Up the Great Orme before 6am and it calm and mild, had rained over night so hopes were high with a southerly airflow. Parking above the cemetry I headed for the limestone pavement, following the wall.
A few Wheatears moved ahead of me and small numers of Siskin and Redpoll headed north overhead. A Garden Warbler was in the hawthorns along with a Sedge Warbler and a scatter of Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
Reaching the pavement I walked across to the area above the lighthouse, two Ring Ouzel shot across in front of me! Luckily they landed near the concrete road. Near the car park I met Ivan and got him on the Ouzels and we watched them a Short eared Owl floated over the gorse and rocks mobbed by Jackdaws, a lovely bird, very pale.
I headed back to the wall, fly over Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipits. Just before the valley, near hamburger rock, a female Pied Flyctacher was in the hawthorns, rare bird here. Dave Nivert and friend arrived and Ivan joined us to see the flycatcher. I continued on my way and soon heard a Dotterel calling and it swept over heading for the pavements! I legged it back and was glad that the others had picked it up.
At the cemetry Spotted Flycatcher and by the car a cracking male Whinchat, a great morning in the "back garden"!
A call from Glyn had us hurring down to RSPB Conwy to enjoy a beautiful breeding plumaged Spotted Redshank best we have seen - even the legs were jet black! Also a Ruff and a Greenshank here.
Then headed for Cemlyn but heavy rain put a downer on birding here. Highlights were 2 Yellow Wagtails, lots of waders and second summer Med Gull. Good numbers of Arctic Terns are now back.
Alan and Ruth
info@thebiggesttwitch.com
Sounds like the fem Pied Fly was where I saw a fem Pied Fly last Weds - same bird given their scarcity on the Orme? Mine was in the hawthorns near the wall & actually in the same bush as the Black Redstart!! Posted the sighting in a reply to Marcs post below.
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The Doc
I think it was probably a different bird Paul as it certainly wasn't in these bushes on Thurs or Fridy. Funnily enough, this bush must be the best site on the Orme for Pied Flycatchers, as when they do turn up, this is usually the spot!
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