December 2006

Monday 4^th December

This morning I walked around Mynydd y Graig, noting a couple of Stonechat/Clochdar y Cerrig on the heath and a Peregrine/Hebog Tramor chasing pigeons/colomen over Ty Croes Mawr.

A flock of Chough/Brân Goesgoch fed on the pasture by the house and I was able to record the colour-ring combinations on two birds; one originated on Ynys Enlli with another from the Aberdaron area.

Thursday 7^th December

The incredible storm force winds continued unabated… some friends and I went up to Mynydd Mawr, Uwchmynydd to take in some fresh air. An amazing funnel of spray was whipped up on the leeward side of Ynys Enlli to a height of at least 250 feet. No birds were seen but the scenery was amazing.

Over the next few weeks the wind and rain seemed to continue unabated and my birding activities were limited to brief walks around the village to escape the dreaded cabin fever… there are big gaps in the diary for this reason. Sincere apologies dear readers, but I hope to make up for this in the New Year!

Monday 25^th December

I escaped the festive madness by walking over Mynydd Rhiw and down to Ffynnon Saint. Three Stonechat/Clochdar y Cerrig and a Kestrel/Cudyll y Gwynt were on the mountain – but very little else – while a Yellowhammer/Bras Felen and a fine Green Woodpecker/Cnocell Werdd was noted at the Pen y Mynydd heath. Several Bramble/Mwyar plants were in full flower here – a sign of the unseasonable weather we have been having.

A pair of Raven/Cigfran called from the spruce plantations here as I made my way down to the well. Making my way through the woods, heading for the track to Treheli, I flushed two Woodcock/Cyffylog. On reaching Porth Neigwl a flock of 38 Curlew/Gylfinhir and several hundred Black-headed Gulls/Gwylan Benddu were seen.

Tuesday 26^th December

It time for a bonfire this evening and proceedings were enlivened by both Barn’/Tylluan Wen and Little Owl/Tylluan Bach calling.

Thursday 28^th December

The destination for this afternoon was Porth Ysgo, where the weather was still wild and the sea very impressive.

A huge amount of rubbish has been deposited on the beach here in recent weeks and amongst the plastic, ropes and driftwood were one each of dead Guillemot/Gwylog, Cormorant/Mulfran and Shag/Mulfran Werdd.