RYTON POOLS CP
Not just birds, but excellent for butterflies, moths and dragonflies
Agreat place for the family to visit, with good facilities and an impressive array of wildlife. Formerly, the site had been used for gravel extraction and landfill. Now the area shows what can be achieved with sympathetic management and the creation of varied habitats. A small bird hide overlooks Paget’s Pool. Recent sightings include Merlin, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers and Ring Ouzel.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
Ryton Pool holds common ducks in winter, with the chance of Goosander. Great Crested Grebe are present along with Grey Heron, Cormorant and occasional Little Egret. Larger congregations of gulls may include Herring, Lesser Black-backed and odd Common.
2
Follow the paths towards Paget’s Pool, listening out for parties of roving Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit and Goldcrest. Listen out for overflying Siskin and Lesser Redpoll or maybe a Brambling.
3
Paget’s Pool is a good spot for Little Grebe, these being joined by small numbers of Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard and Mute Swan in winter.
4
The figure of eight walk in Ryton Wood is good for butterflies, with Purple Emperor being the star species. Purple Hairstreak and Brown Hairstreaks, White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary are also present.
5
Check the larger fields for hunting Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Sky Lark, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat and increasingly, overhead Red Kite. Check fence lines in autumn for a chance of Stonechat. Mixed woodland is home to Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay and Bullfinch, augmented in spring with the arrival of Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Garden Warbler.
The wildly beautiful Lleyn Peninsula extends 30 miles south-west from the Menai Strait to reach Bardsey Sound, the west coast fronting on to Caernarfon Bay. As one guide says: “anyone who enjoys seeking out and identifying divers should head to Aberdesach and Pontllyfni”. While scanning for divers there is always a good chance, especially in calm seas, of spotting a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins; the waters south into Cardigan Bay being home to the largest European population.
WHERE TO WATCH
1
The Lleyn Peninsula is renowned for Choughs, and here the maritime grassland of the low cliffs provides good feeding opportunities, a contrast to those of the towering uplands immediately south. Looking ahead to the summer a spell of onshore winds can result in large feeding flocks of Manx Shearwaters this far into Caernarfon Bay.
2
Visit Aberdesach itself for parking and a stroll along the shore. Curlew, Oystercatchers and Turnstones over-winter while Rock Pipits never seem far away. Never pass the gull flock, any gull flock, without a careful check of its inhabitants, yes there will be disappointments but there will be moments of elation when you add a new species to your year or even your life list.
3 The headland at Pontllyfni provides the best viewpoint for scanning offshore waters for wintering divers, the Great Northern being most frequently seen; in late March and early April, numbers pausing here while heading northwards on migration can reach three figures. Redthroated Divers and occasionally Black-throated Divers are usually present. A short walk along the shore north of the Afon Llyfni past the site of a former fish farm is worthwhile whatever the season, while Grey Wagtails and Dippers frequent the river.
4 Another freshwater outlet, this time the Afon Llifon, and further opportunity to add Dipper to your day list, a bird reported as doing quite well in North Wales. Stonechats are resident close to the shore and quickly call attention to their presence.