Another trip down the Lleyn Peninsula and out to Uwchmynydd headland beyond Aberdaron. The weather forecast had been poor and for once they were pretty much right, wet and windy. It has to be said that the rain soon stopped but the gale force wind kept blowing. Not surprisingly the hoped for visible migration did not happen, most birds had more sense than to fly in the gale. Amazingly a handful of Chaffinches did fly over but did not get far and were blown back towards Aberdaron. In contrast to the poor finches that seemed at the mercy of the elements a pair of Ravens seemed to be enjoying the conditions. These huge corvids hung in the wind above the headland and rolled over onto their backs, croaking loudly, time after time. Surely no evolution at work here just pure fun for these masters of the air?
Back at Aberdaron it was a little sheltered and it was a surprise to see a Swallow hawking over the small stream that flows through the hamlet.
On the back a stop at Foryd Bay, west of Caernarfon, produced plenty of birds. Two hundred Pale-bellied Brent Geese rode the waves in the centre of the bay as hundreds of Wigeon and Pintail flew around as the tide dropped.
Along the coast road from the bay towards Caernarfon a late Northern Wheatear flew along the beach and landed on the low seawall.
We are giving another talk at RSPB Conwy on Friday 11th December at 7pm. The talk will be about our adventures during The Biggest Twitch but we are putting together lots of new images and stories to share with you. Contact the Reserve now to book your seat, space is limited! Call 01492 584091 to book.
There will also be the chance to register for your signed copy of the forthcoming book “The Biggest Twitch”. The print run for the first edition will be limited and demand is already high so if you don’t want to miss out come along and guarantee your signed copy. We hope the book will be published in April 2010.
Alternatively, email us on info@thebiggesttwitch.com to register your interest in the book.