With the Audi having its MOT today Alan was left on foot. As the garage is in Glan Conwy it is only a short walk to the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve. The weather was pretty grim with drizzle and a cool breeze but still plenty of birds to see. Three Chiffchaffs hammered out their simple songs by the railway line and a Common Buzzard flapped heavily past through the damp air. On the lagoons a pair of Great Crested Grebes displayed very close to the Tal-y-fan hide. It was wonderful to watch these beautiful birds go about their elaborate courtship only a few yards away. The birds turned towards one another and mirrored each others movements perfectly. The pair shook their heads, turned away, preened their backs all in perfect mirrored unison. At one point they dived together, the male coming up with a small fish which was gently presented to the female before more mirror head shaking, a true sign of spring. More signs of spring were above the lagoons as two Swallows and four Sand Martins worked hard to find airborne insects in the cool damp conditions. A pair of Goldeneye were also in the spring mood with the male following the female closely where ever she went. He threw his head back in display but the female looked very bored with the performance, perhaps it was to cold for her? Ten Black-tailed Godwits were feeding in the shallows and five Common Snipe fed right out in the open no doubt enjoying the damp conditions. A Little Egret flapped over heading for the east end of the reserve and a gang of Grey Herons could be seen in the woods opposite the reserve. These birds are well into their breeding season, refurbishing nests and could have eggs already. Glad to say the car is now back on the road so hope for more good birds tomorrow.
Would you like to go birding with Alan? See below for details….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 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!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 woodpeckersIf 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!