Bruisers' Symposium

The Spanish name for Wales – Gales – has certainly lived up to its name in recent weeks; a fortnight ago the top of my chimney was blown off during the night and this morning I discovered that another strong gust had razed a section of fence to the ground.

On the plus side, a good howling gale normally shakes things up on the bird front, so after an aborted seawatch at the Point of Ayr, I headed for the shelter of Connah’s Quay NR.

In order to prevent cheapskates and tardy renewal slackers like oneself, the Deeside Naturalists have decided to put a combination lock on the gate, so with no access code I had to park up at the top and walk to the West Hide. Apart from being a little churlish (although I can understand the rationale), it can hardly be too long before everybody knows the code rendering their actions pointless.

Anyway, birds.

Good numbers of waders as the tide came in included a cracking flock of two to three thousand Blackwits, plus a healthy smattering of Knot and Dunlin scuttling around their legs.

The main focus of attention though was a sheep carcass lying in the middle of Oakenholt Marsh. No fewer than twenty three Ravens were within a stones throw of the carrion with a good number Great Black-backed Gulls eager to share the spoils – a true gathering of the local heavyweights.

Connah’s Quay NR 05.02.11

2,500 Black-tailed Godwits
300 Knot
200 Dunlin
35 Linnet
23 Raven
2 Fieldfare
20 Pink-footed Goose

Until later.