Liverpool RSPB field Trip report - Black Grouse Lek
Sunday 29/04/12
Sunday found us up
before the lark, leaving Liverpool at
4am in the pitch dark for a 5am meet at
UPM Tilhill’s, Coed Llandegla Forest in Denbighshire. We arrived at the visitor centre just as dawn was
breaking on the horizon. And flaming Palinka it was cold, 2 degrees Celsius with
a bitter wind chill which soon got the better of my insulated gloves.
Seven hardy souls made it to Llandegla Moor in search
of the lekking Black Grouse (tetrao tetrix), we were not disappointed. The count
being 13 males and one grey female (ratio doesn't seem right to me somehow!).
The species is red-listed in Wales, which means it is of the highest
conservation concern. 50% of the Welsh Black Grouse population lives within one
mile of the forest. The Lek, is an early
spring display site, the male grouse mock fight to impress an audience of
females - well hidden from our eyes this morning. There are currently estimated
to be 328 lekking males in Wales, a
positive recovery over recent years. The Moor is managed for the grouse; the
heather is cut consecutively, which forces new growth and allows the cotton
grass and bilberry to gain a foothold, providing year round food for the grouse
and their chicks.
A 30 minute walk
through the forest brought us to our hiding place, a converted ships container –
all mod cons here, magnolia walls, carpet on the seating bench, and a speaker
transmitting the bird calls from a microphone hidden on the moor.
Although 400 metres away the male birds
were easily visible on the open ground, drooped
wings, pure white tails feathers fanned out, bubbling, screeching
and strutting their stuff to impress the females. Just like miniature
Capercaillies. The highlight and best view by far was when the 13 males took to
the air disturbed by a passing crow, their striking white wing bars evident as
they quickly returned to their Lek and the important business of the day.
After half an hour
or so the weather started to deteriate and the forecast rain fell as snow, time
for a sharp exit… But just as we were leaving a rogue male flew towards the hide
giving us a closer view. Apparently this bird has taken to displaying on a rise
near to the container, its thought (hopefully) he could be starting up a new
Lek.
Taking the trail
back through the forest offered us some protection from the inclement weather
and gave us the other highlight of the day; Crossbills flying overhead and then
a family group feeding in a Larch. Hooked bill, red underside and rich red rump
a glorious male, a juvenile and the female of a more green hue. Despite the
weather the dawn chorus was in full voice, Willow
warblers, Song thrush, Nuthatches and Robins sang out. Overhead
small groups of Siskin and Redpoll flitted through the canopy. A
Tree pipit in a tree gave us a closer view, as did a Coal tit, and
Goldcrest.
As the snow came
down we retreated to the Oneplanet cafe for a full Welsh breakfast, a bacon bap
or would you rather have porridge and home produced honey? We left
at 9am just as the hordes of weather resistant mountain
bikers arrived for the day.
.
Our day list:
Crow-Dunnock-Blackbird-Woodpigeon-Siskin-Crossbill-Black grouse-Tree
pipit-Goldcrest-Robin-Redpoll-Mallard-Canada Goose-Coal tit-Collared
dove-Chaffinch-Jackdaw-Jay-Song Thrush.
Julie our RSPB
guide at Llandega tells us ‘there be Nightjars’ on site and they plan to hold
future Wednesday night viewing events - barbecue supper included !… so, get your
white hankies ready and watch this space.
Report compiled by
Stores and Laura.
Ps
Palinka is a Hungarian brandy – just getting ready for the groups
big trip!
