Ynys Hir

Red Kite - Ynys Hir - June 2013

Ynys Hir - June 2013

Whilst on holiday in Wales last week I popped down to Ynys Hir RSPB nature reserve which is currently hosting Springwatch, I have visited the site many times over the years, it is always a fantastic place to watch wildlife and catch up with some of the best summer migrants.

 

juv Redstart - Ynys Hir - June 2013

I managed to find Wood Warblers, Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Garden Warblers all of which are classic species of the Welsh Oak woodlands, other highlights included a Snow Goose on the estuary, Red Kite, Yellow Wagtail, Grass Snake, Common Lizard, Little Egret, and Large Red Damselfly. The reserve is a top spot for Otter but the closest thing to an Otter I could find was an Otter spraint (poo!) on the boardwalk, maybe next time. A full roundup follows:-

Large Red Damselfly - Ynys Hir - June 2013

• Wood Warbler - 12
• Redstart - 8
• Pied Flycatcher - 3
• Garden Warbler - 2
• Grasshopper Warbler - 1
• Sedge Warbler - 7
• Whitethroat - 1
• Yellow Wagtail - 2
• Redpoll - 20+
• Crossbill - 8 flew North
• Snow Goose - 1
• Red Kite - 1
• Common Buzzard - 2
• Little Egret - 1
• Grass Snake - 1
• Common Lizard - 1
• Large Red Damselfly - 30+
• Four-Spot Chaser - 2
• Ground Ivy
• Cuckoo -2

Pied Flycatcher - Ynys Hir - June 2013

Wood Warbler - Ynys Hir - June 2013

Snow Goose - Ynys Hir - June 2013

Kite Country

The Sandstone Trail - Peckforton

Red Kite, Peckforton, Cheshire - 25th March 2012



Wood Anenome, Beeston, Cheshire - 25th March 2012

The great recent weather lured me out for a decent walk yesterday; I decided to head for the sandstone trail around Beeston, Peckforton, and Bulkeley in North Cheshire for a eleven mile circular route around the Peckforton estate. The walk was a real pleasure with Spring certainly in full swing, the woodlands surrounding Peckforton and Beeston Castles were swarming with Wood Anemones (in fact I have never seen such a display of this species), other woodland plants included Lesser Celladine, Aquilega, flowering Cow Parsley, and fern fronds starting to emerge, Butterflies included 5 Small Copper, Brimstone, 13 Small Tortershell, 7 Peacocks, and 1 Comma, also the biggest Badger set I have ever seen!

Lesser Celladine, Peckforton, Cheshire - 25th March 2012

Migrants included at least 35 singing male Chiff Chaffs, and 2 Blackcaps, other birdlife included 50+ Lesser Redpolls, 1 Crossbill, 7 Nuthatch, 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 20+ Siskins, 2 Bullfinches, 1 Yellowhammer, 12+ Common Buzzards, 3 Raven, 2 Peregrine.

Last but not least a RED KITE which appeared over the Peckforton Hills being mobbed by a flock of Crows and Jackdaws and a pair of Peregrines! The bird was viewable for a couple of minutes and enough time for a couple of passers by to get on it before it drifted North.

Bulkeley Hill, Cheshire - 25th March 2012

I managed a few dodgy looking into the sun snaps of the bird which obviously drew most of my attention, but later when back at home looking at the photos of the Kite being mobbed by the Crows there appears to be two birds present one definitely a Red Kite but the other I am not so sure about, does anyone have an opinion? The two birds can be seen in the flock below (you may have to zoom in) and the mystery bird with a lone crow, I know the photos are not the best!