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

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

Monday 11 April 2016

North Wales Birding

Alarm set for 4.20am and out the door by 5am can only mean one thing. A birding day trip.
With the clocks now on British Summer time, it is getting light by 6 o'clock, and when you want to travel 120 miles to North West Wales it requires an early start.
We arrived at South Stack with a grey blanket of cloud overhead. Not the blue skies we were promised. A pair of Chough greeted us in the car park, and these were one of the main reasons I wanted to come here. Unfortunately they didn't hang around but they are super birds.

We took the path down towards the cliffs to see what sea birds were about when I noticed a Peregrine sat nicely on a rock surveying the landscape. It stayed sat there for a good 15 minutes or so, which allowed Phil and I to get some decent close views and pictures.
Pipits of the Rock and Meadow variety were heard and seen with some regularity.

Peregrine Falcon keeping watch.

We went in search of Stonechats, which we knew should be in the vicinity. There is a great area of heather and gorse which is ideal for them, and after just a few minutes of looking a stunning male popped up. He was shortly followed by a female.

Male Stonechat on the gorse.

The female.

A Northern Wheatear. Probably fresh in after it's migration.


16 comments:

  1. After seeing the regal hawk - known for his hunting ability - the little birds that follow look quite vulnerable! Bus isn't nature's diversity amazing?

    Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-many-faces-of-louie.html

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  2. Hello, awesome variety of birds and great sightings. My favorites are the peregrine and the pretty Stonechat. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!

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  3. Love that stonechat on the gorse Adam… what a beautiful photo!

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  4. Since birds of prey are my favorite birds, the first image is my favorite here, but all of the photos are very nicely done. Have a wonderfully blessed day.

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  5. Hi Y'all!

    What beautiful birds.

    Y'all come on by,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  6. Fantastic pictures as always. I got my first ever Ring Ouzel in North wales last week, but just a quick glimpse. Heading to Anglesey tomorrow for a day out.

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  7. I see where the Early Birder comes from...I would be the late birder... Great photos Adam...Michelle

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  8. Wow, what a lovely variety of birds! The falcon is so majestic and the other birds have interesting markings.

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  9. great images of both species :) Enjoyable to see.

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  10. The Falcon is such a majestic bird

    Mollyxxx

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  11. We enjoy going bird watching! Your peregrine is beautiful!

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  12. Early fun. Looks like you found some wonderful birds....especially the Peregrine Falcon!

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  13. Looks like it was worth rising early - great shots, Adam!

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