Anglesey's Amazing Starling Roost at Parys Mountain

After a gentle paced spin around the Island today producing nothing too unusual of note bar a Great White Egret and Female Marsh Harrier at Llyn Llewenan, the days avian highlight was produced by the Common Starling. Back in November Nigel Brown was going on at Birdgroup about how good the Parys Mountain roost was. Today around mid-afternoon, Tony White mentioned it again just as we were passing through Llanerchymedd so we thought we would give it a go. Birds have been roosting in the general vicinity of Parys Mountain near Amlwch, but tonight we realized exactly where they are roosting., and we arrived just as the sun was setting over Llyn Alaw. If you look at this map we parked by the red X to look over the relatively new plantation at SH 442 894.
I don't think I have  ever seen so many Starlings coming into a roost. There were 100's of thousands of birds! There were constant steams of birds heading in to the backdrop of windmills, Parys Mountain and a half - decent Sunset. Whilst they weren't murmurating as such, seeing so many birds were phenomenal. If this was at Conwy RSPB, there would be over a hundred people watching on in awe. But as it was Amlwch, there was just Tony, Myself , the local farmer and 3 Buzzards after a bit of supper!
The almost hypnotic constant streaming of birds, the noise, the smell of guano reminiscent of a Seabird colony and the fact that you could walk through the middle of the roost as a public road bi-sects the small plantation, all added up to a truly unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend.
So if you are in the area, especially if there is a calm evening with a nice sunset, why not pop over to experience it yourself, in case they change roost sites as Starlings tend to do. You won't be disappointed!

Recent Anglesey and North Wales Bird news and Photos

A Glaucous Gull is currently hanging out at Llandulas. Follow the road down to the beach car park. Scanning from the shore in good conditions and some patience you should pick out the two male Surf Scoters and the odd Velvet among the more numerous Common Scoters offshore.
The gull is usually just to the east of the Car Park, bathing by the outflow, or a little further east feeding on a dead Porpoise. There has also been a Water Pipit here and another at Conwy RSPB recently. A pair of Dippers are often on this river at Llandulas about 50m back up the road. Llanfairfechan is another good spot for Dipper.
Up-to 2 Snow Buntings are hanging out with 5 Skylarks at  Kimnel Bay. Park in the beach Car Park by Asda and walk east to the first access ramp. This is their favorite area, but get there early as they become more mobile as dog walkers arrive on the beach. The beach is also pretty good for Sanderling. On Friday there was a Firecrest and Lapland Bunting at Penmon Point. There have still been upto 2 Firecrests at Benllech recently  in the scrub behind the beach car park toilets. Black Redstarts have recently been at South Stack and Holyhead Train station / docks. I had a Hawfinch up the Conwy Valley yesterday at Llanbedr-a-cennin. The first I've seen since the influx when I had 9 migrants over my house in Cemaes on the 6th Nov. There have been upto 15 in Llanbedr recently. Around the Church and just beyond are the best spots to look. Black Grouse are lecking on the moors near Wrexham at the usual spots but remember to stay in the car. The close birds usually disperse quite early when walkers and cyclists get on the moor but if you stay in your car and keep quiet they won't be bothered by you. The early bird-er catches the worm, well Grouse in this case. Goosanders are very approachable at Llyn Padarn Llanberis and along with Mandarins, they can also sometimes put on a show at Llangollen on the river.
On Anglesey at Beddmanarch bay, Penrhos by Coffee Cups Cafe there is around 308 Pale bellied Brent geese, including 1 dark Bellied bird and a Spangle breasted individual - see photo.
Also recently in the Beddmanarch Bay / Inland Sea area there have been 14 Scaup, GN Diver, Black Guillimot, 2 Slav Grebes and a Long tailed duck was seen on the 18th December. Great white Egret and Marsh Harrier were at Llyn Llewennan on the 18th. There was also Marsh and Hen Harrier and Water Pipit at Cors Ddyga on this date. Cors Ddyga  is the Reserve formerly known as Malltraeth Marsh RSPB reserve. Reminds me of Prince! Anyway, I digress. Not far from there at Malltraeth Cob keep your eyes peeled for overwintering Pintail and Spotted Redshank, plus Red Squirrels at the feeders in Newborough and 3 Cattle Egrets nearby at Pont Marquis / Paradwys. Also the usual suspects are around, Choughs at South Stack and Black Guillimots around Holyhead Harbour and the fish quay.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the photos and I hope you see some good birds in North Wales over the winter period whether you are local or a visiting Birder, have fun.
All the best Stephen Culley

SCAN ringing talk by Phil Woolen in Bangor

Tonight at Bangor Birdgroup Phil Woolen, North West Ringer and Birder will be talking about the work the SCAN ringing group get up to. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush as if you hang out with Ringers you get great opportunities to study birds up close. Come and see what they get up to, it should be a great talk.
At Bangor Birdgroup we meet on Wednesday nights in the University of Bangor Brambell Building, Deiniol road opposite Asda just down from the Train Station. Costs are £2 per meeting (non members), or even better join as a member. Membership costs are as follows- Waged = £15, £12 for concessions and £10 for students. Not bad for 24 talks!
Doors open at 7 for a 7.30 pm start. Talks last for around 1 hour. All members of the public are welcome. 

Iceland in Bangor

Tonight at Bangor Birdgroup Local Birder Chris Jones will be doing a talk on the Birds, Wildlife and Scenery of Iceland. There should be some wonderful images of this magical place.
At Bangor Birdgroup we meet on Wednesday nights in the University of Bangor Brambell Building, Deiniol road opposite Asda just down from the Train Station. Costs are £2 per meeting (non members), or even better join as a member. Membership costs are as follows- Waged = £15, £12 for concessions and £10 for students. Not bad for 24 talks!
Doors open at 7 for a 7.30 pm start. Talks last for around1 hour. All members of the public are welcome. 

COS trip to the North-west Bird Watching Festival

 COS are running a Coach to Martin Mere on the 18^th  Nov (this Saturday).

It will be leaving Bangor at 8am (or Mona Ind Estate at 7.30), with pick-ups along the coast to Colwyn Bay.

Coach fare is £14, admission charge to Martin Mere will be collected on coach.

It is the North-west Bird Watching Festival (Saturday and Sunday), with guest speakers, exhibitors, talks, tours, workshops etc. And lots of wild birds to see, including Ruff, Tree Sparrows, Whooper Swans, Pinkfeet, Kingfisher and various raptors.

Anyone wanting further information can  phone Geoff ASAP on (01248 681936).

Many Thanks

Wales and Dolphins at Bangor Bird-group this Wednesday

When Kathy James left Bangor Birdgroup it was to move down to Mid Wales to work for the Sea Watch foundation. This Wednesday at Bangor Birdgroup Kathy's Boss Peter Evans will be coming up to talk to us about the interesting World of Dolphins and Cetaceans in his appropriately named talk, Wales and Dolphins!
At Bangor Birdgroup we meet on Wednesday nights in the University of Bangor Brambell Building, Deiniol road opposite Asda just down from the Train Station. Costs are £2 per meeting (non members), or even better join as a member. Membership costs are as follows- Waged = £15, £12 for concessions and £10 for students. Not bad for 24 talks!
Doors open at 7 for a 7.30 pm start. Talks last for around1 hour. All members of the public are welcome. Hopefully see you there, all the best, Stephen Culley (Programme Organizer, Local Birdwatcher and Naturalist).

Bangor Birdgroup : Honduras and the Anglesey Skerries

Will outside Left, Molly outside right.

Two former  Bangor University  Students are returning to Bangor Birdgroup tonight to let us know what they have been up-to since qualifying. Molly Foulds will be talking about some of her work in Honduras and the birds that she saw there and Will Smith will be talking about The Anglesey Skerries, where he has worked for the RSPB for the last two summers. I'm really looking forward to what they have to say tonight. Doors open at the Brambell building at 7pm tonight, members free, non members £2 on the door. All welcome.