andyotter
Well-known member
We're off to Anglesey this weekend with the main aim of terns at Cemlyn, auks at South Stack plus Black Guillis at Holyhead Harbour.
We're aiming to cross into Wales at around Friday 6am so as to make the most of the journey over.
I've trawled around forums here and North Wales Birding to come up with a list of possible stop-offs en-route. I greatly appreciate any recommendations/extra info to maximise our chances of meeting up with species mentioned.
Journey out:
Moor road to World's End x Offa's Dyke Path for Black Grouse
A post several years ago mentioned Crossbills around the World's End car park. Are these a permananent population?
Next, I thought we'd try for Hawfinches:
Between the two regions I'm hoping to get lucky with a Dipper or a Goshawk. I know specific locations for the latter are sensitive, but any tips on the sort of environments that should alert us would be very useful.
Lastly, I was wondering whether it's worth trying for the Eagle Owl at Nant-Y-Gamar. If so, what time of day might be best, and where on the hill to look ?(PM me if this is sensitive)
On Anglesey itself:
And with the recent westerlies are the conditions more favourable to get lucky with a shearwater or some other pelagic species? (all new to me so I'd need to bone up!)
Aside from the terns, is it best to see Cemlyn best near high tide?
Newborough Forest looks fascinating, but is it best for a birding trip some other time in the year?
Are there other sites on Anglesey worth a visit at this time of year? (I've ordered Alan Davies' "Best Birdwatching Sites: North Wales" but it has yet to arrive so any other tips would be useful)
Journey back:
A rather longer circuit taking in
Ospreys at Glaslyn;
Little Terns at Gronant;
Any other recommendations? (e.g. I read mention of Pensarn re Scoters but not sure when or exactly where this was)
Many thanks in anticipation.
PS. Off birding advice like eating and watering holes also grateful received - I'm really looking forward to Pete's Burger bar, though she's rather more enamoured by The LobsterPot!
We're aiming to cross into Wales at around Friday 6am so as to make the most of the journey over.
I've trawled around forums here and North Wales Birding to come up with a list of possible stop-offs en-route. I greatly appreciate any recommendations/extra info to maximise our chances of meeting up with species mentioned.
Journey out:
Moor road to World's End x Offa's Dyke Path for Black Grouse
I'm guessing we might be a touch late for lekking, but are our chances still good for seeing the odd one earlyish in the morning?Park where Offa's Dyke crosses the road and scan west. Often very distant and buggered up by heat haze, but worth a look anyway.
A post several years ago mentioned Crossbills around the World's End car park. Are these a permananent population?
Next, I thought we'd try for Hawfinches:
Having never any luck with this bird, any further tips gratefully received!The churchyard at Caerhun and Llanbedr-y-cenin are the two well known Hawfinch spots in the Conway Valley, but I've never succeeded at Caerhun, and only once at Llanbedr,...I found them just by pottering round the village checking tree tops.
Between the two regions I'm hoping to get lucky with a Dipper or a Goshawk. I know specific locations for the latter are sensitive, but any tips on the sort of environments that should alert us would be very useful.
Lastly, I was wondering whether it's worth trying for the Eagle Owl at Nant-Y-Gamar. If so, what time of day might be best, and where on the hill to look ?(PM me if this is sensitive)
On Anglesey itself:
Is South Stack also the best bet for seeing choughs? Hooded Crows?I've not been to south stack or cemlynn yet this year. You prob know this already but the best place to spot the puffins is from the path down to the lighthouse from the top car park. You only have to go down 50 yds or so, until you can see the grassy bank opposite below the sheer rocks to the left. Scan this bank and you should pick them up. Tricky setting up a scope here so decent bins are better. Even better views from about halfway down, where you are roughly level with the bank opposite instead of looking down.
And with the recent westerlies are the conditions more favourable to get lucky with a shearwater or some other pelagic species? (all new to me so I'd need to bone up!)
Aside from the terns, is it best to see Cemlyn best near high tide?
Newborough Forest looks fascinating, but is it best for a birding trip some other time in the year?
Are there other sites on Anglesey worth a visit at this time of year? (I've ordered Alan Davies' "Best Birdwatching Sites: North Wales" but it has yet to arrive so any other tips would be useful)
Journey back:
A rather longer circuit taking in
Ospreys at Glaslyn;
Little Terns at Gronant;
Any other recommendations? (e.g. I read mention of Pensarn re Scoters but not sure when or exactly where this was)
Many thanks in anticipation.
PS. Off birding advice like eating and watering holes also grateful received - I'm really looking forward to Pete's Burger bar, though she's rather more enamoured by The LobsterPot!
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