Choughed to bits

Another early wander today and the Great Orme seemed like as good a destination as any. I must be mad really, but bird watching has that effect on you. It was dark-ish with a cold-ish wind. Not chance of any great photo opportunities so I took the 120-300mm for an outing.

A trudge up to the cairn brought nothing but a walk down by the sheep-field brought up Mr & Mrs Stonechat, who I didn't bother for long as they were obviously feeding young in the gorse somewhere A single Whitethroat was making its way along the wall but not posing for the camera.

Mr Stonechat

Past the gorse and I was into Wheatear territory. Odd single birds were everywhere but the occasional pair look like they had a relationship going on.

Wheatear

Around the corner a single Chough was feeding in the sheep field, showing the dependance these birds have on sheep-cropped grass and all that goes with it.

Chough

I met Mark Hughes at this point who knows every Orme bird's history and family tree. He informed me that this bird is new this year and has likely taken the place of the previous "Mr Chough" who, it seems, is no longer with us.

Returning to the car we found a single Goldcrest in another gorse bush, squealing its high pitched call, like a short burst of tinnitus!
At the car park I could see the mountains of Snowdonia. It's not often that there is still snow up there in the second half of May!