Back in the car we looked at the map and decided that Penmon Point might be worth a look...
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?
We are pleased to announce the arrival of 12 baby Mallard chicks. Mum has been sat on her nest just behind our pond for several weeks now, only leaving it briefly to feed. The chicks were marched out of the nest at about 09.30 this morning but had to head back quickly to avoid a hailstone shower. They've just emerged again now and are feasting away on mashed up duck pellets. Lets hope they survive tonight's temperatures - forecast to be just above freezing.
Sheer weight of bank holiday traffic prevented Mark and I from getting very far today. At least we kept Good Friday holy by visiting a cemetery in Lytham.
Look who's back in our pond, presumably some of last year's brood. Well we wont get many ducklings from 3 drakes!
Visited France mid-week for some liquid provisions. The boat from Dover to Calais was very productive too: loads of sea birds, far more than in the summer months, some flying right along side us...
With rancid weather hindering photography this weekend, I took the opportunity to sort out my Barrier Reef photos. My newly ordered book: "Coral Reef Fishes" by Liesk an Myers and the excellent website: www.fishesofaustralia pretty much took care of any ID issues. Trawling through all the pictures brought back great memories of Aus. The still shots are now in my sea fishes section, now I just need to trawl through and edit all my movie footage. That could take a few more months! Couldn't resist another look at Pilling today, and the three Barn Owls didn't let us down. Mark and I watched them for a good couple of hours before darkness fell. Hoggy and I haven't been birding together for ages, probably not since our last visit to Pilling when several owls put on a fine display for us. So today, after visiting an unremarkable and very flooded Leighton Moss, we decided to return home via Pilling. Just as the light was beginning to fade, three Barn Owls sprang into action over the fallow fields next to Bradshaw Lane. Great to see them back.
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AuthorTony Wilson. Archives
May 2019
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