Floodgates Open on May 2nd!

Early morning saw the first proper fall on the Great Orme (that invloved multiple species) of the year. One of the first birds seen and heard was a 1st for the Orme - a cracking Little Ringed Plover that circled low over the pavements. 2 male Redstarts, 2 male Whinchat, female Ring Ouzel, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, 7 Tree Pipits, 60+ Wheatears with the vast majority being Greeland birds, 30+ Willow Warblers and a few Chiff-chaffs on the limestones. Many Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin were also on the move. Superb! Late afternoon saw 2 Black Guillemots and 100+ Sandwich Tern off the western edge of the gunsite. Four Whitethroat in the scrub here, while a birder met there had seen 2 Redstarts and 2 Whinchats along Invalid's Walk.

White Storks an Orme first - April 25th!

April 25th - Six huge White Storks flew over Llandudno and over the Great Omre. Magical! Alan Davies and a few other very lucky observers connected as these birds put hundreds of gulls up in the air as they frightened the living daylights out of the local birds.

Northerly winds block migration - last two weeks of April

The last few weeks on the Great Orme have been pretty grim with a constant flow of northerly air. The only mogrants that seem to have got through have been a few Greenland Wheatears, one or two Whitethroats, small numbers of Tree Pipits and a light passage of Crossbills some mornings. Willow Warbler numbers have started to build up this last week as has Wheatears with around 60+ of each on Monday and Tuesday this week. Hopefully the switch to warmer air will aid our migrants north.

Willow Warbler numbers have increased during the last week of April.

The first Whitethroat sang its heart out on April 25th.

Short eared Owl hots up cold windy morning

A super Short eared Owl brightened up a dull, gloomy, wet morning. The bird flew in off the sea and landed on the North eastern cliffs before moving into the braken area below the dung heap. The bird was seen on a few occassions as it patrolled the cliffs, presumably looking for Meadow Pipits which were present in good numbers. 100+ Mipit were along the cliffs sheltering from the wind. Three Redpoll and 15 Siskin moved through low over the pavements, while a single swallow moved up the small valley; my first of the year here. Two Willow Warblers were in the hawthorns behond the cemetery.

Red and Yellow fever - it's no April fool!

The perfectly still morning was ideal for a bit of visible migration and after a quiet first half hour, the Redpolls started moving. At least 100 birds were seen on the headland with many more passing overhead. One 'classic' Mealy Redpoll landed briefy amonsgt a small flock of Lessers behind the churchyard and I'm sure I had a few others. A Ring Ouzel called and flew down towards the reservoir. A few Goldcrests, Chiff chaff and finches kept the interest going. Star bird of the day came in the form of a fine male Yellowhammer. It was first heard calling high above the pavements before suddenly appearing in the hawthorns by the wall, singing its head off! The first of the year and a good one to get for the Orme year list. 25+ Magpies and 40+ Woodpigeon were also on the move.

This fine male Lesser Redpoll was in the gorse at the North End.
Highlight of the day - a singing male Yellowhammer on the limestone wall!
I suspect that this is a Mealy Redpoll - pale, nape, underparts, vent and undertail coverts and wing bar. Pity I didn't see the rump - I'm sure it would have had a nice pale one.
Magpies on the move - 25+ birds through today.

Goldcrests are still moving, although in smaller numbers. This one was behind the Churchyard.

Northerly winds put pay to rush of birds.

The last two mornings have been bleak and cold with very few migrants. Star bird today (Saturday) was a dashing male Merlin over the limestones with a small trickle of Siskins, Redpolls and other finches kept the interest going. It looks as if the next week will be hard going with a cold northerly airflow looking set to stay until Easter weekend.

Willow Warbler arrives in full song.

The lovely sound of a singing Willow Warbler greeted me on arrival in the Churchyard today. A showy bird was present in the hawthorns at the back. Five Chiffchaff and two Goldfinch also present. Quiet otherwise with a small finch movement including 40+ Lesser Redpools, 5 Siskin, 20+ Chaffinch and 25+ Goldfinch. Linnets are moving through too with 15+ birds. A showy Raven, 2 Chough and a Kestrel entertained while 2 Mistle thrushes were down by the reservoir - they didn't have rings on so were different birds from last week.