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| Blackbird (A Barrett) |
Mid-Wales – Cors Caron
and Bwlch Nant Y Arian
9th
April 2022
Weather: Overcast with sunny spells, cool
Members and friends: 33 Driver: Glenn
Thirty-three
members and friends set off from Stockport for our April trip to a couple of sites
in mid-Wales. On such a long coach trip there was the opportunity to pick up a
number of species on the journey and we soon recorded Little Egret, Grey Heron,
Buzzard, Jay, Shelduck, Cormorant, Lapwing and Mute Swan all within the M56
corridor of Cheshire. Arriving in Wales, a comfort stop at Welshpool added singing
Chiffchaff and Goldcrest in the car park. As we ventured deeper into Wales we
recorded Dipper, Wheatear, Curlew and Kestrel from the comfort of the coach. It
was a long journey but the further we travelled into Wales the more Red Kites
we began to see.
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| Siskin (A Barrett) |
Our
first stop of the day was at Cors Caron National Nature Reserve. Typically, we
had picked a weekend where the Rangers were carrying out maintenance on a
section of the boardwalk, which was closed and precluded access to the hide
that viewed over the vast expanse of raised bog. We walked the boardwalk sections
we were able to and, although the birding was quiet, we did pick up Mallard,
Canada Geese, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Reed Bunting on the bog.
Over
the adjacent hillside we identified Raven, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Buzzard and a
single Swallow flew through. A walk down the old railway path gave good views
of Willow Tit, Treecreeper, singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff and fly-over Lesser
Redpoll. There were plenty of the commoner bird species around. Walking on to
the small pool adjacent to the path we added Teal, Tufted Duck and Little Grebe
to our list. A pair of Reed Bunting was found and a single Grey Wagtail.
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| Carrion Crow (J Wharton) |
In the mixed woodland behind the pool a small heronry was evident, from the noisy youngsters in the nests. There appeared to be five to seven active nests in the treetops. Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker were also recorded here. It had been a long coach journey for a relatively underwhelming experience at Cors Caron but the main attraction of the days trip was to come and we all alighted the coach which drove us on to Bwlch Nant Y Arian. Wales most iconic bird, the Red Kite, are fed daily at the visitor centre and we had enjoyed this spectacle before.
Arriving at the visitor centre we were able to have
a quick walk around before the feeding bonanza began. A small lake held a
single Tufted Duck and a single Great Crested Grebe, as well as Canada Geese.
On the feeders were Siskin, giving close views of this attractive little finch,
allowing the members to clearly differentiate between the male and female
birds. A Coal Tit was recorded and Chaffinch were in the area.
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| House Sparrow (J Wharton) |
With the photographers amongst us strategically
stationed on the opposite side of the pool to the feeding area the group watched
the numbers of Red Kites overhead swell. At peak a count of in excess of 150
birds was made, with the none stop movement and other birds in the background
the likely number of Red Kites on show was in excess of 200 birds.
As the ranger put out the food on the grassy bank,
opposite the watching group and members of the public, the kites started to
cartwheel through the air, swooping down to pick up a piece of meat. Each wave
of birds was repeated again and again until some became bold enough to land and
grab whatever they could. The throng was joined by Carrion Crows and both
Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull, snatching at food. A Peregrine shot through
in the distance, heading west to Cardigan Bay.
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| Pied Wagtail (A Barrett) |
As usual, it had been an impressive spectacle. The
sheer number of birds in the air and the resulting scrum when the food was put
out is always a thrilling experience. With the coach party satisfied many
enjoyed a celebratory hot drink and piece of cake at the café, before climbing
back on board the coach and making the long journey back to Stockport.
The day ended with 65 species recorded.
Birds seen;
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