Dipping Rather Than Ticking!

Dipping Rather Than Ticking!

We arrived at Mynydd Mawr at 8:20am (Leaving at 5am!) in hopes of seeing a rare Isabelline Wheatear. We had been told by our mentor that there is also Chough here (which would be another lifer after dipping them last week). We parked in a big, grassy layby and started our trek up to the bird. At first, we were a bit disorientated, but we managed to find the right footpath up to the location where the bird was last seen. Without any effort and with no birder in sight we straight away found the medium-sized bird (much larger than I anticipated). It flew straight in front of us and landed up to 10 metres away. I got many record shots, as it danced around near us. It was very pale, and seemed to be the only wheatear there, leading us to believe that it was indeed our target bird, the Isabelline Wheatear. I was thrilled to see this bird, as I was in Gloucestershire, when it was reported last weekend, I really needed it to stick for me!

We then scanned around for our second target bird, Chough. We got to a high vantage point and immediately saw a Raven fly right past us. Then, two small Corvids landed in the field. At first, I thought they were Jackdaws, but when I looked at them through my binoculars, a red beak was noticeable. They were Chough! I was ecstatic to see them after I failed to locate them last week in Devon. Unfortunately, we made a little bit too much noise, in our excitement and as soon as I got my camera on them, they flew off. Then, a local birder named Martin came over, he was the definition of a softly spoken gentlemen, letting us know the Isabelline Wheater was here, which confirmed our thoughts. He then pointed out some Harbour Porpoise by Bardsey Island (which was visible from mainland). I managed to get my bins in the right location when a dorsal fin popped up. It was a Porpoise! Then, the two Chough returned, making for some awesome record shots.

We then left at 10:00am and did a 55 mins journey to Criccieth Beach for a reported drake Surf Scoter. When we arrived, we met a group of birders, including one named Simon, who said the Surf Scoter was still there. Then, a man lowered his scope and proceeded to get the bird in the scope, getting directions from the other birders. Then, just as he was about to get me on it, something spooked the flock of Common Scoter it was in, causing all the birds to scatter. This was the closest dip I have had; where the bird was present when I arrived but left seconds before I could see it! Although they couldn't get back onto the scoter, he did let me look at a close in Red-throated Diver, which was the best view I had ever had of this bird.

We then made our way to Aberdesach Beach for Great Northern Divers after being advised to go there by Simon. The seawatchers at Criccieth said that the calm waters would get them to come closer, but by the time we arrived, there was no calm waters from that part of the coast. And after a quick scan, I ended up with the conclusion that they would be too far out for my scope.

We then tried to get a final tick by going to Holyhead Harbour for Black Guillemot. We stopped at two separate locations of the harbour for this bird and arrived at the promenade at 2pm. We spent hours diligently searching for the bird. We saw many Great Black-Backed Gulls as well as a few Razorbills. After hours of walking and searching along the longest promenade I had ever come across (that lead to the lighthouse), we sadly had no luck with the Black Guillemots and walked achingly back to the car in the dark, which made it quite eerie. We arrived at the car at 5:10pm, satisfied that we had tried our utmost to search for this bird.

Overall, a good day with two lifers (Isabelline Wheatear and Chough). I know that when I do master these lifers, they will be very satisfying.