Of Puffins and Peregrines a guided birding day on Anglesey

Although our day was to be spent on Anglesey we just could resist a quick scan from Llanfairfechan promenade as we were passing! It proved a good move as there were plenty of birds offshore, Gannets were close in and giving a spectacular show diving, like huge darts, for fish hitting the water with a huge splash! Some of the Gannets rested on the surface and we enjoyed wonderful views through the telescopes. Red throated Diver, Great crested Grebes, Red breasted Mergansers and Common Scoter were all added to our fast growing day list. Then we found two handsome drake Eider diving out in the bay. A nice surprise was a Peregrine Falcon sat on a rocky crag and posing for everyone to enjoy in the scope.

On to Anglesey and we visited Traeth Lligwy and Traeth Dulas adding lots of new birds. Kittiwakes and Sandwich Terns were feeding just offshore and we watched gangs of Red breasted Mergansers fishing and displaying.

On the north coast we visited Cemlyn Lagoon; this marvellous reserve is always full of birds. We were soon enjoying great looks at two Mediterranean Gulls and flock of stunning Golden Plover many in near full breeding plumage. Gangs of Sandwich Terns were sorting out their nest sites for the coming breeding season as Redshank and Oystercatchers were feeding around the edge of the noisy colony.

We walked down the lane by the lagoon and watched Chiffchaff feeding and Sand Martins flying purposefully west. A ploughed field held a huge flock of Linnets and some very cute spotty piglets! We picked three Lapland Buntings in flight and as we watched they dropped in to another ploughed field so we were off in pursuit. After a little hard scanning we had these rare birds in the scopes as they shuffled about with Linnets in the furrows. Always a real thrill to see these Arctic visitors, and very lucky to have scope views of them on the ground.

As we left Cemlyn a Peregrine flew leisurely over us and the huge sunroof on the vehicle was put to good use as we watched the magnificent raptor. At Beddmanarch Bay we enjoyed our picnic lunch and kept on adding great birds. A Swallow fed right above use, Brent Geese were out in the bay and we enjoyed both Bar and Black-tailed Godwits.

The harbour at Holyhead gave us great views of Black Guillemots in their dapper breeding plumage and it was great to see a Shag sat right next to a Cormorant for comparison.

Up to South Stack RSPB reserve where we soon found our first pair of Chough and were delighted to watch soar in the same thermal as a Peregrine. At the cliffs we gazed down on Puffins swimming about just off the cliffs, what a wonderful bird! We shared the telescope filling views with other visitors that did not have binoculars or scopes and enjoyed their reaction when they saw frame filling Puffins! More Chough swooped and bounced through the air around us as a Rock Pipit sang from the cliff top. A pair of Stonechats showed off on the gorse and we enjoyed a cuppa and some very good cake at the RSPB café.



Next stop was Malltraeth where we enjoyed great views of yet another Peregrine, was on following us? Pintail and Teal showed off on the pool as a Little Egret fished the river channel.

In nearby Newbrough Forest we quickly added a selection of woodland birds including Great spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Long tailed Tits.

Our final total for the day was a very impressive 96 species and all seen at a pace that allowed each one to be really enjoyed.

Why not join us to discover the wonderful birds of North Wales and beyond? We are sure you will have a fun day and will almost certainly add to your knowledge of birds and where to find them.

Contact us at info@thebiggesttwitch.com or call Alan, anytime, on 07778 677141

We look forward to enjoying great birds with you!