Blue Monday

Every spring hundreds of visitors migrate to Gronant beach near Prestatyn in order to mate. These noisy, sometimes quarrelsome visitors then proceed to spend the summer in purpose built fenced-off areas, dashing to and fro in order to tend their demanding offspring, before returning to their winter territory come the end of summer. But, the hordes of scousers that annually congregate at Presthaven Sands are not the only visitors to this part of the world.

Gronant beach is also host to Wales' only Little Tern Colony. Wardened and cordoned the birds generally - weather permitting - do well and the number of breeding pairs has increased gradually since the scheme began in the 1970s.

As I approached the viewing platform a sign indicated that around 100 pairs of Little Terns were present. It was a glorious morning: the clear blue skies and shimmering air were more reminiscent of Goa than North Wales!

Little Terns are extremely hyperactive and today they were busy bringing back fish and settling personal disputes. Not much evidence of any nesting yet, although an Oystercatcher and a Ringed Plover seem to have taken advantage of the security arrangements and nested in the midst of the colony.

Returning through the dunes I saw my first Common Blue butterflies of the year, but the highlight of the morning was watching a Painted Lady feeding from a beautiful Marsh Orchid – the contrast between the subtle singular colouration of the flower and the more intricate patterning of the insect was wonderful to observe.

I also stopped at Garth Wood on my way to Gronant. Highlights were a singing Garden Warbler, a Treecreeper, a Dipper and 3 Yellowhammer.

Until later.