Saturday 2nd April – Friday 8th April 2022

Intro:
Cold and windy conditions across the week weren’t particularly conducive to the arrival of spring migrants, but some pushed through nonetheless.  With a more southerly aspect to the wind from Sunday onwards, perhaps we will be blessed with a strong arrival of migrants with one or two scarcer species among the mix.

Herons, Egrets and allies:
The bird of the week was probably a Spoonbill seen by a single observer at RSPB Cors Ddyga (5^th).  Unfortunately, there was no sign of the bird the following morning.  With several records of up to 3 birds last year - that were never pinned down to any particular site - there will hopefully be a good chance for further opportunities to connect with this species later in the year.  There was just the 1 report of a Great Egret, relating to a bird at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd).  A Cattle Egret was reported again near Llyn Trafwll (6^th).
Waders:
It was a good start to the week for records of Green Sandpiper with 4 birds seen across 3 separate sites.  Up to 2 were seen at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (2 on 4^th, 1 on 3^rd, 1 on 8^th), 1 near Ynys Wen cemetery, Valley (3^rd) and 1 on a pool at Llandrygan by the B5109 (3^rd).  The wintering Common Sandpiper was seen again at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead harbour (2^nd & 8^th).
Reports of Golden Plover included up to 130 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (130 on 3^rd, 125 on 2^nd, 112 on 6^th), 73 at the Alaw estuary (4^th) and 20 at Cemlyn (8^th).  20 Ringed Plover were seen at the Alaw estuary (4^th), where a Ruff was seen again (3^rd, 4^th).  7 Knot were seen on the Alaw estuary (4^th), while 19 were on the Afon Cefni at Malltraeth (8^th). 
Up to 63 Bar-tailed Godwits at the Alaw estuary (63 on 4^th, 48 on 3^rd), while sightings of Black-tailed Godwits included 114 on the Afon Cefni at Malltraeth (8^th), up to 2 on the Alaw estuary (2 on 3^rd, 1 on 4^th) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).  There were up to 7 Greenshank at the Alaw estuary (7 on 3^rd, 3 on 4^th & 8^th) with 4 at Traeth Dulas (4^th & 6^th).  126 Oystercatcher were at the Alaw estuary (4th), with 250 at Cadnant bridge (8th). The Alaw estuary also held up to 31 Redshank (31 on 4^th, 16 on 8^th) and 34 Curlew (4^th).  A Whimbrel was seen at Cemlyn (5^th) and 2 Snipe were seen on a pool at Llandrygan by the B5109 (3^rd).

Seabirds & gulls:
It was a slow start to the week in respect of sightings of Manx Shearwaters, with just 2 birds seen off The Range, Holyhead (4^th).  The strong winds mid-week brought an increase in sightings with 12+ past Cemlyn (6^th), 19 past Cemlyn (7^th), 7 past Bull Bay (7^th) and 92 past South Stack (8^th).  21 Gannets flew past Cemlyn (7^th), with 10 past South Stack (8^th).  11 Fulmars flew past Cemlyn (7^th), 4 were at Bull Bay (7^th) and 1 flew past South Stack (8^th).
Up to 4 Puffins were at RSPB South Stack (4 on 4^th, 3 on 3^rd), while sightings of Black Guillemots included 3 at Holyhead harbour (3^rd) and 4 in the bay at Cemlyn (6^th).   Sightings of Sandwich Terns on passage included 16 seen on rocks off Ynys Leurad, Inland Sea (2^nd), 22 seen passing through the Menai Strait off Aberlleiniog (5^th) and 7 off South Stack (8^th).  At Cemlyn, numbers kept building with up to 60 + (60+ on 8^th, 48+ on 6^th, c. 30 on 2^nd). 
Up to 5 Mediterranean Gulls were at Cemlyn (5 on 4^th & 8^th, 2 on 5^th) and 4 were at the Alaw estuary (4^th).
Swans, Geese & Ducks:
145 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at the Alaw estuary (4^th), with 3 seen during a seawatch off South Stack (8^th).  There were 7 Pintail at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd) and 8 at the Alaw estuary (4^th).  Sightings of Pochard included 12 at RSPB Valley wetlands (4^th) and a pair at Llyn y Parc, near Beaumaris (7^th).  The Alaw estuary held 12 Wigeon (4^th) and 12 Teal (4^th), while Llyn Maelog held 16 Tufted Duck (5^th), 7 Gadwall (5^th), 1 Goosander (5^th) and 1 Goldeneye (5^th).  A drake Goldeneye was at Llyn Llywenan (7^th).  A drake Eider was seen in the bay at Cemlyn (2^nd) and 5 Common Scoter flew past South Stack (8^th).
Passerines and others:
News of a summer plumaged male Snow Bunting at Bull Bull (6^th) came out via a photo on Facebook, but alas the bird could not be relocated.  A Black Redstart, presumably 1 of 3 previously present at the site, was seen off South Stack Road (2^nd).  The early part of the week – associated with the poor weather - was slow for hirundines – with 3 Swallows at Cemlyn (2^nd), 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd), 8 Sand Martins over Llyn Cefni (2^nd) and 2 House Martins over Wylfa Head (5^th).  Once the winds died down on Thursday afternoon, there was a marked increase in sightings that included 12+ Sand Martins (7^th) and 12 + Swallows (7^th) at Llyn Llywenan.  Reports of both species increased the following day and there was also a House Martin at Llyn Llywenan (8^th).  The highest single count of Chiffchaffs was 15 recorded on a walk around Llyn Cefni (2^nd).  Willow Warblers started to appear in greater numbers with 1 at South Stack (3^rd & 4^th), 1 at Llyn y Parc (7^th), 2 at Llyn Llywenan (7^th), 1 at Cemlyn (8^th), 2 at Talwrn (8^th) and 3 at Llyn y Gors, Llandegfan (8^th).  Blackcaps are being recorded with greater frequency and included 5 around Llyn Cefni (2^nd), 1 at South Stack (2^nd), 2 at Llyn Llywenan (7^th) and 2 at Wylfa woods (8^th).  There were up to 6 or 7 singing Cetti’s Warblers at RSPB Valley wetlands (6-7 on 5^th, 3 on 4^th) and 1 at Llyn Llywenan (7^th).  Sightings of Northern Wheatears included 5 at South Stack (2^nd) and 1 at Cemlyn (8^th).  2 White Wagtail were seen at Cemlyn (8^th) amongst a small arrival of Pied Wagtails.  There were still some winter thrushes about with 60+ Fieldfares heading SW over Llandegfan (2^nd), 65 Fieldfare at Brynteg (5^th) and 21 Redwing at Brynteg (5^th).  Up to 2 Hooded Crows were seen at RSPB South Stack (2 on 3^rd, 1 on 6^th), with 2 also seen on The Range, Holyhead (4^th) – sightings may involve the same birds.
Divers & Grebes:
Sightings of Red-throated Divers included 13 during a 2hr seawatch off South Stack (8^th), with 4 past Cemlyn (8^th), 2 off The Range, Holyhead (4^th) and 1 in the bay at Cemlyn (6^th).
Raptors:
An Osprey flew over the Menai Strait from Beaumaris towards Bangor harbour (8^th) and 2 Marsh Harriers were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd).  Merlins were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd) and at Cemlyn (8^th). A Barn Owl was seen at Malltraeth (7th)
2022 Year List:
Spoonbill was new for the year and takes the 2022-year list up to 166.