Mike Pollard

2024 NE Wales Bird Report now available to download from @cofnod.org.uk Big thank you to all contributors. Majority of records via @birdtrack.bsky.social.
@birdsinwales.bsky.social @btocymru.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social

Pristine female Brimstone nectaring on Agapanthus today 😊. A new species for the garden. Seems to be scarce in NE Wales. Also first Gatekeepers of the year and 18 Peacocks on the Buddleia.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social

@curlewaction.bsky.social

Adult Common Sandpiper having a good preening session over high tide today. Perched on boulders just below the west hide at Connah's Quay. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales

Recently back from NW Spain where I was delighted to see my first ever bears!
The 'Cantabrian' Brown Bear in Someido Natural Park - a major stronghold. Current population c.300 & increasing.
Extensive forest and mountain habitat is protected for them in 'restricted areas'.
This is an adult male.

I'm in the chair for Wednesday's FREE Curlew webinar from @curlewaction.bsky.social.
** Tracking Curlews **
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-tr...
More info about tracking waders/shorebirds ⬇️
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/05/06/m...
#ornithology

A male silver studded blue caernesis next to a grayling thyone, you can see the graylings upper wing in glorious coppery colour, when this is tucked down they just disappear into the rock

#FlutterbyFriday I wonder what they were saying to each other? 🤭 Two tiny wonders silver studded blue caernesis and the fabulously camouflage grayling thyone, both subspecies that live exclusively on the Great Orme, #NorthWales @savebutterflies.bsky.social #butterflies @ukbutterflies.bsky.social

Juvenile #Stonechats are appearing all over the Clwydian Hills at the moment. The adults are very alert and try to draw you way from the youngsters, but sometimes you are allowed a quick photo opportunity! @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales

Green Hairstreak on the slopes below Moel Famau yesterday - my first sighting in the local area & always lovely to see. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Thank you

thanks, I did see another male Whinchat singing, with a metal ring - bit of a surpise too!

Memorable encounter with a female #Cuckoo on the Clwydian Hills this morning - contantly mobbed by Meadow Pipits - then this male #Whinchat joined in 😀. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales @clwydianrange.bsky.social

Great to see a male Broad-bodied Chaser visiting the garden in Cilcain earlier today. Such a smart-looking dragonfly. @cofnod.org.uk

Front lawn meadow developing nicely in year 2. Heaps of Yellow Rattle sprouting up. Ragged Robin doing ok despite the very dry conditions.

Surprised to discover I’ve seen 165 in Wales so far in 2025. More than I expected. 66 during my week on Ynys Enlli.

Thank you

150 or so Little Terns at Gronant this morning - very close to laying now. Such an important bird conservation project organised by @denbighshirecc.bsky.social and North Wales Little Tern Group. Great views of the birds from the hide. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales

I searched all week for Purple Sandpipers on Ynys Enlli and finally spotted one at the bottom of the cliffs during the seabird survey on Friday 😀. This one is quite advanced towards breeding plumage.
@bardseybirdobs.bsky.social

@birdsinwales.bsky.social
#birdingWales

Assisted the bird observatory wardens with a seabird count (from boat) at Ynys Enlli yesterday. Main purpose was to count shag nests but some nice photo opportunities too, including this beautiful Puffin. @birdsinwales #birdingWales
@bardseybirdobs

Thank you Nicky. It’s a rare opportunity for me to see them in May in all their glory 😀.

Fabulous views of #Turnstones on Ynys Enlli this morning, including this immaculate-looking male. @bardseybirdobs.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales

One of a dozen or so Whimbrel on Bardsey this morning. @bardseybirdobs.bsky.social

Dunlin on Bardsey Island yesterday. My first ever visit to this beautiful island & off to a great start. Staying with @bardseybirdobs.bsky.social

Male #Redstart in full voice this morning - good numbers singing in woodlands around the Clwydian Hills just now. Fabulous. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social

Female Emperor Moth was a nice bonus while helping @northwaleswt.bsky.social with an early morning grouse survey beside Llyn Brenig.

Late April is a great time to catch up with the local Pied Flycatchers - all the males seemed to be singing this morning and busy checking out nestboxes with some of the females. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social

My personal birding highlight of recent trip to the Scottish Highlands was this stunning White-billed Diver in breeding plumage offshore from Portsoy on Monday. Big thank you to @webbyabz.bsky.social for organising the boat trip.

Well done 👏. 🤞for a successful outcome. @ryanaburrell.bsky.social @curlewaction.bsky.social

Penycloddiau

The ancient Rowan on Penycoddiau is coming into leaf. Next generation springing up nearby. 😀