In the week that we had the spring equinox, you could certainly see an uptick in spring migrants - both in terms of the number of commoner early spring migrants and new additions to the year list. Chiffchaffs have well and truly arrived, but a count 17 at South Stack (19th) highlighted a noteworthy arrival associated with the start of more favourable weather conditions. Late March is always a time of change as the number of summer migrants increase, and numbers of winter migrants fall away. Remnants of winter birding included late Whooper Swans, a Long-tailed Duck and Slavonian Grebes that are now molting into their summer plumage. The small flock of Twite at South Stack drew a steady and appreciative stream of admirers.
5 new additions were made to the cumulative 2025 Anglesey year list - Puffin, Little Ringed Plover, Sandwich Tern, Barn Swallow and Willow Warbler. The cumulative year list increases to 162 (LISTS).
A white phase Gyr Falcon was seen, photographed and video recorded at Rhosneigr (18th), but there were differing opinions on whether this was a wild bird or an escaped bird from a falconry collection. Regrettably, the bird hasn’t been seen since. If you happen to see it, it would be good to get further images of the bird and particularly its legs.
Swans, Geese and Ducks:
Whooper Swan
1, at Cefni reservoir (15th).
1, at Llyn Coron (21st).
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
285, at the Alaw estuary (17th).
Up to 90, at Cymyran (90 on 21st, 30 on 18th, 20 on 16th).
21, at Rhosneigr (19th).
6, at Holyhead harbour (19th).
Long-tailed Duck
1, female at the Inland Sea (16th).
1, drake at the Inland Sea (20th).
Greater Scaup
1, drake at Llyn Cefni (15th-16th).
4, ducks on the Inland Sea (16th & 21st).
Eider
30, at Ynys Seiriol / Puffin Island (16th).
2, off South Stack (20th).
10, off Moelfre (20th).
Wigeon
4, at Cymyran (16th).
96, at the Alaw estuary (17th).
Pintail
12, at the Alaw estuary (17th).
Teal
25, at Cymyran (16th).
Shoveler
25, at Gorad flood, Valley (16th).
Shelduck
26, at Cymyran (16th).
Red-breasted Merganser
10, at Cymyran (16th).
Goosander
17, at Llyn Coron (21st).
Waders:
Purple Sandpiper
Several, at Ynys Seiriol / Puffin Island (16th).
Sanderling
c. 15, winter-plumaged onTrwyn Gribin, south of Lligwy (20th).
Dunlin
6, at the Alaw estuary (17th).
Turnstone
7, at Holyhead harbour (19th).
Little Ringed Plover
1, at Cors Ddyga (19th-20th).
1, on the gorad road flood, Valley (20th-21st),
Common Ringed Plover
8, at Cymyran (16th).
3, at Cors Ddyga (20th).
Golden Plover
300+, at Cemlyn (18th).
Woodcock
c. 6, flew from Newborough Forest to nearby fields (18th).
Ruff
Up to 4, at Cors Ddyga (4 on 15th & 19th, 2 on 20th).
Greenshank
1, at Malltraeth (16th).
1, at Cymyran (16th, 18th).
Up to 15, at the Alaw estuary (15 on 20th, 2 on 17th)
Redshank
59, at the Alaw estuary (17th).
18, at Cymyran (16th).
Bar-tailed Godwit
36, at the Alaw estuary (17th).
Black-tailed Godwit
Up to 6, at Malltraeth (6 on 20th, 4 on 16th).
6, at Cors Ddyga (20th).
Oystercatcher
48, at Cymyran (16th).
Curlew
21, at Cymyran (16th).
Seabirds and gulls:
Puffin
Up to 12, at South Stack (12 on 21st, 4 on 16th & 20th, 1 on15th).
1, off Puffin Island from Penmon Point (19th).
Black Guillemot
1, off Ynys Seiriol / Puffin Island (16th).
4, at Holyhead harbour (19th).
1 off South Stack (20th).
Mediterranean Gull
2, at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (15th).
2, adults at the Alaw estuary (17th).
Up to 12, at Cemlyn (12 on 20th, 1 on 18th).
Sandwich Tern
Up to 3, at Cemlyn (3 on 21st, 2 on 20th).
Divers & Grebes:
Great Northern Diver
1, in the bay at Cemlyn (15th).
1, flew south past South Stack (21st).
Red-throated Diver
1, at Beddmanarch Bay (15th).
Red-necked Grebe
1, at Llyn Penrhyn, RSPB Valley Wetlands (15th).
Slavonian Grebe
Up to 2 at Beddmanarch Bay (2 on 16th, 1 on 15th).
Passerines & others:
Barn Swallow
2, at South Stack, Holyhead (21st).
Sand Martin
Unspecified number, over Gorad road flood, Valley (21st).
Up to 2, at Cemlyn (2 on 20th, 1 on 17th & 19th).
Black Redstart
2, at South Stack, Holyhead - but possibility of 4 mentioned by some observers (20th - 21st).
Northern Wheatear
Up to 3, at South Stack, Holyhead (3 on 19th, 2 on 18th & 20th).
Willow Warbler
1, at Llyn Coron (21st).
Chiffchaff
17, at South Stack (19th).
Blackcap
1, singing at Llangefni (21st).
Cetti’s Warbler
1, singing at Llyn Maelog (19th).
3, at Cors Ddyga (20th).
Twite
Up to 12, at South Stack (12 on 20th, 7 on 21st, 6 on 15th & 19th).
Water Pipit
1, at Cors Ddyga (19th).
White Wagtail
1, at Cors Ddyga (19th).
Stock Dove
Up to 18, on tilled fields between Cemlyn and Hen Borth, Cemlyn (18 on 18th, 6 on 19th).
2, at South Stack (19th).
Hooded Crow
1, at Hen Borth, Cemlyn (15th).
1, on tilled fields between Cemlyn and Hen Borth, Cemlyn (18th-19th).
1, on roadside fields near the entrance to The Range, Holyhead (20th-21st).
Raptors:
Red Kite
1, at the Alaw estuary (17th).
1, at Cymyran (18th).
1, over the former MEM factory, Holyhead (20th).
Merlin
1, male near A5025 near Pig-y-Rhos, Burwen (19th).
Short-eared Owl
1, accidentally flushed at Cymyran (21st).
2, at Rhoscolyn (21st).
Herons, Egrets & allies:
Cattle Egret
4, on fields between Llanfwrog and Sandy beach (16th).
Great Egret
Up to 2, at Cors Ddyga (2 on 15th, 1 on 20th).
