Trip reports

Birwatching Trip to RSPB Ynys Hir

Sunday, 28 October 2007

Thirty-seven members of the Group visited the RSPB Ynys Hir Nature Reserve in West Wales on Sunday 28th October 2007. It was raining as we left Stoke-on-Trent but forecasts promised better weather and so it proved. The weather had cleared by the time we arrived and throughout the afternoon the sun came out giving us blue skies and a light which lent the whole area a beautiful autumnal glow and excellent views of some splendid birds. We did not have enough time to see the whole reserve and to appreciate its beauty. Several people mentioned that they had just sat in a hide looking at the view. The highlights were the hen harrier, peregrine and red kite. The hen harrier flew right in front of the Breakwater hide being chased by a carrion crow. The red kite in turning and weaving to avoid the attention of 2 crows showed all his colour from above and below. Beautiful. Two peregrines were in view for long periods and one was seen attacking a group of duck. In a more peaceful way the white-fronted geese were also enjoyed. The winner, though, had to be the reserve. It is a stunning place. Seventy-one species were seen.
Photograph courtesy of Robert Dodd, Oscar Photography and Group Member.