Trip reports

Group Weekend in Mid-Wales

Friday, 25 May 2007

This trip was organised and led by Derrick Ling. 23 people attended this weekend, at the Hafod Hotel, which is under new management and provided comfortable accommodation and excellent food and service.

Saturday was overcast to begin with, brighter later. Sunday, it rained for most of the day, but not as heavy as in many parts of the country. We were able to birdwatch with minimum interruptions. On Monday, we passed through a hailstorm on the way to Ynylas, there was a short shower followed by some sun, with a strong onshore wind.

Areas visted:

Saturday 25th: Ynys-Hir
Sunday 27th: Cmymystwyth, Pont-ar-Elan, Elan Valley
Monday 28th: Ynyslas

Plus walks in the Devil's Bridge area.

Local Specialities seen:

Red Kite, Buzzard, Peregrine (Elan Valley & amazing views of a pair hunting near Cmymystwyth), Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, Dipper (on the River Wye near Rhayader), Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Wood Warbler, Wheatear, Redstart, Siskin, Crossbill (at Penbont) and Raven.

At Ynyslas we had excellent views of Manx Shearwaters, just offshore, and Gannets plunge diving.


Total list of the 89 Species seen or heard:

Little Grebe, Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Goosander, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Peregrine, Pheasant, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Sanderling, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand & House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Reed & Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Garden, Wood & Willow Warblers, Goldcrest, Spotted & Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Wren, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Raven, Chaffinch, Siskin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Crossbill, House Sparrow, Starling and Reed Bunting.

Many thanks to Derrick for all his efforts to make this such a popular weekend trip.