Storm Floris didn’t bring anything spectacular, but one of the days preceding it did deliver Anglesey’s 2nd record of Pacific Golden Plover - subject to acceptance by the BBRC. It has been a relatively quiet year on Anglesey for BBRC rarities with just a Black Stork (16th May), Pacific Golden Plover (2nd August) and a rare sub-species in the form of Iberian Wagtail (18th May) - here’s hoping for a good autumn. Pacific Golden Plover takes the cumulative year list for 2025 to date up to 213 (LISTS). Perhaps the two most disappointing omissions thus far have been Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow - neither have been reported. If you have records of either species this year, then please let me know.
Swans, Geese and Ducks:
Egyptian Geese
2, on a pool near the Menai Strait and to the south of Llanedwen (2nd).
Garganey
2, - in female type plumage - at Cors Ddyga (2nd).
Eurasian Teal
8, at Cors Ddyga (8 on 2nd, 4 on 6th).
Common Scoter
3, flew past Point Lynas over a 1hr seawatch (2nd).
Goosander
1, at the Alaw estuary (2nd).
Waders:
Pacific Golden Plover
1, photographed at the Alaw estuary - 2nd record for Anglesey if accepted by BBRC (2nd).
Golden Plover sp.
1, described as ‘darkish’ seen over the sea at Cemlyn then presumably the same at Hen Borth - where it was thought to possibly be an European. Bird then flew off in the direction of Carmel Head (5th).
Green Sandpiper
1, on the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (6th).
Common Sandpiper
3, at Traeth Dulas (3 on 6th, 1 on 7th).
1, at Traeth Bychan (7th).
1, at the Alaw estuary (7th).
Knot
2, at the Alaw estuary (2nd).
Common Ringed Plover
13, at the Alaw estuary (5th).
Turnstone
2, at Traeth Bychan (5th).
4, at Porth-y-Mor (7th).
Common Snipe
5, at Cors Ddyga (6th).
Common Ringed Plover
12, at the Alaw estuary (5th).
Common Redshank
Up to 4, at Traeth Dulas (4 on 7th, 1 on 2nd).
15, at the Alaw estuary (7th).
Greenshank
Up to 6, at Traeth Dulas (6 on 2nd, 4 on 7th).
1, at Church Island, Menai Bridge (5th).
2, at Valley doors (7th).
Up to 15, at the Alaw estuary (15 on 8th, 10 on 7th).
Bar-tailed Godwit
2, at the Alaw estuary (2nd, 7th).
Oystercatcher
125, at the Alaw estuary (7th).
Whimbrel
1, flew past Point Lynas over a 1hr seawatch (2nd).
1, at Traeth Dulas (3rd, 6th).
2, at the Alaw estuary (5th, 7th).
3, at Traeth Bychan (7th).
1, off Penrhos Coastal Park (8th).
Curlew
98, at the Alaw estuary (7th).
Seabirds and gulls:
European Storm Petrel
1, flew past North Stack (5th).
Arctic Skua
1, flew west past Cemlyn (8th).
Fulmar
3, flew past Point Lynas over a 1hr seawatch (2nd).
Gannet
25, flew past Point Lynas over a 1hr seawatch (2nd).
101, flew past the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead over a 1hr seawatch (5th).
Manx Shearwater
c 1000, flew past Point Lynas over a 1hr seawatch (2nd).
86, flew past the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead over a 1hr seawatch (5th).
Sandwich Tern
c 100, at a low tide roost at the seaward edge of the Dulas estuary (3rd).
Little Gull
1, 2nd calendar year at Traeth Dulas (6th).
Mediterranean Gull
2, 2nd calendar year at Traeth Dulas (2nd).
35, at the Alaw estuary (2nd).
1, off Penrhos Coastal Park (8th).
Black Guillemot
1, in the bay at Cemlyn (5th).
Divers & Grebes:
No records of note.
Passerines & others:
Yellow Wagtail
1, flew over Traeth Dulas (6th).
Kingfisher
1, at Cors Ddyga (2nd, 6th).
1, at Afon Nodwydd, Red Wharf Bay (5th).
1, at the old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (6th).
Northern Wheatear
1, at Traeth Bychan (7th).
1, female at Porth-y-Mor (7th).
Sand Martin
122, on passage at the Alaw estuary (5th).
House Martin
100, at Traeth Bychan (5th).
Common Swift
40-50, over Waitrose store, Menai Bridge (5th).
Hooded Crow
1, hybrid Hooded x Carrion at Traeth Dulas (6th).
Redpoll
6, flew west at Llanddona (2nd).
3, in trees behind old brickworks pool, Traeth Dulas (6th).
Siskin
2, on a garden feeder at Talwrn (3rd).
Goldfinch
120, feeding on thistles at Point Lynas (6th).
Linnet
c. 75, on upper saltmarsh near mouth of estuary - Traeth Dulas (3rd).
Common Crossbill
1, at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (5th).
Raptors:
Osprey
1, over Cors Ddyga (6th).
2, at Llyn Alaw (6th)
Marsh Harrier
1, at Cors Ddyga (6th).
1, at Llyn Llywenan (6th).
Red Kite
3, on south side of Traeth Dulas (3rd).
1, over Dulas estate on the north side of the estuary - same time as 3 above (3rd).
Merlin
1, at Bryndu, near Ty Croes (6th)
Herons, Egrets & allies:
Great Egret
1, at the mitigation pool, Inland Sea (2nd).
4, at Cors Ddyga (2nd).
1, at Llyn Coron (6th).
1, at Llyn Alaw (6th).
