North Wales Moors and Valleys 22 May
North Wales Moors and Valleys 22 May
We met Tom and Chris at Menai Bridge and headed south into the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. The weather forecast had suggested a very poor day, but as so, so often not the case, we dodged a few showers and never got wet all day!
We were soon enjoying a singing male Grey Wagtail by a rushing stream. A little further up the stunning valley we stopped to enjoy great views of a singing Cuckoo. Then a call drew our attention, sure not? But, yes, a Green Woodpecker! This lovely bird flew low over the road, calling again, a real thrill as Green Woodpeckers are very scarce in this area.
A singing Garden Warbler was at first elusive but we were patient but then bingo we had this songster in the scope. An area of scree slopes and grassland at first appeared to be empty but then Tom picked out another Cuckoo. Then "chack-chack" calls alerted us to the presence of a Ring Ouzel. We scanned and scanned but no sign. Another call and this time Alan spotted a pair of Ring Ouzel on a grass slope quite close. Through the Leica telescope the views were just wonderful. The pair of Ouzels were collecting beak fulls of worms and then flying up to the cliffs, brilliant. Nearby a pair of Redstarts showed off, stunning.
We then moved on to an area of oakwoodland where a heavy shower began. Luckily we were parked near a cafe and we decided now would be a great time for a coffee break. Amazingly we saw a Dipper, twice, fly past the cafe window! Rain stopped we headed into the woods and enjoyed Pied Flycatchers and a brief Wood Warbler. Bluebells carpeted the woodland floor where moss covered boulders made a lovely scene. On the stream here we watched Dipper and Common Sandpiper.
We took another walk through more open woodland and again enjoyed Pied Flycatchers, Tom and Chris's favourite bird and one they really hoped to see today. We watched a Tree Pipit, in a tree, and doing his display flight. A male Redstart chased a male Pied Flycatcher as a family of Nuthatch worked their way through riverside trees.
Time for a change of habitat and we climbed, up a very steep road, into an area of moorland with amazing scenery. This area has very special birds and we had three sightings of a male Hen Harrier and a Merlin which mobbed a Buzzard. The surporting cast was pretty good too with Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Skylark, Cuckoo, Raven and two Goosander.
Back down from the hills we had a look over RSPB Conwy and quickly added lots of species to our impressive list. Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Curlew were enjoyed along with Tufted Duck and Great crested Grebe.
We took a drive through the historic town of Conwy, which Tom and Chris had not visited before. Just outside the town a Peregrine cruised overhead - a wonderful bird to end a great day of amazing birds, stunning scenery and lovely company. We look forward to enjoying more great birds with Tom and Chris soon.