Frustration turns to elation
Frustration turns to elation!
A call on Sunday afternoon told of two Waxwings on the Great Orme Llandudno just minutes from the house! The timing, we thought, was perfect Ruth had just returned from a very successful shop at Conwy Feast and Alan had just watched Manchester United beat Stoke City. Binoculars and scope were grabbed and we dashed up to the cemetery and joined other birders looking at the berry laden hawthorns on the steep bank. The birds had dropped down out of sight just before we arrived and a tense wait ensued. A juvenile Ring Ouzel flew in and landed giving wonderful scope views, but no Waxwings. Alan decided to try a different angle and tried climbing up the bank to view down in to the bushes. It seemed a good idea but the steep slope was covered in thick brambles and gorse and it was very painful going. Sadly despite all the effort still no Waxwings, it seemed they must have slipped away before we arrived. Now very cold and fed up we headed for home, to miss such wonderful birds so close to home was painful.
Next morning it was back up the Great Orme early, in the frost, but a beautiful morning. Turning down towards the cemetery, emergency stop as four large finches landed on a roadside hawthorn. Amazing sight, four Hawfinch were looking back at us! Very rare birds up here, they soon continued on their migration and flew off north, right place at the right time. At the cemetery birds were everywhere with flocks of Siskin, Redpoll, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Linnet all moving through. Taking the path above the bushes we had great views down on to the hawthorns, a male Blackcap showed well and then two birds swept in across the tombstones – Waxwings! Frustratingly they landed out of sight and panic ensued as we tried to relocate them, suddenly there they were sat right on top of a small bush in the sunshine! Wow! In the scope every detail of their wonderful plumage could be seen, stunning birds. All too soon they flew and headed off round the hillside and were lost to view.
Heading out on to the limestone pavement area a male Snow Bunting was seen twice but refused to show well and we settled for flight views of this lovely bird. A Tree Sparrow flew north, another local rarity, and a tailless Skylark caused a moment of panic but it was just that – a Skylark without a tail.
All in all a great morning on the Orme.
If you would like to join us for the best in birding just drop us an email info@thebiggesttwitch.com for details we have birdwatching day trips running every week. Up coming trips include Martin Mere WWT to see thousands of geese and wild swans, Dee Estuary to see raptors, waders and wildfowl, Anglesey for waders, wildfowl, seabirds and more. We know you will have a great day!