Two Day Custom Birdwatching Trips Tour In North Wales 13 And 14 April 2023
Superb eye-level views of Red-billed Chough just one of the many highlights on this custom tour.
We picked up Len, Chris and Jackie from their Llandudno hotel at 8am on the 13th April at 8am, day one of a two day North Wales tour. We were soon at the Great Orme, the limestone headland on the north side of Llandudno. Here we quickly saw wonderful Northern Fulmars gliding just above us and on the cliff ledges. Then it was a case of where to look next as Black Guillemots were seen on the sea, Ruddy Turnstones on the pier, Gannets gliding by, and Shags diving offshore! More excitement as Peregrine flew in and landed on the cliff in the morning sunshine and quickly followed by a pair of superb, Red-billed Chough!
RSPB Conwy next where it was cool and windy but plenty to see. Lots of Sand Martins and a House Martin was among them. A pair of Red-breasted Merganser were on the lagoon along with Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes, Tufted Duck and Eurasian Teal. Two White Wagtails dropped in and landed on one of the islands lovely to see passage migrants. We enjoyed coffee and cake overlooking the lagoon watching Gadwall, Northern Shoveler and Little Grebes.
Next, we headed down the Conwy Valley where it was sheltered but still cold and there was little bird activity as a result. We did enjoy wonderful views of a Goldcrest, watch a Chiffchaff nest building and great view of a female Goosander before enjoying a lovely lunch at Llanrwst by the river.
Into the heart of Snowdonia but the cold weather and wind did not help our search for early arrived summer visitors, Northern Wheatears showed very well but that was it for migrants. A Dipper was a delight to see on a fast-flowing steam and the scenery was just stunning.
We dropped back down to the coast, but the wind was even stronger if anything! A pair of Common Eider riding the waves was lovely see and Gannets were diving offshore always spectacular to watch. Two Sandwich Terns battled into the wind – great to add another summer migrant to the day list.
Day two of Len, Chris and Jackie’s custom tour and we picked them up at their Llandudno hotel and headed for Anglesey. Despite a good weather forecast it was cold with drizzle on the island, but thankfully no wind. At RSPB Cors Ddyga we almost immediately heard the wonderful sound of a Bittern “booming” wow! Such rare birds and a super thrill to hear one here in North Wales. The wet grassland was teaming with birds – gorgeous European Golden Plover, a newly arrived Little Ringed Plover, beautiful Northern Pintail, hundreds of Sand Martins and fantastic looks at a majestic male Marsh Harrier.
At Beddmanarch Bay the weather had improved, dry and calm, and plenty of birds to enjoy! A big flock of Pale-bellied Brent Geese were feeding on the exposed mudflats. Curlew, Common Redshank, Oystercatchers, and a flock of Black-tailed Godwit were also on the estuary and a drake Goldeneye dived in the low-water channel, joined by two fishing Sandwich Terns.
At Holyhead Harbour coffee and cake went down very well and we could watch distant Black Guillemots, close Common Guillemots and Shags stood next to Cormorants.
A short drive took us to RSPB South Stack where the weather suddenly became glorious with sunshine and flat calm seas, wonderful. Five Atlantic Puffins bobbed about on the millpond like seas along with dapper Razorbills. Northern Fulmars were on the cliff ledges and Red-billed Chough swooped around our heads – fantastic! We watched harbour porpoises just off the rocks, Manx Shearwaters whizzing by and a big flock of Common Scoter migrating north past the lighthouse.
A wonderful lunch went down very well indeed at Catch 22, in Valley village. We then headed south and enjoyed two Goldeneye and three Goosander on a lovely freshwater lake where Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and a Cetti’s Warbler all sang in the warm sunshine.
A pair of Little Owls were a treat to watch as they also enjoyed the sunshine with singing Skylark as a sound scape – just magical. Huge thanks to Len, Chris and Jackie for their lovely company and we look forward to more adventures together.
We ended the day at Newbrough Forest where red squirrels stole the show even though there were plenty of birds to enjoy too.
Over one hundred species of birds enjoyed over the two days in beautiful, varied scenery and a real mix of weather! Though please note we didn’t get wet once! North Wales has much to offer bird watchers year round – that is why we love it so much.
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.