Pledge 2 Fledge at RSPB Conwy
The Biggest Twitch Pledges 2 Fledge at RSPB Conwy
We made our way to the beautiful reserve at RSPB Conwy early on Sunday morning.
Spectacular backdrop of Conwy Castle and Conwy Mountain
Not many people about first thing, but this stoat popped up for a look
Curious little animal, watching us watching him!
We set up our scope in the Carneddau hide and started looking for birds. We didn't have to look far.
This juvenile Great Crested Grebe cruised by not far from the hide, great to see the grebes have bred successfully this year
Badger-faced juvenile Great Crested Grebe
Quite well grown now but that's not going to stop junior begging for food!
There were plenty of birds to look at from the Carneddau Hide, with a range of waders in front of us including juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, and Lapwing as well as Tufted Duck, Pochard and Shoveller not to mention the Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, gulls, hirundines, warblers... In fact we saw nearly 50 species without even moving from the hide.
Great fun sharing birds with everyone
It was great fun sharing these birds with everyone, large and small, experienced and new birdwatcher, as they came to the hide, and showing them the close-up view though our scope. "
Oh wow!" was a frequent comment, and "
I've only ever seen one before, that's amazing!" and "
I didn't think there was anything out there first of all but they're so clear in your scope" and our particular favourite "
I wish you had come on holiday with me!" Height was no barrier, with some very enthusiastic junior birdwatchers climbing up on the RSPB steps to take a better look through our telescope as, together with RSPB volunteers Glyn and Phil we pointed all the birds to everyone as they filled the hide.
Sharing the birds means double the pleasure!
This Whimbrel wandered over the exposed mudflats
Carpet of pink
Of course, there aren't just birds there are plenty of other beautiful sights to see including wildflowers.
Hidden gems
We talked birds and Pledge 2 Fledge all day and hopefully fledged some new birders ourselves as well as encouraging others to take someone new out birdwatching another day. If you'd like to take someone out watching birds as part of the exciting global initiative Pledge 2 Fledge, click on
http://www.globalbirdinginitiative.org/pledge-2-fledge/ to find out more about it. It's great fun, it's very rewarding, and it's all free. So go on, give it a go!