A day in superb Wales.
Posted 14-03-10 at 04:23 PM by JONNY74
Set off early yesterday morning with my packed lunch and flask with the intention of a good days birding. Headed to Wales for the day again to see if I could finally see the Surf Scoters on the North Wales coast. And also catch up with Ruth's sneaky Black Redstart from the other week.
Started the day early morning at a location I think is best keep secret for obvious reasons. With the weather the way it was being overcast, cold and quite breezy I was quite surprised at the first real bird I saw as I started walking from the car. A large raptor had me fumbling for my bins. A mighty female Goshawk displaying for a good few minutes over the canopy until she disappeared at pace in to forest. I was over the moon as I knew these birds were present at this location, but due to their secretive nature I thought there was little chance of getting to see one. It's been years for me since I last saw a Gos so all though not the real reason I went to this place I headed off at lunch time towards the coast with a beaming Smile.
A few birders were about at Old Colwyn were the Scoters have been showing well all week. And yes you guessed it spent a few hours there with no luck on the Surf Scoters. But some other great birds including loads of Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter a Long tailed duck and a Fulmar.
Moved on to Kinmel bay on the way home. And finally feeding around the caravans at the far end of the beach the Black Redstart. A lovely little bird it is. Although I hope nobody reports me as a peeping tom for looking towards the caravans with my bins
.
A good day anyway despite the hiding Surf Scoters.
List
Goshawk
Buzzard
Goldcrest
Colwyn and Kinmel Bay
Common Scoter
Velvet Scoter
Long tailed duck
Great crested grebe
Red throated diver
Fulmar
Oystercatcher
Turnstone
Redshank
Black Redstart.
Started the day early morning at a location I think is best keep secret for obvious reasons. With the weather the way it was being overcast, cold and quite breezy I was quite surprised at the first real bird I saw as I started walking from the car. A large raptor had me fumbling for my bins. A mighty female Goshawk displaying for a good few minutes over the canopy until she disappeared at pace in to forest. I was over the moon as I knew these birds were present at this location, but due to their secretive nature I thought there was little chance of getting to see one. It's been years for me since I last saw a Gos so all though not the real reason I went to this place I headed off at lunch time towards the coast with a beaming Smile.
A few birders were about at Old Colwyn were the Scoters have been showing well all week. And yes you guessed it spent a few hours there with no luck on the Surf Scoters. But some other great birds including loads of Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter a Long tailed duck and a Fulmar.
Moved on to Kinmel bay on the way home. And finally feeding around the caravans at the far end of the beach the Black Redstart. A lovely little bird it is. Although I hope nobody reports me as a peeping tom for looking towards the caravans with my bins
.A good day anyway despite the hiding Surf Scoters.
List
Goshawk
Buzzard
Goldcrest
Colwyn and Kinmel Bay
Common Scoter
Velvet Scoter
Long tailed duck
Great crested grebe
Red throated diver
Fulmar
Oystercatcher
Turnstone
Redshank
Black Redstart.
Total Comments 2
Comments
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A nice report of your super day out in Wales Jonny!
So glad to hear that you finally caught up with the Black Redstart,she's a stunner isn't she!
We dipped out with the Surf Scoters too......great news about the Goshawk,that must have been a real thrill for you!Posted 15-03-10 at 12:22 PM by Twitcheruth
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Yes Ruth was really pleased to finally get the Black Redstart, and it was a really nice day. I seem to be getting a bit of luck on the birding front lately but I think Wales helps as its a top area for birding.
Posted 15-03-10 at 11:18 PM by JONNY74
