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| Fulmar (D Axford) |
Anglesey
– South Stack RSPB, Holyhead Harbour and Cob Pools, Malltreath
15th
June 2024
Weather: Mixed morning, brightening up in the afternoon
Members and friends: 35 Driver: Glenn
35 members and friends set off from Stockport for a full days visit to Anglesey. A couple of the party recorded Cormorant and Buzzard before we left the Greater Manchester region. As we passed Helsby on the M56 we spotted up four Cattle Egret (that had been reported on Birdguides the previous day) in some fields adjacent to the motorway. At Colwyn Bay, on our provisions stop, we watched Swifts wheeling over the adjacent railway station. We also added House Martin to the day’s list (and Paul L’s year list) as we progressed down the A55.
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| Razorbill (J Wharton) |
In a change to the usual itinerary on our Anglesey visits we visited South Stack RSPB as our first location of the day (this was to avoid potential coach parking problems later in the day). Alighting the coach we were greeted by five Chough flying over Ellen’s Tower. As we made our way down the steps to the lighthouse we viewed the seabirds on the adjacent cliffs. Guillemot, Razorbill, a couple of Puffin, Kittiwake, Fulmar and Rock Pipit were all evident. Out at sea we identified Gannet and Manx Shearwater passing by. At the base of the cliffs small numbers of Shag and Oystercatcher were present. Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull were also breeding in the area.
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| Chough (A Barrett) |
Wandering around the headland we identified Goldfinch, Magpie, Swallow, Linnet and Stonechat (including adults feeding recently fledged young). In the fields adjacent to the road we found singing Wren and Whitethroat. More Chough noisily fed on grassy areas and a single calling Raven flew over the RSPB carpark.
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| Meadow Pipit (A Barrett) |
In the second of a couple of changes to our usual Anglesey itinerary we next visited Holyhead Harbour. Instead of the usual stop on the west of the harbour (and a climb up to the overbridge) we decided to explore an area to the east of the harbour. Unfortunately, we couldn’t park where planned but pulled the coach up in an adjacent car park. From the coach we had good views of the harbour and had up to four Black Guillemot, including a pair that appeared to be entering a nest hole in part of the harbour wall. Oystercatcher were also present.
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| Chough (J Wharton) |
We departed Holyhead and drove over to our third destination on the island. It has been many years since the group visited Malltreath and we were a bit concerned about the coach parking situation. Fortunately, the layby at the south end of the village was empty and we were able to park the coach safely. The group disembarked and gathered on the bridge over Afon Cefni. This vantage point is very close to the house Charles Tunnicliffe, the famous bird artist, painted from.
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| Grey Heron (D Axford) |
We found Mute Swan, Grey Heron and Little Egret in the river. A Collared Dove was on the roof of one of the village cottages. Cormorant, Oystercatcher and Curlew could be seen out where the river entered the estuary. The tide was a long way out. Taking the path between the estuary and Malltreath Cob Pools we found parties of Canada and Greylag Geese, all with young, hiding in the vegetation. A couple of Shelduck were also present. On the water small groups of Mallard, some with young, some in early stages of moult, now breeding was over. Three Black-tailed Godwit were feeding in the shallows.
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| Dunnock (A Barrett) |
Singing in the adjacent vegetation were Common Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. We watched a Sedge Warbler hunting caterpillars and flying off with them, to presumably, feed hungry youngsters in a nearby nest. A couple of the party had singing Reed Warbler. Stonechat, Dunnock, Great Tit and Goldfinch were present in the area and plenty of Meadow Pipit. Skylark sang over the estuary fringes and Swallows passed overhead. A Willow Warbler gave its distinctive song from a group of willow!
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| Goldfinch (J Wharton) |
As we approached the end of the path as it wound its way into Newborough Forest we heard Blackcap singing and then a short burst of Grasshopper Warbler song. A couple of the party had very brief views. Pat B. saw Great Spotted Woodpecker as we entered the trees. Wood Pigeon, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Swift, Wren, Blackbird and Robin were all found in the carpark as we waited for the coach to pick us up.
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| Whitethroat (D Axford) |
On the return journey we added Red Kite to the day’s list, as we passed Dwyran, and then, further into the journey home, we again saw the Cattle Egret as we travelled down the M56 motorway by Helsby. Up to eight birds this time, closer to the motorway, associating with a herd of cattle (cows!). A total of 72 species were identified during the day.
Birds seen;
Total Species: 72
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