Fine weather, heather and feathers were very much the theme of today: a hike around Ruabon Moor.Starting from World’s End, my sister and I first headed along the Offa’s Dyke path that runs under the wonderfully scenic limestone rock face of Eglwyseg Valley.
There was plenty of birdsong, including good numbers of Tree Pipit singing heartily from the very top of their respective trees.
When we reached Bryn Goleu we began a steep climb to Ruabon Moor, where our slow progress was closely monitored by a family of Wheatear. Pausing for breath at the top of the ascent I caught a glimpse of a falcon that disappeared before I could identify it. We decided to wait a little longer and were soon rewarded with another brief – but conclusive – view of a Hobby!
A little further on - at the fringe of the moor - we were met by a rather agitated male Whinchat whom had taken umbrage at our movement through his territory. Very bold he was too, perching in some instances only a few metres away. His irritation was well-placed too being the father of four recent fledglings.
Eventually we emerged at a conifer plantation on Newtown Mountain. After our customary wrong-turn, followed by a short break to watch a cracking male Bullfinch, we were back on the mountain for the final leg of the journey back to World’s End.
After a few minutes my sister said that she thought she could hear a Curlew. We listened in the still air, but nothing. It was not her imagination though, as no more that two minutes later there was an eruption of shrill Curlew calls.
Looking in the direction of the commotion we could make out three birds: a pair of Curlew mobbing a male Hen Harrier! Judging by their intense reaction, they must have been protecting chicks from the raiding raptor.
All in all, an excellent morning!
Until later.
Summary: 1 Hen Harrier (imm male), 10+ Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 2 Kestrel, 1 Raven, 2 Curlew, 12+ Whinchat, 4+ Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 5 Grey Wagtail, 5+ Tree Pipit, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Bullfinch.
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