Saturday 8 August 2009

I'm back!!
Back from my holiday in Wales, I wasn't going to post until tomorrow, but we got back at 12:30 today - earlier than expected, so here's a few of the obligatory holidays snaps!
Above is the view from the cottage we stayed in, it was situated right next to the reservoirs at the Elan valley. Below is one of the huge dams.
Below is the bridge/dam we crossed to get to the cottage.

Below: A view up the vally, over another of the reservoirs
You cant go to Wales without visiting the Kite feeding center at gigrin farm, so here's some of the pics I took whilst there.




Whilst out on an early walk, I found a flock of Siskin, not a bird I would expect to see on my patch until October at least, they look better in Wales!
Of course, having got home early, I had to stretch my legs, so what better than a trip to migrant alley! I spent just half an hour there, primarily to see how the Pipeline works had progressed. I was pleased to see that all the earth works had been restored, and it looks like they have all but finished - great stuff. What made the visit really worthwhile though was seeing the first migrant WHEATEAR of the autumn, what great timing, Migrant Alley lives up to it's name again! I didn't have my camera on me at the time, typical! so another trip was made early evening, and I manage to relocate the Wheatear and get a distant shot, lovely little birds. ( I saw loads of them in Wales, but thats not like seeing them on your own patch!).











10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great shots of the Red Kites there, Warren. Wales is good for the soul, I find. We stayed in a caravan in the Brecon Beacons next to a RK feeding station a while back. Such buoyant fliers aren't they.

Warren Baker said...

Hi Rob,
Yep - A trip to Wales always refreshes me.

Kelly said...

Welcome back! Gorgeous scenery...so expansive. I look forward to a few more posts on Wales. Your siskins look a lot like our male goldfinches when they are in their breeding plumage. Lovely photo of him....

Mike said...

nice pics Warren hope you had a good time, the red kite feeding places are amazing you have to go to one to believe the ammount of kites there are there.

Kingsdowner said...

Don't holidays pass quickly!
Hope you had a good time, and have more holiday snaps.

Anonymous said...

Yep, great shots all round, Warren. Especially the Kites.

Pleased to hear you enjoyed your holiday.

Greenie said...

Warren ,
Looks like a great place for a break , and great wildlife too .
Must get back there one day .

ShySongbird said...

A big welcome back Warren, it looked a lovely spot to stay. What a nice return present to find the work is more or less finished on your patch. Beautiful photo of the Siskin.

Jann said...

Nice to have you back! Lovely countryside where you were. I esp. love that 2nd pic of the two kites, but they're all great! And the wheatear shot is super, too. It's always nice to have nearby constr. come to an end!

Phil and Mandy said...

I'm off there again in 4 weeks Warren, been over that dam many a time! We stay at Abergwesyn which is about a 20min drive from Gigrin Farm at a friends farm.