Black Grouse and much more 13 May
Black Grouse and much more 13 May
We picked up Andrew and Chris at 4am and headed for the moors. As the light dawned we were listening to and watching Black Grouse displaying! No better way to start a birding tour. The grouse were so close the views were stunning. Skylarks sang overhead and a Red-legged Partridge was a surprise amongst the grouse. We watched this stunning spectacle for a long time marvelling at the beauty of the male Black Grouse in a wonderful moorland setting.
Nearby we watched a calling Cuckoo on top of a hawthorn bush and a pair of Whinchats while more Black Grouse were beyound. A Red Grouse posed in the heather allowing great views with more Black Grouse on a ridge behind. We then watched another lek with thirteen more male Black Grouse!
A very welcome hot drink and danish pasteries where enjoyed as we watched singing Common Whitethroat, Lesser Redpolls and more Whinchats. Warmed up we walked up onto a ridge that gave stunning views across the hills and valleys of North Wales, a breath taking view. Here we had amazing views of a male Common Redstart in a dead pine tree. Suddenly two Peregrine Falcons were over us, chasing a feral pigeon! We could hear the whoosh of their wings they were so close, fantastic. Twice feathers flew and twice the pigeon escaped and dived in to the woods, a very lucky bird. More Black Grouse here and another Cuckoo, both Stonechats and Tree Pipits showed off with scope filling views, what a morning.
A large and delicious breakfast next and we saw our first Common Buzzard of the day, a bit late! Full of food we were up on the moors watching and listening to a Curlew by a small pool, Skylark singing overhead too. Then on again and we stopped at an area of lovely woodland. We were soon watching a male Pied Flycatcher, almost overhead, quickly followed by amazing views of a singing Wood Warbler.
Climbing up into the hills we stopped to watch another male Common Redstart, how could you not? More Whinchats and Wheatears followed then a male Hen Harrier! This fantastic raptor really showed off repeatedly mobbing a Common Buzzard. The harrier really pressed home his attacks forcing the Buzzard to dive, twist and turn against the dark heather to avoid the harrier. Wow! A Merlin also put in a brief appearance as a Cuckoo sang, does birding get any better?
Andrew announced "if I could just see a Ring Ouzel this would be the best bird tour I have ever been on". Off we went and climbed higher into the hills, just a minute after stopping the car Alan had not one but a pair of Ring Ouzels in the scope! These lovely thrushes showed off in the sunshine, just brilliant.
We finished the day off at RSPB Conwy where we quickly added lots more birds to our already very impressive bird list. Huge thanks to Andrew and Chris for their great company, hope we can enjoy more amazing birds with you again soon!
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