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Wales Clywd

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe ŠNigel Blake http://www.nigelblake.co.uk/

Clwyd comprises the counties of Denbighshire; (with Wrexham County Borough) & Flintshire; (with Conwy County Borough)

Clwyd is blessed with a wide range of habitats including sand dunes, beach, tidal estuary, upland forests, wooded valleys, moors, hills, rivers and rich farmland. The northern most point of the county is the Point of Ayr, a good place for both sea and migrant watching. The whole of the northeast border of the county runs down the middle of Dee Estuary, an internationally important site for many species of waders and duck. Inland from the estuary lie the coastal hills, full of wooded valleys and streams alive with bird song in the spring. Beyond these are the mountains of the Clwydian Range, home to upland birds such as Red Grouse, Meadow Pipits, Whinchat and Curlew. Two other extensive areas of upland habitat are Denbigh Moors in the east and the Berwyn Mountains in the south. At the southern end of Denbigh Moors lies the extensive pine forest of Clocaenog, a great spot for watching raptors. The middle and upper reaches of the River Dee pass through Clwyd and this is excellent riverine habitat. A spectacular view of the Dee`s wooded valley can be had from the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct at Trevor, a few miles east of Llangollen.

top sites

Alwen Reservoir

(SH967549)This reservoir is surrounded by conifer plantations and moor land. Bird species include Great-crested Grebe, Common Sandpiper and many over-wintering duck. The plantations attract Goldcrests plus many other resident woodland birds, irruptions of Crossbill occur from time to time.

Clocaenog Forest

(SJ037511)A large coniferous woodland owned by the Forestry Commission with many good footpaths. As well as woodland birds this is an excellent site for seeing Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard and Raven.

Flint Castle

(SJ247735)The castle is an ancient ruin that affords excellent views over the marsh and mud flats of the Dee Estuary. Get here two hours before high water to see a good selection of species including Black-tailed Godwit, Pintail, Teal and Shelduck. Both Little Egret and Spoonbill have been seen here in recent years.

Loggerheads Country Park

(SJ198627)There is a visitor centre here and the park can attract a large number of people. However, if you are prepared to walk some way from the centre the sight of Dipper, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail in the stream and Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Woodpeckers, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart in the woods will reward you.

Moel Famau Country Park

(SJ160625)The park consists of paths through coniferous woodland and open moorland to the summit of Moel Famau. The heather clad areas hold the elusive Red Grouse with the more easily seen Meadow Pipits, Whinchat, Stonechat, Skylark and Wheatear.

Point of Ayr and Gronant

(SJ092843)This area of sand dunes, willow scrub, beach and salt marsh attracts a wide range of birds. Terns and Ringed Plover nest on the shingle at Gronant and Snow Bunting and Shorelark winter here. The Point of Ayr is great for sea-watching during strong north-westerly winds. Look southeast from the Point to see the vast stretches of the Dee Estuary with its teeming masses of duck and waders. Go south along the embankment from Talacre car park to reach the RSPB hide that overlooks a large high tide roost.

contributor

Richard Smith
http://www.deeestuary.co.uk

county recorder

Ian Spence (Denbigh & Flint)
43 Blackbrook, Sychdyn, Mold, Flintshire CH7 6LT
01352 750118
ianspence.cr@imsab.idps.co.uk

numbers

Number of bird species: 313
There is no County Bird but Clwyd Bird Recording Group use the Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix as their symbol.

useful reading

Best Birdwatching Sites in North Wales

by Alan Davies & Owen Roberts Nov 2007 Buckingham Press Ł15.95p
See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 9780955033940
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Birds in Wales 1992-2000

Jon Green 248 pages, b/w illus, figs, tabs, maps. 2002
ISBN: 0954214501
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Clwyd Bird Report 1999 & 2000

Clwyd Bird Recording Group have produced County Bird Reports 1993-5, 1999, 2000 and the one for 2001 is in production and should soon be out.

Where to watch birds in Wales

David Saunders Series: WHERE TO WATCH BIRDS IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE: HELM SERIES 281 pages, 70 maps, 45 line drawings. Christopher Helm due October 2007
ISBN: 9780713674842
Buy this book from NHBS.com

clubs

Cambrian Ornithological Society

David Papworth, Llican Isa, Tyn y Groes, Conwy LL32 8TA

Clywd Ornithological Society

EE Jones, Sandiway, Llanasa, Holywell, Flintshire, CH8 9NE 01745 852984

Merseyside Ringing Group

http://www.merseysiderg.org.uk/
Members of the group ring wild birds, mostly in the counties of Cheshire, Merseyside, Flintshire and Denbighshire in North West England and North Wales. The main aim of our work is to benefit the birds through science, education and conservation...

Wrexham Birdwatchers

Wrexham Birdwatchers are very active and produce an annual report, newsletter, and hold regular meetings (indoors and out) twice a month through the year. Programme and details from Marian Williams, Hon Sec, 10 Lake View, Gresford, Nr Wrexham LL12 8PU.

reserves

Forestry Commission - Gwydyr

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesConwyNoForestGwydyr
You may see Black Grouse in the Gwydyr south and Tyn y Cwm woodlands. These areas are the younger parts of the forest where moorland meet trees and are the habitats favoured by the grouse. The forest is also rich in raptors and Buzzards Goshawks, Peregrines and Merlin have all been sighted here...

Forestry Commission - Hiraethog Forest

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesDenbighshireHiraethogForest
Good for Nightjar and Black grouse...

Forestry Commission - Llangwyfan Woods

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesDenbighshireClwydLlangwyfanWoods
Along the upper forest roads in the open heath, Winchats and Stonechats are regulary seen amongst the Meadow Pipits...

Forestry Commission - Moel Famau

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesDenbighshireClwydMoelFamau
Most heather clad areas hold Red Grouse, but these are elusive unless accidently flushed. Meadow Pipits, Whinchat, Stonechat, Skylark, Wheatear and Curlew are common in most part. Ravens, Buzzards, Peregrine and Kestrel can be seen over most of the moorland, with Hen Harrier and Merlin flying low over the slopes...

Forestry Commission - Nercwys

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesDenbighshireClwydNercwys
Kestrels and Buzzards can often be seen over the woodlands and other small birds feed within the restock. If you are lucky you may see the very elusive Long Eared Owl. Not often seen in daylight this owl, like most owls, hunts at dusk. The open ground also encourages Nightjars into the area, but again, because of their camouflage they are not easy to spot...

RSPB Reserve - Conwy

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/c/conwy/index.asp
Shallow pools next to the estuary provide ideal feeding and roosting places for ducks and wading birds...

RSPB Reserve - Point of Air; Dee Estuary

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/pointofair/index.asp
It is at its best in the winter when thousands of wading birds and wildfowl feed on the mudflats...

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you cant find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page give them a try!

tour operators

Birding Pal

http://www.birdingpal.org/Unitedkingdom.htm
Local birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...

places to stay

Northop Hall Country House Hotel

http://www.flintshire.org/northop.html
Set in secluded grounds near to Snowdonia, yet close to all the wonderful amenities of nearby Chester...

mailing lists

North Wales Birding Forum

http://nwalesbirding.7.forumer.com/index.php

Birdwatchers Guide to the Birds of the Dee Estuary

http://www.deeestuary.co.uk/
An excellent site. The Dee Estuary, on the North Wales / north-west England border, is one of the United Kingdom`s premier birding locations for wetland and shore birds. This Web site describes the best birdwatching areas with detailed maps and latest bird news for dedicated twitchers and casual birdwatchers alike.

Clwyd Birds Web

http://www.desadams.co.uk/
Clwyd offers the birdwatcher a wide and diverse range of habitats. Sand and shingle beaches on the North Wales Coast between Conwy and Talacre join the tidal estuaries of the Rivers Conwy, Clywd and the Dee.

artists

Gallery - A Vision of Nature

http://www.avisionofnature.co.uk/

Photographer - Anthony Britner

http://www.geocities.com/anthony_britner/index.html
I'm a keen Birdwatcher, I've been a casual birder for most of my life, but decided to get more involved in the hobby in June 05

Photographer - Barrie Harwood

http://www.harwoodimages.com/
A very fine nature photographer.

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