Conwy valley to South Stack, Anglesey
Alan met Chris and Mel at the delightful Princes Arms Hotel, Trefriw at 7.30am. It was a lovely morning; you could almost think it was spring. Bird song filled the air as they headed north to Llanbedir-y-cennin. The Hawfinches were not in the mood to show off despite the good weather and flight views only were had. Not far away a Red Kite gave wonderful looks in the sunshine. A quick stop over-looking Conwy RSPB reserve boosted the day list with good numbers of wildfowl and waders including Red-breasted Mergansers.
Pulling into the car park at Pensarn beach Alan’s mobile was ringing, it was John Roberts, and he was watching a Surf Scoter at Pensarn beach! It was all of ten meters to reach John and look through his scope, Surf Scoter! The drake showed off amazingly well in the sun on a calm sea, the colourful bill and white head patches glowing. After Alan had put in dozens of hours for just a few distant views over the last few weeks it was a real treat to enjoy such clear views in sunshine on calm seas. The drake Surf Scoter was amongst a large flock of Common Scoter and great views of these were enjoyed, then four Velvet Scoter swept across the sea, flying low and fast, in the perfect light the white inner wings really stood out as the quartet circled back giving prolonged flight views, brilliant.
Very pleased with there perfect timing at Pensarn next stop was Llanfairfechan. Here the sea was surprisingly choppy but Red throated Divers were seen offshore.
Onto Anglesey and great birds were enjoyed around Holyhead. At Beddmanarch Bay a Mediterranean Gull was roosting on the beach with Black headed Gulls just a few meters from the car-park! Out in the bay Pale-bellied Brent Geese were feeding amongst plenty of waders.
At South Stack RSPB reserve a gang of Chough were found feeding in cattle fields, and calling loudly, wonderful views! Walking out to the cliff top an amazing sight lay below. The ledges were crowded with thousands of Common Guillemots all calling and fighting for the best spot. More were sat on the sea and amongst them a few Razorbills and after a long scan a single Puffin was found sat near the base of the spectacular cliffs. Fulmars and Kittiwakes wheeled over the sea and came into the cliffs.
In the small fields above the cliffs Stonechat fed around the stonewalls and then a Black Redstart popped up and showed well, a bonus bird!
On the way back to Trefriw there was time for one more great bird, a Peregrine Falcon, watched on a wooded cliff, telescope filling views of this awesome raptor. What a way to finish an amazing days birding!
If you would like to come birding with The Biggest Twitch do email us and you can be enjoying wonderful birds soon.