NORTH WALES

OUR North Wales Spring tour was again fully subscribed and again produced an excellent range of species including the first Marsh Harrier that we have recorded on this trip; a female that was in off the sea at Cemlyn Lagoon. We also found another scarce migrant in the form of a Little Tern at Penmon Point. Otherwise it was business as usual with the expected Sandwich and Common Terns, Black Guillemot, Pied Flycatchers, Common Redstarts, Common Eider, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler, Red Kite and Hen Harrier recorded. We also made time to see the now regular breeding Ospreys on the Lleyn Peninsula and enjoyed excellent views of 26 Black Grouse at our regular site, where two Red Grouse, three Whinchat and a Northern Goshawk were also recorded. A flock of ten Twite included a pair gathering nest material, a resplendent breeding plumage Bar-tailed Godwit was a nice record and we rounded off the trip with a splendid and very showy male Ring Ouzel. Our tour next year will run from 3rd – 8th May and will again be based at The Swallow Falls Hotel.