Week: Saturday 6th May - Friday 12th June 2026.

It was understandable that Anglesey birders had their heads turned during the week by the discovery of Britain’s first Western Reef Heron just across the Menai Strait at Y Foryd (6th-12th).  Subsequent information suggesting that the same bird had been seen on the 13th May in Pembrokeshire might offer a crumb of hope that it might move further north still and bless Anglesey with a visit.  If not, a prolonged stay around Caernarfon would not be that bad.   

While a notoriously quiet time of year (with the exception of occasional mega rarities!), the week nonetheless provided a few unusual records with unseasonal Great Northern and Red-throated Diver (both off Cemlyn) and a Black Redstart (Rhoscolyn).  The 2nd calendar year female Woodchat Shrike remained at South Stack to the 9th.

There were no new additions to the year list, which remains on 199 (LISTS) - subject to the appropriate records being accepted by the British and Welsh Birds Rarity Committees as applicable.  

Yellowhammer is still a gap in this year’s list, with perhaps the Llanddona area offering the best hope.  If you have seen one, please pass on details of the sighting.  

Wildfowl:

Nothing of note.

Waders:

Whimbrel

1, off Tyn Llan beach, Cemlyn (6th).

Bar-tailed Godwit

1, at Traeth Penial (10th).

Black-tailed Godwit

2, at Valley tidal doors (6th).

Seabirds and gulls:

Puffin

Up to 18, flew past Cemlyn (18 on 7th, 1 on 6th).

Black Guillemot

2, off Porth Amlwch (12th).

Kittiwake

197, flew past Cemlyn (6th).

Grebes & Divers:

Red-throated Diver

1, flew past Cemlyn (7th).

Great Northern Diver

1, on the sea off Cemlyn (6th).

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Nothing of note.

Raptors:

Marsh Harrier

1, at Llyn Llywenan (6th).

1, male over meadow near Llangefni water treatment plant (9th).

Red Kite

1, at Llyn Llywenan (6th).

3, over A5025 near Pentraeth (10th).

1, at Rhosmeirch (11th).

1, at Llangwyllog (12th).

Passerines & others:

Cuckoo

1, at Valley tidal doors (6th).

Stock Dove

Up to 6, on recently seeded turf fields at Gadfa (6 on 7th, 2 on 11th & 12th).

Kingfisher

1, at the Afon Cadnant (7th).

Woodchat Shrike

1, female at South Stack (6th-9th).

Hooded Crow

1, at Llanfechell (8th).

Cetti’s Warbler

1, at Llyn Llywenan (6th).

1, near Llangefni water treatment plant (9th).

Lesser Whitethroat

1, at Llyn Llywenan (6th).

1, at Valley tidal doors (6th).

1, near Llyn Alaw (6th).

Spotted Flycatcher

1, at Llanfairynghornwy (9th).

Black Redstart

1, female at Rhoscolyn (6th).

Yellow Wagtail - (Blue-headed)

1, at Tyn Llan, Cemlyn (6th).