Buntings and violets on the Great Orme

I had an early morning visit to the Great Orme today on my way to a job in the Conwy Valley, hoping to see the lapland and snow buntings which have been present for a few days. It took a while, but eventually I found a female Lapland bunting just north of the cairn. What made it so difficult was the fact that the bird was so approachable, I only found it because I saw it fly in and land. Once on the ground it virtually disappeared and wouldn't fly even if you walked quite close by. 

The snow bunting was even more difficult. I'd more or less given up but decided to have one last look and miraculously found the bird just west of the cairn.

Also today at least six wheatears were on the Orme, mostly brightly coloured males.

Violas are flowering now on the Orme, this is early dog-violet Viola reichenbachiana. Note the upper petals which are long and slim giving the impression of rabbit ears. Also the spur is pointed and un-notched. 

 

Not all flowering dog-violets at this time of year are V. reichenbachiana though, this is common dog-violet V. riviniana. The spur is notched, but more obvious on this photo is that the upper petals are more rounded and not so rabbit like. Also it's a darker flower than early dog-violet.