Conwy RSPB

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

RE: Conwy RSPB

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

After watching the Squacco at Gronant I decided to visit Conwy RSPB to spend a bit more time in Wales on this gloriously sunny day. Entry now is by the side gate rather than the shop and the boardwalk is one-way, all in place as COVID protocols, so well done Conwy RSPB.

I headed out to Carneddau Hide as that is where I was told the wader flocks were seen. Here I waited a short time for a space and then started scoping from the screen outside the hide. A large flock of sleeping waders was on the island closest to the screen. Through the scope initially I could see that most were Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits, with a small group of Dunlin at the right-hand end. I scanned back and forth through the flock and then found a smaller wader feeding actively, probably the only wader actually not roosting up, a Little Stint. Carrying on with my search I found a single Spotted Redshank in the throng too, I got a couple of other birders onto the stint and then headed off to eat my lunch on the picnic tables which the staff had spaced miles apart (OK that's exaggerated but you now what I mean!!).

If anyone else is going there are 2 Garganey being seen from Benarth Hide too, but I never ventured to that side of the reserve.

steven burke · Status: Offline

1pm til 4.15pm.

After a quick brew in the cafe I started to walk towards the boardwalk where I heard a call that sounded familiar & after a couple of minutes I was watching 2 firecrest in the bramble next to the lookout they moved across the path & headed in the direction of the dipping pools. On walking around there they were both high up in the willows where other birders just picked them up we all then watched flitting about for a good ten minutes, I managed some shots but with them being quick they are just ok pics. Whilst them 2 went down low to our right a third firecrest had appeared but soon went of to the left.
I also watched 2 again about 40 minutes later near to the feeders so probably the same ones doing a circuit.
Other birds seen...
1 common scoter
4 red-breasted merganser
Lots of snipe
Plus the usuals around.

alan patterson · Status: Offline

Got to Conway about 1.30 and the Grey Phalarope was really close to the boardwalk screen so got decent shots with my bridge camera

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Having a morning free today I decided on the short journey over to Conwy RSPB. The weather was not nice driving over despite a forecast slightly better than it actually turned out! Once there it was drizzly but not too bad. I went straight to the boardwalk and along to the reedbed screen just to the righthand side. There on the lagoon, as expected from the birdnews updates, was a Grey Phalarope. This bird has been present at least 5 days, being found last Thursday evening. It was always at least halfway out across the lagoon and even walked up onto the opposite shore, making it difficult for photographs. On the water it was constantly feeding using that distinctive spinning technique as phalaropes do. A great bird for March and well worth seeing smile

Record montage of shots of the bird attached.

Craig Higson · Status: Offline

Called in for my first ever visit on my way back from Llanfairfechan. Quite impressed. As high tide had gone there were fewer birds than I was expecting but still pretty good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Lapwing etc. A single Golden Plover was probably the best bird of the visit. A low sun didn't really help viewing.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Re-deployed here from Burton Mere mid-morning for a brisk walk to the furthest hide on the Redshank trail for some good views of the drake Ring-necked Duck. Initially he was close in, to the delight of the photographers at the viewing screen, before heading out into deeper water where he was constantly diving with four drake Pochard. A very smart looking individual, with profile views showing of his well-marked bill. A Little Ringed Plover was on the nearest of the three small islands and there were a good number of White Wagtails scattered over all three of them. On the way back we managed some good views of singing Reed Warblers despite the birds keeping comparatively low in the cooler conditions.

Curt Whitby · Status: Offline

Visited here with the kids on Monday last. Didn't get a great chance to have a good look chasing two toddlers but there were 3 red breasted mergansers on the far lagoon.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

JOHN TYMON wrote:
Apparently the Hoopoe at Conwy was taken by a Peregrine this afternoon,so is no more :(

That's true John, a photographer was getting flight shots when it happened and has the sequence of the Hoopoe as it gets hit by the Peregrine and then carried away. Talk about right place, right time, it's what we all dream about when photographing wildlife! It did show all morning, but then this afternon it went the way of many migrants, providing food for the resident predators.

JOHN TYMON · Status: Offline

Apparently the Hoopoe at Conwy was taken by a Peregrine this afternoon,so is no more :(

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

The Hoopoe was showing well at times but pretty mobile whilst I was there this afternoon. It was just outside the coffee shop as I arrived but I missed it by seconds. Then I arrived at the reedbed screen and guess what? It had just flown seconds ago again! I then arrived at the next hide to find folk looking at...... polls & islands but no Hoopoe, it had flown a few seconds before I had arrived. I started to think that I was destined not to see it when a very kind birding pal arrived to say it was at the next hide - Carneddau Hide, according to a birder just returning from there. So on to the next hide we went and.............. at last the Hoopoe was seen biggrin

The bird showed well on the nearest 2 islands until driven off by a crow, apparently this is what had happened at previous locations, but by a Magpie in previous instances! A great October record and brilliant company on site smile Thanks to all smile (low res shot attached for easy opening!)

Nick Hilton · Status: Offline

Hoopoe showing well on the reserve this afternoon.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Weds 27th July.

With Ian Lyth.

Great White Egret.

Roger.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Conwy RSPB and Conwy estuary (low tide) highlights

Gaganey 1 male and 1 female
Whimbrel 3
Shelduck 50+
White Wagtail 7
Whitethroat 3
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Swallow 200+ House Martin 300+ Sand Martin 100+ Swift 9, 1st of the year for me, All moving throught all afternoon

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

11-12.30

Sedge Warbler, 10 Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 100's of Sand Martin, House Martin, 15 Swallow, Jack Snipe, 4 Red Breasted Merganser, 1+ White Wagtail, Little Egret, Common Snipe

Steven Nelson · Status: Offline

14.45
Not a visit but a 10 min view from the lay-by at Glan Conwy at high tide.

8 Red-breasted Mergansers (6m,2f) displaying
3 Pochard
Wigeon
Teal
Shelducks - plenty
Lots of Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank and a few Black-tailed Godwit

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

My first ever visit to this reserve today, with Chris Chandler and Steve Burke. We arrived full of positivity having had spanking views of Hawfinch up the valley at Llanbedr y Cennin. The regular Firecrest(s) had been seen by others and also a Water Pipit.

Of the close to 5 hours we spent on the reserve I would estimate we spent 3.5 looking in bushes and trees for a Firecrest, with no luck. Perversely though, it was really good fun. We found Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Coal Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, and several Bullfinch as well as the common garden birds. The Treecreeper was sticking to small willow trunks, not usual territory at all we thought.

At the Carneddau hide, on the 2nd attempt, we picked up the Water Pipit, which showed brilliantly if briefly about 50 yards from the hide. It was as interesting as ever to work through the features and ID this species. It was very pale underneath with very white outer tail feathers, also had a clean pair of wingbars and quite pale legs. Some compensation for the pesky Firecrest. My daylist was 59 in the end, as we spotted things like Little Egret, more Mergansers and Goldeneyes. It was a top day all in all.

Nice to see Rob and Sonia Adderley and also Colin Davies, whom we had met already up at Llanbedr.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.30-15.00

2 Whimbrel with 80+ Curlew resting on the reserve at high tide.

Also 1 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 10 Dunlin, 2 Wigeon, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Buzzard and 10 Black Tailed Godwits.

200+ Redshank and 170+ Oystercatchers (RSPB figures), also spending high tide on the reserve.

The water level on the pools was very low, attracting lots of "Alba" wagtails.

Very few other passerines about, but the heathland contained lots of Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Common Blue butterflies,

with a single Comma resting on fresh horse droppings.

M Gannon · Status: Offline

A nice visit this morning/ early afternoon

The highlight was a showy male red breasted merganser from one of the hides (can't remember name)

4 rock pipit
5 pochard
2 goldeneye
3 snipe
3 bullfinch
20+ wigeon
2 black tailed godwit

Missed the recent firecrests, but wasn't really expecting to see them

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

12-3 with High Peak rspb group:
3 Little Egret
3 Pochard, inc 2 females
Female Goldeneye
Raven
Shellduck
20 Wigeon
6 Little Grebe
Many Redshank, Teal and Curlew on estuary.
2 possible very distant Red Kite
No sign of reported Greenshank, Firecrest or Water Pipit

Jim Caulfield · Status: Offline

12:00 to 15:00

After a fruitless visit to St. Mary's Caerhun in search of Hawfinch, although compensated by a Red Kite cruising by along the banks of the river, Tom Jones and I headed for Conwy RSPB with hopes of a Firecrest. On arrival at reception we were told that the Firecrest were present yesterday at the Bridge Pool area, but that as they were clearing some of the brush in that area this morning, there may have been some disturbance, which proved to be true. However, after visiting the first two hides, moving clockwise to the estuary, about 200 to 300 yards east along the path, we encountered a birder avidly searching bushes and shrubs, and sure enough he whispered Firecrests as we crept towards him. The pair of Firecrests were seen during the next 15-20 minutes, so great thanks to Rob a RSPB volunteer for finding them, and for his patience in putting us two onto them. I heard them calling to each other, Rob said. Tom said a bit later, we would have been lucky to hear Fire engines !

Other birds seen from paths and hides were - Robin, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Gadwall, Teat, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Snipe, Wigeon, Mallard, Oystercatcher, Black-headed and Herring Gulls, and a resplendent Red-breasted Merganser

and from the estuary path - Little Egret, Curlew, many Redshanks and Shelduck, Pied Wagtail, Rock Pipit, and Kestrel

steven burke · Status: Offline

11.15 til dark.

2 firecrest showing very well, further away from the bridge pool just past the gate around 2.25pm & then seen again at the bridge pool still feeding at 4.35pm hmm

9 chough calling loudly as they flew over at 3.25pm heading north.
3 little egret
20+ grey heron
14 red breasted merganser
1 great crested grebe
6 little grebe
10 black tailed godwit
several snipe spread around as were redshank, curlew & shelduck
6 goldeneye
11 pochard
4 gadwall
12 tufted duck
5 shoveler
several teal around
3 buzzard
1 kestrel
1 raven
4 bullfinch
1 goldcrest
water rail heard only
plus all the usuals around

smile

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 4th of January 2015 09:28:42 PM

Frank Whitney · Status: Offline

We had 2 Firecrest on Saturday morning of the 6th near the bridge and moving right . we left around 11 30 after they disappeared

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday...11.15am - 2.10pm
52 bird species tally in mixed sunny and cloudy weather. No rain!

Highlights...
-Red-breasted Mergansers approx 10-15 in various sized groups and singles around the reserve.
Main group of 7 including 5 immaculate stunning drakes displaying to what I'm presuming were 2 females. The classic neck stretching then bowing down and arching their necks upward from the waterline...brilliant to watch!
There were some possible 1st yr males knocking around too as they looked like females but had very dark eye rings and the start of male plumage, and seemed to be displaying to females. I'm sure if I'm incorrect on this, someone will put me right.

Whooper Swan- 2 on the far right bank from Benarth hide (they had gone by the time I tried to get a better view from the closer viewing screen)
Mute Swan- 1
Canada Goose- not many
Wigeon- a few knocking around
Teal - everywhere
Goldeneye- 2 females
Tufted Duck- approx 30
Shoveler- 1 female
Shelduck- maybe 10-15
Mallard- common around reserve including a beautiful white specimen that I can't decide whether it's a hybrid or just a colour pigment variation
Little Grebe- 4
Coot- few around
Curlew- in good numbers
Lapwing- plenty around including a flock of around 60 from Carneddau hide
Redshank- loads, especially on the mud flats at lower tide
Oystercatcher- approx 30
Common Snipe- 1 from Benarth hide
Dunlin- 1 with Redshank on the mud flats
Ringed Plover- 2 bit flighty out on the mud flats
Little Egret- 8
Grey Heron- 3
Cormorant- few here and there
Meadow Pipit- 4
Common Buzzard- 1
Kestrel- 1
Around the feedersand bridge pool...
Great Spotted Woodpecker- 1
Goldcrest- 1 (more heard)
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Reed bunting- 1
House Sparrow- 2
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Robin- (plenty over the reserve- very tame)
Wren- a few around
Dunnock- 1
Blackbird
Redwing- 1 flew low passed me on outer back path and landed in a tree
Fieldfare- 4 flew over not far from car park
Mistle Thrush- 2
Starling- only a few in groups of 3's and 4's
Great Black-backed Gull- 7 on mud flats
Common Gull- 10+
Black-headed Gull- lots around
Herring Gull-plenty around too
Carrion Crow- lots around including a white winged individual
Jackdaw
Magpie
Woodpigeon
Feral Pigeon

Couple of Red-breasted Mergansers still around on the low tide opposite Benarth hide on way back round but soon flew off towards the coast.

No Firecrest for me, had a good look though around the bridge pool location. Speaking to RSPB staff they said a possible sighting was made on Saturday, although last confirmed sighting was on Friday.

3 Welsh Ponies (of which there are only 6 on the reserve) completed the sightings.

John Williams · Status: Offline

11.00-14.30

No sign of the Firecrest, although a sighting has been reported today.

It has been frequenting the area just East of the footbridge over the small pool, the one with the Cettis Warbler information board.

I stayed in the area for quite a while, and RSPB staff were there too, but no sign of the little fellow or any Goldcrests or Chiffchaffs either.

This area was teemimg with flying midges though, ideal food for a little insectavore.

The RSPB advised me the Firecrest is moving around with a small flock of Goldcrests plus 2 Chiffchaffs, but that it has also been seen

in the company of a small group of Lesser Redpolls.

3 male Red Breasted Mergansers displaying to 3 females, compensated for the missing tiny passerine.

Also around the pools were, a group of 10 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, a flock of 30 Curlew, 3 Goldeneyes plus Black Tailed Godwits and lots of Little Egrets.

A Water Rail was squealing loudly at the "Cettis Warbler" pool, but was too shy to show.

Richard Thew · Status: Offline

10am till 4pm. A nice day but at low tide (usually there is much less to report at low tide). Largly quiet but still pulled of a total of 43 species with plenty of chiffchaffs and goldcrests about (sadly, no sign of the firecrest)

however, a few interesting sightings included cettis warbler, blackcap, raven, rock and meadow pipits together in the estuary rocks, little egrets, a good number of little grebes, several common snipes, pochard, red brested mergansers, black tailed godwits and a male kestrel. It was funny to watch a house sparrow to give a feral pigeon a little chase by the feeders- it did not like that pigeon at all (Bless).

Andrew Mitchell · Status: Offline

Late post for Saturday, 29 November, from 10am to 12:30.

Went down to Conwy with the hope of seeing the Firecrests that had been seen over the past few weeks. They didn't disappoint, with two showing very well in the brambles close to Carneddau hide, with a Goldcrest for company. Cetti's Warbler also heard in that area. Firecrest was a lifer for me.

Otherwise the reserve was pretty quiet, with Goldeneye, Little Grebe and a smart Bullfinch pair the only other notables.

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

As I was in the area I payed a visit to Conwy RSPB in the off chance of connecting with the Firecrest, which didn't disappoint.
Although it did take an hour and a half eventually a Firecrest was found in the brambles and shrubs on the right immediately over the small bridge, a Chiffchaff possibly two was also in the same area.

steven burke · Status: Offline

11.30 til dark. 53 species seen.

2 possibly 3 firecrest, eventually got a few ok pics but with a few twigs in the way.
1 snow bunting, was on the far bank opposite the screen at the boardwalk.
1 cettis warbler, calling & 1 loud burst of song, but did not manage to see it til just before 4pm when it appeared on top of the short reeds & flew across the pond at the bridge.
2 chiffchaff
1 goldcrest
1 kingfisher
1 great spotted woodpecker
1 raven, over
3 little egret
9 little grebe
1 bullfinch
several lapwing, curlew, redshank & oystercatcher.
1 black tailed godwit
30+ snipe
2 goldeneye
7 tufted duck
9 pochard
2 shoveler
gadwall, wigeon, teal & shelduck.
plus all the usuals around.
lots of water rails around, heard only.

smile

-- Edited by steven burke on Saturday 22nd of November 2014 10:24:53 PM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Quick visit after Morfa Madryn whilst in this neck of the woods.

Of note:
The reserve was loaded with Teal, absolutely everywhere and impossible to put a number to them.
-Few Wigeon knocking around
-female Pintail 1
-female Shoveler 1
-Tufted Duck maybe around 20-30
-Mute Swan 2
-Little Egret 4
-Grey Heron 4
-Little Grebe at least 10
-Oystercatcher in good numbers
-Curlew probably numbering up to 30 over the reserve
-Lapwing probably around 50-60
-Black-tailed Godwit 4
-Plenty of Gulls around mainly Black-headed.
-few Great Black-backed Gulls on mud flats opposite Benarth Hide
-also more Curlew and Little Egret

Incidently a female Scaup was reported infront of the Carneddau Hide but the bird in question that everyone was watching was a female Tufted Duck...will send shots for confirmation. That's not to say there wasn't a Scaup on site today, because there has been one here intermittently in the last couple of weeks but not reported since the 28th Sept.

Met some nice people here today, and nice to talk to Brian at Carneddau Hide, who also confirmed Tufted Duck as the mis-ID species today. Took his advice on a quick visit to Rhos on Sea on way home for Common Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers and possible Divers but none seen.

Mike Duckham · Status: Offline

Hi Steven, a good haul of birds there. Yes i believe the Garganey was last reliably reported on the 12th. Interesting to hear of the 2 Firecrest sightings, hadn't heard about those.
Cheers.

steven burke · Status: Offline

all day here doing a couple of laps, 50 species seen.
trying to find a firecrest, 2 seen on Wednesday by rspb staff, no luck but one was heard only by myself, will come back when there is less leaves on the trees disbelief

however still a good ay out....

4 little stint
1 curlew sanpiper
20 dunlin
40+ black tailed godwit
200+ redshank
400+ curlew, managed to get 2 whimbrel amongst some of them
lots of snipe all around
250+ oystercatcher
several lapwing
70 little egret, possibly more
12 grey heron
8 little grebe
3 water rail, all showing well in different locations
1 shoveler
14 tufted duck
lots of teal
no signs of the recent garganey
3 red breasted merganser
2 buzzard
at least 12 chiffchaff, 2 singing
3 blackcap
1 meadow pipit, over
several house martin & swallow over.
plus all usuals around
oddly not a single coot was seen throughout the day, just moorhens.
smile

Scott robinson · Status: Offline

Had an hour spare this lunch time so had a walk around the reserve and a scan of the estuary, very quiet to be honest,

5 little egrets all on the estuary
1 grey heron estuary
6 black tailed godwits estuary
Plenty oystercatcher both on the estuary and the reserve
7 curlew some feeding and some flying over
12 dunlin estuary
The reserve was very quiet apart from the odd blast of sedge warbler and oystercatcher
Plenty hirundines about, a male bullfinch was on the feeders also.
1 female sparrowhawk
3 buzzard
Plenty gulls about as well

Adam Jones · Status: Offline

On my way to Llandudno I popped in briefly. Highlights were:
3 Common Sandpipers, including a juvenile that resembled a very small walking ball of fluff.
4 Black tailed Godwits in very nice summer plumage.
2 Sedge Warblers with beaks full of insects.
Lots of the ususals such as Oystercatchers and Little Egrets to name a just a couple.

John Williams · Status: Offline

10.00-13.00

1m+2f Scaup, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 1 Buzzard & 1 Bullfinch.

A large group of Shelducks, the males displaying vigourously.

Every thicket seemed to hold a singing Dunnock.

Several Lapwings and a single Oystercatcher setting up home on the small islands.

12 Curlews on the nearby estuary.

1 Peacock butterfly, several bumble bees plus swarms of midges.

4 Long tailed Tits were flying into one swarm and feedng flycatcher style.

Jim Caulfield · Status: Offline

13:00 to 15:30 Intermittent heavy showers

Visit with buddy Tom Jones. Numbers of birds and visitors were lower than expected, but variety of both made the day enjoyable.

On the waters were - Mute Swan, Canada and Greylag Geese, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Goldeneye, Mallard, Shelduck, Wigeon
Tufted Duck, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull and Herring Gull, Little Grebe
On the islands were - Greenshank, Redshank, Snipe, Curlew, Starling and Oystercatcher.

and also seen were - Bullfinch, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Kestrel, Buzzard, Heron, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, Goldfinch and Blackbird.

Steven Ellis · Status: Offline

Repeat post, but now in the correct place.

Conwy RSPB

Nice day out Sunday 8th Dec 2013

Very slow at first with just a couple of Red-Breasted Merganser. Then just as we were thinking of moving on to another hide a Water Rail came out, giving good views and photo opportunities. After that we had Black-tailed Godwits, redshanks, Little Egret and plenty of Curlew flying past. A couple of Scaup were noted as we were leaving.

Other sightings included:
Goldeneye, Snipe, Teal, Lapwing, Grey Wagtail, Widgeon, Bullfinch.

Some photos of the day appear on my Website: http://stevensbirds.weebly.com

Cheers

Henry Cook · Status: Offline

11/04/2013 - A Bittern was seen at the reserve today. It was first seen in flight heading towards the water treatment works reedbed just over the railway line. After a stake-out it eventually flew out and landed really close by giving good views. It seems this is likely to be a different bird to the one last seen a couple of months ago. Also about were:

1 Sparrowhawk
1 Whimbrel
28 Dunlins
7 Knots
4 Sand Martins
2 House Martins
2 Swallows
2 Wheatears
2 Rock Pipits - both nominate ssp
5 Chiffchaffs