Early morning forest birding
Alan met Martin Jones early and headed south down the Conwy valley in the dark. As dawn broke they had reached the upland conifers of Clocaenog Forest. A short up hill walk, still plenty of snow and ice on the ground, and they left the mist and came out on top of the hill to wonderful clear views, wow! They had come to look for a Great Grey Shrike found here yesterday, a traditional site for this rare winter visitor to North Wales. The views were wonderful, valleys filled with mist, hills popping out like islands in a white sea. As the sun slowly rose above the mist Martin had the shrike. The striking grey, black and white gem was sat on top of a small dead tree amongst the heather showing off nicely. The early morning light did not allow for any photos but the views with the scopes were great. The Great Grey Shrike at first sat still but then began to preen and took a long time to ensure its plumage was pristine. A noisy gang of 16 Common Crossbills flew low over the hill followed by a Lesser Redpoll. The shrike then moved off over a ridge and Alan and Martin headed back down the hill.
A short drive took them to a small lake in the forest where great views of Common Crossbills feeding in larches were enjoyed. A drumming Great spotted Woodpecker gave hope that spring is on the way.
On again to Llyn Brenig and the larches here held at least 16 colourful Brambling with a large flock of Linnets, great views in the sunshine. An area of heather moorland provided amazing views of three Red Grouse. Two male grouse displayed over the heather, calling “go-back, go-back, go-back” as they rose almost vertically from the cover and then stalling at the height of their climb then gliding back down on whirring wings. While the grouse did their stuff a flock of 110 Pink-footed Geese flew north calling excitedly, where had they come from? Had they roosted on Llyn Brenig? Rare birds in this area.
A roadside stream looked likely for Dipper so they stopped to check it out. No sign at first but then a tumbling song announced a Dipper was here, but where? Then this dapper white breasted bird popped up on a rock mid-stream, lovely.
They then headed back down to the coast and quickly found two Tree Sparrows at Kinmel Bay. That was where the luck ran out, despite a good search no sign of the Snow Buntings on Kinmel Bay beach.
Back in Llandudno late afternoon Ruth joined Alan for a walk at west shore and the Black Redstart showed off nicely on a roof top, and still the sun shone!