Week: Saturday 4th January 20025 - Friday 10th January 2025.

After last week’s roar out of the traps, it was not unexpected that things would quieten down by comparison.  5 new additions were made to the cumulative year list with Pink-footed Goose, Red-legged Partridge, Black Redstart, Blackcap and Siskin all added to take the list up to 135.  LISTS

Perhaps the most captivating sight was that of the two winter-plumaged Black-necked Grebes that have taken up temporary residence on the Inland Sea.  They have been seen both from near the Anchorage at Four-mile Bridge and from near the cob which can be accessed (carefully) by the footpath across the railway line or via the access lane that runs parallel to the A55 and down past the mitigation pool.  Let’s hope one or both stay until the spring and that we have the benefit of a bird(s) in summer plumage as last year.

Swans, Geese and Ducks:

Whooper Swan

-        2 at Llyn Cefni (4^th).

-        Up to 12 at Cors Ddyga (12 on 8^th, 7 on 4^th).

-        12 at Llyn Llygeirian (9^th).

Mute Swan

-        12 at Llyn Llygeirian (9^th).

Pink-footed Goose

-        1 with Canada Geese to the south of Llyn Coron (8^th).

-        3, seen distantly, in fields north of the Afon Cefni (8^th)

Barnacle Goose

-        2 at Llyn Coron (4^th & 10^th).

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

-        124 at Penmon Pool (6^th).

-        5 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (6^th).

-        65 at the Cefni estuary (8^th).

-        155 from Penrhos Coastal Park (9^th).

-        77 at the Alaw estuary (10^th).

Dark-bellied Brent Goose

-        1 at the Alaw estuary (10^th).

Shelduck

-        515 at Abermenai point (8^th).

-        105 at Cefni estuary (8^th).

Long-tailed Duck

-        Drake off Benllech seafront (4^th).

-        Female on the Inland Sea, viewed from the Anchorage (4^th & 8^th).

Scaup

-        Female at the Inland Sea (4^th – 6^th).

Eider

-        12 off Traeth Bychan (12 on 4^th, 10 on 9^th, 7 on 8^th).

Pintail

-        55 at Cefni estuary (8^th).

-        81 at the Alaw estuary (10^th).

Coot

-        103 at Llyn Rhos Du (8^th).

Tufted Duck

-        18 at Llyn Llygeirian (9^th).

Shoveler

-        4 at the Alaw estuary – unusual at this site (10^th).

Goldeneye

-        8 at Cemlyn (8^th).

-        13 at Llyn Llygeirian (9^th).

-        5 from Four-mile Bridge (9^th).

Teal

-        80 at the Braint estuary (8^th).

Wigeon

-        140 at the Braint estuary (8^th).

Red-breasted Merganser

-        2 at the Cefni estuary (8^th).

-        3 from Four-mile Bridge (9^th).

Goosander

-        16 at Llyn Coron (4^th).

-        1 at the Alaw estuary (10^th).

 

Waders:

Green Sandpiper

-        1 at the Alaw estuary (4^th).

-        1 at the Alaw estuary, near bridge at end of lane from Llanfachraeth (10^th).

Common Sandpiper

-        1 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (4^th, 6^th).

Purple Sandpiper

-        4 at Cemlyn (4^th).

Grey Plover

-        6 at Cemlyn (4^th & 8^th).

-        5 at Beddmanarch Bay from Penrhos costal park car park (6^th).

-        13 at the Inland Sea (8^th).

Golden Plover

-        Up to 100+ on fields at Cemlyn (100+ on 8^th, 22 on 4^th).

Common Ringed Plover

-        23 from Penrhos Coastal Park (9^th).

Lapwing

-        220 near Model Village, Newborough (8^th).

-        160 near Railway bridge, Malltraeth (8^th).

Knot

-        46 at the Inland Sea (8^th).

Dunlin

-        c. 10 at Cemlyn (4^th).

-        317 at the Inland Sea (8^th).

-        300 from Penrhos Coastal Park (9^th).

Jack Snipe

-        1 at Red Wharf Bay (4^th).

-        1 at Traeth Dulas (8^th).

-        1 at the Range, Holyhead (9^th).

Snipe

-        7 at the Alaw estuary (10^th).

Woodcock

-        2 near the boatyard at Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn (4^th).

Ruff

-        Up to 3 at Cors Ddyga (3 on 8^th, 1 on 4^th).

Redshank

-        10 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (6^th).

-        45 at the Menai Strait off the Mermaid Inn (8^th).

Greenshank

-        2 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (6^th).

-        1 at Traeth Dulas (9^th).

-        4 at the Alaw estuary (10^th).

Black-tailed Godwit

-        c 380 at Cors Ddyga (8^th).

Oystercatcher

-        65 at the Menai Strait off the Mermaid Inn (8^th).

Curlew

-        30 at the Menai Strait off the Mermaid Inn (8^th).

 

Seabirds and gulls:

Mediterranean Gull

-        1 at the Inland Sea, viewed from the Anchorage (4^th).

-        Up to 3 at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 4^th, 2 on 8^th).

-        3 at Valley doors (4^th).

Black Guillemot

-        3 at Holyhead Harbour (7^th).

 

Divers & Grebes:

Great Northern Diver

-        1 off Benllech seafront (4^th).

-        1 on the Inland Sea (5^th-6^th).

-        1 off Traeth Bychan (8^th).

Red-throated Diver

-        1 flew west past Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (7^th).

-        2 off Traeth Bychan (8^th).

Black-necked Grebe

-        2 on the Inland Sea (2, 4^th, 5^th & 8^th, 1 on 6^th).

Slavonian Grebe

-        Up to 2 on the Inland Sea (2 on 8^th, 1 4^th - 5^th).

-        Up to 3 at Beddmanarch Bay (3 on 8^th, 2 on 5^th – 6^th).

Great Crested Grebe

-        5 on the Menai Strait off the Mermaid Inn (8^th).

Little Grebe

-        6 at the Alaw estuary (10^th).

Passerines & others:

Black Redstart

-        Female / 1^st winter at Amlwch Port (8^th).

Firecrest

-        2 at Llyn Parc Mawr, Newborough (8^th).

Blackcap

-        Male on garden feeders off Old Trearddur Bay Road (4^th, 7^th, 9^th).

-        Female at garden feeders at Benllech (10^th).

Chiffchaff

-        1 at Llyn Parc Mawr, Newborough (9^th).

Cetti’s Warbler

-        1 reported calling at Coed Cyrnol, Menai Bridge (6^th).

Siskin

-        c 20 flew over Llyn Parc Mawr, Newborough (9^th).

Kingfisher

-        1 at the Braint estuary (8^th).

Hooded Crow

-        1 on fields off the approach road to the Range, Holyhead (7^th).

 

Raptors:

Marsh Harrier

-        Up to 2 at Cors Ddyga (2 on 6^th, 1 on 4^th).

-        1 at Llyn Trafwll (4^th).

Red Kite

-        1 at Dothan (6^th).

-        1 over A55 opposite Bryngwran (6^th).

-        1 over Holland Arms garden centre, Pentre Berw (6^th).

-        1 at Llyn Garreg-lwyd (9^th).

Goshawk

-        2^nd calendar year bird seen and photographed at Llyn Parc Mawr, Newborough (5^th).

-        1 over Dulas (9^th).

-        1 at Brynteg at dusk (10^th).

Merlin

-        1 perched alongside A5 near Cors Ddyga (8^th).

-        1 at Henborth, Cemlyn (8^th).

 

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Great Egret

-        1 at Pont Marquis (4^th).

-        1 at Llyn Coron (4^th & 8^th).

Water Rail

-        1 at Valley doors (4^th).

-        3 in the swamp below the dam wall at Llyn Cefni (4^th).

-        3 alongside Llangefni cycle track (8^th).

Week: Saturday 28th December 2024 – Friday 3rd January 2025.

… and we are off. Firstly, a Happy New Year and the very best for 2025 both generally and in terms of birding.  Those keen on year listing have already made a good start.  The total species declared on day 1 had reached 101, bird race participants on the 2^nd notched up 107, while the collective total at the end of day 3 has now reached 130 (notable omissions include Pink-footed & White-fronted Geese, Great Bittern, Red-legged Partridge, Hen Harrier and Water Pipit) - https://sites.google.com/view/anglesey-bird-news/year-lists.

The first WBRC species has been reported with a Red-necked Grebe at Red Wharf Bay.  Both Green and Common Sandpiper have been seen, plus a Spotted Redshank.  Long-tailed Duck, Greater Scaup and Black-necked Grebe are all good additions to the cumulative year list.

There are still several weeks before we can expect the flurry of new species as spring migration kicks in, so there is always a positive aspect to having missed a few species in that there are still a few birds to search out over the next few weeks.  After last year’s unprecedented number of Yellow-browed Warblers, I wonder if there might be one still out there to be found. 

Swans, Geese and Ducks:

Whooper Swan

-        6 at Cors Ddyga (7 on 3^rd, 6 on 28^th).

-        5 at Llyn Cefni (1^st).

Brent Goose

-        17 at Moel y don (28^th)

-        3 near Church Island, Menai Bridge (28^th).

-        45 at Beddmanarch Bay (2^nd).

Barnacle Goose

-        2 at Llyn Coron (2^nd).

Long-tailed Duck

-        Drake off Benllech seafront (2^nd-3^rd).

Scaup

-        Female at the Inland Sea (1^st - 3^rd).

Eider

-        6 at Traeth Bychan (1^st)

-        3 at Benllech (2^nd).

Shoveler

-        39 at Cors Ddyga (2^nd).

Pintail

-        54 at Malltraeth (2^nd)

-        12 at Llyn Trafwll (2^nd).

Goosander

-        3 at Llyn Alaw, dam end (1^st).

-        Up to 20+ drakes at Llyn Coron (1^st).

-        7 at Llyn Trafwll (2^nd).

 

Waders:

Green Sandpiper

-        1 on flooded field to east of Ynys Wen cemetery (2^nd).

Common Sandpiper

-        1 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (3^rd).

Purple Sandpiper

-        Up to 10 at Cemlyn (10 on 2^nd, 3 on 2^nd).

-        6 at Trearddur Bay (2^nd).

Grey Plover

-        Up to 5 at Cemlyn (5 on 2^nd, 2 on 1^st).

Golden Plover

-        300+ flew over Cors Ddyga (2^nd).

Dunlin

-        6 at Moel y don (28^th).

Knot

-        2 at Cemlyn (2^nd)

-        68 at Beddmanarch Bay (3^rd).

Sanderling

-        c 120, in 2 flocks in flight, off Benllech seafront (2^nd).

Jack Snipe

-        2 at Traeth Dulas (1^st).

-        1 at Cemlyn (2^nd).

Spotted Redshank

-        1 at Malltraeth cob pool (3^rd).

Redshank

-        30 at Moel y don (28^th).

Greenshank

-        2 at Moel y don (28^th).

-        1 at the Inland Sea (2^nd).

-        2 at Church Island, Menai Bridge (3^rd).

Black-tailed Godwit

-        Up to 20+ on the flooded field off Gorad road, Valley (20+ on 1^st, 6 on 29^th).

-        80+ at Cors Ddyga (2^nd).

Bar-tailed Godwit

-        30 at Beddmanarch Bay (2^nd).

-        1 amongst the Curlew roost at Traeth Dulas (3^rd).

Curlew

-        21 at Moel y don (28^th).

-        c. 200 at Traeth Dulas (3^rd).

 

Seabirds and gulls:

Mediterranean Gull

-        Adult off Penrhos Coastal park car park (2^nd & 3^rd).

Lesser Black-backed Gull

-        Adult at Llyn Coron (2^nd).

Kittiwake

-        Fairly constant stream past Llam Carw, Amlwch Port (1^st).

Gannet

-        2 flew past South Stack (2^nd).

Fulmar

-        2 were seen off Benllech seafront (2^nd).

Black Guillemot

-        Up to 3 at Traeth Bychan (3 on 1^st, 1 on 3^rd).

 

Divers & Grebes:

Great Northern Diver

-        Up to 3 off Benllech seafront (3 on 1^st, 1 on 2^nd).

-        1 off Traeth Bychan (1^st & 2^nd).

-        1 in the bay at Cemlyn (2^nd)

-        1 at Beddmanarch Bay (3^rd)

Red-throated Diver

-        5 in the bay at Cemlyn (2^nd).

-        9 off the seafront at Benllech (2^nd).

Red-necked Grebe

-        1 on the river at the north side of Red Wharf Bay (2^nd).

Black-necked Grebe

-        1 at the Inland Sea, then at Beddmanarch Bay (2^{nd &} 3^rd).

Slavonian Grebe

-        Up to 3 at Beddmanarch Bay (2+ on 1^st, 3 on 2^nd, 1 on 3^rd).

-        Up to 2 at the Inland Sea (2 on 2^nd, 1 on 3^rd).

 

Passerines & others:

Firecrest

-        1 at Llyn Parc Mawr, Newborough (1^st & 3^rd).

Chiffchaff

-        1 at Bodffordd water treatment plant (1^st).

Kingfisher

-        2 at Llyn Penrhyn, Valley Wetlands RSPB (2^nd).

-        1 at Soldier’s Point, Holyhead (3^rd).

-        1 at Beddmanarch Bay (3^rd).

Hooded Crow

-        1 on fields off the approach road to the Range, Holyhead (1^st & 3^rd).

-        1 at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (2^nd).

 

Raptors:

Marsh Harrier

-        1 at Llyn Llywenan (2^nd).

Red Kite

-        1 over Hen Borth, Cemlyn (2^nd).

Goshawk

-        1 flew over Cors Erddreiniog (1^st).

Merlin

-        1 at Holyhead (1^st).

 

Herons, Egrets & allies:

Great Egr\et

-        1 at Llyn Alaw (1^st).

-        1 at Llyn Llywenan (1^st).

-        1 at Llyn Penrhyn (2^nd).

-        1 at Llyn Trafwll (2^nd).

-        1 at Llyn Coron (1^st & 3^rd).

Water Rail

-        1 at Cors Ddyga (2^nd).