Best Of North Wales Birdwatching Trips Tour Day Five 17 February 2023
Best Of North Wales Birdwatching Trips Tour Day Five 17 February 2023
Red-breasted Merganser was one of the many bird species enjoyed on our last morning.
After another delicious freshly-cooked breakfast we drove north to a viewpoint overlooking RSPB Conwy and scanned the lagoons and adjacent estuary with the telescopes. This is a super spot to see a large number of species relatively quickly. We were fortunate that the female Scaup was in view on the nearest lagoon hanging out with a gang of Tufted Ducks and Pochard. We also enjoyed watching Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Eurasian Wigeon and Teal, Shoveler, and Gadwall. It was good to see that the Grey Herons were back at their nests on the far side of the estuary, spring is certainly coming.
Wonderful to find a Brambling amongst a flock of Chaffinches - libaray photo.
We then headed west along the North Wales coast to Aber Ogwen where a hide overlooks the Ogwen estuary on one side and a wooded pool on the other. We had timed our visit perfectly as the tide was just dropping, exposing the shoreline for waders and ducks to arrive to feed. We spent a good time here enjoying a superb variety of species on both sides of the hide. Waders included a gang of ten elegant Greenshank, lots of Common Redshank, both Bar- and Black-tailed Godwits, six Red Knot, and flocks of Dunlin. Offshore, we picked out two handsome drake Common Eider amongst a flock of loafing Great Crested Grebes, and there were plenty of Goldeneye diving in the bay too. Unusually a flock of Chaffinches were feeding amongst the seaweed and careful scanning through the flock produced a smart male Brambling, with a gorgeous orange chest and pure white belly, a very good record here especially as Brambling have been so scarce in North Wales this winter.
Lovely to see Siskins up close on the feeders from the hide.
On the pool side of the hide, we watched Little Grebes diving for fish, Little Egrets spearing fish and two unusual species for the pool, a pair of Mute Swans and a very noisy Greylag Goose. The pool is surrounded by woodland and we enjoyed super close-up views of Siskins, and a handsome Nuthatch.
All too soon, it was time to head back towards the hotel and we took the scenic route through the heart of Snowdonia National Park taking time for a hot chocolate and comfort break amongst the magnificent scenery with 3000 foot mountains all around.
Back at the hotel, we enjoyed a lovely lunch before saying farewell to Angela, Lesley, John, Elaine, Gerald and Denise. What a wonderful five days with this marvellous group of friends, and we look forward to enjoying more Birdwatching Trips with them all in the future. We would love to organise a custom Birdwatching Trips Tour for you and your friends, we can then provide a bespoke experience that is perfect for you.
We run our Birdwatching Trips throughout the year a mix of set departure tours and custom-made trips perfect for you! To book your custom tour or any of our set departure trips please email us here….
info@birdwatchingtrips.co.ukWe can then make all the arrangements for your perfect Birdwatching Trips tour.