Chew Valley crackers!

Photos:

Common Buzzard at Rixton

Sunrise in Somerset

Whimbrel, Grey Wagtail, Spotted Sandpiper (the lower of the two distant birds), Pectoral Sandpiper and Ferruginous Duck at Chew Valley Lake

27th September

After a day working in Somerset, rather than queue on the M5 through the Bristol area with the rest of the tea time traffic, I decided to head over to Chew Valley Lake for a couple of hours birding in the very pleasant autumn sunshine. For me the lighting levels and day time temperature is about perfect at the moment.

For a change I went and bought a permit and instead of spending time at Heron’s Green Bay as I usually day, I visited the hide overlooking Stratford Bay. When you look out of the hide here the first thing you see is a vast raft of aythya ducks in a broad line across the front of the hide. Being me I had a stab at counting them. I came up with conservative estimates of 3800+ Tufted Ducks, 400+ Pochards plus hundreds more of Shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard. Beyond this was a second raft in a line which comprised several thousand Coots. A drake Ruddy Duck still in bright breeding plumage stuck out like a sore thumb in the midst of the moulting aythyas. I know they are common ducks, however the sheer numbers are stunning! BTW – at this time last year, according to a local birder, there were around 16000 ducks in this bay (not the whole reservoir).

A drake Ferruginous Duck was on the end of a small spit preening himself when I arrived. I made several sweeps through the flock looking for a Ring-necked Duck but failed to find him. I did find a couple of interesting hybrids though – apparently there are several. A few waders also started to appear (an unseen raptor had flushed a lot of birds shortly after I got there) and these included a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, three Little Stints, a Whimbrel, 2 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover. A single Little Egret was also in the bay.

As the evening sun began to descend I left Stratford Hide and headed for Herriot’s Pool where a moulting, adult Spotted Sandpiper has been in residence for the last few days. I rolled up just in time to see it fly across the pool from one of the islands at the back towards the causeway wall. Here it becomes very difficult to see as part of the wall is obscured by a hedge and when it does become visible it is overgrown by vegetation. With a bit of patience I managed to get some good if somewhat distant views of this bird. It has just a few spots left on the sides of its breast so it is clearly well advance in moult.

At dusk the bird flew back to the small island at the back of the pool where it roosts and there showed very well if even more distant. An interesting comparison was had with a Common Sandpiper which was perched next to it for a while – particularly the leg colour, the Spotted Sand having a much brighter yellowish colouration. The pool was also buzzing with a few Grey Wagtails and numerous Pied Wagtails coming in to roost. A Water Rail screamed and a second was seen walking down a channel on the other side of the road. A Cetti’s Warbler briefly sang and finally an adult Yellow-legged Gull dropped briefly onto the pool for a bath.

Cracking few hours which I would have otherwise spent queuing on the motorway. For all the good wader line up, as I drove back to the Midlands (back working in Brum tomorrow) the sight I mused over most was the raft of ducks!

28th September

Arrived back from Brum early evening – what a sweltering day! I took Bill to HGF – nothing unusual there. The Teal was not present though it has disappeared for a day or so a couple of times in the past and then turned up again. The swans had gone and the only sighting of interest was two Kestrels over the stubble field – it looked like a juvenile pestering an adult female. The pestering bird was quite persistent – this went off for around 20 minutes.

A Sparrowhawk was being mobbed by Crows over Myddleton Lane when I drove down. Later at Watertworks Lane feeding station there were 39 Tree Sparrows in the hedge. All but two eventually departed for the usual roost site – the other two flew off towards Arbury Lane. A Sparrowhawk flew through at dusk.

29th September

An early morning visit to HGF before once again driving down to Brum. A Buzzard was perched on a telegraph pole opposite the parking space. As I walked through the south field, a covey of 29 Grey Partridges flushed in the stubble. They had been present right next to the small wood which borders the M62 – M6 and unusually the all flew up fairly high, over the trees and the motorway slip road and off over in the direction of Croft. I have never seen Grey Partridges fly this high before.

On the pool the bird numbers continue to decrease with Coots down to 42 from 63, Tufties down to 22 from 48 and Great Crested Grebes down to 17 from 27. The Teal looks to have gone, however it was here for 6 weeks which is unheard of for this species here. The longest staying Teal previously was around 2 days.

Late evening I took Bill for a walk down Barrow Lane. A few coveys of Grey Partridges were calling, a flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were in the field behind Parkside Farm and a Buzzard flew over. At the concrete bollards I was scanning the oat fields and surrounds when I heard a Skylark alarm calling. I looked up to see a Skylark being chased by a Merlin. A spectacular bit of action then followed with the Merlin making several passes at the lark and each time I thought this is it, the lark just dinked and slipped away. The Merlin then tried a couple of manoeuvres where it climbed and then stooped down on the lark, Peregrine style. The Skylark evaded the second of these by suddenly dropping into the middle of the plantation of small conifers.

The Merlin (a female/juvenile) plonked itself down in the field for a rest. A Kestrel came over, presumably to see if the Merlin had caught anything and then departed. After the Merlin disappeared, 4 Brown Hares appeared out of the conifers and then more coveys of Grey Partridges with at least 50 birds in total being seen.

30th September

HGF continues to decline somewhat with lower numbers of most species of water bird today. A flock of around 40 Linnets were in the south field with 2 coveys of Grey Partridges (6 and 7). A Sparrowhawk also flew over this field and a Buzzard was perched on a nearby telegraph pole.

A very pleasant evening in Somerset

Photos:

Knot at Meare Heath, Somerset and sunset views from Noah's Hide, Shapwick Heath

23rd September

Arrived back from a day in Brum this evening at a decent time so I headed off to HGF. The local farmer was ploughing the fields opposite the kennels and around 640 Black-headed Gulls were present. Patient sifting through this flock couldn’t produce the recent leucistic bird, never mind a Med. A covey of 42 Grey Partridges was on the lawn in the south field, five Skylarks were also there. A couple of Swallows passing through summed up the hirundine interest and the Teal is still there. Three Mute Swans were also new on, an adult pair which have a 2cy type bird with them. The latter is ringed but the characters seem to be worn and are illegible.

At home I found the remains of a Collared Dove on the lawn, presumably killed by a Sparrowhawk.

I then took Bill for a walk down Barrow Lane. Again I seemed to see nothing on the outward leg and then bird started cropping up on the return leg. A couple of Buzzards appeared and one dark looking individual perched on the lime mound whereupon it was mobbed by a Kestrel. I then picked up a female/juvenile Merlin perched in a ploughed field roughly west of the lime. Because of the angle of the hedges it couldn’t be seen from further down the lane. A covey of 5 Grey Partridges put in an appearance (I wonder where the other 60+ birds I saw recently have gone?) and scanning the edge of the small Christmas tree plot I found 6 Brown Hares all emerging from the edge of this small plantation. When I looked back the Merlin had gone – this coincided with the appearance of 11 Skylarks flying through south.

Late evening we set off for the van. Driving down Waterworks Lane I stopped briefly to check out the feeding station. It was a bit late and I didn’t expect to see much, however I immediately heard the loud chatter of Tree Sparrows in their usual roost site over near the water treatment works. Looks like some are back though how many I couldn’t tell. A pair of Grey Partridges were at the feeding station and further up the lane in the field full of round bales I spotted a Kestrel perched on top of one of the bales, eating supper. Also perched on top of a nearby bale, as though keeping an eye on the Kestrel, was a Wheatear with a second one in the stubble at the foot of the bale.

24th September

No birding today (Saturday). At the van I saw a Coal Tit and a Jay while a flock of 20 Mistle Thrushes were also hanging around.

25th September

I started this morning at Glasson – trying to see if yesterday’s Lesser Yellowlegs was still around. When I arrived Ian Woosey was already there so I joined him. To be honest the lighting wasn’t that good and the views of waders here are distant at the best of times. I spent 20 minutes watching one wader which was clearly longer-billed, longer-legged and more pointed at the rear end than a Redshank. It was also feeding with its head completely submerged and occasionally sweeping it from side to side, a bit like an Avocet. It turned out to be a Spotted Redshank.

I picked up a couple of adult Meds on the far shore and Ian found a Sparrowhawk quartering the marsh. A Little Egret also appeared and quite a few other waders were around including a Curlew Sandpiper, two Knot, 45+ Bar-tailed Godwits and at least 500 Golden Plover. A small flock of 26 Great Black-backed Gulls also provided a bit of interest and six Wigeon were present in the channel. Lots of Goldfinches around too.

We walked down the track and scanned from the bridge but the views were probably worse so we headed back to the cars and drive round to Conder Pool. Oddly there were no waders roosting on the pool. Eight Little Grebes and a single Wigeon were the sole birds present. Later mssrs Rigby, Raynor and Chorley arrived and we spent an hour or so nattering. I can’t believe how much weight Riggers has lost – apparently around 6 stone on the Atkins diet. Well done that man!

I then decided to wander off to Sunderland Point, changed my mind and ended up at Teal Bay where a fisherman had flushed everything and then got summoned back to the van as Karen wanted to go home.

After an afternoon of gardening back home I ventured out once more with Bill. First stop was the feeding station where at least 48 Tree Sparrows were in residence with 20+ House Sparrows. A Buzzard was present nearby and a second one in Highfield Lane where 4 Stock Doves were with the woodie flock.

At HGF the usual line up was present including sole Wigeon and the Teal. A fourth, male, Mute Swan has arrived and was cosying up to the younger bird from a few days ago. The large cob that was present took exception top this and chased him off. Also of interest was the behaviour of the Great Crested Grebes with at least 8 birds continually flying around the surface of the pool before engaging in posturing with each other. This went on for a good 20 minutes. A couple of Skylarks were still in the south field and a flock pf 35+ Linnets were buzzing around nr Midhops. Eight Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 7 Common Gulls were on the water but few BHG’s.

This evening a female Sparrowhawk was observed circling over the garden. Later when I emerged from the Chinese in Newton-Le-Willows I spotted a male Spar flying overhead. I had called in briefly at Newton Lake on my way to collect the take away – the only noteworthy birds were 4 Little Grebes with 3 adults and a juvenile present.

26th September

HGF this morning in the early sunshine provided a little interest. The long-staying Teal is still present plus the sole Wigeon. These were accompanied by a female Shoveler and an eclipse drake Ruddy Duck. A Chiffchaff was singing in the east hedge. Two Buzzards and two Kestrels were also around – the male Kestrel caught a small rodent. A covey of Grey Partridges were on the lawn with at least 25 birds present though part of the covey was clearly hidden in the stubble. A single Skylark was in the south field. The Great Crested Grebe numbers are gradually dropping off now with 17 birds present today – curiously Coot numbers are also falling.

Late afternoon I arrived at Shapwick Heath / Ham Wall (working down here). It was a nice sunny day and birds seemed to be everywhere. I started by walking along the path to Ham Wall viewing screen. A large tit flock was passing down the hedge in the same direction and it clearly contained a number of warblers, however I didn’t quite get to see what they were. A female Marsh Harrier appeared over the western side of the marsh and briefly tangled with a Buzzard before disappearing. Three Little Egrets were also flitting around the place. I noticed that Swallows were constantly moving through south in dribs and drabs so I started trying to keep track. Around 260+ birds moved through in the 90 minutes or so I spent near the viewing screen.

An adult Hobby flew leisurely past with the evening sun lighting up its rufous trousers. I then noticed a very small wader lift off the water and start flying circuits over the marsh. From the size comparison with the Swallows drifting through plus grey/brown looking upperparts (not pale enough for Sanderling) and clean white underparts it had to be a stint species. The bird then started calling and I made careful mental note of the call – a chup chup. The bird then disappeared.

A Bittern gave good if somewhat distant views when it flew over the marsh. The tit flock came back and this time I got in a position to see it approach. In total there were 19 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Blue Tits, 8 Great Tits, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Garden Warblers and 2 Willow Warblers. I think a few that I didn’t count got through! A couple of Cetti’s Warblers were singing nearby and a few Water Rails screaming. On the way back towards Shapwick Heath a second female (darker bird) Marsh Harrier appeared over the marsh to the south and flushed a load of Teal.

I then headed off towards Noah’s Lake. First I stopped at the lagoon at Meare Heath and watched a mixed wader flock comprising 84 Black-tailed Godwits and 92 Knot. The latter were extremely flighty but provided entertainment in regularly whizzing over the pool while being illuminated by the sun. Eventually a juvenile Marsh Harrier appeared and this seemed to permanently spook them and they flew off. A Green Sandpiper somewhere was calling, three Snipe flew up, a Kingfisher flew across the pool and more Cetti’s Warblers and Water Rails called.

I also met a birder here who had just been watching a Little Stint that had departed with some Lapwings. Same bird I saw? When I got back to my hotel later I checked out the flight call of Little Stints and it exactly matched the bird I had been watching at Ham Wall.

When I got to the hide a woman there was watching what she thought was a Barn Owl perched in the window of the old tin hut which, rather oddly, protrudes out of the water out in the lake. I got my scope on the bird and confirmed her ID – we then watched the bird quartering the reedbed. She then called a Peregrine – when I found the bird it was a Hobby busy catching dragonflies. It was very noticeable that there were dragonflies everywhere down here, unlike back home.

The woman left and another birder arrived just as the sun started setting. Little Egrets had been drifting in to roost and very favourably they have decided to roost on a small island very much like the one at Leighton Moss and off to the left of the hide. Eventually a Great White Egret arrived and perched up. Five minutes later a second GWE arrived and this was clearly a much larger bird, easily a third larger than the first one. It also took exception to the smaller bird and chased it round and round the island for at least five minutes before appearing to become bored. 27 Little Egrets were also in the roost.

Two more Hobbies appeared over the back with all three together here feeding on dragonflies. A Bittern finally flew out of the narrow strip of reeds directly in front of the hide and off over the back. A Tawny owl then started calling in the trees behind the hide and a Kingfisher flashed past.

I then headed back to the car park in almost total darkness. At one point I glanced up and saw a dark shape above me – through the bins I could just make out the shape of another Bittern. As I walked past the lagoon I stopped for a while and listened to the noises of Black-tailed Godwits interspersed with a calling Green Sandpiper and various other birds. What an evening! This place never lets me down.

Furore at Gafham Water!

Photos:

Juvenile Grey Phalarope and adult Sabine's Gull at Grafham Water

19th September

HGF early doors yielded a drake Wigeon – the first returning bird of the year. Otherwise pretty much same as last time. A quick check of the feeding station and 16 Tree Sparrows were present but no sign of the House Sparrow flock. Then off to Birmingham to continue the daily slog.

20th September

Back from Brum this evening. A quick pit stop at Moat Lane pools confirmed that Mute Swan JP4 is back from his wanderings. Nothing much else about.

HGF late on was not much different. The sole returned Wigeon is still around. In the stubble field opposite the kennels was a loose covey of 42 Grey Partridges. This split with 10 birds breaking off and flying over towards Myddleton Farm. Another covey, numbers unknown, was skulking in undergrowth near Midhops.

21st September

HGF early on was one of those enjoyable visits. It was a sunnier and more cheery day and there were plenty of birds kicking around. The covey of 32 Grey Partridges was in the south field along with four Skylarks and 21 Meadow Pipits. On the wires were 71 Collared Doves and a few Swallows and a House Martin flew through. The long-staying Teal was back (I wonder where she goes when she disappears?), still just the single Wigeon and an increase in Tufties with 48 birds present. A couple of Canada Geese were new in and the first autumn flock of Lapwings appeared with 31 birds wheeling over the pool this morning.

On the way into Burtonwood this morning I noticed 21 Common Gulls on the rugby pitch with the Black-headed Gulls. Curiously 20-30 of these birds will typically spend most of the winter here. A sizeable flock of Canada Geese flew over. At the feeding station were 34 House Sparrows and 6 Tree Sparrows.

Mid afternoon I passed within striking distance of Frodsham. I had only a brief stop at No. 6 tank. Most of the birds were on the far side and the glare of the sun made viewing virtually impossible. Another birder came passed – he had apparently just seen a Great White Egret in flight down the ship canal! Plenty of House Martins over the water, Sparrowhawk, Kestrels and Buzzard seen plus a Raven and a flock of Goldfinches. Unfortunately I didn’t have time for proper birding.

22nd September

Working away again but somewhere different to Birmingham for a change. After work I visited Grafham Water which was about 20 mins from where I was working. I spent two hours gazing at an adult Sabine’s Gull and a Grey Phalarope which were both showing ridiculously well on the dam. Oh and I did see three Yellow Wagtails!

Writing this much later I find that I have inadvertently made the news in Bird Watching Magazine. In an article Mike Weedon comments on the furore in Cambridgeshire at the apparently appalling behaviour of two photographers who walked onto the lower dam wall at Grafham. Weedon’s article is fair and explores the rationale behind trying to get closer views of birds and makes the point that maybe it is not just about the photography. Being one of the two “photographers” pilloried by the locals in Cambridgeshire I feel I need to discuss this topic.

I was completely unaware of the discussions that I and another birder had provoked and the general allegations were that we climbed over the dam wall, tried to get point blank photos, were inconsiderate and flushed the birds and placed the future of the reserve at risk (slightly bizarre one that last allegation).

This is what really happened. Firstly fishermen regularly walk along the lower dam wall and several did so. The birds reaction was to simply fly around the fishermen and drop down onto the dam wall behind them. We watched this carefully and the first photographer (never got his name) decided to go onto the lower dam wall – I decided to follow suit. We didn’t climb over the wall as many claimed – there is a path to the lower wall! How else do the fishermen get there?

We didn’t go for point blank shots – we both sat back at least 30 feet from the water edge where the birds were. We sat out in sight so that the birds could see us and let the birds come to us, which the phalarope did. The photos I got from this position were frankly crap and the ones I use were all digiscoped from the upper dam wall. Maybe to reinforce the point that Weedon was trying to make in this article – I really enjoyed seeing the bird from a different perspective. It was only within photographing range for perhaps 10 seconds, however it was in view through the bins as it approached and went past for at least 10 minutes. A cracking bird and the views are what I remember! PS – the birds didn’t flush and the world didn’t end.

I think that they are a suspicious bunch are many birders. It is always someone trying to flush the bird, it always leaves because it was hassled (never because it simply wants to) and anyone doing something to get better, closer views or take a photograph is out of order. Funny too how birders with a camera are always labelled as “photographers”, never birders! I do accept that there some birders trying to take photographs who do step over the line. Likewise I have seen well known and respected birders trample over all sorts of breeding habitat to flush a rare bird (in the north west) that wasn’t showing when they wanted it to. I decided to assess the risk and for me it paid off. One last point – the only other birder present at the time we were there (and therefore the only person who could have raised this issue publicly) was shown by me where the birds were and spent quite a bit just chatting to us!

Heysham south harbour area hits the spot

Photos:

A flooded Bull Beck

Common Scoter, Morecambe

Little Gull, Wheatear, Kingfisher and Wheatear at Heysham south harbour area with view over to the wooden jetty

17th September

Lovely day today – it rained virtually all day. I had a quick mooch out to Bull Beck in the morning – the river had flooded and the large shingle bank was completely under water and local fields likewise. So much so a Goosander was swimming around where the other week cattle had been grazing. Of particular interest was a Dipper which was skulking around in a partially submerged willow tree – the first time I can remember seeing one of these birds in a tree well off the ground. A couple of Common Sandpipers and two Grey Wagtails were feeding around the water’s edge. The rain became torrential again so I retreated back to the van.

Mid afternoon at high tide the rain eased enough to escape again and I wandered down to Bolton-Le-Sands. The fields here either side of the approach lane were also flooded and contained 600+ Black-headed Gulls, 50+ Curlews and a Little Egret. Out on the shore was the usual wader line up with 4000+ Oystercatchers, another 1150+ Curlews and a sprinkling of Knot and Bar-tailed Godwits. Eventually I picked out a Whimbrel with the Curlews. Three more Little Egrets and a Raven were on the marsh. Three Eiders were off shore.

Teal Bay next where the usual Redshank flock on the groyne had a few Knot sprinkled in. Off shore were 20+ Eiders and 3 Great Crested Grebes – scanning these I picked up a drake Common Scoter. This bird just hung around beyond the end of the groyne.

Last stop was Heysham and a wander round to the outflows past Red Nab on a falling tide. There were at least 9 Arctic Terns around the outflows with two Common Terns and an adult Little Gull. At Red Nab I had picked up adult and first winter Med Gulls and a juvenile Wheatear entertained as it skipped along the length of the harbour wall – keeping the same distance between itself and me. A Coal Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were on the feeders at the van today.

18th September

Better day weather wise. Headed off to Heysham first this morning and parked up near the entrance to Ocean Edge. What was very noticeable straight away was the number of Robins – mainly ticking, some singing – along the short path towards Red Nab. At least 14 birds were there. Less activity around the outflows with high tide still four hours away. Five Arctic Terns (2 ad, 3 juv) were on the outflows plus a single Common Tern while an adult Med flew over. Both regular Little Gulls were roosting on the mud. Pride of place went to a male Kingfisher which was fishing off outflow one. The usual mixed flock of Knot, Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plovers was present though distant and a flock of 21 Pink-footed Geese flew over – my first of the autumn! At the van I had 2 Coal Tits and a Nuthatch on the feeders.

Time to go home

Photos:

Leucistic Black-headed Gull, HGF

Little Egret, Holyhead Harbour

RFA Mount Bay engaged in military exercises in Trearddur Bay

16th September

Last day in Anglesey and forecast rain. I went out early and headed around to Holyhead Harbour. No sign of a Black Guillemot but quite a few Shags fishing plus 2 Ringed Plovers and a Little Egret. Next I headed around to the old fish dock. Being low tide I didn’t really expect anything and so the dozen or so Shags and 40+ Ringed Plovers were a bit of a bonus. And that concluded birding on Anglesey for this trip.

Just before we left a C130 Hercules flew over Trearddur Bay and dropped some paratroopers into the sea. Out in the bay, the RFA Mounts Bay released several small boats to collect the troops – nice to watch this military exercise!


16th September

Arrived back home from Anglesey and headed off to HGF. The south field has been dropped since my last visit and a couple of Skylarks were in the stubble. Four Pochards were welcome on the water – the rest of the waterfowl was pretty much the same. A large gull flock (368) was present having a bath – virtually all Black-headed bar two Common and two Lesser Black-backed. No hoped for Med but a smart looking leucistic Black-headed Gull was the next best thing. I have seen a bird exactly matching this a few times over the last few years in local birding patches (most notably at Moore) – perhaps the same one! A handful of House Martins were feeding over the pool.

Late afternoon we headed off to the van. Having parked up at the van I got out and immediately heard a familiar call in an unfamiliar place which completely threw me. It was a Kingfisher perched in a tree near the van! I can only assume it was a dispersing bird and had decide to check out the tiny stream which runs through the park though most days you would be hard pressed to fill a kettle from it.

Quiet day

Photos:

Church Bay and view over sea towards Holy Mountain and North Stack from Church Bay

15th September

A day out with Karen and a few good birds along the way. Early afternoon we stopped at Cemlyn. A couple of Choughs flew past – interesting! I say interesting because I had a discussion about the spread of Choughs with the RSPB warden who had told me about the Buff-breasted Sandpipers yesterday. I specifically asked him how far the Choughs moved away from South Stack – around the corner at Breakwater CP was the furthest I had seen them. His response was that they don’t seem to move away from that area at all. A couple of Black-tailed Godwits also flew over and on the approach road was a brown mass which turned out to be around 150 House Sparrows feeding on spilled grain. Oh and a Raven flew over.

Next we headed round to Church Bay. In a gateway by the road we disturbed a Buzzard which took flight while clutching a still struggling rabbit. Down by the beach there were plenty of Swallows. Sometimes they are relatively easy to count – I’ve noticed that when a raptor appears or in a thunder storm hirundines will sometimes form a tight ball of a flock. Around 110 did today when a Sparrowhawk flew over us. Two Ravens were messing around on the hillside.

Last stop on this little tour was Borthwen Beach. This is a perfect, secluded little sandy beach which is well off the tourist track. We used to regularly stay in a cottage which overlooks the bay. Near the entrance to the beach is a stand of reeds and this always used to contain a flock of House Sparrows – they are still here! The beach was quiet (Karen learned to identify Oystercatchers by call several years ago from a very noisy pair on this beach) with 20 or so Pied Wagtails flitting about. A flock of 110 Linnets appeared on the telephone wires nearby.

Late goodies save the day

Photos:

Southstack lighthouse

Juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpipers, The Range

14th September

Out most of the day with Karen today. We went to Betws-Y-Coed (another place we used to stay) and I ate the largest mixed grill I have ever seen at the Royal Oak. I could barely walk for the rest of the day and Billy, hiding under the table, ate at least half!

We had a pit stop at Padarn Country Park (Llanberis) which is a slate mine museum next to a lake. The world’s supply of Chiffchaffs seemed to be in the numerous willows and just once I caught a brief glimpse of a warbler which even now I would struggle to put a name to. I initially thought juvenile Barred but it didn’t seem quite right (I know, wrong time, wrong place) and the little sod buggered off, never to be seen again. I still have no idea what I saw. I did see some Siskins, a Jay and 7 Ravens.

When we landed back at the cottage late afternoon I headed straight back out to South Stack for a “quick hour”. This eventually turned out to be three hours and got me into a bit of bother. Anyway on the road up to the reserve was a flock of 80 or so Goldfinches. A quick wander round Ellin’s Tower and a gaze out to sea revealed nothing other than 8 Choughs and a Raven. Back at the car park I plonked myself down on the grass on a gloriously sunny evening and sat just watching the world go by.

Suddenly one of the RSPB wardens bolted out of the place and came over to tell me about some interesting birds seen on The Range. He roared off with me following close behind. The interesting birds were a stunning couple of juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpipers which showed intermittently amongst the heather. Also here was a large flock of Meadow Pipits and with them was a largely summer plumaged Lapland Bunting. We watched the BBS’s for an hour or so and then the light fell. Cracking birds! Back at the cottage I looked across to the opposite cove and saw a Little Egret fly past.