KenM
Well-known member
Prior to our 7.30am departure Sunday 21st July, a Jersey Tiger in the ''pot'' and a Sprawk interacting aggressively with a Common Buzzard (never seen these two in contention before) over the house...might just be a good start to our planned 6 day break to Shropshire and Llandudno. It was a relatively clear run (c2.5 hours) to Bridgnorth, Shrops where we eventually stopped for coffee, before ambling down, from high to low town by the Severn. It was here where I had some contentious ''Gulls with Yellow legs'' (the saga of which can be read on Q&A).
Moving on, I was soon rewarded with an ''age-tick!'' only ever seen adults afore, and much less so in recent years.....Juv.Bullfinch! That was most unexpected, and kinda wrapped up the day, ornithologically speaking, before checking into our accommodation, early dinner and bed.
The following day (Monday) headed for Church Stretton, one of our favourite places! scenically superb!...a bit like a mini Glen Coe in the Welsh Marches. Looking at the National Trust ''day report board'' on arrival, I noted Merlin and Hobby had been in evidence recently. Try as I might, I never connected with these aerial attractions, although distant Curlew ''borne on the slight breeze'', with overhead back-up of Buzzard, Kestrel and House Martin would have to suffice, however a slice of Barra cake and a pot of tea for two on the NT roof terrace was more than compensation, not to mention the stunning scenery!
Tuesday am, an early start to ''The Land of (somebody else's :-O) Fathers'' ensued....hitting the road and clearing breakfast by 8am, a bit of road works delayed our arrival somewhat (c2 hrs.+) journey time, although a Red Kite en-route was duly noted as another portent to our destination.
As a (bloody big) birding area, Wales has contributed I suspect...probably the greatest number of ''outstanding'' birds than any other region for moi! others will beg to differ no doubt...so be it.
Checking into the accommodation and being greeted by 18 degrees Fahrenheit, grey skies, and just a trickle of short drizzle...was pure unadulterated heaven after temperatures of 28 degrees further South in Shrops....also Green Grass :eek!: plus two non contentious Imm.Med.Gulls from the hotel window. Things were certainly looking up...and so was the temperature.
To be continued.
Moving on, I was soon rewarded with an ''age-tick!'' only ever seen adults afore, and much less so in recent years.....Juv.Bullfinch! That was most unexpected, and kinda wrapped up the day, ornithologically speaking, before checking into our accommodation, early dinner and bed.
The following day (Monday) headed for Church Stretton, one of our favourite places! scenically superb!...a bit like a mini Glen Coe in the Welsh Marches. Looking at the National Trust ''day report board'' on arrival, I noted Merlin and Hobby had been in evidence recently. Try as I might, I never connected with these aerial attractions, although distant Curlew ''borne on the slight breeze'', with overhead back-up of Buzzard, Kestrel and House Martin would have to suffice, however a slice of Barra cake and a pot of tea for two on the NT roof terrace was more than compensation, not to mention the stunning scenery!
Tuesday am, an early start to ''The Land of (somebody else's :-O) Fathers'' ensued....hitting the road and clearing breakfast by 8am, a bit of road works delayed our arrival somewhat (c2 hrs.+) journey time, although a Red Kite en-route was duly noted as another portent to our destination.
As a (bloody big) birding area, Wales has contributed I suspect...probably the greatest number of ''outstanding'' birds than any other region for moi! others will beg to differ no doubt...so be it.
Checking into the accommodation and being greeted by 18 degrees Fahrenheit, grey skies, and just a trickle of short drizzle...was pure unadulterated heaven after temperatures of 28 degrees further South in Shrops....also Green Grass :eek!: plus two non contentious Imm.Med.Gulls from the hotel window. Things were certainly looking up...and so was the temperature.
To be continued.
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) Unfortunately we were told at the gate house that access from the road was being temporarily curtailed, due to a rock fall on the Western side, and that the only way up...was over the spine. Thus we duly started the climb ''inland'' and what a wondrous route it was.
