A Glorious 12th

Personally I detest large blocks of non native coniferous woodland, but even card-carrying members of the ‘Tree Taliban’ like yours truly has to confess that they do have there plus points.

With sunshine, broken cloud and light winds forecast for North Wales this morning there really was only one destination to head for today: Clocaenog Forest. So, after a quick detour to pick-up Mark Murphy from Rhyl, it was full steam ahead to Bron Banog.

Although chilly and overcast when we rocked-up, a handful of Crossbills in the car park followed by brief views of a Great Grey Shrike on the summit got the ball rolling nicely.

However, after a piece of comedy field craft we both lost sight of the ‘Butcher Bird’ after simultaneously taking our eyes off the winter visitor as we set our scopes up: schoolboy error!

As the skies brightened a handful of Ravens and Buzzards took to the air, but the star of the show was playing the crowd and leaving things very late. Then, finally, a Goshawk was picked-up a mid distance, but frustratingly the bird soon sank below the tree line.

This must have been a loosener though, for a few minutes later the bird was back on the wing and fortunately drifting closer and closer towards us. At its nearest point it was no further than 100 yards away. The views through my telescope were absolutely stunning – a truly awesome bird. I have never seen one so close.

Clearly into the groove, the hawk performed for a good ten or fifteen minutes, before vanishing, then reappearing further away, before finally disappearing for good.

Unforgettable.

For the final act it was over to Llyn Brenig. Four Goldeneye was the best the lake had to offer, but a walk through the heather at the adjacent Gors Maen Llwyd produced a brace of Red Grouse.

Bron Banog 12.2.02

1 Goshawk
1 Great Grey Shrike
6+ Raven
2+ Buzzard
10+ Crossbill

Llyn Brenig/Gors Maen Llwyd

4 Goldeneye
1 Great Black-backed Gull
2 Red Grouse
1 Kestrel

Until later.