Gale Force Winds Batter North Wales But Great Birds Keep Coming 13 September 2020
Gale Force Winds Batter North Wales But Great Birds Keep Coming 13 September 2020
Curlew Sandpiper just one of so many birds enjoyed on day two of our North Wales tour.
We woke to gale force winds on day two of our Best of North Wales but that didn’t put off any of our four guests meeting from some pre-breakfast birding. Everyone was really pleased they did come out on the walk from the hotel as we enjoyed super prolonged views of Dipper and an impressive list of 24 species in just 45 minutes.
A great breakfast was enjoyed, interrupted by watching a Great Spotted Woodpecker, then we headed out. Still really gale force winds so we changed plans and decided to stay on the mainland rather than visit the island of Anglesey.
First stop a viewpoint overlooking RSPB Conwy we saw a lot of birds as the tide was just dropping below us. Highlights here included two Great White Egrets, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Wigeon.
At the Great Orme, Llandudno we took the Marine Drive knowing that the east side would be sheltered and it was really lovely and warm! Here fantastic views of three Peregrine Falcons both in flight and on the cliffs stole the show. Other great birds included Red-throated Diver, Gannets, Kittiwakes, Shags, Rock Pipits, Stonechats and more.
At Llanfairfechan we were able to seek shelter on the promenade and enjoy lots of birds! Some 150 Sandwich Tern were on the beach really close to us and we enjoyed superb views. Also on the beach we watched Turnstones, Bar-tailed Godwits, hundreds of Oystercatchers. Offshore we enjoyed Eiders, Red-breasted Mergansers, Great Crested Grebes and a flock of Arctic Terns. Just as we were leaving a Common Tern came and landed on the beach right opposite us.
We enjoyed our picnic lunch at Aber Ogwen where it was fairly sheltered and sunny. So many birds on the estuary here it was just fantastic birding, Curlew Sandpiper, Knot, Bar tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshanks, Shelduck, a fly-by Kingfisher, the summering Whooper Swan and so much more.
A quick look from the hide, which was empty when we arrived and we vacated immediately when a man arrived and we promptly moved. We did have good views of Nuthatch and lots of Little Egret.
We then headed west to Foryd Bay where the wind was still gale force but the sun still shone. Here we watched large flocks of Pale-bellied Brent Geese, loads of Wigeon, lots of Pintail and many waders including another Curlew Sandpiper.
Taking the scenic route home through Snowdonia the mountains looked beautiful with clouds rolling over ridges and then parting to reveal the summits. We also watched a pair of Chough feeding on a grass slope – great birds to end any day on. Despite the gale we had enjoyed 82 species of birds in glorious scenery.
We are so lucky to have so many species and habitats within easy reach here in North Wales, and once the world returns to normal, we would love you to join us for one of our Best of North Wales Birdwatching Trips days out. We expect to enjoy a lot of birds during these relaxed pace tours and we can tailor make the day to suit you.
We would love you to join us on our Birdwatching Trips in the future just drop us a line to arrange a custom tour and please see our tours pages for set departure trips. If you have any questions at all please fire away here….
info@birdwatchingtrips.co.ukWe look forward to enjoying wonderful birds in beautiful places with you soon!