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12/06/2023-RSPB South Stack

Photos taken here today in this set are of: 1. Chough, it was astonishing so see a decent handful of these energetic and ravishing scarlet billed crows as they picked at the grassy cliffs and dashed over our heads announcing themselves with their sharp and vibrant onomatopoeic calls as they went. An exceptional way to see my first of the year of this species, taking my year list to 205 just one behind last year’s total my highest ever, one of a few amazing experiences we’ve had with Choughs over the past few years at this sensational place for them. 2. Puffins, another red beaked bird I love so much that it was incredible to see well today. Four trips involving seeing Puffins in 2022 and 2023 makes me feel incredibly lucky and I never tire of seeing these iconic birds. 3 and 4. Guillemots and Razorbills, two more amazing seabirds it was wonderful to see packed tightly onto the cliffs, on the water and flying today. I love these birds and it was another splendid and immersive seabird experience today. 5, 9 and 10. Views at this beautiful spot. 6. Sheep’s-bit, an enigmatic and pretty flower that has been a star this holiday so far. 7. Some of my first centuary of the year, a smashing flower that I always like seeing. 8. Mating Swollen-thighed beetles.

Fulmar, Kittiwakes, Gannet, Raven, Magpie, Jackdaw on a strong corvid day, Stonechat, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, House Martin, Common Blue butterfly, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell were other highlights here. It was a strong insect trip here with a phenomenal Hummingbird hawk-moth seen fluttering through the air, my first Six-spot Burnet moth seen this year, an Oak Eggar moth caterpillar and exquisite views of a shiny Rose Chafer beetle our first ever. Stunning moments with Hairy shield bug seen too. Heather in flower as we’ve often seen here the great purple colour, honeysuckle, English stonecrop, chamomile, restharrow, purple sandwort and sea plantain again key finds so far this holiday, thrift and thyme including mixed well at one point and sea campion were key flowers seen here.

On St. David's Day, looking back on some special memories from our fantastic week in North Wales last year; sheep's-bit at Cemlyn, Common Sandpiper at Llyn Ogwen, Arctic Terns at Cemlyn, Black Guillemot at Holyhead Harbour Fish Quay, RSPB Valley Wetlands, Red Squirrel at Newborough Forest, view at Nant-y-Pandy, the Range, South Stack, bee orchid at RSPB Conwy and Silver-studded Blue at the Range.