Best Of Anglesey Birdwatching Trips Tour 24 August 2021
Best Of Anglesey Birdwatching Trips Tour 24 August 2021
Red-billed Chough were one of the stars of the show at RSPB South Stack.
Alan met Cathy and Eleanor at Llandudno West Shore at 8am on the 24th August 2021 and they headed straight over to RSPB South Stack. The huge numbers of people visiting the reserve in August, particularly busy this year due to no overseas holidays are possible, has meant an early visit is best. It was a lovely morning calm and bright and Red-billed Chough were soon enjoyed flying over the heathland near the car park. Stonechats and Meadow Pipits showed off and then Alan spotted two Peregrine Falcons on the cliffs! These fantastic birds posed in the morning sunshine and the views through the telescope were just perfect – what a thrill to see this adult and juvenile Peregrine together. More Chough quickly followed and again superb looks were enjoyed through the telescope the morning sun showing off the red beak and legs and glorious green sheen to the feathers. Offshore Gannets and a few distant Manx Shearwaters were passing over the calm sea. A Kestrel showed well on the cliffs below and plenty of Linnets and Goldfinches were in the fields near the RSPB visitor centre.
A very short drive took them to Holyhead Bay where it was busy with people already but by walking out on to the headland Black Guillemots could be seen on the blue sea. Next stop was RSPB Valley Lakes where a walk out to the viewpoint was enlivened by several butterflies including a lovely Wall Butterfly. On the lake Great crested Grebes and Pochard were enjoyed and it was great to see five Common Greenshank roosting on a rock above the lake with Northern Lapwings.
Next stop was the Inland Sea where the place was under siege from people sadly, paddle-boarders, yachts, swimmers you name it anything that disturbs birds was happening! Alan did manage to pick out two adult Mediterranean Gulls on the far shore of this tidal inlet but far from good views. Time for lunch and a table was booked at The Sea Shanty in nearby Treaddur Bay but the problem was nowhere to park! The car park was full to over-flowing with cars waiting for a space and the roads either side of the café jam packed! Alan dropped off Cathy and Eleanor outside the café and then drove a long way to find a parking spot – madness! But the food was lovely and a very relaxed lunch was enjoyed with lots of chat and laughs.
After the long walk back to car, nice to help the lunch settle down, it was off to Cemlyn Lagoon on the north coast of Anglesey. The weather was lovely and there were plenty of birds to see as always. In the inlet at the east end of the lagoon Northern Shoveler and Eurasian Wigeon showed very well in the sunshine. On the lagoon two Red-breasted Meganser were loafing on the calm water and several Little Egrets were feeding in the shallows. Out on the beach three beautiful Golden Plover were on an offshore rock where Atlantic grey seals were hauled out. Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Rock Pipit showed on the rocky beach as Manx Shearwaters whizzed by far offshore. The day had flown by and sadly it was time to head back to Llandudno.
We do hope we can enjoy more birds with Cathy and Eleanor again soon.
Of course a wonderful way to see more birds is to join one of our Birdwatching Trips and learn a lot about the birds you are enjoying too. We have tours suitable for all from beginners to experienced birders that are seeking particular species. Just drop us a line here and we can arrange a perfect custom tour for you!
info@birdwatchingtrips.co.ukWe look forward to enjoying wonderful birds with you soon.