After a cold and wet May, there was high pressure from the off in June and it suddenly warmed up. Spring seemed to close without even opening – but in came the rarities. A male EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER was at Carmel Head on 1^st and an un-raced bird on Skomer on 1^st. A WESTERN BONELLI’S WARBLER was ringed on Skokholm on 2^nd. At the end of the month came the icing on the cake: a PACIFIC SWIFT was photographed (by Cath Hammond) at Mewslade Bay (Gower) on 27^th – the first for Wales, if accepted.

Meanwhile, amongst the excitement, three Spoonbills were at Cors Ddyga (Anglesey) on 21st and 24^th. Cattle Egrets were at NWC Llanelli (Carmarthen) on 11^th and Kenfig NNR (Glamorgan) on 12^th and Cors Ddyga (Anglesey) on 30^th.

Up to three Roseate Terns were at Cemlyn (Anglesey) from 12^th-30^st. A CASPIAN TERN at NWC Llanelli (Carmarthen) on 24-30^th was colour-ringed and originated from Finland.

A BLACK KITE was over Llangrannog and Aberaeron (Ceredigion) on 3^rd and one was reported over Haverfordwest (Pembrokeshire) on 30^th. WOODCHAT SHRIKES were on Skomer on 1^st, at Tregaron Bog (Ceredigion) on 1st-2^nd and Peniel (Carmarthenshire) on 4^th.

A MARSH WARBLER and an ICTERINE WARBLER were on Bardsey on 1^st, singing in the same patch of scrub! Turtle Doves were found on Skokholm on 1^st and Broom (Pembrokeshire) on 6^th.

COMMON ROSEFINCHES were at Cemlyn and Bardsey on 2^nd and Ramsay (Pembrokeshire) on 5^th. One was also reported singing in a Holyhead garden on 3^rd. A BEE-EATER was at Porth Clais (Pembrokeshire) on 6^th. A Hoopoe was located at Devil’s Bridge (Ceredigion) on 17^th but had reportedly been present for a few days. There was growing evidence of another ROSY STARLING influx from south-eastern Europe: it got underway at Holyhead (Anglesey) on 1^st with three birds reported and singles remaining until 3^rd. Others were at Lavernock Point (Glamorgan) on 2^nd, Cemaes and Beaumaris (Anglesey) on 3-8^th, Cemlyn (Anglesey) on 5^th, Rhyl (Denbighshire) on 6^th, Bardsey (Caernarfonshire) on 7-11^th, Valley on 12^th, Ynyslas on 13^th, Llanelli (Carmarthen) on 13^th, Tregele (Anglesey) on 12-14^th, Morfa Nefyn (Caernarfon) on 9-10^th, Aberystwyth on 9-10^th, Milford Haven on 10^th, Hasguard Cross on 15^th and Haverfordwest (Pembrokeshire) on 16^th St Bride’s Wentlooge and 20^th and Sudbrook (Gwent) on 21^st. This could be an annual event for the next few years at least.

Away from known breeding pairs, two Avocets were on the Conwy estuary (Denbighshire) on 5^th. An early Wood Sandpiper was at Goldcliffe on 21^st. Finally, an unseasonal RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen on the sea near Ramsay (Pembrokeshire) on 23^rd.