Wexford Naturalists' Field Club 'Red Kite week-end' in Wales September 09

The Wexford Naturalists' Field Club Group

Born from an idea in a café in Rosslare Strand last December, the Wexford Naturalists' Field Club week-end to Wales has just taken place (11^th to 13^th September). How we managed to pick such a glorious weather window is beyond me - especially with the summer that we have had – but we hit it beautifully. Caroline and Mark Wilson were quite excellent Welsh hosts and the week-end was, without doubt, a huge success.

Sunset at Strumble Head

Participants all met up at Rosslare Harbour at 1.45pm and boarded the Stena Lynx III for Fishguard. Departure from the Harbour was at 3pm and shortly after departure Captain Michael Proctor invited everyone up to the bridge. What a fantastic experience and I think that set the tone for the great week-end that it turned out to be. Many thanks to the Stena Staff for the warm welcome on board.

Red Kite

Two hours later we were in Fishguard and being met by Caroline and Mark. It was then all on board the Green Dragon1 bus. First stop was the Trewern Arms Hotel in Nevern where we were booked – stunning small hotel situated in this picturesque valley adjacent to a beautiful river. A very quick freshen up and we were off, back to Goodwick where a take-away was organised and then it was on and up to Strumble Head to eat and watch the most glorious sunset – totally stunning. The following morning we headed to the Teifi Marsh for a morning's bird and wildlife watching followed by lunch in the Welsh Wildlife Centre. After lunch we headed north to a private kite feeding station near Tal-sarn where we were treated to the most 'stunning' display of some 70 Red Kites coming into feed – words cannot describe the experience, but this must have been the highlight for many of us – the antics these birds get up to as they fly in and take the food, without stopping, followed by the nimble feeding of food gained whilst on the wing. It was magical – how on earth could we follow that. We were eventually 'dragged' away – what a wrench – I think we could all have stayed on, time just flew by – however onwards we had to go. It was back to our hotel for the celebratory week-end dinner. This was followed by two excellent lectures; the first from Ali Wilson  – his experiences as an SNH (Scottish Natural Heritage) Reserves Officer at "Hermaness" & "The Keen of Hamar" National Nature Reserves on Unst in the Shetland Isles and then a lecture by Bee Hopkins (Government vet) on the experiences of a Vet interested in Wildlife – just fascinating stuff. Time to relax? Not at all; we all headed out and up past Nevern Parish Church to a location where it was hoped we might hear Tawny Owls – not a whisper, and then right overhead, and as a result of Ali's persistence in mimicking their call, we were treated to 30 minutes of the most amazing Tawny Owl calls – it was fantastic – could this be the other highlight….  Quite possibly, but how could one choose? I know it's difficult, those Red Kites & now this - pretty amazing and what an experience. The next morning it was pack and head for the Iron Bridge where we enjoyed a short spell of bird-watching at the estuary before heading to Llangloffan Fen where we went on another wildlife walk. Our highlights were not over as near the end of the walk we stumbled (not literally) over two adult Adders – that just crowned the wildlife experiences. Time to head for the ferry. It was fond good-buy's to our 'quite excellent' hosts – Caroline, Mark, Ali and Bee all came to see us off. The remainder of the trip was spent on the upper deck, again watching for seabirds and cetaceans – we were not disappointed. The week-end was over – tired but elated this, the first 'away' week-end, was without doubt, a huge success. Yes the Wexford Naturalists' Field Club is about our own County's wildlife, but the experiences gained, of different species and new contacts, can only help and enhance our abilities to further our knowledge and the conservation message.

Adder

What a GREAT week-end and some cracking experience. The return trip, by the Welsh Group is been looked forward to, in order that we also can share and provide wildlife treats that our County is so renowned for.

Wildlife Recorded

Friday 11^th:  BIRDS: Fulmar; Manx Shearwater; Gannet; Shag; Guillemot; Razorbill; Puffin; Oystercatcher; Kittiwake; Herring Gull; Black-headed Gull; Comic Tern; Wood Pigeon; Swallow; Pied Wagtail; Robin; Rook; Jackdaw; Jay; Magpie. MAMMAL: Common Dolphin; Atlantic Grey Seal (4 with a new pup); Grey Squirrel; Daubenton's Bat; Bat sp..

Saturday 12^th: BIRDS: Grey Heron; Little Egret; Cormorant; Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Mallard; Teal; Buzzard; Red Kite; Moorhen; Water Rail; Pheasant; Herring Gull; Lesser Black-backed Gull; Black-headed Gull; Lapwing; Curlew; Snipe; Curlew Sandpiper; Collard Dove; Nuthatch; Kingfisher; Tawny Owl; House Martin; Swallow; Pied Wagtail; Grey Wagtail; Robin; Song Thrush; Blackbird; Wren; Dunnock; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Long-tailed Tit; Cetti's Warbler; Blackcap; Chiffchaff; Goldcrest; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Bullfinch; Raven; Rook; Carrion Crow; Jackdaw; Magpie; Starling; Reed Bunting; House Sparrow. MAMMAL: Grey Squirrel; Pygmy Shrew (dead). REPTILES: Common Frog; Common Toad. LEPIDOPTERA: Large White; Small White; Painted Lady; Speckled Wood; Small Tortoiseshell; Silver Y. DRAGONFLIES: Common Darter; Brown Hawker; Southern Hawker.

Sunday 13^th: BIRDS: Fulmar; Manx Shearwater; Cormorant; Gannet; Grey Heron; Little Egret; Canada Goose; Mallard; Wigeon; Teal; Buzzard; Tawny Owl; Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull; Great Black-backed Gull; Black-headed Gull; Kittiwake; Great Skua; Curlew; Oystercatcher; Redshank; Ruff; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Guillemot; Razorbill; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Nuthatch; Kingfisher; Swallow; Grey Wagtail; Pied Wagtail;  Dipper; Rock Pipit; Robin; Wren; Blackbird; Song Thrush; Blue Tit; Chiffchaff; Chaffinch; Linnet; Carrion Crow; Rook; Jackdaw; Magpie;  Jay; Yellowhammer; House Sparrow. MAMMALS: Common Dolphin; Mole (dead); Pygmy Shrew; Pipistrelle Bat; Grey Squirrel. REPTILE: Adder. LEPIDOPTERA: Green-veined White; Small Tortoiseshell; Speckled Wood.

tawnyowlsept09.mp3 1558 kb