North Wales and Anglesey

Andrew Jeffery · Status: Offline

RE: North Wales and Anglesey

Andrew Jeffery · Status: Offline

Great Orme, Llandudno. A very hot wander around found numerous Stonechat, Meadow Pipit. Linnet, 4 Raven and 12 Chough. 2 Shelduck, 1 Peregrine and 1 Common Scoter seen off St Tudnos.

Dave Ousey · Status: Offline

The return to Anglesey. Sunday 5^th June 2022

Apart from a quick dash over to see the Elegant Tern at Cemlyn Bay last year, it was nice to visit one of the nicest islands in Britain, Anglesey again. A team of 5 birders filled Kevin C`s vehicle and we departed at 7am on a rather dull, damp day, the forecast was not very good with lots of morning rain. First stop was Holyhead harbour/fish quay, we were greeted by a nice bout of cold and rain. We soon saw the Black Guillemot`s in the harbour dressed up in their summer finery of black and white feathers with red feet and beaks. We headed up to RSPB South Stack and donned our winter gear as its always a bit fresh here. Next to no cars on the usually bustling car park, obviously due to the weather! We headed down to the tower and followed the cliff edge footpath, lots of Guillemots, Razorbills and various gulls nesting on the spectacular cliffs but no sight our sound of the Choughs that are usually make their presence known fairly quickly here. As we reached to just below the first car park we could see Rob D and Chris looking at something. It was a Hooded Crow sat on a fence, apart from being a bit wet, its plumage was unmistakeable. As we all got together the familiar sounds of the Chough could be heard, as we looked down the cliffs they were there huddled together sheltering from the rain! Two adults with 3 fledged young, complete with rings, radio transmitter, when the rain stopped they began flying around. We called into the nice RSPB café and sampled some of their cake, what a treat.

At one of my favourite places, Cemlyn Bay, it was dull and cold but the rain had gone, thankfully. The regular throng of Sandwich, Common and Arctic Tern`s were there to greet us in their noisy fashion as they came and went collecting Sand Eels from the sea to feed their young ones. Always great to watch this spectacle. A Red breasted Merganser was also seen as we headed of onto the point at Trywyn Cemlyn, views of The Skerries make this a beautiful place to enjoy. We began searching the sea for passing seabirds and saw around 30+ Manx Shearwaters dashing around showing their distinctive flight of shearing over the water

Apart from the rain we had enjoyed an unhindered day out, but as we headed east along the A55 we ran into various pockets of heavy traffic, bank holiday and retuning from Ireland we think. We eventually made it to Gronant Dunes and beach were the smallest Tern species breed in Britain, the Little Tern. A nice walk through the dunes and then near to the wardened area to enjoy these small, beautiful seabirds. A few Sanderling were also seen on the beach, these birds are making their way north to breed. More heavy traffic was encountered on the way home and our driver Kevin is too be commended for his cool after a long drive. Good to have the Huddersfield lads with us and Bob K for his tireless work trying to get pictures of the day out!

Dave O.

Andrew Jeffery · Status: Offline

Highlights of a wander around Newborough Forest and Llanddwyn Island: 4 Eider, 2 Sandwich Terns, 4 Ringed Plover, 40 Oystercatcher, 3 Raven, Stonechat, Wheatear, 3 Linnet. Numerous Rock Pipits & Skylarks.

Andrew Jeffery · Status: Offline

Day trip to Anglesey on Saturday (21/05) saw a modest return of 61 species.

Newborough Beach & Llyn Parc Mawr

Highlights: Sandwich Tern, Stonechat, Little Egret, Grey Seal.

Cors Ddyga

Highlights: Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Curlew, Little Egret, Linnet, Black Tailed Godwit, Sedge Warbler, Cetti's Warbler.

Best part was just sitting in the sun, listening to multiple Skylarks singing whilst watching a pair of Curlew mobbing a hunting Marsh Harrier.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Thurs.
A visit to Welsh Mountain Zoo so a non-birding trip but a few things seen throughout the day.

Of note
- 1 Red Kite circling near the zoo
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 1 Commic Tern fishing off Llanddulas car park
- another Common Swift over the caravan park

Lots of the usual stuff around that Ive already reported.
Nice to see some Gulls, Herring and Lesser Black-backed in most of the zoo enclosures, taking food from the animals. Then back at the resort, we came out of the arcades and a Herring Gull took us by surprise and swooped down to nick one of Lucas chicken nuggets!

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Weds.
No birding as we made plans to go to Rhyl, but of note

- m Stonechat right outside caravan
- m Whitethroat in same place few mins later
- Kestrel hunting the dunes
- Cettis Warbler singing near security lodge then showed briefly as we slowed down
- Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing in same area

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Tuesday.
A cracking hours walk on the dunes behind the caravan early morning, lots of birds about providing a dawn chorus.

Of note
- 1 Blackcap
- 4 Sedge Warbler
- 2 Reed Warbler
- 2 Whitethroat
- 3 Cettis Warbler (minimum)
- 4 Stonechat
- 6 Linnet
- 1 House Martin
- abundant Swallow
- abundant Skylark (close up)
- few Meadow Pipits
- 1 Little Egret over the marsh

But perhaps the 3 star birds were
- 2 Northern Wheatear
- lots of Little Tern (Gronant colony)
- 1 Marsh Harrier just flew up and started hunting the marsh

- another Wheatear at Prestatyn main beach on the steps

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 10th of May 2022 10:23:03 PM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Few days at Presthaven Sands, Prestatyn.

Monday.
- 1st Swift of the year for me, over the caravan
- 7 Swallow swirling around
- 1 Whitethroat outside the caravan
- Reed Warbler 100yds away on the marsh

Stuart Pike · Status: Offline

Trip to Anglesey yesterday was successful, in what turned out to be great weather.

Started at South Stack, numbers of Guillemot and Razorbill seemed very good. Maybe that is why Puffins took some finding. Eventually, having found none on the water, I located a pair viewed from the top of the lighthouse steps. All the usuals were seen although it became foggy.

I moved around to the Range and on my walk located two Hooded Crow in a field with sheep and other covids, looking back towards South Stack.

Six Black Guillemot were found at Holyhead Fish Dock.

At Cemlyn the sun had come out and it was a beautiful afternoon. Arctic and Sandwich Terns were very much in the ascendency, with far fewer Common Terns. I found a single adult Mediterranean Gull amongst them. A walk to Hen Borth produced a couple of Whimbrel, as well as a good supporting cast including a few Wheatear and Whitethroat.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Great Orme Llandudno 11.30-18.00

4 Choughs were seen on top of the Orme. Stonechats numerous, especially around the extensive Gorse thickets.

Linnets and Meadow Pipits also appeared quite abundant on top of the headland.

2 Wheatears were reported near the limestone pavement.

4 Buzzards patrolled the top of the Orme, where rabbits are noticeably abundant. A single Sparrowhawk was

seen near St Tudno's church.

On the sea below the cliffs were 10 Shags and 1 drake Eider. Kittiwakes massed below the sea bird colony,

where Guillemots were starting to arrive, whilst 3 Fulmars glided around the cliffs.

Offshore 4 Gannets were seen flying South.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 6th March.
Early morning visit until around 10am. Cold sea breeze making my fingers numb at one point, very choppy conditions.

Old Colwyn (1hr).
- 2 Velvet Scoters
- 1 Great Northern Diver
- 1 Red-breasted Merganser
- 25+ Turnstone round my feet

Llanddulas (30min).
- 1 Velvet Scoter

100s of Common Scoter on the sea so I gave it a serious effort scanning through them but sadly no Surf Scoters for me.
I had plenty of nearly moments where I thought I might have one but as can often be the case, the bright sun was reflecting off the nape of some of the Commons in certain angles so my hats off to you Chris for finding yours.

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

Distant Surf Scoter from Rainbow Bridge viewpoint in Old Colwyn this morning at 10.45. With at least 1 Velvet Scoter, Long Tailed Duck, 6 Red Throated Diver, 4 Red Breasted Merganser and many Common Scoter. 3 Fulmar were on the quarry, and a Rock Pipit near the viewpoint.

A trip inland to Llyn Brenig gave good views of the Great Grey Shrike at the turn off to Nantglyn. Crossbills calling too. Cropped Shrike picture attached. Watched it for a good 45 minutes, catching a Lizard/Newt at one point.

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

Highlights of the High Peak RSPB group trip to North Wales this weekend:

Llanrwst: at least 1 Hawfinch at St Grysts church

Llyn Brenin VC: 5 Brambling and many Siskin, 3 Red Kites from here to Abergele

Rhos on Sea: 10+ Purple Sandpiper, 4 Red Throated Diver

Little Orme: Iceland Gull, 5 Chough

Conwy RSPB: Greater Scaup, Spotted Redshank, Jack Snipe, 4 Red Breasted Merganser

Point of Ayr RSPB: 12 Brent Geese, possible Twite flock 20

Some images from group members attached. Couldn't locate the Great Grey Shrike near Llyn Brenin in the horizontal hail despite trying. A cracking weekend nevertheless.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

A photography day today, with a visit to Rhôs-on-Sea for the Purple Sandpiper, 13 of which were (mainly) sleeping on the defence rocks, just below the promenade.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Had another day in North Wales in the sunshine but this time the main targets eluded me and also eluded a few mates that I met out whilst birding too!

Started at the clearfell near Llyn Brenig but again no Great Grey Shrike, the Crossbills did show very well though with a male even courtship feeding a female at the top of a pine tree. Again a couple of Ravens knocking around too.

Next I headed up to Llanddulas/Old Colwyn but despite reports from the bay around the time that we were there there was no sign of any Surf Scoters, and that's with 4 birders searching thoroughly! I did pick up a drake Velvet Scoter in flight amongst the thousands of Common Scoters. Also out there were at least 10 Red-throated Divers, a few Red-breasted Mergansers and a Guillemot. Behind on the cliffs a couple of pairs of Fulmars were already settling on nesting ledges. On the rocks near Rainbow Bridge a Rock Pipit showed well.

My final destination was the River Clwyd between Rhuddlan and Rhyl. I parked at Rhuddlan and walked up the river on the cycle path on the advice of a Welsh birding pal, as this gave views of both sides of the river whereas other routes from Rhyl did not. A long way along the path I finally found large flocks of geese in the sheep fields on the east side of the river. Scanning through these I picked up mostly Greylag Geese, a few Canada Geese, a few Pink-footed Geese and finally 1+Russian White-fronted Geese, the species I had come to look for (picture attached).

A good trip nonetheless and 4 birds added to my yearlist, so definitely can't complain!

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 19th of January 2022 08:45:45 AM

malcolm roach · Status: Offline

Little orme juvenile Iceland gull in seal colony this afternoon

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Did a North wales run today as I am at a funeral tomorrow and then back at work after, so my last chance to yearlist build in early 2022.

I started off pre-dawn at World's End in Denbighshire. I arrived at 7.45am and it was still dark, the advantage of an early January trip. Another advantage was that I was on my own, no scrum of cars at the lek site. Birds were already there and more arrived as I watched. A total of 11(10m) Black Grouse were seen, some actively lekking, strutting their stuff and vocalising. The biggest surprise was a female which flew in, my first here for at least 5 years. This is a very well known site, viewed easily from the car and well used taking the pressure of all the other leks in N.Wales. Also on the moors here were at least 10 Red Grouse and a pair of Ravens. So 3 bird species under my belt so far!

Next I headed to Llyn Brenig to look for the Great Grey Shrike but that eluded me this time. It was cold and windy with squally rain so I'm not surprised. I did pick up a party of 6 Crossbills and a Meadow Pipit for my list!

Next to Llanrwst in the Conwy Valley where a long wait was rewarded with a single short view of a Hawfinch in the yews in the churchyard, viewed from across the river.

The Little Orme was next which always allows my a seawatch as well as other bits and bobs. Out at sea were a few pretty close Red-throated Divers and a Guillemot. Also seen were several Shags and a distant Kittiwake. Flocks of Red-breasted Mergansers showed well close to shore in the bay. On the land a calling Chough was located and proved to be one of the colour-ringed birds that are here. After a couple of tries the juvenile Iceland Gull eventually flew in to land amongst the seal colony where it has taken up 'residence'! The Iceland Gull was my 100th species for 2022, a nice bird to bring up that number!

I then headed back east and dropped into Abergele to pick up Common Scoter for my list. Then last call in Wales was Rhyl Brickfields Pond where the returning female Scaup was elusive but eventually found by walking round the pool.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 3rd of January 2022 10:54:30 PM

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted today by Andy Slee:

Took a slight detour on the way to family business in Wales via Llyn Brening.

Great views of Great Grey Shrike on the cleared area at the T junction of the B4501 to the NW of the Llyn. It seemed to favour the slight dip in the clearfell, there was a bush which possibly had a couple of larder items in down by the stream ~ 100ft west of the junction, viewable from the road though without traipsing into the clearfell. A small species (wren?) rose from the scrub and was instantly harassed and turned into a ball of feathers by the Shrike in flight. Grisley; that is why they have the reputation I guess.

Seven crossbills flew over. A Single Siskin was seen. Goldcrest were plentiful on a walk down the nature trail to the lake. Two stonechat present.

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

28/11/21

A good day in North Wales yesterday, started at Llyn Brenig where the Great Grey Shrike showed well on the clearfell along the B4501. Several Crossbills and 2 Ravens went over while we were there. Chatting to some other birders we got a tip to try the feeders at the Visitor Centre for a single Brambling, which was a late yeartick for me. Also there a single Crossbill dropped in and perched nicely for us.

The weather was actually pretty good despite the stuff going on nearer home, so we decided to head for a village called Llanelltyd having seen some recent reports of Hawfinch there. It is just next to Dolgellau on the Mawddach river. When we arrived the setting was great, one of those ancient Welsh churches with lots of Yews around it, nestling at the bottom of a wooded hillside. We saw a Hawfinch within 2 minutes and spent an enjoyable hour or so watching them perching up and then shuttling in and out of the churchyard trees. When someone walked into the church grounds and everything flushed, there were clearly over 20 Hawfinches in there, amongst Redwings, Mistle Thrushes, Nuthatch, Chaffinch and Blackbirds. Fantastic!

Looking at the area on Google, there are huge tracts of woodland surrounding the village so no surprise that they're there but the site doesn't seem to have the profile of others?

A cracking pair of species for a winter's day.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

With a much better forecast for a seawatch off Pensarn today I decided that a day out in the sunshine at the seaside wouldn't be a bad way to spend a day off. On arrival bright sunshine and a flat calm sea were good signs.

I started scoping and was a bit disappointed to find that most scoters were a long way out, not great as I had to crank the zoom up to 50x for a decent view. as the tide came in it brought some birds a bit closer but there were never big numbers close in to make searching easy. At first I was on my own but a bit later a few other birders turned up and then by c.2pm a good throng of at least a dozen scopes were trained out to sea. Even with all these eyes looking we never did manage to locate a Surf Scoter. A consolation personally was a Long-tailed Duck, which was also picked up by one of the other birders present, and that was a yeartick for me. Also seen by several of us, including myself was another Velvet Scoter. Plenty of Red-throated Divers again and Red-breasted Megansers, Shags and Cormorants too. A mate had a Great Northern Diver but I missed that species today.

Even with no Surf Scoter this was a lovely way to spend the day and chatting to members of the public explaining what we were doing and what was out there was fun too. Hopefully they'll appreciate the area for more than just the TV programme 'I'm a non-entity, get me out of here' that's being filmed locally and attracting tourists!

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 22nd of November 2021 05:08:53 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Went down to Llyn Brenig today, following a few positive sightings of a must see winter visitor.

On arrival a few birders were present but news was negative. A short 10min wait was enough when the Great Grey Shrike reappeared up high on a lone dead tree. It then showed really well until a Raven flushed it off and it then went missing for nearly 45mins. It was refound a long way off so I headed off up to the north coast. Whilst watching the Great Grey Shrike lots of Crossbills were flying about and calling on the opposite side of the road.

I next headed to Pensarn to check out the scoters offshore. Amongst the huge numbers of Common Scoters, some pretty close, I picked out a single Velvet Scoter in flight after only 2mins. But thereafter nothing but Commons in the Scoter line! Also out on the sea were over 15 Red-throated Divers, a single Great Northern Diver, a couple of Red-breasted Mergansers, a couple of Guillemots, several Gannets and Shag & Cormorant. The swell and a receding tide made it hard and despite several of us searching really hard we never found the hoped for Surf Scoter!

Finally I called it a day, but another good one in North Wales, always a great place for birding smile

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 20th of November 2021 10:50:57 PM

Mark Shaw · Status: Offline

a trip down to Foel on Sunday and nice to see a pair of Wheatears

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 12th of October 2021 09:15:28 AM

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

Adult drake Surf Scoter this afternoon off Pensarn, keeping very close to an adult drake Velvet Scoter, even following it in flight. About 60 ish Red Throated Diver, inc some still with a reasonable amount of summer plumage remaining.

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

Nice surprise finding an adult winter Bonapartes Gull off Rhyl GC this afternoon.

Vid is a bit shakey, best freeze framed

Edit - mght have to make do with a pic

-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Tuesday 28th of September 2021 09:42:31 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

Little Orme/Angel Bay Penrhyn 12.00-15.00

2nd choice venue for a sea watch as the Great Orme was being used for cycle racing.

2 Choughs, 1 Kestrel, 5 Stonechats and 9 Ravens. Some Ravens were highly vocal and doing spectacular display flights.

Large gathering of mixed Cormorants and Shags on the lower cliffs, the former appear to form at least 80% of the roost.

With a SE breeze blowing the sea watch proved a little disappointing with just 2 Gannets and 6 Kittiwakes apart the usual gulls.

A flock of around 30 Jackdaws flew above the headland and were frequently harassed by a pair of Magpies, who appeared to be

doing it purely for fun, the occasional Raven also joined in too.

Mark Shaw · Status: Offline

A stroll down the Cob at Malltraeth on Saturday and pleased to see a Little Stint

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Forgot to say I saw a couple of ringed Sandwich Terns, one with a red ring which could possibly be Dutch but I didnt get the code, and the other had a white ring KZJ which is Irish.

Ive had a reply from Tony Murray who asked me for the time seen, as the same bird was also seen later on at Rhos Point.
Info below.

17/06/2016 Inish, Lady's Island Lake, Wexford

29/07/2016 Ballinclamper Strand, Clonea, Dungarvan, Co.Waterford

08/08/2016 Dunkettle, Cork Harbour, Co. Cork

02/12/2019 at sea, Atlantic Ocean, The Gambia

15/12/2019 at sea, Atlantic Ocean, The Gambia

11/05/2020 Hodbarrow, Cumbria, England

12/05/2020 Hodbarrow, Cumbria, England

18/05/2020 Hodbarrow, Cumbria, England

24/07/2021 Cemlyn, Anglesey, Wales

25/07/2021 Cemlyn, Anglesey, Wales

25/07/2021 Rhos Point, Rhos on Sea, Colwyn Bay,

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 25th July

Cemlyn Bay.

Finally a free morning had me deciding on a trip to Anglesey as a certain Albatross hadnt been seen on the Saturday so I thought Id missed my chance with that one. Then on the way here, news came thru of the Albatross present again, oh well maybe next year I thought.

- Elegant Tern (Lifer)
An absolute stunner of a Tern, present when I arrived, showed well for pretty much most of my visit. Displaying to the Sandwich Terns on the large island, did a few fly rounds then back to its favoured concrete post to display some more.

Also plenty of Arctic Terns, Common Terns, and 1 (possibly 2) Roseatte Terns.
I picked one up on call as it flew over then another birder called another one out.

Called in a Holyhead Harbour on way back and found an adult Mediterranean Gull.

steven burke · Status: Offline

Post for Sunday 11th.

Cemlyn Bay...

Elegant tern showing well eventually after an hours wait on the large island of the tern colony.
2 roseate terns also showing well.
As well as the common, Arctic & sandwich terns there was 1 adult Mediterranean gull.
Peregrine falcon disturbing all the terns & did get a hold of one but somehow lost its grip & it got free.
1 Red breasted merganser
5 Black guillemot
2 shag
2 little egret
7 curlew
3 rock pipit
2 stonechat
1 sparrowhawk
A short watch out to sea & 11 manx shearwater passed & just one gannet.

South stack...

1 Hooded crow
5 chough
1 juvenile wheatear
1 juvenile stonechat
1 rock pipit
Plus all the usual guillemot, razorbill, kittiwake, only 1 puffin seen sat on the sea.
Several manx shearwaters & gannets passing.

Tony Koziol · Status: Offline

Today a typical day out.

A dawn start and heading to Cemlyn Bay by 05.00 next comes a text alert at 05.30 two Avocets at Audenshaw.....typical.

Arrive at the car park at 07.20 to be told that the Elegant Tern had not been seen since around 06.00.... typical.

Within fifteen minutes it returns and lands right in front of us, decides to then fly around the fifteen or so gathered as an audience and then lands again, we are lucky sometimes...typical

No sign of the Roseate Terns..typical

We have to leave as we are on one of my agendas, poor Cath...typical

We arrive at South Stack for 08.15 and miss three Chough in the car park..typical.

Amongst the usuals we are happy to find three Puffin, several Manx Shearwater well out at sea and eventually the Choughs returned...a bit typical.

At another location we found two Common Lizard and one female Adder...not typical

This ended up being an untypical day as we managed one Lifer and just one snake.

We did want to visit the museum at Llangefni which houses a number of Charles Tunnicliffes works who had taught Caths dad at Manchester Grammar however my agenda failed me ..typical

David Hughes · Status: Offline

Thursday 8 july,another trip to Anglesey with much better weather in prospect ,Cemlyn bay first stop,elegant tern showing very well,common tern ,arctic tern,black guillemot on the sea,red breasted merganser, little egret , carrion crow ,black headed gull ,sandwich tern ,oystercatcher ,roseate tern remained elusive and unseen by me, next stop,south stack, chough, linnet guillemot, puffin,razorbill,herring gull, kittiwake, meadow pipit,stonechat, hooded crow, swallow ,lesser black backed gull,great black backed gull, malltreath next,curlew ,whitethroat, little egret, grey heron,moorhen, swallow,greylag goose,,final stop for the day visit , beaumaris ,herring gull, little ringed plover,cormorant, common tern, .......and a couple of buzzard on street lamps a s we rejoin the a55to return to base

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tues July 5th.

Anglesey with Ian Lyth & Paul Greenall.

Cemlyn Bay RSPB.
Elegant Tern showing well in the Sandwich Tern colony.
Arctic, Common and a single Roseate Tern.
Mediterranean Gull.
A single Black Guillemot out on the sea.
Fulmar.
Raven on the car-park.

Holyhead Old Fish Harbour.
Black Guillemot. Definitely 5 (possibly 8) with a young one being fed in a nesting hole.

South Stack.
The massed battalions of Razorbill and Guillemot with a few Puffin thrown in.
Fulmar.
Chough 5+. Plenty of flyovers with a few good views on the ground.
Raven.
Manx Shearwater. A steady stream passing out on the sea.

Did well weather-wise .. warm and dry all day while constant rain in GM.

Roger.

Dave Ousey · Status: Offline

One bad Tern deserves a good one. Sunday 4^th July 2021

Two or maybe three Caspian Tern`s have been wandering between Far Ings, Reads Island, Barton Gravel Pits in Lincolnshire and Southfield Reservoir & RSPB St Aidans in Yorkshire for the last few days. After the excitement recently we thought we would try to catch up with them, so me and Kevin C gave them a go. We arrived at a clammy, dark and occasionally wet Southfield Reservoir and were greeted by none other than Mark K & his dog Ted. After seeing the freshly arrived Ruddy Shelduck`s the day kind of went downhill. No report`s or sightings of any Caspian Tern`s were received, so after 5.5 hours we went home. News of a Western Rufous Turtle Dove at Easington did not even tempt us to go for it after this disappointment.

Looking forward to a day off on Sunday, news that an Elegant Tern had been found at Cemlyn Bay on Anglesey in Wales, I was sort of tempted. Two mates of ours from Huddersfield Dave W & Rob D had gone to see the Western Rufous Turtle Dove at Easington early morning, then news that the Black-browed Albatross had returned to Bempton in Yorkshire. So after seeing Albert they got the news about the Elegant Tern and decided to do a Cross Country twitch for it. Dave W rung me and said Shall we pick you up on the way? We met at Milnrow junction at 4pm and I immediately gave them some bum directions, but we soon put that right! The weather most of the way was very showery until we reached the Rhyl area, then a few rays of sunshine came through. Good news that the Elegant Tern was still in the Sandwich Tern colony added a few more miles per hour onto our speed. The road from Valley to Cemlyn after leaving the A55 was soon negotiated, then onto the cart tracks to the reserve added to the anticipation. We could see about 10 people looking into the colony as we arrived, we then dashed along the shingle shore and were quickly directed on the Elegant Tern, it was a new British Lifer for my two pals! Well done on having completed such an epic journey today and thus getting the reward.

The masses of Sandwich Terns, Common & Arctic Terns at Cemlyn are always a joy to watch as they carefully tend to their chicks etc. Other birds in the bay: - 2 Black Guillemot`s, 20+ Manx Shearwater, two of which showed really well down to about 50 yards distance, my best ever close view of these seabirds. It was getting quite late as we left and more rain towards Manchester (where else) had me home by 10-15pm. Thanks Dave for driving.

Dave O.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

I also made the two hour trip to Cemlyn, arriving at 4.30 pm. The weather there was fine, fairly sunny and clear, around 16*c. The Elegant Tern had gone missing for well over an hour, following a Peregrine spooking the colony, putting all the terns up. I wasnt waiting too long before it was refound and excellent views were had, mainly preening with the odd flight view. Like Paul, I also had good views of the Roseate Tern which was present throughout. Lifer.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Wasn't planning on anything much today but when a bird was Mega-ed on Anglesey I decided to head over.

Not a bad trip and sunny conditions on arrival at Cemlyn RSPB. A full car park but still a couple of spaces so I was OK. I made my way along the shingle ridge to the smallish gathering of twitchers, lots of birding pals amongst them, and before I could set up my scope one of the guys, Ian Evans, offered me his scope with the bird in it. I took up the offer and was looking at my first Welsh Elegant Tern! I say first Welsh as I'd seen my first UK one at Church Norton down south a few years ago, and I do in fact keep a Welsh LIst. That Church Norton one had been a wee bit underwhelming to say the least! Roadworks, diversions a long, long wait from dawn and then a long diverted drive home was rewarded with a 2 second view in flight for 20hrs of effort!! So given the chance of a second I couldn't turn it down. This bird was on show nearly al the time, calling, displaying and seen well in flight and on the deck. It even posed for picccies, well worth the trip. Also on the island was a nice Roseate Tern as well as the usual Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns. I also found an adult Mediterranean Gull, albeit briefly as it flew off as I got it in my scope!

I also decided on a brief scan out to sea and was rewarded with a couple of Manx Shearwaters, a handful of Gannets and numerous auks, too distant to ID with certainty but most likely Guillemots and Razorbills in the main.

This tern could well be settled in with the Sandwich Tern colony so a great chance for NW birders to catch up with this species smile

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

24th June 2021

Circuit of Llyn Crafnant and down one side of Llyn Geirionydd (west of Trefriw and Llanwrst)

Around trails to south of Llyn Crafnant :
Redstart x 3 (2M and 1F)
Pied Flycatcher x 1

Along west side of Llyn Geirionydd:
2 x Common Sandpiper (1 adult and 1 juvenile)

Also Red Kite seen along B5106 on way to destination from Conway direction.

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Thursday 24th of June 2021 06:03:11 PM

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

23rd June 2021:

Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey - real pleasure to see colony of breeding Sandwich Tern and Common Tern. Also Arctic Tern and Mediterranean Gull were present. The main highlight, though, was a single Roseate Tern (a lifer for me)!

Other highlights earlier in the week were a single Pied Flycatcher in woodland along Elwy Valley northwest of Llanfair Talhaiarn (few miles south of Abergele); and four Red-Breasted Merganser and Dipper near Llanfairfachan Pavilion.

Andrew Jeffery · Status: Offline

Great day at Cors Ddyga. Highlights being Black Tailed Godwit, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Curlew, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Red Kite, Sedge Warbler. Grasshopper Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher & Stonechat.

David Hughes · Status: Offline

Thanks to all who put forward information prior to my trip,very valuable and accurate especially for black guillemot. Thanks

David Hughes · Status: Offline

Day 1 Glorious weather at home boded well for the trip,unfortunately the weather on arrival at south stack had other ideas,thick sea mist put paid to the visit, i couldn't see anything past the car park,abandon ship we thought and went to penrhos beach,i saw wheatear ,red breasted merganser,4 sandwich tern,2 black guillemot at distance, manx shearwaters, black headed gull,oystercatcher,heron,linnet, house sparrows, blackbird, in the evening at the fish dock was black guillemot 5 i think on the water,Day2 no change with the sea mist,so trearddur bay was next,turnstone, oystercatcher,lesser black backed gull, house martin,swift, herring gull ,only a short stay here as the visibility was poor ,next stop ,Cemlyn bay,sandwich tern were indeed a spectacular sight,hundreds if not thousands in the air at one point, oystercatcher,little egret,heron,red breasted merganser, linnet ,meadow pipit a roseate tern was said to be there but with the strength of the wind coming across the lagoon it was impossible and uncomfortable to keep steady with either binoculars or scope, manx shearwaters,cormorant, black guillemot, common tern,great black backed gull,black headed gull, gannet at distance, goldfinch, greylag and canada goose,carrion crow,little egret, reed bunting, ,the constant stream of sandwich tern returning with food was a great sight to see and while out of that wind, very tolerable, Day 3,a better day in prospect damp early,sun later, .....kestrel from premier inn window ,onward to south stack ,sea mist clearing rapidly, if not totally ,gannet ,guillemot, razorbill,rock pipit,kittiwake, stonechat,chough, linnet,herring gull,common gull,puffin,fulmar,peregrine, jackdaw.,lesser black backed gull., meadow pipit,swallow, .......here comes the sea mist again and hung around untill 3.30 then it cleared to be a very nice afternoon ,Day 4 ,the sun had really turned up,...........by the old brickworks,greenfinch,whitethroat, chiffchaff, dunnock,goldfinch, jackdaw ,buzzard,stonechat, woodpigeon, magpie, blackbird , as i look seaward gannet,cormorant ,herring gull.......south stack,raven,peregrine, kittiwake ,common gull,herring gull,lesser black backed gull, guillemot, razorbill,linnet, stonechat, swallow,gannet ,meadow pipit ,chough,oystercatcher,fulmar.

-- Edited by David Hughes on Sunday 13th of June 2021 02:36:01 PM

-- Edited by David Hughes on Sunday 13th of June 2021 02:38:07 PM

Barry Brett · Status: Offline

Visited Pensychnant Nature Reserve on Sychnant Pass Conwy.Treated to a very feisty Wren chasing a Cuckoo from top of conifer.
Redstarts and Spotted Flycatcher on sight.But the Wren stole the show.

Bill Myerscough · Status: Offline

Hi David,

If you are travelling from Greater Manchester and don't wish to travel as far as Holyhead, then good numbers of Black Guillemots have been around the Great Orme in Llandudno this spring. I've had counts of 11 on 21st March, 10 on 3rd April and 6 on 11th May. Although when I looked yesterday (2nd June) I could only find one. Some of the earlier birds may have moved on but some will be on eggs now. The best places to look are in the bay immediately to the W of the pier, just after the Marine Drive toll booth and also a good bit further around Marine Drive, before you get to the cafe part way round, where the Kittiwakes, Guillemots and Razorbills nest, if you know those cliffs. The nearer to high tide might be better and a scope would be better but the birds are often close into the cliffs and right below your vantage point. I've also seen them feeding around the pier and in Llandudno Bay itself this spring. They will probably be easier to see in Holyhead Harbour but I think the Great Orme might beat that location for beauty! Good luck in your quest.

Best wishes,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Thursday 3rd of June 2021 06:24:59 PM

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

The old Harbour at Holyhead is the easiest place to See Black Necked Guillimot .

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 3rd of June 2021 05:19:45 PM

David Hughes · Status: Offline

Whats the best location on anglesey for black guillemot?

John Watson · Status: Offline

y'day 30th June

Holyhead Harbour, fisherman's quay
3+ Black Guillemot on very calm sea

Also, 1+ Grey Seal in harbour - the fisherman said that they would scare off the fish. As they said that, a large shoal (Whiting?) swam past them, unobserved

South Stack
~4 Rock Pipit displaying
1000s of Guillemot & Razorbill as expected
4 Puffin from RSPB tower, after very long search; none visible from lighthouse path
1 Fulmar
~4 Chough

Surprisingly, no Peregrines, I guess they're further away this year; also no definite sign of the Hooded Crow(s) though a tantalising glimpse of a possible

Numerous boats around: couple of wildlife cruises keeping decent distance, but group of canoes went through the resting flock, and another group of jetskis also went through them at high speed with birds desperately trying to get out the way. What absolutely selfish, stupid ****s

Also, huge numbers of humans everywhere on this Bank Holiday Sunday - so I went home

Stuart Pike · Status: Offline

A glorious sunny day in Anglesey made a fantastic change.

Just over 50 species visiting South Stack, Cemlyn/Hen Borth and Point Lynas.

Only three Puffins for me on the sea at South Stack, also four Chough and found some Kittiwake. A few distant Gannet also.

Cemlyn tern colony was very busy (terns and people) but the point, and path to Hen Borth was peaceful. Best birds were four Raven, a few Wheatear, with two male and one female Red-breasted Merganser and a single Black Guillemot in the bay.

John Williams · Status: Offline

South Stack RSPB 11.00-14.30

Heathland : 5 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 4 Linnets, 4 Meadow Pipits and 1 Common Whitethroat.

Cliffs and shoreline : 4 Choughs, 8 Rock Pipits and 4 Ravens.

In addition to the mass ranks of Guillemots and Razorbills on the cliff ledges at least a dozen Fulmars were seen.

6 Puffins swam amongst the rafts of auks below the observation tower.

A noisy pair of Oystercatchers were at the base of the cliffs, and a single Gannet flew by offshore.

No sign of either Kittiwakes or Shags around the colony, the nearest I could find to the latter were a single pair of Cormorants.

On the journey home a pair of Red Kites were seen being mobbed by crows above the A55 near Gaerwen.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted today by David Hughes:

Did an over night stay on Anglesey,25 yrs since last visit,wheatear ,stonechat, chough,peregrine, guillemot,razorbill ,linnet,sand martin ,house martin,swallow,rook ,carrion crow,jackdaw,house sparrow,common tern, common sandpiper,curlew,sparrowhawk, oystercatcher,fulmar,lesser black backed gull,herring gull,gannet,cormorant, mallard,herring gull, robin ,blackbird ,song thrush, magpie, buzzard meadow pipit and puffin at south stack on the sea.

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Monday, 28th September 2020.

Anglesey - RSPB site Cors Ddyga.

I dipped on below two birds:
Taiga Bean Goose was spotted by another birder yesterday and also first thing this morning with Greylag Geese.
Two Glossy Ibis had been on this site for about 10 days until yesterday. But today - no sightings.

Birds seen included:
Marsh Harrier (adult male) x 1
Whooper Swans x2
Buzzard x 2
Great White Egret x 1
Little Egret x 5
Grey Heron x 4
Snipe x 20

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Monday 28th of September 2020 04:43:25 PM