North Wales and Anglesey

Joel Tragen · Status: Offline

RE: North Wales and Anglesey

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

07.30 World's End c.35 Black cock at lek and surrounding moorland 1 Stonchat 1 Dipper singing in stream near ford 1 Bullfinch male 12.00 Kinmel Bay:
2 Snow Buntings (m & f) - the famale showing down to 6 feet away on the path and sea wall
2 Linnet
2 Skylark
2 Ringed Plover
2 Sanderling
Common Scoter - c.50

16.00 Colwyn Bay:
4 Red-throated Diver - 1 bird close to the shore
1 Guillemot
Common Scoter - lots!
6 Great crested Grebes

-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Monday 15th of February 2016 10:42:56 PM

-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Monday 15th of February 2016 10:52:10 PM

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Awsome Afternoons birding in North wales -On a whim decided to head to the Little orme Llandudno in the hope of seeing the Black Redstart Male in the Top Quarry . On Arrival I found the path leading to the quarry ,It must be the steepest path to any bird,Think Pendle without steps, streight up,and slippy slidy -Anyone with no head for hights or bad legs don't bother trying.
Anyway finally got up there and and was the only one there ,I soon found the Black Redstart and what a stunner ,ive never managed to get close ever to one of these ,but the hour and half I spent with this bird made up for it,What a cracking bird ,and one of those experience I will never forget,as it spent most of its time about 15 feet away ,I sat low on a rock and it soon got used to me,and was happily feeding around me all the time ,from where I was Ihad stunning views over Colwyn bay.
So What did I see On the Little Orme
Black Redstart - 1 Male Top Quarry- 1 Female Bottom Quarry
Chough-2
Raven-2
Stonechat-2
Rock Pipit-1
Red Throated Diver - 2 Flying East
Also quite a good Number of Grey Grey Seals in Angel Bay smile emoticon

Then went to Rhos on Sea
Purple Sandpiper-7+
Red Throated Diver-1
Common Scoter -Plenty

Finished off at Kimnel Bay where I saw
Snow Bunting - 1 Pair (The Males a stunner)
Sanderling-200
smile

Chris Sutton · Status: Offline

I did the same circuit as Mark with similar sightings. But I did manage to see a Black Redstart and a Chough (c. 12:30 -2) at the Little Orme. Also Fulmar, stonechat and red throated divers.
The male Black Redstart was in the top quarry (in the right hand corner when you have your back to the sea) and reportedly the female was in the same sort of area in the lower quarry, but higher up the cliff.
One birder I met reported seeing 13 Hawfinch at Llanbedr Y Cennin .
Chris

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Part day in North Wales today, primarily to see the Hawfiches and Snow Buntings at Llanbedr Y Cennin and Kinmel Bay respectively. Also visited the lower quarry on Little Orme but didn't have enough time to get up to the upper quarry. The weather was fine and cold, some sun and a little bit of rain.

Llanbedr Y Cennin

Hawfinch (6)
Red Kite (1)
Nuthatch
Great spotted Woodpecker
Raven (1)

Little Orme

Fulmar (c.10)
Stonechat (1)
Teal (4)
Shag (c.6)
Common Scoter (6)
Kittiwake (c.10)

Kinmel Bay

Snow Bunting (2)
Skylark (2)

No sign of either Black Redstart or Chough at Little Orme although, as stated, we didn't venture to the upper quarry. The Snow Buntings were quite confiding until disturbed by a couple of dog walkers. Seed is still being put down on the shingle by the big log one hundred yards east of the car park and just past the graffiti sprayed No 3s at the side of the cycle track.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Double checked back in the thread to see if the first mentioned species had been reported previously without censorship and it has so here goes!

Up early and on the moors at Worlds End for 7.45am this morning to see the well publicised (hence I think mention of it here is OK) Black Grouse lek. My wife Carys has seen hundreds of Black Grouse but never seen a lek hence the visit. We weren't disappointed with the main lek site containing 20 Black Cocks, bubbling & hissing away and squaring up to each other putting on a fantastic show. This continued for an hour with birds leaving but returning a couple of times. The only sour note was an occupant of a car behind us getting out whilst grouse were still on the lek, causing the inevitable - all but 2 birds flying off for good. Turns out the 2 cars behind were together & he wanted to swap cars, great timing!!! On chatting to the birders in the car in front the offending birders will be named & shamed by their reg numbers being put on Facebook, not sure I'd go that far but I do hope their fieldcraft improves in the future! Further down the road another 25 birds were near another lek and a few scattered individuals meant that c.50 birds were seen, all males.

With a good forecast on my BBC Weather app we headed up to the coast. Here we popped in to the Little Orme and walmost immediately saw 2 Black Redstarts in the lower quarry above Angel Bay, 1 male & 1 female. They headed out of sight round the headland so we headed up to top quarry where they both showed incredibly well, even posing for photos in the sunshine. A Chough played aerobatics with two Ravens in the quarry just above our heads, these intelligent corvids really looking like they were enjoying competing at who could ride the winds best!! A good dozen Fulmars on ledges in the top quarry added to those lower down. The winds up high in top quarry were almost too strong to stand up in so only a quick scan out to sea from well back from the cliff edge. A small flock of c.6 Kittiwakes were seen picking over the waves, almost tern like! Lots of Common Scoters were out amongst the wind turbines, but too far to scan for rarer scoters. As several dog walkers entered the quarry & headed towards the Black Redstarts we decided to head back down. The birds must be used to this as they must be used to the constant attacks from the resident Robin, he really didn't like them and chased them incessantly!

Next port of call with time running short was a pop in to Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. Here a cracking immature Scaup was on the tiny model yacht pond in the company of 4 Mallards, looking totally out of place. On such a tiny pond views were outstanding, a great bird to finish the day. All too soon we had to head home, even though it was only just after midday due to my work commitments.

Nigel Troup · Status: Offline

Today was another reminder that we should never be slaves to the weather forecast. Though chilly, and a little breezy, the sun shone all morning and there was only the briefest rain shower.

Highlights....

Kinmel Bay (8:45 to 9:30) - Snow Bunting 1, 200 yards east of Asda, on the sand, just beyond the sea wall. Also Reed Bunting, 2 Skylark, 7 Ringed Plover.

Llanbedr-y-Cennin - Easiest Hawfinches ever. A couple watched in top of tree on road beyond church (heading eastwards), followed by at least another eight in flight, possibly more.

Little Orme - f Black Redstart at bottom of quarry, just above Angel Bay, but then ascended quarry wall. c6 Fulmar on ledges. Raven and two Chough. Pair of Stonechat. Shag. Single Common Scoter close offshore from Penrhyn Bay, and small flock of Wigeon. Three Rock Pipits near storm drain, but no sign of Twite.

Colwyn Bay - there was very little on the sea all morning, but a Great Northern Diver was fairly close offshore at the eastern end of the prom.

Home by 14:00.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Penrhyn bay/Beach
Single Twite feeding on seed with a small Linnet flock in a small grassy area at the top of the tide line

Little Orme quarry
Black Redstart a nice male, apparently there are two birds been seen 1m & 1f,
Chough 2
Raven
Fulmar 5

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

An entertaining run around some classic North Wales spots today with Steve Burke and Chris Chandler, mainly prompted by numerous Hawfinch sites around the country reporting birds in the last week. We headed for Llanbedr y Cennin at around 7am with high hopes.

First stop was very brief at Pensarn beach, hoping for some easy Snow Buntings. We were a bit conscious of time so we didn't stay long, the birds weren't found in any case. We picked up a few decent birds, Red-breasted Mergansers and Ringed Plovers showing well were nice. A few Common Scoters were on the water.

At Llanbedr we parked outside the church gates, and as we disembarked we could hear Hawfinches calling from the trees by the church. We saw 4 birds within 5 minutes! As other birders arrived and people spread out we began to see lots of movement in the trees behind the churchyard and continuing along the line of the hill. A group of 7 was seen together then we had a view of 12 birds flying together back to the churchyard. Then we saw a group of 5 feeding well in a tree and low enough that they were in front of a dark background, which allowed a great view of their plumage. Absolutely superb stuff. I don't think any of us thought we'd see a dozen birds when we set off. We stayed for about 90 minutes, and we were watching Hawfinches for half of them by my reckoning.

We headed for Conwy RSPB absolutely buzzing, I have posted on the other thread for that visit.

Ollie Wright · Status: Offline

Popped into RSPB Conwy this afternoon en route home from Abersoch. Found a Firecrest close to the Wildlife Garden area - also at least two Goldcrests.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Had another bash at trying for Surf Scoter within the Common Scoter flock at Old Colwyn/Llandulas. Failed again! Arrived at the lay by just east of Old Colwyn at 10.30 to be met by sunshine and very blustery winds, so much so that it was necessary to push down on my scope to try and keep it steady. There must have been well over 1000 Common Scoter but not much else.

Went on to Llanfairfechan and Morfa Madryn after an hour or so and stayed in that area until 13.30, the sun had gone in by now although it was, in the main, cloudy and fine. No divers or grebes on the sea, save for a few Great crested Grebes. The highlight was around 50 Pintail. On the flooded fields adjacent to Morfa Madryn were Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Redshank, Little Egret and Curlew.

Next stop the front at Llandulas which drew an absolute blank, so doubled back to the front at Old Conwyn where the large Common Scoter flock was stretched out adjacent to the shoreline, some birds way out with others closer in (but still quite distant). An hour of searching produced a female Velvet Scoter but no Surfs. Whilst looking, also came across Red throated Diver and Red breasted Merganser. Birds of note:-

Red throated Diver (5)
Great crested Grebe (c.10)
Cormorant
Little Egret (1)
Shelduck
Wigeon (c.200)
Teal (c.100)
Pintail (c.50)
Common Scoter (c.2000)
Velvet Scoter (1f)
Red breasted Merganser (c.8)
Buzzard (1)
Oystercatcher
Turnstone (c.15)
Curlew (c.200)

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Steve Burke and I had a run out to Anglesey today to try and see a Slavonian Grebe or 2. We had a brief stop at Llanfairfechan to see if anything was on the water there but nothing much was about so we pushed onto Penrhos Country Park at Holyhead, a new spot for us both. No Slavonians on the sea, but great views of 3 adult Great Northern Diver around the Arthur's Seat viewpoint and a more distant Red-throated Diver. Also a single Eider that foxed us for a while, we thought in the end a male bird, either an immature moulting into adult plumage or an eclipse adult. Also a nice male Red-breasted Merganser and a few Great Crested Grebes.

It was very breezy and we figured birds might be sheltering on the Inland Sea so we headed round there. We actually saw one of the Great Northern Divers fly off over the causeway, as if to prove the point. There were some great birds on there, we were a bit surprised to see a decent number of Brent Geese, also an interesting mix of Goldeneye, Wigeon, Shelduck, Tufted Duck and more Mergansers. As we walked around the shore from Four-Mile Bridge back north towards the bridge we noted a really dark Rock Pipit and also a few Meadow Pipits, that were also really dark, and a Stonechat. Not sure what the significance of the dark Pipits was...

A Little Grebe was a slightly incongruous bird on sea water, and also the wrong sort of Grebe under the circumstances. We again pinned down 3 Great Northern Divers, more than likely the same 3 we thought, especially as we had seen one commuting. We did see one bird that looked great for Slavonian for me, but Steve wasn't convinced, and when we got better views we just couldn't say with belief that it was a Slavonian. It really was enigmatic, at some points it looked smaller, darker on the back, white-ish flanks and so on, then at the next turn a long neck, longer, pink bill and the same size as a Great Crested swimming by.

It was great birding though, the wind was less strong down there and any rain held off. Watching the divers at sea level was brilliant; I'm more used to looking down from a headland. We had a quick dart back to the Country Park, but there was nothing much about. However as the tide had receded there were birds all over the place, Redshanks and Curlews were feeding along the various shorelines, more Brents and ducks could be seen and also several flocks of small waders in flight, which were predominantly Dunlin we thought, along with hundreds of Herring and Black-headed Gulls. We ended the expedition and headed home.

A cracking area to visit and a good day out.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 28th of December 2015 07:49:45 PM

Nigel Troup · Status: Offline

Anglesey is a wet place at the moment. Fields west of Valley, normally dotted with feeding crows, are now home to ducks: Mallard, Shoveler and Gadwall were all dabbling happily, while Redshank and Curlew fed along the edges. The flood water at the foot of Gorad Hill, which hosted two White-fronted Geese a couple of weeks ago, is now home to a pair of Mute Swans.

The main objective of my weekend visit was to help with the December WeBS count. As a new recruit, I act as a utility player, so my third count of 2015 took me to my third different location: the series of bays on the North West coast between Porth Penrhyn Mawr and the mouth of the Alaw, finishing with a section of Beddmanarch Bay visible from Penrhos CP.

Happily, though there was some drizzle about, the weather was a good deal kinder than the previous day. It was not a bad place to be asked to look over, with a fair variety of birds, but no enormous numbers to tax the counter. There were at least two Great Northern Divers around the river mouth, and probably a different bird opposite Holyhead harbour. Singles of Slavonian Grebe and Black Guillemot (in winter plumage) were in the channel at Penrhos CP, along with seven Great Crested Grebes, a pair of Red-breasted Merganser and c30 Wigeon. As the tide dropped, 100+ Pale-bellied Brent Geese dropped in. The highest counts of waders were 375 Dunlin and c80 Grey Plover roosting on rocky islets off the NW shore at high tide. There were decent numbers of Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatcher, while Ringed Plover and Turnstone both appeared in lower numbers. Some of the best birds were out of scope for the count, with the wet fields attracting big numbers of Golden Plover (500+) and Lapwing (300+). Nine Pintail, on the sea, were just outside the boundary. Non-water birds included Chough (three on the beach at Penrhyn), Stonechat, Linnet and Reed Bunting plus Jay and Coal Tit in the woods at Penrhos.

Saturday was nearly a write-off. However, five Fieldfare, a Lesser Redpoll and c150 Lapwings flew over my base at Silver Bay when the rain finally stopped. I dropped in at a very flooded Malltraeth Marsh late afternoon, where 18 Whooper Swans were on the floods. On a late walk over my patch on Sunday afternoon I had an unexpected find in a flooded cattle field to the south of Bodior: a feeding Greenshank.

Elsewhere, there were two Great Northern Divers and a Scaup on the Inland Sea WeBS count. Two long-staying Firecrests are still at Porth Eilian.

Sean Sweeney · Status: Offline

8 Goosander flying east along the River Dee near Hawarden Airfield this morning, a scarce bird in these parts.

Also of note, I had a short-eared owl in fields between River and the Airfield on 4th November.

steven burke · Status: Offline

pensarn beach 8.45-1.30pm in very choppy conditions but paid of very nicely.

1 leach's petrel, just after 11am about 40-50 yds from the tideline giving great scope views as it was dangling its legs down & feeding of the surface, watched for almost 5 mins before it eventually got fed up of the gulls around it. then about 20 mins later possibly the same petrel in almost the same spot for a couple of minutes before being harassed by the gulls again. smile

1 red throated diver
1 kittiwake
4 auk sp, 1 of them possibly a black guillemot !
2 guillemot
6 red breasted merganser
2 great crested grebe
lots of common scoter far out, but several a bit closer in.
thousands of gulls, majority herring gull, 5 great black backed gull, 3 lesser black backed gull, common gull & black headed gull, couldn't find anything else !
a nice surprise of a 40+ flock of greenfinch
3 linnet
1 skylark
3 meadow pipit
38 lapwing over
lots of oystercatcher around
35 redshank
1 ringed plover
1 dunlin
15 curlew
smile

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Another part day on the North Wales coast. Mainly Llanfairfechen, walking down to the first hide at Morfa Madryn from 11.35 until 15.30. Then a brief call at the 'elevated' lay by to the east of Old Colwyn. The weather was quite cold, blustery with a fair bit of rain, heavy at times. Not quite as good a day as my visit last month and overall, a bit flat. Amongst others :-

Red throated Diver (1)
Red breasted Merganser (c.35)
Great crested Grebe (c.30)
Razorbill (2)
Oystercatcher
Black tailed Godwit (1)
Turnstone (c.5)
Common Scoter (c.1000)
Raven (2)
Dipper (1)

The light was fading by the time we got to Old Conwyn and the sea was a bit choppy. The Common Scoter flock in this area has built up to around one thousand but, in the dull, grey conditions we were unable to pick out any Velvets or Surfs. Two Surf Scoter had been reported on 7 November at nearby Llandulas.

Nigel Troup · Status: Offline

I managed to find a brief window in the weather at Silver Bay on Saturday morning. Visiting winter thrushes are still around in good number, with marked increases in Blackbird and Song Thrush and a few Redwings feeding. A double figure flock of Greenfinches has taken a liking to the seeds from the burnet rose hips at the foot of my garden. Also visiting the garden is the Great Spotted Woodpecker that has taken a liking to my palm tree.

There were few waders on the beach, but I put up a Woodcock from the edge of the cattle field by the plantation and three Snipe from the headland. Star of the show was also on the headland: a Firecrest feeding alone in low bushes favoured by Reed Buntings; there seems to have been quite an influx of them in North Wales over the past few weeks. It gave wonderful views for a couple of minutes before moving into denser scrub. It is my third record here, the first since March 2013.

Not much birding done in Sunday's hideous weather, but there was a good selection of common waders around the mouth of the Alaw, and eight Pintail a little further upstream.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Spent the afternoon on the north Wales coast, firstly between 13.15 and 14.45 at Llanfairfechan, then another hour or so from the layby above Old Colwyn. Weather fine and pleasant enough for this time of year but unfortunately no sun, being cloudy and rather grey.

Llanfairfechan, amongst others :-

Red-throated Diver (2)
Great crested Grebe (c.300)
Cormorant
Mute Swan (8)
Common Scoter (c.25)
Oystercatcher (c.100)
Red breasted Merganser (7)
Razorbill (c.15)

Old Colwyn, amongst others :-

Red-throated Diver (17)
Great crested Grebe (4)
Cormorant
Common Scoter (c.350)

There were only very light winds today and the sea was like a mill pond. You are quite distant, though, at the Old Colwyn layby and a bit of sunlight is needed to try and pick out Velvet Scoter and especially Surf Scoter. Probably a few weeks too early as well at the moment although it was good to see decent numbers of Red-throated Diver.

Phil Cunliffe · Status: Offline

I managed an hour at Cemlyn yesterday, the highlights were: 1x Kingfisher, 2 x little egret, 3 x redshank, 1 x curlew and a skein of pink footed geese. I didn't hear about the yellow browed warbler that was spotted at Wylfa though. On the way back home today I stopped off at Conwy RSPB to walk the dogs up the cycle path to the castle when I bumped into a Steve Culley who told me that there were three spoonbill on the reserve. I threw my keys at my wife and daughter and practically ran to the hide expecting a long walk home later. Excellent views of a top lifer.

Nigel Troup · Status: Offline

September visits to Silver Bay coincided with wader passage, and a single morning count of seven species on the eastern end of the beach, including eight winter-plumaged Sanderling, was noteworthy here. A few Gannets still fed offshore and two juvenile Sandwich Terns that passed through the bay ere late stragglers. Chiffchaffs were still singing in the middle of the month, and six Jays were an unusual feature.

This weekend, attention turned to the headland. Saturday mornings circuit produced a couple of dozen Meadow Pipits, two Rock Pipits, a Snipe and seven Reed Buntings (I hadnt seen one here for a few months). The highlight, though, was a Lapland Bunting that fed close to the coastal path, allowing really good views. This species is regular on The Range, five miles up the coast (a Dotterel was here for three days during September), but is not easy to track down in this vast area; it was my second record at Silver Bay. A Sparrowhawk watched the party with interest.

Sunday morning was better still. Skylark and Reed Bunting were up to double figures, and at least two pairs of Stonechat were present. A flock of 30+ Goldfinch had arrived, along with small numbers of Linnet and Greenfinch. The Lapland Bunting flew over calling. There was no sign of two Wheatears that had materialized the previous afternoon, but two Chough were later joined by six more. Five Buzzards circled over the White Eagle.

As always at this time of year, there were Goldcrests in nearly every bush and tree. These were joined by Long-tailed Tits and Coal Tits (I have never seen so many on the island), but there was no sign of any of the scarcer migrants that can appear in these mixed flocks. Great Spotted Woodpeckers also seemed more numerous than is normal.

Wader activity has subsided on the Alaw too, where Greenshank numbers were down to two (others may have been hidden beyond the bend in the river). Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher and Dunlin were the only other species seen on a brief visit, though a Kingfisher was good to see.

There is a small freshwater pool just south of the Inland Sea, where four Black-tailed Godwits and nine Snipe openly exploited the low water levels; a couple of Little Egrets and c30 Teal were also present. On the salt water here, and across the embankment in Beddmannach Bay, Great Crested Grebes are slowly building in number. There were six Brent Geese here two weeks ago; the number has moved up to a couple of dozen. Wigeon flocks are also building fast, and 22 Mute Swans have set up base, though other winter wildfowl have yet to arrive. I found seven Med Gulls on a cycling circuit on Sunday afternoon, two of them lazing in the high tide roost at Penrhos CP.

steven burke · Status: Offline

Llandudno, great orme.

1 yellow-browed warbler
1 firecrest
both seen in garden of house on st tudno's road just before church yard.
no sign of the Lapland bunting despite several searches from myself & ian lyth.
min 28 stonechat
5 wheatear
1 rock pipit
lots of meadow pipit & linnet around
8+ goldcrest
4 coal tit
1 peregrine falcon
2 buzzard
2-3 kestrel
1 chiffchaff
1 blackcap
2-3 raven
several razorbill on sea, with several more auk species a bit further out.
oystercatcher, curlew & shag around the rocks.

nice to meet up with ian lyth again.

Nigel Troup · Status: Offline

I am well into the final portion of my last summer break on Anglesey. The weather at Silver Bay over the past week has been of the type politely called unsettled: the wind cant decide whether to blow Force 5 or Force 6, though the temperature is settled in the mid teens. This has given the season an autumnal feel, and birds have picked up the cue.

Passerines have started to form mixed flocks, which have included Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and even a Lesser Whitethroat in their number. A Wheatear was on a neighbours lawn early in the week, and Chough (eight this morning) have dispersed onto the headland between Silver Bay and Borthwen now that the breeding season is complete.

On the sea there have been regular sightings of passing Gannets and Manxies, and a flock of three Common Scoter was noteworthy, but nothing special has blown by.

Waders have been the most rewarding group as return passage gets fully under way. The Alaw estuary is my favourite local site at this season. Truly wild and under-watched, it turns up relatively small numbers, but plenty of variety. Fourteen of the eighteen species that I have seen this week have been found here. It can be approached from the sea in Valley, or further upstream at Llanfachraeth. It is the latter that has been more productive. There is no parking near the river, but it is only a short walk from the village, along Minffordd, the track that opens by the Holland Arms. Care needs to be taken near the foot of the hill, as there is little cover and birds are easily spooked; it is worth stopping by the steel gate and scoping over the muddy banks. Those birds that head upstream are lost beyond an inaccessible bend, but those that head the other way usually present further opportunity from the next quarter mile of recently-created track on the opposite side of the river that forms part of the Anglesey Coastal Path.

I spent a good two hours here last Sunday morning with my good friend Norman Rowbotham, former Manchester birder now settled on the island. We managed three Green Sandpipers, four Greenshank, a Dunlin and three Common Sandpipers in the area described above, with a Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, two Bar-tailed Godwits, some distant Ringed Plovers and five Ruff (a good count for Anglesey) further downstream. Curlew and Oystercatcher were plentiful and 13 Snipe flew overhead. At least six Little Egrets were along the river and small numbers of Teal and Wigeon have started to return. On Wednesday afternoon I found a Spotted Redshank feeding in the channel (a first for me here); it was still present this morning. Other wader sightings include Turnstone and Knot (Inland Sea), Sanderling (Silver Bay) and Lapwing (Valley Wetlands). Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint should make an appearance within the next couple of weeks.

Species count for the week: 95.

Shannon Llewellyn · Status: Offline

Just back from a fantastic (too) short holiday in Rhosneigr, an absolutely stunning location, even if you ignore the wealth wildlife that can be seen. Some of the highlights:

Rhosneigr village, beach and coastal walk to roughly Barclodiad y Gawres:

House martin
Sand Martin
Swallow
Linnet (ubiquitous)
Greenfinch
Stonechat (lots)
Wheatear
Pied wagtail (lots)
Starling
Jackdaw
Chough
Carrion crow
Rook
Raven
Ringed plover (lots)
Dunlin
Sanderling (one)
Redshank (lots)
Oystercatcher (loads; the most common wader, unsurprisingly)
Curlew (lots)
Turnstone
Black-headed gull (lots)
Common gull (one)
Herring gull (lots)
Lesser black-backed gull (only a couple, which surprised me)
Great black-backed gull
Sandwich tern
Cormorant
Shag
Grey heron
Little egret
Buzzard
Various dunnock, robin, blue tit, collared dove, etc

Occupied house martin and collared dove nests found.

Llyn Maelog, a lake in the village:

Willow warbler
Chiffchaff
Whitethroat
Sedge warbler
Linnet
Goldfinch
House sparrow
Pied wagtail
Grey wagtail
Swallow
House martin
Sand martin
Starling
Coot (between 100-200)
Moorhen (one)
Mallard
Tufted duck
Pochard
Wigeon
Great crested grebe
Green sandpiper
Herring gull
Lesser black-backed gull
Great black-backed gull
Grey heron
Cormorant
Also what looked like a greylag - Canada goose hybrid (normal greylag body, white cheeks, black cap and chin and a Canada's bill; it was also very vocal, having an almost canine like call).

South Stack cliffs:

Willow warbler
House martin
Swallow
Linnet
Greenfinch
Stonechat
Meadow pipit
Rock pipit
Chough (lots; what a bird)
Herring gull (the most numerous gull species here)
Lesser black-backed gull (the only place on the holiday where I saw this species in numbers)
Great black-backed gull
Fulmar (one)
Gannet
Cormorant
Shag
Oystercatcher
Kestrel

Holyhead Marina also held a little egret, a redshank, and a curlew

Have had a wonderful few days, and have seen six species I've never seen before. :)

-- Edited by Shannon Llewellyn on Friday 14th of August 2015 10:36:02 PM

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

A work-related trip allowed a couple of hours across the following destinations:

South Stack, Anglesey

Still plenty of Guillemot and Razorbill on the cliffs along with plentiful Herring Gull, though Kittiwakes have now left along with Fulmars. However, there were still a few juvenile Kittwakes knocking about on the sea. Only a single Puffin was seen, near to one of the burrows. At least 20 Gannets seen and a constant stream of Manx Shearwaters around the far side of the lighthouse. Juvenile Peregrine also seen along with a juvenile Stonechat.

Aber Ogwen NNR/Spinnies

offshore from the car park, the unusual sight of 3 Velvet Scoter, 2 drake and a female. Failed breeders? Also, 8 Little Gulls and a whopping 73 Little Egret along the far shore.

Gronant

Today's count of Little Tern, according to the board, was 232. Also seen was a Grasshopper Warbler on the way up to the viewing platform

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Late post from yesterday evening, Cors Bodgynydd NR in Gwydyr Forrest 8.45- 11.00pm

Nightjar 1m &1f, initially the male bird was picked up Churring from a small copse then the female was heard Croaking within a 20 metres radius, after several minute both birds were in the air displaying their almost mechanical like flight action the male wing clapping and giving close views the white tail and wing markings clearly visible in the fading light. Well worth enduring the menacing midge population.

Also noted
Tree Pipit
Goldcrest
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Song Thrush
Willow Warbler
Buzzard

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Trip over to Anglesey today in lovely warm and sunny weather. First called at Holyhead Harbour for the Black Guillemot, then on to South Stack where we spent the bulk of our time, finally calling at Cemlyn Bay. Only stayed at the latter for around one hour so didn't really give it the time it deserved. Amongst others :-

Fulmar (c.6)
Gannet (c.15)
Shag (2)
Buzzard (2)
Kestrel (1)
Peregrine (1ad, 3juv )
Red legged Partridge
Oystercatcher
Kittiwake (c.6)
Sandwich Tern
Common Tern
Arctic Tern
Guillemot ('000s)
Razorbill ('00s)
Black Guillemot (4 min)
Puffin (6)
Skylark (1)
Rock pipit (3)
Stonechat (2)
Whitethroat
Chough (c.10)

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

Highlights of High Peak rspb group visit to Anglesey on Sunday:
Fishers Quay in Holyhead harbour prouced 4+ Black Guillemot and Whitethroat
South Stack :4 Chough, 7 Puffin including some at nest burrows, 4 Manx Shearwater, 3 Rock Pipit, Wheatear, Stonechat, many Guillemot and Razorbill, Fulmar, Peregrine Falcon attacking nesting Guillemot. 9 Gannet.
Cemlyn Bay: Mediterranean Gull. Superb views of many Arctic, Sandwich and Common Tern. Some almost within touching distance as they flew overhead to nesting area. 3 Red Breasted Merganser.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

The summer plumage of the 3 Black Guillemots in Holyhead harbour belied the feel of the weather this morning, so Messrs Ausberger, Rigby, Rayner and self, along with Miss Foulkes, lost no time in heading on to South Stack. Plenty of Razorbills and Guillemots as expected and a single Puffin on the water below Ellin's Tower saved us the walk to the lighthouse steps. There was a good passage of Manx Shearwaters and Gannets north and east around the end of the lighthouse island, with several Fulmars among the gull colony. A Kittiwake on a low grassy ledge just below the apex of the 'dangerous cliffs' cleft was less expected. A couple of strangely silent Choughs headed towards the usual sea cave location, and Rock Pipits were heard.
After a quick(ish) warm up in the café we walked south east along the cliffside path in search of other wildlife. Singles of Wall Brown and Painted Lady, a tiny grasshopper and a queen Red-tailed Bumblebee were the only insect life among a rich variety of plants in this warmer area. A couple of Rock Pipits, a Shag, several fairly confiding Chough, Linnets, Great Tits and a family part of Stonechats were seen, but the highlight of the walk was a small pod of at least 3 Risso's Dolphins giving good 'scope views for several minutes as they worked a calmer area offshore before heading north. A Grey Seal closer inshore and a rather skulking Whitethroat completed the tally for here.

The afternoon was spent in our usual woodland spot south of Llanrewst, with excellent views of foraging Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher, along with Blue Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Blackcap and Nuthatch. A male Redstart carrying food was seen in another area of the wood, a Common Buzzard sky-danced overhead and at least 6 Red Kites were seen over the surrounding hills.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

In Llangollen today on a non birding road trip. Decided to travel back via Worlds End and we were rewarded with a nice Whinchat pair.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Nice sunny day on Anglesey, Highlights.

South Stack RSPB

Stonechat 1m
Rock Pipit 5
Chough 6
Manx Shearwater 14
Gannet 12
Puffin 6
Fulmar 8
Razorbill, Guillimot several thousand
Peregrine 2

Cemlyn NR

Sandwich Tern 2000+ (result of a reading count)
Arctic Tern 2
Red Breasted Merganser 2
Oystercatcher 20
Ringed Plover

Penmon Point

Eider 17M, 8F
Gannet 20+
Shag 20+
Puffin 2
Razorbill x lots
Guillimot x lots
Sandwich Tern 20+

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted that by Dave Ousey:

Just myself and Bob K made the trip into Wales last Saturday due to poor weather forecast for Sunday etc. We left Shaw around 6am in my new (ish) Kia Rio Diesel. Decent conditions had been forecast. First stop was Holyhead Harbour and a couple of Black Guillemots were soon located, the weather was quite nice by now, so, on to South Stack. Always one of Bob and my favourite places to visit, such a variety of habitat and the view is spectacular! A small gathering of Choughs were watched feeding and as we walked towards Ellin`s Tower a few Rock Pipit`s were doing a bit of courting. After locating a few Puffins on the sea below the cliffs, a look north revealed a few passing Manx Shearwater`s with their stylish flight very much in evidence, what cracking birds they are! We passed along a new path, for us, after the RSPB visitor centre, with a sign saying, "Public Right of Way". Bob was spoken to by a lady, who said, " I own all this land, but not for much longer as I am sick of all you twitcher`s walking along this path". We were both quite mystified by her comments and left her to get on with looking after a few goats! Not very many small birds were seen as we walked a few of the many paths above South Stack, time to move on. As we passed Penrhos NR a few terns were seen, in amongst them were 2 Little Tern`s, well spotted Bob! Next stop Cemlyn Bay with a very good showing by lot`s of Sandwich, Common and Arctic Tern`s. Along with a couple of breeding plumaged Mediterranean Gull`s you might have been forgiven for thinking you were on your holidays. Bob took advantage of the warm conditions and took a nap, whilst I tried in vain to take some pictures of the passing tern`s carrying food items. Returning to the car a local cow (Moo Type this time) had gone for a walk onto the shingle and stubbornly sat down on the car park, nothing the farmer could do would move it! We just missed a Yellow Wagtail and after a good search for the bird, returned empty handed, but we did managed to enjoy the view of the Skerries though. It was now quite sunny and so, we decided to stop at RSPB Valley. We have not been here for quite a while, but on this evidence we will call in again. Lots of warblers, Willow, Chiffchaff, Reed, Sedge, Cetti`s, Whitethroat and then we heard singing, a couple of Lesser Whitethroat. Lots of water birds made up a good selection at a nice reserve. We decided to set off for home at a leisurely pace and reached Rochdale by 5-30pm. Good day out in typically nice Anglesey conditions.
Dave Ousey

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 28th of May 2015 11:04:13 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

12.00-15.00

Walk from Talacre to the Grosant Little Tern colony and back.

A steady Southerly movement of Sandwich Terns just offshore, I did'nt see any fly North, they must do that further out in the bay.

8 Sandwich Terns were gathered on the beach, and I watched one feed another adult, probably it's mate, a large Sand Eel.

The Little Terns too are mainly seen flying South, usually in groups of 4, they stay just offshore until near their colony, before turning inland.

The colony is again wardened, but there was'nt the drama I witnessed on a previous visit, where the warden was trying in vain to scare off a Kestrel with a klaxon.

The only visible disturbence today was of people wandering too close, although there was a large gathering of big gulls about 250yds away, including 4 Great Black Backs.

Several Carrion Crows were gathered around the site too. Despite this the colony seems to doing well, judging by the numbers of commuting adults, and at least one pair

of Ringed Plovers seem to enjoy the protection too. 60+ Dunlin and 30+ Ringed Plovers were feeding on the shore nearby, with 8 Skylarks around the adjoining dunes.

A trickle of Swallows were heading North along the shore, 4 House Martins too.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Aber Valley

Not the best conditions conducive to good birding due to the high blustery winds, However when the wind did abate some quality birds were picked up on song, Highlights.

Pied Flycatcher 1M & 1F more heard but unable to locate
Redstart 2 striking male birds, Again more heard but unable to locate
Grey Wagtail 2
Wheatear
Many Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler

Again unable to locate Wood Warbler which I'm told by local birders are in this area.

Ugly House Tea Rooms

Pied Flycatcher 1M & 1F in the gardens
Redstart singing in the canopy but unable to locate

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Trip over to North Wales in warm sunny conditions, Highlights.

Nant Y Coed,

Pied Flycatcher 2, 1M & 1F
Common Redstart 2
Grey Wagtail 2
Treecreeper

Llanfairfechan promenade at high tide, Fairly quite bird wise.

Sandwich Tern 2
Guillemot 2
Gannet 7
Fulmar 2
Red Breasted Merganser
Common Scoter 200+
Oystercatcher 100+
Bar Tailed Godwit 2

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

Probably underestimates John to be honest, but, still easily outnumbered by the Black-headed Gulls present. According to the warden, the Arctics had all arrived that morning

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Patrick Earith wrote:

Cemlyn Bay

Sandwich Tern 40+
Arctic Tern 10+
Common Tern 5

John Tymon Wrote

Bloomin eck those Tern numbers look low for the time of year ,I would have expected 10x the amount of Sandwich Terns to be at Cemlyn by now,hope they have not had a bad winter :(

-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Sunday 3rd of May 2015 07:57:02 PM

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

Cemlyn Bay

Sandwich Tern 40+
Arctic Tern 10+
Common Tern 5
Mediterranean Gull 2
Red-breasted Merganser 1m 1f
Black-tailed Godwit 1
Turnstone 10
Dunlin 20
Ringed Plover 2
Whimbrel 1
Oystercatcher 15
Redshank 2
Meadow Pipit 6
Rock Pipit 1
Guillemot 1 off the point
Whitethroat 2
Blackcap 2
And an unexpected male Redstart fly catching from one of the hedges near the car park

Spinnies/Aberogwen

Sandwich Tern 12
Eider 5m 1f
Great-crested Grebe 22
Whimbrel 6
Curlew 1
And in the fields opposite the car park
Whinchat 1f
Greenland Wheatear 1m 1f

Aber Valley

Redstart 2m 1f
Pied Flycatcher 1m
Garden Warbler
Cuckoo (heard only)

-- Edited by Patrick Earith on Sunday 3rd of May 2015 07:28:56 PM

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted today by John Williams:

Great Orme 10.00-15.00

1 Rock Pipit near old gunnery site, Meadow Pipits numerous throughout.

A steady passage of Gannets and Fulmars offshore. 10+ Razorbills amongst the rafts of Guillemots below the headland. Large numbers of Kittiwakes here too.

Both Shags and Cormorants below the cliffs, the latter being far more numerous. 4 Great Black Backed Gulls patrolled the headland.

An Harbour Porpoise swam amongst a large raft of Kittiwakes, and they just ignored it.

6 Ravens, including a pair resting near the clifftop cafe. These seemed quite tame, as if expecting titbits from the customers.

Also 6 Choughs performing tremendous aerial acrobatics around the cliffs.

11 Wheatears around the hilltop, mostly males. 5 of these were probably "Greenlands" being noticeably larger than the others.

The only other migrants were 4 Pied Wagtails, a single Chiffchaff, plus a few passing Swallows.

2prs of Stonchats on the heath area, and with one pair were 2 juveniles, which appeared newly fledged.

Their parents seemed very edgy, so I stayed well away, hopefully the gorse thickets will keep inquisitive dogs away too. 2 Linnets here too.

With a cool North Westerly blowing, the only butterflies seen were a couple of Small Tortoiseshells, there were lots of bumblebees braving the chill though.

-- Edited by John Williams on Thursday 30th of April 2015 08:26:48 PM

Nigel Troup · Status: Offline

For those considering a weekend trip to Anglesey, a belated summary of last weekend is below. Obviously things will have moved along since.

I pulled into the lay-by at Llyn Cerrig Bach at about 8:45 pm, as I completed my outward journey last Friday evening. The air was still and mild and sound travelled well. I could hear what sounded like a distant possible Reed Warbler and a less distant possible Grasshopper Warbler. A Cettis Warbler was definite, rather than possible, and less than 100 yards away. I had hoped to hear the Bittern that has been booming from somewhere near Llyn Dinam for over a week, but drew a blank. I felt confident that I would pick up a wave of new common migrants over the coming weekend.

The weather changed its mind overnight. The sky was clear, but the easterly wind was strong and it brought a cold edge that was to be a feature of the weekend.

Wheatear was the most noticeable bird at Silver Bay. A ploughed field between the front row of lodges and the headland has acted as a magnet to passing birds. I counted 16 on the morning walk, alongside many Meadow Pipits, six White Wagtails and a few Linnets; the total had increased to 24 by late afternoon, some of them of the Greenland race. A Whimbrel called nearby, and four more were on rocks at the east end of the bay. Also on the beach were six Ringed Plover. The best bird was entirely unexpected: a pale phase Arctic Skua passed across the end of the bay, heading towards Rhosneigr in the company of Sandwich Terns: a patch first.

I spent the next two hours on the Range with my friend Norman, keeping up my near-perfect record of failing to find Hoopoes. A bird found the previous Monday had been re-discovered on the previous two days, but there was no further sign of it over the weekend.

Llyn Penrhyn hosted c300 Sand Martins in the afternoon, with a House Martin and two Swallows, but the strong wind kept the warblers down.

Sunday started with a text from Ken Croft: always a good sign. He had found a pair of Garganey and two Ring Ouzels on a flooded field on the South Stack Road, just outside Holyhead. A couple of hours later I was onto the Garganey in exactly the same spot that Ken had found them seven days later last year. A hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crow was in the adjacent field, but not the Ring Ouzels. I carried on to the Inland Sea where three long-staying and very late Long-tailed Ducks are still present. A Common Sandpiper and two Whimbrel were new arrivals, and Sandwich Tern numbers on the rocks off Ynys Leurad have built up to 30. One Goldeneye and at least eight Red-breasted Merganser are still on the water; Redshanks were down to low single figures.

Further news of Kens next round of discoveries filtered through during the morning and drew birders to Malltraeth Marsh, just outside Llangefni. I made a pleasant circuit of this rich, but challenging, site with David Wright, one of the wardens at Cemlyn. It was David that spotted the first good bird of the day: a Red Kite, being mobbed by crows and hirundines high above. This species is now extending its range into the Conwy valley, but remains scarce on Anglesey, and was a first here for me. Next up was a female Marsh Harrier, followed by another of Kens earlier finds a Great White Egret, of which I had a frustratingly brief flight view before it dropped into impenetrable reeds on the opposite side of the Cefni. Small numbers of Reed, Sedge, Willow and Cettis Warbler sang from the reeds and sallow; Chiffchaff and Blackcap were near the car park.

I wanted a better look at the egret, so started a second circuit. The last field before the river had held 30 to 40 White Wagtails first time around. I quickly noted the intense brightness of a magnificent Yellow Wagtail; moments later I picked out a second bird, this time of the blue-headed race. Although failing to get a decent view of the egret, I had a lucky break on the return leg when I spotted the bird that had drawn most of the birders here, but which had gone missing for the afternoon. Little Ringed Plover is no longer a major find in Greater Manchester, but is very scarce on the island and was yet another Anglesey first for me, completing a very satisfying afternoon.

The wind dropped about 5pm and the sun shone. As I drove home through Rhoscolyn, two Sedge Warblers were in full song.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tues 21st April. 05.15 - 10.30 hrs. Nice sunny day.

Worlds End.

Black Grouse. Picked up seven separate leks .......... c 33, 18, 15, 12, 11, 11 & 9. All cocks.

The three largest leks were all road side, the others out on the hill.

One of the 11's (I think) flew into join the 33 and all were seen off in a matter of minutes in a joint effort by the cocks already present.

Another major flurry of activity was when a Grey Hen flew into the centre (from across the road) of the 33 ..... the testosterone levels really shot up the scale !

Roger.

PS. Just had a quick reckon up ...... 109 cocks to one hen ........ 108/1 for conjugal rights ...... it's little wonder they're always squaring up to each other.

steven burke · Status: Offline

abergele & pensarn, a quick stop before jumping back on the train to Llandudno.

only 3 common scoter close in, 2 male 1 female, all the rest were way out to the windmills.
7 red throated diver
1 great northern diver giving excellent scope views biggrin

8 red breasted merganser
12 great crested grebe
1 swallow

Llandudno, great orme.

not thousands but hundreds of guillemot & razorbill on the cliffs as were..
kittiwake
fulmar
shag
cormorant
out at sea was 8 gannet
several sandwich terns passing
picked up a flock of scoter going from my left to right, heading in the direction of colwyn bay, 2 stood out like a sore thumb & as they became closer it soon became clear that they in fact 2 drake surf scoter with 14 common scoter smile

7 chough
2 peregrine falcon
4 kestrel
1 buzzard
3 ring ouzel, 2 at the mine, 1 along the limestone path
2 common redstart, a black redstart was reported also but no signs for me.
8 wheatear
4 stonechat
4 rock pipit
3 chiffchaff
1 blackcap
a great day out with 51 species seen
smile

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Hey thanks for the response Sid

You must have had the weather on Friday for sure, we felt sorry for the small birds up there this morning. We were trying to work out if it was a place that Tree Pipit might be just passing or if it would attract them for the summer, I think you've largely answered that one.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Simon the Tree Pipit was atop the young conifers on the hill just behind the plantation - it was singing on and off in the calm Friday morning sunshine.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Sunday 12th of April 2015 10:52:47 PM

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Just wanted to add a few thoughts to Rob's post. Thanks as usual mate for the driving.

The Black Grouse were superb, it was the first time I'd seen any, we timed it perfectly really and to see 50+ birds was outstanding. They were featured on Countryfile this evening, which was a nice coincidence. We did a bit better than Ellie the presenter too. The noise those birds make is something else, the burbling bubbling call mixed in with the hissing was awesome to listen to. A thrilling experience all in all.

Then while we were still watching the big group of Grouse, 2 of the Ravens flew over low showing really well, and then the Goshawk. This was a big bird so most likely a female as Rob says, it had strong markings on the underside on a buff coloured base plumage, and the upper body and wings were a slightly sandy grey-brown. This indicates a juvenile to the best of my knowledge. The 'heavy hip' was very evident. We were lucky to see it at pretty close range showing nicely as it powered over.

This was also the point where the mystery bird was visible on the ridge up to our left. I was less thinking Cuckoo than Great Grey Shrike personally, I had a view of something that perched and then flew off that was much more the latter than the former. All speculation though ultimately...

If any readers were wondering at which point a Cormorant appeared, this was seen over the M56 on the way back, and a lot of these sightings were either in the area coming up out of Minera or in the river valley through and beyond the moors heading on towards Llangollen. But the finches were in 'The Plantation', we ended up with great views of the Brambling and Redpolls courtesy of 'Eagle Eye Burke'. No Crossbills, which was irritating but you shouldn't be greedy.

Lastly, we were really intrigued by Sid Ashton's Tree Pipit sighting. It's not a species I know that well, but in the howling wind today we weren't expecting singing male birds on tree tops, they'd have been blown to Chester. Sid, can you elaborate on your sighting at all? Clearly if it was a sighting that implied breeding behaviour then maybe a message? Now I've seen the place, and what a place it is, it has made me rather curious!

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

A cracking half day birding at World's End (before a cracking United result!) in the usual quality company of Steve Burke and Simon Gough.

39 species seen for me on the day and some very interesting sightings during that time!

Nice to bump into Brian and Helen, and so sorry about your glasses Brian.

At least 40 Rook seen feeding on the A483 roadside edge
Black Grouse - nearing 70 birds in total, excellent to watch and their eerie call constantly heard "choo-eesh"
-In Leks of 11 Blackcock and 1 watching Gray Hen
-then a Lek of 6 males
-then another Lek of 6 males
-a massive Lek of 28 males
-another 4 showing heads only above the Heather
-and plenty of flyover individuals too!

1 Red Grouse
2 Red-legged Partridge
Numerous Pheasant
2 Wheatear
Lots of Skylark (singing high up and on ground)
Lots of Meadow Pipit
(Some appeared slightly larger so checked for Tree Pipits but as far as we reckon all Mipit's)
2 Curlew over
Lots of Blackbird
(Lots of them, constantly checked for possible Ring Ouzel)
5 Common Buzzard in total
1 Goshawk - slowly gliding over the moor before the parking spots, showed well and we think female as she was quite large
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
4 Grey Wagtail
(These were downright violent with 2 of them trying to kill each other in the road, one had the other pinned on the floor and was laying into it)
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Nuthatch
Plenty of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff heard with maybe 2 of each seen (song identified)

Fairly large Finch flock consisting of...
~20 Goldfinch
~10 Chaffinch
2 Lesser Redpoll
1 m Brambling
1 m Reed Bunting

1 Mistle Thrush
Lots of Raven showing well
Carrion Crows
Jackdaws
2 separate Jays
2 Collared Dove
Only a few Black-headed Gulls
and Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Cormorant over
Plus all the usual Blue Tits, Great Tits, 1 Robin, Woodpigeons, Feral Pigeon, Magpies.

OF NOTE...
Steve and Simon had a Dipper but my excuse is I was driving and Dipped on it when I walked back to get it.
1 bird that showed briefly above the Heather lined hill but soon went to ground was thought to be a possible Cuckoo judging by size although it is only a 'think it was'.

Also plenty of Grey Squirrels and 2 unfortunate large Badgers in the A483 roadside.

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 12th of April 2015 09:11:46 PM

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Made my second visit in as many weeks to the World's End area this time with John Barber for company. We arrived just after 07.00 and immediately picked up a Black Grouse lek. We had time to count the 12 birds present before we had to move on as there were 6 other cars there and no places to stop safely. As we crossed the moors we found another two leks comprising 44 males total and a single female. As the sun was not yet fully up and not raptor time went down to the river to find the resident Dippers. Then back up to the plantation where we found Stonechat, Tree Pipit and Redpoll. From the plantation area we watched Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Red Kite, Kestrel, Goshawk and Buzzards as well as Raven over the ridge.

An excellent morning spoilt only by the roadworks on the A483 which gave us 45minutes early afternoon to do the last 3 miles to the turn off to the A55. If anyone is thinking of going over in the near future it would be worthwhile checking the progress of the roadworks and considering an alternative route.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Great Day on Anglesey today as a Birthday treat

South Stack 9am-12pm-My Favourite place on Anglesey
total lack of seabirds apparently there were 1500 Guillemots at the weekend which all left early in the week ,just a few out at sea.
Wheatear-3
Swallow-4
Sand Martin-1
Raven-3
Chough-3 pair
Stonechat -1
Rock Pipit -4
Skylark- 1 Singing
Fulmar-3

Penmon Point-1pm-3pm My Second Favourite Place on Anglesey
Much Better that south stack
Sandwich Tern- approx. 50 flying just out to sea in no particular direction
Common Eider- 2 Males and 1 Female -The first time I have seen them here after many visits
Raven-1
Guillemot- 50+ dotted on the sea
Razorbill-20+
Shangs-20+
Red Throated Diver -1 in Summer Plumage
lots of chiffchaff
Rock Pipit-3
Gannet- 3 Adults close inshore flying west

and a Common Porpoise

Just outside Penmon heading back to Beaumaris the small pool on the right
Redshank-54
Shelduck-21
Little Egret-1

A beltin' Day in cracking weather on Anglesey
:)

Chris Greene · Status: Offline

Great Orme this morning, 6am till 8am , highlights: Flock of 10 Ring Ouzels,6 male,4female feeding quite happily in field immediately below the Summit Complex,until a passing Kestrel put them up,and they disappeared over towards the West Shore. 60+ pristine Wheatear between limestone pavement and Summit Complex. My first two Willow Warblers of the year around the hawthorns,also 4 Goldcrest in same area. Uncounted Meadow Pipits ,est. 300+. Plenty of Stonechat,Linnets and Great Or me usuals around. Cheers Chris

Pete Welch · Status: Offline

Was allowed a quick look at Pensarn today after a family outing to Bodnant Gardens. Drove down the beach car park and my nine year old spotted the Iceland Gull before I did [we'd discussed how pale it would look with no black in the wings as we drove in...] Showed superbly down to about 20 feet and had the occasional fly round the beach and then back to its spot on the shingle. I really enjoyed it as the whole family joined in playing "spot the Iceland again" as it flew round :)

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Worked overtime today delivering in North Wales in a tacho-less vehicle, so it allowed me a few opportunities here and there for a bit of birding. Very foggy all along the coast, limited visibility.

OLD COLWYN
Bit of sea watching produced...
6 Red-breasted Merganser (4 drakes)
3 Cormorant
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Oystercatcer
1 Turnstone
~10 Common Scoter
2 Great Black-backed Gullsd
Plenty of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and...
Herring Gulls
(Could've been a lot more, visibility was reduced)

PWLLHELLI
On the marshy lake on way out to Abersoch
1 Little Egret
Few Tufted Duck
Charm of Round 20 or so Goldfinch

LLANAELHAEARN
(On the main A499 between Pwllhelli and Caernarfon)
1 Red Kite - cracking views as it was hunting over the fields and hilly moors, twisting and turning with ease and within minutes it drifted further away up towards the hills.

CAERNARFON
on the approach road A499
1 Ring Ouzel - flew infront of the van and the pale neck area was plain to see. It flew over the road and towards the sloping moor that led down towards the coast. I thought I was seeing things and thought it was maybe a couple of weeks early for them, but after checking with Ian it seems now's the time.
Pure chance encounter!

LLANBERIS
Fantastic mountainous scenery with farmland / fenland.
Few Raven over
2 or 3 Common Buzzard

A55 Coast Road near LLANFAIRFECHAN
1 Common Buzzard going for 2 Carrion Crows
(Usually other way round)
1 Peregrine - flying inland from the coast and over the bypass towards the hills
Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls over

OLD COLWYN
Another stop after last delivery.
Common Scoter - approx 600-700
No sign of any Surf Scoters
But a couple of large distant Scoters possibly Velvet's but I couldn't be sure enough to call it!

PENSARN
Dipped on the Iceland Gull.
Lots of Dog walkers on the beach so probably kept it away. Lots of usual Gulls around though.