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| South Stack |
After an improvised (but ultimately really enjoyable) 48 hours on the Lancashire coast, the delayed journey to North Wales beckoned; setting off from Lancaster and hitting the M6 post-rush hour (and supposedly post-worst of the weather) seemed like a good idea, but in the end made little difference to a very messy and at times white-knuckle drive through thick snow, freezing fog, accidents, tailbacks and more... but still, I was on the North Wales coast by early afternoon, and with birding comrades Robin and Stephen on Anglesey soon after.
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| Chough! |
Bathed in sunshine and with conditions having temporarily settled, it felt like a different world, and the island did its best to impress. South Stack and the sandy coves of its north-west coast were particularly picture-postcard, with Chough and Merlin adding to the scene:
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| Mermaid's purses are a little easier to come by over here.... |
.... and Black Guillemots, grebes, ducks and more around the sheltered cormers. A perfect introduction to this part of the world, and a great way to spend a couple of hours birding before the evening's activities - a talk for the good people of Bangor Bird Group. Thanks for coming all, and especially Robin and Stephen for being such excellent hosts - see you soon folks!
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| This pair of Hooded Crows - a local scarcity - seem committed to self-extirpation... |
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| ..... on account of an addiction to the local Mucky Ds and its toxic produce (there they are in the top of the pic) |
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| Black Guilles were scattered around the coastline, especially in the shelter of harbours and quaysides |
