Swifts on the move?

On Friday (the 25th July) there were at least 20 Swifts over Cemaes amongst the local House Martin evening gathering. These weren't local birds as the local pair from the windmill appeared to rear one young otherwise its a scarce bird in Cemaes. Has anyone else noticed any local Swift gatherings recently?

Great egret and scoter flock

Finally managed to get out today. The great egret was showing well at Llyn Alwen on the Denbigh Moors. A cracking local bird and seemed very out of place up there. Also a flock of 41 common scoter on nearby Llyn Aled was a surprise.

Early morning Menai birding

Superb morning on the Menai Straits this morning walking from Llanfairfechan to Aber and back. 

High tide birds included 14 Med Gulls; 4 Juvs, 9 adults and a 1st summer. 100+ of both Sandwich Terns  and Common Gulls amongst the 800+ Black heads. Waders included 2 Whimbrel, 40+ redshank, 3 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper. 50+ R B Mergansers too.

I was surprised to hear a Yellowhammer down there and picked up a juv/ female bird flying west. 3 Redstarts were along the path while a super Kingfisher fed in the stream by Madryn. 2 juv peregrine were hunting and easily took out 2 Lapwing with no fight at all.

Ad Med Gull still at Colwyn Bay on way back. 

Two juv Med Gulls with an adult- local breeding birds?

Eye-balling gulls at Colwyn Bay

Seven species of Gulls showing well this afternoon very close to the prom at Colwyn Bay. Med Gull, Common Gulls, Kittiwake, HG, GBBG, LBBG and BHGs. Several Sandwich Terns too.  Offshore off Llanddulas - 10,000+ Common Scoter offshore; an amazing sight. One male Velvet was picked up in flight. A Peregrine was hunting offshore too while a Whimbrel flew over calling. 

Got a friendly HG that walks around our house too- only when the wife is not at home of course ;) 

Old Faithful is back- 5th summer

Not the scarcity it use to be by a long shot but still always nice to see. The regular adult Med Gull has returned to the stretch of beach in front of the Toad Pub on Colwyn Bay prom. It was very dark and gloomy this morning, hence the rubbish iPhone pic.  Not much birding lately due to work but summer holidays now means more time to get out and watch birds. Local early morning birding today along the prom from Rhos to the Bay produced 10+ Sandwich Tern, 50+ Black headed Gulls, 500+ large gulls- HGs, LBBGs and a few GBBGs. Offshore at least 200+ Common Scoter and 30+ Kittiwake. 13 Turnstone and 200+ Curlew flying around at high tide and a superb juv Peregrine Falcon terrorising them.

Nightjar at Newborough

Around two weeks ago on the night of the 21st/22nd June a Nightjar was heard churring by Newborough forest by visiting birder Peter Acton. It was heard from Awel Fryn Campsite on the road from the village to the forest/beach car park. It was heard at c.11.30 pm and sounded like it was coming from the forest edge. If anyone else has any joy with this bird can they let me know please. Thanks
ps. A singing Quail was at the Alaw estuary on the 3rd July and the Garganey was at Malltraeth cob again on this date.

What have I missed?

Have there been any birds in the last two weeks whilst I've been out of North Wales?