Focusing on Conwy Birds
A custom photography day around Conwy County
Pre-breakfast birding on the Great Orme
Early morning and we visited our "back garden" also known as the Great Orme. We quickly enjoyed close views of Fulmars, looking down on us from cliff nest sites. Lots of seabirds, of course, with frame filling views of Guillemot, Razorbill, Cormorant, Shag and Kittiwake all going about their morning routine. A Black Guillemot was a very welcome addition to our fast growing day list. A Kestrel mobbed a Raven, right above us, bit of a miss match but the falcon did force the corvid into a couple of barrel rolls. Rock Pipits showed off really well on the stonewalls and an unexpected juvenile Grey Wagtail walked along in front of us, unusual here in June. A pair of Chough allowed us fantastic views as they preened and stretched in the morning sun, wow! But even better was to come, we watched an adult Peregrine high on a rock - always great to see. Then came the main event, a juvenile Peregrine swept low over the limestone pavement making a mock attack on a group of Carrion Crows. Suddenly there were two juvenile Peregrines above us and over the next five minutes they put on an air show that would have had the Red Arrows green with envie! Superb flying skills as both birds turned, twisted, stooped and generally had fun in the sun! We were left stuuned and elated to have witnessed such amazing birds showing us what they were capable of.
Great views of Fulmar
After a great breakfast we were off agian and headed for the hills. Redstart families were all over the place and Malcom's camera was in over-drive. We mangaged a few nice pictures with our bridge camera, such lovely birds.
Juvenile Redstart already living up to its name
Not only Redstarts but lots of other juvenile birds were out and about, Stonechats seem to have had a great breeding season and we enjoyed watching lots of these cracking birds.
Stonechat against a background of heather
We also found a family party of Whinchats feeding in the same area as one of the Stonechat families and very photogenic too!
Whinchat surveys the scene from its rock
Wren fresh out of the nest
It was a busy area and we enjoyed lots of birds, a male Ring Ouzel hopped into view and collected a huge beak full of worms allowing us lots of time to enjoy this mountain thrush. A male Hen Harrier swept low over the grassland always a thrill to see.
Dropping down from the high moors we enjoyed a lovely, if rather late lunch at Tu Hwnt i'r Bont at Llanrwst, well earned we thought after a lot of great birds and a lot of photos taken.
Stained glass window at the 13th Century Caerhun Church
'St Francis a prechynge unto ye birdes' Preaching? Or was he pishing them in?
After lunch we had a change of scene and visited the 13th century church at Caerhun in the Conwy Valley. A lovely spot with marvellous views of the Conwy River and mountains. A Peregrine gave good views and we enjoyed watching a Mistle Thrush collecting caterpillars - great photos again. We think it had at least seven caterpillars in its bill at once!
Mistle Thrush with a full payload of worms!
We would love to arrange a custom birdwatching or photographic day out for you. Simply drop us a line and we can do the rest.
info@thebiggesttwitch.com
We look forward to hearing from you soon!