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.