Great White Egret - Welshpool

Today when visiting Llyn Coed y Dinas (Welshpool) a Great White Egret flew in for an hour.



 The bird flew off over the bypass and was later seen at nearby Dolydd Hafren

Updated for further pictures (see comments):

Little Stint at Conwy RSPB Aug 2-3

This smart bird was about as close as it could get to the boardwalk screen on Friday.  Tricky light but not bad for phone-scoping:

Good no's of Dunlin and 2 Green Sand there this eve (4th)

Waders arrive

Adult Little Stint at RSPB Conwy this evening but mobile. Wood Sandpiper still Alaw Estuary Wood Sandpiper Cors Geirach west of Pwllheli Surely more good birds to be found over the weekend? Alan and Ruth www.thebiggesttwitch.com

Seawatching season is here

Following last weeks succes with a Sooty Shearwater past Point Lynas, very pleasing for our clients, back to Point Lynas this morning. Did a two hour watch, highlight was good looks at a Balearic Shearwater, target bird in the bag! Also a very close Bonxie, an Arctic Skua and many "common" seabirds passing. Well worth a look even in light winds as today and last week. Ken C had two Balearic Shearwaters past North Stack this morning, making the walk well worth while. Alan and Ruth www.thebiggesttwitch.com

Caspian Tern not far away......

A Caspian Tern is spending its days in north Staffordshire at Rudyard Lake then roosting in Cheshire each night at Acre Nook Sand Quarry. An easy drive from North Wales given that Caspian Terns are rarely twitchable for long. Well worth going over if you get the chance, Birdline North West 09068 700249, has details of the locations and latest sightings. On another note lots of waders on the move at the moment so well worth checking all wetland habitats for good ones. Some real rarities being found, inc Lesser sand Plover in County Cork and Lesser Yellowlegs and Long billed Dowitcher together in Carmarthenshire. But do check the ID carefully before putting the news out! Recently Dunlin reported as Curlew Sandpiper and 3 Knot reported as Ruff - yes we know!! Always happy to help with ID questions and to hear about your sightings too. Text on 07778 677141, many thanks. Alan and Ruth www.thebiggesttwitch.com

Rain brings waders

A slight influx of waders on the River Clwyd this morning following last night's rain. Highlight was a lovely summer plumaged Knot that dropped in with 20+ Dunlin. A Greenshank fed amongst the 300+ Redshank and 250+ Lapwings while a 3 dapper 'red' Black tailed Godwits were also present. 9 Common Sands were along the river while on Friday a Green Sandpiper was amongst them. Nearby at Llanddulas 3-4000 Common Scoter have returned and are showing quite well off Station Road. 50+ Great Crested Grebes are amongst them. Worth keeping an eye on as last year the Surf Scoter had returned before the end of August.

July is hot for birding

Ask many birders which is their least favourite month and July is usually the reply. But don't believe it! We have been out guiding most days this month and enjoyed brilliant birds here in North Wales, we have found all the special birds that our area is famous for. Today was a good example, birding on Anglesey we visited Point Lynas in far from ideal seawatching conditions. Lots of Manx Shearwaters passing and we were delighted to see a superb Sooty Shearwater amongst them! A thrill to see this rare seabird so close in and in good light with no gale blowing! The UK has had some real top draw rarities this month so July is far from a bad month for birding! Mind you August is usually better! So get out and find a mega. Alan and Ruth www.thebiggesttwitch.com