Saturday 6th August – Friday 12th August 2022.

Introduction:

When will one stick for a while…

Raptors:

Anglesey has had a good run of sightings of Black Kites over recent years, but these are invariably single observer sightings and so it was once again when one was seen in flight at Llyn Coron (7^th).  It would be good to have one favouring an area for a short while to allow others to catch up with this sought-after species.

Sightings of Marsh Harriers included 2 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th), 1 at Rhoscolyn (9^th), 1 at Llyn Llywenan (10^th) and 1 at Llyn Alaw (12^th).  A Red Kite drifted north over Talwrn (9^th).

Seabirds & gulls:

An Arctic Skua flew past Cemlyn (6^th), but there was otherwise little in the way of scarce sightings from seawatching as high pressure dominated the weather.  Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included 20 at the North end of the Inland Sea (6^th), 4 at Rhoscolyn (9^th), up to 3 at Cemlyn (3 on 9^th, 1 on 6^th), 3 at the Braint estuary (9^th) and 3 at Traeth Dulas (9^th).  It was confirmed that a pair of Mediterranean Gulls successfully bred at Cemlyn, with 2 young fledging.  A Black Guillemot was offshore between Traeth Llydan and Borthwen, near Rhoscolyn (8^th).

Waders:

A Curlew Sandpiper was seen at Malltraeth cob pool (7^th-8^th), with another on the Cefni estuary, Malltraeth (7^th).  A Green Sandpiper was at the Bodforrdd end of the Cefni reservoir (9^th) and another was at Llyn Llywenan (12^th).  Sightings of Common Sandpiper included 4 on the Cefni estuary (7^th), up to 3 on the Alaw estuary (3 on 6^th & 10^th), 1 at Traeth Dulas (9^th) and 1 at Valley cob (12^th).  Further evidence of the return migration of waders came in the form of the 1^st Knot returning to the Alaw estuary (10^th) and the 1^st Grey Plover returning to Cemlyn (12^th).  15 Common Ringed Plover were on the Alaw estuary (10^th), 3 Lapwing were at the Bodforrdd end of the Cefni reservoir (9^th) and 3 Lapwing were at Llyn Llywenan (9^th). 

Up to 17 Greenshank were at the Alaw estuary (17 on 10^th, 9 on 6^th), with 4 at the Cefni estuary (7^th).  Up to 29 Redshank were on the Alaw estuary (29 on 6^th, 11 on 10^th), with 2 at Valley Cob (12^th).  3 Ruff were seen on Malltraeth cob pool (6^th), while 2 Bar-tailed Godwit were on the Alaw estuary (10^th).  Sightings of Whimbrel included up to 2 at Alaw estuary (2 on 10^th, 1 on 6^th), 1 at Rhoscolyn (6^th) and 1 Traeth Dulas (6^th).  3 Common Snipe were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th), with 11 at Llyn Llywenan (12^th).  Up to 103 Curlew were on the Alaw estuary (103 on 10^th, 87 on 6^th) and there were up to 253 Oystercatcher on the Alaw estuary (253 on 6^th, 210 on 10^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The 3 Black Swans remained at the north end of the Inland Sea (6^th), while 74 Greylag Geese were on the Alaw estuary (6^th).  A Garganey was at the Bodforrdd end of the Cefni reservoir (9^th), as was a single Wigeon (9^th).  10+ Northern Shovelers were at Llyn Llywenan (12^th) and 45 Gadwall were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (12^th).  A Goosander was at Cemlyn (12^th).

Passerines and others:

A Yellow Wagtail was seen at Cemlyn (6^th,9^th,12^th), while sightings of Northern Wheatears included 3 at Cemlyn (6^th), 3 at The Range, Holyhead (11^th), 2 at Rhoscolyn (6^th) and 1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (12^th).  Mynydd Bodafon had a small fall on migrants with 5 Spotted Flycatchers (9^th), a Redstart (9^th) and a Grasshopper Warbler (9^th).  2 Common Whitethroat were at South Stack, with 1 on The Range (11^th).  A Blackcap was at South Stack (11^th), as were 2 Willow Warblers (11^th).  c. 10,000 Swallows and c.500 Starlings came into roost at the main reedbed at RSPB Cors Ddyga (12^th).  Sightings of Kingfisher included 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th), 1 at Traeth Dulas (9^th) and 1 on the pontoon off the pier at Beaumaris (10^th).  Juvenile Cuckoos were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th) and at Llyn Llywenan (9^th).  A Hooded Crow was at Bwa Gwyn, west of Rhoscolyn (6^th), with 2 at the Alaw estuary (6^th) and 1 at Treath Dulas (12^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Purple Heron was seen again – mostly in flight - around the main reedbed at RSPB Cors Ddyga - as viewed from the Morfa Mawr track (6^th-11^th).  A Great Egret was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (6^th).  23 Little Egrets were at Traeth Dulas (23 on 9^th, 19 on 7^th) and 64 came into roost at RSPB Cors Ddyga (12^th).

Divers & Grebes:

No sightings of note.

 

2022 Year List:

Black Kite was a new addition to the 2022 year list which ticks up to 204.