Warblers in the Sankey Valley

Warblers singing in the Sankey Valley this morning 7:10-7:50am, Carr Mill Dam to Mucky Mountains: Reed Warbler 5; Chiffchaff 16; Blackcap 12; Willow Warbler 1; Whitethroat 6 There maybe more, click to find out >>>

Warblers in the Sankey Valley

Warblers singing in the Sankey Valley this morning, 7:15am - 8:00am, Carr Mill Dam to Mucky Mountains: Blackcap 13; Whitethroat 9; Chiffchaff 10; Willow Warbler 2; Reed Warbler 2. There maybe more, click to find out >>>

A great few weeks

It's been a hectic few weeks, with not much time for posting to the blog, so here are a few photos from some of the spectacular places we have been.....

19/06/2011 - Y Garn, Cwm Idwal, North Wales
At 3100 feet this is the 15th highest mountain in Wales, and is just 100 feet lower than Scafell Pikes in Cumbria. It rises above Cwm Idwal and the Devil's Kitchen. It's just a 4 mile round walk to the summit and back to the car at Ogwen Cottage, but pretty tough going in places. Lots of botanical interest, with the main flowers seen including Globeflower, Welsh Poppy, Mossy Saxifrage, Starry Saxifrage, Fir Clubmoss and plenty of interesting sedges. Sadly no Snowdon Lily. I think we were probably too late. I didn't have my camera with me, so this photo, taken from the summit, is from my phone.



11/06/2011 - Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Spectacular scenary, and some great flowers, notably Globeflower, Bird's-eye Primrose, Mountain Pansies, Rock Roses and lots of great sedges and ferns. Saw a few Redstarts.

Malham Cove

Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar.

30/05/2011 - Berwyns
A stunning walk from Pistyll Rhaedr, the main birds seen were lots of Whinchats. Once again lots of nice sedges and ferns.

Hare's-tail Cotton Sedge

There maybe more, click to find out >>>

Upper Teesdale

Our luck deserted us today, and the weather in Teesdale was pretty awful. Even so, there were still some great flowers to see. Scottish Asphodel was unexpected and a first for me, whilst Apline Bistort is a plant I have only seen once before in Britain, at Ben Lawers in Scotland. Other interesting plants included Hair Sedge, False-sedge and Long-stalked Yellow Sedge.


Globeflower and Water Avens


Alpine Bistort and Scottish Asphodel There maybe more, click to find out >>>

Great Orme

It was a glorious day on the Great Orme. I had great views of two Choughs and a Peregrine, but star of the day was this fantastic Spiked Speedwell.

Spiked Speedwell

There maybe more, click to find out >>>