Taking every chance we can to see the Vulcan fly before she sadly retires.
XH558:
Monday, 31 August 2015
Rhyl Airshow 29/08
A digression from wildlife again, here are some pics from Rhyl Airshow on Saturday!
Taking every chance we can to see the Vulcan fly before she sadly retires.
XH558:
and the rest from what was a nice but small airshow:
Taking every chance we can to see the Vulcan fly before she sadly retires.
XH558:
Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Around Aberaeron
Following our day at Ynys Hir we were watching the local news that evening and saw an item about Dolphins in Cardigan Bay, so we decided to head down to New Quay on the following morning after breakfast.
We decided to just go for an hours trip and managed to get on an 11am boat. Of course no Dolphins were seen but it was a lovely hour out in the un-forecasted sunshine. There were a few birds about although the cliff nesting sights were empty with the Guillemots, Razorbills long gone. We did see some birds though, Fulmar, Shag, Kittiwake, Gulls and some patrolling Gannets. A couple of Atlantic Grey Seals did show themselves plus on top of that it gives a great view of the wonderful coastline.
After the boat trip we decided to explore the coast a bit and were looking for a way to get close to the National Trust Dolphin Watching Shelter but instead ended up in a delightful little cove that we had seen from the boat, this was called, Cwmtydu, how that is pronounced is anyones guess, so if there are any welsh speakers out there some tips would be appreciated! Anyway it was a lovely coffee stop and we chilled out for a while getting the directors chairs out of the car and scanning the sea for any passing Dolphins, again they were elsewhere.
As we left Cwmtydu we headed up a country lane into a heavily wooded area, suddenly from nowhere, there was a Goshawk flying along the lane ahead of our car! It kept pace with us right in front of the windscreen for about 15-20 seconds, then turned into the trees, turning in and out of them in true Goshawk style before disappearing, brilliant.
Next stop was the nearby National Trust property of Llanerchaeron where we first had lunch (and coffee) before going for a river walk through the woods. Within a few minutes we spotted a Dipper doing what Dippers do before it shot off down the river Aeron and away from us, another good find. The trail we wanted to follow was closed due to nesting birds with a sign saying it would open again on the 1st September. Some advance notice of the closure would have been good as we then had to back track and find another route.
Bird life was very sparse in the woods, we had hoped to find Treecreeper and Nuthatch, but no luck with those, the only 'new' bird for the trip was a Coal Tit. However luckily just before we left the river and headed back towards the car park we did find a Grey Wagtail. Very nice.
So after the NT walks we drove down to Aberaeron and had a look around the harbour and went for a walk along the sea front.
The pretty harbour only contained Herring and Blach-headed Gulls, plus some foraging Starlings. The sea front walk added some Oystercatcher, Jackdaw and a Curlew to our list for the day.
So a great couple of days with lots of variety. The Redstart, Osprey, Goshawk and Dipper being the highlights. We would certainly go back and explore some more, but when, it's tough fitting in everything we would like to do!
We decided to just go for an hours trip and managed to get on an 11am boat. Of course no Dolphins were seen but it was a lovely hour out in the un-forecasted sunshine. There were a few birds about although the cliff nesting sights were empty with the Guillemots, Razorbills long gone. We did see some birds though, Fulmar, Shag, Kittiwake, Gulls and some patrolling Gannets. A couple of Atlantic Grey Seals did show themselves plus on top of that it gives a great view of the wonderful coastline.
After the boat trip we decided to explore the coast a bit and were looking for a way to get close to the National Trust Dolphin Watching Shelter but instead ended up in a delightful little cove that we had seen from the boat, this was called, Cwmtydu, how that is pronounced is anyones guess, so if there are any welsh speakers out there some tips would be appreciated! Anyway it was a lovely coffee stop and we chilled out for a while getting the directors chairs out of the car and scanning the sea for any passing Dolphins, again they were elsewhere.
As we left Cwmtydu we headed up a country lane into a heavily wooded area, suddenly from nowhere, there was a Goshawk flying along the lane ahead of our car! It kept pace with us right in front of the windscreen for about 15-20 seconds, then turned into the trees, turning in and out of them in true Goshawk style before disappearing, brilliant.
Next stop was the nearby National Trust property of Llanerchaeron where we first had lunch (and coffee) before going for a river walk through the woods. Within a few minutes we spotted a Dipper doing what Dippers do before it shot off down the river Aeron and away from us, another good find. The trail we wanted to follow was closed due to nesting birds with a sign saying it would open again on the 1st September. Some advance notice of the closure would have been good as we then had to back track and find another route.
Bird life was very sparse in the woods, we had hoped to find Treecreeper and Nuthatch, but no luck with those, the only 'new' bird for the trip was a Coal Tit. However luckily just before we left the river and headed back towards the car park we did find a Grey Wagtail. Very nice.
So after the NT walks we drove down to Aberaeron and had a look around the harbour and went for a walk along the sea front.
So a great couple of days with lots of variety. The Redstart, Osprey, Goshawk and Dipper being the highlights. We would certainly go back and explore some more, but when, it's tough fitting in everything we would like to do!
Monday, 24 August 2015
A visit to Ynys Hir (RSPB)
Last week saw us trek over to mid Wales and 3 nights on a Group On deal in a village just outside Aberaeron. The weather wasn't looking great so we thought we could dodge the rain and use the numerous hides at RSPB Ynys Hir to stay dry.
In fact it all turned out rather well! It was definitely a wet start to the day so we took it easy and had a 45 minute drive up to Ynys Hir. This was our first visit to the reserve and luckily for us it had more or less stopped raining when we arrived, so after chatting to the volunteers we set off for the short loop that takes you the closest to the river Dovey estuary. Just as we got to the first hide the heavens opened for a real down pour:
So we had no choice but to sit it out and watch the Little Egrets, a solitary Black-tailed Godwit,
a Little Grebe and a couple of Herons around the pools, while we had a coffee of course. The fields behind this hide looking out to the distant estuary were full also full of Canada Geese. As the rained eased after about an hour some small birds made an appearance, Goldfinch in the bushes along the bank to the right and some Stonechat in the scrub on the land separating the two pools.
As soon as the rain stopped we went to the next hide over the other side of these pools picking up a Reed Bunting on the way, but little else was seen.
We detoured then through the trees to the hide nearest the river again there were plenty of Egrets and Canada Geese, plus Oystercatchers and a single Common Sandpiper. We had another coffee here and waited with the only other additions being 3 male Goosander:
The dull weather and distance from the birds was making photography difficult so there won't be many pictures in the post I'm afraid!
After this the weather improved slightly and we took the opportunity to complete the loop and start the walk around the woods and boardwalks and check out the other hides. On the way we came across a young male Redstart, this was our first of the year so that was good, but not showing well enough for a photo so we just enjoyed watching. Shortly before this we had seen our first Red Kite on the reserve although we had lost count of the number we had seen on the drive to the reserve.
We eventually got to the hide and had a late lunch, again not a lot to trouble the score board, a couple of Teal in front of the hide, but then in the distance I spotted a bird of prey on a distant post, so put the scope on it. We were delighted to see an Osprey tucking into a fish, so nice of it to join us for lunch.
Even though we had good views through the scope this photo is just for the record. I think you can just make out that it is an Osprey!
Once we had finished our very late lunch the weather started to look a bit ominous so we decided to head back. So our Ynys Hir list comprised:
Black-headed Gull
Black-tailed Godwit
Blue Tit
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Collared Dove
Common Sandpiper
Curlew
Goldfinch
Goosander
Great Tit
Greater Canada Goose
Grey Heron
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Osprey
Oystercatcher
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Red Kite
Redstart
Reed Bunting
Robin
Shelduck
Stonechat
Swallow
Teal
Willow Warbler
Woodpigeon
In fact it all turned out rather well! It was definitely a wet start to the day so we took it easy and had a 45 minute drive up to Ynys Hir. This was our first visit to the reserve and luckily for us it had more or less stopped raining when we arrived, so after chatting to the volunteers we set off for the short loop that takes you the closest to the river Dovey estuary. Just as we got to the first hide the heavens opened for a real down pour:
As soon as the rain stopped we went to the next hide over the other side of these pools picking up a Reed Bunting on the way, but little else was seen.
We detoured then through the trees to the hide nearest the river again there were plenty of Egrets and Canada Geese, plus Oystercatchers and a single Common Sandpiper. We had another coffee here and waited with the only other additions being 3 male Goosander:
After this the weather improved slightly and we took the opportunity to complete the loop and start the walk around the woods and boardwalks and check out the other hides. On the way we came across a young male Redstart, this was our first of the year so that was good, but not showing well enough for a photo so we just enjoyed watching. Shortly before this we had seen our first Red Kite on the reserve although we had lost count of the number we had seen on the drive to the reserve.
We eventually got to the hide and had a late lunch, again not a lot to trouble the score board, a couple of Teal in front of the hide, but then in the distance I spotted a bird of prey on a distant post, so put the scope on it. We were delighted to see an Osprey tucking into a fish, so nice of it to join us for lunch.
Even though we had good views through the scope this photo is just for the record. I think you can just make out that it is an Osprey!
Once we had finished our very late lunch the weather started to look a bit ominous so we decided to head back. So our Ynys Hir list comprised:
Black-headed Gull
Black-tailed Godwit
Blue Tit
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Collared Dove
Common Sandpiper
Curlew
Goldfinch
Goosander
Great Tit
Greater Canada Goose
Grey Heron
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Osprey
Oystercatcher
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Red Kite
Redstart
Reed Bunting
Robin
Shelduck
Stonechat
Swallow
Teal
Willow Warbler
Woodpigeon
Sunday, 16 August 2015
Upton Warren 12/08
We took our good friends Wendy & Tim to Upton on Wednesday this was a first time visit for them, hopefully it won't be the last. However the day didn't get off to a great start as we 'saddled up' at the sailing centre car park, I realised I had left my camera in the living room at home. I felt decidedly strange without it, but never mind, you have to look on the bright side I could concentrate on looking for birds and having a chat.
We toddled down to the flashes and I have to say the water level was very low, keeping the birds a distance from the hide which was a shame. The two Avocet families were still there and the Little Ringed Plover youngster was showing quite well at times, now I wished I had my camera!
Three Curlew were sunning themselves in the grass on the far shore which was nice plus a few Green Sandpiper were about as well, a first for the year for us I think. I cursed not having the camera again when a Snipe proceeded to wade nicely in the open to the left of the hide and again when a pair of Linnet landed in front of the hide. Thankfully we hadn't forgotten the coffee that calmed me down.
After a good hour or so we walked back and popped over to Webbs for a bite to eat before heading over to the Moors Pools. We visited all the hides over the course of the afternoon. A highlight was the single Barnacle Goose not a year first, but a first for us at Upton. We had a flashing glimpse of a Kingfisher but it didn't stop and a brief view of a Water Rail playing hide and seek in front of the concrete hide.
Another highlight was a Hobby being driven off by a Common Tern parent over the other side of the moors it was a very good day all in all with plenty of birds seen and good company.
Upton list for the day:
Avocet
Barnacle Goose
Black-headed Gull
Blue Tit
Bullfinch
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Common Sandpiper
Common Tern
Coot
Cormorant
Curlew
Dunnock
Gadwall
Goldfinch
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Greater Canada Goose
Green Sandpiper
Green Woodpecker
Greenfinch
Greylag Goose
Hobby
House Martin
Kingfisher
Lapwing
Linnet
Little Grebe
Little Ringed Plover
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Pied Wagtail
Reed Bunting
Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon
Sedge Warbler
Shoveler
Snipe
Stock Dove
Teal
Tufted Duck
Water Rail
Willow Warbler
Woodpigeon
We toddled down to the flashes and I have to say the water level was very low, keeping the birds a distance from the hide which was a shame. The two Avocet families were still there and the Little Ringed Plover youngster was showing quite well at times, now I wished I had my camera!
Three Curlew were sunning themselves in the grass on the far shore which was nice plus a few Green Sandpiper were about as well, a first for the year for us I think. I cursed not having the camera again when a Snipe proceeded to wade nicely in the open to the left of the hide and again when a pair of Linnet landed in front of the hide. Thankfully we hadn't forgotten the coffee that calmed me down.
After a good hour or so we walked back and popped over to Webbs for a bite to eat before heading over to the Moors Pools. We visited all the hides over the course of the afternoon. A highlight was the single Barnacle Goose not a year first, but a first for us at Upton. We had a flashing glimpse of a Kingfisher but it didn't stop and a brief view of a Water Rail playing hide and seek in front of the concrete hide.
Another highlight was a Hobby being driven off by a Common Tern parent over the other side of the moors it was a very good day all in all with plenty of birds seen and good company.
Upton list for the day:
Avocet
Barnacle Goose
Black-headed Gull
Blue Tit
Bullfinch
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Common Sandpiper
Common Tern
Coot
Cormorant
Curlew
Dunnock
Gadwall
Goldfinch
Great Crested Grebe
Great Tit
Greater Canada Goose
Green Sandpiper
Green Woodpecker
Greenfinch
Greylag Goose
Hobby
House Martin
Kingfisher
Lapwing
Linnet
Little Grebe
Little Ringed Plover
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Pied Wagtail
Reed Bunting
Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon
Sedge Warbler
Shoveler
Snipe
Stock Dove
Teal
Tufted Duck
Water Rail
Willow Warbler
Woodpigeon
Friday, 7 August 2015
Rainham Marshes RSPB
After a great night out with our Son for his birthday we called in at Rainham, as we usually do on our way back to the Black Country time permitting. We spent about three hours doing the circular walk around the reserve.
As you might expect at this time of year it's very quiet all the birds have done their bit, the youngsters have fledged and the parents are recovering and hiding away as much as possible, getting ready to migrate or stocking up for the winter. Yes, only 139 days to Christmas as I write this!
Anyway I think the must abundant species on the reserve at the moment are Goldfinch, Starling and Coot! There were large flocks of Goldfinch and Starling zooming around the reserve, so they are the exception to what I have just said! I have just realised despite the large numbers I never got around to taking any snaps of them!
Upon further scanning there were quite a large number of Lapwings about including what looked like a fair amount of juveniles, so breeding for them on the reserve must have gone well.
Other birds showing well were Grey Heron and Little Egret:
So with birds apart from Coots and this Little Grebe
not posing these Marsh Frogs obliged:
Then of course there were plenty of Butterflies about, these two posed in front of the hide,
Comma:
Peacock:
We also saw Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Large White (of course!) and others which we have no idea what they are!
We finished off sitting outside the visitor centre in glorious sunshine with a cup of coffee followed by an ice-cream, where these two Collared Doves posed:
Our Rainham day list:
Black-headed Gull
Black-tailed Godwit
Blue Tit
Carrion Crow
Collared Dove
Coot
Cormorant
Gadwall
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
Hobby
House Sparrow
Kestrel
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Pochard
Reed Warbler
Shelduck
Shoveler
Snipe
Starling
Swallow
Woodpigeon
Wren
As you might expect at this time of year it's very quiet all the birds have done their bit, the youngsters have fledged and the parents are recovering and hiding away as much as possible, getting ready to migrate or stocking up for the winter. Yes, only 139 days to Christmas as I write this!
Anyway I think the must abundant species on the reserve at the moment are Goldfinch, Starling and Coot! There were large flocks of Goldfinch and Starling zooming around the reserve, so they are the exception to what I have just said! I have just realised despite the large numbers I never got around to taking any snaps of them!
Upon further scanning there were quite a large number of Lapwings about including what looked like a fair amount of juveniles, so breeding for them on the reserve must have gone well.
Other birds showing well were Grey Heron and Little Egret:
Comma:
We finished off sitting outside the visitor centre in glorious sunshine with a cup of coffee followed by an ice-cream, where these two Collared Doves posed:
Our Rainham day list:
Black-headed Gull
Black-tailed Godwit
Blue Tit
Carrion Crow
Collared Dove
Coot
Cormorant
Gadwall
Goldfinch
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
Hobby
House Sparrow
Kestrel
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Magpie
Mallard
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Pochard
Reed Warbler
Shelduck
Shoveler
Snipe
Starling
Swallow
Woodpigeon
Wren
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