An early morning visit to the nearby Conwy Valley, just a few miles south of Llandudno, proved very worth while. First stop was a bridge over the Conwy River where it is still tidal. The water was dropping and exposing a narrow strip of mud which was busy with birds. Common Sandpipers were every where! These diminutive waders were rushing around on the wet mud feeding like they had never fed before. Even though it was early July the numbers were impressive, at least 31 sandpipers were along the river banks on both sides of the bridge. Towering over the Common Sandpipers were 17 Little Egrets striding through the shallows hunting fish. Good to see this number of egrets after they were hit hard in the bitter cold of last winter. A single Greenshank was feeding on the north side of the bridge, always a pleasure to see this elegant wader.
Nearby a beautiful ancient church yard provided a change of habitat, the Yew trees here provide home to a good number of finches and one in particular, the Hawfinch. This large colourful, bull necked bird is pretty tough to find in most places, but here you have a real chance. By entering the church yard very quietly and slowly it was possible not to disturb the birds feeding here. Greenfinches were easy to see and Nuthatch clambered around a dead branch. A hard “ticking” gave away the fact that Hawfinches were present! A tense few minutes followed with the birds heard and not seen. Suddenly a Hawfinch popped up into view in one of the yew trees. More quickly followed and at least eight birds were seen over the next half an hour! The birds gave wonderful views, with adults feeding fledged juveniles, amazing stuff, very few records of this very scarce bird in July.
On the water meadows below the church two more Little Egrets and two Goosander rested on sand-banks in the river channel. If you would like to join us for great birding just drop us and email for details info@thebiggesttwitch.com