tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80863272325370700282023-11-16T06:23:53.058+00:00Lleyn BirdingBirds & Wildlife of the Lleyn Peninsula, Gwynedd, Wales.Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-38720981762087495912013-05-30T20:10:00.001+01:002013-05-30T20:10:08.404+01:00Introduction to Bird Song - Saturday 1st JuneWant to get to learn your bird calls?<br />
<br /> The Arfon Branch of the wonderful North Wales Wildlife Trust have organised a free introduction to bird song walk this weekend.<br /><br />
Saturday 1 June 2013 12:00 (yes, midday - when the confusing dawn chorus will have diminished!)<br /><br />Location: Rhyd-y-Clafdy on B4415, near Pwllheli SH329349 <br /><br />Join us for a gentle walk in the early summer countryside and learn to recognise common birdsong. Beginners welcome. Bring packed lunch. <br /><br />Get in touch for more detailed directions - please book by calling 01248 351541.<br />
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<br />Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-6446481313767223732013-05-17T22:43:00.001+01:002013-05-17T22:47:28.050+01:00Roseate TernOne reported this morning at Porth Dinllaen, Morfa Nefyn. Possibly the Penychain bird from a few days ago? Anyway, a good find for whoever it was - Roseates are very scarce down this way and always a delight to see.<br />
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Unfortunately, I was out of the area when Eddie relocated it at lunchtime as well as a Black Guillemot. A dash back early evening and in a flying visit I failed to connect with it from the beach by The Cliffs Hotel. There were a few very distant terns roosting on the rocks towards Nefyn but I couldn't hang around to explore any further. Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-14593315165057542502013-05-13T23:59:00.002+01:002022-07-04T20:15:03.389+01:00Long-tailed SkuaThis afternoon the wind was again blowing SW/W around force 5-6 with the odd shower and a good deal of sunshine. I persuaded The Urbanski Birder to join me for another look at Cricieth, arriving around 1415 hrs for a couple of hours.<br />
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Immediately, Eddie connected with a group of distant skuas on the water off the castle and when a couple flew up then dropped down (shuffling the deck for want of a better description) we were able to see the spoons and confirm them as Pomarines. It was then a case of wait and see, and as usual at this site, it took a long time for the birds to change gear, get up and fly another short distance. They are easily overlooked and visitors are advised to scan very carefully with scopes from one of the shelters to have a decent chance of ticking this species here.<br />
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In the meantime a handful of Northern Gannets, just 15 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Sandwich' and a "Commic" tern were noted with a Red-throated Diver and a few Guillemots on the sea. A fine pale-phase Arctic Skua moved west when shortly afterwards El Player (don't ask!) picked up another very distant skua. The bird was heading our way at <i>very</i> long range and initially looked good for Arctic. As it got a little closer I thought I could make out a bluntish tail and considered a sub-adult Pom... but was the chest really heavy enough and surely the wings weren't broad enough at the base?<br />
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At this point a very beardy passer-by popped his head in the shelter and asked us what we were doing. I managed to multi-task by fielding his questions with one eye on him and the other still watching the mystery skua come closer and closer..... There was an ominous silence, he departed, the light improved and then our star find suddenly banked, lifted above the horizon and confirmed our growing suspicions by revealing the longest thinnest rat's tail of any skua; it was an immaculate adult Long-tailed Skua and was heading our way!<br />
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We then enjoyed a fantastic performance. The bird decided to head west then turned and headed back towards Black Rock Sands (seemingly flushing the group of 15 Poms in the process and affording excellent comparison) before starting to circle and climb high towards Morfa Bychan. It drifted a couple of hundred metres over the beach before abandoning thoughts of an overland passage and dropped back down and headed west, landing briefly on the sea in front of us at one stage before resuming it's journey, being mobbed by a Northern Fulmar at one point on the way. Great stuff!
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Also passing were a couple of distant Bonxies, two unidentified tiny specks of skua over in the direction of Harlech and three Whimbrel. After a shower had passed over the Poms took off and headed purposefully west straight past us - again mostly pale-phase adults.<br />
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Happy with our session it was time to retrace our steps. A quick stop at Afonwen produced a nice Dipper before calling in at Pwllheli's harbour channel. Rhys Jones had a Roseate Tern off Pen-y-chain yesterday and we were half-hoping it might still be around. No joy, but we did manage 19 Sandwich' and 17 Commons plus a respectable 50 Dunlin and a high figure of 37 Ruddy Turnstone. The afternoon's birding ended with a beautiful sea and towering clouds as the next pulse of rain clipped the peninsula. Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-65561937087970023032013-05-09T21:36:00.001+01:002013-05-09T22:51:07.266+01:00Spoony PomsWe've had a couple of days of cold, gale force south/westerly winds and heavy rain showers. This weather in May always gets me thinking of one species - Pomarine Skua.<br />
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Regular readers/friends will know that I'm often grumbling about the lack of decent facilities for seawatching down on the peninsula. Fortunately, the problem is solved if one heads east to Cricieth where two touristy beach shelters are found on the west side of the castle. Late afternoon, after the latest pulse of heavy rain had pushed through, I found myself wrapped up and wedged in the corner of one and began scanning the turbulent sea. Immediately I picked up a flock of six superb pale-phase adult Poms riding the waves just a couple of hundred metres offshore then occasionally flying up before settling back down, as they often do in such conditions. Eventually, as the winds eased a little, they were off - heading strongly west and almost clipping the shoreline at times. I followed the birds as far as I could before they presumably cut inland and out towards Caernarfon Bay. They are such weird and wonderful looking birds with their almost Peregrine like jizz and crazy long tail spoons!<br />
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My systematic count between 1607-1815 hrs was interrupted somewhat when a rather random but lovely young woman decided she was going to chat up the strange bloke with the telescope - although I did manage to keep one eye open while engaged in polite conversation and saw another flock of 18 Poms powering past before dropping on the sea in front of the shelter! These were mostly magnificent pale-phase adults, plus a couple of swarthy dark-phase birds.<br />
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Later I picked up a group of three Arctic Skuas (again riding the waves) by the castle, plus a few auks, Northern Gannets, Manx Shearwaters and Great Cormorants with a trickle of Arctic' and Sandwich Terns.<br />
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<br />Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-8788389674908702652013-04-27T18:57:00.000+01:002013-04-27T20:54:08.230+01:00Greenland Wheatears<div class="js-tweet-text" style="font-family: inherit;">
With some seriously black clouds promising heavy rain overnight - and the chance of a major fall - I hit Uwchmyndd shortly after dawn. Sure enough, the ornithological Gods had spoken and the Mynydd Mawr area was jumping with birds.</div>
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The most obvious species today was Northern Wheatear; with a very conservative figure of 83 feeding all over the hill and pasture. Most appeared to be big peachy Greenland-race birds. Small numbers were seen throughout the day in virtually every field in the Aberdaron area, indicating a significant regional arrival.</div>
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Offshore, a few Gannets and auks were passing through the <i>Swnt</i>, while overhead a trickle of hirundines and finches headed north and east. These comprised 1 Sand Martin, 5 Barn Swallow and 18 House Martin with 17 Chaffinch, 36 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 24 Linnet and 5 Lesser Redpoll.</div>
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Other bits and pieces included 5 Pied Wagtails, a Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat and one of the resident psychedelically bright male Yellowhammers. If these Yellow Buntings were rare I would travel a long way to see one! Talking of rares, the Subalpine Warbler was located quickly, feeding low in the cut gorse on the hill affording excellent views to a steady stream of admirers.</div>
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Meanwhile, a single Greylag Goose flew north - good local year tick. If any readers suggest I have gone mad, then just get yourself a local patch, visit it regularly... and you will understand the relative importance of all species! </div>
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A singing Lesser Whitethroat, plus a few phylloscs and Blackcaps, made the walk down Porth Meudwy worthwhile.</div>
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It would have been rude to pass the Aberdaron Woodchat without a quick look as it had been reported earlier in the day. Unfortunately, a couple of over-enthusiastic twitchers had walked down into the field for better views and pushed it away. Having suggested that it was better to keep the local farmer happy by keeping on the public rights of way, and to give the bird some space they both graciously agreed to retrace their steps. I saw a few photographers pushing the bird along the roadside fence in the week and think it's worth reminding people that great views can be obtained as it works it's feeding circuit by simply staying at your vehicle.<br />
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The shrike was not seen in the time I was present, although two Brown Hares in an adjacent field were some consolation.</div>
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As well as the Wheatear fall, residents, migrants and year-ticks it was great to meet a few old and new birding acquaintances today. </div>
Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-84658330578722002172013-04-25T23:59:00.000+01:002013-04-26T01:01:41.020+01:00Scarce MigrantsBusy with computer problems lately, hence another tardy update. So first some old news.<br />
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I returned for another grilling of the Subalpine Warbler and eventually caught up with the Woodchat last Sunday when the rain finally eased and the sun came out in the afternoon.<br />
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I had the pleasure of meeting up with several birders on site including Steve Culley, Martin Jones, Eddie, Phil Belman, Austin Morley and Scott Reid. <br />
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Phil has kindly forwarded the following image of the warbler lurking in the gorse.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVh0Taz2ouVFIStkB08ED7x1efjL-5rZbs7vcAANDPEDV2fJsJGpNsErBhkWQErxr3WTo2_9-_v-ZxOLtfvUty68y_8KNGeSVvJ5oAwPsyJeYcvVWIkGhvTQmYh5QDI_QoDrmaz1y1gs/s1600/MynyddMawr%233-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVh0Taz2ouVFIStkB08ED7x1efjL-5rZbs7vcAANDPEDV2fJsJGpNsErBhkWQErxr3WTo2_9-_v-ZxOLtfvUty68y_8KNGeSVvJ5oAwPsyJeYcvVWIkGhvTQmYh5QDI_QoDrmaz1y1gs/s640/MynyddMawr%233-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Scott was good enough to send the shrike photo. What a cracking bird!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qQktH7Hj0Tj9dtu3kJHYr3urQTm9mteQY-IfklZuvKasqHYclXSkzcMqXZpLsWbu_e0stdZ6U9BsqSlrLXcy7V9PqTY639_jPgYRWFMMgSZM_iu5bFvskN-OS0w6IRKExTEFbPm3aDU/s1600/Woodchat+1_Hendre_Aberdaron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qQktH7Hj0Tj9dtu3kJHYr3urQTm9mteQY-IfklZuvKasqHYclXSkzcMqXZpLsWbu_e0stdZ6U9BsqSlrLXcy7V9PqTY639_jPgYRWFMMgSZM_iu5bFvskN-OS0w6IRKExTEFbPm3aDU/s640/Woodchat+1_Hendre_Aberdaron.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks to both of you and please note the images are copyright the photogrpahers.<br />
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Five Lesser Redpoll and 15 Goldfinch showed at point blank range on the feeders from the excellent little conservatory cafe at the <a href="http://www.tynewyddfarm-site.co.uk/">Ty Newydd Caravan & Campsite</a> at Uwchmynydd. The tea and fruit cake were pretty good too - well worth calling in!<br />
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Tuesday produced my first Tree Pipit, Swift and Grasshopper Warbler of the year at Uwchmynydd, several lovely Yellowhammers and a female/immature Merlin amongst other birds.<br />
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Today dawned rather moist and became increasingly so until early afternoon when the rain moved through and conditions eased. The Subalp was feeding actively at Mynydd Mawr with four Common Whitethroat and 13 Willow Warblers part of a mini-fall dotted around the walls and hillside. <br />
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Hirundines comprised 18 Barn Swallow, 20 House Martin and 3 Swifts. The passage of Goldfinches was still evident with another 10 north and 11 Siskins.<br />
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Some idiot has burnt a fairly large chunk of the mountain overnight (probably an acre or so) with the gorse still smouldering and a few distressed looking Stonechats and Meadow Pipits dotted about with 8 Greenland Wheatears.<br />
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On the positive side, it was good to locate a pod of 18+ Harbour Porpoise feeding in the Bardsey Sound. Porps are virtually guaranteed here but it's the largest number I've encountered for a long time - the figure above is probably an underestimate as they were popping up all over the place.<br />
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A quick check of the fence lines resulted in me locating the Woodchat again at Aberdaron early evening, ranging the fields south of the road.Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-46509473675511245882013-04-20T23:58:00.002+01:002013-04-21T00:03:54.864+01:00Aberdaron WoodchatWell yet again an influx of birders produces the goods. A visiting Subalp twitcher discovered a male Woodchat Shrike on roadside wires on the way out of Aberdaron today. Bird was by the main B4413 road at Hendre until mid-evening at SH184277.<br />
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I've been busy out of the area and had my phone switched off all day so was pleasantly surprised to hear about it later. Unfortunately, after dealing with my other commitments I didn't manage to arrive at the site until the sun was getting low and presume the bird had gone to roost but hope it will be around tomorrow.<br />
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Have to wonder if anyone managed to get any photos of the beast? Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-14642788104834451302013-04-20T00:11:00.001+01:002013-04-26T10:47:13.719+01:00Subalpine WarblerWell this blog seems to have been deep frozen like some of the awful weather we have had the last few months but after a warm Spring afternoon (and some encouragement from a few readers ) it is slowly defrosting. Friday's good local patch find is more inspiration to get the blog rolling again....<br />
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I'd started the morning with a wander around Mynydd Mawr, noting a few good birds - mostly diurnal migrants - passing through A steady passage of hirundines was apparent: 40+ Barn Swallow, 27 House Martin and 8 Sand Martin A constant trickle of Meadow Pipits, the odd <i>alba</i> wagtail, 5 Chaffinch, 25 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin and 11 Linnet all powered north The highest numbers of Northern Wheatear so far this year (36) were scattered around the heath, including several peachy Greenland race birds and there was a handful of Willow Warblers in odd places.<br />
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Systematic counting was put on hold around midday when I noticed a small bird that seemed to flash blue drop into a small bramble patch alongside the big square field by the lower car park. Having waited 5 minutes for it to reappear I walked up to the brambles (all of 2m square) and found a Dunnock popping out. Oh well, my mistake? Surely "it" was smaller than the offending accentor, and a spot of pishing was in order. At which point a superb Subalpine Warbler poked it's head out then flew along the fence line. Bingo! After years of records virtually every year from a certain small island only a couple of miles away it was good to connect with this lovely <i>Sylvia</i> on the mainland.<br />
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The bird showed extremely well all afternoon, feeding actively, flycatching and dozing off at times, and a small band of admirers turned up. Good to see you guys. The plumage, calls and song seem to point towards it being an adult male of the western race, <i>S.c.cantillans</i>. (Edit - it's a 2nd calendar year male). There's a series of nice images by Phil Bellman over at this <a href="http://www.northwalesbirding.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7209">website</a>.<br />
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<br />Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-23729017105504251712013-02-27T21:07:00.003+00:002013-02-27T21:07:50.719+00:00Backyard BirdingMore high pressure dominating the weather in Rhiw tody. Cold, grey and strangely calm with a milky sun breaking through at times late afternoon, hinting at some warm spring sunshine sometime soon. Bardsey/Ynys Enlli disappearing in and out of the mist... and a few interesting birds around the house.<br />
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Flyovers (a mixture of both residents and presumed migrants) included 6 Redwing and a Grey Wagtail to the east, a single Meadow Pipit, two Red-billed Chough and both Woodcock and Common Snipe at dusk. A Green Woodpecker yaffled from the fields north of me with a calling Yellowhammer in the same area while a Little Owl was vocal from the adjacent <i>cloddiau</i>. Pretty typical peninsula birds but as nice as ever. <br />
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<br />Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-60666739482076554572013-02-25T23:26:00.000+00:002013-02-26T14:59:54.162+00:00I need a HorseAnd I'm not talking a Shergar burger. The other day I managed to break even my own enviable record for vehicle breakdowns, hence the consideration of an equine substitute.<br />
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Last week I had taken the car to the garage for a new exhaust as there were more temporary welds than pipe left and picked it up on Thursday. Forty minutes later (!), while off on a shopping trip the bloody thing refused to change gear and I was stuck in 4th on the A499. There then followed another garage visit, 24 hours of gearbox behaving, another failure, a lift home form the AA and now major surgery for the beast. Fingers crossed.<br />
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So I've been walking and bussing it and seen a few things on the way. Saturday last took me around Aberdaron and Rhoshirwaun then back home. A moulting adult Mediterranean Gull was between the two villages with a vocal Golden Plover and five Common Snipe overhead then a Short-eared Owl again on Mynydd Rhiw during a brief flurry of snow. Today the Pwllheli heronry at Pont Solomon was busy with several birds on nests and some building work occurring. A Lesser Redpoll was over the Cob Pool with a Reed Bunting calling away.<br />
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At troubling transport-less times like these I'm glad I'm not a serious UK lister as there are some
very nice birds around, from a Pied-billed Grebe in Somerset to a Harlequin
Duck in the Outer Hebrides. Although I've tried it, duck twitching is not really my thing. Years ago I met a very keen premiership twitcher who
was studying at Bangor University and he mentioned the possibility of
sharing a lift (and fuel costs) to a few birds if I required. A
breathless phone call from him about a Redhead on a lake in the Midlands followed or was it about a Bufflehead? I forget. Both these web-footed prizes were available over a matter of a few months. Words like 'underwhelmed' came to mind. The general idea was to drop everything and stare at
tarmac for hours before hopefully connecting with a couple of dodgy
possible escapee wildfowl. Having seen Redhead, Canvasback <i>et al</i> at a private backyard collection in Sheffield years ago I refused the offer of a lift.<br />
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the next call was regarding a possible car-share to view not one - but two - Harlequins that had turned up somewhere in Scotland. Now he really had my attention and the adrenaline was pumping. I then asked if these real <i>wild</i>fowl were males
or females and remember the shock in his voice when I again declined a tick on
finding out they were a couple of girls. Give me a stunning drake Harlequin on a winter seawatch past Porth Ysgaden one day! Funnily enough the phone calls ended after this last refusal.<br />
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I've kept my listing gearbox in selective mode ever since... essentially it's got to be very special or of great local interest to get me racing around like a headless chicken. The Abersoch Royal Tern from a few years ago springs to mind and ticks both boxes. Roll on the next one...Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-87598379909233571712013-02-18T23:46:00.000+00:002013-02-18T23:46:04.420+00:00Short-eared OwlsI was working outside this afternoon, contemplating piles of timber and tools, when out of the corner of my eye I noticed something breaking the horizon by the Wireless Station up on Clip y Gylfinhir, Mynydd Rhiw. It simply 'did not look right', triggering a race across the yard for my binoculars - a sprint known to all ornithologists!<br />
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A first glimpse as the bird rounded the hill then my suspicions were confirmed as the Short-eared Owl reappeared, quartering over the young gorse and heather in it's search for food.. A little while later a party of walkers flushed a second bird in the same area. It's always a delight to see these fine birds, which I've encountered regularly on the heathland around the village during the winter months.<br />
Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-89584898595618230922013-02-13T17:26:00.000+00:002013-02-13T17:26:32.080+00:00Belated BitternI've just heard a very convincing report of a Bittern at Cors Geirch last week courtesy of Eddie. His mate was working a JCB on the edge of the marsh and described seeing a "heron sized bird, many shades of brown with a yellowish bill that was standing in a ditch before walking into the reeds". About as convincing a description as it gets! <br />
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Cors Geirch is a great site but access is extremely difficult with just the odd track and footpath crossing it. Even the old bird hide there is completely overgrown. It would be great if CCW improved access - who knows what passes through unnoticed. <br />
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<br />Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-76986520632931479182013-02-05T23:06:00.001+00:002013-02-05T23:06:42.360+00:00Porth Dinllaen DiverFirstly, apologies for the long delayed blog update. I may as well have hibernated during December and January which seems to be memorable for horrible wet weather, a nasty cold virus and a lack of serious birding apart from lots of garden observations and the odd trip here and there. Check<a href="https://twitter.com/Lleyn_Birding"> my twitter account</a> for more regular missives from the field.<br />
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Anyway, less excuses. Today started well with a fine Brambling at the garden feeding station plus 30+ Chaffinch.<br />
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This afternoon I met up with Eddie and had a walk out to Porth Dinllaen in what I can only describe as a WNW gale. Expressions like "sandblasted" came to mind although there's always some protection by one of the holiday cottages to scope the bay. The objective was to check for any storm-driven seabirds sheltering in the amazing natural harbour and we had some success. The highlight was a fine Great Northern Diver which was busy munching crabs in the style of l<a href="http://lleyn-birding.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/surf-scoter-iceland-gull.html">ast winter's Surf Scoter</a>. A couple of Red-throated Divers were in the area plus a party of seven Great Crested Grebes which were roosting in a tight group. Many of these birds were moulting into breeding plumage.<br />
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Small parties of Guillemots were passing offshore (although no Little Auks were picked out) while two Ravens flew past the headland with one carrying what appeared to be a golf ball!<br />
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A small gull roost comprised a couple of hundred each of Common' & Black-headed' with the odd Herring Gull. A handful of Lesser Black-backed Gulls have been passing through Pwllheli in the last few weeks although the harbour has been relatively quiet otherwise. Roll on spring!<br />
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Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-36656485268173094462012-11-21T20:00:00.001+00:002012-11-21T20:00:45.242+00:00Porth Ysgaden PipitI had a call from Dei Rhys Jones this afternoon who had the good fortune to come across a probable Richard's Pipit at Porth Ysgaden around lunchtime today. Although Dei is not the most experienced birder his description sounds spot on. He had prolonged telescope views of the bird on the pasture - describing it as a large pale upright pipit - alongside the resident Rock Pipits, and also heard it's characteristic sparrow-like calls in flight. It also hovered before landing as it flew around the area before heading north-east.<br />
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I decided to meet up with Eddie late afternoon in the hope of relocating it. Sadly there was no sign of the target but a nice flock of 56 Golden Plovers were overhead, 16 Turnstone fed on the beach and 16 Wigeon were roosting offshore. Two vocal Red-billed Chough were busy demolishing the <i>clawdd</i> in the search for food.<br />
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Before long the sun was setting and it was time to head home - grumble, grumble... November days are too short but only a month to go before the shortest day and the promise of all that verdant green lamb frolicking bird singing daffodilly springness!<br />
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<br />Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-20450989100536369652012-11-08T19:44:00.001+00:002012-11-08T19:44:26.018+00:00November BirdingOh well that's another autumn over - or is it? Just heard we've had one of the coldest October's on record and it really feels like it with some low temperatures and that horrible greyness I associate with this month. I've done a little birding since the last update but not seen too much of interest apart from a decent flock of Wigeon and a party of Pintail on the Llanengan floods a few days ago. <br />
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So the year turns and with it the annual rituals. The Sibley Guide to North American Birds has been removed from the car boot and is firmly back on the bookshelf as the forlorn hope of finding a Yankee passerine in Porth Meudwy is swept away for another year.<br />
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Porridge every morning.<br />
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The sunrise and sunset has become more rapid unlike the long drawn out dusks of summer (well at least the odd night when it was possible to sit outside).<br />
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The medium sized blackish birds zooming across the sky are Starlings now, rather than Barn Swallows.<br />
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Eternal dampness outside... but the wood burner is lovely of an evening.<br />
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I had a wander around the fields by the house tonight at dusk and glimpsed a Barn Owl in the twilight over the rough grassland. A posse of Redwings called overhead. Song Thrushes and Robins were disturbed from the gorse topped <i>cloddiau</i> as I passed while a distant bonfire glowed on the road to Pen-y-caerau.<br />
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Hoping for a local Waxwing soon... <br />
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<br />Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-67802411997653635122012-10-30T16:24:00.000+00:002012-11-03T12:55:51.197+00:00Wood Lark DipThere was a young man called Marc<br />
Who went out and found a Wood Lark<br />
(<i>on my patch!</i>)<br />
He told me, I twitched it, then sadly I dipped it<br />
So now I'm gonna punch his face off....<br />
<br />
ONLY JOKING! <br />
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But (<i>gggggggrrrrrrrr</i>), it is a teeny weeny bit <a href="http://www.bikwil.com/Vintage29/Twitching.html">gripping</a> when a One Man Bird Observatory turns up and finds stuff that I should have! <br />
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The fact that Mr Hughes was actually out looking (rather than limping around in recovery mode after a particularly spine-bending yoga class the night before while contemplating a day of meaningless toil) probably helps to explain his good fortune. Plus the fact that he's a bloody good birder. Nice find - they're a scarce Welsh migrant - and it could have been a lot worse (think Calandra worse). <br />
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The bird was seen in flight between the Ty Newydd Campsite and the end cattle grid onto Mynydd Mawr then landed in the weedy field adjacent to the lower car park but was not relocated. Having dashed along (all of 17 minutes on the road) I discovered that there were loads of birds on the move - Starlings, Jackdaws, hundreds of Chaffinches, Reed Buntings, Siskins and a few Brambling and began kicking myself for not getting out earlier. <br />
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So never mind, lesson learned and to be honest I don't really need Wood Lark on the patch - having heard one over Mynydd Mawr a few years ago that pitched down on Bardsey 20 minutes later. I was still stuck in the wires from my Sennheiser when I received the news from the island, having managed to pull the microphone lead out from my MiniDisc while simultaneously attempting to hit the record button and fit my headphones - becoming hopelessly entangled while trying to reconnect. Fortunately my Anglo-Saxon expletives were not recorded at the time. I tend to keep the record button on these days... <br />
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Fortunately, the interloper will be heading off back to the Great Orme soon - leaving the hardcore Lleyn Birder(s) to soldier on, probably counting Jackdaws... PS he also had at least two Firecrests in Porth Meudwy.<br />
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Good for him...;-)Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-89222366294778107352012-10-29T12:44:00.000+00:002012-10-29T12:44:18.787+00:00Merlin, Firecrest & JayFirst off, apologies for the lack of updates. I simply have not got round to it! Any readers left? <br />
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It's been a truly beautiful autumn morning. The weather was dry, calm and cool with the sun slowly breaking through a veil of cloud over the bulk of Cadair Idris, making for a nice start to the day.<br />
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My attention turned once more to migrant counting at Uwchmynydd and a fine Merlin dashed across the road on arrival. Unfortunately, after an hour I gave up disappointed with low numbers of birds on the move. Click on the image below for the details:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIls_u2NrY-dNGfZGT6fRq_mpmRLc6y9JLkr5STNOist1jMXBfYOqqS1qaqTE7T5RMhnzR5u9Z8SZuOOkz8EatE7ZYdN8ziDyI_y8lkznWWqLN3pLKGEjTvmBs6vNZg-dGXIFNih2tDNI/s1600/MM+29.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIls_u2NrY-dNGfZGT6fRq_mpmRLc6y9JLkr5STNOist1jMXBfYOqqS1qaqTE7T5RMhnzR5u9Z8SZuOOkz8EatE7ZYdN8ziDyI_y8lkznWWqLN3pLKGEjTvmBs6vNZg-dGXIFNih2tDNI/s640/MM+29.10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Good to bump into Marc Hughes aka <a href="https://twitter.com/marcbuzzard">MarcBuzzard</a> (and definitely worth a follow on Twitter) who joined me for a while and then had a wander around the area, finding a Woodcock near Ty Newydd Campsite.<br />
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Selected species in Porth Meudwy included: Great Spotted Woodpecker, 28 Blackbird, a Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, one Mistle Thrush, two Blackcap and three Chiffchaff. A flyover migrant Jay was being pressured by the local Crows to continue. A couple of Brambling called overhead while Marc picked up a Lapland Bunting on the move with a flock of Skylarks.<br />
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Finally, a brilliant male Firecrest ( a new bird or is t the same one hanging around?) was found just below the Tir Glyn campsite.<br />
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<br />Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-68950853491700455062012-10-12T22:48:00.003+01:002012-10-13T00:31:31.744+01:00Aerial PloversI could watch Golden Plover flocks all day, especially when they take to the wing. This is when they're transformed from the shy, slow moving waders of open grassland and moors to sky dancers; often circling endlessly across the sky back and forwards from horizon to horizon. Whenever I see them - and even more so when I <i>hear</i> them - I'm taken back to wilder landscapes than the farmland that dominates so much of the peninsula.<br />
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From searching for golden-spangled breeding birds on long hot May days, across upland bogs white with Cottongrass, high above the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire's lovely Peak District, to watching resting flocks of autumn migrants on Unst - the most northerly of the Shetland Isles - they've always been a delight to encounter. A flock of c.100 circling the Llanengan floods late afternoon today were as captivating as ever.<br />
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A single adult Mediterranean Gull, 47 Teal, 16 Wigeon and 60 Curlew were virtually the only other birds present but the Goldies stole the show. Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-7411878928720445032012-10-10T22:39:00.001+01:002012-10-10T22:47:58.477+01:00Redwing It's been a rather cold, dull and wet day but a fine Redwing calling over the house - my first this autumn - was a good start.<br />
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Later, I had a message from Steve Stansfield reporting a <a href="http://bbfo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/after-several-months-of-waiting-and.html?showComment=1349897606739#c7624944093977292035">Citrine Wagtail on Bardsey</a> - first for the island, and probably another one to add to my 'flown over the house' list... <br />
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Anyway, this is a bit of a late post, but the avian excitement yesterday on the mainland was probably just a statistically significant Jackdaw movement ;-p as witnessed by yours truly at Mynydd Mawr. I see by using the '<a href="http://trektellen.org/doortrekpatroon.asp?site=0&taal=2&land=5">Migration Pattern</a>' page of Trektellen that there were some big numbers moving in Europe. If you're as fascinated by migration as me and have never had a play with this remarkable database then get on the case (or throw your binoculars away). Full count from yesterday below:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkfDp6u3X45gKr3wUY9FJHSUbI1MKT0KnMtXfF47KJKpLGv9kh2u0rDSDF2VY0R8yb4e3OF7Ke2WQE9gSQUANY6zsz4HOKIgupLHznj7iX2hgh-ac1TvN7daxZP4pL9PTKZ7yrZFXvqk/s1600/trek09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkfDp6u3X45gKr3wUY9FJHSUbI1MKT0KnMtXfF47KJKpLGv9kh2u0rDSDF2VY0R8yb4e3OF7Ke2WQE9gSQUANY6zsz4HOKIgupLHznj7iX2hgh-ac1TvN7daxZP4pL9PTKZ7yrZFXvqk/s640/trek09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With a relatively uneventful session on the hill I called into Porth Meudwy for a quick look on my way home. First surprise was a group of eight Mistle Thrushes by the car park, my highest count here, as was a flock of 17 Magpies (presumably a post-roost group).<br />
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Other selected species included; two Grey Wagtail, six Blackbird, 13 Robin, 10 Blackcap, three Chiffchaff, 17 Goldcrest, a single Coal Tit, a flock of 10 Red-billed Chough over to the east, Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and a flyover Common Snipe. Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-52385988903533576342012-10-06T21:23:00.002+01:002012-10-06T21:23:43.230+01:00Continental Jays?I set the alarm for another unearthly hour and was rewarded by a brilliant starscape and silver moon on waking. The ritual of breakfast, gathering food, flask, optics etc was quickly over and I was out on the road again, heading west. After some very heavy showers the morning dawned dry and cold with the wind in the northwest and expectations high.<br />
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Visible migration was again on the agenda but sadly the results were a little disappointing - click the Trektellen screengrab below for full details:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ocTNF8W2XmrZRN0DxZ-hxkF-7gdGDoXjSjDoOl5LjHLrsjyll3f4cgRc8SDOCoYjpgPtonCJx2sNWn-DUGNv65ywqcyL0y6QeY6c2-nMfLGDCFkX2s1yWQDaLHbaHrhuVZNYJaV0TDs/s1600/trek06.10" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ocTNF8W2XmrZRN0DxZ-hxkF-7gdGDoXjSjDoOl5LjHLrsjyll3f4cgRc8SDOCoYjpgPtonCJx2sNWn-DUGNv65ywqcyL0y6QeY6c2-nMfLGDCFkX2s1yWQDaLHbaHrhuVZNYJaV0TDs/s640/trek06.10" width="640" /></a></div>
The two Jays were seen by an unknown birder who I met in Porth Meudwy after completing the count where I was pleased to see another couple of these smart corvids - presumably they're Continental birds as big numbers are presently being reported from both sides of the North Sea.<br />
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With the sun hitting the top of the valley after a cold night plenty of birds were busy flycatching and eating the blackberries, haws and elderberries. Blackcaps were most evident with 19 logged plus a total of three Chiffchaff. I was fortunate enough to refind both the Yellow-browed Warbler and the male Firecrest and was able to view both from the same location at one point (in the bottom section of the valley in the willows by the stream). By this time the sun was really warming the place up and it tuned out to be a gorgeous day.<br />
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Overhead, hirundines were passing through with 19 Barn Swallow and 25 House Martin. While watching these a group of Common Buzzads were located very high up in the clouds (two adults and four 1st years - presumably also on the move).<br />
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The usual suspects were around the valley including twenty Robins, two Blackbirds and a single Song Thrush were also seen. Where are all the Redwings and Fieldfares? Very late arriving this year. Small groups of Chaffinch were again dropping in, a Lesser Redpoll buzzed overhead and a few more Skylarks headed over. A couple of Coal Tits could also have been migrants as they were the first I've seen here for a while. <br />
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After bumping into Eddie again I was relieved when he connected with the Yellow-browed' before we had a drive around Uwchmynydd, checking Pwll Cyw (quiet apart from a few Goldcrests, Chiffchaff and a nearby Northern Wheatear) and Ystolhelyg. A nice Red Kite was a bonus bird drifting overhead. After dropping him back in the valley an Adder slithered across the track as I departed.<br />
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On reaching home received a message that a probable Richard's Pipit was at Porth Colomon today (no further details) and a Firecrest was at the crossroads by Ffynnon Saint just west of Aberdaron. This was still showing late afternoon.Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-65261887631043914732012-10-05T20:28:00.001+01:002012-10-05T20:28:18.496+01:00Leaf WarblersFooled by a bad weather forecast I was up later than planned to a cold, mostly grey but dry morning. I reckoned that a quick look in the valley would be a good idea and arrived mid-morning.<br />
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Immediately it was obvious that there were a few more migrants around than yesterday with several thrushes exploding out of the dense cover and several pulses of Barn Swallows moving NE, totalling 141 birds.<br />
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A fine Peregrine (always a delight to see) zoomed over, spooking a flock of Herring Gulls. Then I finally connected with what has been a site 'bogey bird' for a very long time as I heard then saw a stonking male Firecrest make it's way quickly down the valley. I've seen and found several of these lovely 'crests in various parts of North Wales over the years (even in my old garden) but, despite many historical records, I'd never actually seen one in Porth Meudwy. I was here with Jesse Wilkinson once who called one just yards from me but as I reached him the bloody thing disappeared (same thing happened with a Barred Warbler a few years ago). So, finally I connected (and I take back all the malicious rumours I have spread about the veracity of some of the historical accounts)!<br />
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Total counts of selected species (for those who are interested) were: 15 Robin, five Blackbird, six Song Thrush, six Blackcap, three Chiffchaff, 17 Goldcrest, 7 Blue Tit (not quite <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZb5GBWo74Q&feature=relmfu">Falsterbo</a> but I had to include this for Eddie who's only interested in common birds), a few Chaff', Gold' & Bullfinch plus a couple of Siskin.<br />
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I was chatting at the cove with Idwal, one of the local lobsterfishermen, about various things he'd seen during a lifetime at sea locally (Sunfish , balls of Herring, countless dolphins etc) when he mentioned a turtle (presumed Leatherback') that he saw powering through the Bardsey Sound some 40 years ago. As he put it "I told no one then, as we did not know about turtles in the area... and I thought I might get locked up in a small room!". He was not insane - what a lucky chap!<br />
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Anyway, the Urbanski Birder then arrived at record speed after my text about the Firecrest and we proceeded to work our way back up the track. While checking various things out I noticed a small green warbler - Yellow-browed! Another great bird. Unfortunately, I could not get Eddie on to it as the thing dropped into cover and failed to re-emerge in the next half hour. This was the 7th or 8th one of these cracking little Sibes that I've (co-)found in the valley over the years but I've a special affection for them and every one is a total delight to see and hear. Four hours after arriving I set off home a happy birder... Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-80249565802912753752012-10-04T21:35:00.003+01:002012-10-05T14:12:40.119+01:00Bird of the Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's a screenshot from the amazing <a href="http://trektellen.org/default.asp?site=0&taal=2&land=5">Trektellen</a> website detailing the species I counted at Mynydd Mawr this morning. Apologies if the text is a little small (simply click on the image for a full screen version).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0nJ4fkRRDBLqgoUdmNgXk6XImCnsaZT42To3aXbQ1p5REDtI5KMY1IaJWJJwQVtTz6UuTVvejZy5BzxdaPCjUfIvA4XS9xe7AiME2wj-kqkDfGXt9xuOGJjTM1mhYhSSTEo4sJ6cyA0/s1600/trek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0nJ4fkRRDBLqgoUdmNgXk6XImCnsaZT42To3aXbQ1p5REDtI5KMY1IaJWJJwQVtTz6UuTVvejZy5BzxdaPCjUfIvA4XS9xe7AiME2wj-kqkDfGXt9xuOGJjTM1mhYhSSTEo4sJ6cyA0/s640/trek.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, as can be seen there was some fantastic passage - at several points I simply did not know where to look as the sky was full of birds.<br />
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Although I saw no rare or scarce birds today (although a brief blast of probable Lapland Bunting was just too distant to confirm) it really was worth the early start. Bird of the day was a single vocal Rook that headed purposefully out over the Irish Sea towards Ynys Enlli and beyond! The great thing about vis migging here is that best is yet to come as numbers of migrants increase steadily as the autumn progresses. <br />
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After walking up and around the mountain (noting a few Chough, Northern Wheatear and more Mipits) I worked my way back down along the road. Another Grey Wagtail, a Barn Swallow and Yellowhammer were by Pwll Bron-llwyn at Llanllawen, the small pool and willows at Ystolhelyg were heaving with Goldcrests (12+) then the valley beckoned.<br />
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As I arrived at Porth Meudwy I bumped into Eddie again and we spent the rest of the afternoon walking down, along the coast to Porth Simdde then back along past Cwrt, before doing the valley again! It felt promising but despite a thorough examination of the cake there was no icing on it so to speak.<br />
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A party of 15 Barn Swallows zipped overhead, a couple of Rock Pipits were by the cove,19 Robin, four Blackbird, three Song Thrush, three Blackcap, three Chiffchaff and eight Goldcrest were in the valley with three Bullfinch but, surprisingly, little else.<br />
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Porth Simdde held a few more Blackbirds and four Blackcap while a couple more Wheatears were on one of the ploughed fields at Cwrt where the Little Owl was again sunning itself at the window inside one of the outbuildings! With a couple of Yellow-browed Warblers seen on Enlli and one ringed at Penygroeslon today and a change in the weather, with the rain beating down as I write this things seem promising for a decent arrival in the next few days. Fingers crossed... <br />
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<br />Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-77942471276825915262012-09-27T18:37:00.002+01:002012-09-27T18:37:35.310+01:00Flood RuffsAfter my previous post about the Llanengan floods and waxing lyrical about ye olde records from there I've been either avoiding the rain, busy and/or away, but found myself staring at the site yesterday afternoon as massive thunder clouds rolled across the sky, the showers came down and brilliant rainbows appeared when the sun broke through.<br />
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Hundreds of large gulls, 80+ Curlew, 23 Eurasian Wigeon, an early Goldeneye, a few Teal, two fine Ruff, plus single Lapwing, Dunlin and Bar-tailed Godwit were making the most of the transient floodscape while a Grass Snake was dead on the road in Llangian - presumably 'washed out'. A minimum of 30 <i>alba</i> wagtails were around and a smart Yellow Wagtail flew north. <br />
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With the rarities coating the northern and eastern parts of the UK I reckoned that some must have made their way this far west and had a quick look in Porth Meudwy as the sun was setting. A couple of Spotted Flycatchers were the best sighting as most other species seemed to be getting their heads down ready to roost.<br />
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This morning I reached Porth Meudwy in much brighter conditions, although a cool NW was blowing. A couple of hours spent slowly grilling every bush revealed... not much!<br />
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Hirundines comprised 11 Barn Swallow and a single House Martin, Robins seemed to be eveywhere (especially in the upper valley) with a minimum of 23 present, while three Blackbirds were lurking in the undergrowth. As was a large grey wabler that I saw enter and fail to reappear (it did look suspiciously like a Barred' on the brief flight views but will consign it to my large 'ones that got away' list).<br />
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Just six Blackcaps, three Chiffchaff, 13 Goldcrest and a single Spotted Flycatcher were logged. A few finches - including two Bullfinches - were the best of the rest, while a couple of hawker dragonflies, several Red Admirals and a lovely Comma represented the non-avian fliers. Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-967523961445349742012-09-14T18:30:00.000+01:002012-09-15T09:57:47.134+01:00MedicationToday saw me join Rhys Jones on the south part of the peninsula. It's been one of those weeks and a few hours of ornithological therapy was much appreciated.<br />
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First stop was Llanengan where the flooded fields looked great for hordes of waders. I do have to wonder what's passed through here over time (like so many local sites!). Marc Hughes found a well-twitched Glossy Ibis here back in October 2005, a Golden Oriole was seen in the village a few years ago, there are historical records of Bittern, Greenland White-fronted Goose and regular visits by small numbers of Whooper Swan... am I forgetting anything else people?<br />
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Talking of historical records, I'm always intrigued by the tale of a
White-tailed Sea Eagle seen 'near Abersoch' for two weeks in November 1910
before the poor thing was shot in the wing, captured and sent to an aviculturist in Wrexham. I can well imagine the bird hunting the fowl over the flooded Afon Soch! Check out the great books by H.E. Forrest <i>The Vertebrate Fauna of North Wales</i> (1907) and the updated supplement entitled <i>A Handbook to the Vertebrate Fauna of North Wales</i> (1919) for other fascinating tales from the old days.<br />
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Sadly, five Dunlin was the highlight although 14 <i>alba </i>wagtails (mostly Whites) and a mixed flock of Barn Swallows, Sand' & House Martins gave us something to check through. The wind was a bit of a pain today with a fresh W veering NW later although at least the sun was out. Seawatching weather even; indeed, Rhys had been at Porth Ysgaden this morning but there was very little moving apart from a few Arctic Skuas and Red-throated Divers.<br />
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Next stop was Abersoch which was surprisingly busy with various touristy types wandering around. The beach held the usual few Great Ringed Plovers and a small posse of loafing gulls that included nine fine Mediteraneans (eight adults and a second-winter - all unringed). We also managed to gain entry to some swanky eatery pub place overlooking the harbour despite me not getting changed for lunch ;-p <br />
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The fields at Penrhos beckoned afterwards. These really look 'monster' at the minute with a couple of natural scrapes having formed there after a summer of wet. On arrival something managed to flush everything off them but the birds soon returned. These were a decent flock of Curlew, 26 Dunlin and a couple of Ringed Plover. Twenty Golden Plover hunkered down out of the wind while a Northern Wheatear and a couple more White Wagtails were scatttered around. No Buff-breasted Sandpipers revealed themselves although we did try hard to string one. Visiting birders should check this place out - pull off the main road down the track to Carreg-y-defaid and walk back along the sea defences to view.<br />
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Pwllheli harbour was about as dead as it ever has been although a fine peachy Greenland Wheatear scuttled along the shore flycatching and 20 Teal were on the Cob Pool. Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086327232537070028.post-26949645594705317232012-09-08T21:15:00.004+01:002012-09-08T21:15:49.423+01:00Red Knot A flying visit through town on a lovely calm, hot and sunny afternoon gave me the opportunity to check the harbour as the tide dropped. Not much change on the wader front although 14 Red Knot included a beautiful summer plumaged bird amongst the 1st winters. Also here was a single Bar-tailed Godwit, a couple of Dunlin and a few more Oystercatcher.<br />
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I didn't have time to check the place thoroughly so I'm sure other birds would have dropped in, still there's always something to look at, even if it's only the weird and wonderful pedestrians passing by. I had one old guy the other day who walked along, took one look at my scope and said "well... <i>that</i> looks like a <i>real</i> lens". Having explained that it was, and a telescope at that - not a photographic one - he did not reply but proceeded to stand staring at me from about 3 metres away for a minute, grunted and turned on his heel to continue towards town. I felt like he had seen a rare vagrant that had left him speechless (I wish). Before any of you ask, my beard is now more designer stubble than Old Testament - having snagged in my binoculars on a few too many occasions and I was smartly dressed in the usual Craghoppers green. I always find it interesting/disturbing how people react to me (and my scope)... usually a mixture of bemusement, wonder, pity, suspicion and awe...<br />
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So, have you - dear anonymous reader - had any particularly memorable encounters with the public when out bird spotting? Please keep the anecdotes tasteful as I don't want to lower the tone of this blog any more than the depths it has already reached; I am thinking tern wardens in particular - some of the tales they tell make even me blush!Andrew Clarkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10949593721059927189noreply@blogger.com0