ARRIVAL AT WREXHAM GENERAL TRAIN STATION - TRANSFER TO OUR HOTEL AT GRESFORD - BIRDING THE GRESFORD FLASH AND WORLD'S END MOORLAND
WEATHER: BROKEN SUNSHINE AND WARM AT 19C. WINDY ON THE MOORS
My three clients arrived at 1pm on the same train, I greeted Andrew, Debbie and Brenda on the platform and quickly loaded up the car and drove to Gresford where our hotel, for this first night, was situated. We then drove the short distance to the small Reservoir (called The Flash) for a spot of birding.
a view of the Gresford Flash
Nothing rare or unusal was seen on or around the reservoir but we listed 25 species, the most abundant was the Sand Martin. It was nice to see Great Crested Grebs with chicks, Coots & Canada Geese with the same, we saw a juvenile Grey Wagtail and several Common Buzzards were drifting around.
two Great Crested Grebe Chicks
hungry chick with mother
At 3pm we checked into our hotel and then at 4pm we drove up to the Moorland at Worlds End. It was very windy up there, we used the car as shelter when using our scopes. The best bird we found was Red Grouse, we saw a couple of individuals and a family party. Meadow Pipits were everywhere, so were Stoenchats and a few Skylarks. We added Common Kestrel to the raptor list and Common Pheasant to the 'game bird' list.
a view from the Moor at World's End. You can see the Wirrell and Liverpool in the distance
On the way back down we stopped to search for Northern Wheatears, finding at least two pairs on the short turf near a large car park.
the head of a Red Grouse - it was keeping an eye out for us.
I couldn't believe it when a Lancaster Bomber escorted by two Spitfires flew over the moor. This is the BBMF (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight) they must be on their way to an airshow, perhaps in Liverpool
another rare sight - a selfie with Debbie and Brenda.
Back at the hotel one or two fo us saw Great Tit, Robin and Common Chiffchaff which was also feeding young. Our trip list ended the first day with 36 species.