Amazing weather combined with excellent company and a bit of good luck always makes for a good day out, but today was particularly special.  Despite a Friday night out until the early hours, Mark agreed to set his alarm for 05.00.  There was method in this madness: Black Grouse are known to lek at this ungodly hour, at this particular time of year, near the small village of Minera near Wrexham which, as it turns out, is just 1hr15 minutes away from Penwortham.  When we arrived at 06.45, we were greeted by at least 20 Black Grouse all strutting their stuff. It had snowed overnight, but that didn't seem to bother them.  I have never even seen these birds before, let alone photograph them in such an incredible landscape...   

By about 8.00am the grouse were looking tired and disinterested, it was time to move on, but where to?  We contemplated Burton Mere again but with lots of time on our hands we could afford to be more adventurous.  I had never actually birded Anglesey before so, half way there already, we headed west to South Stacks RSPB reserve near Holyhead.  Friendly staff greeted us and showed us the ropes.  It was a bit early for nesting seabirds but we still managed to find Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Kittiwakes and several Chough.         

After lunch we headed back stopping at other RSPB reserves on route.  First stop:  Valley RSPB reserve, nestled next to an RAF base.  The white peaks of Snowdonia provided an impressive backdrop.  

Next, we headed to another small RSPB reserve: Maltraeth Marsh near the village of Pentre Berw.  This is an intriguing little reserve well worth another visit.  In our short time there we found evidence of otters and managed to flush a Woodcock.  Frustratingly, this is the only way I ever see Woodcock, so I still don't have a photo of one.  

Back in the car we looked at the map and decided that Penmon Point might be worth a look...      

As we journeyed back we took in the views of the Menai Straights and the North Wales coastline.  Why has it taken me so long to discover this area?  I'll have to return with the wife and kids one day for the boat trip around Puffin Island and a spot of Mackerel fishing, I'm sure they'll be up for that.  As for the Grouse Lek, I doubt I will ever beat today in terms of photography, and that early rise was a killer.       

Spring has sprung and the warblers are back, teasing us all with their subtle identification issues, but usually distinguishable by song.  The Willow Warbler, for example, is almost identical to a Chiffchaff in appearance but its descending melody could never be confused with the monotonous ranting of a Chiffchaff. Likewise, the call of an explosive Cettis Warbler is very different from that of a reeling Grasshopper Warbler.  All well and good, or so I thought. 

Enter Iberian Chiffchaff: a UK rarity.  This bird descended on Penwortham this weekend and its arrival was announced on "Birdguides".  Mark and I headed down Howick Cross Lane on Sunday morning to nail it.  So too did birders from far and wide, one from Hemel Hempstead of all places. We found the bird instantly, partly because of its loud, unfamiliar call, but mainly because of the gathering crowd of birders, all looking in the same direction. Elated by my first "winner" in ages and its convenient appearance in Penwortham, Mark and I cycled home beaming from ear to ear, we had only been away for an hour!

Imagine our horror when, later that day, question marks began surrounding this rare bird's identity.  Apparently, according to some, its call was not convincing enough to clinch "Iberian Chiffchaff" status! 

I only wish I had made a sound recording.  In my view, it sounded exactly like internet recordings of Iberian Chiffchaffs: short, loud pips followed by a crescendo of notes: nothing like a conventional Chiffchaff.     

Oh well, who am I to argue.  If the "experts" are still squabbling about it, my humble opinion aint going to sway things much (although I hope it does).     



             

One week after hatching, our 12 Mallard chicks are still going strong, possibly because of the all-you-can-eat buffet we provide for them.  There's even watered-down sweetcorn soup for that authentic buffet experience.  Crispy duck anyone?