Week: Saturday 2nd March 2024 – Friday 8th March 2024.

The week brought three new additions to the 2024 year list.

There are usually several reports each year of Goshawk, but they are not known to breed on the island.  One was observed soaring over Baron Hill woods between Beaumaris and Glyn Garth (3^rd) by an experienced observer who was watching from the Bangor side of the Menai Strait.

We had several good years for Whimbrel wintering – particularly on the north coast from Cemlyn to Bull Bay – but alas we haven’t had one for a couple of winters. It was, therefore, good to hear that one had flown over Cors Ddyga (7^th) – one can only speculate as to whether this was a bird that had wintering locally or is yet another sign of spring.

Just when it looked like we might have to wait until the autumn for a record of Brambling, one was noted at Carmel Head (7^th).

Collectively, these three additions take the cumulative list for the year to date up to 152.

Aside from the new additions to the year list, there were three other highlights that might be worth noting.  Firstly, the Black-necked Grebe was seen again on the Menai Strait from the layby at Gallows Point (7^th), only to be eclipsed by a photo of a summer plumaged bird at Beddmanarch Bay (7^th).  Secondly, Stock Dove can be a scarce bird on Anglesey – particularly in the winter months – so a flock of up to 52 birds on a field of brassica crop just north-west of Llyn Llywenan (6^th-8^th) was noteworthy.  Lastly, there have been sporadic sightings of a Ring-necked Parakeet on Anglesey over many years with a female having been seen occasionally around Benllech since 2011 at least.  A report emerged this week that 2 birds had been seen together near Benllech (6^th) – the first report of multiple birds.  If you happen to see both, it would be good to know the whether we have a potential breeding pair.

 

Swans, Geese & Ducks:	Whooper Swan	·       29 on fields near Plas Llanfihangel, Capel Coch (3rd).
	Greenland White-fronted Geese	·       Up to 19 on fields south of Cors Ddyga (19 on 2nd & 5th, 15+ on 3rd).
	Pink-footed Goose	·       Flock – number unspecified - at Cors Ddyga (3rd).
	Pale-bellied Brent Goose	·       164 at the Alaw estuary (7th).
	Long-tailed Duck	·       1 at Llyn Maelog (6th).
	Goldeneye	·       3 at Llyn Llywenan (7th).
	Common Scoter	·       1 at Beddmanarch Bay (6th).
	Pochard	·       11 at Llyn Maelog (6th).
	Tufted Duck	·       33 at Llyn Llywenan (7th).
	Goosander	·       1 at Cemlyn (6th). ·       Pair at Malltraeth cob pool (6th). ·       1 at the Alaw estuary (7th).
Waders:	Common Sandpiper	·       1 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (7th).
	Purple Sandpiper	·       3 at Trearddur Bay (5th). ·       4 at Cemlyn (4th). ·       3 between Cemlyn and Hen Borth (6th).
	Knot	·       3 winter plumaged birds at Traeth Dulas (6th). ·       106 at the Alaw estuary (7th).
	Dunlin	·       30 at Traeth Dulas (2nd). ·       341 at the Alaw estuary (7th).
	Golden Plover	·       c. 1000 at Cemlyn (6th).
	Grey Plover	·       4 at Cemlyn (4th). ·       260 at the mouth of the Alaw estuary (5th). ·       4 between Cemlyn and Hen Borth (6th). ·       42 at the Alaw estuary (7th).
	Greenshank	·       1 at Traeth Dulas (2nd). ·       1 at Beddmanarch Bay (5th). ·       2 at Traeth Dulas (6th). ·       7 at the Alaw estuary (7th).
	Redshank	·       32 at Traeth Dulas (6th).
	Jack Snipe	·       1 at Cemlyn (4th).
	Woodcock	·       1 near Trearddur Bay (5th).
	Bar-tailed Godwit	·       101 at the mouth of the Alaw estuary (5th). ·       74 at the Alaw estuary (7th).
	Black-tailed Godwit	·       Up to 12 at Cors Ddyga (12 on 2nd, 1 on 7th). ·       4 at Malltraeth cob pool (6th).
	Whimbrel	·       1 flew over Cors Ddyga (7th).
	Curlew	·       40 at Traeth Dulas (2nd).
Seabirds & gulls:	Mediterranean Gull	·       Adult, summer plumaged at Trearddur Bay (5th). ·       2 at Beddmanarch Bay (5th). ·       10 at Cemlyn (6th). ·       1 at the Alaw estuary (7th).
Divers & Grebes:	Black-necked Grebe	·        1 on Menai Strait, as viewed from Gallows Point (7th). ·        1, in summer plumage, at Beddmanarch Bay (7th).
	Slavonian Grebe	·        Up to 4 at Beddmanarch Bay / mouth of the Alaw estuary – 1 starting to moult into summer plumage (4 on 5th, 1 on 6th, 3 on 8th).
Passerines & others:	Snow Bunting	·       Male, of the nivalis form at the start of Holyhead breakwater – later found dead (2nd – 3rd).
	Brambling	·       1 at Carmel Head (7th).
	Linnet	·       c. 80 on fields North-west of Llyn Llywenan (7th).
	Chiffchaff	·       2 on loop from Soldier’s Point, Holyhead to Plantation and back (2nd). ·       1 at Beach Road, Valley (8th). ·       2 at Amlwch water treatment plant (8th).
	Goldcrest	·       8 on loop from Soldier’s Point, Holyhead to Plantation and back (2nd).
	Common Crossbill	·       35 at Pentraeth forest, with some singing (3rd). ·       2 at Carmel Head (7th).
	Dipper	·       1 on the Afon Cefni, near Council Offices, Llangefni (8th).
	Kingfisher	·       1 at the Alaw estuary (7th).
	Stock Dove	·       1 flew north at Llyn Llywenan (4th). ·       Up to 52 on fields North-west of Llyn Llywenan (52 on 7th, 40+ on 6th, 9 on 8th).
	Hooded Crow	·       1 at The Range (2nd). ·       1 at Carmel Head (7th).
	Ring-necked Parakeet	·       2 at Benllech (6th).
Raptors:	Marsh Harrier	·        1 over Llyn Trafwll (6th).
	Red Kite	·       1 over Cors Bodwrog (2nd). ·       1 on loop from Soldier’s Point, Holyhead to Plantation and back (2nd). ·       1 over Tregaian (3rd). ·       1 over A5025 near Llyn Dulas (3rd). ·       1 over Llyn Llywenan (4th).
	Sparrowhawk	·        3+ soaring over Anglesey as viewed from Bangor side of the Menai Strait (3rd).
	Goshawk	·        1 soaring over Baron Hill woods, as viewed from Bangor side of the Menai Strait (3rd).
	Buzzard	·        12+ soaring over Anglesey as viewed from Bangor side of the Menai Strait (3rd).
Herons, Egrets & allies:	Cattle Egret	·        2 at Cors Ddyga (2nd-7th).
	Great Egret	·        1 at Cors Ddyga (2nd). ·       1 at Llyn Llywenan (4th).
	Water Rail	·        1 on loop from Soldier’s Point, Holyhead to Plantation and back (2nd).