Ynys-Hir/Chat Masala

On Monday morning I decided to tootle down to the gorgeous RSPB reserve at Ynys-Hir on the Dyfi estuary. Roads as clear as a oil of ulay model’s skin meant the journey from Chester took around 90 minutes and I arrived about an hour before high tide.

I darted down to the Saltings hide and started to scan through the modest numbers waders being forced up the saltmarsh. Both Godwits were present as were a handful of Dunlin, Oysties, Redshank and Curlew. The river was a little more interesting with seven loafing Goosander and a manic Kingfisher that kept zipping around like a mini-torpedo with no sense of direction.

When the tide had peaked I moved to the Marian Mawr hide. The hide is beautifully positioned; the whole of the estuary and two ranges of mountains are visible. In front of the hide are a few pools and it was in here that I located the surprise bird of the day – a juvenile Scaup. For a notoriously dozey bird, the duck was actually fairly active and fed for the two hours I was there.

Highlights from the pleasant vigil included a pair of Peregrines, and a wonderfully close view of a Red Kite being bombed by a Raven.

In order to work of my lunch I headed to the Breakwater hide – a longish walk that takes in the lion’s share of the reserve. The sun had brought out tons of dragonflies and tens of Speckled Woods. The woodland itself was fairly quiet with all of the spring migrants having packed up their bags and headed back to Africa. On the flooded meadows a vanguard of Wigeon had arrived, but I could not locate the trio of Barnacle Geese that had been logged the day previous.

A cracking day and not even being stuck behind a caravan for 60 minutes on the way home could ruin it!

Until later.

P.S – If anybody local is actually reading this blog (well there could be), four Whinchat were on the Gowy Meadows CWT this evening with even more Stonechat. I have also noticed that somebody has bagged a Merlin down here recently according to Birdguides.