With the sun shining and the temperatures rising to an almost spring-like 9 degrees, we decided to try our luck at Llanfairfechan promenade. As usual, we were fooled by the calm at Llandudno, and arrived to find that there was still a chill wind blowing offshore at Llanfair, but with the tide coming in rapidly, we set up the scope for a scan of the water.
There were good numbers of Great Crested Grebes, one pair of which were having a half-hearted attempt at a breeding display, perhaps just trying out their moves before taking things too seriously.
Several Slavonian Grebes were busily diving, with one bird particularly close in to the shore giving us very good scope views. With more persistent scanning, we also picked out 8 Red-throated Divers. Nice to see these birds but sadly they’re not here in the numbers that we’ve been used to seeing in the past. Their numbers have taken a real nosedive over the last couple of years, perhaps as a result of over-fishing in these waters.
By now, that wind had chilled us right through, so we climbed in the car and headed back to Llandudno. In the shelter of the Great Orme, the reliable Black Redstart was flitting around the building site and on the roof of the rather posh new flats next-door. Rock Pipits and a handsome male Stonechat completed the scene.