Sunday 11 December 2011

Purple Sandpipers finally give up their hiding place at Rhos Point





After a virtual Purple Sandpiper free winter with only one or two recorded at Rhos Point, a visiting photographer finally found this year's Purple Sands hiding place. His directions were spot on and before long I was enjoying fine views of 16 birds. Walk west from Rhos Point until the promenade splits in two. Take the lower path past a slipway and coninue towards Penrhyn Bay for another 75 or so yards. When you come across a rok with the number 43 painted on it, duck under fence and clamber onto the rocks (be careful as this is a little hairy). The rocks aren't viewble from the prom or road. Other birds at Rhos Point incuded a Great Northern Diver (also one close inshore off Old Colwyn, 11 Red throated Divers, many Common Scoter, 12 Red breasted Merganser and 2 Rock Pipits. Three more Purple Sandpipers, 40+ Dunlin, many Turnstone, Redshank (including a good percentage ringed) and a single Knot also present.


Nearby at Penrhyn Bay a fine winter plumaged adult Mediterranean Gull was washing with BHG's in the pool in the field which can be viewed from Glanwydden Lane.

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