A Custom Birdwatching Trips Day On The Isle Of Anglesey 12 April 2023
A Custom Birdwatching Trips Day On The Isle Of Anglesey 12 April 2023
Northern Lapwing showed off despite the grim early morning weather.
We picked up Elizabeth and Carole from their hotel in Menai Bridge, on Anglesey at 8.30am on a cold and very windy morning with showers rattling through. A short drive took us to RSPB Cors Ddyga where despite the cold conditions plenty of birds to enjoy. The highlight here was a wonderful male Marsh Harrier quartering the reserve, fantastic. Good to see lots of gorgeous Northern Lapwings and a beautiful flock of European Golden Plover some in full breeding plumage.
We drove northwest towards Holyhead through some terrible weather, torrential sleet, and high winds. At Valley we peered out through the sleet at a dried-up pool which held a few White Wagtails and Common Redshank. A small flock of Black-headed Gulls flew in and amongst them three Mediterranean Gulls, very nice. But then much more excitement a Little Gull! A rare bird on Anglesey, first record on the island in 2023, wow! This first-winter bird fed over the mud and adjacent field landing briefly only to fly on again, what a thrill to watch.
At nearby Beddmanarch Bay we enjoyed super views of Pale-bellied Brent Geese, soon to be leaving us for their breeding grounds in Arctic Canada. Also here lovely close views of Ringed Plover and Ruddy Turnstone.
Holyhead Harbour next and a welcome hot drink we also watched Black Guillemots and Shags here. Then we braved the elements to have a look at RSPB South Stack where it was wild! But we did see Red-billed Chough and amazingly male Northern Wheatear.
At the Inland Sea the wind had dropped a little and even the sun was trying to break through, a female Scaup was a great bird to see here along with Knot and Grey Plover. A delicious lunch went down very well indeed at Catch 22 in the village of Valley.
The afternoon was sunny though still very cold for mid-April and we enjoyed lots more birds – posing Stonechats, Goosander, lovely close Willow Warblers, singing Cetti’s Warbler and a wonderful encounter with three brown hares.
Last stop was at Newbrough Forest where we finished on a high with wonderful views of a red squirrel, always a thrill to see.
Huge thanks to Elizabeth and Carole for their lovely company.
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info@birdwatchingtrips.co.ukWe can then make all the arrangements for your perfect Birdwatching Trips tour.