Snowdonia Day 5, The Llyn Take Two, Criccieth & Llyn Dinas, Tuesday May 13th 2025

Today's plan of action was to visit Braich y Pwll and Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula and then drop in at Criccieth on the way back to the cottage. 

The weather was superb again and a little fresher than previous days, but still 20+ degrees.

We arrived at Braich y Pwll and as we left the car, the first 2 of at least 8 Choughs were seen, giving the usual point blank views we have enjoyed here in the past.

We had a lovely wander seeing and hearing the local Choughs and at least 3 Raven, which showed really nicely. Also seen here, were more Stonechats, 4 Common Buzzard, a pair of Wheatear and a lovely Wall Butterfly.

It was fairly quiet over the sea with a Whimbrel, a handful of Gannets, Guillemots and a Fulmar being seen.

Some lovely food in Aberdaron afterwards, saw us then heading for a wander around Criccieth.

On arrival back to the cottage, Tracey went for a rest and i wandered up to Llyn Dinas, seeing some great insects, the best of which were my first ever Bloody-nosed Beetle larvae. These were a spectacularly metallic bottle green in appearance and i managed some nice pics.

Another enjoyable day out in this stunning part of the world.

Ravens, Braich y Pwll

Bardsey Island

Aberdaron

Criccieth Castle

Myathropa florea, Beddgelert

Xylota segnis, Beddgelert

Bloody-nosed Beetle larvae, Beddgelert

Lovely Views Towards Llyn Dinas

Llyn Dinas

Day 4 Snowdonia, Aberglaslyn Pass, Swallow Falls & Betws y Coed, Monday 12th May 2025

Up early this morning at first light while Mrs R had a lie in, saw me walking up along the Glaslyn from the cottage and up and back along the amazing Aberglaslyn Pass.

It was slightly cloudy on the mornings walk, but still very enjoyable as always to walk along this fantastic area again.

Some lovely birds were seen and heard and included 3 singing male Pied Flycatcher, 2 singing male Redstart, Cuckoo, 2 singing male Garden Warbler and a lovely Drake Goosander.

Back to the cottage and today's plans mainly involved visiting Swallow Falls and Betws y Coed.

The falls on arrival were as beautiful as ever, with a little less water than the last time we had visited, but still looked spectacular.

Betws was as lovely as ever, giving its usual alpine vibes, such a lovely little place!.

The best of my photos are here.

The Fantastic Aberglaslyn Pass

Moel Hebog

Beautiful Beddgelert

Swallow Falls Looking As Lovely As Ever

Betws y Coed

Snowdonia Day 3, Sunday 11th May 2025 - Anglesey & Llanberis

Today we planned to head over to the RSPB reserve at South Stack, then head for some lunch at Beaumaris before heading back inland to Llanberis.

After a decent drive over to South Stack, we parked up and were soon enjoying the amazing cliffside scenery and watching our first 2 Choughs of the visit, literally just as we left the car.

A few minutes later and we were watching two juvenile Raven and then i spotted a male Peregrine and he landed just below us, allowing me to get some decent pics with the bridge camera, what a cracker!.

More views of at least 4 Choughs, which were both nesting pairs as they were watched collecting food, made for some really enjoyable viewing. These are really special birds and we always enjoy seeing them when we visit the area.

A male Stonechat was seen with his fledged chicks, giving some great close views, as he chacked away at us getting too close and a lovely Wall Butterfly added to the days sightings.

We then scanned the sea from Helen's Tower seeing 2 Puffins and tens of thousands of breeding Guillemots and at least 30 Razorbills in amongst them.

Offshore a few Gannets, Sandwich Terns and Kittiwakes passed by adding to the variety seen at this superb coastal reserve.

After enjoying all the avifauna it was a quick stop at the café for a well earned cuppa and then we were off and headed to Beaumaris for some Sunday lunch.

Next stop after our lovely food, was Llanberis.

This lovely town is obviously famous as the go to place to climb Snowdon, but we visited the ruins of Dolbadarn castle and the Llyn's Padarn and Peris.

Many photo oppertunities gave themselves up here, with some superb scenery on view, such a great place.

After enjoying our visit here, we drove slowly through the Llanberis Pass and took some more photos of the amazing surroundings, stopping to chat to a lovely couple at Llyn Gwynant and taking some more pics......obviously.

Another amazing day in stunning weather.

Wall, South Stack RSPB

Male Peregrine.

Stunning Seacliff Scenery Here.

Helen's Tower & South Stack Lighthouse.

Llyn Padarn, Llanberis

Llyn Peris

Dolbadarn Castle

Llanberis Pass

Llyn Gwynant