Anglesey – Penmon Point and South Stack RSPB, 18th June 2022

 

Auks (J Wharton)

Anglesey – Penmon Point and South Stack RSPB

 18^th June 2022

 

Weather:  Sunny and warm am, cloudy and cool pm

Members and friends:  30                      Driver: Glenn

30 members and friends set off from Stockport for a full days visit to Anglesey. A couple of the party recorded Ring-necked Parakeet at the Jolly Sailor pick up point. After a provisions stop at Colwyn Bay (where Alan B. had nesting Herring Gulls on rooftops, little bundles of grey downy chicks amongst the chimney pots) the first birding stop was made at Lleiniog beach. Viewing the Menai Strait from the small car park we quickly picked up feeding Sandwich Tern and Eider out on the water. The tide was out so the birds were unfortunately distant. Oystercatchers and Little Egret were on the shoreline and a Great White Egret was briefly seen. The small colony of Sand Martins was on the beach and we had a variety of small birds including young Greenfinch. A Chiffchaff could be heard calling close by and a couple of Swallow flew over.

Herring Gull (A Barrett)

In a field with a small stream, prior to Penmon, we recorded Little Egret, Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, Shelduck and a small flock of Curlew. Arriving at Penmon Priory car park we were greeted by singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap with a Pied Wagtail flycatching from the priory roof. A Moorhen was in the overgrown priory pond. The walk to the point added House Martin, Pheasant, Kestrel and Willow Warbler to the days list. At Penmon Point seabirds were very much evident with singles of Black Guillemot, Red-breasted Merganser and flyby Gannet. 

Chiffchaff (J Wharton)

Scoping over to Puffin Island we identified Razorbill, Guillemot, Shag, Cormorant, Fulmar, Eider and Sandwich Terns. The usual gulls were in attendance with Herring, Lesser and Great Black-backed present. In the area around the carpark at the point we found Whitethroat, Stonechat and Rock Pipits. A Raven flew over cronking loudly. In the scrub we found a mixed party of young Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits. 

Stonechat (A Barrett)

Returning to the coach we travelled across Anglesey to South Stack RSPB. From the car park we heard the distinctive call of Chough, with the maximum count of the afternoon being 12 birds. A walk down the lighthouse steps and viewing the seabird colony and out to sea produced distant views of passing Gannet and Manx Shearwater. Closer in, we identified Kittiwake amongst the hundreds of auks. There were high numbers of both Guillemot and Razorbill but we only saw a couple of Puffin all afternoon. The odd Fulmar sailed by and the odd Oystercatcher was sat on the rocks below.

Herring Gull (J Wharton)

The colony of gulls seemed to be smaller than previous visits with chicks of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull present. A handful of Great Black-backed Gull stood threateningly on the outskirts, with one attempting to eat a dead adult Herring Gull whole! On the cliffs we recorded Rock Pipit with Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Stonechat preferring the gorse areas on the cliff tops. More views of Chough were had in the fields and a Kestrel hunted overhead. A single singing Skylark could be heard and Dave R. had distant views of a Hooded Crow that had been frequenting the area.

Chough (A Barrett)

We had hoped for a few specialist butterfly species at South Stack but the cool overcast weather conditions were not conducive to their appearance. A few of the party did have good views of a Hummingbird Hawk Moth, pointed out to them by one of the RSPB wardens. 

Great Black-backed Gull (J Wharton)

Leaving South Stack RSPB we had a short stop at Holyhead Harbour where the coach party marched over the adjacent footbridge to view over the harbour wall. 3 Black Guillemots gave brief views and a Collared Dove by the coach was an addition to the days list. 

Juvenile Stonechat (A Barrett)

 On the coach journey back to Stockport a handful of lucky people saw a Red Kite as we passed Llanfairfechan and Mute Swan and Song Thrush were added to the check list. A total of 68 species were identified during the day, which was well down on our previous trip in 2017 when 85 species were seen. 

Razorbill (J Wharton)

Birds seen;

Linnet (A Barrett)