 Scarlet Pimpernel by David Norton  Wayfaring-tree? by David Norton  Sedge Warbler by Kevin Livesey  Willow Warbler by Kevin Livesey  More of the group by Kevin Livesey |  Thyme-leaved Speedwell by David Norton  Part of the group by Kevin Livesey  Conwy Castle by Kevin Livesey  Speckled Wood by Kevin Livesey  Mute Swans by Graham Thomas |
The day dawned sunny and warm, as we set off for RSPB Conwy. There was hardly any traffic, even though it was Easter Saturday, and we made excellent time to Conwy. The intrepid group coped well with the first unexpected challenge of the day, on arrival in Conwy. As we could not gain access to the RSPB car park, due to not being informed about the weekly Saturday park run (!), our group could been seen ducking under railings, climbing over crash barriers and dodging vehicles on the entry and exit slip roads to the motorway, in a determined effort to gain access to the reserve. Just as well we are a sprightly group (!), with everyone making it in one piece.
So, we set off to enjoy a leisurely walk around the reserve….. although some headed straight for the café to top up on the caffeine!
We identified a wide variety of species, from flora, to birds, butterflies and amphibians. (Lists below). The general consensus was that the Bird of the Day was the Wood Sandpiper, a Lifer for some! And the most interesting plant was the Wayfarers Tree, although there was some discussion about that, as it is rare in the North!
In the afternoon a smaller group headed into Conwy town, to have a look around. The more adventurous visited the castle, with others soaking up the Easter atmosphere, accompanied by an ice cream.
By late afternoon everyone was ready to head home and again we speeded, unhindered by traffic, back to Bamber Bridge. Everyone collected all of their belongings, thus saving our Driver, Neil, from a trip to a car boot sale to dispose of the abandoned items.
Overall a good day was had by all…..
| FLORA Hemlock Water Dropwort Dogwood Common Fodder Vetch Hawthorn Common Storksbill Gorse Bulbous Buttercup Blackthorn Common Nettle Ground Ivy White Dead Nettle Primula Common Water Crowfoot Scarlet Pimpernel Lesser Stitchwort Dandelion Bluebell Daisy Lesser Celandine Alex Anders Ribwort Plantain Common Vetch Hop Trefoil Common Buttercup Prickly Sow Thistle Field Speedwell Common Mallow Red Dead Nettle Birds Foot Trefoil Ladies Smock Thyme-Leaved Speedwell Wayfarers Tree ? BUTTERFLIES Speckled Wood - several Small White Green Veined White Brimstone - 2 Fritillary Orange Tip - many Peacock -2 Small Tortoiseshell - 1 AMPHIBIANS Common Toad Smooth Newts | BIRDS Mute Swan pr Canada Goose Shelduck 40+ Mallard Gadwall Tufted Duck Teal Shoveller Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Cormorant Little Egret 20+ in trees near castle Grey Heron Common Buzzard Peregrine Coot Moorhen Oystercatcher 40+ Common Sandpiper ? Wood Sandpiper Redshank 20+ Black Tailed Godwit Curlew 6 Lapwing Dunlin 4 Black Headed Gull Lesser Black Backed Gull 2 Greater Black Backed Gull 2 Common Gull juv ? Herring Gull Wood pigeon Feral Pigeon Collared Dove Pied wagtail Grey Wagtail Dunnock Robin Redstart f Song Thrush Mistle Thrush h Blackbird Blackcap Whitethroat Lesser Whitethroat Sedge Warbler Cetti's Warbler h Willow Warbler Chiffchaff Wren Blue Tit Great Tit Long Tailed Tit 2 Magpie Jackdaw Carrion Crow Rook Starling 6 House Sparrow Tree Sparrow 4 Chaffinch Linnet h Lesser Redpoll Greenfinch Goldfinch Reed Bunting f h Bullfinch |
Thank you for help in compiling the lists, to John Finnan, Richard Hargreaves, Kevin Livesey, David Norton, Graham Thomas, Brian Walker and Jan Wall.