Splash of mid-winter colour

A Ring necked Parakeet has taken up residence in Deganwy, Llandudno. According to the locals there are two and have been around for several months. They come to feed in gardens on birdtables and feeders in the area. What a good Welsh bird and hopefully stay around to add to next year's bird list. They can be found on the Deagnwy to llanrhos road in the small wood to the north of Coed-y-Glyn estate.

Pallas's Warbler near Old Cafe

Typical! I'm writing this from Amsterdam Airport waiting for my flight to Nairobi. Just as I arrived at Manchester Airport, Pete Alderson texted to say he had a fine Pallas's Warbler shoiwng well in the Old Cafe gardens (below the Churchyard). Great find and the first for several years. This is the 4th record for the Great Orme, 23 years after the first record back in 1988. Great find, but I doubt it'll stay 12 days for me :-)

Early morning Swift causes panic!

A Swift located by Pete Alderson soon after 8am understandibly caused his heart rate to quicken. The bird was flying above the cemetery and against the grey sky was difficult to make out as anything other than a silhouette. Other birders were quickly on the scene and Alan Davies duly picked the bird up flying over the fields to the east of the old cafe. The bird was at eye level and made some very close fly byes. Most factors, including weather and date pointed to the bird being a Pallid, but unfortunately however hard the observers tried, the Swift showed all the plumage characteristics of Common Swift. This must be the latest record of Common Swift for the headland and certainly shows that any 'late' Swift doesn't necessarily have to be a Pallid. Oh well, perhaps next time!
Only other birds of note today were a few Crossbills overhead.

Water Rail - 3rd Great Orme record!

The strange sonogram of the Great Orme Water Rail call. Recorded with Remembird and sonogram created with Raven Lite 1.0
A total of six hours spent on the headland today taking advantage of the extra hour of light inthe morning. It was good to welcome mid-Wales birder Paul Leafe up there today and he didn't let me down, calling a Lapland Buning as it flew in with a few Meadow Pipits along the eastern edge of the headland. The bird called several times and showed overhead before continuing south. No sightings of the Snow Buntings today, hwoever at least one bird was heard calling over the sheep fields so could still be around. A female / imm Merlin showed well on a couple of occasions, once near the 5 barred gate and the other by Pink Farm.
At least seven Crossbills were logged along with two early morning Bramblings. Four Bullfich, 7 Mistle Thrushes, 5 Redwing, 3 Coal Tot, 2 Chiff-Chaffs, 6 Goldcrest and a flock of 11 Long tailed Tits meant that there was always something to look at. A nice flock of 5 Lesser Redpoll and several small groups of Siskin were intermingled with the Chaffinches and Greenfinch passing over.
Highlight was the third known Great Orme record of Water Rail (only the second alive bird) that was calling from the old reservoir. It called twice this morning and was at it again this afternoon, making a right racket.

More Snow Bunts - up in twos!

Another two Snow Buntings joined the four present yesterday. They are showing well in the same area as the pair have for the past week or so - by the cairn on the limestone pavements. Other migrants today included 2 Brambling, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Goldrests and a few Redwing, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. Rather blustery and wet up there today.
The pictures above were taken by Pete Latham.

Snow Bunts save the day

Four Snow Buntings are showing well by the cairn this morning. A quiet coupkle of days really, with only Treecreeper, 4 Bullfinch, Brambling, 10 Crossbill and a female / imm Merlin being of note.
Thrushes have been plentiful with 10+ Mistle Thrushes and and plenty of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds on the headland.

Another good morning - October 26th

Another good morning on the Great Orme. A total of seven birders were on the headland at dawn and this was reflected in the number of birds seen. The Richard's pipit was still present in the sheep fields, while two Black Redstarts were new in. One was near the limestone carpark (PA) and another in the cemetery (AD). The two Snow Buntings continued to show very well near the cairn. A nice selection of buntings produced at least one Yellowhammer along the wall, a good bird here as well as at least 6 Reed Buntings. Seven Bramblings were noted amongst the small passage of finches, while 10 Crossbills passed over head. Four Wheatears were dotted around the pavements, while a Golden Plover and two Snipe represented the waders. A female Merlin hunted a Goldfinch along the cliffs (PA).

Dick pipit still but the Orme mega gets away

Gutted! A Marsh / Willow Tit - an Orme first popped out of a gorsebush in front of me thsi morning and flew high to he east with 3 Coal Tits and 6 Blue Tits. I would have thought it was probably a Marsh Tit,but with no call and a 0.5 second view I couldn't be certain. Not to worry, other birds included the Richard's pipit over the cemetery at first light (AD), 2 Snow Buntings at the cairn, a Yellowhammer over, 25 Crossbills including 2 at Llys Helg Drive in the pines, 6 Bullfinch 9including a fine male in the north end gorse bush and 5 hardy Wheatears. 10 + Goldcrests , a few Redwing and 250+ Starlings also on the move.

Weekend Roundup

Birds recorded on or over the headland during the past week have included the following:-

Ring Ouzel - one on the gunsite on 22/10 (JW)

Snow Bunting - 2 on 22/10 and a single seen several times during the preceeding week.

Merlin - one fem / imm on 22/10

Crossbills - many over - max 59 on 20/10 with beween 9 and 25 seen evey other day.

Brambling max 20 on 22/10

Good numbers of finches with 1000+ Chaffinches and 200+ Greeninches on both 21/10 and 22/10.

Little Orme records

Black Redsart near the summit on 21/10 (PA)

Snow Bunting - one above Angel Bay on 23/10 (PA)

Pomerine Skua and 2 Arctic Skua on 19/10

juv Common Tern between the two Ormes on 23/10

Richard's pipit, Woodlark and Snow Bunts

Above Sound analysis of Richard's Pipit calls. Call can be heard here - http://www.zshare.net/audio/951130535a414820/

Quality sure made up for quantity on the Great Orme this morning. As I arrived a single Reed Bunting dropped into the gorse at the north end - a promising start. Soon after that, two Tree Sparrows, my first of the autumn, flew over head amongst a small but steady passage of finches. The odd Brambling, Redpoll and Siskin amongst them too. Two Snow Buntings and four Wheatears were at the cairn, a nice mix of summer and winter meeting. A familiar yet unusual call had me straining my ears and as it got closer my suspiscions that a Woodlark was around was confirmed, its beautiful yodelling call echoing across the limestone pavements. I picked the bird up flying in from the north and making its way south towards the summit. Its stubby short tail and broad wings giving it a unique appearance as it continued its journey. A single Snipe and a couple of Goldcrest were grounded as were a small number of Redwing and a single Mistle Thrush. As I was returning to the car and chatting to Pete Alderson, a Richard's Pipit gave away its presence by call and flying past us with four Meadow pipits, landing by the small hill to the east of the car part. A quick walk in that direction and the bird was seen at close quarters before flying off back to the sheep fields crying out its loud 'sschreeep' call. All in all not a bad morning.

Bluetail - 40 miles to the east, Pallas's warbler - 40 miles to the west - oh well you can't win them, all!
A great feel on the Orme this monring with many birds grounded around the cemetery at first lght. 50+ Blackbird, 20+ Song Thrush, 20+ Redwing and 2 Fieldfare was the first significant arrival of thrushes. Finches were everywhere including 10 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Bullfinch and 20+ Siskin amongst the hundreds of Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinches. At least 50 Crossbill were counted this morning, including some 15 in the pines in the cemetery. A 'grey' Chiff-chaff near the Old Cafe was certainly one of the eastern forms, probably 'abientinus' but might just have been a 'tristis', unfortunately it did not call and quickly moved into dense cover. Along towards Powell's well a fine male Firecrest was present early morning (also seen midday), while the limestones held at least 5 Snow Buntings. A fine imm / fem Merlin showed well , while 7 Chough and great views of hunting Peregrine were to be had. This morning certainly had a good feel about it and even though we didn't score with the megas to the left and right of us, there was plenty to keep birders entertained.





The near miss! Hilbre was visible all morning and I'd just talked to Steve Williams on the phone talking about which one of us was going to nail the mega. Well done to Steve and the Hilbre lads - well deserved.


The goats were just too pretty not to take a photo of - they still stunk though!

Birds at last - autmun finally kicks off

What a great morning on the Great Orme - perfectly still, bright sunshine and birds on the move.

A Richard's Pipit showed well by the car park at 8.45am, coming in off the sea and landing by the enclosure, before being driven off by Meadow Pipits. It was last seen flying down towards the Marine Drive. At least one Lapland Bunting was hanging around and was even seen on the ground by the small quarry. Two Snow Buntings flew over early morning, and one of these or a different bird showed well at the cairn late morning. Two White fronted Geese flew in off the sea (Pete A), while a Short eared Owl was also seen mid morning. Finches were constantly on the move, with Chaffinch, Greenfinch, siskin and Goldfinch on the move and a few Reed bunting wisth them too. Two Brambling and an impressive 60+ Crossbills were also amongst them.

This week has seen a trickle of birds through the Orme with a single Snow Bunting on wednesday afternoon and a Firecrest on Tuesday. The decent passage of Crossbill has continued with up to 26 seen each day. A fine flock of 25 Chough was present yesterday and are presumed part of the 'super' flock that has been seen on Conwy Mountain this past week.

Seabirds make up for lack of passerine migration

Passerines have been almost non-existent this week with only a small but regular passage of Crossbills evident. Between 2 and 27 have been seen each day this week with 16 in the pines in the cemetery yesterday. The odd Chiff-chaff, Gioldcrest and Blackcap have been the only grounded birds while the Dotterel was last seen at lunchtime on Friday.
Seabirds on the other hand have been good with Friday being the best day. Records from the Little Orme and slightly further west at Rhos Point (which means the birds pass the Little Orme a couple of mnutes later) were as follows:-
2 Sabine's gulls
2 Long tailed Skuas (juv
3 Pomerine Skuas
15+ Leach's Petrels
Slavonian Grebe
Grey Phalarope
8 Bonxie
5 Arctic Skua
Eider
30+ Pale bellied Brent Geese
6 Bottle nosed Dolphins.

Dotterel adds interest to a quiet week

The fantastic weather did little to hot up the bird action on the Orme this week. Fortunately the Dotterel enjoyed the sunshine as is still present this weekend having given great views since Tuesday morning. 2 Spotted Flycatchers have been the highlight of the week, while Crossbill on Thursday and 2 today were also noteworthy. Visible Migration has been visrtualy non exsistent apart from a few finches, however things were a little better today - 3 Reed Bunting, Snipe, 3 Coal Tit and 20+ Siskin joined he small groups of Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinches. 20+ Goldcrests werepresent today along with 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiff-chaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Dotterel near the Cairn.

A fine Dotterel was found on near the Cairn this morning. It showed on and off all day and was giving a fine show this evening. Near the churchyard, 2 Blackcap and 2 Chiff-chaff showed early morning.

Richard's Pipit gets autumn up and running

Things started to hot up this morning after a dire fortnight up the headland. A male Blackcap was a good start in the northern gorse bushes, along with 3 Goldcrest here -always a sign that birds are moving. The first hint of vis mig produced 50+ of chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch while 2 Reed Bunting and 2 Snipe were the first of the autumn. Upon reaching the hawthorns, the pulse quickened as a familiar, yet exciting call flew overhead, the 'schreeep' of a Richrd's Pipit. Scouring the sky, Pete Alderson and I finally connected as several Meadow Pipits intercepted it and started to mob the monster Pipit. It soon dissapeared down by the by barns only to readppear just south of the summit later on. Views were better from here. The churchyard produced a stunning Firecrest in the pines along with 15+ Goldcrest, 3 Chiff-chaff and 2 Coal Tits. Another Firecrest was a nice surprise by Powell's well along the track to Pink Farm, while 2 Blackcaps, 3 Mistle thrush and a Stock Dove wee present here. 7 Wheatears were also dotted at various parts of the limestones.

Early September migrants

A quiet start to the month on the whole with a sprinkling of migrants today (yesterday was very quiet). Six Crossbill flew east early morning over the limestone carpark while seven Wheatears were present in the area. Two Chiff-chaff and two Goldcrest were in the gorse while 30+ Goldfinch continue to feed on the headland. Peregrine and 2 chough continue to show well with the Peregrine chasing and attempting to catch a juv Herring Gull!

Choughs showing well and a few migrants this morning.

A few more migrants on the move today with the autumn's first Tree Pipit and Golden Plover over the headland, while two Curlew in the field were unusual here. 15+ House Sparrow on the approach road were also notworthy. A single Redstart along the wall was very vocal, while two smart fresh juv Willow Warblers fed in the thistles amongst the 100+ goldfinch. 5 Wheatears and 2 Whtethroat also present. Chough are very easy to see at the moment with six birds allowing close approach. Two of the birds are the juveniles that have arrived from Llanbadrig on Anglesey (ringed N2 and N3 black lettering on white rings, with pale green over pale green on one bird's right leg and light green over dark green on the other bird's right leg, while the two pairs are also present (one ringed out of each pair).

Migrants continue to trickle through

A few migrants trickling through the Great Orme this morning. The first two hours of light produced 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers in gorse at the north end of the limestones, while a sngle Whitethroat and a single Willow Warbler were also grounded in these bushes. Also in the limestone area, another 5 Willow warblers and 8 Wheatears were along the wall. A single juvenile Redstart was a different bird here from two days ago. Around 50 Meadow Pipits were present as well as 80+ Goldfinch. 13 Rock Pipit along Marine Drive was also a notable count. Seven Stonechat also around including four young.
Offshore 30+ Manx Shearwaters, 10+ Gannet and 33 Common Scoter flew west in a short watch from the cindertrack valley.

Wandering Choughs and a few migrants - 13th August

A few migrants today with 2 Common Redstart in the bushes at the bottom of the small valley near the limestones. Willow warbler, Whitethroat, 5 Wheatears and a Grasshopper present also.
Highlight though were three ringed Chough which were extremely tame and their close approach made me quite sure they weren't local 'orme' birds. A quick text to those in the know revelaed that all three were this year's birds from Anglesey- 2 from Llanbadrig and the other from Rhoscolyn - superb, some post breeding Chough dispersal.

Butterflies and Seabirds

A lone Balearic Shearwater flew past the Little Orme on Tuesday along with good number of Manx Shearwaters. Manxies are being seen daily at the moment in small numbers along with Gannets and common Scoter.

Butterfiles have been much in evidence with several Dark-green Fritillaries on the headland as well as the discovery of a small colony of Ringlets. Photos above are by Julian Wheldrake.

Mid-summer beauties

Lots going on around the headland at the moment with many young bird saround - Families of Chough, Buzzard, Kestrel, Wheatears, Stonechats, Rick and Meado pipits, Linnets and Auks giving a super spectacle. Butterflies inlude many Graylings and Silver-studded Blues. Here a couple of pictures from this morning.

Baby Birds and Black Red

One of many juvenile Linnets on the Limestones today.

Unfortunately I've not given the Orme the time it has deserved recently with family illness, work and a few weekends away. Superb early morning on the headland today with a few migrants still moving and lots of young birds being fed. The 1st summer male Black Redstart (presumably the same as last month) was a real surprise along the limestone wall. Other migrants included 3 flyover Crossbill, 12 Collared Dove and a Stock Dove. Family broods included 8 Chough with at least 4 juveniles amongst them, a family of 6 Ravens (4 young), 2 fully fledged broods of Stonechat, family parties of Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Coal Tit and by far he most numerous birds being Linnets. The 'chipping' calls the young were making being a constant feature of the limestones today - at least 5 broods present. 5 Porpoise and 30+ Gannet offshore too. Didn't want the morning to end!

Quality not Quantity

After yesterday's deluge of birds, this morning was much quieter. However, with patience and persistance birds appeared. Undoubted highlight was a Wood Warbler in a small gorse bush on the limestone pavements - an Orme mega. To put it in perspective, I have seen more Short-toed Larks and Woodchat Shrikes on the Orme than Wood Warbler! The last being several year's ago near the reservoir. The bird showed for a few minutes after a shower alongside a few Willow warbler, brought down by a heavy shower soon after 9am.

Other notable birds included a fine Cuckoo near Pink Farm (above), 5 White Wagtails at the north end (brought down by the same heavy shower), 2 Sedge Warblers near the Old Cafe, one Yellow Wagtail over, 5 Tree Pipits, 2 Swifts and a steady passage of Hirundines. Other birders also recorded Whinchat, Ring Ouzel and Grasshopper warbler. Not bad for a 'quiet' morning!

May 7th - Dotterel highlight

I had to be in mid-Wales early this morning, so it was left to others to patch the Orme. Alan Davies of the 'Biggest Twitch' reports -

Up the Great Orme before 6am and it calm and mild, had rained over night so hopes were high with a southerly airflow. Parking above the cemetry I headed for the limestone pavement, following the wall.

A few Wheatears moved ahead of me and small numers of Siskin and Redpoll headed north overhead. A Garden Warbler was in the hawthorns along with a Sedge Warbler and a scatter of Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff.

Reaching the pavement I walked across to the area above the lighthouse, two Ring Ouzel shot across in front of me! Luckily they landed near the concrete road. Near the car park I met Ivan and got him on the Ouzels and we watched them a Short eared Owl floated over the gorse and rocks mobbed by Jackdaws, a lovely bird, very pale.

I headed back to the wall, fly over Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipits. Just before the valley, near hamburger rock, a female Pied Flyctacher was in the hawthorns, rare bird here. Dave Nivert and friend arrived and Ivan joined us to see the flycatcher. I continued on my way and soon heard a Dotterel calling and it swept over heading for the pavements! I legged it back and was glad that the others had picked it up.

At the cemetry Spotted Flycatcher and by the car a cracking male Whinchat, a great morning in the "back garden"!

May 5th - Work sending me Cuckoo!

First bird of the day was a superb Cuckoo in the gorse at the north end before flying over the limestones to the wall area. Cuckoo is less than annual up here so it was a great way to start the day. There was a good feel to the morning and the first couple of hours of light produced a Garden Warbler in the Hawthorns, a gorse bush Lesser Whitethroat that got the pulse racing, 5+ Yellow Wagtails, 7+ Tree Pipits, 5 Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff and 20+ Wheatear. Hirundines were constantly on the move with several hundred on the move.Amongst them were at least ten Swifts. A Robin in the furthest gorse bush was unusual and must have been a bird on the move. Unfortunately work called and I had to leave a promising Orme soon after 8am.

Cormorant Spectacular!

Each year, both Ormes are lucky to have many breeding Cormorants and Shags. The spectacle on the Little Orme can be quite something as they leave and arrive at their cliff roost sites each evening and morning. At this time of year there is another impressive spectacle - the gathering of nesting material from the roadside fields. A big thank you to Mr Gareth Pritchard who lives overlooking the spectacular Little Orme cliffs and captured the event on camra. One Cormorant even mis-judged its landing and ended up in the road outside Gareth's house! He reports that up to a hundred Cormorants circle above the fields and they swoop down in groups of about a dozen at a time to collect he nesting material. The wonders of bird behaviour....! Diolch Gareth.

Black Red sex?

Less birds on the Orme today despite the torrential downpour late afternoon. This morning produced great views of 3 Yellow Wagtails, all males, while 6 Tree Pipits buzzed overhead too. 25+ Wheatears were still present while a single Sedge Warbler was in the churchyard this evening. The Black Redstart was very obliging and showed well along the wall. Although put out as a female Black Redstart initially, could it be a very dull 1st summer male? Do females show such an obvious pale panel on the tertials. I'd be inetersted to hear your thoughts - any ringers out there got a spring trap handy?
Hirundines were on the move all day, with many moving through after the 4pm heavy shower. Mostly Swallows but several of both Martin species amongst them.

Less birds but still variety - May 4th

The female Black Redstart was still present along the wall and showed well as it fed by dropping down from the wall onto the path to feed on some big fat juicy grubs. Ather birds included 5 Whinchats, 6 Tree Pipits, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warblers in the gorse, Grasshopper Warbler in the further gorse bush at the north end, 25+ Wheatear, 15+ Willow Warbler, Chiff-chaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat. With the wind turning SE overnight and some rain over the next few days, it could be exciting!

Migrants continue to arrive on the east wind - May 3rd

Another good morning on the Orme - these eastelies are certainly starting to kick in. I only managed to do the limestone pavements as today was back to work day. Totals prior to 8.15am included - female Black Redstart, 7 Whinchats (6 males!), 5 Yellow Wagtails (including 3 on the ground), 3 Tree pipits, singing Lesser Whitethroat, 30+ Willow Warblers, 50+ Wheatears with many arriving as I left. 7 summer plumaged Dunlin were also unusual. Let's hope it continues!

Late news May 2nd

Late news - additional to the birds below were two Spotted flycatchers in a small copse behind the farm east of St Tudnos Well this morning. There were also two Whinchat and a female Redstart in this area, plus a Grasshopper Warbler opposite the car park above the church. All in all... a good day! (thanks for news Jonathon)

Easterly winds finally produce a Great orme fall of migrants!

With reports of 60+ Willow Warblers ringed prior to 9am on Hilbre, 16+ Whinchats at Point of Air and Montague's Harrier at South Stack - it seems like there was a fall of migrants along the coast during he night. Despite the strong easterly wind which made birding quite tricky, a good number of birds were present on the Great Orme.

Pride of place went to the first Black Redstart of the year, which fed in the hawthorns and along the path by the wall. Three very smart male Yellow Wagtals flew east, low along teh wall at 6.30am. 3 Whincchats were dotted around the limestones, a Grasshopper warbler in the Gulley, Lesser Whitethroat at Powell's well and a supporting cast of Common Redtsart, Whitethraots, Blackcaps, 20+ Wheatear, 3 Swift and a constant trickle of House Martin, Swallow and Sand Martins. 50+ Willow Warbler was a conservative estimate, with most gorse bushes and hawthorns containing birds. In fact, I sat in one spot for 20 minutes and had 12 birds fly east along the heather, showing that they were constantly on the move.

Willow chiff Warbler chaff - mixed singer?

A phyllosc was singing along Millionnaire's Row, Great Orme this morning and although obviously a Willow Warbler it kept throwing Chiff-chaff bits in. It looked like and was a Willow warbler.
There is a recording here - http://soundcloud.com/marcbuzzard/mixed-singer-2

Try to ignore the noisy Blackcap. The chiff chaff bits can be heard at the end of the first and second Willow Warler phrase, while in the third Willow warbler phrase, it sings a couple of chiff-chaffs in the middle.
Here is a sonogram showing where it sings it. I've pointed the red arrow to the Chiff-chaff bits, and the blue lines generally show the Willow warbler phrase - the rest is Blackcap, Gulls, an easterly wind and me breathing noise. Is this is what is classed as a mixed singer?

Click on sonogram for larger image.

Easterlies slow down migration.

It's been hard work on the Orme over the past five days with just a trickle of migrants. The cold brisk easterlies and bright sunshine have put pay to any falls of migrants. Bits and Bobs have been seen though with 2 Ring Ouzels present on Friday 29th, 2 Yellow Wagtails today, May 1st, a singing Lesser whitethroat, a Swift (30th) amongst a stead passage of all 3 hirundines, a female Merlin (28th and 30th) up to 4 Crossbills around the cemetery, around 15-20 Wheatears a day, small numbers of Tree Pipits and a trickle of phylloscs. Today (May 1st) saw an interesting arrival mid morning with a male Blackcap, Whitethroat and 3 Willow warbler in the furthest gorse bush at the north end - evidence things are still on the move and it's cetainly not ime to give up yet.

Mammal highlight was a white ferret found in a bramble bush by the churchyard. Cute but not sure what impact it will be having on the local wildlife!

Pics above - the Ferret, a Greenland Wheatear along the wall - typical view of this species, a nice male Crossbill and a morning scene at the Cemetery.