The beast of the Uptons

   

I did a 14 hour day at work on Wednesday so took Thursday off to take advantage of the Glaucous Gull which has been roosting at Upton Warren. The walk down to the hide was in complete darkness and it was a case of waiting for light to break to see this absolute brute of a bird. The bird was the very last gull to leave the roost but was good enough to hang around for a good wash & preen before flying south.

On Saturday, news emerged the same gull had been seen at Upton Snodsbury which is only ten minutes from the pits. So after my Sunday count with Jon I headed over on the hope it had returned. As I headed towards the Church I picked the Gull out flight high above the village. The bird kindly landed in the field to the north of the A422 giving absolutley amazing views.

The bird seemed very content in the field feeding on earth worms and on occasions visting the field directly behind. If you have never seen this species I'd suggest you make a special trip over to enjoy this great bird.

Third time lucky for Bartley Glaucous Gull

Thought I'd chance my arm again on the way home from the final day of work before Easter with a stop at Bartley Reservoir. The pesky juvenile Glaucous Gull I'd tried to catch in previous roosts was now showing well during the afternoon. I'd just filled the car up with diesel when Terry called "you're in luck mate, it's in again". I was parked up within ten minutes and the brute of a Gull was sitting on buoy five straight across from Scotland Lane. 

I made a superb scope viewing as the bird did a quick lap before landing again on the water and drifting towards my position on Scotland Lane. The bird had been present on and off since 6th March and is the first Glauc for the site this year. Terry also found 4 Black-necked Grebes this week making it a excellent week for sightings there.

Biggest Twitch day out in North Wales

 Sunrise at RSPB Conwy

Conwy Valley

Greenshank

 Goldeneye

 Wader Fest

Tre Felin

 Glaucous Gull

 Alan and Ruth scanning on Beddmanarch Bay

 Gulls on Beddmanarch Bay

RSPB Conwy was the meeting place with Alan and Ruth Miller from famous Biggest Twitch. A big day was certainly on the agenda with these world birding record breakers. We were also joined by a lovely local birder called Jane. As we packed up the cars a Buzzard flew low over the car park hounded by a Herring Gull.

The beautiful Conwy Valley was our first destination where 5 Hawfinches greeted our arrival. The site was very picturesque and looked over a river and water meadows. A Red Kite and a Peregrine gave us a fly pass whilst Canadian Geese moved through the valley.

It was back to Conwy for an aerial view of the RSPB reserve from a sneaky car parking. This cheeky spot enabled us to see Scaup, Goldeneye, Pochard and Tufted Duck. 

Sea watching at Llanfairfechan was next on the agenda. Alan quickly put us on a Red-throated Diver and then a close Great Northern Diver. It was a real treat to see Divers on the sea rather than the lakes that I'm used to. In addition a Kittiwake flew across the sea and there were a number of Great Crested Grebes.

Next habitat was another coastal gem of a place named Aber Gowen. There were birds every where. A Greenshank was ridiculously close in front of our parking pitch whilst waders fed along the shore line. These included Redshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Bar-Tailed Godwits the variation was stunning. Off shore I saw my first Slavorian Grebe which I was delighted with. Alan then pulled out another gem by finding a Spotted Redshank, never an easy bird to see in and around my Midlands base. Ruth kindly made us all a welcome hot drink and we treated ourselves to some fantastic cake made by Jane. If Jane were to start a bakery mail order business I will be ordering in bulk ! 

Recharged and ready to go we spotted (on a local river) a Dipper in action. Brilliant views once again. Two Jays were also seen in the trees.

Beddmanarch Bay was just brilliant, quality birds all over the place. I'd never seen Pale Bellied Brent Geese before and there were around 100 showing very well. The light wasn't great around this time so photos were difficult to obtain. 2 Grey Plover, Bar Tailed Godwits, Curlew, Oystercatcher were all on display before we headed off to our next destination. As we were coming to the end of the Causeway a large white blob was clear to see on the shore line. Alan parked quickly sensing a mega gull. He was not disappointed it was in fact a large bulky Glaucous Gull. This chap was a beast and looked ready for a wrestling match he was that big.

It was then time for lunch at RSPB South Stack. As we filled our faces Chough, Raven and 5 Rock Pipets were visible. 5 Rock Pipets ! I'd only ever seen one before. 

Hollyhead Harbour held the next set of beauties for us. From a great viewing spot we observed Shags, Black Guillemots, 2 Great Northern Diver, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwakes, Common Gull, Turnstone and Red-Breasted Mergansers. 

As we turned for home we watched a female Long Tailed Duck at RSPB Valley Lakes Nature Reserve accompanied with Goldeneye, Shoveller, Pochard as if we hadn't had enough treats. I do love Long Tailed Ducks. 

At Aberffraw, Sparrowhawk, Fieldfare, Redwing and Common Snipe were all added to an impressive day list  which was increased further at Malltraeth where Golden Plover were on the estuary. 30 Pintail gave us a final encore on the Cob Pool.

The 2 3/4 hour drive back in the dark and the rain wasn't the best however the day had been just fantastic. I'd urge anyone to look Ruth and Alan up if you are heading to that part of the world and I will be definitely seeing them again. A fantastic Christmas present from the wife.

91 Species on the day list and 22 for the Year list which has moved nicely to 132. (131 on Bird Track, need to find missing one)