Denbighshire Delights!

[Twitcheruth]

We set off for North Wales in terrible conditions but the rain soon eased and as we arrived at Lyn Brenig blue skies were beginning to appear.

After a visit to the visitor centre I heard a familiar noise and there from the car park were a group of 5 Crossbills in the tops of Fir Trees....a cracking start! Also here was a lone female Goldeneye.

Moving onto Lyn Alen we saw Raven,Buzzard,Kestrel and a stunning soaring Red Kite,turning a beautiful rust colour in the now bright sunshine! We also saw a nice pair of Greylag Geese on the water but no sign of a Hen Harrier this time.

We then moved onto Bod Petrual,a new location for us in the Clocaenog Forest,it proved to be a good spot! As soon as we got out of the car I heard more Crossbill and we were rewarded with even better views here,a male in particular sat in the sun long enough for me to get a record picture,wonderful! We also saw a group of Hawfinch fly into the tops of a Fir Tree in this area as well as good numbers of Coal Tit,a Cormorant looking very Jurassic on the lovely lake surrounded by ancient woodland,a female GSW and a nice Mistle Thrush!

A super spot and we'll definitely be back in the summer to look for the Wood Warblers that apparently can be found in the aged woods here!

[Merlin]

Thanks for the report we'll have to take a look soon. Its an area we have never stopped off at, but we always take the route thru Ruthin and Denbigh on the way to the wifes sister in Anglesey to avoid the A55. The area is also good for Short-eared Owl which we see on most trips over the moors on summer evenings.

[Little Sparrow]

Oh wow!! What a great day you had Ruth! Really pleased for you with the Crossbills, Hawfinch and Red Kite! 3 great species!
The photo's are brill and well done with the Crossbill pic, you were lucky it perched so nicely for you. The Lake pic is awesome!
Thanks for sharing your sunny bird filled day!

[PeterB]

Well done Ruth, nice pics. Inspires me to get out more.

[theonethatgotaway]

Nice pictures Twitcheruth looks like summer is here by the blue in the sky
regards (M)ick

[Twitcheruth]

Thanks for reading Merlin,Judith,Peter and Mick.....after yesterdays dreadful weather we certainly picked the right day to visit!

Merlin,there are car parks and forest trails all long the B5105 from Ruthin to Cerrigidrudion,a spot we'll certainly be visiting again!

[astafjevs]

Sounds wonderful Ruth, I'd love to see Hawfinch and Crossbills!! I don't know the area very well but if you keep recommending places up there I'm going to need a holiday in North Wales before long!

[Twitcheruth]

Originally Posted by astafjevs

Sounds wonderful Ruth, I'd love to see Hawfinch and Crossbills!! I don't know the area very well but if you keep recommending places up there I'm going to need a holiday in North Wales before long!

lol,it's a great part of the country Stuart with some superb birding!

[Merlin]

You can add to the list Dartford Warbler and Great Grey Shrike seen recently just across the moors at Worlds End. But knowing you Ruth I'll bet you've been there today searching them out.