2017 new year field trip

Today started cold and fresh on our first field trip of the year which, makes a change from last years rain. With the 2nd in January being a bank holiday it certainly gave lots of us a chance to get out and those that did really enjoyed the day.

This field trip has always been about enthusing and showing how many species can be found in Liverpool and we thought we would be on to break our record of 62.One of our first birds of the day was greenfinch in the trees by the car park followed by goldfinch, blackbird, wood pigeon and kestrel.

As we started to walk towards the estuary 2 mute swans flew out of the river towards town. As it was low tide the exposed mud banks were quite some distance out but telescopes we were able to show, redshanks, curlew, dunlin, oystercatcher, turnstone,mallard, teal, grey herons, cormorant, black headed, herring and lesser black backed gulls.

As we walked back from the shore 2 ravens conked their way into view and a solitary crow helped show off the size difference. We continued the walk checking the estuary as a great black backed gull flew past, but small birds kept flying about. Robins kept jumping about on the path in front of the main group, grey wagtail flew over the back of the group and in the vegetation dunnocks, wrens, reed bunting and a fly over meadow pipit. We stopped as the call of a fieldfare flew into a large shrub.  As we reached the sailing club a local dog walk told us how his dogs had flushed 3 short eared owls on the saltmarsh, we were very excited by this news. 

A single ringed plover and common gull was at the end of the slip way and 4 grey partridges flew off the marsh never an easy bird to see well.   

2 Skylarks flushed out of one of the meadows and a walk up towards the business park helped add more meadow pipits but even better some showy stonechats and 2 common snipe. A few blue tits were in this area with song thrush and mistle thrush but we had failed to see so many common species. The list stood at 40 species.

We walked back to the car to find 4 back windows had been smashed and it really spoilt a wonderful start to the year. Some went one to Sefton Park to try and add more species but the day had been ruined.

Chris Tynan

Leader

Footnote

Several members of the group have contacted various agencies including liverpool council, peel holdings and mps about  the  damage and we await further contact and hopefully progress in making this site  secure for visitors.

(I have to say its not a happy start to the year. I led a walk around the reserve yesterday with 31 other people. We started at 9am and returned to the cars in the car park just after midday.

We returned to find 4 of the groups cars had had their back windows smashed and their boots ransacked. Considering the car park was full of cars it could have been all of them! The car park had lots of glass from other windows which makes you wonder that whatever low life is responsible for this vandalism is there with some degree of regularity.

I really like showing off this reserve to members and the general public but it makes me feel that RSPB Liverpool wont be leading any more walks here until security improves.

All 4 incidents were reported to Merseyside Police. Some of the group have now contacted the local councillors and MP through emails and social media.

I feel I have to let you know of these incidents).

More Welsh wanderings and scrambling

Newborough Warren

Sometimes I think I’m in a dream, sauntering along on a sunny day, singing skylarks overhead, the kronking of raven on the headland, chough chi-owing along cliff faces, even the roar of the overhead jets add to the sensory delights of stunning Anglesey. Heady thoughts of retiring to a rural cottage, watching the seasons unfurl, away from the hustle and bustle of cities….mmh

So here we are again  ’Another balmy, sunny day, another place on Anglesey; this time we’re in bunnyland, well that was what  Newborough warren had been famous for ( as over 100,000 rabbits a year were taken from the warren by the residents) although on the day we only saw one from the path, I’m sure there were lots more about, as one of the first things we saw on the sandy path was a particularly fit looking stoat crossing into the warren, plenty of dinners to be had here it would seem.

Today’s circular walk starts and ends at the lake of Llyn rhos du and incorporates a walk through the Corsican and Scots pines of Newborough forest and a visit to this isle of llanddwyn.

Sandy paths

Newborough Warren is part of a National Nature Reserve, which also includes Llanddwyn Island- the sacred blessed isle of St Dwynwen’s.(Welsh patron  saint of lovers! - Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness - St. Dwynwen)

To the left of the path is the reserve of newborough warren, it’s a massive dune system with a freshwater lake, saltmarsh, mudflats, a long beautiful beach and stunning views of the sea and Snowdonia

Lyn rhos du

Starting at Llyn rhos du’s car park,  a quick look over the freshwater  lake from the new bird hide only revealed coot, little grebe and swooping swallows.

A small herd of white Welsh mountain ponies were grazing on the warren - used to keep the sward in the condition needed by the wild plants that grow there. The song of Skylarks, robin, wren and Meadow Pipits could be heard. A kestrel hovered over the dunes.

The dunes are also home to toads and lizards, confirmed as a sand lizard dashed across our path and a young toad narrowly escaped being trodden on, a case of eyes to the path not to the skies! 

The beach at Newborough is long and sandy, and obviously popular with the locals. Extensive stunning views over to Snowdonia are afforded here. We continued along the beach to LLanddwyn Island passing some of the oldet rocks on Anglesey along the way. The island is more a long thin peninsula that gets cut off from the mainland only on the highest tides- not marooned today!

St Dwynwen's cross  and lighthouse

An atmospheric, serene little place, with its chapel ruins and beacons.

Chapel ruins

There are two beacons/lighthouses built at the tip of the island Tŵr Bach & Tŵr Mawr. The former lighthouse now returned to service after a modern light was placed on top. Off the tip of the island there were some rocky outcrops/islands, cormorants and gulls were sunbathing. On an inlet beach, a party of gulls were squabbling mainly adult and young herring gulls. Two oystercatchers were on the rocks nearby. Three sandwich terns were careering over the sea close to shore. As we walked along the island path, smaller residents were conspicuous, rock pipit and stonechat. A solitary wheatear was popping around the ruined chapel field.

We stopped for lunch on a promontary, fabulous.

Newborough view from island

Tall Pines

Leaving St Dwynwen’s resting place behind us we headed back to the path leading into the forest. This be the home of Red Squirrels, and we were lucky enough to see one shortly after, scampering up a pine too quickly for my camera - by the way don't forget to vote for Bob! https://www.voteforbob.co.uk/

Apparently Newborough forest has a large raven roost, none heard or seen, far too early in the day. However we did see jays and buzzards as the path opened up to the estuary of the afon cefnii - one buzzard having no luck being mobbed by 4 crows! Curlews were calling on the estuary, but here our path turned away, back to Lyn Rhos du - we shall save Malltreath for another day. http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/m/malltraethmarsh/index.aspx

Estuary Afon Cefnii, Malltreath

There are interpretation boards along the nature reserve path and trail markers throughout. Good, well-defined paths and the going is generally easy.

The following day saw us back in Wales, but this time in Snowdonia. Our aim was to climb the shapely magnificence that is Moel Siabod (2,860 feet) A mountain that looms large above coniferous forests near to Capel Curig.  On a clear day, the summit offers a fine panorama, revealing part or all of the highest three mountain ranges in Wales. Unfortunately although the day had dawned warm and windless September’s mist hung heavy and we could only just make out Snowdon and Tryfan through the haze as the day waned.

A spectacular start to our walk occurred as a fabulous male hen harrier glided over the heather clad moor and flanks of the mountainside, a Skydancer, ecstatic to see this special bird. http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/donations/campaigns/hen-harrier-appeal/index.aspx

On the route we saw pied wagtails, buzzard, kestrel, robin, goldfinch, m pipit, skylark, wren and stonechat. As we approached the summit another highlight two splendid ravens kronked over the trigpoint, alas gone by the time the weary arrived.

Bill & laura on the summit

Anyone considering the walk should 

know it can involve a scramble up the ridge dependant on the path taken to the summit, amazingly didn't seem to stop the sturdy, foot sure sheep...

Late cuckoo with caterpillar

One more treat for the day - the path down 

the back of the mountain led us through a dip leading into the forest. A beautiful area, colourful, rowan trees heavy with berries, grasses thick and swaying and home to a particularly large black, hairy caterpillar that was about to become lunch for a cuckoo, a late cuckoo, no doubt taking advantage of the warm September weather before making it’s long journey to Africa.

Cuckoo path

Another fine day out, followed by tea in the Glan Aber , Betws y coed an old haunt of ours, still serving great pies after twenty years! 

Laura

More Anglesey wanderings

Looking towards the Ferry terminal Holyhead

Another sunny day, another visit to the holy isle. Bill and I have been walking the Anglesey coastal path. This time we did a short section from Penrhos Coastal Park to Holyhead and Trearddur bay to Rhoscolyn.

Penrhos Coastal Park & Nature Reserve overlooks the sandbanks and mudflats of the Beddmanarch Bay.  Obviously a local favourite for its beach and dog walking territory as the car park was chokka, ice cream & snack van in situ.  As on our previous walk more stunning views, this time towards Holyhead Mountain   and the main isle.

The watchful wader - Curlew

The park is known to attract a variety of seabirds, wildfowl and waders.  In July you’d have found the group on Holyhead prom looking for tysties (black guillemots). I have to admit despite the glorious weather there weren’t many birds out sunbathing, a few gulls, oystercatcher, shag and the highlight of the area an obliging Curlew on the shore.

There are Mixed deciduous & coniferous woods along the path, mixed flocks of Tits, Wren, Chaffinch & Robin were seen and heard flitting along the woodland fringe of the path.

Shady resting place for beloved pets

Along the wooded area of the path  you will come across the pet graveyard, memorials to beloved Brandy, Barney and Tiggy puss to name a few, endearing but sad all the same

The Park also has a number of freshwater ponds and ditches to several small pockets of reed bed. The pond by the car park had a few Mallards, duck food available at the van! 

Trearddur Bay is welsh for Arthur's town.it has 2 beaches, one a fine sandy sweeping curve favourited by families, the other smaller with a flotilla of moored boats, canoes and surfboarders.

Trearddur's sailors

This is 'the' walk to  do, the scenery and coastal formations form Trearddur to Rhoscolyn are to be seen, on a clear day the vista stretches out before you towards the Snowdonia Mountains. Besides if your favoured you will be accompanied by Stonechats, Ravens and Choughs - fantastic.

Kronker the Raven

The path goes across the grassy headlands,the cliff top route includes an ancient well, two sea arches and a stunning view with every step! 

Coastal path

The Black arch 

Further on the White Arch, an impressive gleaming white rock arch,

White arch

At Porth Saint. The rocks here are very colourful, ranging from rusty brown to pink, and are Cambrian in origin, and show a huge geological fold in the rocks.

Porth Saint

Cliff top rest with a view

The lookout- now run by volunteers

The Coastguard Lookout post at the highest point of the walk. The lookout is a superb viewpoint, wonderful views of the distant mountains and the Llyn Peninsula, close inshore is a rocky island, Ynys Gwylanod (Isle of Seagulls) with the navigational Rhoscolyn beacon tower on it.

View towards wales

Beacon island

Oh and just to finish this was  a lovely Windy Wheatear on Leasowe Prom the day after!!