Trip reports

Visit to Conwy

Conwy Estuary (Photo: Peter Berrill)

Sunday, 20 March 2011

The high tide and strong wind had conspired to push the birds onto the reserve for shelter. Four little egret huddled together against the reeds and a group of oystercatcher squatted on a bare muddy island. A lone snipe was found feeding on the causeway edge and on a distant island a large tightly-knit flock of waders; thought initially to be redshank, turned out to be curlew when one turned its head.

Along the footpath a feeding station was catering for water rail, siskin, reed bunting and titmice. Further on a chiffchaff was heard singing and finally spotted in a willow.

Following the estuary track we peered through the Foel Fras viewing screen and were rewarded with fine close-up views of red-breasted merganser. Buzzard regularly appeared over the surrounding hills and a raven passed overhead.

We left the reserve and followed the coastal footpath crossing over the railway to view the harbour but all was quiet except for a few house sparrow in the nearby bushes.

On our return the tide had dropped considerably. Redshank, black-tailed godwit and shelduck were starting to feed on the exposed mudbanks.

Peter and Lesley Berrill