ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana AE.
Passage migrant; rare – from continental Europe and Fennoscandia.
14 accepted records:
14). 2008, 15th September – 17th: Soldier’s Point, Holyhead – 1 on the beach. (S&RBiW 2008 p95).
13). 2006, 24th September: South Stack – 1. (S&RBiW 2006 p109).
12). 1989, 22nd May – 27th: South Stack – 1, signing male. (Cambrian Bird Report 1989 p56).
7 - 11). 1968, 18th September: Brynsiencyn – 5 seen. (Cambrian Bird Report 1968 p20).
4 - 6). 1966, 29th September: Malltraeth – 3 trapped and ringed. (Cambrian Bird Report 1966 p11).
3) 1961, 25th September: The Skerries – 1. (Birds of Anglesey 2004 p437).
1 & 2). 1961, 19th September: The Skerries – 2. (Birds of Anglesey 2004 p437).
Records noted in Gwynedd Bird Report but not recognised by WBRC albeit considered valid by some.
b). 1993, 13 September – 14th: Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead – 2 seen on 13th, 1 on 14th (Gwynedd Bird Report 1993 p unnumbered), (Birds of Anglesey 2004 p485). Note: Single bird seen by myself on 14th.
Records noted in Cambrian Bird Report but considered as pending by WBRC albeit considered valid by some.
a). 1988, 22nd April – 25th: South Stack – 1. (Cambian Bird Report 1988 p99), (Birds of Anglesey 2004 p437). Note: Ken Croft advises that he found this bird - a singing male, it was singing from the rockface as you walk up out of the Plantation car park. It held territory here and was singing daily until 25 April. Seen by dozens of birders.