Conwy RSPB Reserve - Spring 2011

On the northwest coast of Wales lies Conwy, with it's hugely impressive castle, and it's equally delightful RSPB reserve.

 
Few reserves can be situated in such wonderful scenery, across the reedbeds and mudflats of the Conwy Estuary to the West or overlooked by the edge of Snowdonia to the south.

 





This male Siskin was spotted on one of the many feeders around the coppiced woodland.

There are 3 walks mapped out around the site,  2 short walks (1/3 mile & 1 mile) around common land, coppiced woodland and small ponds, and a longer 2 mile one which takes in grazed common land, lagoons and the banks of the estuary.

















There are 4 good sized hides around the site, and en-route to the first one, the summer migrants were announcing their arrival with a chorus of song - I think this is one of the Warblers, but I couldnt get a good enough view or shot of it to get an ID.

















Whilst at the first hide, we were treated to the arrival of a Mute Swan as it water-skied into land. Very impressive!


 
Before leaving to the accompaniment of a Reed Bunting singing from his vantage point high in a gorse bush.

 










There were several Butterflies around, and whilst I was unable to get a decent shot of the Green Veined White, I did manage a reasonable reaction shot of this Peacock as it basked in the sunlight.


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A viewing screen situated along the main path, with the opening facing out at ground afforded a close up of a foraging Jackdaw...



























... and a somewhat less active Canada Goose - scourge of so many reserves and parks.






Those fortunate enough to have high-end viewing scopes, binoculars and bigger (than mine) telephoto lenses were able to get a better view of this Great Crested Grebe as it battled to kill and swallow a small fish it had just caught.

I'd spotted this Cormorant earlier as it stood with open wings, drying out in the sun. I just about managed to catch it as it flew off in search of a spot of lunch of its own.















But the star of the day was, by far and away, this female Wheatear amongst the rocks at the side of the estuary path, she made absolutely sure I had chance to catch her in 'supermodel pose' mode!

My last shot of the day, a stunning reminder that spring had well and truly sprung, with apple & cherry blossom in abundance along the paths round the site.

All in all a great day at one of the smaller RSPB sites ( or so it felt), definately one to revisit at migration time!

Thanks for reading!