Looking West towards Prestatyn.
Looking East towrds Talacre.
Lots of noise from the wind, but you should still be able to hear the Skylarks singing.
Dunnock singing.
Dunnock at Presthaven.
Some of the many gulls seen on the sands North of Gronant.
The Point of Ayr Lighthouse.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.9 miles. Climb: (533', GPS wind assisted), probably nearer 200'.
Time: 4 hours 16 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Roger.
An early start, walking along Barkby Beach in glorious sunshine, and it wasn't long before jackets had to be discarded. The wind was at our backs and was hardly noticeable, and I was quite surprised at the sound it made on the recording of the Skylarks singing! The sea was well out, so most of the birds were too far away, but the singing Skylarks made up for the lack of birds near to us.
Although it was only two weeks ago that I last did the walk, I never tire of walking by the sea along this stretch of coast. Hence the reason why it appears on the list two or three times each year.
Once again an early lunch was taken, taking advantage of the picnic tables that overlook the marsh on the way towards Point of Ayr bird Hide.
A 30 minute lunch break and we still on our return journey by 12-00!
Our return route through the Warren Nature Reserve and the Prestatyn Golf Course made the route back to Barkby Beach easy underfoot for most of the way and a Little grebe in the Prestatyn Gutter defeated my attempts to photograph it!
Birds seen or heard today included: Common starling, Pied wagtail, Oystercatcher, Herring gull, Common gull, Black-headed gull. Lesser black-backed gull, Great black-backed gull, Common redshank, Eurasian curlew, Linnet, Mallard, Mute swan, Common teal, Common kestrel, Black-billed magpie, Dunnock, Shelduck, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Skylark and Little grebe.
We arrived back at the car, having had a good brisk walk and for once with dry gear and clean boots!
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where Blue Bell Bitter went down well as did the Richard's Cider later on. We were even home early enough to see Italy beat Scotland at Murrayfield!
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