Choughed To Bits!

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...   

Black Grouse, 16/04/16, World's End, Minera, North Wales.

Peregrine Falcon, 16/04/16, World's End, Minera, North Wales. Picture taken just five minutes after watching the Grouse Lek.

Wheatear, 16/04/16, World's End, Minera, North Wales.

Meadow Pipit, 16/04/16, World's End, Minera, North Wales.

Stonechat, 16/04/16, World's End, Minera, North Wales.

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.         

The Lighthouse at South Stacks RSPB reserve, Anglesey, North Wales. A stunning place to photograph birds.

Chough, 16/04/16, South Stacks, Anglesey, North Wales. I've only ever seen one of these before: a stray bird at Warton Crag Lancs. Good to see them flourishing here.

Fulmar, 16/04/16, South Stacks, Anglesey, North Wales.

Grey Seal, 16/04/16, South Stacks, Anglesey, North Wales. A couple of these were bobbing about near the lighthouse.

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.  

Raven and Buzzard sparring, 16/04/16, Valley Wetlands RSPB reserve, Anglesey, North Wales.

Willow Warbler, 16/04/16, Valley Wetlands RSPB reserve, Anglesey, North Wales. No mistaking this warbler in full song.

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...      

The view at Penmon Point. The small island is called "Puffin Island", no puffins today though, but lots of other stuff.

Rear View, looking back towards Snowdonia.

Razorbills, 16/04/16, Penmon Point, Anglesey. Saw lots of these today.

Guillemot, 16/04/16, Penmon Point, Anglesey. These birds happily mingled with the Razorbills.

Sandwich Terns, 16/04/16, Penmon Point, Anglesey.

Eider, 16/04/16, Penmon Point, Anglesey.

Shag, 16/04/16, Penmon Point, Anglesey.

Rock Pipit, 16/04/16, Penmon Point, Anglesey. Very approachable around the rock pools.

View over the Menai Strait as we headed back to mainland Wales.

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.