A surprise Snowy Owl appears in the mountains of Gwynedd

Bird Notes columnist Julian Hughes of RSPB Cymru reveals what birds have been spotted in the past week and lists eight upcoming birding events

By

Andrew Forgrave Rural Affairs Editor

23:24, 8 OCT 2018

NEWS

Walkers in the Rhinogydd, the mountains above Llyn Trawsfynydd , photographed a Snowy Owl at the weekend – a remarkable sight!

One was reported from Cwmystradllyn in late July, just eight miles to the northwest, and this huge predator could easily have survived here for several months.

Could it be the same female Snowy Owl that was seen near Amlwch in June , and then reported at RSPB South Stack in early July?

I haven’t spotted any Swallows for a couple of weeks, but a reader reports that a pair are still feeding young at the half-way tram station on the Great Orme .

While House Martins sometimes have broods into October, it’s rare for Swallows, and the chicks will need good fortune to make it to Africa.

Continued