As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Sunday, 15 November 2015

Bird Notes: North Wales firecrest sightings on the increase

13:20, 3 NOV 2015
BY JULIAN HUGHES

Regulus ignicapilla Arundel.jpgRSPB Conwy's Julian Hughes reveals what birds have been spotted over the week and where to go birding this week

Weighing just six grammes (one-fifth of an ounce), reports of Firecrests stepped up a gear this week: at least eight were on the Great Orme, five at RSPB Conwy, three on Bardsey and singles at Anglesey’s Breakwater Country Park and Church Bay, and on the Little Orme.

There must be many more, so if you hear high-pitched squeaking from a bush or tree, it’s worth a closer look.

I’ve heard Chiffchaffs singing this week, which often happens when summer visitors stay beyond their autumn moult. Much rarer are Siberian Chiffchaffs, seen on Bardsey and theGreat Orme, which also each hosted a Yellow-browed Warbler.

Two Bitterns are at Anglesey’s RSPB Valley Wetlands, along with a Short-eared Owl, one of several seen this week.

The most impressive count was from Bardsey where 19 owls were counted. Hen Harriers flew in off the sea at North Stack and the Little Orme, perhaps from the successful Isle of Man population.


No comments:

Post a Comment