Aberdaron

After starting our day seeing the stunning male Golden Oriole at Cemlyn Bay we made our way down to Aberdaron in search for the Woodchat Shrike and Sup-Alp Warbler.

We bagged both of them almost straight away as they were showing really well, we also found a few Redpoll on the feeders at the Caravan site/Cafe on the way and a second Woodchat Shrike was reported in the same area.

This was adapted from Austin's Birding Blog see more below.

http://austinmorley.blogspot.co.uk/

Golden oriole still there

Despite the atrocious weather conditions I joined JR, Carl and Tony Kingfisher on a trip to Cemlyn to search for the male golden oriole this morning. Having got soaked through twice and retreated to the car we decided to give it a third go and suddenly John shouted out he got the oriole flying across the field infront of us! Amazing close views of this stunner as it landed in a hedge near us and then flew across the field again and dropped down at the bottom of a hedge to shelter from wind and rain and remained there for a while giving all birders present a chance to see it. A welsh tick for me. I Called in at Conwy RSPB on way and got my first swifts of the year.

What a difference a day makes - Great orme migrants April 21st

In comparison to yesterday's lovely morning, today saw a cold brisk wind blowing from the south and low single figure temperatures. That didn't stop a few birds arriving with the Orme's first two Whitethroats of the year; a male and female in gorse on the limestones. Highlight was a lone Cuckoo that appeared from nowhere being chased by Jackdaws and quickly disappearing over the sheep fields. Two Ring Ouzels remain by the hawthorn behind the stone wall while a single male Redstart was at Pink Farm. 40 + Wheatears were dotted around as were the 250+ Meadow Pipits. Four Tree Pipits overhead and 10+ Willow Warblers present.

Most handsome bird prize went to the three 'northern' Golden Plovers that circled the headland for ten minutes, uttering their mournful calls.

First Whitethroat on the Great Orme this year - well done him for winning the race north!

Great Orme migrants - April 20th (Lap Bunt, Redstarts and Ouzels)

A beautiful morning on the Orme today with perfect light and calm winds. Highlight was a cracking male Lapland Bunting that flew low over the north end, calling at 10am. It sported a jet black throat and upper chest and gleaming white belly. Five Ring Ouzels were in their usual spot, ranging from the hawthorns to the boulders in the sheep fields. Chris had another three in Bishop's Quarry! Two Common Redstarts were present, my first up here this year, while a female Black Redstart continued the excellent run of this species on the headland in 2013. Three Tree Pipits flew over while other migrants included 4 White Wagtails, 40+ Wheatears, including several 'Greenland' type birds, small groups of Siskins and Redpolls and a scattering of phyllosc warblers and Goldcrests. A female Merlin has been present for a few days and put in the briefest of appearances this morning and Rob Sandham scored with a male Yellowhammer at the summit.

Yesterday a lone Bonxie flew west after a timely text from Henerz said one had passed the Little Orme. Probably the rarest of all 'Orme' sightings over the past week was a lone Greylag Goose that flew in off the sea and continued west over the sheep fields yesterday!

 A very bluey grey looking female Black Redstart on the limestones this morning. A male Redstart had been in exactly the same spot an hour earlier.

 One of two stonking male Redstarts that graced the Orme this morning.

 This has to be one of the best year's for Ring Ouzels for many a year. The birds can be quite distant at times, feeding around the boulders in the sheep fields.

 Yesterday's Orme mega; my first Greylag Goose up here for three years!

The afternoon was spent searching Cemlyn for the elusive Golden Oriole. A split second flash of bright yellow was all I got. However, up to seven cracking Mediterranean Gulls more than made up for the disappointment of not seeing the Oriole well.

Subalpine Warbler near Uwchmynydd

On hearing that Andy Clark had found a male Subalpine Warbler on his local patch at Mynydd Mawr near Uwchmynydd yesterday I took the afternoon off and headed down there and met up with Eddie and Andy.  The bird was favouring the north-western fenceline of a square sheepfield on the left hand side of the track up to Mynydd Mawr - there's a large open grassy area for parking.

The bird showed well all afternoon as it fed in the brambles and gorse along the fenceline, occasionally venturing onto the path and grassy slope.  The pink throat and chest extending diffusely down onto the belly and flanks indicated that the bird is of Western origin (cantillans) as did the dry tacking call and the song, which it gave a few times over the afternoon.  I've added a few phone-scoped pictures below - I'm sure there'll be better ones to come soon!

The bird was still there today, with the added bonus of a male Woodchat Shrike just up the road near Aberdaron.

Golden Oriole -still at Cemlyn on Saturday

The Oriole was showing again today at Cemlyn. It spent most of the morning in Tyn Llan Scrub (The scrub behind the pool/"canal".It was in Bryn Aber's Walled garden most of the afternoon, playing hard-to-get amongst the sea of Yellow gorse flowers! There were also 3 male Redstarts, 2 Whitethroats, a few Whimbrel, 6 Meds plus an obvious fall of Blackcaps, Willow-Chiffs, Mippets and White Wags.

Great Trip to the Orme and Conwy RSPB

Today on The Great Orme

Six Ring Ouzel seen in their usual place, the sheep pens. I counted only one female and the rest male.

This Merlin made a surprise appearance in the same field as the Ring Ouz .

A quick trip to Conwy RSPB through up loads of Willow Warbler and plenty of Chiffchaff and one ArcticTern. Reports of Common Redstart but unfortunately I never saw it

This has been adapted from Austin's Birding Blog

http://austinmorley.blogspot.co.uk/