Wales day 3

After a hearty evening meal from the hotel we went out for a walk,  Redstarts were spotted flitting in and out of the hedgerows and a pair of Bullfinch displaying vivid colours were also seen. A cuckoo could be heard high in the hills, the sound travelling for miles. The light held on well in fact it stayed light almost till 10. We did not see or hear any Whitethroat which I thought we may do perhaps the habitat was not quite what they like  .Day 3 started the same, up and out early and down to the river, it was frustrating that there was not enough shutter speed for the Dippers which showed well,  easily spotted bobbing up and down, in fact we were to spend a lot of time chasing Dippers. Most of the shots I managed were either to far or high ISO. The Goosanders were interesting to watch they were regular with their early morning flight pattern,  I think they were roosting in the trees perhaps even nesting in them. I had heard Tawny Owls in the night so it was no surprise when we located a bird high in a tree its presence was exposed by lots of small birds. As I watched it hooted and moved to another tree with all its heckler's following it  .After breakfast it was back to Gilfach again, we all agreed another go for the Redstart, this time we were earlier and well rewarded with three or four visits to the meal worms we provided. We had a few Crossbill fly over, fleeting views were had and we saw what could have been a Goshawk. In the afternoon we went to a second Red Kite feeding station it was high in the hills, a lake surrounded by fir trees. The Kites were fed on the bank of the lake allowing them at times to pick up the meat from the water. The name of the centre was Bwlch Nant Yr Arian it was a forestry commission setting on the road to Aberystwyth. here there were Siskin in great number along with other finches but no Redpoll. The Red Kite show started at 3 and was a real spectacle. I think we all watched more than we photographed as the harsh afternoon light and water glare was a problem. After the Kites we saw a pair of Redstart and watched lots of birds on the feederes by the tea bar.This site is well worth a visit but does not have the appeal for photographing the Kites that Gigrin does, nor were there many Buzzards and I only saw one Raven. After a long tiring day it was back to the hotel for a steak and ale pie and a few ciders, very nice.

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