News archive
May 2006
Sunday, 21 May 2006
Field Trip to Langden Valley
As we arrived at the car park the first bird we noticed was a Spotted Flycatcher which had recently returned from Africa. Looking over into the river there was a strange looking Dipper stood on a rock.It was soon joined by another bird which turned out to be its parent. An early breeding success. Grey Wagtail and Oystercatcher were also present along the river.
As we made our way up the valley, Curlews were heard then seen along with Stonechats and Red Grouse. A surprise find though was Red-legged Partridge.
We has no success in locating the bird we were really looking for-the Ring Ouzel.
As we made our way down the valley the rain set in.The decision was made to curtail the rest of our trip.
Wednesday, 17 May 2006
Field Trip to Cilcain & Loggerheads, Wednesday 17 May 2006
Walking up the broad track we were aware of bird songs and calls in every direction, including those of willow warbler, chiffchaff, blackcap, garden warbler, whitethroat, song thrush, mistle thrush, blackbird, goldcrest, wren, nuthatch, cuckoo and various tit species. At the first small reservoir a grey heron stood motionless on the bank while swallows dipped over the water, occasionally disturbing the surface. The distant song of a redstart was heard and the bird was eventually spotted at the top of a large tree across the valley. Just below the upper reservoir a pied wagtail flitted around the stream and a small party of house martins passed through. Above the reservoir the path narrows and the surroundings take on a more upland appearance. Here we were rewarded with excellent views of wheatear, whinchat and stonechat, with aerial sightings of ravens, carrion crows, buzzards and a single peregrine. At least three cuckoos were recorded, and on two occasions a pair of males were seen intently pursuing a female.
After returning to our vehicles for lunch we drove to Loggerheads Country Park, where a walk in the woodland along the Afon Alyn had to be curtailed because of the deteriorating weather. Grey wagtail was added to the list, but dippers proved elusive until one was found near the Visitor Centre just before we departed. In all, 50 species of birds were recorded for the day.
Wednesday, 10 May 2006
Group Trip to Wigg Island
On Wednesday 10th May the Group held their first summer evening walk. Wigg Island was a new reserve for many of us. Unfortunately the tide was not in as much as we had hoped and so the birds were very distant. As we walked around we saw numerous warblers including Blackcaps, Garden Warblers and Willow Warblers. Having the Blackcap and Garden Warbler close together it gave us chance to study and compare their calls. Several species of duck were seen including Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Pochard.Little Grebes were also observed as they called disputing their territories. Twenty one members of the Group were present and thirty eight species were seen.