Saturday 15th October – Friday 21st October 2022.

Introduction:                                         

… late migrants and winter visitors …

Passerines and others:

Wood Lark and Richard’s Pipit are less than annual on Anglesey so sightings of both this week were noteworthy.  The Wood Lark flew over South Stack (20^th), while the Richard’s Pipit was on a field at Porth Nobla, near Rhosneigr (21^st) but was only visible in flight.  A Lapland Bunting flew over calling at Llyn Alaw (20^th), with another over South Stack (20^th).  8 Brambling flew over South Stack (20^th) and 3 Redpoll were seen feeding in alders at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (20^th).  Winter thrushes arrived in good numbers with 2283 Fieldfare and 873 Redwing counted over South Stack (19^th) and a large arrival of Blackbirds noted at multiple sites across the week.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Amlwch water treatment plant (16^th).  Chiffchaffs were seen at several sites including 2 at South Stack (16^th),1 at Porth Eilian (16^th), 1 at Octel, Amlwch (16^th), 1 at Wylfa woods (19^th-20^th) and 1 at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (20^th&21^st).  Up to 4 Blackcaps were at Amlwch water treatment plant (4 on 20^th – 2m, 2f, 2 on 16^th 1m, 1f), 3 were at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (20^th – 2m, 18^th – 1f), 2 were at Wylfa woods (20^th), 1 was at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (20^th) and 1 was at South Stack (20th – 1 m).  It was another excellent week for Firecrests, with 1 on the edge of Pentre Gwyddel housing estate, Rhoscolyn (15^th), 1 at Penmon Point (16^th), 3 at Wylfa woods (18^th) and 1 at South Stack (18^th-20^th).

There was a late Sand Martin at Llyn Llywenan (15^th), while sightings of Swallows included 1 at Llyn Llywenan (16^th), 2 at Point Lynas (16^th) and 2 at Tyn Llan farm, Cemlyn (16^th).  A late Northern Wheatear was on the headland at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (15^th), with another at Cemlyn (20^th).  A Kingfisher was at Cemlyn (16^th), with another at Holyhead harbour (20^th).  A Hooded Crow was at South Stack (18^th).

Seabirds & gulls:

There were no particular species or numbers of note across the week.

Waders:

A Green Sandpiper was at Valley cob (20^th), while sightings of Common Sandpiper included 1 at Holyhead harbour (18^th & 20^th) and 1 at Valley cob (19^th).  Up to 3 Greenshank were at Traeth Dulas (3 on 20^th, 1 on 15^th), while 2 were at Valley cob (20^th) and 2 were at Rhoscolyn (20^th).  28 Redshank were on the brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (15^th), while 21 were at Rhoscolyn (20^th).  A Whimbrel was at Cemlyn (16^th) and c. 80 Curlew were at Traeth Dulas (15^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

49 Little Egret were feeding on the Inland Sea as viewed from the Anchorage (20^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Anglesey has done well over the past few years to have at least 1 wintering Long-tailed Duck and hopes were raised for the forthcoming winter by a duck initially seen off Traeth Bychan (15^th) and then off Benllech (16^th&19^th).

Whooper Swans were reported from a number locations which included up to 4 at South Stack (4 on 20^th, 3 on 18^th, 2 on 21^st), 3 at Llyn Alaw (15^th&16^th) and 2 near Cemlyn (17^th-18^th).  80+ Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Beddmanarch Bay (15^th), 200+ Wigeon were at Rhoscolyn (20^th), 3 Pintail were at Malltraeth cob (19^th) and 25 Common Scoter were off Benllech (16^th).

Raptors:

Sightings of Red Kite included 1 at Cors-y-Bol, between Llyn Alaw and Llyn Llywenan (15^th), 1 at Llyn Llywenan (15^th&16^th), 1 over Bethel (17^th) and 1 over Talwrn (18^th).  Up to 2 Marsh Harriers were at Llyn Llywenan (2 on 16^th, 1 on 15^th), with 1 at Cors-y-Bol (15^th).  A female Merlin was watched chasing Starlings at Cemlyn (20^th).

Divers & Grebes:

A Great Northern Diver was seen off Cemlyn (15^th).  Reports of Red-throated Divers included 1 at Beddmanarch Bay (15^th), 3 off Benllech (16^th) and 4 that flew west past North Stack (17^th).

2022 Year List:

Wood Lark and Richard’s Pipit were new additions to the 2022 year list which creeps up to 215.