As I missed out on a couple of my favorite birds last summer I decided to make a mense this year. Pied flycatcher and Wood warbler completely eluded me last year, so I thought I would visit the place I know they are virtually guaranteed. Ynys-hir is an RSPB reserve consisting of mixed woodland and wet grassland. It is situated in Powys, Mid Wales near the town of Machynlleth. It's quite a large reserve and definitely worth the 2 hour drive for me to get there.

You are greeted in...

I have just returned from a family holiday in probably my favorite place in the UK. Fantastic for birding and other wildlife as well. We stayed in a place on the Ardnamurchan peninsular called Glenborrodale. It is a 10 minute ferry journey and an hour or so drive from Fort William. So it is a little bit out of the way with only some small shops around the area.
The week started really well birding wise with 2 Black Guillemots from the short crossing on the Corran ferry. A stunning bird in...

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...

Took a trip to one of Ruth's recent destinations in North Wales. Started of at the Scoter rich Pensarn for a couple of hours sea watch. Had some great views of both Common and Velvet Scoter but no sign of any of the recent Surf Scoter that have been about. Also present were good numbers of Red throated diver of which I counted at least 8 on the water.
Moved on in the afternoon along the coast to have a scout for the Snow Buntings and Ruth's nice Black Redstart at Kinmel bay. Got the Snow...

Went to the RSPB reserve Inner Marsh Farm yesterday morning and was greeted with a very unusually quite hide with nobody about at all. No sign of the Bittern thats been hanging about recently. And not a great deal happening on the pools either apart from loads of duck mostly Teal, Pintail and Wigeon. Quite a few Pink feet flying over as well.
The highlight of my visit was on my walk back to the car where I had 2 Water Rail feeding in the small wood by the boardwalk. And also around the wood...