Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Friday 7 May 2021

Cemlyn Bay

Last weekend I spent a day in North Wales. It's a trip I really enjoy doing each year. I started out at Cemlyn Bay and was really looking forward to catching up with some waders and Whimbrel in particular. There were lots around the bay, but they are a shy bird that will fly off if they catch sight of you, so caution is always required. Once you have their trust though, you can observe them and watch them go about their business. Slightly smaller than a Curlew, it has a shorter and less curved bill, but a really nice bird that is worth putting extra effort in to see each year.

Whimbrel



The sound that greets you as you arrive at Cemlyn is the unmistakeable sound of the tern colony. Sandwich, Arctic and Common all squawking away. I could watch these all day, and I do regularly in the summer months.
Sandwich Tern with a sand eel.



There was one Mediterranean Gull on the island with the Black-headed Gulls. He seemed like quite a bolshy bird and was aggressively confronting some of the others.

Mediterranean Gull


It was nice to see some of the smaller waders on the shoreline. Some Dunlin here with Ringed Plovers. It reminded me how long it had been since I last watched them. Covid restrictions have kept me away for too long.
Dunlin




21 comments:

  1. Hello,

    Great sightings, The Terns are some of my favorite birds. I like the Whimbrel, Gulls and the cute Dunlin. Wonderful variety of birds and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend! PS, thank you for the visit and comment on my blog.

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  2. Nice shots! The last photo looks like a clone of the sandpiper I photographed yet not a single feather is the same. :)

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  3. It's good that you are within striking distance of Anglesey Adam. It is a lovely island that I visited just one where Cemlyn bay was one of my own highlights of a visit to Tunnicliffe's hangouts. You took some nice shots of Whimbrel considering how as you say, the species is easily spooked. Can't get close to them here at all.

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  4. Hello. You had a great birding trip. Wonderful birds. The photos of the Whimbrel are stunning.

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  5. Hi Adam,
    What a beautiful series of photos these are.
    I absolutely love the tern.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Greetings Irma

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  6. It feels wonderful to get to go to some of the places we've missed the past year. We are still staying close to home but I love getting outdoors. The Dunlin is my favorite today!

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  7. Adam, your flight shots never cease to amaze me. Especially that eel!

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  8. This is an outstanding photographic record of your visit, Adam. Congratulations especially on the close encounters with Whimbrel, and your flight shots are quite wonderful, crisp and clear showing good detail. Well done!

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  9. Your photos are absolutely beautiful. Love the birds in flight. Well done, Adam!

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  10. The shots you took of birds in flight are fabulous!

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  11. Great images! Thanks for sharing.

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  12. The description you provided makes me yearn to come visit this area!! Extraordinary sightings & WONDERFUL waterfowl.
    As always, an excellent post & much appreciated that you shared it with us this week!

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  13. wow!!! amazing captures!! sometimes i feel like we need camouflage clothing and the ability to crawl around on our bellies to capture these images!! they are outstanding, great catch of the tern with lunch!!

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  14. Well you have a hit, the Whimbrel, Sandwich Tern, Med Gull, and Dunlin, they are beautiful Adam.

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  15. o, Whimbrel and Dunlin, I really miss them. I mostly see them when I travel but with restrictions going on I probably will not travel this year. Thanks for sharing your shots. :)

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  16. Great photos of the sea birds! Thanks so much for sharing at https://www.sfdsassociation.org/privatehome.html

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  17. I love the wide selection of shorebirds and the flying terns -- especially when they are carrying their dinner. Sorry for the extra comment.

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I enjoy reading your comments as much as I enjoy taking the pictures. Thank you for taking the time to comment on my post.