Had a walk from Pentrellyncymmer today and one of the houses in the village is a magnet for finches putting out plenty of feed. 2 Brambling best, 30+ Chaff and 15 H Sparrow. On our return another feeder at a house in the middle of nowhere (actually SH978527) attracted a Willow Tit which first called nearby and showed really well; cracking caramel-coloured flanks certainly brightened up the frost-clad tree it was in. Love this species and getting harder to see in N Wales. 3 Crossbill near the Brenig but dipped the GGS as snow closed in.
Robin
Sunday, 13 January 2013
2012 Rarity Prediction League - We have a Winner
However, four contentious records may in the long run remove him from his perch. Four single observer records have not counted but may well do if passed by British Birds Rarity Committee - Bangor Thrush Nightingale, South Stack Black browed Albatross, Llandegla White tailed Eagle and Bardsey Olive backed Pipit (all worth 15 points each)
Second place came Rob Hughes who predicted the Desert Wheatear and reached 15 points, but has the potential of scoring 45 if Thrush Nightingale and Olive backed Pipit are accepted by BBRC. Another potential winner is young Aled Hughes who came in with 3 points (Bee-eater and Red backed Shrike) however if White tailed Eagle and Black browed Albatross pass the 10 rare men's scrutiny he will be propelled to 33 points.
Here is a breakdown of scores of those who took part:-
Pete Kinsella - 22 points
Rob Hughes - 15 points
Rob Sandham, Martin Jones and Chris Jones - 9 points
Ken Croft, Alex Jones, Kev Smith, Jack Davis, Mike Duckham, Henry Cook - 5 points
BT (sorry forgotten name) - 4 points
Aled Hughes and Marc Hughes- 3 points
Kathy Naturebites - 1 points
Andy Clarke, Rhys Jones, Kev Smith, Elfyn Lewis, Julian Wheldrake, Gareth Jones - 0
Scoring birds
15 points - Desert Wheatear
10 points - American Golden Plover, Black Kite,
5 points - Red rumped Swallow, Glossy Ibis
2 points - Bee-eater, Surf Scoter, Corncrake, White Stork, Green-winged Teal, Woodchat Shrike, Rose-coloured Starling,
1 point - Common Rosefinch, Common Redpoll Thanks for taking part!
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Long-tailed Duck and Scoters off Llanddulas
I had 2 LTD from the quarry road earlier today with at least 3 Velvets in flight also 5 Scaup. There was a bit of a haze but just about doable but i couldn't spot the Surfies. There's still a lot of Common Scoter (probably around 5000), RTD and GC Grebes but seems to be more Scoter off Kinmel Bay and Pensarn lately. Conditions might be perfect for a look tomorrow.
Firecrest and Bittern seen at Conwy RSPB again today with a few Lesser Redpoll and 2 Jay.
Robin
Firecrest and Bittern seen at Conwy RSPB again today with a few Lesser Redpoll and 2 Jay.
Robin
Friday, 11 January 2013
Clwyd Sandpiper
After a good hour or so, finally located the Sandpiper as it flew in from upstream. I suspect this bird is Common but would love to be proved wrong as I haven't had much experience with winter Common or Spotted Sands. The thing that does worry me is that the legs aren't as yellow as I'd like them to be for Spotted and I also heard it call just like a Common so an over-wintering Common Sand seems likely this time! From the pics it does seem to have a slightly shorter tail projection than what a normal common would have in my opinion but whether that is a 'winter' thing, I'm not sure.
Video is better for seeing over all shape of bird and character
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Clwyd Sandpiper still present
After a tip off from Ken Croft regarding a conversation he had with another birder regarding an interesting sandpiper sp. seen on the River Clwyd yesterday, I took advantage of a quick 15 minutes between meetings to see if the bird was still there.
Probably the same bird as Alex saw last week, the sandpiper was immediately picked up between the two bridges on the far side. The bird looked like a Common Sandpiper to me, however the light was fading and distance through bins is not ideal. I managed to take some pics with my phone - far from ideal and don't really show the bird as I remember it as it looks a bit Spotted like in the pic!
If anyone is around the area over the weekend, at worst you'll get an unseasonal year tick.
Probably the same bird as Alex saw last week, the sandpiper was immediately picked up between the two bridges on the far side. The bird looked like a Common Sandpiper to me, however the light was fading and distance through bins is not ideal. I managed to take some pics with my phone - far from ideal and don't really show the bird as I remember it as it looks a bit Spotted like in the pic!
If anyone is around the area over the weekend, at worst you'll get an unseasonal year tick.
More Foot it luck 10/1
I managed to see the Bittern at Conwy RSPB flying from the
coffee shop towards the Benarth hide after 45 minutes of waiting. A female
Sparrowhawk was hanging around the wildlife garden. 3 Lesser Redpolls still
around. On the estuary a drake Goosander flew up-steam. 3 Ringed Plover and 3
Dunlin sat on the mud. I returned to find this Blackcap munching on my fat
balls. First one this winter.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Foot it Birding 9/1/2013
5 hours of walking from my house today produced a couple of nice surprises. I walked from my house in Llandudno Junction down to Conwy RSPB, new birds to my foot-it list were a Redwing and a Snipe. Yesterday, I managed Firecrest and 3 Lesser Redpolls.
The walk down the estuary towards Conwy itself had 4 Cormorants and 7 Ringed Plovers. The cob near Deganwy had 4 Rock Pipits feeding on the mud. I walked home from there to have a quick bit of breakfast.
After a short rest I walked up to Marl Hall Woods. The main part of the woods held GS Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Coal Tit and Goldcrest. As I walked out the other end of the woods towards Glanwyddan Lane 2 Mistle Thrushed flew over. Perhaps the biggest surprise I had was a Red-legged Partridge that I flushed. I had no idea they were in the area. A few Stock Doves fed in the fields too.
From there I walked through the smaller outer woods of Marl Hall Woods, flushing a Woodcock and a Pheasant. I thought Woodcock would be trickier.
I decided to carry on round the roads towards Bryn Pydew through Cystennin Road. Inthe fields around Llandrillo College I watched a female Merlin chasing a Skylark for ten minutes. Brilliant sight, the Skylark survived. My legs were like jelly when I made it back home.
After the monster walk I noticed that Bullfinches in particular are commoner than in recent winters. I must have seen over 30 individuals today. Notable absentees include Jay and Fieldfare. I now have 70 of my 94 target. Partridge and Merlin are a nice un-predicted bonus. 100 species seems a bit more do-able now in January. Lets see what tomorrow holds.
The walk down the estuary towards Conwy itself had 4 Cormorants and 7 Ringed Plovers. The cob near Deganwy had 4 Rock Pipits feeding on the mud. I walked home from there to have a quick bit of breakfast.
After a short rest I walked up to Marl Hall Woods. The main part of the woods held GS Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Coal Tit and Goldcrest. As I walked out the other end of the woods towards Glanwyddan Lane 2 Mistle Thrushed flew over. Perhaps the biggest surprise I had was a Red-legged Partridge that I flushed. I had no idea they were in the area. A few Stock Doves fed in the fields too.
From there I walked through the smaller outer woods of Marl Hall Woods, flushing a Woodcock and a Pheasant. I thought Woodcock would be trickier.
I decided to carry on round the roads towards Bryn Pydew through Cystennin Road. Inthe fields around Llandrillo College I watched a female Merlin chasing a Skylark for ten minutes. Brilliant sight, the Skylark survived. My legs were like jelly when I made it back home.
After the monster walk I noticed that Bullfinches in particular are commoner than in recent winters. I must have seen over 30 individuals today. Notable absentees include Jay and Fieldfare. I now have 70 of my 94 target. Partridge and Merlin are a nice un-predicted bonus. 100 species seems a bit more do-able now in January. Lets see what tomorrow holds.
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