Saturday 4th June – Friday 10th June 2022.

Intro:

Rosy Pastor …

Passerines and others:

Following a number of UK records this year, and a good few records on Anglesey over recent years, it seemed likely that it would only be a matter of time before a Rose-coloured Starling was added to this year’s Anglesey list.  An adult duly obliged in being found at Llanfechell (9^th), although the residential nature of its chosen location made access sensitive.  What is presumed to be the same bird was today some 10 miles away at Llanfairynghornwy (10^th).

There were still a few summer migrants to be found including a female Yellow Wagtail at Hen Borth (4^th), with 2 later in the day at Tyn Llan fields, Cemlyn (4^th).  Northern Wheatears were seen at Borth Wen, Rhoscolyn (6^th), Cemlyn (9^th), Soldier’s Point (10^th) and up to 3 at South Stack (3 on 6^th, 1 on 8th).  One of the birds at South Stack (6^th) was seen to have a darvic ring and it was later confirmed to have been ringed on the Calf of Man during July ’21.  Grasshopper Warblers continue to sing with 1 at Rhoscolyn (6^th), 1 at Cors Efail Newydd, near Benllech (6^th&7^th) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (7^th).  A Crossbill flew over South Stack (8^th).  Hooded Crows around the Holyhead area included 1 at South Stack (4^th, 6^th) and 2 at The Range (6^th).

Waders:

It was a good week for waders.  Up to 10 Sanderling were at Silver Bay / Traeth Llydan, nr Rhoscolyn (10 on 6^th, 5 on 8^th) and 2 were at the Alaw estuary (4^th,6^th).  At least 1 Little Ringed Plover was at RSPB Cors Ddyga with 2 chicks (7^th), while 2 Grey Plovers were at the Alaw estuary (4^th, 6^th).  84 Dunlin were on the Alaw estuary (6^th) and 2 Snipe – a scarce sight on Anglesey during the month of June – were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (5^th).  A Greenshank was at the Alaw estuary (4^th, 6^th), 5 Black-tailed Godwits were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (5^th) while sightings of Bar-tailed Godwits included 2 at the Alaw estuary (4^th, 6^th) and 1 at Cemlyn (4^th, 7^th& 8^th).  The Alaw estuary held 10 Curlew (6^th) and 196 Oystercatcher (6^th).  Add in the breeding Lapwing at RSPB Cors Ddyga and Ringed Plover at Cemlyn and you have quite a respectable list of waders for early June.

Seabirds & gulls:

A 2^nd spring record of Arctic Skua involved 1 seen off Trearddur Bay (6^th).  A single Puffin was seen at RSPB South Stack (4^th), with several seen by RSPB staff (6^th-9^th).   24 Manx Shearwaters flew west past Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (10^th).  A Roseate Tern was seen at Cemlyn on several dates (7^th-9^th), with the movement of terns into the lagoon pulling in 2 Kittiwakes that were seen on and around the main island (7^th).  A 1^st summer Mediterranean Gull continues to be seen at Cemlyn (7^th).

Raptors:

5 Marsh Harriers were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th), while sightings of Red Kite included 1 over the A5025 near the Valley crossroads (4^th) and 1 at Holyhead Mountain (4^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

2 female Eider were off Moelfre (9^th), while the 2 Black Swans were still on the Inland Sea (10^th).  Not too far away over the Menai Strait, another Black Swan was at the ‘Spinnies’, Aber Ogwen (10^th) – somewhat strange that there have been so many sightings this year!  17 Mute Swans were at the Alaw estuary (6^th).

Divers & Grebes:

No sightings of note.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

8 Little Egrets were at Cemlyn (8^th).

2022 Year List:

Rose-coloured Starling takes the 2022-year list up to 197.