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Saturday, 21 April 2007

Field Trip to Worlds End & Ceiriog Valley

16 intrepid members met at 7am at Worlds End on a rather grey morning. Fairly soon a couple of blackcock were spotted on the opposite hillside, later flying across the valley almost above our heads. Also above our heads but much closer a small flock of crossbills fed on the larch cones. Siskins and redpolls were active amongst the trees and willow warblers were singing. We then embarked on a walk along the hillside above the trees, where more blackcock and one greyhen were seen. Our route continued high above the valley before descending below limestone crags. Here we found ring ouzel, wheatear and redstart, while a male cuckoo chased his partner along the steep slopes. Other species seen were raven, peregrine, sparrowhawk, buzzard and numerous meadow pipits.

Later in the morning we set off to drive to our second venue - the lovely wooded valley of Dyffryn Ceiriog. The weather was improving and by the time we reached our destination by the river a short way above Glyn Ceiriog the sun was shining. After lunch we walked down the Afon Ceiriog along the bed of an old tramway, soon encountering one of our target species - pied flycatcher. Two or three males were seen and heard, followed by sightings of at least two dippers. As we were about to turn back a large bird of prey was spotted flying high along the steep hillside - this turned out to be a goshawk, a fine bonus for the day. Returning to our starting point we then followed a track up the eastern slope of the valley where the highlight of the day was a red kite circling above our heads. Finally we returned to the river and followed it upstream to the long-disused granite quarry, haunt of raven and peregrine, but added only one new species to our day list - goldcrest. Some 45 species had been recorded on this trip.