There are a few species of birds that have yet to make it onto my UK life list that I really think ought be there. One of these is the Wryneck, an autumn migrant that occasionally pops up around the Welsh coast and has probably the most cryptic plumage of Read more…
Emma and I have had a running joke for the last few years which involves a list of so called mythical birds which we maintained just did not exist. Celebrities such as Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Smew and Curlew Sandpiper have all graced the list in the past, often down Read more…
By Wednesday the rain looked like it was set in for the long run with banks of cloud barely clearing the cliffs, covering the landscape like a quilt. Normally I’d have called the whole thing off and stayed in bed but we had a boat trip booked with Turus Mara Read more…
In a perfectly timed piece of choreography a Purple Heron turned up at Kenfig NNR on Friday, almost as if it knew that the local birding fraternity would need something to keep themselves occupied with over the long weekend. I would have been there in a flash if not for Read more…
They say never go back but that is exactly what I did early yesterday morning. The Blue Winged Teal that first popped up last weekend has remained at Sandy Water Park ever since, and with better weather forecast I couldn’t resist an attempt at some improved photos. The Little Gull Read more…
It was a pretty quiet weekend for me in terms of birding due to spending most of my time facilitating the move of my 1961 Reliant Regal from North Wales to Swansea. On Sunday though I couldn’t resist a trip out as news was circulating about a couple of quality Read more…
I fancied a trip further afield on Sunday and so ended up around Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, one of my favourite places in Wales. First port of call was Cwm yr Eglwys on the north side of Dinas Head where we hoped to find a Red-Necked Grebe that had been feeding Read more…
Yesterday was my final birding day of the year as a result of an unfortunate shortfall in my annual leave that has put me back in the office this morning. The places I could have visited were wide and varied but I eventually plumped for an old favourite in the Read more…
Ilkley Moor is a great place to see Red Grouse. That is what my internet search came back with when looking for somewhere to go walking on the last day of our Leeds trip. Having never seen Red Grouse (even though I have walked on Ilkley Moor before) it seemed Read more…
I spent last weekend up in Leeds visiting Emma’s parents which I hoped would give me an ideal opportunity to connect with at least one Waxwing. Things initially looked good with birds being reported from all over the local area so when chance allowed we headed out to search. I’ll Read more…