Trip report - north and mid Wales and the Somerset Levels
08th May 2018
Dates: 3rd to 7th May 2018
Destination: north and mid Wales and the Somerset Levels
Purpose of trip:
The purpose of my trip was my annual visit to north and mid Wales to see bird species that are not found on a regular basis in Essex or East Anglia, particularly summer migrants.
In addition, this year I returned home from mid Wales via the Somerset Levels which I had previously visited in January 2018. My second visit of the year was prompted by the desire to see this wonderful area again during the breeding season for its resident birds and summer migrants.
Primary target areas:
The primary target areas for birdwatching were:
“Worlds End”, Berwyn Mountains, Denbighshire
Conwy RSPB reserve, Conwy
Aber Ogwen NWWT reserve, Ogwen Estuary and Traeth Lavan, Gwynedd
Cemlyn Bay NWWT reserve, Anglesey
South Stack RSPB reserve, Anglesey
Holyhead harbour, Anglesey
Nant Ffrancon valley, Snowdonia, Gwynedd
Cors Dyfi MWT reserve and the Dyfi Osprey Project, Powys
Ynys-hir RSPB reserve, Ceredigion
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion to Rhayader, Powys via Devils Bridge, Cwmystywth and Elan valley
Rhayader area, Powys
Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys
Carngafallt RSPB reserve, Powys
Whilst in Wales and en-route from the Rhayader area reserves to my overnight stay in Somerset, I also visited Llan Bwch-llyn in Powys in the hope of seeing the male Ferruginous Duck that had been recorded from mid-March 2018 to at least the end of April 2018. Unfortunately, I did not see it and I subsequently found out that the last recorded sighting was on 28th April 2018 prior to my visit to Wales.
I had also considered visiting Llan-mill near Narberth in Pembrokeshire to see the vagrant Green Heron which had arrived at the site on 28th April 2018. However, uncertainty over the access arrangements to the private site and the fact that a visit would require a significant detour led to a decision to not make this addition to my trip.
Ham Wall RSPB reserve, Somerset
I had planned to additionally visit Greylake RSPB reserve and Shapwick Heath NNR in the Somerset Levels, as I had done during my trip in in January 2018, but I had insufficient time having spent so long at the brilliant Ham Wall RSPB reserve.
Getting there and getting around:
I rented a car for the whole trip which I picked up at 9 p.m. on 3rd May 2018. This enabled me to drive overnight to north Wales to arrive at dawn at “Worlds End” in the Berwyn Mountains for the Black Grouse lek. I returned the car at 9 p.m. on 7th May 2018 after spending the morning and early afternoon at Ham Wall RSPB reserve and driving back to Essex from Somerset.
On 4th May 2018, I stayed at the Travelodge Holyhead. This was relatively expensive costing £53 for the night but the location was ideal after a day’s birding in north Wales. I had my evening meal at Standing Stones, Holyhead since my 2 preferred restaurant choices were fully booked. This offered standard gastro pub food.
On 5th May 2018, I stayed at the Liverpool House, Rhayader. This guest house cost £34 for the night. Apart from the fact that the accommodation was somewhat dated and in need of modernisation, my main issue was that I did not receive my packed lunch in lieu of breakfast which I had arranged at the time of booking and on arrival. I also had a problem in finding anywhere for an evening meal that was not fully booked and I had to resort to buying some food in the local petrol station.
On 6th May 2018, I stayed at the Travelodge Bridgwater M5. This offered exceptional value for money costing £26 for the night and the location was excellent for an early start the following morning for my visit to the nearby Somerset Levels. I had my evening meal at the highly recommended Maliwan's Thai Restaurant in Bridgwater.
Weather:
The weather was dry and mostly bright and sunny. Temperatures were generally warm with day maxima of 18°C to 26°C.
Highlights:
During my trip, I was able to record 111 bird species, 1 mammal species and 1 amphibian species.
Trip list - north and mid Wales and the Somerset Levels
With regard to the birds, I was able to add 24 species to my 2018 list bringing the year to date total to 192 species.
The following summarises the notable wildlife species seen on my trip.
“Worlds End”, Berwyn Mountains, Denbighshire: Black Grouse, Red Grouse, Common Buzzard, Curlew, Cuckoo (heard only), Whinchat, Stonechat, Grasshopper Warbler (heard only), Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff (heard only), Common Whitethroat, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit
Conwy RSPB reserve, Conwy: Whimbrel, Common Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Heron, Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Shelduck, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallard, Cormorant, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler (heard only), Chiffchaff (heard only), Swallow, Common Buzzard
Aber Ogwen, Ogwen Estuary and Traeth Lavan, Gwynedd: tern sp., Little Egret, Eider, Shelduck, Mallard, Blackcap (heard only), Swallow, Linnet
South Stack RSPB reserve, Anglesey: Chough, Raven, Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wheatear, Stonechat, Linnet, Swallow
Holyhead harbour, Anglesey: Black Guillemot, Oystercatcher, Swallow
Cemlyn Bay NWWT reserve, Anglesey: Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Kestrel, Swallow, Sand Martin, Common Whitethroat, Stonechat
Nant Ffrancon valley, Snowdonia, Gwynedd: Wheatear, Stonechat, Common Redstart, Willow Warbler, Cuckoo, Raven, Grey Wagtail, Swallow, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Meadow Pipit
Cors Dyfi MWT reserve and the Dyfi Osprey Project: Osprey, Common Buzzard, Grasshopper Warbler (heard only), Sedge Warbler (heard only), Reed Warbler (heard only), Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler (heard only), Blackcap (heard only), Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Stonechat
Ynys-hir RSPB reserve, Ceredigion: Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Common Redstart, Willow Warbler (heard only), Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler (heard only), Cuckoo (heard only), Nuthatch (heard only), Goldcrest (heard only), Swallow, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only), Common Redshank, Lapwing, Shelduck, Mallard, Grey Squirrel
Aberystwyth to Rhayader via Devils Bridge, Cwmystywth and Elan valley: Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit
Rhayader area: Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler (heard only), Willow Warbler (heard only), Chiffchaff (heard only), Common Sandpiper, Goosander
Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys: Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Wood Warbler (heard only), Tree Pipit, Dipper, Cuckoo, Stonechat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff (heard only), Swallow, Nuthatch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll (heard only), Goldcrest (heard only), Linnet, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Raven, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only), Stock Dove, Grey Squirrel
Carngafallt RSPB reserve, Powys: Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff (heard only), Cuckoo (heard only), House Martin, Red Kite, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Squirrel
Ham Wall RSPB reserve, Somerset: Crane, Bittern, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Black-tailed Godwit, Water Rail, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Common Pochard, Gadwall, Cettis Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler (heard only), Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Cuckoo (heard only), Swallow, Kingfisher, Reed Bunting, Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest (heard only), Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Marsh Frog (heard only)
Destination: north and mid Wales and the Somerset Levels
Purpose of trip:
The purpose of my trip was my annual visit to north and mid Wales to see bird species that are not found on a regular basis in Essex or East Anglia, particularly summer migrants.
In addition, this year I returned home from mid Wales via the Somerset Levels which I had previously visited in January 2018. My second visit of the year was prompted by the desire to see this wonderful area again during the breeding season for its resident birds and summer migrants.
Primary target areas:
The primary target areas for birdwatching were:
“Worlds End”, Berwyn Mountains, Denbighshire
Conwy RSPB reserve, Conwy
Aber Ogwen NWWT reserve, Ogwen Estuary and Traeth Lavan, Gwynedd
Cemlyn Bay NWWT reserve, Anglesey
South Stack RSPB reserve, Anglesey
Holyhead harbour, Anglesey
Nant Ffrancon valley, Snowdonia, Gwynedd
Cors Dyfi MWT reserve and the Dyfi Osprey Project, Powys
Ynys-hir RSPB reserve, Ceredigion
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion to Rhayader, Powys via Devils Bridge, Cwmystywth and Elan valley
Rhayader area, Powys
Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys
Carngafallt RSPB reserve, Powys
Whilst in Wales and en-route from the Rhayader area reserves to my overnight stay in Somerset, I also visited Llan Bwch-llyn in Powys in the hope of seeing the male Ferruginous Duck that had been recorded from mid-March 2018 to at least the end of April 2018. Unfortunately, I did not see it and I subsequently found out that the last recorded sighting was on 28th April 2018 prior to my visit to Wales.
I had also considered visiting Llan-mill near Narberth in Pembrokeshire to see the vagrant Green Heron which had arrived at the site on 28th April 2018. However, uncertainty over the access arrangements to the private site and the fact that a visit would require a significant detour led to a decision to not make this addition to my trip.
Ham Wall RSPB reserve, Somerset
I had planned to additionally visit Greylake RSPB reserve and Shapwick Heath NNR in the Somerset Levels, as I had done during my trip in in January 2018, but I had insufficient time having spent so long at the brilliant Ham Wall RSPB reserve.
Getting there and getting around:
I rented a car for the whole trip which I picked up at 9 p.m. on 3rd May 2018. This enabled me to drive overnight to north Wales to arrive at dawn at “Worlds End” in the Berwyn Mountains for the Black Grouse lek. I returned the car at 9 p.m. on 7th May 2018 after spending the morning and early afternoon at Ham Wall RSPB reserve and driving back to Essex from Somerset.
On 4th May 2018, I stayed at the Travelodge Holyhead. This was relatively expensive costing £53 for the night but the location was ideal after a day’s birding in north Wales. I had my evening meal at Standing Stones, Holyhead since my 2 preferred restaurant choices were fully booked. This offered standard gastro pub food.
On 5th May 2018, I stayed at the Liverpool House, Rhayader. This guest house cost £34 for the night. Apart from the fact that the accommodation was somewhat dated and in need of modernisation, my main issue was that I did not receive my packed lunch in lieu of breakfast which I had arranged at the time of booking and on arrival. I also had a problem in finding anywhere for an evening meal that was not fully booked and I had to resort to buying some food in the local petrol station.
On 6th May 2018, I stayed at the Travelodge Bridgwater M5. This offered exceptional value for money costing £26 for the night and the location was excellent for an early start the following morning for my visit to the nearby Somerset Levels. I had my evening meal at the highly recommended Maliwan's Thai Restaurant in Bridgwater.
Weather:
The weather was dry and mostly bright and sunny. Temperatures were generally warm with day maxima of 18°C to 26°C.
Highlights:
During my trip, I was able to record 111 bird species, 1 mammal species and 1 amphibian species.
Trip list - north and mid Wales and the Somerset Levels
With regard to the birds, I was able to add 24 species to my 2018 list bringing the year to date total to 192 species.
The following summarises the notable wildlife species seen on my trip.
“Worlds End”, Berwyn Mountains, Denbighshire: Black Grouse, Red Grouse, Common Buzzard, Curlew, Cuckoo (heard only), Whinchat, Stonechat, Grasshopper Warbler (heard only), Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff (heard only), Common Whitethroat, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit
Conwy RSPB reserve, Conwy: Whimbrel, Common Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Heron, Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Shelduck, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallard, Cormorant, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler (heard only), Chiffchaff (heard only), Swallow, Common Buzzard
Aber Ogwen, Ogwen Estuary and Traeth Lavan, Gwynedd: tern sp., Little Egret, Eider, Shelduck, Mallard, Blackcap (heard only), Swallow, Linnet
South Stack RSPB reserve, Anglesey: Chough, Raven, Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wheatear, Stonechat, Linnet, Swallow
Holyhead harbour, Anglesey: Black Guillemot, Oystercatcher, Swallow
Cemlyn Bay NWWT reserve, Anglesey: Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Kestrel, Swallow, Sand Martin, Common Whitethroat, Stonechat
Nant Ffrancon valley, Snowdonia, Gwynedd: Wheatear, Stonechat, Common Redstart, Willow Warbler, Cuckoo, Raven, Grey Wagtail, Swallow, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Meadow Pipit
Cors Dyfi MWT reserve and the Dyfi Osprey Project: Osprey, Common Buzzard, Grasshopper Warbler (heard only), Sedge Warbler (heard only), Reed Warbler (heard only), Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler (heard only), Blackcap (heard only), Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Stonechat
Ynys-hir RSPB reserve, Ceredigion: Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Common Redstart, Willow Warbler (heard only), Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler (heard only), Cuckoo (heard only), Nuthatch (heard only), Goldcrest (heard only), Swallow, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only), Common Redshank, Lapwing, Shelduck, Mallard, Grey Squirrel
Aberystwyth to Rhayader via Devils Bridge, Cwmystywth and Elan valley: Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit
Rhayader area: Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler (heard only), Willow Warbler (heard only), Chiffchaff (heard only), Common Sandpiper, Goosander
Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys: Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Wood Warbler (heard only), Tree Pipit, Dipper, Cuckoo, Stonechat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff (heard only), Swallow, Nuthatch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll (heard only), Goldcrest (heard only), Linnet, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Raven, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard only), Stock Dove, Grey Squirrel
Carngafallt RSPB reserve, Powys: Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff (heard only), Cuckoo (heard only), House Martin, Red Kite, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Squirrel
Ham Wall RSPB reserve, Somerset: Crane, Bittern, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Black-tailed Godwit, Water Rail, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Common Pochard, Gadwall, Cettis Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler (heard only), Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Cuckoo (heard only), Swallow, Kingfisher, Reed Bunting, Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest (heard only), Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Marsh Frog (heard only)