I set off for Garwnant and went over the Cadlan bright and early, it was nice to catch up with the Fieldfare flock which was about 130 in total with only 5 Redwing which was a surprise being so low. I saw very little else and I made good time getting to Garwnant and on getting to the felled area I was suprised to see no sign of the Shrike. I than worked my way along the bottom path and came up in the North Plantation where I got a Red Kite and my first for Wales this year, yes I know pretty bad . Also found a Kestrel but still no sign of the Shrike there. So I thought better make my way back to the first site and just as I was getting there I spotted the Shrike in the tree below and had brilliant views, it was so worth the wait, so glad I went looking and did not just sit in my car and see if it would turn up. So time to move and find my next bird and and made good time getting there and had a Pair of Ravens carrying wool to line their nest also nice to see spring could be on it's way. After two cups of coffee and two Apple Doughnuts I got to my next stop, its a site I have been to dozens of times but never tired of going there, Site A to look for Red Grouse. It was kind of brass monkeys cold and felt like no matter what I had on the wind passed right through it. Also it was nice to see the Skylarks back on site and counted easily 20 and great to hear their song again and I sat there for five minutes watching them fly and chase each other over there territories. When I finely arrived at the site it was fairly quiet and so I started my search and made my way slowly over the site. It only took me 10 minutes before I struck gold had my first and only Red Grouse. It flew off into the distance, did not call and looked like a female. I carried on my search and found very little droppings and was starting to thing maybe this small population is doomed. Has I turned around I saw a Peregrine Falcon flying low over the site hunting. I did find more droppings and yes I would say there are more than one still on site and will try again later in the year. Has I was about to leave the site I flushed a small flock of Golden Plover, there were six in total and one was in summer plumage and looked
very smart in the sunlight.
I also got a Macro Adapter and for eight pound I thought I would give it a shot. I thought it was not to bad and will try and use it more to get used to it.
Sphagnum Mosses and could be Capillifolium and great looking stuff.
Up close and Coltfoot is a very smart Flower also Danelion.
I found this lichen and been tolds it's Usnea Florida and was at Llwynonn Res.
