North Wales and Anglesey

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

RE: North Wales and Anglesey

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

Henry Cook wrote:

Please do not leave the road to view the bird. If you can be there early morning it should show well from the road. This will minimise disturbance to the bird and hopefully produce good views.

Thanks. Henry.

To be honest Henry, I don't think anyone's going to see the warbler from the road, it seems to have moved 500yds up the footpath since you saw it earlier in the week. I know there's a stormy (and sometimes quite bizarre!!) thread raging on NWB Forum at the moment, but some of the comments are quite misplaced - especially as they come from folk who haven't seen the bird and have vowed not to go there! I entirely understand and agree with your comments on the thread - unfortunately people didn't heed your advice, so now the bird seems to have permanently moved. So long as people stick to the footpath and don't go traipsing across the moor it isn't any more vunerable to disturbance than it was when it was down by the road. When I was there early this morning everyone was simply waiting quietly for the bird to show. Of course, it only takes one idiot to decide his day isn't complete until he gets a photograph of the bird's left nostril to spoil it, but that could happen - as you witnessed - if the bird was still by the roadside.

Dave - there are black grouse further up the footpath, myself and a guy from Conwy had 8-10 fly past early on, then I saw two flip over the horizon later. But, as Henry suggests, there are better places to see them from the road further north. For some time this morning there was only myself and the guy from Conwy up there and both black and red grouse were calling all around.

As Karen mentioned earlier, it was a tad misty up there this morning, so I didn't see many birds! Besides the grouse and warbler I saw a couple of stonechats, and two crossbills by the car park. A reed bunting was half-heartedly singing further up the footpath and I heard a single meadow pipit . . . and that was it!

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

I haven't myself from that spot although they are occasionally seen there. Try scanning the moor a mile or two further north along the road.

dave oddy · Status: Offline

where abouts is the grey shrike ? going to worlds end tomorrow never seen one before thanks.

dave oddy · Status: Offline

Thanks for the information can you see the black grouse from the same place ?

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Hi Dave.

Park up in the car park or by the side of the road along the minor road between minera and Llangollen which crosses Raubon moor. The car park is in a larch plantation at Worlds End - grid ref SJ232483. The Dartford warbler was on the moor just to the north of the larch plantation.

Please do not leave the road to view the bird. If you can be there early morning it should show well from the road. This will minimise disturbance to the bird and hopefully produce good views.

Thanks. Henry.

dave oddy · Status: Offline

please can you give me location of where dartford warbler is,has i got lost last time i went to the rspb grouse watch.Will have a day out tommorrow.first time on this site.

Karen Foulkes · Status: Offline

An early start meant me and my dad were at Worlds End for 7am in heavy fog.

We didn't hold out much hope, but fortune favours the brave (and the foolish) and luck held out with a Black Grouse lek on the left hand side of the road containing about 10 birds (that we could see).

I decided to try my luck with the Dartford Warbler, luckily with about 20 minutes of my allotted hour left the bird was seen on the ridge. It then proceeded to fly towards us landing first on a gorse bush and then flying into a dead bush right in front of where I was stood, I got brief but cracking views before the bird dropped about 5 feet to the left and disappeared from view. I could also hear both Black and Red Grouse in the area.

Back at the car park and the chup chup of Crossbills. I went into the car park properly and found a stunning male at the top of a larch and a female lower down. I saw either the same birds or a couple more after.

On the way down towards Llangollen we spotted a pair of Dippers on the river and with Red Grouse also sighted on the moorland, we did as well as could reasonably be expected with the poor conditions.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

sid ashton wrote:

Nick that's a shame you and John didn't see the bird but the group lead by the bloke with the big lens went up through the area mid-morning and presumably pushed the bird further away from the road, thereby preventing others like yourselves later on in the morning seeing it from a reasonable distance as well as stopping the bird from feeding/singing in peace. Let's hope it stays around and that folk can show some consideration.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 06:21:39 PM

Just noted on North Wales bird forum that the bird was re-located at 3.30pm up the hill about 10 minutes walk from the road.

Lets hope that people don't harass it too much so that it doesn't disappear altogether!!

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Nick that's a shame you and John didn't see the bird but the group lead by the bloke with the big lens went up through the area mid-morning and presumably pushed the bird further away from the road, thereby preventing others like yourselves later on in the morning seeing it from a reasonable distance as well as stopping the bird from feeding/singing in peace. Let's hope it stays around and that folk can show some consideration.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 06:21:39 PM

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

sid ashton wrote:

Arrived on the moors this morning, in the sunshine just before 08.00 with Henry Cook, to a white hoar frost-covered landscape and a heavy mist in the dips - not conducive to Black Grouse watching. We heard a couple of bubbly calls but that was it. So down to Worlds End for the target bird. We just walked up from the car park and immediately heard the male Dartford Warbler. We watched him for several minutes on various low conifers close to the edge of the moor, singing away. We were soon joined by another 8 birders/photographers. Not sure if the ensuing hubbub spooked the bird but he was not seen for a while and eventually these other folk decided that they had had enough of waiting around and they all walked up to area where the bird was last seen and we didn't spot him again Not a good idea.

During the early few minutes watching the warbler we also found a Great Grey Shrike that caught what appeared to be a lizard for breakfast on one of its forays and 8 Crossbills in the larches. Other birds of interest seen were Raven, Stonechat, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Coal Tit, Wren, Skylark and Nuthatch (a little further down the valley),

An interesting morning particulary those first 10 minutes at Worlds End

-- Edited by sid ashton on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 04:30:34 PM

Unfortunately Sid we weren't as successful as you after we saw you on the road.

The Dartford Warbler didn't show itself at all over the following 2 hours we were there (12.00pm - 2.00pm). Hopefully it hasn't disappeared altogether and I can call back on another day to see it.

Other birds we did manage to see whilst we were there were: -

1 Red Grouse
1 Merlin (male)
2 Crossbil (1m,1f) and lots of others heard.
1 Goldcrest
4 Bullfinch

No sign of any Goshawks or Great Grey Shrikes though.

There's always next time - so I keep saying to myself anyway!!

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Arrived on the moors this morning, in the sunshine just before 08.00 with Henry Cook, to a white hoar frost-covered landscape and a heavy mist in the dips - not conducive to Black Grouse watching. We heard a couple of bubbly calls but that was it. So down to Worlds End for the target bird. We just walked up from the car park and immediately heard the male Dartford Warbler. We watched him for several minutes on various low conifers close to the edge of the moor, singing away. We were soon joined by another 8 birders/photographers. Not sure if the ensuing hubbub spooked the bird but he was not seen for a while and eventually these other folk decided that they had had enough of waiting around and they all walked up to area where the bird was last seen and we didn't spot him again

Not a good idea.

During the early few minutes watching the warbler we also found a Great Grey Shrike that caught what appeared to be a lizard for breakfast on one of its forays and 8 Crossbills in the larches. Other birds of interest seen were Raven, Stonechat, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Coal Tit, Wren, Skylark and Nuthatch (a little further down the valley),

An interesting morning particulary those first 10 minutes at Worlds End

-- Edited by sid ashton on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 04:30:34 PM

Rob Bell · Status: Offline

Friday 25th February - highlights

Between Rhyl and Kinmel Bay on the beach:

2 Snow Bunting (1 male, 1 female)
12-15 Twite
1 Stonechat
1 Redshank

Llanbedr-y-Cennin

3 Hawfinch (churchyard)
Goldfinches
1 Greenfinch

Conwy RSPB

2 RB Mergansers
2 Little Egret
1 Reed Bunting
Pochard, Teal, Gadwall, Tufted Duck.

Sea near Old Colwyn:

1 Common Scoter
Turnstones
Ringed Plovers

A great trip out!

Keep birding

Rob

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Late report from yesterday. A very quiet few stops along the way to Llandudno Junction at the spinnes, Abergwyngregyn Llanfairfechan and Bodafon Fields:

The Spinnies:
2 Moorhen
10 Mallard- getting vicious over females already!
1 Reed Bunting
10 Chaffinch
1 GS Woodpecker
2 Redshank
1 Sparrowhawk

Abergwyngregyn-tide right out, need to look at it next time:
10 Curlew
1 Sparrowhawk

Llanfairfechan:
1 Grey Wag (no dipper

)
20 Oysteys

Bodafon Fields- only a brief look:
potential linnet flock on the far side of the field, but couldn't get a good look at them
10 Jackdaw
1 Crow

-- Edited by Joe Wynn on Sunday 27th of February 2011 08:53:22 AM

simon ghilks · Status: Offline

Llandudno and Great Orme 09:00-10:00 14/2/2011

Working visit to Llandudno, snook an hour round Marine Drive

1 Raven.
Few Fulmar.
2 Stonechat.
Lots Common Guillemot and Razorbill close to Old Lighthouse.
Cormorant and Shag.
Gannet out at sea.
6 or 7 Turnstone under the pier.

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

A windy day on Llanwyn island. Pretty quiet bird wise, but did get:
10 Turnstone
1 Ringed Plover
c.20 Oystercatchers
c.4 Raven
1 GBB Gull
13 Brent Geese close in off the car park on the rocks there

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

A few stops on the way to beaumaris at Kimnel Bay and Conwy produced a few things. At kimnel bay there were 4 snow buntings (one more than previously reported this week) and a few skylarks. All very well camoflaged, up until they sit on a log three feet away! Also big flock of scoter out by the windfarms, but I couldn't see any velvet or surf in the time I was looking at them. On the beach were c.100 curlew, c.20 dunlin and c.50 oysteys. On the Marine lake in Rhyl/Kimnel there were alot of waders, mostly Lapwing (c.1000), a few dunlin and some "gulls" mostly herring, but couldn't pick out anything special.

Also went to RSPB conwy to have a mosey about. Nothing out of the ordinary, a few pochard, shelduck, lapwing, etc. and a large flock of siskin giving cracking views (and photos

). Other than that very quiet. Next time i'm planning to stop on the way, i'll definately check the tides before going!

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Llandegla Moors/Worlds End

A very pleasant afternoon on the moors with Phil Owen although we did have to wait until quite late on to catch sight of 6 Black Grouse seen from the track flying in front of the forest hide. We also had smashing views of Crossbill, one male in particular stood out on the larches at Worlds End. Also of note 4 Common Buzzard in the air together and 3 Raven.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Dennis atherton wrote:

3 purple sandpipers showing well today at rhos on sea, about 200 yards down the front going left from the Chapel of St Trillo which incidently is the smallest chapel in britain

This is the area that I always check first these days Dennis. However even at high tide last Tuesday there was no sign there or indeed anywhere else along the front - most unusual. I have never seen them anywhere along there at low tide.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

Just a further note on the purple sandpipers,

i went to Rhos on sea last week on a low tide and i could not find them in the same area, but they were there this saturday, this saturday the tide was 12.30 and the swell was high and the water was beating against the rocks, i have a feeling these birds are usually sat low in the rocks and almost im possible to see at low tide and are forced onto the top of the rocks making them easy to see at high tide, anyone going to look for these birds go at high tide and hopefully they will be forced to sit high up as they were for me, just a thought, good luck

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

3 purple sandpipers showing well today at rhos on sea, about 200 yards down the front going left from the Chapel of St Trillo which incidently is the smallest chapel in britain

conwy rspb

1 bar tailed godwit and 1 grey plover mixed in with the usual black tailed, redshanks, curlew dunlin and a nice flock of 12 snipe, also a few nice looking goldeneye

sid ashton · Status: Offline

A bit of a Welsh wander today produced the following of interest:-

Shotwick Fields - Mixed group of Whoopers, Bewicks' and Mute Swans still present.

Rhos-on-sea - Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Redshank and Oystercatchers but no sign of Purple Sandpipers.

Llanbedr-y-Cennin - A single Hawfinch ( none were seen at Caerhun church-yard).

Tal-y-Cafn bridge over the river Conway A single Greenshank alongside a Redshank - good size comparison and a Snipe.

Llanddullas - Common Gull, Common Scoter (too many to count), a very distant Velvet Scoter and Fulmar.

Dennis atherton · Status: Offline

5 Snow buntings showing well in the same spot as mentioned

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Another outing to North Wales today with John Barber with a couple of target birds in mind.

First stop was Caerhun churchyard for a Hawfinch. After pulling up and scanning the area for 10 minutes it was clear that this was going to be difficult. Lots of trees and not many birds about! Two other birders from Chester then joined us (sorry didn't get their names) and helped with the searching, all to no avail. It was then decided that we should try the churchyard at Llanbedr-y-cenin just up the road as this has been more fruitful of late where the Hawfinches are concerned.

We got to Llanbedr and after parking up proceeded to scan the nearby trees for any signs. After ten minutes I then spotted three likely birds flying right to left to the back of the churchyard and went out of view. They were then quickly re-located and confirmed as Hawfinches. Once we had the scope on them it was great to see what striking birds they are especially as they sat at the top of a tree in the sunlight. Another lifer for John and myself.

After saying our goodbyes we then made our way over to Morfa Madryn NR for a quick look for possible Brent geese. Unfortunately none were present but we did see hundreds of Wigeon along with Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin, Lapwing, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler.

We then moved onto Llanfairfechan promenade to have a quick look out to sea. Not the best idea giving the wind was biting but it paid off as we managed to pick out two possibly three Slavonian grebes bobbing up and down in the swell out towards Anglesey. Another lifer!!

Last stop was a quick visit to Rhos on Sea with a view to seeing some Purple Sandpiper. The tide was almost in and although lots of birds were present there were unfortunately no Purple Sands amongst them. I did however manage to get some good close up photo's of Redshank, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher.

Jonathan Platt · Status: Offline

World's End

32 black grouse in all, consisting of three leks of 10, 9 and 7 birds, 2 singles and a covey of three in flight, and a bird sat in the heather on it's lonesome. Birds were leking in the usual place NW of the car park, plus two leks from the road to the north. On an OS map, look for Park Farm, one lek was SW on marginal land, the other not far from the hide you can see from the road, even further to the SW on heather moorland.

Only other bird of interest was a merlin sat in a tree near first lek.

Clocaenog Forest

Female goshawk flew over the road between Cyffylliog and Pennant. 100+ crossbills in the forest at Foel Gasnach, between Pennant and Nilig, feeding on larches at the side of the road. At Pentre-llyn cymmer there's a farm as you drive west out of the village which always has large numbers of chaffiches around it. Today there were at least half a dozen brambling and a dozen siskin (all feeding on alder seeds) with the chaffs.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

22/01/2011 - Sightings of interest at Glan-y-mor Elias at high tide this morning:

26 Pale-bellied Brent Geese
7 Pintails (4 drakes)
8 Shovelers
100's Wigeon+Teal
4 Knots
2 Sanderlings
1 Greenshank
c20 Bar-tailed Godwits
1 Black-tailed Godwit
c1000 Dunlins
1600+ Oystercatchers
1 Rock Pipit
2 Mistle Thrushes

and nearby at Llanfairfechan promenade on a flat sea:

1 Great Northern Diver
26 Red-throated Divers
143 Great Crested Grebes
1 Slavonian Grebe
41 Razorbills
1 Guillemot
19 Eiders (11 drakes)
4 Red-breasted Mergansers (2 drakes)
3 Goldeneyes (2 drakes)
1 Pochard (drake, boating lake)
1 Tufted Duck (boating lake)
2 Kittiwakes
1 Dipper (up river, near the village)

Sherry Pearson · Status: Offline

Thank you to John Conway for the really clear instructions on where the snow buntings are showing. We visited kinmel bay today and saw 4 of these little beauties right next to the tree stump as the fog rolled out! What a fantastic tick!

paul brady · Status: Offline

Like to make everybody aware of a free guided walk coming your way:

Flint High Tide Bird Watch
Sat 5th Feb
9.30am start (HT@12.30pm, 9.3m)

We will be focusing on the 1000's of waders and wildfowl coming in to roost on this very important part of the estuary. Flocks of finches are common feeding on seeds and last years twite were an excellent addition to a thoroughly enjoyable walk across a fascinating landscape.

Phone 0151 336 7681 or email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk for further details.

Geoff Walton · Status: Offline

Followed you in part today Sid

Started Kinmel Bay
Snow Buntings,Tunstones,Curlew

Rhos
Common Scoter,Gannets,Red Throated Divers,GC Grebes,Oyster Catchers,Red-Brested Merganser, and GC Grebes

Field at Llandudno
Twite

RSPB Cony
Usual Stuff, but a nice view of Drake Goldeneye

Llanfairfechan Prom

Not a lot, but loads of Oystercatchers flying past to roost.

-- Edited by Geoff Walton on Sunday 9th of January 2011 08:18:20 PM

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Despite the snow this morning went over to North Wales today:-

Shotwick fields - from the Welsh side
100 plus Swans - mixed Whoopers and Bewicks' with 4 Mutes. At this point it was snowing still and it's difficult to see the Swans in those conditions never mind counting them accurately

. Also 50 plus Pink feet and many Lapwing,

Kinmel Bay
5 Snow Buntings present in a small flock including 3 Skylarks. Turnstone and Linnet also present, but no sign of the reported Black Redstart,

Pensarn
Arrived just after high tide - on the sea a group of 5 Common Scoter, 2 male and 1 female Goldeneye and a single Great crested Grebe. A small group of Twite feeding on the beach, constanly being disturbed by dog walkers.

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Those Snow Buntings are at Kimnel Bay Still! They are showing within 10 feet about ten minutes walk from the Asda car park at the mouth of the River Clywd! Fantastic little birds to see!

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Thanks for your help, everyone! Headed out this afternoon to Beddmanarch Bay and was rewarded by a flock of about 20 Brent Geese, 3 Red Breasted Merganser and not one but 2 Slavonian Grebes! They were following a merganser around for some reason, and gave good but fairly distant views, a first for me south of the Scottish Border!

John Conway · Status: Offline

Hi Joe

There are 5 Snow Bunting showing well at Kinmel Bay, if you park by the asda in Kinmel Bay go to the sea wall and turn right walk to the end of the pathway and you will come to a wooden pathway in the sand, look to the beach for two big tree trunks that's where people are feeding them, best of luck.

John

Rob Smallwood · Status: Offline

Joe Wynn wrote:

Hi, I was just wondering, does anyone know any good birding places on or relatively near Anglesey for this tie of year? I'm staying there for a few days and would like to get some birding in.
Cheers
Joe

Henry's comprehensive reply pretty much covers it - all I'd add is that anywhere on the island can turn up interesting birds so wherever you stay you'll get some good birding in, and don't forget that the journey there and back passes some pretty good spots, The Spinnies at Aber Ogwyn for Greenshank, Egret and Kingfisher, Llanfairfechan for divers & grebes, Llandullas the same and there are 5 Snow Bunting at Kinmel Bay near the river outflow. Have a great trip!

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Hi Joe.
Anglesey offers some excellent winter birding if you can make it to several key spots.
Beddmanarch Bay by Penrhos Country Park is worth a thorough scan. Just yesterday there was Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebes and Brent Geese there but there can also be Mediterranean Gull, Smew and other seaducks or divers if lucky.

Just south of here are Valley Lakes RSPB which in winter (if the water isn't still frozen) can hold large concentrations of ducks, gulls, a few waders and a few raptors. Access the area from the road past the RAF base and there is a car park for the large lake. A couple of the other lakes in the area are a bit trickier to get to but with a map possible and well worth it. Stuff seen in the area lately includes Glossy Ibis and Bittern but there's often Ruddy Ducks, Scaup amongst the Tufted Ducks. There used to be Cetti's Warblers in the reedbed but i've not heard them recently, not sure they are still there but worth a try.

Newborough forest (in the SW of the island) is an underwatched spot. It has a massive Raven roost (2000+ birds) at dusk if staying late, a great spectacle. The forest is an old haunt of Golden Pheasant but no reports recently might be due to lack of coverage rather than lack of Pheasants. Other species to be seen in the forest include Crossbill, Siskin, Redpoll, Brambling and on the adjacent sand dunes; Hen Harrier, Merlin, Short-eared Owl. These raptors can also be seen at the nearby Malltreath Marshes/Sands (just to the north of the forest). Also here there are good numbers of ducks and waders including Ruff.

If you're passing and get the chance to stop for a walk about, other sites worth visiting include South Stack RSPB (Chough, Hooded Crow), Holyhead port (Black Guillemot+Divers), Cemlyn Lagoon+Carmel Head (seaducks+Lapland Bunting), Point Lynas headland (seawatching largely), Red Wharf Bay (Water Pipit), Penmon Point (Eider, Divers, Black Guillemot etc), Llyn Alaw (assorted Ducks, Geese and Swans).

Of course a bit of exploration anywhere along the coastal paths or inland fields and lakes could produce an unexpected surprise or two.
Cheers.
Henry.

Joe Wynn · Status: Offline

Hi, I was just wondering, does anyone know any good birding places on or relatively near Anglesey for this tie of year? I'm staying there for a few days and would like to get some birding in.
Cheers
Joe

Pete Welch · Status: Offline

Had a chance to grab a couple of hours away from the festivities today so headed off down the coast: started off with a Scoter fairly close in just west of the Rainbow Bridge but sadly the bird is partly entangled in a plastic bag

also of note lots of the Common waders on the beach and a party of seven Teal and small parties of Wigeon on the sea. Further out were Mergansers and a GCG.

Then I worked my way along to Penryhn but sadly there was no sign of a Jack Snipe, despite one of the original finders kindly showing me exactly where it had been. There were Grey Plovers and Ringed Plovers on the beach... well until the uncontrolled dogs flushed everything.

Just time to stop off at Kinmel Bay too and I eventually found the Snow Buntings about 200m further towards the River Mouth than I'd seen them last year. I added some seed to the areas that someone has kindly stocked up and was rewarded by the birds flying in to feed no more than 20m away from where I had sat on the shingle. There were also good numbers of Sanderling and Dunlin on the beach and that end had less disturbance from dogs than elsewhere so they were easy to watch.

paul brady · Status: Offline

Deffo worth a mention ....

a staggering 12,000 dunlin on RSPB Oakenholt Marshes yesterday !!!!

This was the highest number ever seen here by the counter ... a birder who has been birding on the estuary for ages.

Another couple of hundred were reported down at Burton Mere (seen from Inner marsh Farm path)

The flock were viewed from DNS Connah's Quay Reserve.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Found 14 Waxwings this afternoon in Llandudno along Tudor Crescent behind the old Halfords.
Also, a Yellow-legged Gull was present yesterday off Rhos Point amongst 2000+ Herring Gulls feeding on starfish.
Thanks.
Henry.

paul brady · Status: Offline

I have been handed the following information:

The Environment Agency are due to close embankment footpath leading to the viewpoint (site of former hide) at RSPB Point of Ayr for strengthening and heightening of the embankment.
The footpath will therefore be closed from the 15th November for approximately 6 weeks.
For anybody wanting access to the viewpoint they should park at BHP Billiton and then walk down the public footpath from the roundabout near to the gatehouse.
We advise that there is strictly no access to the viewpoint along the saltmarsh edge during the works.

John Barber · Status: Offline

News of a closed road at Spurn reserve - walking was never my favourite pass time - led to a change of plans and a drive in the opposite direction to sunny North Wales.

Arriving at the Great Orme just after sunrise, we proceeded to the cemetery close to the summit.

Redwing and Mistle Thrush were soon in evidence with smaller birds moving stealthily amongst the bushes to the rear of the site. Closer inspection revealed Linnet and Stonechat amongst others, with Siskin over.

No Waxwing showed and after a brief period we decided to visit the Limestone pavements - not a good move ! A strong wind on the exposed slopes made life difficult for both man and bird with Chaffinch and Meadow Pipits the only Passeriformes brave enough to raise their heads above the grassy tussocks. Back to the cemetery.

Other birders were now on station and we soon realised they were the local patch experts.

It's always useful to have knowledgeable local birders on hand and receive the benefit of there expertise, and it wasn't long before more species were teased from the vegetation, including Brambling, Stonechat and Blackcap. Mention of an earlier Waxwing sighting - while we were over at the pavement - gave us hope that these birds may yet appear for us. Twenty minutes later we were rewarded with a group of seven birds in a fly over and shortly after that another four, with three of them settling in the berry laden bushes directly in front of us. Superb views were then had of what we were told were first winter birds, slightly less colourful than full adults - but my first Waxwings nonetheless, marvellous.

Lunch time now and time for a move to the Little Orme.

As usual, dog walkers abounded, not the prerequisite for good birding, we headed to a patch of hawthorn and blackberry which usually produces a few goodies. Not a sign of a bird - strange. It wasn't until we were walking away that a woman emerged from the thicket, clutching a bag of blackberries - slight clenching of teeth !

A further exploration of the upper quarry area produced a Green Woodpecker for Nick, along with Raven but not a great deal else.

Our final stop on the way home at LLanddulas, in glorious warm sunshine, produced distant views of Common Scoter (several dozen we think )and Guillemot.

Another successful day in North Wales.

-- Edited by John Barber on Wednesday 27th of October 2010 08:08:27 PM

Keith Mills · Status: Offline

Coedydd Aber.
Yesterday's visit with Bolton RSPB.
From the top car park, on the track that climbs left out of the Aber falls valley.
Close and repeated views of over 20 Chough flying up and down the hillside.
and sometimes feeding. Most of these Chough were ringed.
Over the hilltop a Common buzzard kept station for several minutes on the wind

James Hutchison · Status: Offline

Glossy Ibis in fields near Rhosneigr on Anglesey today. Apparently it's been there for just over a week. It was colour ringed in Spain in 2007 as a chick, and was in Surrey until 27/09/10. Flew off south at about 6.15pm, but given how long it's been there it might just have been moving fields.

Also a small group of pale-bellied Brent Geese and lots of waders off Penrhos Coastal Park.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Spent a fruitless 3 hours plus near Shotwick boating lake looking for the reported Barred Warbler with no luck. The only birds of note, in what looks to be an excellent environment were Blackcap, Siskin and 7 Whoopers over which I saw later with 11 Mute Swans on Shotwick fields.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

John Barber wrote:

A good birding day out Nick and a thanks to Sid Ashton for information relating to Hen Borth.

You're welcome John, just a pity you didn't have the time to search for the Lapland Bunts - as I said on the phone it took us lots of leg work to pin them down in that stubble field

John Barber · Status: Offline

A good birding day out Nick and a thanks to Sid Ashton for information relating to Hen Borth.

Nick Isherwood · Status: Offline

Had a day out birding today with John Barber.

First stop was the Great Orme this morning at around 7.30am with a view to seeing the Lapland Buntings that have been hanging around up there for the last week or so. Unfortunately, luck was against us and after much hunting around we couldn't locate any. We did have the fortune to see 4 Chough (a first for John) within seconds of getting out of the car, several flocks of Scoter out at sea and also an 'out of habitat' Nuthatch on a gorse bush.

Next stop we decided would be Hen Borth, near Cemlyn on Anglesey where 42 Laplands were seen two days ago. We found the area easily enough but again we were thwarted and couldn't locate any. We did manage to see quite a few siziable flocks of linnet though feeding in the scrub fields.

After this we shot over to Cemlyn next door as a Dotterel was reported on the headland yesterday. On the way round there we met a couple of birders who were looking for the Laplands. They told us it was them who'd reported the Dotterel the day before and they told us exactly where it was. True to their word, we found the bird right on the end of the headland feeding in the short grass. It appeared to be a juvenile bird and was very accomodating by allowing us to get within about 10 yards of it and didn't seem to be bothered by our presence at all. Other birds seen at Cemlyn included Little Egret, Redshank, Turnstone, Curlew and loads of Stonechat and also a very curious stoat on the wall by the rocks.

We then bobbed in to Traeth Dulas on our way back eastwards just for a quick look. The Peregrine was in his usual spot and other birds seen here were Greenshank, Curlew, RB Merganser and Little Egret.

After a quick buttie we then made our last call at RSPB Conwy with a hope of seeing the Grey Phalarope. We soon found the right hide to view it from but unfortunately for us it was hiding behind an island about 30 yards in front of us and we didn't have a great amount of time left before we had to head back home. Only after waiting about half an hour did it decide to emerge and give us good views, despite the light being none too great!!

All in all a good day out with a few new lifers for both John and myself. I found out when i got back that the couple we met at Hen Borth had eventually found the Laplands and reported them in. We missed out on them by about an hour. Typical!!

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Henry Cook wrote:

If you are struggling for Lapland Bunting on the Great Orme Steve, there's a chance of some on the top of the nearby Little Orme. Have been up to 3 birds there lately too. Might be worth a try if your first stop doesn't produce the goods but is a bit of a hike up the hillside.Good luck.Henry.

Henry I hadn't noticed the Little Orme birds reported anywhere. I know someone going over there in the next couple of days and a pointer as where to look, website/ actual location, would be helpful please.

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

Steve Collins wrote:

Yes good to see you Sid.
Glad you finally got them. I'll try again tomorrow before I come home as I believe there were 3 still up there this afternoon!
At least I got a few photos of the Grey Phalarope at Conwy as I didn't get any of the one at Hope Carr a couple of years ago.
Steve

If you are struggling for Lapland Bunting on the Great Orme Steve, there's a chance of some on the top of the nearby Little Orme. Have been up to 3 birds there lately too. Might be worth a try if your first stop doesn't produce the goods but is a bit of a hike up the hillside.
Good luck.
Henry.

Steve Collins · Status: Offline

Yes good to see you Sid.
Glad you finally got them. I'll try again tomorrow before I come home as I believe there were 3 still up there this afternoon!
At least I got a few photos of the Grey Phalarope at Conwy as I didn't get any of the one at Hope Carr a couple of years ago.
Steve