With an influx of Black Redstarts into the area we headed up the Great Orme just behind our house in the hope finding our own. We could have just popped over to the Little Orme at Penrhyn Bay where five birds were being seen and enjoyed by many birders. No, we wanted our own bird. We set off as one heavy rain band moved through and took the path along the base of the cliffs towards Llandudno west shore. As we neared the coast the wind picked up and no birds were to be seen let alone redstarts. The area just behind the beach has held Black Redstarts on a number of occasions in previous years and with so many about we thought we were in with a chance. We scanned the scruffy area where a hotel had once stood, now demolished, and thought it looked perfect for a Black Redstart, sadly none was in residence. Taking the path above the Marine Drive we searched the cliffs, so much ideal habitat, but again drew a blank. We worked our way back along the coast road checking the boulder beach but not even a Rock Pipit let alone a redstart. Then the heavens opened again and we trudged home wet and birdless!
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.