Pool

Catching up with my visit to Wales…

Brother #2 and I went to see my Mum in Rhyl before heading a few miles along the coast to Gronant, which is where we grew up.

First stop was Gronant Dunes (extras), where we had planned to visit the Little Tern hide. We saw and heard the terns in flight, but the warden explained that most of the nests had been inundated with sand during a recent storm, so they were keeping things as quiet as they could in the hope that birds would lay a second batch of eggs. This is an important colony, so fingers crossed.  Elsewhere in the dunes there were lots of orchids (Early Marsh?), and Stonechat. It was too dull and cool for butterflies, but we did see a Small White.

Then we popped a mile or so along the coast to the North Wales Wildlife Trust reserve at Big Pool Wood where for many years until recently Brother #1 was the warden. This Kingfisher was one of many attractions, and we also saw Reed Warbler, Little Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker (extra). Small and Large White were the only butterflies.

Then back to Denbigh the long way round via Moel Arthur, where I found a Purple Bar moth in the bilberry (extra), which I think is the first one I’ve seen.

Thanks also to Sister #1 by finishing the day by having me round to hers for dinner.