A
good turnout of 40 members and friends set off from Stockport for a full days visit
to Anglesey. After a provisions stop at Colwyn Bay the first birding stop was
made at Lleiniog. Viewing the Menai Strait from the small car park we quickly
picked up feeding Sandwich Tern and Eider out on the water. Oystercatchers were
on the shore and singles of Little Egret and Whimbrel were found.
Driving
on to Penmon we left the coach at the priory and walked to the point. En-route
we enjoyed good numbers of singing warblers with Willow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap,
Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat recorded. Two Choughs were found in the
quarry area.
View from Penmon Point (Holly Page)
At
the point, viewing over to Puffin Island (or Priestholm if you prefer), we
watched groups of auks out on the sea with Puffin, Guillemot, Black Guillemot
and Razorbill all recorded. Overhead Gannet, Fulmar and more Sandwich Tern mingled
with a variety of the larger gull species. We could identify Turnstone on the
island and nesting Shag. A pair of Red-Breasted Merganser flew through. Distant
Great Crested Grebe and Red-throated Diver were recorded in the Menai Strait.
Around
Penmon Point a small group of Dunlin, in smart summer plumage, rested whilst a
Rock Pipit and a Wheatear foraged amongst the shore-line. Overhead Swallows and
Swifts passed over.
The society re-traced its footsteps back to
the coach, adding Bullfinch to the list, and we set off for South Stack RSPB.
Alighting from the coach the strong winds buffeted the group.
Walking
to the cliffs we were greeted by acrobatic Chough with, at least, two pairs
playing in the strong winds. We found Rock Pipits feeding part-way down the
cliffs and they were joined by a smart Black Redstart. Overhead four Raven
passed through with singles of Kestrel and Sparrowhawk also seen.
South Stack (Holly Page)
In
the seabird colony we identified Guillemot and Razorbill, with the occasional
Kittiwake. Shag and both Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull nests were spread
over the area.
Scoping
out to sea Manx Shearwaters were moving through, all the birds heading in a
southerly direction. Once in a sheltered position excellent views were had of
these birds as the light was good and they were relatively close as they hugged
the coastline due to the strong incoming winds.
Up
on the heathland we found splendid male Linnets singing, with Greenfinch,
Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Whitethroat and Mistle Thrush also in the area. One of
the small pools held a pair of Greylag Geese with Mallard and bathing gulls
also present.
Stonechat (Holly Page)
Returning
to the coach we were seen off South Stack by a Peregrine, wheeling over the
adjacent fields. A good total of 85 species were identified during the day.
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