Birding on The Great Orme
Damp start brightens up!
October dawned, wet, very wet. It poured down all morning. Finally the water stopped and the sky lightened enough after lunch to tempt us up the Great Orme. This wonderful limestone headland is just behind the house so in a few minutes were up on top enjoying panoramic views of the mountains of Snowdonia and the North Wales coast. We met two friends who had just seen a Short-eared Owl but sadly it had dived out of sight. The air was still and the sun broke through, it was wonderful to be out after the morning’s rain.
The Great Orme, Llandudno, North Wales
Walking across the limestone pavement we reached a ploughed field that was alive with birds. Most were Meadow Pipits but scanning revealed more. Three Wheatears bounced around flashing their white rumps, gorgeous birds in the soft afternoon sun. Linnets shuffled about at the field edge and a Stonechat kept watch from the wall. Two Skylarks crept mouse-like through the furrows, easy to overlook. Three Common Buzzards sat in the next field, one calling its cat-like whine almost constantly. A migrant Goldcrest popped up in a wind bent hawthorn bush, a tiny gem of a bird, wonder where he had last made landfall?
With sun sinking it was time to head back and head off to give a talk. We headed east along the coast for Wrexham to entertain the Wrexham Birdwatchers group with tales of The Biggest Twitch. With Ruth at the wheel Alan could scan for birds, safely. As we passed St Asaph and crossed the River Clwyd, a large black bird swept in from our left. It was flying quite fast with rapid shallow wing beats followed by a glide then more wing beats, a Glossy Ibis! We were stunned as the rarity swept over the road in front of us and headed south following the river, wow!
A great end to the first day of October after such a dismal start, and a thank you to the Wrexham Birdwatchers whose invitation had us in the right spot at the right time.
Why not join us for the very best in guided bird watching tours in North Wales and beyond? For more information, email us on info@thebiggesttwitch.com We look forward to hearing from you....