Still Hanging On

I imagine being stalked is generally not a pleasant experience. Today, however, was an exception as a Red Kite traced my every footstep around an area of Mynydd Hiraethog. It must have appeared and vanished on at least four separate occasions, until it eventually bumped into another bird (a pair perhaps) before drifting up into the ether on the warm thermals.

Superb as these birds undoubtedly are, the bird that really made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck was the haunting call of a Golden Plover. In stark contrast to the spread of the Red Kite, these glorious waders are declining breeders in the Welsh Uplands, so it was extremely heartening to find at least one bird on territory.

Encouragingly, two other species of wader were also on breeding grounds – I had lovely views of two pairs of Curlew (plus on distant bird trilling) and three pairs of Lapwing too.

Given the legions of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks around and about, it was perhaps not surprising to see that this endless supply of food had not attracted a suitor. I have been spoiled over the last two springs with numerous Hen Harrier encounters in the uplands, so this morning it was good to finally get good views of a Merlin – a very confiding female that nonchalantly sat on a fence post as I wheezed past.

Great weather, great birds and great habitat – it doesn’t get much better than this!

Mynydd Hiraethog (Undisclosed Area) 10.4.10

2 Red Kite
1 Merlin (female)
12+ Buzzard
1 Golden Plover
5 Curlew
6 Lapwing
6 Wheatear
2 Raven
1 Grey Wagtail

Until later.

Withering Heights

Plans to search for a possible Rough-legged Buzzard on the Wirral were soon shelved this morning when I was drafted in for a spot of dog walking – upland style.

After picking up a pair of willing Springers in Mold it was off to do a lap of Llyn Brenig. Whereas signs of spring are everywhere in lowland Cheshire, Mynydd Hiraethog is still firmly in the icy grip of winter, with large sections of the lake frozen and a good carpeting of snow on the moorland areas.

A cracking drake Goldeneye diving near the visitor centre was a good start to the day, but encounters with birds were few and far between today and the only things of note on the eastern section of the water were two singing Goldcrests and a trio of Mistle Thrush.

The north section of the reservoir near the hide tends to be the most productive for birds and so it was this afternoon too with a lovely pair of Goosander loafing on the shoreline and four more Goldeneye on the open water.

The large block of heather here is a reserve of the North Wales Wildlife Trust called Gors Maen Llwyd and over recent years has been the only reliable area I know in North Wales for Red Grouse. No sightings today though; indeed the only bird I found was a single Meadow Pipit!

When the sun finally broke through, it seemed to encourage the larger inhabitants of the area to take to the air as the last hour back to the visitor centre was punctuated with numerous flyover Ravens, three Buzzards and a solitary Kestrel that appeared to be displaying over one of the conifer blocks.

Until later.