Saturday 5th March – Friday 11th March 2022

Intro:

…early Wheatears …

Passerines and others:

After last week’s early record of a Sand Martin, it was the turn of Northern Wheatears to put in an early appearance with one found by Ken Croft at Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (7^th) and another found by Tony White on the coastal footpath at Hen Borth (7^th).  Ken has commented that it was his earliest on Anglesey for 30 years, since one at South Stack on the 6^th March 1992.  120+ Meadow Pipits – the first obvious arrival of the spring – were seen at South Stack (6^th).  Singing warblers included a Cetti’s Warbler at Valley wetlands (5^th) and 7 Chiffchaffs around Llyn Cefni (11^th).  A Grey Wagtail was at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (8^th).

At this time of year, we have an overlap of winter visitors and early spring migrants.  Some of the noteworthy winter visitors still being found included a Snow Bunting at Cemlyn (9^th), a male Black Redstart at the former Octel site, Amlwch Port (5^th) and a Firecrest reported at Penrhos Coastal Park (6^th). 

Sightings of Hooded Crows included birds at The Range, Holyhead (5^th), South Stack (6^th) and on the Alaw estuary (9^th).

Seabirds & gulls:

Single adult Mediterranean Gulls were seen at Cemlyn (7^th), off Penrhos Coastal Park (8^th) and on the Alaw estuary (9^th), while a 3^rd calendar year bird was seen at Trearddur Bay (5^th).  15 Kittiwake were on the sea below the cliffs at South Stack (6^th).

Sightings of Black Guillemots included up to 3 off Benllech Seafront (3 on 7^th, 2 on 5^th, 1 on 10^th), 3 off Moelfre (6^th) and 2 off Cemlyn (7^th).  2400 Guillemots and 80 Razorbills were at South Stack (6^th). 

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The Cattle Egret was seen again 800m NE of Valley crossroads & north of the A5025 (5^th), with presumably the same bird being seen in a cattle field north of Llyn Trafwll (10^th).  Sightings of Great Egrets included 3 at Llyn Llywenan (5^th) and 2 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (7^th).  A Water Rail was seen at Rhoscolyn (7^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

3 Whooper Swans continued their stay at RSPB Cors Ddyga (5^th, 7^th).  Sightings of Pale-bellied Brent Geese included 351 on the Alaw estuary (9^th), 14 that flew north past Traeth Lligwy (5^th) and 1 off Benllech seafront (10^th).  The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (7^th), while sightings of Eider included up to 10 Eider off Benllech seafront (10 on 7^th, 6 on 5^th, 2 on 10^th) and 5 at Ynys Moelfre (6^th).  6 Common Scoter were seen off Benllech seafront (10^th).  2 female Scaup were seen again on Llyn Cefni (6^th&11^th), while 17 Pintail were on the Alaw estuary (9^th), 125 Wigeon were at Cemlyn (7^th) and 3 Goldeneye were on the Alaw estuary (9^th).  There were 2 Goosander at Llyn Llywenan (5^th) and 5 at Llyn Cefni (11^th).

Divers & Grebes:

Sightings of Great Northern Diver included 1 off Benllech seafront (5^th) and 1 off the coast near Cribinau (6^th).  There were 2 Red-throated Divers off Benllech seafront (5^th, 7^th), 2 off Cemlyn (7^th) and 1 in Holyhead Bay (10^th).  Up to 2 Slavonian Grebes were in Beddmanarch Bay – one of which is now in summer plumage (2 on 10^th, 1 on 5^th&7^th).  18 Great-crested Grebes were off Benllech seafront (10^th).

Waders:

2 Green Sandpipers were at the Alaw estuary (9^th), while the wintering Common Sandpiper remained at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (6^th, 8^th, 10^th, 11^th).  There were up to 5 Purple Sandpipers were at Cemlyn (5 on 9^th, 2 on 7^th), with 2 at Trearddur Bay (9^th).  24 Knot were on the Alaw estuary (9^th) and 3 Sanderling were at Traeth Dulas (5^th). 

Sightings of Grey Plover included 28 on the Alaw estuary (9^th) and 7 at Cemlyn (7^th).  204 Golden Plover were also at Cemlyn (7^th).  A Spotted Redshank flew off the pool at Tyn Llan, Cemlyn and called (7^th) and 60+ Redshank were at Traeth Dulas (5^th).  Up to 71 Bar-tailed Godwits were at the Alaw estuary (71 on 9^th, 44 on 8^th), while sightings of Greenshank included 8 birds on the Alaw estuary (9^th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (5^th).  3 Jack Snipe were at Cemlyn (9^th).

Raptors:

3 Marsh Harriers at RSPB Cors Ddyga (7^th) and 2 Red Kites were at Llyn Llywenan (5^th).  A Merlin was at Rhoscolyn (8^th).

Other wildlife of note:

A pod of 8 Common Dolphins was reported off Benllech seafront (7^th).