Saturday 3rd May 2025: Over the border to Wales

 With the children away, Kate and I set the alarm for 05.30 to head to World’s End, near Llangollen, in the hope of finding lekking Black Grouse. We got a little lost on the way, but our detour did enable us to add Mistle Thrush to Kate’s growing bird list, with a pair seen hopping by the gate at Manera Quarry. 

Fortunately when we arrived, the Grouse were still present, and we enjoyed some time watching their antics as they strutted about, with chests puffed and tail feathers fanned in a splendid display. Sadly a walker passing by flushed the birds and most failed to return. Nevertheless this was a memorable encounter and we were surprised at how close to the road the birds were, giving excellent views.

Black Grouse (Richard Allan)

After the birds had flown, we lingered hopefully for a while, observing a number of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and a couple of Wheatears close to the lekking site. We were surprised to find a Canada Goose up here, on this wild, moorland habitat. Amongst the heather, I spotted a Curlew, great to see on its breeding territory as opposed to our usual estuary sightings. As it flew we could clearly see its huge, curved bill.

We continued along the road, but were soon stopping again for a Red Grouse, which sat obligingly right on top of the heather, rufous brown in colour, showing striking scarlet eyebrows. We encountered several more along the road, before finally catching up with a Whinchat and several Stonechat, close to the coniferous woodland. As we descended from the high moorland, a pair of Grey Wagtails were foraging on the road directly in front of us, another showy bird to delight Kate.

Red Grouse (Richard Allan)

Whinchat (Richard Allan)

As we did not have a camera, Richard has kindly shared his own taken at the same location a few days earlier.

From here we drove for around 1.5 hours to Gilfach nature reserve, in the heart of Wales, enjoying spectacular scenery along the way. As we arrived, a Sparrowhawk and several Red Kites drifted across the hill, and a Willow Warbler poured out its melodious song from the top of a nearby willow. A Cuckoo was heard calling from the hillside, and I could just make the bird out on a distant dead tree. 

We descended down the valley to a small copse bursting with bird song. Unfortunately the density of the vegetation made it difficult to actually locate any of the birds, although Kate got onto a warbler that matched the description for Wood Warbler, and we thought we heard it’s song. Scrambling upwards, we reached a clearing where the bubbling song of Garden Warbler came from a small, isolated bush,and before long we had good views of this bird.  Nearby, we finally managed to catch up with the elusive Blackcap, which perched on an open branch just long enough for Kate to see its grey colouration and distinct black cap.

Next we descended to the riverside path, noting Ravens and plenty of Red Kites crossing the valley. A female Goosander flew past, and swifts were seen overhead, my first of the year.

In the trees lining the river, we found a beautiful Pied Flycatcher, and I had fleeting views of a Redstart, although Kate did much better. She also managed to spot a Treecreeper quietly ascending the trunk. From the Dipper hide we spotted a Nuthatch clinging to the front of a wooden nest box, but there was sadly no sign of any Dippers. Retracing our steps, a Tree Pipit flew overhead to alight in the top of a tree, singing loudly and helpfully, so I was confident in my identification. 

Pied Flycatcher

It had been a lovely walk, with some excellent birds, and we set off for home feeling very pleased with the days events. However, on a whim, Kate decided to detour to Lake Vyrnwy, an RSPB reserve which had been recommended to us earlier that day. This turned out to be 20 miles away, so it was rather late by the time we arrived. We added Siskin to our tally, which visited some feeders in front of the hide just feet away from us, and watched House Martins circling over the dam, before enjoying a short woodland walk. There wasn’t really time to fully appreciate all the reserve had to offer, but it was clear it would be worth a return visit with more time to explore. 

Siskin