Of what use to be common wintering grounds for these species along the North Wales coast, there has just been one wintering Snow Bunting (Gronant) and one Shorelark (just outside the region in Cheshire) available this winter. Both really nice to catch up recently #Birding #Birds #UKBirding
Thanks! Yes, only a few months after finding a Pec Sand in the same place! Not a bad few months on there!
It seems to favour the exact same area as the Yellowlegs conveniently. I've been patching the River Clwyd for years and both these species were new for me this year on there!
It was quite mobile in the water during the 30 mins I was there. I guess it went out considerably with the tide so it may be worth a punt going at high tide tomorrow in the hope it returns 🤞🏼
A tour through Conwy County in North Wales this morning saw a few notable mentions inc. an unexpected Black-throated Diver from Rhos Point behind 7 Purple Sands roosting at high tide. A Surf Scoter and Slavonian Grebe were a touch distant for images but a Gt Northern Diver was close in #BirdingWales
Excellent! I was quietly confident you'd get it along that stretch if it wasn't near footbridge or the hide. Well done!
Very nice - glad you connected Colin!
Well done Dylan! Glad it's behaving and staying put!
Taiga Bean Goose
Taiga Bean Goose in flight (centre)
Pink-footed Goose
European White-fronted Goose
North Point Pools gave me a rare opportunity to see multiple goose species within a pan of the scope. The most educational was the presumed Taiga Bean Goose which was only my second UK bird in 15+ years. Albeit on the small side, it seemed to fit the criteria for a small female. #RareBirdsUK #Geese
2025 ended in Norfolk with a day to hit a couple of smart, desirable targets: the over-wintering Black-winged Kite and the Eastern Black Redstart. Both showed rather nicely marking an excellent December for rarities in the UK #RareBirdsUK #Birds #Birding
Thanks Chris! Nice pics! Glad you've caught up with it! Nice to see it staying loyal to the site!
Delighted to catch up with the first winter Lesser Yellowlegs @ the Clwyd Estuary this morning. Feeding mostly in the saltmarsh, and occasionally on the mudflats. A little smaller and more dainty than the Redshanks nearby. @alexhj.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
Thanks Cliff!
#RareBirdsUK #BirdingWales #Birding
A broken down car and I was left stranded in Rhyl - so I thought I'd try and pick up a few year ticks on the River Clwyd. A Lesser Yellowlegs was one of the last birds I expected to find in January socialising with the Redshanks!
Bonkers weather and road chaos scuppered a proper shot at a New Year bird race however great fun with Tony Kearney + Owen Parsons. A close Slav Grebe at the Spinnies NR was the highlight until @alexhj.bsky.social found a superb Lesser Yellowlegs on the Clwyd! cracking bird ☺️ #ukbiring #birdingwales
Glad you connected with it Marc! I was more than happy with 3 Whoopers and 3 Pink feet! Not really what I was expecting in January!
This striking drake Bufflehead made quite an early Christmas present marking a potential first for Wales when it was found briefly; a couple of weeks ago in Flintshire. Luckily it was refound 45 miles to the west on Y Foryd, near Caernarfon on Friday 19th staying put for all to connect #RareBirdsUK
Exciting to catch up with the drake Bufflehead that graced Point of Ayr #RSPB over high tide today. No sign of rings & behaving like a wild bird.
@rspbcymru.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social @rspbburtonmere.bsky.social @penrhynbirder.bsky.social
A Lesser Crested Tern was a real turn up for a December after a 20 year absence in the UK. Ranging over 5 miles, it did give itself up after remaining fairly elusive on Saturday on the Exe Estuary, Devon. #RareBirdsUK
#Birding
American Golden Plover
American Golden Plovers
American Golden Plovers
American Golden Plovers
Fantastic to find 2 American Golden Plovers on Dale Airfield, Pembrokeshire, this afternoon. Such an elegant wader. #BirdingWales #RareBirdsUK
Our recent trip to Colorado gave us so many memorable experiences and one in particular was our encounter with this young American Black Bear at Dinosaur Ridge just a few feet away! #BlackBears #Colorado
I was pleased to find 3 Yellow-legged Gulls just outside of Chester, UK on the River Dee. Always a scarer species in the NW but July and August are a good time for passage. #UkBirding
The Woodchat Shrike at Daresbury, Cheshire showed nicely proving to be another good local bird of the Spring in 2025. #RareBirdsUK
My 4th Painted Lady butterfly this week in North Wales after recording none last year. I feel a UK influx coming on! #butterflies @savebutterflies.bsky.social
For World Curlew Day, it's worth highlighting the vulnerable Bristle-thighed Curlew we saw in Oahu, #Hawaii 2 years ago. With a very restricted breeding & wintering range, it was a joy to connect with 3 individuals at the end of our 3 week trip. #Birdsoftheworld #Birds @curlewaction.bsky.social
What a record... Black Kite over the landfill site at Wood Lane NR on Saturday. My first UK individual since the overwintering 2010 Welsh Gigrin Farm bird. Much welcomed just less than.40 min drive from home #RareBirdsUK #Birds
Black Kite carrying food item or something - it kept it for ages but did eventually drop it
5 Red Kites, all 2CY in primary moult often gave it a lot of grief
Black Kite chased by 2CY Red Kite uppersides. Always against the pale sky so hard to expose the shots
Crow mobbing the Black Kite at Wood Lane
Great find by @saloplarus.bsky.social of Shropshire's first Black Kite at Wood Lane. It hung around the tip there late morning, often chased by 2CY Red Kites and Corvids. #shropshirebirding #ukwildlife 🪶
Quality views of Ring Ouzel locally in NE Wales over the weekend. This was promptly followed by a further 5 found during a Heathland BTO survey! #Birds
The rather splendid 1st-winter Bonaparte's Gull at Ogmore Estuary, well found by @tomwright1.bsky.social This is the third of this species I've seen at the site, albeit the first non-adult.
