Trace And myself had booked to go away to this beautiful area of the country this week,staying just outside the Snowdonia National Park at Trawsfyndd.The following is an account of some of our days out and birds,wildlife and beautiful scenery we encountered.
Tuesday 20th March
Today we planned to do a circular walk from Beddgelert to Llyn Dinas and back over the mountain Moel y Dyniewyd and finish by walking along the stunning Aber Glaslyn Pass and back to Beddgelert.
It has to be said that this is the best walk we have ever completed,albeit a bit knackering in places,but what amazing scenery.
Bird highlights included the expected species associated with upland streams and montane habitat,with 3 Dipper which included a singing male,6 Grey Wagtail,3 Raven,male Stonechat,Common Buzzard,Male Goosander and a singing male Marsh tit.
An added surprise were my first wild Goats along the side of Llyn Dinas,a tough,hardy species which were first introduced to the country in Neolithic times.Another animal highlight was our first Common Lizard of the year,which Trace spotted sun bathing in the afternoon rays.
Wednesday 21st March
Today we visited South Stack RSPB on the fantastic island of Anglesey.Unfortunately the weather was a bit naff,but the usual suspects were all seen well,which included 5 Chough,7 Raven,a pair of Stonechat,thousands of Razorbills and Guillemots over the sea and my first Wheatear of the year,a male near Helen's Tower.
The towering sea cliffs are just breathtaking here,what a great place to enjoy the hobby.
Thursday 22nd March
Not really a birding day today,but we still managed to see a confiding Raven near to Llyn Cwellyn and the tamest Goosander i have ever seen at Llyn Padarn at Llanberis.Other birds seen around Llanberis included Common Buzzard,Grey Wags and a couple of bathing Siskins.
Friday 23rd Mar
Today was a good combination of sight seeing and all out birding along the superb Llyn Peninsula.
While driving to our first destination at Porthdinllaen we managed to see 3 Raven and a Red Kite,2 of the Ravens in a field with some Jackdaws and positively dwarfing them.
Porthdinllaen was a fantastic area and i managed to find 2 lifers and both not birds!.The first was a cracking male Black Oil Beetle found while walking along the coastal path,the second a long awaited one,a Bottle-nosed Dolphin watched surfacing out in the bay between Porthdinllaen and Nant Gwrtheyrn.The latter was an absolute surprise and obviously made my day.
Other birds seen here included several Shags,Raven,3 Great-crested Grebe on the sea,8 Sandwich Terns - my first records of the year,a Red-throated Diver and a male Stonechat.
The next stop was Braich y Pwll at the very tip of the Llyn where i hoped to see some more Choughs and hopefully get some decent pics.
As we arrived at the car park 2 Choughs were seen straight away on the car park area,but were flushed by a Carrion Crow harassing them,but i refound them feeding alongside another pair and they gave incredible close views.
Also seen in the area were 3 Raven and off the coast,Gannets,Kittiwakes,Fulmar,Guillemots and another Cetacean,a Harbour Porpoise.
A quick cuppa at Aberdaron saw a single Peregrine and Common Buzzard overhead.
The next place we explored was Porth Oer,or Whistling Sands as it is known and the sand actually squeaks more than whistles,due to the composition of the sand grains.
More great sightings here included my first Chiffchaff of the year,Goldcrest,Raven,a singing male Stonechat and last but not least a male Bloody-nosed Beetle.The latter was found along the edge of the coastal path and was only my second ever sighting of the species.
The final place we visited on our extensive visit to this brilliant area was the towering cliffs of Nant Gwrtheyrn.Sightings here included another Wild Goat,Peregrine,2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers and an interesting Carrion Crow which looked like a hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow.
So what a fantastic visit to this beautiful part of the country,with some brilliant scenery and wildlife sightings to boot,i can't wait to go back!.
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| The Great Orme. |
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| Aber Maw And Cadair Idris. |
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| Beddgelert. |
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| Male Grey Wagtail,Beddgelert. |
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| The Afon Glaslyn Near To Cygun Copper mine. |
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| Robin,Near To Cygun Copper mine. |
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| Llyn Dinas. |
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| Looking Towards The Carneddau Mountain Range From Moel y Dyniewyd. |
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| The Fantastic Aber Glaslyn Pass. |
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| Common Buzzard,Near Beddgelert. |
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| Llyn Gwynant. |
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| Llyn Cwellyn. |
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| South Stack And Helen's Tower,Anglesey. |
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| Male Stonechat,South Stack,Anglesey. |
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| Record Shot Of The Male Wheatear,South Stack,Anglesey. |
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| Raven In The Gloom,South Stack,Anglesey. |
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| Llyn Peris,Llanberis. |
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| Drake Goosander,Llyn Padarn,Llanberis. |
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| Black Oil Beetle,Porthdinllaen,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Porthdinllaen,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Sandwich Tern,Porthdinllaen,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Ynys Enlli Taken From Braich y Pwll,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| The Tip Of The Llyn At Braich y Pwll,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Choughs Showing Well,Braich y Pwll,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Choughs,Braich y Pwll,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Male Bloody-nosed Beetle,Porth Oer,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Porth Oer,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Common Buzzards Near To Aberdaron,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Wild Goat,Nant Gwrtheyrn,Llyn Peninsula. |
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| Hooded Crow x Carrion Crow Hybrid Nant Gwrtheyrn,Llyn Peninsula. |
