Iceland Gull

Ian Hawkins and his son recently had an Iceland Gull near Brynsiencyn. It was there again nearby on a sandbar in the Menai Straight off the Sea-Zoo today. Worth a look if your passing.

Ring Ouzels

Male above the Conwy Valley on Sunday

                                Part of a flock of 25 birds in the Spanish Pyranese a week last sunday

Ring Ouzels are back on territory in the North Wales mountains now after spending the winter in the Atlas Mountains of North West Africa.Two weeks ago I had a flock of 25 migrating over the Spanish Pyranes which was great to see. Here's a shot of those birds and of one I got up the Conwy Valley last sunday. Good spots to try include the Nant Francon Valley (top end of old road - other side of valley from main road), Matilda's shaft in the Dinorwic Slate Mines (Mordor!) and the top of the road past Llanber-y-cennin, the Hawfinch spot. Good spotting!

Northern Spain 27th - 31st March 2014

I've recently come back from a long weekend in Northern Spain with Richard Birch. I followed a similar itinerary to a trip I did with Andy Clark in 2003. We flew from Liverpool to Barcelona using Easyjet and used Europcar covering c.1300km. Sites covered included El Llobregat at the end of the runway (great wetland reserve with many migrants). Then we stayed in Lecera (Hotel Rural Rincon del Cierza) south of Belchite. It was a great little hotel and handy for El Planeron and the Dupont's Larks. Then we had 2 nights in the Pyranese up the Hecho Valley at the Hotel Uson. It was another lovely hotel with it's own micro-brewery! After the Hecho Valley, Garbadito and a brief trip to the Ski Resort at Candanchu we headed back to Barca with brief stops for Black Wheatear south of Huesca and Great Spotted Cuckoo east of Ballaguer near Lleida. A great little trip. If you're off there soon and need specific gen either post a comment on here or contact me through Facebook.Here's a selection of some of the better photos I managed to take.

                                          Black eared Wheatear near El Planeron

                                          Dupont's Lark at El Planeron

                                          Wallcreeper at Boca del Infierno

                                          Firecrest at Garbadito

                                          Citril Finch between Hecho and Riglos

                                          Black winged Stilt near Barca airport

                                          Griffon vulture over Lecera

                                          Black Redstart at Riglos

                                          Rock Bunting at Garbadito

                                          Thekla lark at Tramaced

                                          Black Wheatear at Tramaced

                                          Riglos is quite spectacular!

House Martins at Llyn Cefni (Wed 9th April)

A brief lunchtime visit to Llyn Cefni today produced 2 House Martins, 5 Sand Martins and a female Goosander. I had my first Swallow on the 5th April at Cemlyn.

Llay Pool Slavonian Grebe

Sad news. Heard that the Slav grebe was actually found dead at Llay Pool in early March. Second hand news but no reason to doubt it. It seemed fit and healthy when I saw it! LRP's are back, at least 4 lapwings are sitting on nests already, swallows and willow warbler also back.just hope the lapwings can get chicks off with all the dog walkers, fishermen and birders who get too close to the waters edge at times.

Anglesey this week (Friday 4th April)

After a great long weekend in Northern Spain (photos to follow) I've managed to squeeze in a bit of birding this week. On tuesday 2nd April  I had my first singing Blackcap in Llangefni Dingle.On wednesday there were 6 Sand Martins hawking over Llangefni Dingle. Also on wednesday a Spotted Redshank put in a brief appearance at Cemlyn on the pool in the field closest to the Trwyn. At lunchtime today at Llyn Cefni, highlights included 3 singing Willow Warblers, lots of Chiffchaffs, 5 Sand Martins and a redhead Goosander.

Tonight at Cemlyn I had 7 Black tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, Little Egret, 2 Grey Plover, 202 Golden Plover, 1 Wheatear, 6 Med Gulls and 50 + Sandwich Terns at least.

BN Grebe still at Afon Wen, Bodfari

A lovely sum plum Black necked Grebe on the sand quarry pool just west of Afon Wen.  Park in large lay-by on the main A541 road and view from gate in tree belt opposite.

 Access from north off A55 through Caerwys.  Please keep out of quarry area.  You'll soon be told if you don't. iphone-scoped shot below:

Robin