Saturday 23rd July – Friday 29th July 2022.

Introduction:

Cory’s!!!

Seabirds & gulls:

While there have been good numbers of Cory’s Shearwaters off the west coast of Ireland and into the English Channel over recent weeks, it is a rare bird in the Irish Sea so the sight of 1 flying west off Cemlyn (29^th) was both unexpected and something to celebrate.  Breezy conditions earlier in the week produced the first Great Skua of the year at Cemlyn (26^th) together with an Arctic Skua (26^th).  1 hour seawatching sessions at The Range produced up to 708 Manx Shearwaters (708 on 25^th, 364 on 26^th), up to 26 Gannets (26 on 26^th, 7 on 25^th), up to 2 Fulmar (2 on 2th, 1 on 26^th) and up to 25 Kittiwakes (25 on 25^th, 6 on 26^th).

It wasn’t so long ago that one would have had to put in a lot of effort to see a Mediterranean Gull on Anglesey – often involving a solitary 1^st winter bird at the likes of Salt Island, Holyhead in the depths of winter.  Fast forward and you can now have a good chance of seeing one at any time during the year.  Late July has recently been particularly productive and reports this week included up to 43 on the Alaw estuary (43 on 24^th, 34 on 26^th, 14 on 25^th), up to 40 on the Inland Sea (28^th), up to 10 past or at Cemlyn (10 past on 25^th, 1 present on 24^th, 26^th & 27^th), up to 3 at Traeth Dulas (3 on 25^th, 2 on 24^th, 1 on 27^th), 1 that flew past the Skerries (24^th) and 1 at Penrhos Coastal Park (28^th).

An adult Black Tern was seen among a feeding flock of terns off the Skerries (24^th), while an adult and juvenile Roseate Tern were seen and photographed among the Common and Arctic Tern roost on rocks off the beach at Cemlyn (24^th).  60 Sandwich Terns were noted at the mouth of the Dulas estuary (24^th).

Waders:

Another good week for waders which included a Purple Sandpiper at Cemlyn (25^th) and up to 5 Sanderling at the Alaw estuary (5 on 23^rd, 4 on 24^th).  Sightings of Common Sandpiper included up to 7 birds at the Alaw estuary (7 on 25^th, 5 on 27^th) and 2 at Traeth Dulas (24^th).  12 Dunlin were at the Alaw estuary (24^th), 14 Turnstone at Cemlyn (24^th) and a Snipe was at the Alaw estuary (28^th).  There was a Golden Plover at the Alaw estuary (24^th – 28^th), while counts of Ringed Plover included 24 on the Alaw estuary (28^th) and 2 at the mouth of the Dulas estuary (24^th).

Sightings of Greenshank included up to 14 at the Alaw estuary (14 on 25^th, 11 on 27^th), 2 at Llyn Penrhyn, RSPB Valley wetlands (23^rd) and 2 at Traeth Dulas (24^th).  Up to 14 Redshank were at the Alaw estuary (27^th), up to 9 were at Traeth Dulas (9 on 27^th, 2 on 24^th), 4 were at Llyn Penrhyn, RSPB Valley wetlands (23^rd) and 2 were at Malltraeth (27^th).  Sightings of Black-tailed Godwits included 12 at Malltraeth (25^th) and 6 at Cemlyn (26^th), while sightings of Bar-tailed Godwits included a maximum of 6 at the Alaw estuary (6 on 25^th, 5 on 27^th).  Whimbrel are starting to be reported more often with a maximum of 3 at the Alaw estuary (27^th-28^th), a maximum of 3 at the Inland Sea (27^th & 28^th), up to 2 at Malltraeth (2 on 25^th, 1 on 27^th) and 1 that flew past Point Lynas (26^th).  If Traeth Dulas can compete with the Alaw estuary on anything in respect of numbers then it probably has to be Curlew – there were 209 at Traeth Dulas (27^th), with up to 102 at the Alaw estuary (102 on 27^th, 43 on 25th & 26^th, 30 on 24^th).  Up to 262 Oystercatchers were at the Alaw estuary (262 on 25^th, 229 on 27^th, 226 on 24th, 129 on 26^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The eclipse drake Ring-necked Duck at Llyn Penrhyn, RSPB Valley wetlands was confirmed on the 23^rd and remained throughout the week (23^rd- 29^th).  Nearby, 5 Barnacle Geese were at Llyn Trafwll, RSPB Valley wetlands (23^rd) and there was an impressive count of 83 Mute Swans at Cefni reservoir (29^th).  The 3 Black Swans were seen again at the Inland Sea (27^th).

4 Teal were noted at the Inland Sea (28^th) and 2 were at Malltraeth (28^th).  c. 60 Gadwall were at the Cefni reservoir (29^th) including 1 recent brood with 8 ducklings.  Common Scoter were noted during a number of seawatching sessions with 180 past Cemlyn (26^th) and 6 past Point Lynas (26^th).

Passerines and others:

2 Yellow Wagtails seen at Cemlyn (25^th & 29^th) were noteworthy.  A Kingfisher was on the Alaw estuary (28th), a Cuckoo was at Malltraeth (28^th) and a Hooded Crow was at the Alaw estuary (25^th & 28^th).  5 Willow Warblers were at South Stack (28^th) with 1 at Breakwater Country Park (28^th).   Counts of Chiffchaff included 3 at South Stack (28^th) and 1 at Soldier’s Point (28^th).  A Whitethroat was at Breakwater Country Park (28^th) and several juvenile Sedge Warblers and Linnets were seen around Malltraeth cob (28^th), with 10 Swifts overhead (28^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Egret was at Llyn Alaw (23^rd).

Raptors:

The headline raptor in terms of scarcity was a Hobby seen feeding on dragonflies over the eastern basin of Cefni reservoir (29^th).  An Osprey was seen over Porthdafarch, near Holyhead (23^rd), with presumably the same bird then seen over the Inland Sea in the morning (26^th) then later in the day over the Alaw estuary (26^th).  Another was seen at the Cefni estuary (25^th-27^th) and was considered a different bird to that which has summered.  A Marsh Harrier was seen at Llyn Trafwll (23^rd), with another at the Alaw estuary (27^th).  A Peregrine was seen at the Cefni estuary (25^th-28^th), with another at the Alaw estuary (27^th).  Sightings of Red Kite included 1 seen over Talwrn (23^rd) and 1 at Malltraeth (28^th).

Divers & Grebes:

Great-crested Grebe continue to move back to saline habitats with 16 seen at the Inland Sea (24^th) and the 1^st Little Grebe returned to the Alaw estuary (27^th).

 

2022 Year List:

 

Cory’s Shearwater and Great Skua were both new additions to the 2022 year list which ticks up to 202.

Saturday 16th July – Friday 22nd July 2022.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The headline bird for the week was an adult Purple Heron seen in flight - by 3 observers - over the reedbed at the north end of Llyn Dinam (19^th).

11 Little Egrets were at Traeth Dulas (20^th), 1 of which had darvic colour rings (17^th & 20^th) – left White, ‘T’ in black, right Yellow, ‘6’ in black.  The sighting has been reported and details of the bird’s history are awaited.

Seabirds & gulls:

The latter half of July can often produce a few early skuas and so it did this week with 2 Arctic Skuas seen to fly past Bull Bay (21^st).  A 2hr seawatch off The Range (21^st) produced 321 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Fulmars, 52 Gannets, 3 Kittiwake, 9 Sandwich Tern, 107 Auk species, 2 Puffins and a Black Guillemot with all birds moving north.  Good numbers of Manx Shearwaters, Gannets and Sandwich Terns were also reported as flying west past Point Lynas (21^st).

Earlier in the week, 11 Puffins were seen on the sea at RSPB South Stack (16^th).  Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included a juvenile at Cemlyn (19^th), 2 adults flying west past Point Lynas (21^st), 10 moving north past The Range (21^st), 6 on the Inland Sea (22^nd) and 4 from 4-mile bridge (22^nd).  54 Black-headed Gulls were also noted moving north past The Range (21^st) and an adult Common Gull was at Traeth Dulas (20^th).  It was confirmed (18^th) that a Roseate Tern pair with fledgling had left the Skerries which had also hosted a roseate x common-roseate hybrid pair and a roseate x common pair with 3 common-roseate chicks having fledged.

Passerines and others:

A male Ring Ouzel seen in a field between Bryngwran and Bodedern (21^st) was an excellent find.  Staff at RSPB South Stack noted a movement of hirundines with 22 Swifts and 79 Swallows counted (16^th).  Elsewhere, 30 Swifts were seen over Holyhead (18^th) and 17 over Penysarn (18^th).

Sightings of Hooded Crows included 1 near RSPB South Stack (16^th), 1 at the Alaw estuary (20^th & 22^nd) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (20^th).

Waders:

A Curlew Sandpiper was at the Alaw estuary (22^nd).  2 Green Sandpipers were seen at the Alaw estuary (20^th & 22^nd) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (22^nd).  Up to 13 Common Sandpipers were at the Alaw estuary (13 on 20^th, 4 on 22^nd).  A trickle of returning Dunlin was evident with up to 24 on the Alaw estuary (24 on 22^nd, 1 on 20^th), 2 at Traeth Dulas (17^th) and 1 at Cemlyn (20^th).  5 Turnstones were at Cemlyn (19^th), as were 2 Common Ringed Plover (20^th) and 2 Sanderling (20^th).  A very impressive 103 Sanderling were at the Alaw estuary (22^nd).

Up to 14 Greenshank were at the Alaw estuary (14 on 22^nd, 12 on 20^th), with 2 at Traeth Dulas (17^th) and 2 at the Cefni estuary (21^st).  52 Redshank were at the Cefni estuary (21^st), with 17 at the Alaw estuary (20^th & 22^nd), 2 at Cemlyn (16^th) and 2 at Traeth Dulas (17^th).  3 Black-tailed Godwits were at the Cefni estuary (16^th-22^nd) and 4 Bar-tailed Godwit were at the Alaw estuary (22^nd).  The Alaw estuary had up to 2 Whimbrel (2 on 22^nd, 1 on 20^th), 61 Curlew (22^nd) and 197 Oystercatcher (22^nd).

Raptors:

An Osprey was seen at the Cefni estuary (22^nd).  A juvenile Marsh Harrier was over the reedbed at Garreg Lwyd (18^th), while a female Marsh Harrier was seen hunted over the reedbed at Llyn Dinam, RSPB Valley wetlands (21^st).  A Red Kite was seen over Llanfaethlu (19^th), with another seen over fields between the Pilot Boat and Lligwy (21^st-22^nd).  An adult Peregrine was at the Cefni estuary (19^th-22^nd).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Up to 3 Black Swans were on the Inland Sea (3 on 22^nd, 2 on 19^th).  16 Common Scoter flew past The Range during a 2hr seawatch (21^st), with 10 past Rhoscolyn (22^nd).  The first returning Teal was at the Alaw estuary (22^nd), while at the Cefni estuary there were 3 Wigeon, 1 Pintail and 2 eclipse plumage Shoveler (20^th).  An eclipse drake Ring-necked Duck or hybrid (further views and hopefully some photographs are awaited) was on Llyn Penrhyn, RSPB Valley wetlands (22^nd).

Divers & Grebes:

6 Great crested Grebes were seen at the Inland Sea (19^th).

 

2022 Year List:

Purple Heron was a new addition to the 2022 year list which ticks up to 200.

Saturday 9th July – Friday 15th July 2022.

Intro:

… tinged with sadness …

Seabirds & gulls:

Whilst we may have some good summer weather ahead of us, it is a little sad to have to acknowledge that the breeding season for some of our summer migrants is rapidly approaching a close.  Sandwich Terns are on the move, with 8 of this year’s 121 colour tagged Sandwich Tern chicks having already journeyed as far as the River Clwyd on the Conwy – Denbighshire border.  While the birds will remain feeding in Liverpool Bay for some time yet, Cemlyn will become progressively quieter and the majority of Sandwich Terns will have left by the end of July.  55 Sandwich Terns were seen to fly north past The Range in groups of 8, 31 and 16 (13^th) and it is interesting to speculate as to whether these are local birds or birds moving north towards Liverpool Bay from the large colony in Wexford.

There are still good numbers of Common and Arctic Terns at Cemlyn with a number of young birds being fed by parents on the seaward side of the shingle ridge.  Cemlyn is quite understandably the island’s best known tern colony due to both the range of species and its accessibility, but there are four other breeding colonies with RSPB wardened sites at the Skerries and Ynys Feurig and Common Tern colonies at the Inland Sea and in the Menai Strait.  The latter two are watched far less frequently and one wonders at what might possibly be drawn into those sites without our knowledge.  Several pairs of Common Tern were observed nesting on Ynys Welltog in the Menai Strait (10^th).

Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included 6 on the Inland Sea (10^th), 1 on the Alaw estuary (13^th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (14^th).  c.50 Manx Shearwater were seen feeding close inshore at Llanddwyn (12^th).

Passerines and others:

Just as with our departing Sandwich Terns, it won’t be too long before the majority of Swifts are gone, with this being one of the earliest summer passerines to commence its southbound migration.  Sightings this week included 7 over Holyhead (14^th) and 1 over Llyn Maelog (13^th). 

A female Yellow Wagtail flew over RSPB South Stack (11^th) and a Northern Wheatear was at The Range, Holyhead (13^th).  3 Common Crossbill were at Carmel Head (10^th), 4 Siskin flew over RSPB South Stack (11^th) and Lesser Redpoll was confirmed as having bred at Cors Goch (10^th).  A Grasshopper Warbler was still reeling at Gors Efail Newydd, near Benllech (9^th-11^th) and a Cetti’s Warbler was singing at Llyn Penrhyn (9^th).  A Kingfisher was at Church Island (10^th).  Sightings of Hooded Crows included 1 at the Alaw estuary (9^th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (9^th, 13^th, 14^th).  There was also a Hooded Crow x Carrion Crow hybrid at Traeth Dulas (13^th).

Waders:

The Little Ringed Plovers at RSPB Cors Ddyga are understood to have a 2^nd clutch of eggs (9^th).  There were 2 Dunlin on the Alaw estuary (10^th).  Sightings of Common Sandpipers included 4 on the Alaw estuary (10^th), 4 at Hen Borth (10^th) and 1 at Llyn Maelog (13^th).

A Whimbrel at Cemlyn (9^th) was the 1^st report for some time.  Up to 5 Bar-tailed Godwit were on the Alaw estuary (5 on 10^th, 1 on 13^th) and 1 Black-tailed Godwit was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 9 on the Alaw estuary (10^th) and 1 at Church Island (10^th& 12^th), while sightings of Redshank included 6 at Church Island (10^th), 2 on the Alaw estuary (10^th) and 1 on the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (13^th).  There were 2 Lapwing at Llyn Trafwll, RSPB Valley wetlands (9^th), up to 74 Curlew on the Alaw estuary (74 on 13^th, 45 on 10^th) and up to 263 Oystercatchers on the Alaw estuary (263 on 13^th, 121 on 10^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Egret was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th).  Sightings of Little Egrets included 11 at Traeth Dulas (9^th&13^th) and up to 8 at the Alaw estuary (8 on 10^th, 5 on 9^th).

Raptors:

At least 1, possibly 2, Ospreys were at the Cefni estuary (10^th & 13^th).  5 Marsh Harriers were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th), with a female / immature seen over fields at Valley (13^th).  A Peregrine was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The 2 Black Swans that have visited several Anglesey sites were seen at Llyn Dinam, RSPB Valley wetlands (9^th).

Divers & Grebes:

No sightings of note.

2022 Year List:

There were no new additions to the 2022 year list which stubbornly stays put at 199.

Saturday 2nd July – Friday 8th July 2022.

Intro:

… waders…

Waders:

Waders took top billing for the week with a noticeable increase in numbers.  Little Ringed Plover is still a scarce bird on Anglesey and perhaps we have become a little spoilt with the presence of a breeding pair at RSPB Cors Ddyga.  1 was seen this week at Cors Ddyga (5^th), but that was somewhat outshone by 2 found on the bank of the river at Traeth Dulas (5^th).  A Green Sandpiper was seen at the Alaw estuary (7^th), while sightings of Common Sandpipers included up to 4 at the Alaw estuary (4 on 6^th, 2 on 7^th, 4 on 8^th), 3 at Malltraeth (8^th) and 2 at Traeth Dulas (3^rd).  A Turnstone was at Cemlyn (8^th). 

Up to 10 Greenshank were at the Alaw estuary (10 on 7^th – including 1 juvenile, 8 on the 6^th, 6 on the 3^rd, 5 on the 8^th) with 1 on the Brickworks pool at Traeth Dulas (5^th & 6^th).  There were up to 6 Redshank on the Alaw estuary (6 on 7^th, 2 on 8^th), 2 at Red Wharf Bay (2^nd), 1 at Cemlyn (3^rd) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (5^th & 6^th).

Up to 6 Bar-tailed Godwit were at the Alaw estuary (6 on 3^rd, 5 on 6^th, 1 on 7^th).  Sightings of Lapwing included 20+ at Malltraeth (8^th), 5 at Cemlyn (3^rd), 3 on the Alaw estuary (8^th) and 1 on The Range, Holyhead (7^th) – a unusual record for the latter site.  The number of returning Curlews continues to build with up to 100+ at Traeth Dulas (100+ on 5^th, 40+ on 3^rd), 62 at the Alaw estuary (3^rd), 40+ at Red Wharf Bay (2^nd) and 30 at the Cefni estuary (7^th).  216 Oystercatchers were seen at the Alaw estuary (3^rd).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Last week’s Common Quail stayed at RSPB Cors Ddyga until the start of the week (2^nd).  A Great Egret was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (5^th), while counts of Little Egrets included 7 at Traeth Dulas (6^th), 5 at the Alaw estuary (6^th) and 3 off Benllech seafront (2^nd).

Seabirds & gulls:

Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included a summering bird at Cemlyn (3^rd) and up to 12 migrant birds on the Alaw estuary (12 on 3^rd, 4 on 8^th) with up to 3 at Traeth Dulas (3 on 4^th, 1 on 5^th).  2 Common Gulls at Traeth Dulas were the 1^st birds reported for the 2^nd half of the calendar year (4^th). 

Puffins were seen to fly past a number of coastal headlands including up to 13 past Cemlyn (13 on 8^th, 1 on 3^rd), 2 past Point Lynas (4^th) and 9 past The Range, Holyhead (7^th).  Also seen moving north past The Range during a 2hr seawatch (7^th) were 764 Manx Shearwaters, 51 Gannets, 3 Fulmars, 9 Kittiwakes, 6 Sandwich Terns and 13 Black-headed Gulls.  50 Sandwich Terns were seen feeding off Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (3^rd).  A Black Guillemot was seen off Benllech (2^nd, 7^th). 

Passerines and others:

A Northern Wheatear at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (4^th) was probably the 1^st returning migrant for the 2^nd half of the year.  A male Common Crossbill was at Pentraeth forest (4^th) as was a Spotted Flycatcher (4^th).  A Grasshopper Warbler was still reeling at Cors Efail Newydd, near Benllech (5^th- 8^th), while Sedge Warblers were reported from RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd) and Cors Efail Newydd (5^th).  Reed Warblers were reported from RSPB Valley Lakes (6^th) and 2-3 singing birds were near the viaduct at Malltraeth (8^th).  A number of newly fledged Stonechats were mentioned in despatches with 6 at Point Lynas (5^th) and 4 broods at Malltraeth cob (7^th). Sightings of Hooded Crows included 1 at the Alaw estuary (3^rd, 6^th, 8^th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (4^th, 6^th, 7^th).

Raptors:

An Osprey was seen again at the Cefni estuary (4^th, 7^th, 8^th), with up to 4 Marsh Harriers seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (4 on 5^th, 2 on 3^rd) – including 2 newly fledged young.  A Red Kite was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd, 5^th), with another near Tregaian (4^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

20+ Common Scoter were off Benllech seafront (7^th) and 21 flew past Cemlyn (8^th).  8 Common Eider were off Beaumaris (7^th).

Divers & Grebes:

No sightings of note.

2022 Year List: 

There were no new additions to the 2022 year list which remains at 199.

Saturday 25th June – Friday 1st July 2022.

Intro:

… Finally …

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Common Quail was finally added to the 2022 Anglesey year list courtesy of a calling male at RSPB Cors Ddyga (29^th-1^st) with some observers questioning whether more than 1 bird might have been present.  A Great Egret was also at RSPB Cors Ddyga (29^th).

Waders:

The return wader passage continues to strengthen.  Up to 2 Green Sandpipers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 1^st, 1 on 30^th), while sightings of Common Sandpiper included 1 at Valley Cob (30^th) and 4 at the Inland Sea (30^th).  6 Greenshank were at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (29^th), while Redshank sightings included 1 on the Alaw estuary (29^th), 1 at Valley cob (30^th) and 7 at the Cefni estuary (30^th).  Lapwings are starting to return to various estuaries after having been absent for some time with the 1^st returning to the Alaw estuary (29^th) and 8 at the Cefni estuary (30^th).  2 Bar-tailed Godwits were at the mouth of the Alaw estuary (29^th) while sightings of Black-tailed Godwits included 5 that flew over Cemlyn (29^th) and 2 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st).  Counts of Curlews included 41 at Traeth Dulas (28^th), 35 at the Alaw estuary (29^th) and 12+ at the Cefni estuary (30^th).  225 Oystercatchers were on the Alaw estuary (29^th), with 15 at Traeth Dulas (28^th).  2 Dunlin were at the mouth of the Alaw estuary (29^th).

Seabirds & gulls:

Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included 2 adults at the Alaw estuary (29^th) and 6 at the Inland Sea (1^st).  A 1hr seawatch off The Range, Holyhead produced 20 Manx Shearwaters, 19 Gannets, 13 Kittiwakes, 12 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Tern and 7 Black-headed Gulls (29^th).

Passerines and others:

A juvenile Cuckoo was at Cemlyn (27^th), while sightings of Hooded Crows included 1 at the at the Alaw estuary (29^th) and 1 at The Range, Holyhead (29^th).  Small groups of Siskin were noted over Cemlyn and Cemaes (29^th).

Raptors:

An Osprey was at the Cefni estuary (27^th & 29^th), with the same or another over RSPB Cors Ddyga (30^th).  Sightings of Marsh Harriers included 1 at the Cefni estuary (27^th, 29^th&30^th) and up to 2 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 1^st, 1 on 29^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

A drake Garganey in eclipse plumage was at RSPB Valley wetlands (25^th).  Also at RSPB Valley wetlands, there were 1613 Greylag Geese, 165 Canada Geese and 3 Barnacle Geese (1^st).  2 Black Swans were at the Inland Sea (30^th-1^st).

Divers & Grebes:

No sightings of note.

2022 Year List:

Common Quail was a new addition to the year list which ticks up to 199.