Saturday 29th January – Friday 4th February 2022

Intro:

… Pinkfeets…

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The headline bird, or birds to be more specific, was the unusually large number of Pink-footed Geese on fields to the north of RSPB Cors Ddyga.  Whilst this species is plentiful at sites as near as the Dee Estuary, it has been a scarce bird on Anglesey over the last 10 years or more.  While the last 2 years have offered better opportunities to catch up with them locally, none have surpassed this week’s where a flock of up to 197 birds were seen (1^st-3^rd, 197 on 3^rd).

While Anglesey has its small wintering population of Greenland White-fronted Geese, the presence of a Russian White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons among the flock of Pinkfeets created a bit of added interest.  Sightings of Whooper Swans included 7 birds on the Braint estuary (31^st), 1 among 23 Mute Swans on the Alaw estuary (31^st) and 4 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd).

The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (2^nd-3^rd), with a single drake Eider off Benllech seafront (2^nd) and 2 drakes off Trwyn y Penrhyn, Penmon (31^st).  89 Pintail were at the Alaw estuary (1^st), with c. 30 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).  A female Goosander was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd-3^rd).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Cattle Egret, presumably the one seen earlier in the year north of Valley, was seen in a cattle field north of the B5109 Llanynhhenedl to Bodedern road (30^th – 4^th).  The same field held up to 18 Little Egrets (18 on 1^st).  A Great Egret was at Llyn Llywenan (30^th), with 2 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).  2 Water Rails were noted at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).

Passerines and others:

The un-seasonal presence of Swallows continues, with reports of single birds near the school at Bodorgan (31^st) and near Aberffraw (3^rd).  Brambling continue to be seen in fields at the Braint estuary (31^st).  Up to 2 Cetti’s Warbler were heard at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 2^nd, 1 or 3^rd).  Sightings of Kingfisher included birds seen at low water on the seaward side of Cadnant bridge, Menai Bridge (31^st) and on the pool alongside the car park at Penrhos Coastal Park (31^st).  22 Chough were in a field south of Llyn Trafwll (1^st), while sightings of Hooded Crow included birds at South Stack (30^th) and on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  A large murmuration of Starlings was seen between Llyn Trafwll and Llyn Penrhyn (2^nd).

Waders:

A Green Sandpiper was at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (31^st), while last week’s Common Sandpipers were seen again at the freshwater outfall at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (30^th-1^st, 4^th) and at Church Island, Menai Bridge (31^st).  Up to 6 Purple Sandpipers were at Trearddur Bay (6 on 4^th, 4 on 2^nd).  1000+ Knot were on the Braint estuary (31^st), with 24 birds on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  The Alaw estuary also held 23 Ringed Plover (1^st).  Two Ruff were seen, 1 at the Braint estuary (31^st) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd-3^rd).  c. 400 Black-tailed Godwit were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd), with 55 Bar-tailed Godwits on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  Greenshanks were seen at multiple locations including 1 on the Braint estuary (31^st), 1 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (31^st), 1 at Traeth Dulas (31^st), 1 at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (31^st), 2 at Beddmanarach Bay (1^st) and 1 at Aberffraw (2^nd).  1000+ Lapwing were on fields north of Tywyn Trewan Common (1^st) – as were 13 Curlew (1^st) - with c. 400 Lapwing birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).  The was a single Jack Snipe at the Braint estuary (31^st), with 30 Common Snipe counted at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).

Divers & Grebes:

Sightings of Great Northern Diver included 1 in Holyhead Harbour (1^st-2^nd) and 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (2^nd).  2 Red-throated Diver were in Holyhead harbour (31^st).  2 Slavonian Grebes were at Beddmanarch Bay (1^st-2^nd).

Raptors:

A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen over the Cefni estuary (2^nd), with 2 Marsh Harriers at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd) and a female Marsh Harrier over the Llyn Trafwll area (4^th).  A Red Kite was seen over at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd).  Sightings of Peregrine Falcon included 2 birds at RSPB South Stack (3^rd) and 1 at RSPB Valley lakes (3^rd).  The latter site also produced a Merlin (3^rd).  A Short-eared Owl was at Llyn Coron (29^th).

Seabirds:

8270 Common Guillemots were counted on the cliffs at RSPB South Stack (3^rd).  There were 5 Black Guillemots in Holyhead harbour (31^st, 2^nd), with a further 3 in Beddmanarch Bay (1^st).  A Mediterranean Gull was off Penrhos Coastal Park (1^st-2^nd).  While there are good wintering populations of Lesser Black-backed Gulls elsewhere in the UK, it is a surprising rare bird on Anglesey during the winter months.  It is, however, our first real migrant of the year and this week saw 1 on the roof of old factory buildings, Laird’s, Llanfaes (31^st), 1 on a roadside pool at Llandrygan (31^st) and 4 on the Alaw estuary (1^st).

Saturday 22nd January – Friday 28th January 2022

Intro:

… steady as she goes … a week of little change, but enough to keep the interest going.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The 1^st winter Glossy Ibis was reported on the field between the railway line and caravan park, north of Llyn Maelog during the early part of the week (22^nd-26^th).  RSPB wardens advise that there have recently been up to 3 Great Egrets at RSPB Cors Ddyga, with specific reports during the week including 2 (26^th) and 1 (27^th). 1 was also seen at Llyn Llywenan (22^nd & 25^th), with 2 on wet fields north-west of the Rhosgoch turning off the B5111 (28^th).  A showy Water Rail was at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (25^th-27^th).

Passerines and others:

The first report of Yellowhammer for the year came from fields around the Braint estuary (23^rd), which also continues to hold up to 5 Brambling among a mixed finch flock of up to 600 birds together with 200+ Skylarks (23^rd).  RSPB wardens advise that up to 7 Chiffchaff have recently been seen from the road between RSPB Cors Ddyga and the Pentre Berw water treatment plant, with specific reports during the week including 1 at the Pentre Berw Water Treatment Plant (23^rd) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th).  2 Blackcap were in a private garden at Benllech (28^th).  A male Black Redstart was in the small cove off the Salt Island car park, Holyhead Harbour (26^th), while the Benllech bird was seen again on ‘The Wendon’ at the seafront (28^th).  A Kingfisher was seen on the small pool adjacent to the car park at Penrhos Coastal Park (26^th&28^th), and both Dipper and Grey Wagtail were on the stream at Bodfordd (23^rd).  Hooded Crows were seen at RSPB South Stack (25^th) and on the Alaw estuary (27^th).

Waders:

Up to 2 Green Sandpipers were on the Alaw estuary (2 on 27^th, 1 on 25^th), with Common Sandpiper being seen at 2 sites – 1 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (22^nd) and 1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (26^th-27^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 9 birds on the Alaw estuary (27^th), 6 birds at Traeth Dulas (23^rd) and 1 at the Braint estuary (27^th).  645 Black-tailed Godwit were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th), which also had a Ruff (25^th-26^th).  A large flock of Golden Plover (>1000) were on fields off the old Aberffraw - Bodorgan road (27^th), with 1380 birds at Llyn Maelog (22^nd).  Counts of Lapwing included 193 at Llyn Maelog (22^nd) and 277 on the Alaw estuary (27^th).   Traeth Dulas had 102 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover (28^th), while 23 Ringed Plover were at Holyhead Bay (28^th).  37 Snipe were between Silver Bay and Borthwen, Rhoscolyn (23^rd), while sightings of Jack Snipe included 1 between Silver Bay and Borthwen, Rhoscolyn (23^rd), 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th&26^th) and 1 at the Llanfachraeth end of the Alaw estuary (25^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The Whooper Swan herd was still on fields off the Llangefni – Llanerchymedd road (24^th), with other sightings including 4 on fields north of RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th), 7 on fields east of the Braint estuary (27^th) and 9 at Llyn Lygeirian (28^th).  28 Mute Swans were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th), with 23 on the Alaw estuary (27^th).  134 Pink-footed Geese flew in from the north and landed north of the Afon Cefni but flew off again after a few minutes heading in the direction of Llyn Coron (25^th).  A single Pink-footed Goose was with Canada Geese at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th).  128 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at the Braint estuary (23^rd).

The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (24^th), with the site continuing in its good form for Eider with 22 birds (22^nd).  76 Common Scoter were off Benllech seafront (25^th), with 20+ close inshore off Penmon Point (27^th).  The female Scaup was seen again on the Cefni reservoir (23^rd).  Sightings of Goldeneye included 14 birds on Llyn Maelog (22^nd) and 11 birds on the Cefni reservoir (23^rd).  The Cefni reservoir also held 97 Tufted Duck, 17 Gadwall, 213 Wigeon, 25 Shoveler and 129 Coot (23^rd).  There were 13 Goosander on Llyn Coron (27^th) and single birds at Llyn Llywenan (22^nd) and on the Afon Cefni, from Pont Bulkeley (26^th).

Divers & Grebes:

3 Great Northern Divers were reported off Cemlyn (23^rd), with 1 off Benllech seafront (22^nd, 25^th, 27^th-28^th).  Benllech seafront also delivered a Black-throated Diver (22^nd & 27^th) and up to 50 Red-throated Diver (50 on 23^rd, 16 on 25^th).  2 Slavonian Grebes were off Penrhos Coastal Park (26^th, 28^th), 21 Little Grebe were at the Cefni reservoir (23^rd) and 46 Great-crested Grebes were off Benllech seafront (25^th).

Raptors:

RSPB wardens advise that up to 5 Marsh Harriers have recently been seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga, with specific reports during the week including 3 (25^th) and 2 (26^th).  Elsewhere, Marsh Harriers were seen at Llyn Coron (22^nd) and RSPB Valley (22^nd).  It was a good week for sightings of Hen Harrier (all ‘ring-tailed’ – i.e. 1^st winter or female birds), with reports from 4 sites with 1 at Llyn Coron (22^nd), 1 over the Cefni estuary as viewed from the Newborough end of the cob (25^th), 1 at Cors Goch (27^th) and 1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (27^th).  A Red Kite was seen from RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th).  Peregrine Falcons were seen on the Cefni estuary (25^th), RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th) and from Penrhos Coastal Park (28^th).  Sightings of Merlin included 1 at Llyn Coron (22^nd), 1 at Llanfaethlu (22^nd), 2 on the Braint estuary (23^rd),1 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th), 1 off Penrhos Coastal Park (26^th) and 1 at Cors Goch (27^th).  There was a belated report of a Goshawk seen by 2 wardens as it flew over RSPB Cors Ddyga (18^th).  A Short-eared Owl was seen hunting the fields north of the Afon Cefni between the two bridges adjacent to RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th).

Seabirds:

A Black Guillemot was seen off Benllech seafront (26^th).  Sightings of Mediterranean Gulls included an adult winter bird off Penrhos Coastal Park (26^th), 3 on the Alaw estuary (27^th), 1 at 4-mile bridge (28^th) and 1 at Cemaes Bay (28^th).  A Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the Alaw estuary (27^th) – the first for the year at that site.

Other wildlife of note:

A pod of 11 Bottle-nosed Dolphins moved south off South Stack (27^th), while an Otter was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (25^th).

Saturday 15th January – Friday 21st January 2022

Intro:

… Glossy Ibis …

Herons, Egrets and allies:

The highlight for many will have been the 3 Glossy Ibis that we first reported late on the 14^th on wet fields north of Llyn Maelog.  A search on the Saturday morning quickly relocated the birds and save for a short movement to an adjacent field the birds – 2 adults and a juvenile – remained in the same area, much to the enjoyment of a steady stream of admirers (15^th – 19^th).  Subsequently, only 1 bird has been reported (20^th).

 Glossy Ibis, Llyn Maelog, 15^th January – photo: @birdinginasuit

There were no further reports during the week of the Cattle Egret in the cattle field to the north of Valley, but the field is still holding good numbers of Little Egret with up to 11 birds (16^th).  Great Egrets were seen at Llyn Llywenan (16^th) and at RSPB Cors Ddyga (17^th).

Passerines and others:

For the second year running, Anglesey has a winter record of Lesser Whitethroat.  One was photographed in a private garden in Holyhead (19^th) and as per last year’s bird is possibly of the Siberian blythi sub-species.  A Firecrest was found at a wooded stream opposite the main car park at Traeth Bychan (17^th), which also held a Chiffchaff (17^th).  Other sightings of Chiffchaff included a bird at the Pentre Berw water treatment plant (19^th&20^th) and 5 in the brassica field, north of Braint estuary car park (17^th) – 1 of which may have been of the Siberian sub-species tristis.  A female Blackcap was on a bird feeding station at Trearddur Bay (19^th).  There were still up to 6 Brambling in and around the aforementioned brassica field (17^th).  Both of last week’s Black Redstarts continued their stay with the Benllech bird being seen on Ty Traeth to the north of the beach car park (16^th) and the Amlwch Port bird being seen at the former Octel factory site (16^th).  Confirmation has been received that the small population of Tree Sparrows continues to hold on at a private site in the centre of the island (15^th-16^th).  The ‘Cattle Egret’ field north of Valley held a good variety of birds including 250 Chaffinch, 50 Linnet, 10 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting, 25 Meadow Pipit and 40 Redwing (18^th).  A Stock Dove was seen at Bodorgan (17^th), while Kingfishers were seen at Penrhos Coastal Park (18^th), the Inland Sea (19^th) and at 4-Mile Bridge (21^st).

Waders:

Both Green and Common Sandpipers were seen, with the former still being seen on the wet fields on the approach to Cors Crigyll (15^th) and the latter by the inflow at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead Harbour (16^th,18^th&20^th).  3 Ruff were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (16^th-17^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included 1 on the river at Malltraeth (18^th), 1 at the Alaw estuary (20^th) and 6 at Traeth Dulas (19^th).  RSPB Cors Ddyga continues to hold a large flock of 300+ Black-tailed Godwits (17^th), while the ‘gorad’ flood at Valley had 46 birds (18^th).  60 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the Alaw estuary (20^th), which also held 4 Knot and 326 Lapwing (20^th).  Jack Snipe were flushed west of Octel, Amlwch Port (17^th), at The Range, Holyhead (19^th) and at Llyn Coron (19^th).  2 Woodcock were seen at Newborough Forest (17^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

A new high count for Whooper Swans for the winter, with 53 birds seen from the Llangefni – Llanerchymedd road (20^th).  The male Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (21^st), where there was also 1 Eider and 140 Common Scoter (21^st).  A male and female Scaup were seen on Llyn Cefni (16^th), with the female seen again later in the week (19^th).  Another female Scaup was seen on the flooded field to the north of the path to the river at RSPB Cors Ddyga (16^th-17^th).  There were 18 Goosander on Llyn Coron (19^th).

Divers & Grebes:

Up to 2 Great Northern Divers were on the Inland Sea (2 on 18^th, 1 on 16^th), while 15 Red-throated Diver were seen from Benllech seafront (21^st).  Up to 4 Slavonian Grebes were in Beddmanarch Bay (4 on 17^th, 3 on 16^th, 1 on 20^th), with 1 on the Inland Sea (16^th&18^th).  40 Great-crested Grebes were seen off Benllech seafront (21^st).

Raptors:

Marsh Harriers were seen at Rhosneigr (15^th), RSPB Cors Ddyga (17^th) and Llyn Coron (19^th).  Sightings of Red Kite included birds seen between Talwrn and Pentraeth (18^th), over Dulas (18^th) and over the Pentre Berw water treatment plant (19^th).

Seabirds:

Lesser Black-backed Gull is our earliest returning migrant; 1 at the Inland Sea was the first record of a sighting this year (18^th).  Mediterranean Gulls were seen off Penrhos Coastal Park (17^th& 20^th) and at Trearddur Bay (19^th).  Sightings of Black Guillemot included 1 at Beddmanarch Bay (16^th) and 1 at Traeth Lligwy (16^th).

Saturday 8th January – Friday 14th January 2022

 Intro:

 … one swallow doesn’t make a summer …

Passerines and others:

‘One swallow doesn’t make a summer’, so the saying goes.  It urges caution not to place too much emphasis on early and positive signs as there could still be bumps in the road ahead. 

It works well with the fact that we generally don’t see the return of our earliest swallows until the last week of March; but are we starting to see the first signs of a change?  Whilst Anglesey has had an occasional record of late departing swallows remaining into the month of December, there doesn’t seem to have been any records of birds remaining into the New Year – that is, until this week.  Following on from one seen and videoed near Ynys Llanddwyn on the 25^th December, the same or another was seen this week at the centre of the village of Newborough (11^th).  Is this the start of a new migratory strategy with a few birds in the vanguard of a move to see if they can tough it out through milder British winters?  It does seem that there are more records across the UK this January and it will be interesting to see if this becomes an increasing trend.

It has now become fairly routine to have a small number of Chiffchaffs over-wintering, particularly around a number of water treatment plants and various willow beds.  2 were seen this week in willows along the stream between RSPB Cors Ddyga and Pentre Berw water treatment plant (9^th), with another in hedges opposite the Cob Pool at Malltraeth (10^th).  A female Blackcap was seen in roadside hedge at Valley (13^th) and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13^th) with another noted north of RSPB Cors Ddyga by the disused railway bridge (11^th).

The Black Redstart was seen again at Benllech seafront, on this occasion favouring the ‘wendon’ building next to beach car park, Benllech (9^th), while the wintering male remains in and around the former Octel plant at Amlwch Port (9^th-13^th).  Several Brambling remain in and around the brassica crop north of the Braint estuary car park (8^th-14^th), a Kingfisher was at Pont Bulkeley, Afon Cefni (9^th&12^th) and there was an unattributed report of a Snow Bunting at Cemlyn (12^th).  Hooded Crows were seen at Henborth (8^th&14^th), the Alaw estuary (9^th) and at South Stack (10^th).  5 Chough were at Aberffraw dunes (14^th).

Waders:

A Green Sandpiper was seen on the Alaw estuary (9^th&12^th), with another on wet fields near Cors Crigyll (11^th).  A Common Sandpiper was seen off Salt Island, Holyhead Harbour (11^th).  11 Purple Sandpipers were at Trearddur Bay (8^th).

There were 2 good counts of Dunlin with c. 1000 birds on the Laird’s Beach, 1 mile east of Beaumaris (8^th) and 977 birds on the Alaw estuary (13^th).  Sightings of Knot included 450 birds on the Braint estuary (12^th) and 114 on the Alaw estuary (13^th).  There were up to 350 Black-tailed Godwit at RSPB Cors Ddyga (350 on 11^th, 300 on 13^th), while counts of Bar-tailed Godwit included 30 birds off Penrhos coastal park (11^th) and 41 birds at the Alaw estuary (13^th).  Sightings of Greenshank included up to 7 birds at the Alaw estuary (7 on 13^th, 6 on 9^th), 1 on the Braint estuary (12^th), 1 at Traeth Dulas (13^th) and 1 at Malltraeth (14^th).  Counts of Grey Plover included 35 birds off Penrhos Coastal Park (11^th) and 90 birds at the Alaw estuary (13^th), while tallies of Golden Plover included 395 birds at Llyn Maelog (12^th) and c. 800 birds on the Bodorgan fields close to Aberffraw dunes (13^th).  There were 136 Lapwing at Llyn Maelog (12^th), 235 birds at the Alaw estuary (13^th) and c.750 birds on the Bodorgan fields (14^th).  30 Snipe were seen to leave the marsh by Llangefni sewage works at dusk (11^th) and 4 Woodcock were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

There was a late report of 3 Glossy Ibis in a field north of Llyn Maelog (14^th).  The Cattle Egret was again seen in a cattle field north of Valley (8^th -10^th), but it can at times be a little elusive.  The same field has held up to 22 Little Egrets (8^th).  Up to 2 Great Egrets continue to be seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 12^th, 1 on 13^th).  6 Water Rail were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (13^th), with 1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (13^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Sightings of Whooper Swans included 3 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (8^th), 4 on the Alaw estuary (9^th) and 2 at Llyn Coron (14^th).  50 Pink-footed Geese were seen on fields on north shore of Llyn Alaw (10^th).  238 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at the Alaw estuary (9^th), while Penmon pool had 68 Pale-bellied Brents and 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (8^th). 

The drake Long-tailed Duck was seen again off Benllech seafront (9^th), where there was also 20+ Eider (9^th) and 100 Common Scoter (9^th).  Counts of Wigeon included 300 birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th) and 176 at Llyn Cefni (12^th).  There were 300 Shoveler at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th), 185 Shelduck on the Braint estuary (12^th), 261 Pintail on Malltraeth cob pool (12^th), 190 Tufted Duck at Llyn Cefni (12^th) and 127 Coot at Llyn Cefni (12^th).  There were 11 Goldeneye at Llyn Cefni (12^th) and 9 at Llyn Coron (9^th). 

Divers & Grebes:

Great Northern Divers continue to be seen around the coast with 2 off Benllech seafront (9^th), 2 on the Inland Sea (8^th, 11^th), 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (10^th) and 1 in Holyhead Harbour (10^th).  6 Red-throated Diver were off Benllech seafront (9^th).  Up to 5 Slavonian Grebes were on the Inland Sea (5 on 11^th, 1 on 8^th), with up to 4 birds in Beddmanarch Bay (4 on 13^th, 2 on 11^th, 1 on 10^th) – there is known to be some movement between the 2 sites.  20 Great-crested Grebes were off Benllech seafront (9^th) and 48 Little Grebes were on Llyn Cefni (12^th).

Raptors:

A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (12^th&13^th), as were 2 Marsh Harriers (13^th).  A Red Kite was seen over Talwrn (13^th).  Sightings of Merlin included 1 on the Alaw estuary (9^th) and 1 on the Braint estuary (12^th).  A Short-eared Owl was seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (11^th).

Seabirds:

1000+ Common Guillemots were back on the ledges at RSPB South Stack (11^th).  6 Mediterranean Gulls were on the Inland Sea (11^th).

 

NWWT, Cemlyn Wardens, ABN Annual Reports

Many thanks to everyone who has accessed the 2 annual reports recently and made a donation to the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s ‘Cemlyn Appeal’ for monies towards the cost of wardening.  Feedback from the NWWT has been that there was an increase in donations to the appeal over the early part of the year and that there had also been a number of new applications for membership of the NWWT.

If you are interested in membership, the NWWT have a ½ price offer on membership at the moment, details of which can be found at:

https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/support-us-landing-page/half-price-membership-sale

For ease of access, the appeal page for the funding of Cemlyn Wardens can be found at:

https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/cemlyn-appeal

Ben Stammers, NWWT, made a presentation to Bangor Bird Group this last Wednesday, so if you want to know a little more about Cemlyn and its wildlife the recording of the talk can be found on YouTube at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MyLgwP4pgg

PDF copies of the 2021 and 2020 annual reports of bird sightings on Anglesey can be downloaded at:

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2021-annual-report

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2020-annual-report

Saturday 1st January – Friday 7th January 2022

Intro:

… off to a bit of a flyer …

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda; Happy New Year.  The year has got off to a bit of a flyer, with 138 species seen so far, with 2 species added already that weren’t reported in 2021.

Waders:

Following last year’s sighting of an Avocet over Porth Cwyfan and then at the Braint estuary, the same or another was found on the Alaw estuary which stayed at least 3 days (1^st-3^rd).  It was only the 2^nd record for this location, following a bird on the 17^th December 1978.

A Green Sandpiper, carried over from 2021, was seen again on wet fields near Cors Crigyll (3^rd&5^th).  Purple Sandpipers were added to many a year list, with up to 25 birds at Cemlyn (25 on 6^th, 10 on 1^st), up to 5 birds at Trearddur Bay (5 on 6^th, 3 on 2^nd), 2 at Moelfre (1^st), 2 on the headland behind Holyhead breakwater (3^rd) and 1 at Porth Nobla (4^th).   Knot were reported from several locations with 250+ in a high tide roost directly east of the old outdoor swimming pool, Beaumaris (2^nd), 65 at Beddmanarch Bay (1^st) and 45 on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  The Alaw estuary also held 2 Sanderling (1^st-2^nd) and 421 Dunlin.

RSPB Cors Ddyga was the place to see Black-tailed Godwits with 650+ birds (650+ on 1^st, 540 on 2^nd), with good numbers also at the flooded field off Lon Spencer, Valley (2^nd).  There were 116 Bar-tailed Godwits on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  Reports of Greenshank included 1 at Beddmanarch Bay (1^st), 1 at Church Island (1^st), 1 on the Afon Ffraw (4^th) and 3 on the Alaw estuary(1^st-2^nd).  3 Ruff were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd).

There were 1000+ European Golden Plover on coastal fields at Bodorgan (5^th), while sightings of Grey Plover included 50 birds at Beddmanarch Bay (1^st) and 5 birds on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  There were 22 Ringed Plover on the Alaw estuary (1^st), which also held 254 Lapwing (1^st).

Reports of Jack Snipe included 2 at Red Wharf Bay (1^st), 1 at Traeth Dulas (1^st&6^th), 1 at the Alaw estuary (1^st) and 1 at Llyn Coron (4^th).  4 Woodcock were seen at Mynydd Bodafon (1^st), with 1 at RSPB Cor Ddyga (4^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Cattle Egret was again in a cattle field north of Valley (4^th-6^th), with some speculating that this bird may well have been around the island for some 2 years.  Given a recent report of a flock of 304 Cattle Egrets in just one flock on the Somerset levels, it is perhaps a little surprising that they remain as scarce as they do on the island.  Sightings of Great Egrets included 2 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st-2^nd) and 1 at Llyn Llywenan (5^th&6^th).  On to a bird that wasn’t reported last year; Glossy Ibis, with 3 birds seen circling Traeth Dulas before flying off to the south east (4^th) – hopefully, there is still a chance that these birds might be relocated.

Passerines and others:

Last week’s Black Redstart at Benllech did the decent thing and stayed for the start of the new year (1^st-2^nd).  Winter warblers included a Chiffchaff at Soldier’s Point (1st) and another at Llyn Coron (3^rd&5^th).  A male Blackcap was a bit of a surprise in coastal bushes at Valley (2^nd), whilst Cetti’s Warblers were seen or heard at Llyn Cerrig Bach (1^st-2^nd) and Llyn Coron (3^rd).  Up to 4 Brambling were in a mixed finch flock in and around a brassica field near the Braint estuary car park (2^nd-7^th), while 9 Siskin were at Penrhos Coastal Park (4^th).  A Dipper was singing on the Afon Cefni at Bodfordd (4^th), while another was at Llyn Frogwy (5^th).  A Stock Dove was seen at Aberffraw (4^th), while Hooded Crows were at the Alaw estuary (1^st) and at Henborth (4^th) with a possible hybrid at the end of Ravenspoint Road, Trearddur Bay (6^th).  Kingfishers were seen at Penrhos Coastal Park (4^th) and at Malltraeth (4^th).

A Grey Partridge was accidentally flushed at a field gate north of Llyn Coron, close to the village of Soar (5^th) and is the 2^nd species that was not recorded in 2021.

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Whooper Swans were seen across the island, with the largest herd being of 40+ birds east of Pont Glan-rhyd, off the Llangefni to Llanerchymedd road.  Elsewhere, 9 were on fields west of Cors Crigyll (3^rd), 4 were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2^nd), 3 were on fields north of Llyn Alaw (1^st&4^th), 2 were at Llyn Cefni (5^th) and 1 was on the Alaw estuary (1^st).  The ever-elusive flock of c.20 Greenland White-fronted Geese were seen again in flight from Llyn Coron towards Malltraeth (1^st), while 17 Pink-footed Geese were on wet fields south of the A5025 near Burwen (1^st) with 3 remaining on fields south of Plas Cemlyn (1^st-7^th). 

 

Photo: Pink-footed Geese, Plas Cemlyn, 4^th January – Martin Jones.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen at a number of coastal locations across the island and included 330 at Traeth Melynog (1^st), 244 on the Alaw estuary (1^st), 90 south of Four-mile Bridge (2^nd), 72 at Lleiniog (6^th) and 18 at Traeth Dulas (6^th).  3 Barnacle Geese were on fields west of Cors Crigyll (3^rd), with another on fields near Llyn Padrig (3^rd).  A Snow Goose, most probably destined to be considered of likely captive origin, was seen on fields near Bryngwran (4^th). 

The drake Long-tailed Duck made a re-appearance off Benllech seafront (3^rd) and the female Scaup on the north-east basin of Llyn Cefni stayed put into the new year (1^st, 5^th).  A pair of Eider were off Benllech seafront (3^rd), with other birds seen at Moelfre (4^th).  15 Common Scoter were off Benllech seafron (7^th).  An exceptional count of 630 Shoveler at RSPB Cors Ddyga (1^st) was noteworthy.  9 Goosander were at Llyn Coron (5^th), with up to 7 at Llyn Trafwll (7 on 2^nd, 2 on 1^st).

Divers & Grebes:

The top prize amongst the divers and grebes was a Black-throated Diver seen off Porth Nobla (4^th).  Great Northern Divers were noted at several locations and included 3 birds off Benllech (3 on 3^rd, 2 1^st-2^nd), 2 on the Inland Sea (1^st), up to 2 in Beddmanarch Bay (2 on 2^nd, 1 on 1^st&7^th), 1 off Red Wharf Bay village (1^st), 1 at Holyhead Fish Quay (1^st), 1 in Holyhead Harbour (2^nd,4^th&7^th), 1 off Porth Nobla (4^th) and 1 off Gallows Point, Beaumaris (6^th). A Red-throated Diver was in Holyhead Harbour (3^rd), with others seen off Moelfre (4^th) and Benllech seafront (1^st).  2 Slavonian Grebes were seen at Beddmanarch Bay (1^st), with 2 on the Inland Sea (1^st) and away from their Holyhead stronghold there was 1 off Moelfre (4^th).  60 Great-crested Grebes were counted off Benllech (1^st).

Raptors:

A Ring-tailed Hen Harrier was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (3^rd&4^th), as were up to 3 Marsh Harriers (3 on 2^nd, 2 on 5^th, 1 on 1^st).  2 Red Kites were seen over the A55 near the Rhosneigr turning (1^st), with another over Llyn Cefni (4^th).  Sightings of Merlin included birds at the Alaw estuary (1^st), at Bodorgan (3^rd) and at the saltmarsh on the Cefni estuary (4^th).  Up to 2 Short-eared Owls were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (2 on 4^th, 1 on 3^rd&5^th), with sightings of single birds at the Alaw Estuary (1^st) and at Aberffraw (2nd).  A Barn Owl was at RSOB Cors Ddyga (4^th).

Seabirds:

6 Fulmars were back on the ledges at RSPB South Stack (2^nd), with 2 at cliff nest sites at Moelfre (7^th).  3 Gannets were offshore at RSPB South Stack (2^nd).  Sightings of Black Guillemot included 6 in Holyhead Harbour (2^nd), 4 in Holyhead Fish Quay (1^st), 4 at Moelfre (7^th), 3 at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 7^th, 2 on 2^nd, 1 on 1^st) and 1 off Benllech (7^th).  c.100 Common Guillemots were actively feeding between the headland and Ynys Moefre (7^th), while 4 Common Guillemots were in Holyhead Harbour (2^nd).  85 Cormorants were counted off Moelfre (7^th).

Gulls and Terns:

Single Mediterranean Gulls were seen at Traeth Dulas (1^st), Cemlyn (1^st), the Alaw estuary (1^st), at Holyhead Fish Quay (1^st), at Holyhead Harbour (3^rd) and at Penrhos Coastal Park (4^th).  15 Great Black-backed Gulls were off Moefre (7^th).

 

2021 and 2020 annual reports of bird sightings

PDF copies of the 2021 and 2020 annual reports of bird sightings on Anglesey can be downloaded at:

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2021-annual-report

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2020-annual-report

If you enjoy the reports, please consider making a donation to the Cemlyn Wardens appeal (North Wales Wildlife Trust).  Details at:

https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/cemlyn-appeal

Saturday 25th December - Friday 31st December 2021

Intro:

… The year ends with a few local surprises …

Passerines and others:

The unseasonably mild weather has had a number of Swallows hanging on in the UK, with 1 being seen and videoed at Craig y Rhwyd near Ynys Llanddwyn (25^th).  It has been a good year for Black Redstarts with 22 known sightings across 2021, with the latest being a rather showy bird favouring an area around the large white house to the north of the beach car park at Benllech (29^th).

 Photo: Black Redstart, Benllech, 29^th December – Martin Jones

Waders:

Avocet is a scarce bird on Anglesey, with sightings having been less than annual over the past 30 years or so.   The past 2 years have been rather good, with 2 birds at Malltraeth on the 9^th April 2020 followed by 1 on Malltraeth cob pool on the 27^th August this year.  This week produced an unseasonal record with 1 seen in flight over Porth Cywfan, heading in the direction of Malltraeth, which was later seen by another birder at the Braint estuary (27^th).  Up to 9 Purple Sandpipers were at Rhoscolyn (3 on 28^th, 1 on 30^th), a Greenshank at Traeth Dulas (27^th) and 500+ Black-tailed Godwits continue to be seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (31^st).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

7 Whooper Swans were on fields east of the Braint estuary (28^th), with 3 Pink-footed Goose remaining on fields south of Plas Cemlyn (26^th).  58+ Pale-bellied Brent Geese were reported from the Braint estuary (28^th), with 3 seen at Rhoscolyn (30^th), 50 at Penmon Pool (29^th)  and 70 from the beach at Newborough (31^st).

Divers & Grebes:

Sightings of Great Northern Divers included 1 at Beddmanarch Bay (26^th) and 2 off the south shore of Llanddwyn Island (31^st).  A Red-throated Diver was off Rhoscolyn (28^th) and 2 Slavonian Grebes were seen at Beddmanarch Bay (26^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

3 Great Egrets were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th).

Raptors:

5 Marsh Harriers and 2 Hen Harriers were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (26^th).  A female Merlin was seen hunting on the Braint estuary (28^th).

Seabirds:

No sightings of note.

Gulls and Terns:

No sightings of note.

 

2021 Annual Report

A big thank you to everyone who has shared records, shared photographs or more generally shown an interest in the weekly updates. 

Last year I condensed the records into an annual report, which was available free of charge but with a suggestion that a donation be made to Bangor Bird Group if readers enjoyed the report and appreciated the effort.  I know that many were very kind and generous in making donations to the bird group which aided their programme of talks.

I’ve continued this work into 2021 and, given that darkness has now fallen on the 31^st, I have now made the 2021 available on-line so that those interested can download a copy (possibly the timeliest annual bird report in the World 😊).  I have suggested that any donations in appreciation of the report are made to the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s fundraising campaign for the wardening at Cemlyn.  It seems a fitting recipient at the end of a year where the wardens not only did a sterling job in protecting the tern colony, but also ensured that many got to see the Elegant Tern present over the late spring/early summer months.

A PDF copy of the 2021 Annual Report can be downloaded from:

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2021-annual-report

A PDF copy of the 2020 Annual Report can be downloaded from:

https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/annual-reports/2020-annual-report

 

Best wishes for the New Year

Finally, the very best wishes for the New Year and I hope that your birding year gets off to an excellent start on the 1^st. 

Saturday 18th December - Friday 24th December 2021

Intro:

… 100 not out; not sure that I thought this through ….

Firstly, I hope you and yours have a peaceful Christmas and New Year.

This is the 100^th consecutive week for the blog and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all those who have contributed news & photographs and provided encouragement along the way.  I believe that the blog has built up into a valuable resource on birding on the island which can be dipped into as necessary.  

The discipline of writing a weekly blog helped enormously in the production of an annual report for 2020 that was well received.  Always a glutton for punishment, I have been working throughout the year on a 2021 report that is finished save for any last-minute additions as we near year end.  Further details on this will be shared next week.  So, without further ado, on to the weekly news.

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

Despite their numbers on the Dee estuary, Pink-footed Goose is a scarce bird on Anglesey.  This week brought a number of small flocks to the North Wales coast, with up to 42 birds being found on the fields south of Plas Cemlyn (42 on 20^th, 35+ on 21^st, 5 on 24^th).  The elusive flock of Greenland White-fronted Geese were caught on camera, with 21 birds photographed in flight near at Llyn Coron (18^th) – 3 of which had neck collars.  Sightings of Whooper Swan included singles over Porth Wen (18^th) and South Stack (18^th), with 4 at RSPB Cors Ddyga (20^th).  5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Benllech (18^th), with 100+ Shelduck and 600 Common Scoter at Red Wharf Bay (18^th).  6 Eider were in Red Wharf Bay (18^th), while 3 flew west past Soldiers Point, Holyhead (18^th).

Divers & Grebes:

A Black-throated Diver was seen at Red Wharf Bay (18^th), while sightings of Red-throated Diver included 90 at Red Wharf Bay (18^th), 17+ off Traeth yr Ora (21^st) and 1 at Holyhead Harbour (18^th).  A Great Northern Diver was in Beddmanarch Bay (21^st), with another at Holyhead Bay (22^nd).  Up to 3 Slavonian Grebes were at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 20^th&21^st, 1 on 22^nd).

Passerines and others:

A tristis type Chiffchaff was in willow scrub behind the beach at Traeth Lligwy (18^th), with a vocal Common Chiffchaff in the willows at Llyn Coron (20^th).  A Twite was heard at Ynys Leurad, Inland Sea (19^th) and a Hooded Crow was at Henborth (24^th).  c. 300,000 Common Starlings were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (18^th).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

No reports of any Spoonbills this week, but up to 2 Great Egrets were at RSPB Cors Ddyga (18^th) with 1 at Llyn Llywenan (22^nd).  A Water Rail showed well at Trewan Common (20^th).

Waders:

A Jack Snipe was near Ynys Leurad, Inland Sea (19^th) and a Greenshank was seen at Beddmanarch Bay (19^th).

Seabirds:

8 Black Guillemot were in Holyhead harbour (18^th), with 1 at Beddmanarch Bay (21^st).  70 + Common Guillemots were seen at Red Wharf Bay (18^th).

Gulls and Terns:

There was a report of a Tern, that couldn’t be assigned to a species, between the Menai and Britannia bridges (22^nd).

Raptors:

5 Marsh Harriers were seen at RSPB Cors Ddyga (18^th), with sightings of Hen Harriers including ring-tailed birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga (18^th) and at Parc (23^rd).  Red Kites were reported over Pentraeth (18^th) and at RSPB Cors Ddyga (18^th).  There was a report of a Short-eared Owl near Llyn Coron (18^th) and a Barn Owl was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (20^th).

 

Forthcoming week – 25^th December – 31^st December?

5 Cattle Egrets were at Pont Marquis (25^th) in 2016, a Killdeer was at Holyhead (30^th) in 1994 and a Cirl Bunting was at Moelfre (31^st) in 1968.