Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Cemlyn, Anglesey

Splits and lumps have dominated the listing scene for a good few years now, with ever more emphasis on test-tube ticking. In early 2018 the BOU announced they could no longer be bothered to play the endless taxonomy shirade alone, and so had adopted the IOC taxonomy and the number of splits grew yet again. That may be good if you're interesting in your listing total (I am!), but less good from a field ID/birding perspective. Just like the Fylde wheatear a few weeks ago, the DNA style of ID is less rewarding, but part of me has grown to enjoy it, or at least some of it. So when news of a possible Eastern Yellow Wagtail on Anglesey came through in the evening of Wednesday 25th September, most people were probably underwhelmed. I was very interested - partly because I am an unapologetic filthy tick whore, but also because it was close to home and I had also missed a couple before (albeit only half-hearted efforts). There are just ten accepted records so far, but that is down to the recently split status and difficulty of confirming the ID fully. Let's face it, it's really not that rare.

Of the many recent splits, at least EYW is a relatively distinctive looking bird and identity can be confirmed via sonogram, so a test tube confirmation isn't required.

News of the birds' continued presence on Thursday 26th led to me, Malc Curtin, Al Orton and Phil Woollen teaming-up for the short drive over to Cemlyn late in the afternoon. There were perhaps 15 others there, although the web chatter highlighted much wider interest; I suspect most were understandably awaiting confirmation by sonogram and Anglesey is a long journey for many. Conditions were quite grim, in a strong wind under a grey sky, and the bird had steadfastly remained in a difficult to view area, but after around an hour the EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL decided to help us out and sat on a fencepost for a couple of minutes. Views were decent, but not good enough to see the elongated hind claw and we certainly didn't hear it call. Shame as I'd have liked to have nailed it properly, but you take what you can get. Thankfully others did make the crucial voice recording, enabling sonogram confirmation of the ID within a few days. 544 I think. Job done, and saves me a longer trip to a remote location where these things are more regular. North Wales, and Anglesey in particular, scores yet another great bird.

I didn't manage any photos, so here's a few shameless web poaches:

The above two photos were those initially broadcast on local Whatsapp groups that raised interest. Taken by the finders (Jayne and Lol, but I don't know their surnames - sorry!). This bird is yet another which may have slipped by without the aid of the internet! the monochrome plumage, pale bill base, facial pattern and strikingly long hind-claw all pointed to EYW, but are insufficient to nail the ID fully. 

Mark Rayment's excellent image.

Not much else to see, aside from a Little Owl, a few Curlew and Red-breasted Mergansers. The long staying rosy starling was about but I didn't manage to see it. 

I rather like a twitch when I'm home in time for tea :)