I recently visited my sister in Cambridge. We decided to visit Angelsey Abbey to see the snowdrop collection. Of course I took my binos with me. Any garden is a new chance for bird watching after all! My anticipation was high!
Well the snowdrops, birches, willows and dogwoods were beautiful, even in the rain. Bird count? 1 blackbird, 4 coot and 2 woodpigeons. I heard a chaffinch above the downpour at one point but after 3 1/2 hours we gave up.
Anyone else had a day as bad as this one turned out to be?
By the way, I counted ten species in the back garden that evening
Hi,
I visited Anglesea yeasr back, isnt there a walk along to an old water mill?
S
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Unknown said: Anyone else had a day as bad as this one turned out to be?
Hi Linda,
I would be here for hours if I was to mention the bad days birding related to our british weather.
I would also be here for a lot longer if I was to mention all the good, great and excellent days.
There is nothing worse though when you have planned a trip and the weather lets you down, I'm sure that most people on this forum have encountered this at sometime or another.
My worst occasion was many years ago, an extended family trip to the highlands. It rained the whole week, visibility was no more than 20 yards.
You couldn't see the car in front, never mind the fabulous scenery and wildlife.
That has never stopped me re-visiting the area and it is one that I truely enjoy going back to.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Buzzard, that sounds exactly the same as the year we were up in the Highlands. 1981 , I have never forgotten it. Our daughter was only 8 months old and the rain was horrendous and visibility was nil. As you say though, it hasn't stopped us going back.
Anglesey Abbey is my patch - and patchy is about right for it. The winter walk does indeed lead round to the watermill and along the lode to the house, it is often less productive for birds than you might expect. Surprised at coot though - its normally moorhens wandering about the lawns.
The woods beyond the house are better - variety of woodland birds depending on season, including green & great spotted woodpeckers. Saying that the "official" wildlife area and hide is mostly just a tit feeding area when we've looked. We get better results walking along the lode the other side from the Abbey (public area rather than NT) - wagtails by the watermill, woodpeckers, tits & warblers, etc. I wouldn't go there expecting too much though - it is more garden than reserve.
Laurence
You could be right about the moorhens, fittmonk. They were so far away and visibility was so bad. I am not too good at I.D's without a clear look!
I too have been to Anglesy (Wales) and not seen a thing, but I had other days available. This day was a one off and planned three weks in advance!
Although I am now home, my binos are in Cambridge. Bet no other birder has committed THAT sin!