Ian Leaver

Highlights at Traeth Bychan today were three Eider (2f 1m), eight Common Scoter flying South across the bay, male Tawny Owl calling every morning until first light and a male Sparrowhawk. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Three Whooper Swans and over 100 Common Snipe at Cors Ddyga. At least 100 snipe in flight at one time after a male Marsh Harrier flew over. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

I’d been wanting to visit Gigrin Farm for ages - what a fantastic spectacle.

Seven Red-Throated Divers off Traeth Bychan this afternoon. Also, at least sixteen Greenfinch. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Very quiet on the sea at Traeth Bychan today. Highlights today: male tawny owl singing until first light, two pairs of stonechats, grey wagtail, 30 linnets, juvenile razorbill.

Full of fascinating characters, but dominated by the powerful presence of Carrie throughout, it is thought provoking, never taking an easy route or making trite conclusions. And, to top it all, it is a cracking story and a compelling read that I rattled through in two or three days. Great stuff.

“White Road” is wonderfully researched, making it as educational as it is entertaining; I’ve learnt more than I would have thought I needed to about the people, geography and changing weather patterns of the high Arctic, as well as the oil industry itself. @harryowl.bsky.social

Full of fascinating characters, but dominated by the powerful presence of Carrie throughout, it is thought provoking, never taking an easy route or making trite conclusions. And, to top it all, it is a cracking story and a compelling read that I rattled through in two or three days. Great stuff.

I really don’t know where the Anglesey birds nest to be honest. The closest on the West must be islands off the Pembrokeshire coast, but they’re unlikely to be heading North past Anglesey. Maybe they’re Scottish birds heading down.

The hirundine balance has dramatically shifted at Traeth Bychan. Approximately 200 Swallows and perhaps just 20 House Martins this morning. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Nothing very unusual at Traeth Bychan this morning: 3 Curlews, 2, Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 10 Common Terns resting on the rocks. Very nice to see 2 Risso’s Dolphins passing the bay just before midday. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Hard to count, but approximately 300 House Martins at Traeth Bychan this morning. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Having missed out on yesterday’s Red-Necked Phalarope at Cors Ddyga, I popped along to see what was about late morning. Pick of the bunch was a Whinchat and six Snipe flying over. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Nice bit of Tawny Owl action at Traeth Bychan this evening. First a male and then the female turned up. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

20 Ringed Plover, 15 Oystercatcher, 5 Dunlin, 2 Curlew on the rocks at Traeth Bychan this morning until flushed by a Peregrine. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Not a rare bird, but not one I see at Traeth Bychan so nice to see a Common Gull resting on the rocks this afternoon. Much quieter though - single figures of Gannets, 3 Grey Herons and a single Turnstone. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Excellent morning at Malltraeth Cob: 26 Redshank, 3 Black Tailed Godwit, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 3 Dunlin, several Curlew and an Osprey overhead flushing the lot. Nice to meet Derek Evans too. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

3 Greenshanks, 16 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Herons, 6 Redshanks along with Ringed Plovers and Curlews at Traeth Dulas this morning. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

At least fifty Gannets, large numbers of Sandwich Terns, Arctic Terns, Guillemots and Manx Shearwaters feeding out from Traeth Bychan this afternoon along with a superb view of an Arctic Skua and one Brent Goose flying past. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Crested Pigeon. WA. September 2024.

Red Wood Ant. Arne. June 2025.

Continuing with animal picture of the day. Swallow, Traeth Bychan, July 2025.

Not sure where all yesterday’s hirundines have gone - not one to be seen this morning. But loads of Gannets, Manx Shearwaters, and Sandwich Terns way out towards Llanddona from Traeth Bychan. And, finally, two Arctic Skuas chasing terns. Plus three Whimbrels flying past. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Mixed flock of 150 House Martins and 20 Swallows at Traeth Bychan this morning. @angbirdnews.bsky.social

Watching birds and other animals soothes the soul. I thought I’d start sharing some of my favourite pictures from the past few years. Emu, WA, September 2024.

A whimbrel and a curlew standing next to each other on the rocks at Traeth Bychan bore ‘ma. Nice to have such a good chance to compare the two species.

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis accuses Bob Vylan of being 'antisemitic'; how is his statement NOT antisemitic, in that he's conflating the IDF, a specific organisation which was the target of Bob Vylan's chant, with Jews as a people?

The IHRA working document says that it's antisemitic to hold 'Jews collectively responsible' for the wrong doing or actions of a particular Jew, a group of Jews or the State of Israel.

Not a massive murmuration, but great to see every evening from our window.