The Isle of Anglesey. 2nd-5th June 2011.

[Little Sparrow]

I thoroughly enjoyed a long weekend on Anglesey, 2nd-5th June 2011. Visits were made to RSPB South Stack were Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars were viewed nesting on the cliffs and just a couple of Puffins were seen, one on the sea and the other on a webcam at the RSPB centre. Loads of seabirds on the sea, a wonderful sight and sound. A pair of Chough were spotted feeding in one of the fields, other highlights here were Common Whitethroat and Linnet.

Cemlyn Nature Reserve is a must if you visit Anglesey during the breeding season. Several pairs of Common and Arctic Tern breed here but the Sandwich Terns are the main species breeding on the islands in the lagoon beyond the shingle beach. They are amazing to watch as they fly over the shingle to the sea for supposedly sprats and sandeels and fly back over you again to feed their chicks! Oystercatcher, Herring & B H Gull and a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits were seen, also a Med Gull was spotted on one of the islands!

RSPB Conwy was visited on the journey to Anglesey and on the return home. A stunning Curlew Sandpiper was seen on the first visit and a smart Dunlin was keeping it company. Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Shelduck and the usual waterbirds were present. Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Swifts, Hirundines and the usual Passerines were also seen at Conwy. On the 'return home' visit to Conwy the reported Red-backed Shrike that had been present the previous day was being looked for by many birders to no avail! However a Raven 'gronking' was good to see and hear. Buzzards and Kestrels were seen in many areas over the trip.

An unexpected 'twitch' to Cerrig-man was exciting! A Common Rosefinch had been present for a week and it was announced on Saturday (4th), how lucky was I to be not a million miles away! A splendid bird with a delightful song, well worth the twenty minute drive to see it.lol!

A boat trip from Beaumaris around Puffin Island was very good, thankfully the sea was calm! Guillemots, Razorbills and Cormorants were the main nesters on the island, though a couple of Puffins did a flypast which was good to see. A Seal popped his head out of the water for a few seconds, this was the only one spotted.

A few photo's attached taken at the above locations. Most are labelled (right click for details)or self explanatory.

All in all a great trip and great weather..it was very hot on the Friday and Saturday!

[Little Sparrow]

More pics!

[Little Sparrow]

More pics!

[PeterB]

Fantastic pictures, amazing list and a great report. Thanks for sharing your weekend. Best of all, it sounds like you had a great trip. Were any of those lifers?

[kev barn owl]

Thanks for sharing your pics with us, it looks like you had a fab time. I think that this is going to be one of my next visit's when i am in Wales.
You have took some realy nice pictures too.

[Plainsailing]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Your first one is really good.
Looks like you had a great time, what was your bird of the trip.

[Little Sparrow]

Originally Posted by PeterB

Fantastic pictures, amazing list and a great report. Thanks for sharing your weekend. Best of all, it sounds like you had a great trip. Were any of those lifers?

Thanks Peter. The Common Rosefinch was the only lifer on this trip, if only the Red-backed Shrike had waited one more day I may have had two Lifers.lol!

Originally Posted by kev barn owl

Thanks for sharing your pics with us, it looks like you had a fab time. I think that this is going to be one of my next visit's when i am in Wales.
You have took some realy nice pictures too.

Thanks Kev. There are lots of areas to explore on Anglesey, so much so that a long weekend is not long enough sometimes. Hope you manage a visit in the future.

Originally Posted by Plainsailing

Thanks for posting the pictures. Your first one is really good.
Looks like you had a great time, what was your bird of the trip.

Thanks Paul. Hard to choose as all the bird species were a joy to see but if pushed I would share the honour with the the Choughs and the Common Rosefinch.

Thanks for your kind replies guys!

[alanjns]

That sounds like a great trip Judith - glad you had such a nice time. Congrats on the Common Rosefinch 'lifer', but you have an all round excellent bird list to boot!

I'm planning a trip to Skeggie (Blackpool to Skegness - Busman's holiday?!!) now you have me thinking about going in the other direction

[Little Sparrow]

Originally Posted by alanjns

That sounds like a great trip Judith - glad you had such a nice time. Congrats on the Common Rosefinch 'lifer', but you have an all round excellent bird list to boot!

I'm planning a trip to Skeggie (Blackpool to Skegness - Busman's holiday?!!) now you have me thinking about going in the other direction

Thanks Alan.

You would enjoy Anglesey. Lots of places to visit and the island isn't that big for getting around.

[astafjevs]

What a great trip Judith! Cemlyn is great isn't it?!

Some great pictures, I especially like the curlew sandpiper, never seen one myself!