Our friend Ken Behrens, an American, now living in South Africa arrived last night, you may remember him from last years diary. Ken birded with us in Ethiopia, Zambia and Malawi and had a big hand in us seeing so many birds in these amazing countries. Ruth had picked Ken up from Manchester Airport and now it was my turn to look after him today. Looking out across Llandudno it was grey and windy not ideal for birding, in particular as Ken wanted to photograph birds in flight for a forth coming book he is working on.
We set out with out much hope, first a trip round the Great Orme, got to be done with all visitors. Birds were few and far between in the near gale force wind. We see a male Peregrine hanging in the wind above the limestone pavement and we marvelled at how this ace raptor had total control of the air despite the wind. At one point the falcon stooped at breath taking speed but pulled out before it hit anything, perhaps just enjoying the thrill of the speed?
Down to the beach at Penrhyn Bay and we were soon watching the gorgeous male Snow Buntings at close range, real stunners and Ken fired off a good few pics. Also on the beach were a confiding Grey Plover and a gang of Turnstones, Kittiwakes fed offshore.
RSPB Conwy in the hope of some shelter but little was had, at least the Tal-y-fan hide allowed some rest bite from the wind. Plenty of birds as always and we were very lucky to find a pristine adult Yellow-legged Gull. This scarce visitor from the Mediterranean was helpfully stood between a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Herring Gull allowing nice comparison.
Llandudno west shore next and armed with a loaf of bread we fed the gulls so that Ken could get shots of various ages and plumages of European Herring Gulls, now split from his home land birds of American Herring Gull. The Lesser Black-backed Gulls turned their beaks up at our bread so pictures were harder to get.
We then birded the coast east to Llandulas but with the very strong wind it was hard going. We have some great close views of Gannets moving west.
Ken had a pretty good day despite the wind and got three lifers, Siskin, Rock Pipit and Rook!
We will try for better photos again tomorrow and hope for less wind.
We are giving a talk on The Biggest Twitch at RSPB Conwy on 16th April at 7pm, again a donation to the reserve will be made, do come along and hear all about our adventure and support this great reserve. Tickets available at the reserve, 01492 584091 for details.Would you like to come birding with The Biggest Twitch? Well now you can!
We are putting together a package of birding tours here in the UK, Europe and further afield using our huge experience to share our enthusiasm for birds, wildlife and wild places with you. We are offering the following trips as set departure tours:Galapagos Islands and Ecuador: April 2010 – there’s been a lot of interest already!
India, Tigers and the north: November 2010We offer custom tours to the following countries with dates to suit you for an individual tour, or you can join a group of like-minded people:Spain, visiting Extremadura and/or the Coto de Doñana
Eastern Turkey for wonderful birds and mountain scenery
Finland and Norway with the very best guides for all the owls and woodpeckersWe also offer custom tours throughout the year in North Wales, day trips or longer to see all the special birds, dates to suit you. Highlights could include Red-billed Chough, Black and Red Grouse, Dipper, Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Goshawk, Atlantic Puffin, Ring Ouzel. Expect to see over 100 species on a two-day tour!If you would like more details of any of these, please email us at info@thebiggesttwitch.com. We would love you to join us for wonderful birds and much more!