Intro:
A splash of colour …
Passerines and others:
A European Bee-eater flew NWW over RSPB South Stack (21st),
but alas was all too brief and couldn’t be relocated. A Spotted Flycatcher was at the Alaw estuary
(25th) – an unusual location for such a sighting – while another was
at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (25th). A Tree Pipit flew over Carmel Head (21st). Reports of Wheatears have dropped off, but
there were still a few sightings including 1 at Red Wharf Bay (21st),
2 at Traeth Dulas (21st), 1 at Lligwy (23rd) and 1 at RSPB
Cors Ddyga (26th). 5 Swifts
were seen around the town hall, Llangefni (21st). Cuckoos were seen at Carmel Head (21st),
Lligwy (23rd) and at Cemlyn (23rd). Up to 2 Hooded Crows were at The Range,
Holyhead (2 on 23rd, 1 on 27th), with 1 at RSPB South
Stack (23rd-24th).
Waders:
Two of last week’s Little Stints continued into this week with 1 at
Cemlyn (21st) and 1 on the Alaw estuary (21st), while a
late Purple Sandpiper was at Cemlyn (23rd). Sightings of Sanderling included 18 at
Cymyran (21st), up to 13 at the Alaw estuary (13 on 23rd,
10 on 26th & 1 on 21st) and 3 that flew past The
Range (27th). Counts of
Dunlin included up to 83 at the Alaw estuary (83 on 21st, 63 on 23rd
and 39 on the 26th), 10 at Traeth Lligwy (21st) and 4 at
Traeth Dulas (25th).
A Little Ringed Plover was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26th),
while counts of Ringed Plover included up to 114 at the Alaw estuary (114 on 21st,
19 on 23rd, 27 on 26th), 18 at Traeth Lligwy (21st)
and 6 at Traeth Dulas (25th).
A Greenshank at the Alaw estuary (26th) was the observer’s 1st
at the site since the 12th April - the last reported on Anglesey was
at Malltraeth on the 25th April.
Single Bar-tailed Godwits were seen at Traeth Dulas (21st)
and at the Alaw estuary (21st).
2 Whimbrel were at the Alaw estuary (26th), while counts of
Curlew included up to 11 on the Alaw estuary (11 on 26th, 5 on 21st,
1 on 23rd) and 4 at Traeth Dulas (26th). Up to 122 Oystercatchers were on the Alaw
estuary (122 on 23rd, 33 on 21st, 6 on 26th).
Seabirds & gulls:
One hardy stalwart @AngleseyBirdman undertook a 3hr (24th) and a 4hr (27th) seawatch from South Stack and The Range respectively. Counts included up to 5418 Manx Shearwater (5418 on 27th, 1663 on 24th), up to 105 Gannets (105 on 24th, 84 on 27th), up to 27 Fulmars (27 on 27th, 7 on 24th), up to 112 Kittiwakes (112 on 27th, 61 on 24th), up to 8 Sandwich Terns (8 on 27th, 6 on 24th), 1 Common Gull (27th) and up to 19 Puffins (19 on 24th, 2 on 27th). Elsewhere 150+ Gannets were off Traeth Lligwy (27th), a single Puffin was at South Stack (23rd) and a Black Guillemot was at Cemlyn (23rd). 2 Mediterranean Gulls were also seen at Cemlyn (23rd).
Swans, Geese & Ducks:
The highlight amongst the waterfowl was a drake Garganey at RSPB Cors
Ddyga (26th). 13 Mute Swans –
probably non-breeders – were at the Alaw estuary (26th), 52 Shelduck
were at Traeth Lligwy (21st) and 11 Common Scoter flew past South
Stack (24th).
Herons, Egrets and allies:
No sightings of note.
Divers & Grebes:
No sightings of
note.
Raptors:
Sightings of Ospreys included 1 that flew over the A55 at the Rhosneigr
junction and headed towards Llyn Maelog (21st), 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga
(26th) and 1 over Penmynydd (27th). A Marsh Harrier was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26th),
with a male seen hunting over Tywyn Trewan Common (26th). Reports of Red Kites included 1 over the road
at Tregaian (21st) and 1 at South Stack (24th). A male Sparrowhawk was at Traeth Dulas (21st).
2022 Year List:
European Bee-eater was new for the year and takes the 2022-year list up
to 194.