Saturday 26th March – Friday 1st April 2022

Intro:

A quiet week, not helped by a cold, northerly wind in the second half of the week.  Notwithstanding, there was still enough to keep spirits up.

Waders:

After being highlighted in last week’s round up as a potential new addition to the year list for the forthcoming week, a Little Ringed Plover made it in to Cemlyn (27^th) before the northerly winds set in mid- week.  The wintering Common Sandpiper remained at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (26^th, 29^th, 31^st), a Green Sandpiper was at the Alaw estuary (29^th) and 3 Purple Sandpipers were at Cemlyn (28^th).  4 Sanderling were seen at Traeth Lligwy (26^th) and 46 Knot were at the cob pool, Malltraeth (29^th).  Sightings of Golden Plover included 341 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th) and 137 at Cemlyn (27^th).  Reports of Grey Plover included 2 at Cemlyn (27^th) and 1 at the Alaw estuary (29^th), while 5 Ringed Plover were at the Alaw estuary (29^th) with 1 at Traeth Lligwy (26^th).  Up to 3 Ruff were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3 on 1^st, 2 on 26^th), with 1 at the Alaw estuary (29^th).  142 Black-tailed Godwits were at the cob pool, Malltraeth (29^th) and were incredibly vocal.  62 Bar-tailed Godwits were at the Alaw estuary (29^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 8 at the Alaw estuary (29^th) and up to 3 at Traeth Dulas (3 on 27^th, 1 on 28^th).  A single Whimbrel was at Cemlyn (28^th).

Seabirds & gulls:

A Manx Shearwater flew past The Range, Holyhead (30^th) during a 1hr seawatch.  Sightings of Black Guillemots included 14 off Point Lynas (28^th), 4 in the bay at Cemlyn (27^th) and 1 near the Lifeboat station at Moelfre (26^th).  2 Puffins were seen off South Stack (30^th).  Sandwich Terns continue to arrive with numbers increasing to 5 at Cemlyn (5 on 27^th, 2 on 26^th), while 2 were seen to fly past Penmon point (28^th) and 76 were seen in the Menai Strait as viewed from opposite Foryd (30^th).  Up to 4 Mediterranean Gulls were at Cemlyn (4 on 28^th, 2 on 27^th) and a 2^nd winter bird was at the Alaw estuary (29^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The number of Pale-bellied Brent Geese continues to fall as birds head off to Arctic Canada for their breeding season, but small numbers were still reported including 6 between Moelfre and Traeth Bychan (26^th), 31 at Holyhead Bay (28^th), 45 at Beddmanarch Bay (28^th) and 41 at the Alaw estuary (29^th).  The drake Garganey was seen again at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th, 1^st) and there were 11 Pintail and 30 Wigeon at the Alaw estuary (29^th).  19 Eiders were seen off Moelfre (26^th) and 10 Common Scoters flew past The Range (30^th).

Passerines and others:

There were still a few Black Redstarts to be found, following on from last week’s notable arrival on the west coast, with a female type Black Redstart at South Stack (27^th) and another at Porth Saint, Rhoscolyn (28^th).  Despite the cold and northerly aspect to the wind, a few hirundines made it through with 2 Swallows at South Stack (1^st) and there were several sightings of Sand Martins including 7 birds at Llyn Llywenan (31^st), 3 at Llyn Penrhyn (31^st) and 2 at Llyn Dinam (31^st).  Blackcaps were noted on approach to Traeth Lligwy (26^th) and at South Stack (27^th), while Chiffchaffs sang out in most suitable habitat.  Cetti’s Warblers were heard singing at both Llyn Penrhyn and Llyn Dinam (31^st).  Relatively few Northern Wheatears were reported with 2 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (26^th) and 1 at South Stack (27^th).  There were still a few Fieldfares to be found including 100+ that flew over Brynteg (29^th) and up to 50 at Talwrn (50 on 30^th, 5 on 31^st).  Likewise, Redwings were still being reported with 100+ that flew north over Brynteg (31^st), 10 at Talwrn (31^st) and 2 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (26^th).  Hooded Crows were seen at South Stack (27^th, 30^th) and The Range (27^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Egret was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st).

Divers & Grebes:

7 Red-throated Divers flew past The Range, Holyhead (30^th).

Raptors:

An Osprey was seen over the A55 near the Rhosneigr junction (31^st), while 3 Marsh Harriers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th) and an immature / female was seen to fly over Llyn-y-Parc, near Beaumaris (30^th).  Merlins were seen at Borth Wen, Rhoscolyn (29^th) and at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st).  A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aberffraw dunes (28^th).

 

2022 Year List:

Little Ringed Plover was new for the year and takes the 2022-year list up to 165.