This is the first week in which there were no new additions to the year list, but we have done pretty well to keep the interest ongoing whilst we wait for the influx of spring migrants. There are still good opportunities to catch up with rarer grebes and there is evidence of some movement of birds not least with Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Meadow Pipits that are often the first signs of migration. Both daylight hours and day time temperatures are moving in the right directions. The sun and warmth today brought sightings of a number of species of butterfly including Painted Lady, Peacock and Red Admiral. It was a pity that we didn’t get to notch up a Sand Martin and Northern Wheatear during the month of February, but it shouldn’t be too long before we do see them and by the middle of March we might also have the first Puffin and Sandwich Tern - so plenty to look forward to in the next 2-3 weeks. The cumulative year list continues at 151 (LISTS).
Swans, Geese and Ducks:
Whooper Swan
5, at Cors Ddyga (22nd).
1, at Llyn Cefni (22nd).
10, on fields near Llangristiolus (22nd).
Pink-footed Goose
200, on fields near Llangristiolus (22nd).
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
88, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
1, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Long-tailed Duck
1, female type off Benllech seafront (24th).
1, female type at the Inland Sea (24th, 26th ).
Wigeon
133, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Pintail
44, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Scaup
1, drake at Llyn Cefni (22nd).
2, female type at the Inland Sea (24th).
Eider
Up to 5, off Benllech (5 on 22nd, 4 on 26th, 1 on 24th).
Goosander
25, 13 drakes and 12 ducks on Llyn Coron (22nd).
Waders:
Common Sandpiper
1, at Church Island, Menai Bridge (22nd).
1, off slipway by pier at Cemaes Bay (24th).
Sanderling
c. 10, at Red Wharf Bay (22nd).
Purple Sandpiper
2, at Porth Cae Du, Rhoscolyn (27th).
13, at Trearddur Bay (27th).
Lapwing
28, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Jack Snipe
2, at Red Wharf Bay (22nd).
2, at The Range, Holyhead (26th).
Snipe
6, at The Range, Holyhead (26th).
Woodcock
1, at Llyn Cerrig Bach (22nd).
1, at Cors Bodeilio (22nd).
Greenshank
1, at Church Island, Menai Bridge (22nd).
2, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Bar-tailed Godwit
30, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Seabirds and gulls:
Mediterranean Gull
1, at the Inland Sea (22nd).
1, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Lesser Black-backed Gull
10, on the lighthouse island, South Stack (24th).
5, at the Alaw estuary (25th).
Fulmar
3, from The Range, Holyhead over a 1hr seawatch (27th).
Black Guillemot
1, off Benllech seafront (26th).
Divers & Grebes:
Great Northern Diver
1, at the Inland Sea (22nd).
1, at Holyhead harbour (24th).
Red-throated Diver
Up to 14, off Benllech (14 on 26th, 3 on 22nd).
3, from The Range, Holyhead over a 1hr seawatch (27th).
Red-necked Grebe
1, at Llyn Penrhyn, RSPB Valley Wetlands (22nd, 25th-28th).
Black-necked Grebe
2, at the Inland Sea (22nd, 25th 26th ).
Slavonian Grebe
1, at the Inland Sea (22nd, ).
Up to 2, at Beddmanarch Bay (2 on 25th, 1 on 22nd, ).
1, off Benllech seafront (24th).
Passerines & others:
Chiffchaff
1, at Bodffordd water treatment plant (22nd).
1, at Newborough forest (22nd).
1, along cycle track at Llangefni marshes (28th).
Cetti’s Warbler
2, from cycle track at Llangefni marshes (28th).
Meadow Pipit
c. 30, on fields at Gadfa (28th).
Common Crossbill
2, singing at Newborough forest (24th).
Chough
10, flew over Llyn Penrhyn (25th).
Hooded Crow
1, at The Range, Holyhead (26th).
Raptors:
Hen Harrier
1, ring-tail, west of Tregele (25th).
Marsh Harrier
3, at Cors Ddyga (22nd).
1, at Llyn Penrhyn (25th).
Red Kite
2, over A55 near Llanfairpwll (22nd).
1, over A55 near Cors Ddyga (22nd).
1, at Caergeiliog (22nd).
1, at Aberffraw (22nd).
1, at Plas Newydd (22nd).
1, near Llyn Coron (22nd).
Merlin
1, near Valley Wetlands RSPB (22nd).
Herons, Egrets & allies:
Cattle Egret
5, in field near Traeth Penial, Llanfwrog (23rd).
Great Egret
1, at Cors Ddyga (22nd).
1, on marsh on Llangefni side of A55 (25th).
1, from cycle track at Llangefni marshes (28th).
Great Bittern
1, ‘booming’ near Valley Wetlands RSPB (22nd).
