April 2022
Scrapes at Llanelli Wetland Centre WWT, Carmarthen, were brightened by the addition of a delightful male BLACK-WINGED STILT from 11-16th, which was replaced by a different bird at Cors Ddyga RSPB, Anglesey, the following day. A female KENTISH PLOVER Plover at Goldcliff Pools, Gwent, on 30th was similarly notable, with supporting cast of a PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Llyn Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd, from 29th.
Gwent also saw a popular Eurasian Dotterel at Collister Pill on 28-29th, with others at Llanfwrog and The Range RSPB, Anglesey, and Garreg Lwyd, Carmarthen. Wood Sandpipers were in Anglesey, Carmarthen, Ceredigion and Clwyd, with Curlew Sandpipers in Anglesey and Gwent. A Little Stint was at Llanrhystud, Ceredigion.
A sole Wryneck was at St David’s Airfield, Pembrokeshire, on 27th, while a European Turtle Dove overflew nearby Strumble Head on 30th. Anglesey reported a Hoopoe at Penmon Point on 17th. ALPINE SWIFTS over Goldcliff Pools, Gwent, on 12th and Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, on 22nd would prove unfortunately brief customers.
Best on Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, was a singing male NIGHTINGALE on 27th, while Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, hosted a Lapland Bunting and surprise SHORE LARK – the island’s first in over 30 years.
April is always a solid month on the flava wagtail front: Blue-headed Wagtails were at Cemlyn Bay, Anglesey, and Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, with a Channel Wagtail at Cardiff Bay, Glamorgan. Hanging on were Siberian Chiffchaffs at Kenfig NNR, Glamorgan, Carmel Head, Anglesey, and Skokholm, Pembrokeshire. The ‘eastern’ Lesser Whitethroat remained at Chirk, Clwyd, until 10th; a mobile Hooded Crow was at Kenfig NNR on 20th.
An immature WHITE-TAILED EAGLE from the Isle of Wight reintroduction scheme lingered near Llangorse Lake, Powys, mid-month, while a WHITE STORK (likely hailing from Knepp) flew east over Goldcliff Pools, Gwent, on 3rd. GLOSSY IBISES included four at Llanelli Wetland Centre WWT, Carmarthen, on 18th and one at Aberdare, Glamorgan, on 26th, while Llanelli also recorded a WESTERN CATTLE EGRET.
An adult BONAPARTE’S GULL in the Cardiff Bay, Glamorgan, roost on 23rd perhaps accounted for the popular one-day individual at Sandy Water Park, Carmarthen, on 27th. The Bay also hosted a first-winter CASPIAN GULL on 5th. Iceland Gulls were recorded in Conwy, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
In Glamorgan, the six RING-NECKED DUCKS lasted at Kenfig Hill until 16th, with two females still at Lisvane Reservoir until 19th. Garganey were at nine locations.
May 2022
Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, hosted the first MOLTONI’S WARBLER for Wales from 17-29th. The island’s fourth EUROPEAN SERIN was on hand on 20th and an ICTERINE WARBLER was available on 29th, while neighbouring Skomer scored a pair of shrikes – a WOODCHAT and a male RED-BACKED. Action on Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, comprised a GOLDEN ORIOLE, Blue-headed Wagtail, Siberian Chiffchaff, two Hooded Crows and a bumper count of 78 Spotted Flycatchers.
A strong Motacilla showing saw a male IBERIAN WAGTAIL at RSPB Conwy, from 6-8th, the first example of this subspecies of Yellow Wagtail for the country. At Cemlyn, Anglesey, a female CITRINE joined a male Blue-headed on 8th, while a BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL was photographed at Cors Caron, Ceredigion, on 28th.
Pembrokeshire was treated to its second DARK-EYED JUNCO at St Ishmael’s on 22nd, following one on Skomer in May 2017. A first-summer WOODCHAT SHRIKE proved popular at Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire, from 18-24th, with other sterling migrant action including a ROSY STARLING at Aberaeron, Ceredigion, on 4th and a EUROPEAN SERIN at Great Orme, Conwy, on 28th, while a EUROPEAN BEE-EATER flew north over South Stack RSPB, Anglesey, on 21st. Two European Turtle Doves were recorded – at Llanedi, Carmarthen, and Llanon, Ceredigion.
A BLACK KITE was logged flying north over Deri, Glamorgan, while European Honey Buzzards overflew Llyn Llech Owain CP, Carmarthen, and Marloes, Pembrokeshire. In the south of the country, Hooded Crows were at Neath, Glamorgan, and both St Justinian and St David’s Head, Pembrokeshire.
In Gwent, the Newport Levels environs enjoyed an action-packed month. A PURPLE HERON on the RSPB reserve proved popular from 21-23rd, while a brief BLACK-WINGED STILT highlighted at Goldcliff Pools on 10th. Goldcliff also saw visits from a TEMMINCK’S STINT, two Curlew Sandpipers, two COMMON CRANES, Garganey and EURASIAN SPOONBILL. Black Terns at five sites nationally included an impressive tally of 40 off Goldcliff Point on 2nd.
Ynys-Hir RSPB, Ceredigion, bagged a LESSER YELLOWLEGS on 10th and the PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Llyn Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd, remained until 2nd. The only Eurasian Dotterel of the month concerned a trio high on Foel Fras, Gwynedd, on 8th. Elsewhere, five Wood Sandpipers were logged, with Little Stints at seven sites and Curlew Sandpipers at three. Garganey were at six locations.
In Anglesey, Iceland Gull reports from Llandudno and Great Orme perhaps relate to the wintering Little Orme individual. A Roseate Tern was back on The Skerries, Anglesey, and a Pomarine Skua floated northwards past Ynyslas, Ceredigion, on 13th.
Sam Viles
