Wales 2024 PT1

 We had a nice few days in Wales, bad weather and a general lack of Birds means I can condense the action into a couple of reports!!! Things improved weather wise towards the end of the week, a trip to Anglesey was the highlight of this part, with Choughs and two particularly showy Kestrels the best of a trip to South Stack. First couple of days were a bit rainy and we spent them local to Dolgellau, tried to find some Dippers without success. Did see a Kingfisher, a Goosander and a Sparrowhawk being chased by Crows.

The mighty Cader Idris, though obscured by cloud

Sparrowhawk being harassed by a Crow

Goosander

 With the weather breaking from the North, we headed to Anglesey, the rain finally stopped about 3 miles from South Stack, hurrah!

Most of the Auks had left after the breeding season, but we had great views of Choughs and Kestrels. The highlight was probably the small group of up to 4 Rizzo's Dolphins, though sadly distant, we also saw some other Dolphins which were probably Bottle-nosed Dolphin. Some pictures below, there was also still a bit of a display on land with the Heather still in bloom although past it's best.

Great Black-backed Gull

Most of the breeding birds had gone, but there were still a couple of Kittiwakes on the right (as you look at the picture)

Rizzo's Dolphin

Gannets, a few went by, but none close

Kestrel

Margie got some pics of the Landscape below

Margie's effort at the Kestrel

Very Silhouettey had to lighten the pictures somewhat but was great fun watching them hunt in front of us 

As we watching the Kestrels a couple of Chough's flew in and landed in front of us, which was nice

Chough

A Stonechat on the way out, mainly posted because I liked the background

We headed around the coast stopping off at various places, with limited success!

Juvenile Goldfinch

Oystercatcher

Curlew

Black-headed Gull

So not a bad trip, had a nice Gluten Free Brownie in the visitor center at South Stack which was a bonus!