Saturday 21st – Friday 27th May 2022.

Intro:

A splash of colour …

Passerines and others:

A European Bee-eater flew NWW over RSPB South Stack (21^st), but alas was all too brief and couldn’t be relocated.  A Spotted Flycatcher was at the Alaw estuary (25^th) – an unusual location for such a sighting – while another was at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (25^th).  A Tree Pipit flew over Carmel Head (21^st).  Reports of Wheatears have dropped off, but there were still a few sightings including 1 at Red Wharf Bay (21^st), 2 at Traeth Dulas (21^st), 1 at Lligwy (23^rd) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th).  5 Swifts were seen around the town hall, Llangefni (21^st).  Cuckoos were seen at Carmel Head (21^st), Lligwy (23^rd) and at Cemlyn (23^rd).  Up to 2 Hooded Crows were at The Range, Holyhead (2 on 23^rd, 1 on 27^th), with 1 at RSPB South Stack (23^rd-24^th).

Waders:

Two of last week’s Little Stints continued into this week with 1 at Cemlyn (21^st) and 1 on the Alaw estuary (21^st), while a late Purple Sandpiper was at Cemlyn (23^rd).   Sightings of Sanderling included 18 at Cymyran (21^st), up to 13 at the Alaw estuary (13 on 23^rd, 10 on 26^th & 1 on 21^st) and 3 that flew past The Range (27^th).  Counts of Dunlin included up to 83 at the Alaw estuary (83 on 21^st, 63 on 23^rd and 39 on the 26^th), 10 at Traeth Lligwy (21^st) and 4 at Traeth Dulas (25^th).

A Little Ringed Plover was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th), while counts of Ringed Plover included up to 114 at the Alaw estuary (114 on 21^st, 19 on 23^rd, 27 on 26^th), 18 at Traeth Lligwy (21^st) and 6 at Traeth Dulas (25^th).

A Greenshank at the Alaw estuary (26^th) was the observer’s 1^st at the site since the 12^th April - the last reported on Anglesey was at Malltraeth on the 25^th April.  Single Bar-tailed Godwits were seen at Traeth Dulas (21^st) and at the Alaw estuary (21^st).  2 Whimbrel were at the Alaw estuary (26^th), while counts of Curlew included up to 11 on the Alaw estuary (11 on 26^th, 5 on 21^st, 1 on 23^rd) and 4 at Traeth Dulas (26^th).  Up to 122 Oystercatchers were on the Alaw estuary (122 on 23^rd, 33 on 21^st, 6 on 26^th).

Seabirds & gulls:

One hardy stalwart @AngleseyBirdman undertook a 3hr (24^th) and a 4hr (27^th) seawatch from South Stack and The Range respectively.  Counts included up to 5418 Manx Shearwater (5418 on 27^th, 1663 on 24^th), up to 105 Gannets (105 on 24^th, 84 on 27^th), up to 27 Fulmars (27 on 27^th, 7 on 24^th), up to 112 Kittiwakes (112 on 27^th, 61 on 24^th), up to 8 Sandwich Terns (8 on 27^th, 6 on 24^th), 1 Common Gull (27^th) and up to 19 Puffins (19 on 24^th, 2 on 27^th).  Elsewhere 150+ Gannets were off Traeth Lligwy (27^th), a single Puffin was at South Stack (23^rd) and a Black Guillemot was at Cemlyn (23^rd).  2 Mediterranean Gulls were also seen at Cemlyn (23^rd).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The highlight amongst the waterfowl was a drake Garganey at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th).  13 Mute Swans – probably non-breeders – were at the Alaw estuary (26^th), 52 Shelduck were at Traeth Lligwy (21^st) and 11 Common Scoter flew past South Stack (24^th).

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 (21^st), 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th) and 1 over Penmynydd (27^th).  A Marsh Harrier was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th), with a male seen hunting over Tywyn Trewan Common (26^th).  Reports of Red Kites included 1 over the road at Tregaian (21^st) and 1 at South Stack (24^th).  A male Sparrowhawk was at Traeth Dulas (21^st).

 

2022 Year List:

European Bee-eater was new for the year and takes the 2022-year list up to 194.