Tuesday 22 January 2013

Wintry visit to Rhyl

I've just come back from seeing family and friends in Rhyl, North Wales. As most of the UK is now covered in snow, the journey there and back by train was delayed several times, but worth it. I love going up there, and Im always spoilt rotten when I do.

Normally when I go to stay at my cousins, I always spend a couple of mornings on Rhyl beach. This time I managed just a couple of hours before blizzards sent me scuttling back to warmth. I've never seen snow settle on a beach before and I got as many photos as I could.

 
 
 
There were plenty of waders and gulls along the sea edge as the tide was going out. The usual Oystercatchers, Sanderlings and Redshanks were tottering around. Visibility meant getting any half decent photos near on impossible. A couple of Godwits posed for a while.
 

 
 
 
And a lovely group of Sanderlings, Dunlins and a Ringed Plover tried to pretend I hadnt seen them, and hid amongst the rocks.
 

 
 
Going back to my cousins bungalow from the beach I flushed a little brown job, that then perched right in front of me. I knew it was a pipit of some sort, but had to get some friends help with the full id. Turns out it is a Meadow Pipit, and a beautiful one at that.
 

 
 
 
 
The previous day I went out to Denbigh Moor to watch my family sledging (I didnt join in, Im way too accident prone !!). Got some lovely shots of little Jack and Aimee enjoying the snow.
 



 
 
So a lovely weekend had by all, and quite a few glasses of rose wine drunk while I caught up on the gossip with my family and friends.....though Buster (below) seems to prefer lager........
 


3 comments:

  1. Definitely worth the hassle of getting there. Family and friends re-charge the batteries. Smashing Wader pictures.
    Accident prone? . . . surely not!

    Mark (Muddy) Walters

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  2. Glad you had such a good time Wendy... love the meadow pipit.. what a beauty :D

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  3. Hi Wendy,
    I'm not sure if you know but John McDonnell is having a Big Garden Birdwatch at Lake Farm on Saturday (1.30pm) I have been extolling your virtues to Helen his assistant and shown them your excellent blog. Hope to see you there Saturday if I can get back from seeing the Beardies at Hyde Park! All the best,
    Tony

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