Best Of North Wales Birdwatching Trips Custom Tour 17 August 2021

Any day you see a Kingfisher is a great day, and seeing two - even better!

Alan picked up Jim and Katrina from their Llandudno B&B at 9am, as a custom tour we had agreed the start time before hand. Katrina had kindly arranged the bird watching tour as part of Jim’s birthday present and had decided to come along herself even though she explained she was not a bird watcher. Right from the start it was obvious this would be a fun day!

Male Stonechat was just one of the many birds enjoyed on Jim's birthday day out.

A very short drive took them to the Great Orme and despite a rather grey and drizzly start to the day good birds were soon being enjoyed. Northern Fulmars flew low overhead and more “chuckled” from the cliffs above. A pair of Red-billed Chough flew in and landed on the cliffs a most wanted species for Jim. Then a Peregrine Falcon flew in and luckily it too landed on the cliff above and with some twisting and bending everyone was able to enjoy superb views of this fantastic bird and Katrina was getting into the birds too – great to see. Next stop was the church yard where a search for the usually present Stonechats drew a blank but on the road just below Katrina spotted one! This smart male Stonechat, another of Jim’s hoped for birds, showed off nicely.

At nearby RSPB Conwy the drizzle came down heavier so a coffee was enjoyed indoors and luckily the weather picked up. Waders were the main stars of the show here with Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Common Sandpiper all showing well. Another of Jim’s requested birds also showed in the scrub near the Cardeddau hide – a Lesser Whitethroat a very tricky bird to find in August the day was going very well indeed.

A lovely lunch was enjoyed at Aber Falls distillery with lots of laughs and the odd purchase of some very fine gin included! Sadly the weather went downhill and the drizzle of earlier now became rain, but no problem a hide nearby provided shelter. Not long after getting out of the wet, in the hide, a flash of blue announced the arrival of a Kingfisher – wow! Luckily this gem of bird decided to pose and sat on a log peering into the pool and then diving head-long in after small fish only to return to the same spot just wonderful. But it got even better with the arrival of a second Kingfisher and again this bird really showed off and the views through the Leica telescope were just perfect every feather detail visible what a treat.

Luckily the rain stopped and a walk along the nearby beach really boosted the day list. The tide was dropping and lots of birds were on the mudflats and in the river channel. Scanning the busy scene produced Common Eider, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Greenshank and many more.

Time to head back to Llandudno but Jim had mentioned he would love to see a Dipper so just time for one more stop. Standing on a bridge looking at the fast flowing water movement caught the eye, Dipper? No a Grey Wagtail – a lovely bird and new for the day. Then there was a Dipper showing off nicely doing what Dippers do – standing on rocks in the water looking for all the world like a white-breasted thrush and then diving into the water like a seabird! What a fantastic end to a really great fun day.

We really hope Jim and Katrina can join us again for more great birds and perhaps a glass of Aber Falls gin? Cheers.

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.uk

We look forward to enjoying wonderful birds with you soon.