Anglesey Day five

First stop this morning was South Stack RSPB. Always amazing scenery here even with the seabirds now absent. Chough near the small ponds, some very obliging Rock Pipits and Stonechats, and Raven over the mountain.

In the afternoon we returned to Valley Lakes RSPB to see if we could refind yesterday's 'blue' butterfly. Only Common Blues but a Clouded Yellow was an extra bonus. As was the fem/juv Marsh Harrier. A group of 14 Raven circling together was impressive.
The day finished with a round of golf at Anglesey Golf Course. An extremely fun old fashioned links course with sheep grazing the fairways. I was happy shooting an 80. A flock of 40 Curlew on one fairway were nice. The jets from RAF Valley added an extra spectacle.

Anglesey Day four

Fantastic start to the day when the cottage owners messaged to say they'd caught an Eyed Hawk-moth. Simon had it sat on his hand posing for pictures.

Another glorious sunny day meant the beach at Rhosneiger called us again. I took the puppy on a couple of walks into the dunes. Little Egret, Redshank, and Turnstone on the outflow stream. Small Heath, Wall Brown and Common Blue were in the dunes with a lovely range of flowers.

In the evening we walked around the Valley Lakes RSPB reserve. A lovely mix of reeds, lakes and rocky outcrops.

Stonechat families in the scrub, Gadwall and Great Crested Grebe families on the water, plus Little Grebe and Curlew. Highlight was a worn 'blue'  butterfly that posed for some very informative pictures in bright sunlight, looking much browner than in the photos. Will examine further to see whether just Common Blue or possibly Silver-studded or Brown Argus.  More to come later when home but picture from the phone below...

To finish off the day a Green Sandpiper and Snipe showed well on the small ditch near the cottage.

Anglesey Day three

Woke up to glorious silence as a blanket of fog enveloped the landscape. The morning dew glistened on hundreds of spider webs. Magical.

Curlew echoed in the mist and a couple of Raven ghosted through.
A family day so not much birding today. Manx Shearwater, Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet and Fulmar at Penmon Point. A Wheatear was on the access track to the cottage on our return in the evening.
Sunset at Rhoscolyn brought a pair of noisy Chough flying over the beach.

Anglesey Day two

A glorious morning in North Wales. A morning walk around the cottage with the dog got the day off to a great start. About 50 Swallows and a single Sand Martin hunted from the wires, at one point joined by a Great Spotted Woodpecker! 3 each of Buzzard and Raven patrolled the skies and the Peregrine flew through again. About 30 each of Meadow Pipit and Linnet were along the track, joined by a female Wheatear. A couple of Swifts were also seen.
Most of the day was spent enjoying the sun on Rhosneiger beach. During a four hour chill, at least 50+ each of Painted Lady and Common Blue flew past. Sandwich Tern fished offshore and 3 Greenshank fed near the river outlet.
On our return to the cottage the butterflies were out in abundance. In one small ditch alone were 12+ Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper, Green-veined White, Painted Lady, Peacock, Meadow Brown, and Wall Brown.
Walking out towards the coastal heathland more Common Blues were seen, and then the star of the day, a Brown Argus. Migrant Hawkers flew in the ditches, with a backdrop of Buzzard, Peregrine, Kestrel, Raven and 200+ Greylag Geese. A few pictures below of some of the butterflies taken on my phone! Much better to come later from the camera!

And there's always room for clear blue skies and Snowden in the distance...

Dusk added a few evening waders... Green Sandpiper, Woodcock and Curlew.

Anglesey Day One

First stop was Church Island at Menai Bridge to give Bertie (the puppy) a break. Greenshank was a good find on the mud, along with 2 Little Egret and 12 Grey Heron. A mixture of Shag and Cormorant on the water.

Sandwich and Common Tern also.

The cottage we are staying in is next door to Valley Lakes RSPB. Peregrine and Buzzard were quickly added as well as a large flock of Linnet. A steady stream of 'alba' wagtails passed over. Wall and Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell and Small White butterflies as well.

Arnside Knott

With showers forecast the rest of the week, today looked the best opportunity for some butterfly action. Where better than Arnside Knott? Overcast when we arrived at 11.30am but by early afternoon the sun came out and so did the butterflies.
Painted Lady and Gatekeeper were the default butterflies for most of the afternoon, but soon our first Fritillary passed through quickly! Soon we came across some of the specialities of this lovely area.

Ringlet (S.Ball)

 Wall (S.Ball)

 Small Heath (S.Ball)

As we moved into more of the stoney grassland areas the butterflies increased in number and another Fritillary appeared. Simon got the all important photos identifying it as Dark-Green Fritillary. Better photos were to come later. Then a very dark butterfly flew past. Scotch Argus! Brilliant!

 Scotch Argus (I.Ball)

 Scotch Argus (S.Ball)

Next came several Grayling, one of which flew around our feet. Migrant Hawkers also flew around the clearings - at least half a dozen seen.

 Grayling (S.Ball)

 Migrant Hawker (S.Ball)

Our final area for searching was the meadow downhill from the car park. Someone had reported High Brown Fritillary in this area last week. Painted Lady, Common Blue, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown flitted around and then a Fritillary flew straight towards us and landed. Amazing. Lots of pictures taken to check the species. Another Dark-Green Fritillary, but amazing views. The photos showed the 3rd spot on the upperwing in-line and no extra line of spots in the underwing. The green colouration on the body showed well. 

 Dark-Green Fritillary (I and S. Ball)

Butterflies seen:

Dark-Green Fritillary

Scotch Argus

Grayling

Wall

Small Heath

Ringlet

Gatekeeper

Meadow Brown

Holly Blue

Common Blue

Painted Lady

Peacock

Red Admiral

Large White

Small White

Green-Veined White

Speckled Wood

Small Skipper

Yarrow Valley CP Sunday/Monday 9th/10th June

In between the heavy showers it's been wonderful exploring and watching all the new fledgling birds at YVCP.

The Kingfishers played hard to get with a bird feeding very close but hidden by lakeside vegetation.  Grey Wagtail young were very cute, as were young Coal, Great and Blue Tit. Goldcrest calling in several locations. Common Buzzard hunting through the trees, at one point within 10m of Simon. Stars of the show though have been the Mute Swans and their cygnets. Simon got some lovely pictures of the swans today.