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).