North Wales 19/02/2023

The more or less annual trip to World’s End. For once I arrived pre dawn and awaited the light. Despite being still dark, the hisses and bubbling noises meant the show had begun. Slowly the gloom eased and the shapes of lekking Black Grouse emerged. What may have been a couple of hens appeared briefly; but it was still too far do to tell. Twice therrr was a sudden ‘dread’ as nearly all birds suddenly departed. Whether that was a predator or a reaction to the females who knows, but they soon returned and resumed the combination of bubbling calls, hissing leaps and all out scrapping. A few Red Grouse appeared, with the odd one even entering the arena. The light remained doggedly poor for photos, but an  enjoyable experience.

Onwards to Clocaenog and this time I’d resolved to head to the modest peak of Craig-Bron-Banog mast, the best vantage point in the forest and reportedly the best place for good views of Goshawk. It was colder than expected and presumably this kept raptor activity low. Eventually three Goshawks appeared, but disappointingly distant. There were plenty of Crossbills and the odd Raven, but that was it. A return visit required.