Anglesey AONB Winter Bird Watch

Saturday 15^th February is a date to put in your diary if you would like to see the spectacle of winter birds on Anglesey. This time last year 100 different bird species were recorded on the day of the event plus bottlenose dolphins and otters. I went along to meet Lowri Hughes (the organiser) and Ben Stammers (one of the bird experts) for a preview of what might be on show at Cemlyn, one of the many sites to be surveyed on the day.

Lowri and Ben on the shingle ridge at Cemlyn

Rather than try to repeat  Ben’s descriptions and the overall atmosphere you can hear what’s on offer on this Sunday’s Country Focus on Radio Wales. This programme is now available as a podcast for 30 days after broadcast. Click here for details of the podcast.

The terns for which Cemlyn is most famous are not due to arrive until mid March, which is just as well because the islands in the lagoon, where they nest, are currently submerged.  Between now and mid March Ben and members of the North Wales Wildlife Trust will regulate the flow of water to make sure there is sufficient island nesting space.

If you would like to take part please make contact with Lowri on 01248 752 446 or by email to lehpl@anglesey.gov.uk

The plan is for everyone to meet at Penrhos Coastal Park car park at 8.15am to split into different groups, then once the day’s bird watching has been completed, everyone will meet back at Caffi’r Parc at Breakwater Country Park for some food and a chat about the days sightings at around 4.15pm.

Islands almost completely under water

What does a nightjar sound like?

If you want to find out, first of all you need to locate a male nightjar.  According to the RSPB there are just 4,606 of them in the UK between May and August. They sing at night and like heathland - which is not necessarily the easiest surface to walk over in the dark.  But the heath at Gwaith Powdwr has smooth pathways and a guide, Rob Booth, to take you to the right spot at the right time without scaring the birds away. 

Rob will be leading a nightjar walk on Saturday 30^th June and on Friday 6^th July starting, presumably from the entrance to Gwaith Powdwr, at 8:30pm.  There is a charge of £2 for members of North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT) and £4 for non members. Please call Rob or the NWWT office on 01248 351541 if you would like to take part.

If you can’t make it, turn off your lights, close your eyes, turn up the volume and listen to the film above. The birdsong and call is courtesy of BirdVoice which produces great products for people like me struggling to make sense of who is singing what. 

More on the Coastal Path celebrations!

I (Kate) also was helping to celebrate the Path opening, I joined a Ramblers Cymru walk from Tal y Bont (near Penrhyn Castle) to Llanfairfechan. It was very cold to start with, but warmed up after we passed Abergwyngregyn. I met a number of NWWT members and collected a few donations. If you would like to see my species list of plants and birds, please email me geoffkate.gibbs@care4free.net. You might even like to sponsor me for a few pence per species, I’m up to about £45 and my target is £100. The species list is only a snapshot as the RA walks don't allow one to stop and search and there was too much chat and adverse conditions to hear bird song clearly (Geoff had been dispatched to the NWWT Rhiwledyn reserve on the Little Orme,  so was not on hand to help). No good for butterflies either, nevertheless there were things to find and admire.

The photo shows the group, with me on the extreme left; we’re outside the entrance to the NWWT Aberogwen (Spinnies) reserve, only half a mile or so from the start of the walk. It was taken by Russell Sheaf.

  Kate Gibbs

Cob 200 – grand finale birds

Throughout the year there have been many events to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of William Madocks building The Cob. There has even been an excellentarticle in Natur Cymru, many thanks to Twm Elias.

View from the hide

This weekend, on 17^th and 18^th December, there will be a bird watching event organised by The Friends of Borth y Gest and The North Wales WildlifeTrust. The Glaslyn estuary is world famous for its winter wading bird visitors.  The Wildlife Trust will provide the experts, binoculars and telescopes.  No expertise necessary - if you would like to come along to learn about our local birds, just turn up between 11am and 3pm. Tea & Coffee available. 

The hide is just by the Toll House opposite Boston Lodge with a wonderful view of birds in the water and snowy mountains beyond.