar year Mediterranean Gull was on the mudflats off Penrhos Coastal Park (17^th) and a Lesser Black-backed Gull was seen at Ynys Moelfre (15^th).

Saturday 5th February – Friday 11th February 2022

Intro:

… Firecrests …

Passerines and others:

Firecrest is a jewel of a bird that will brighten up most birding days.  Prior to this week, it had been a quiet year for them with just the 1 sighting of a bird at Traeth Bychan.  This week it was all change, with 1 found among a roving Tit flock at Penrhos Coastal Park (7^th) and the subsequent sighting of 3 birds at the same site (11^th). 

 

 Archive Photo: Firecrest, Amlwch Port, 2017 – Martin Jones. 

The unseasonal sighting of Swallows continues, with a bird seen at Bodorgan (9^th, 11^th).  The wintering Chiffchaff at Llyn Coron was seen again (9^th) and a Kingfisher was at Aberffraw (9^th).  Hooded Crows were seen at South Stack (6^th, 11^th), at Hen Borth (8^th, 10^th) and on the Alaw estuary (11^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

In last week’s update, I rather conservatively set out that the 197 Pink-footed Geese seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd) was the highest number on the island for the past 10 years or more.   Whilst I personally hadn’t recalled a higher number in the past 30 years, I had hedged my bet a little as I hadn’t had the opportunity to speak to Ken Croft whose records are both meticulous and go back either further.  I received a message from Ken early this week to say that he had dug through his records and that he had to go back to the winter of 1982 to find larger numbers on Anglesey. In that year numbers increased at Llyn Alaw from 120 on 1st January, to 203 on 27th January, 450 on 30th January, then peaking at 500 on 15th & 26th February with only 52 remaining by 4th March. 

Returning to this week’s bird sightings, 4 Whooper Swans were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th-9^th) with 10 birds on fields near Rhosgoch (8^th).  91 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, together with 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, were at Penmon Pool (5^th).  The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (6^th), where there was also a drake Eider (6^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The Cattle Egret continued its stay in the field north of the B5109 Llanynhhenedl to Bodedern road (5^th, 8^th, 9^th, 11^th), with a sighting of a Cattle Egret – presumably the same bird – in a cattle field to the north-west of Llyn Trafwll (9^th).  2 Great Egrets were at Llyn Llywenan (6^th, 10^th), with 1 reported at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th). 

Waders:

The first report of wintering Whimbrel this year involved 1, possibly 2, birds at Porth-y-Pistyll, Wylfa (10^th).  The wintering Common Sandpiper was seen again at the freshwater outfall at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (9^th), while the wintering Green Sandpiper was seen again on the Alaw estuary (11^th).  Sightings of Purple Sandpiper included 5 birds at Trearddur Bay (5^th) and 1 at Cemlyn (5^th&7^th).  Up to 2 Ruff were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 9^th, 1 on 10^th) and they can often be found among the 200+ Black-tailed Godwits which are still on the flooded field on the right of the path as you walk down to the Afon Cefni (6^th, 10^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included single birds at Traeth Dulas (6^th), Penrhos Coastal Park (7^th), Aberffraw (9^th) and Malltraeth (9^th), with 6 birds on the Alaw estuary (11^th).  2000+ Golden Plover were on fields off the minor road from Aberffraw – Bordorgan (9^th), while 200+ Lapwing were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th).  A Jack Snipe was at Llyn Coron (9^th).

Divers & Grebes:

A Great Northern Diver was off Trwyn y Penrhyn, Penmon (5^th).  2 Slavonian Grebes were at Beddmanarch Bay (5^th).

Raptors:

Sightings of ring-tailed Hen Harrier included a bird at RSPB Cors Ddyga (7^th) and the same / or another over the saltmarsh at Malltraeth (8^th).  Marsh Harriers were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th) and at Llyn Coron (8^th-9^th).  A Red Kite was seen over Carmel Head (9^th).  Sightings of Peregrine included 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th) and 2 at South Stack (11^th).  A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aberffraw dunes (9^th). 

Seabirds:

Back in the day, the prime site for Black Guillemots was Fedw Fawr.  As birds have spread particularly around the north and east coasts, most reports come from more accessible sites such as this week’s sightings of 2 in Beddmanarch Bay (5^th) and 4 in Holyhead Harbour (8^th).  The sighting of 17 birds at Fedw Fawr (11^th) perhaps acts as a reminder of the site’s history of being the best, if not the only, site to see them at one time.  450 Guillemots and 15 Razorbill were at South Stack (11^th).  Sightings of Lesser Black-backed Gull included 1 at Llyn Llywenan (6^th) and 14 back on the lighthouse island, South Stack (9^th).

Saturday 29th January – Friday 4th February 2022

Intro:

… Pinkfeets…

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The headline bird, or birds to be more specific, was the unusually large number of Pink-footed Geese on fields to the north of RSPB Cors Ddyga.  Whilst this species is plentiful at sites as near as the Dee Estuary, it has been a scarce bird on Anglesey over the last 10 years or more.  While the last 2 years have offered better opportunities to catch up with them locally, none have surpassed this week’s where a flock of up to 197 birds were seen (1^st-3^rd, 197 on 3^rd).

While Anglesey has its small wintering population of Greenland White-fronted Geese, the presence of a Russian White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons among the flock of Pinkfeets created a bit of added interest.  Sightings of Whooper Swans included 7 birds on the Braint estuary (31^st), 1 among 23 Mute Swans on the Alaw estuary (31^st) and 4 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd).

The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (2^nd-3^rd), with a single drake Eider off Benllech seafront (2^nd) and 2 drakes off Trwyn y Penrhyn, Penmon (31^st).  89 Pintail were at the Alaw estuary (1^st), with c. 30 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).  A female Goosander was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd-3^rd).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Cattle Egret, presumably the one seen earlier in the year north of Valley, was seen in a cattle field north of the B5109 Llanynhhenedl to Bodedern road (30^th – 4^th).  The same field held up to 18 Little Egrets (18 on 1^st).  A Great Egret was at Llyn Llywenan (30^th), with 2 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).  2 Water Rails were noted at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).

Passerines and others:

The un-seasonal presence of Swallows continues, with reports of single birds near the school at Bodorgan (31^st) and near Aberffraw (3^rd).  Brambling continue to be seen in fields at the Braint estuary (31^st).  Up to 2 Cetti’s Warbler were heard at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 2^nd, 1 or 3^rd).  Sightings of Kingfisher included birds seen at low water on the seaward side of Cadnant bridge, Menai Bridge (31^st) and on the pool alongside the car park at Penrhos Coastal Park (31^st).  22 Chough were in a field south of Llyn Trafwll (1^st), while sightings of Hooded Crow included birds at South Stack (30^th) and on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  A large murmuration of Starlings was seen between Llyn Trafwll and Llyn Penrhyn (2^nd).

Waders:

A Green Sandpiper was at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (31^st), while last week’s Common Sandpipers were seen again at the freshwater outfall at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (30^th-1^st, 4^th) and at Church Island, Menai Bridge (31^st).  Up to 6 Purple Sandpipers were at Trearddur Bay (6 on 4^th, 4 on 2^nd).  1000+ Knot were on the Braint estuary (31^st), with 24 birds on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  The Alaw estuary also held 23 Ringed Plover (1^st).  Two Ruff were seen, 1 at the Braint estuary (31^st) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd-3^rd).  c. 400 Black-tailed Godwit were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd), with 55 Bar-tailed Godwits on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  Greenshanks were seen at multiple locations including 1 on the Braint estuary (31^st), 1 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (31^st), 1 at Traeth Dulas (31^st), 1 at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (31^st), 2 at Beddmanarach Bay (1^st) and 1 at Aberffraw (2^nd).  1000+ Lapwing were on fields north of Tywyn Trewan Common (1^st) – as were 13 Curlew (1^st) - with c. 400 Lapwing birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).  The was a single Jack Snipe at the Braint estuary (31^st), with 30 Common Snipe counted at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).

Divers & Grebes:

Sightings of Great Northern Diver included 1 in Holyhead Harbour (1^st-2^nd) and 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (2^nd).  2 Red-throated Diver were in Holyhead harbour (31^st).  2 Slavonian Grebes were at Beddmanarch Bay (1^st-2^nd).

Raptors:

A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen over the Cefni estuary (2^nd), with 2 Marsh Harriers at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd) and a female Marsh Harrier over the Llyn Trafwll area (4^th).  A Red Kite was seen over at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).  Sightings of Peregrine Falcon included 2 birds at RSPB South Stack (3^rd) and 1 at RSPB Valley lakes (3^rd).  The latter site also produced a Merlin (3^rd).  A Short-eared Owl was at Llyn Coron (29^th).

Seabirds:

8270 Common Guillemots were counted on the cliffs at RSPB South Stack (3^rd).  There were 5 Black Guillemots in Holyhead harbour (31^st, 2^nd), with a further 3 in Beddmanarch Bay (1^st).  A Mediterranean Gull was off Penrhos Coastal Park (1^st-2^nd).  While there are good wintering populations of Lesser Black-backed Gulls elsewhere in the UK, it is a surprising rare bird on Anglesey during the winter months.  It is, however, our first real migrant of the year and this week saw 1 on the roof of old factory buildings, Laird’s, Llanfaes (31^st), 1 on a roadside pool at Llandrygan (31^st) and 4 on the Alaw estuary (1^st).