Saturday 8th October – Friday 14th October 2022.

Introduction:                                         

… warblers and crests…

Passerines and others:

Whilst the UK is this year notching up an impressive list of American passerines, there regrettably hasn’t been anything for Anglesey or indeed for North Wales.  A Yellow-browed Warbler at Wylfa woods (8^th-10^th) was probably the highlight bird for the week albeit that it could be rather elusive.  Up to 4 Chiffchaff were also at Wylfa woods (4 on 13^th, 1 on 8^th) with single birds at South Stack (8^th & 11^th), the Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (11^th) and Octel, Amlwch (14^th).  Up to 3 Blackcap were around the Amlwch water treatment plant (3 on 13^th, 2 on 14th), with single birds at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (11^th) and at Soldiers Point Holyhead.   Cetti’s Warblers were singing at Llyn Maelog (10^th) and Valley wetlands (10^th).

A Firecrest was at Wylfa woods (9^th-11^th), while up to 5 Goldcrest were at South Stack (5 on 11^th, 4 on 8^th, 3 on 9^th&14^th) with 3 at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (11^th).  A late House Martin was at South Stack (8^th), while sightings of Swallows included 5 at Rhoscolyn (13^th), 4 feeding under the shelter of the quarry face at Holyhead Breakwater country park (9^th) and 1 at South Stack (10^th).

2 Brambling flew over South Stack (13^th) and 8 Crossbills flew over Wylfa woods (13^th).  A Grey Wagtail was at Soldiers Point, Holyhead (11^th), while 3 Skylarks flew over the point (9^th).  3 Redwing were at Rhoscolyn (13^th) and 2 were at Llanlleianna (14^th).  2 Kingfishers were off Malltraeth bridge (14^th), with other sightings including 1 at Traeth Dulas (10^th), 1 at Valley wetlands (10^th), 1 at Valley cob (10^th) and 1 on the Afon Cefni, close to the Council Offices at Llangefni (10^th-14^th).  A Hooded Crow was at South Stack (14^th).

Seabirds & gulls:

It was quiet on the seawatching front with the best birds being 3 Arctic Skuas past Point Lynas (8^th) along with 2 Manx Shearwaters (8^th).  An adult Little Gull was seen from a boat off Dulas (13^th), with sighting of Mediterranean Gulls including 29 at Beddmanarch Bay (9^th), 6 between Cymyran and Valley cob (14^th), 1 off the headland at Holyhead Breakwater country park (9^th), a 2^nd winter at Llyn Maelog (10^th) and a 1^st winter at Llyn Coron (11^th).  2 Arctic Terns were seen from a boat off Dulas (13^th) and 20 ‘Commic’ (Common or Arctic) Terns flew past Point Lynas (8^th).  A Black Guillemot was in the outer harbour, Holyhead (11^th), while another flew east past Point Lynas (13^th).

Waders:

A Common Sandpiper was at Holyhead harbour (9^th) and 230+ Dunlin were at Penmon pool (9^th).  2 Jack Snipe were at Traeth Dulas (10^th), with sightings of Common Snipe including 11 at Traeth Dulas (10^th) and 1 at Rhoscolyn (13^th).  Several Woodcock were reported from Mynydd y Garn (8^th).  600 European Golden Plover were at the Cefni estuary (14^th), while 5 Lapwing were at Valley wetlands (10^th).

6 Black-tailed Godwit were between Cymyran and Valley cob (14^th), with 1 at Llyn Coron (11^th).  A single Bar-tailed Godwit was at Rhoscolyn (13^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 5 at Traeth Dulas (10^th) and 1 at Rhoscolyn (13^th).  30 Redshank were at Rhoscolyn (13^th).  Counts of Curlew included 300+ at Penmon pool (9^th) and 92 at Rhoscolyn (13^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

Sightings of Great Egret included 1 at Cors Ddyga RSPB (14^th) and 1 on the Inland Sea (14^th).  The Inland Sea also held 24 Little Egrets (14^th).  4 Water Rails showed well at the west end of Cefni reservoir (14^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

An Egyptian Goose was at Llyn Coron (11^th), while 4 Barnacle Geese were at Llyn Llywenan (8^th) with the same 4 or others in fields off the approach road to South Stack from Holyhead (13^th).  12 Whooper Swans were at Llyn Alaw (13^th) and the 3 Black Swans were seen again on Inland Sea (9^th).  60+ Brent Geese were at Beddmanarch Bay (14^th).

c. 300 Wigeon were at Malltraeth (14^th), with 200+ at Rhoscolyn (13^th).  25 Shoveler were at Llyn Maelog (10^th), with 20 at Malltraeth (14^th).  140 Pintail were at Malltraeth (14^th) and 12+ Teal were at Rhoscolyn (13^th).  5 Goosander were at Llyn Maelog (10^th) and several were seen on the Inland Sea (9^th).

A drake Eider flew west past Point Lynas (13^th).  150+ Common Scoter flew past Cemlyn (14^th), with up to 160 past Point Lynas (160 on 8^th, 70 on 13^th).

Raptors:

The juvenile Osprey was at the Cefni estuary (8^th).  A Red Kite was seen at Llyn Llywenan (13^th&14^th), with another at Malltraeth (14^th).  Sightings of Marsh Harriers included 1 at Llyn Coron (11^th) and up to 3 at Llyn Llywenan (3 on 13^th, 1 on 14^th).

Divers & Grebes:

A Great Northern Diver flew past Point Lynas (8^th), while 2 flew east past Point Lynas (13^th).  A Red-throated Diver was in Beddmanarch Bay (12^th) and 3 flew past Cemlyn (14^th).  There was a report of 2 Slavonian Grebes near Beaumaris pier (14^th).

2022 Year List:

There were no new additions to the 2022 year list which remains at 213.