Welcome to my new blog ‘The Black Grouse.’ Following in the footsteps of ‘chesterbirder’ this blog will be dedicated to reporting sightings, musings and ramblings on all things avian and beyond.The blog will be roughly focused on the former area of Clwyd – although not exclusively – as practically all my birding will be on the welsh side of the Dee Estuary and in magnificent upland areas such as the Berwyn Mountains, Ruabon Moor and Mynydd Hiraethog.
As before, I would greatly appreciate any comments, sightings or thoughts anybody may have on the wildlife of this region.
Hare Krishna.
Paul Shenton 12.02.10
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that you've finally realised that all the best Birding is to be done in North Wales.With the exception of Frodsham,Moore,and Chester,I do the entireity of my Birding in Wales,for no other reason than the fact that no matter where I choose to go,I'm always surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Thanks for the kind remark on your'e previous site,it was more than a pleasure to contribute to such a varied and interesting blog,and I will be continuing to follow your new site.
A little note that you may or may not still be interested in,is that I have decided to do some serious Urban Birding this year,with Chester being the obvious choice of City.I'm being pretty ruthless with the boundaries to the extent that all birds seen must be within the City's own boundaries,and any birds seen the other side of Blacon,Saltney,Hoole,or Upton,are either Cheshire or Flintshire birds,and don't count.
I'm currently on 74 species and counting,and hopefully with nine and a half months of the year still in hand,I can add a few more to that total,especially a Spotted Flycatcher which I haven't seen in the City for a few years now.
Cheers Denzil
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteNice blog. Cant find out whether you have Dipper on your Flintshire list yet, but there was one on Wepre Brook today. I think they may be resident in the area. Grey wagtails also a near certainty. and some good warblers in summer.
The dipper was a few hundred metres upstream after the river forks below the castle, in an area known to us locals as Devils Basin!
Cheers, hope this is of use
Rhys
Hi Rhys,
ReplyDeleteAs it happens Dipper is not in the bag yet - I have had a look at quite a few suitable sites (Greenfield, Garth Wood, Coed y Cra) but I've not managed to find one yet.
I have been meaning to get to Wepre Wood soon, so thanks for the tip - Devil's Bason it is!
By the way, if you have any idea where to find Tawny Owl, Little Owl, or Barn Owl then I would be much obliged...
Cheers, Paul.
P.S - I will publish my list so far at the bottom of the column on the right...
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteIf you're looking to add the 3 Owls to your Flintshire list,I would look at Wepre Park in Connah's Quay for a Tawny Owl,I recorded one on every visit there last year.( On call only ).
Little Owls are a little harder to turn up,the places where I've seen them,(I would prefer not to put out publicly ),which also applies to Barn Owls,for obvious sensitivity reasons,as I believe them all to be breeding sites.
But I would be more than happy to give you more information personally,if you could give me your email address via this Blog.
Cheers Denzil
Aye another good Tawny area is the old railway line leading from the Quay to Northop Hall.
ReplyDeleteI have seen Barn Owls in the Flintshire area but this was quite a few years ago, and not seen any sign of them in a long time. Would be interested to know if one of Denzil's sites is in the area where Iv seen them. Any chance you could email me too? I understand if you dont trust me!
Never seen Little Owls full stop!
cheers
Rhys
rhysfr at hotmail.com
Hi Denzil,
ReplyDeleteYou can email me on pdshenton@yahoo.co.uk.
Any Owl info would be gratefully received!
Cheers, Paul.