Saturday 13th August – Friday 19th August 2022.

Introduction:

Light winds provided some seawatching opportunities and falling freshwater levels pulled in a few waders and dabbling ducks.

Seabirds & gulls:

A Black Tern was seen feeding off Point Lynas (18^th&19^th), as were up to 5 Arctic Skuas (5 on 18^th, 1 on 19^th) and 1 Great Skua (19^th).  An Arctic Skua was seen off Cemlyn (17^th).

Mediterranean Gulls were seen at a number of locations including 1 at Cemlyn (juv on 14^th), 2-3 at Traeth Dulas (juv on 15^th, ad on 17^th, juv on 19^th), 1 off Penrhos Coastal car park (2^nd cal year 16^th), 1 at Salt Island, Holyhead (ad on 16^th), 1 at Traeth Lligwy (17^th) and 3 off Point Lynas (18^th).  A Norwegian darvic ringed Common Gull was at Traeth Dulas (15^th).

Waders:

3 Green Sandpipers were at Llyn Llywenan (18^th) and 2 were at the Bodfordd end of the Cefni reservoir (15^th).  Sightings of Common Sandpipers included up to 2 at Traeth Dulas (2 on 14^th, 1 on 13^th&19^th), 1 at Llyn Llywenan (16^th&18^th) and 3 at the Alaw estuary (16^th&19^th).

2 summer plumaged Grey Plovers were at the Alaw estuary (17^th) and 9 Golden Plover were at Cemlyn (14^th).  Common Ringed Plover and Dunlin are appearing at most suitable habitats.  The largest reported concentrations of Common Ringed Plover involved c. 60 at Traeth Dulas (14^th) and 31 at the Alaw estuary (19^th), while Dunlin numbers included c. 40 at Traeth Dulas (14^th) and 50 at the Alaw estuary (19^th).

The Alaw estuary had a single Knot (13^th) and a single Sanderling (13^th).  Up to 2 Common Snipe were at Llyn Llywenan (2 on 14^th, 1 on 16^th) and 2 Lapwing were at the Bodfordd end of the Cefni reservoir (13^th).

Sightings of Greenshank included up to 15 at the Alaw estuary (15 on 19^th, 9 on 16^th), up to 9 at Llyn Penrhyn (9 on 19^th, 8 on 17^th), up to 5 at Traeth Dulas (5 on 19^th, 1 on 13^th), 1 at Cemlyn (13^th) and 1 at the Cefni reservoir (15^th).  45 Redshank were at Traeth Dulas (14^th) and up to 22 were at the Alaw estuary (22 on 19^th, 18 on 16^th).

2 Black-tailed Godwits were at Cemlyn (13^th) and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were at the Alaw estuary (19^th).  Sightings of Whimbrel included up to 2 at the Alaw estuary (2 on 13^th, 1 on 19^th), 1 at Cemlyn (14^th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (19^th).  100+ Curlew were at Red Wharf Bay (13^th), with up to 105 at the Alaw estuary (105 on 19^th, 68 on 16^th).  Up to 402 Oystercatchers were at the Alaw estuary (402 on 16^th, 271 on 19^th), with 40+ at Red Wharf Bay (13^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The eclipse plumage Ring-necked Duck was seen again at Llyn Penrhyn (14^th).  3 Garganey were at the Bodfordd end of the Cefni reservoir (19^th).  Up to 76 Mute Swans were at the Cefni reservoir (76 on 13^th, 46 on (14^th) and 118 Greylag Geese were on the Alaw estuary (19^th).  A Common Scoter was at the Alaw estuary (13^th) – a site first for the observer.

Passerines and others:

There was a little burst of summer migrants at Cemlyn with a Yellow Wagtail (13^th), a Tree Pipit over (14^th), up to 2 Whinchat (2 on 14^th & 17^th, 1 on 13^th) and 2 Northern Wheatear (13^th&14^th).

Warblers are still present in small numbers and included Sedge Warblers at Tyn Llan pool, Cemlyn (15^th) and The Range, Holyhead (15^th), Whitethroats at South Stack (15th) and The Range, Holyhead (15^th), a Blackcap at The Range (15^th) and a Willow Warbler at Llyn Llywenan (16^th).  300+ Sand Martins were over Llyn Maelog (16^th).

Kingfishers were seen at Cefni reservoir (13^th), Cemlyn (13^th), Traeth Dulas (14^th&19^th) and the Alaw estuary (19^th).  A juvenile Cuckoo was at Llyn Llywenan (16^th) and 3 Jays were at the Cefni reservoir (15^th).  Sightings of Hooded Crows included 1 at Traeth Dulas (17^th&19^th) and 1 at the Alaw estuary (19^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies: The Purple Heron was seen again at Cors Ddyga (14^th) and a Great Egret was at Cefni reservoir (13^th).  The high concentration of Little Egrets at Cors Ddyga continued – c. 60 (13^th) with 14 at Traeth Dulas (19^th).  Water Rails were heard calling at Cors Ddyga (13^th) and Cors Erddreiniog (13^th), with 3 at the Cefni reservoir (14^th).  25 Moorhens were counted at Cefni reservoir (14^th).

Raptors:

Sightings of Marsh Harriers included 1 at Llyn Llywenan (14^th,16^th&18^th), 1 at Cemlyn (17^th) and 1 at Llyn Penrhyn (17^th).  Records of Red Kites included 1 between Talwrn and Llangefni (13^th), 1 at the Cefni reservoir (15^th), 1 at Llyn Llywenan (16^th) and 1 at Brynsiencyn (19^th).

Divers & Grebes:

38 Little Grebes and 1 Great Crested Grebe with 2 young were noted at the Cefni reservoir (13^th).  A Little Grebe was in Holyhead Harbour – the observer’s first returning bird at this site (17^th). 3 broods of Great Crested Grebes were on Llyn Penrhyn (19^th).

 

2022 Year List:

There were no new additions to the 2022 year list which remains on 204.