Page 5 - Out Birding Winter 2024

Black-headed Gull. Greylag & Canada Geese, Cormorant and Oystercatcher. A single Li􏰀le Ring Plover was spo􏰀ed, also a Great Crested Grebe on her nest, Meadow Pipit and Stonechat.
On to the moors at Gors Maen Llwyd to see and hear Skylark and Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Swallow. A Buzzard was spo􏰀ed from here. The mature spruce planta􏰁on at Llyn Bran was quiet, the sharp-eyed amongst us saw a Spo􏰀ed Flycatcher before it was spooked by a young Buzzard floa􏰁ng through.
Finally a cuppa at the Crown Inn at Llanfihangel and a stroll along the River Alwen. Not much about apart from a pair of Grey Wagtail, a family of Nuthatch and many electric -blue Demoiselles.
A wonderful day out, excellent company, knowledgeable and good fun. We saw 33 species including some rare and beau􏰁ful birds. Thanks to everybody and to Steve J for leading the way.
Pat Blundell
Point of Ayr, Talacre, North Wales 18/08/2024
Six members met early enough to watch the waders coming in with the rising 􏰁de. This reserve is on the edge of a disused colliery with plenty of trees with Li􏰀le Egret - roos􏰁ng adults and juveniles, Swallow, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Stonechat, Moorhen, Crow, Magpie and Wood Pigeon. In the shrubbery we saw flocks of Linnet, also Meadow Pipit and Skylark. Overhead we saw Kestrel and Buzzard.
The main a􏰀rac􏰁on were the waders seen from the small screen hide. Hundreds of Curlew, Oystercatcher and Sandwich Tern – literally hundreds. In amongst these birds we saw Li􏰀le Tern, flocks of Dunlin and Ringed plover, the occasional Whimbrel and Redshank. A solitary Greenshank was exploring the creek, and a Golden Plover flew in to join the foraging. Further out on the shingle bank several Great Black-backed Gull were hanging out together, with Cormorant and Shelduck on the water, plenty of Black-headed Gull and the occasional Lesser Black-backed Gull, many Herring Gull and a few Common.
As this area is a holiday resort, the beach and bank were becoming busy so five of us went to Burton Mere on the Wirral. The reserve was excep􏰁onally busy because there was a Hudsonian Godwit visi􏰁ng! The more experienced birders amongst us saw it on the Border pool, from the jam-packed hide. Flocks of Black and Bar-tailed Godwit , Knot and Lapwing were sheltering this rare visitor. According to our Steve Jenning, this is only the eighth 􏰁me that this bird has been seen in the UK.
We returned to the visitor centre via the café to find that the Hudsonian had moved to the pool in front and we had a splendid view of it preening and dabbling, among Black-tail Godwit, Ruff, and a solitary Snipe.
Other sigh􏰁ngs at this wonderful reserve were Teal, Coot, Tu􏰂ed Duck, Shoveler, Mallard, Grey Heron, Canada Goose of course, and a single Greylag. A Raven was
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