Moel Siabod

I had a brilliant walk last Wednesday up Moel Siabod from Pont Cyfyng near Capel Curig, I haven't done this route for about fifteen years so it was a delight to get out onto this mountain again. I forgot how much fun it was, with loads of low grade scrambling I took my time and enjoyed myself. A relatively short walk, but with loads of hands on rock and stunning views it was well worth it. I wont leave it so long next time.

On the route I managed to see many Ravens including a family party on the summit which undoubtedly appreciated my chocolate swiss roll, with some birds sporting rings (check out the photo). A family of Ring Ouzels could be heard and occasionally glimpsed on the Heather and Rowan clad slopes high above the old slate quarry. 3 Redstarts, Grey Wagtails, 5 Buzzards, Kestrel, and a singing Yellowhammer where other bird highlights. Broad Bodied Chaser, 2 Large Heath, and a brief Fritillary which I think was Small Pearl Bordered.

Up towards the summit on an inaccessible ledge I found a couple of odd yellow flowered plants reminiscent of Ragwort but obviously shorter and with very different narrow straight leaves.........any ideas..........see the photo below (sorry about the quality but it was rather windy!). Other plants included Heath Spotted Orchids, and the mountain was full of flowering Heather,English Stonecrop, Navelwort, Tormentill, and Thyme; all together making for a magnificent sight.



Hope you enjoy some of the shots.

Cricket, Garlic, Ravens; and not much else!

I recently found this clump of Honey Garlic at Greenbank Park in the wooded area, this was a first for me and quite an unusual find; I am led to believe. A striking plant standing about 3ft high and with multiple flower heads. Jackdaws, Grey Wagtail, Mistle and Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Chiff Chaff, Blackcap, are all either nesting or on territory in the park, along with the Mute Swans still sitting on eggs and 3 pairs of Coots nesting. A pair of Grey Wagtails nesting on the front of the Brookhouse Pub, Smithdown Road at the moment regularly come into Greenbank Park to feed also.

I visited Liverpool Cricket Club to watch Lancashire vs Yorkshire on Wednesday (Lancs eventually won on Saturday) and apart from the cricket I saw 2 Buzzards (with one bird mewing), Kestrel (not a common bird anymore in the area), Sparrowhawk, Swift, Swallows, and a Chiff Chaff on territory.

Goldcrests singing and Three-Cornered Garlic flowering off Mill Lane Wavertree on Thursday as was Wood Anemone until recently.
Yesterday over the house I had a Raven heading west and a pair of Swifts (they are really thin on the ground this spring), and a Peregrine over the City Centre.
3 pairs of Blackcap and a nesting pair of Pied Wagtails in Wavertree Mystery.



A pair of Raven on Stanley Road Bootle today as was one last Sunday.

Time realy hasnt been on my side of late...................two more weeks of hectic schedule and then some free time at last! I am sick of missing things..................Broad Billed Sandpiper, Citrine Wagtail, Black Headed Wagtail, Red Rumped Swallow; just to name a few!

Purple Haze

I took a wander down to the Speke/Garson coastal reserve yesterday late morning with the family. I have said it before but I will say it again; this really is a great site and well worth a visit. There was a good number of passerines on the reserve including 2 reeling Grasshopper Warblers, 7 Sedge Warblers, Blackcap, 2 Chiff Chaffs, 22+ Whitethroats, Swallow, complete with loads of singing Linnets, Skylarks, and Reed Buntings. Other highlights included a Buzzard, 3 Grey Partridges, 3 Pheasants, and a Raven which flew in from across the river and was mobbed by another local Raven. The shore was pretty quiet due to an incredibly low tide, yet small flock of Dunlins, Ringed Plovers, Curlews, and Sheldrakes aggressively pursuing the females with impressive aerial maneuvering! Holly Blue, Small Tortershells, and Peacocks also on the reserve. The best sighting was of a Little Ringed Plover that flew in low over the reserve from the shore, gained height and flew north over the city.

In Speke Hall the main attraction was the superb display of Bluebells in the woodlands behind the moat, it really is amazing to see something as spectacular as this in an urban area..........a real purple haze. 2 Buzzards, Raven, Garden Warbler, Chiff Chaffs, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Treecreper, Goldrcrests, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, House Martin, Swallows, Holly Blue, Brimstone, and Cowslips all put in a display around the hall, gardens or moat areas. But the best of all was a calling Green Woodpecker briefly heard from the gardens coming from the vicinity of the moat area woodland. See recent posts as this bird or another was recently sighted on the coastal reserve