With reports of a Great Grey Shrike being seen fairly regularly in the Clocaenog Forest about thirty miles south-west of us we headed out to see if we could find this scarce winter visitor. It was a fine morning as we headed down the Conwy Valley and past Betws-y-coed and on down to Cerigydridion. Here we left the main road and into the vast conifer plantations of the Clocaenog Forest. We parked and walked up hill towards the communication tower at Craig Bron Bannog; this spot gives a commanding view of the forest and is where most of the shrike sightings had been reported. We puffed up the track under lining just how unfit we are, typing is not a great a great aerobic exercise! We reached the top and the mast, wow! What a view, the forest stretched below us on all sides and amazingly the sun was shining and combined with our efforts climbing up had us feeling very warm. We had just arrived when another birder joined us and asked if this was the site for the shrike we explained it was and within minutes he exclaimed “got it!” We quickly followed his directions and there was a beautiful Great Grey Shrike showing off on top a bare hawthorn bush. It was pretty distant but with the scope we had great views of its black bandit mask, grey back, black and white wings and tail and white tinged pink breast, stunner! The shrike moved from tree top to tree top and then dropped down out of sight behind a ridge leaving us wanting more. More birders arrived and we told the tale of where we had seen the shrike. Quite a group gathered and it was good to catch up with old friends not seen since before The Biggest Twitch. Then Kenny shouted “Goshawk!” Where? At first directions were hard to follow, it is a massive sky to locate a bird in, but eventually we realised which tree of the millions it was above and everyone enjoyed great views. As we watched not one but two Goshawks slowly flapped over the forest and sparred with each other, probably the best views we have ever had of Goshawks any where in the world. Smiles all round and everyone agreed we were all very lucky to have views like that. Then the shrike was back and a few moments of panic as tripods were hastily repositioned and the group again enjoyed another top draw bird.
On our way home to Llandudno we took a detour to check an area where Red Kites are sometimes seen and our luck held. We not been parked over looking the wood for more than five minutes when a gorgeous Red Kite drifted above the trees, surely one of the best looking birds of prey any where? As we watched a second bird joined the first and as they twisted and turned the colours of the fox red tails showed off in the spring sunshine. We were amazed by these great birds but more was to come, a third and then a fourth Kite appeared something unthinkable here not many years ago! Time to quit while we were ahead and get back to the keyboard and more typing but a great morning's birding to savour. 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 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 woodpeckersWe also 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!If 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!