Waxwings!

Waxwings all over Llandudno today with 50+ birds in the town. The birds favouring the area behind the Fire Station and the old Halfords (between 15 and 32 seen here), while up to 26 have been seen in Craig y Don around Craigy Don school Liddell Park, the Park and outside the doctor's surgery.

A chiff chaff was on the Little Orme too as were good numbers of Redwings and a single Fieldfare.

Black Redstart near Cairn

A female Black Redstart, possibly the same bird as reported last week was by the small cairn on the limestone pavements today. Park at the noth end and walk up the holl to the pile of stones near the corner of the wall.

An excellent clear November's morning came up trumps with 6 Snow Buntings, including up to 5 still showing very well late morning. 7 Lapland Buntings flew over and were at one point joined by 5 Snow Buntings. Two were in the ploughed fields so there were possibly 9 today. A Woodcock showed well along the wall and nearly colided with me as it whizzed past. Other birds on the move were 4 Crossbills over, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Bullfinch, 50+ siskin, 10+ Redpoll sp., 15+ Brambling, plenty of Redwings, Blackbirds, Song thrushes and Mistle Thrushes, 29 Skylarks, 2 Reed Buntings, Goldcrest, many Woodpigeon, Rooks and 2 Lapwings.Also notable was a Grey Plover along west shore. Very few birders about today so all these birds were watched in peace and tranquility. Many birds were resting before they continued on their travells, such as this Woodpigeon in the gorse at the northern end.

Catching up with sightings

Unfortunately due to computer malfunction, the blog has not been updated for a while. Here are the notable records for the last few weeks:-

Today , November 6th - 3 Waxwings by the churchyard, Lapland Bunting in the ploughed field, male Ring Ouzel on the northern cliffs, 4 Crossbill over, 10+ Brambling, 50+ Siskin, 20+ Blackbirds, 4 Fieldfare, Redwing and 4 Mistle Thrushes.

Friday, November 5th - one Lapland Bunting near cemetery and 12 Crossbill over

November 1st - Lapland Bunting

October 31st - Ring Ouzel in sheep fields, male Snow Bunting on the limestones, 3 Lapland Buntings in the ploughed filed and 3 Crossbill over

October 30th - Ring Ouzel in Hawthorns, 30+ Brambling over and Lapland Bunting.

October 28th - 3 Waxwings over and 60+ Bramblings

October 27th - 13 Waxwings - 11 over and 2 Churchyard

October 26th - 12 Waxwings in Hawthrons behind cemetery

Pictures of Ring Ouzel on limestones, 3 Waxwings (photographed by Bob) on wires behind the cemetery and of the perfect rainbow seen today, a symbol of hope that a goodie is yet to grace the headland?

Richard's Pipit, Waxwings and Hawfinch rescue the autumn!

At last some birds can be reported from the headland. A Ring Ouzel feeding in the ploughed field heralded the start of a good couple of days. Sunday produced star bird of the autumn so far; a fine Richard's Pipit flew in from the north, calling before circling the pavements and flying towards the summit. Later in the day, two Waxwing (Pete Alderson) were present briefly in the churchyard. Monday morning saw many birders present and a good haul if birds. The early risers were rewarded with 4 Hawfinches flying over (Alan Davies); only the third known record for the headland. The 2 Waxwing showed well in bright sunshine on wires above the churchyard early morning, while those searching later o'n scored with a very late Yellow Wagtail here. The limestones produced Snow Bunting and Lapland Bunting while many hundreds of finches, including Brambling passed overhead.

Nightjar Nightmare

Alan Davies thought he'd struck gold as he saw a Nightjar type bird flying away from him this morning. However, the bird just continued to fly away from him and wasn't seen again. Qhat chances it being a Nighthawk? We will never know!

Bunting feast!

Although a bit disappointing due to perfect vis mig conditions here were some highlights. These included two Lapland Buntings (Alan Davies), a Snow Bunting and at least 4 Reed Buntings. 2 Tree Sparrow flew over (Alan Davies) while 17 Crossbills were also on the move, including two in the churchyard late afternoon.. 5 Brambling, the first Fieldfare and 20+ Redwing were autumn migrants while the regular birds were joined by Robins, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes overnight. 150+ Chaffinch, 30+ greenfinch, 5 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 4 Great it and a Chiff chaff also on the move. A 'tail-less' lark amongst the Skylarks flying over could have been a Woodlark, but could just have well been a Skylark without a tail!