Another month in ‘lockdown’ due to COVID-19 restrictions but there were several highlights including a flock of 13 BEE-EATERS over Tudweiliog, Lleyn (Caernarfonshire) on 9-12^th where two were even ringed in a garden on 9^th. (NRW and BTO guidance currently limits ringing and nest recording to gardens and some isolated observatories).

A CORNCRAKE was reported at Newgale and one in Glamorgan on 31^st (site undisclosed). A fine summer-plumage Grey Phalarope was at Sker Point (Glamorgan) on 29^th. Eight Dotterel were on the Great Orme on 9-10^th with 4 still on 14^th. A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was on Skokholm (Pembrokeshire) on 31^st

A Honey Buzzard was over Amlwch on 17^th. A Hoopoe was at Llanbadarn Fawr (Ceredigion) on 11^th, Morfa Nefyn (Caernarfon) on 14^th, Llanfair Clydogau on 16^th, then Dihewyd (Ceredigion) on 17^th. An ALPINE SWIFT was seen over Llandudno on 18^th.

A WOODCHAT SHRIKE was on Bardsey on 29^th, following an excellent inland record at Hawarden Airfield on 26^th. A male RED-BACKED SHRIKE was at Cemaes (Anglesey) on 29^th. A GOLDEN ORIOLE was reported over Cardiff on 10^th, at Cors Ddyga on 28^th and one was at Llangwyryfon on 28^th.

An EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER was on Skokholm on 9^th. An ICTERINE WARBLER was ringed on Skomer on 9^th. An IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF was recorded in a garden in Pontypool (Gwent) on 19^th. A GREENISH WARBLER was ringed on Bardsey on 29^th (excellent recording of the song on the Bardsey blog) followed by a BLYTH’S REED WARBLER on Ramsay on 30^th and a MARSH WARBLER on Bardsey on 30th-31st – a recording of the song is on the Bardsey blog. A RED-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT was ringed on Skokholm on 20^th.

A ROSY STARLING was on Skomer on 28^th and Marloes (Pembrokeshire) and Nefyn (Caernarfonshire) on 31^st. There are strong signs of a huge influx from central Europe north-westwards so there should be more next month. Keep a look out!

A SHORELARK was on Bardsey on 30^th, the same date as an unusual May record last year. There were five reports of Turtle Doves: at Llangwm (Pembrokeshire) on 17^th, on Skokholm on 26-27^th and one on Bardsey on 29-30^th, Wylfa Head (Anglesey) and Llandre (Ceredigion) on 30th.