Rhuddlan to Rhyl and Back 15th January 2020

St. Mary's Church Rhuddlan.

Greylag geese on he banks of the Afon Clwyd.

Wigeon on the Afon Clwyd.

Great cormorants on the Werst bank of the Afon Clwyd.

Greenfinch South of the Marine Lake, Rhyl.

Turnstone on the pontoon in Rhyl Harbour.

Rhyl from the Foryd.

Pont y Draig, Rhyl.

A male House sparrow in bushes near the footbridge over the railway at Rhyl.

Goosander on Brickfield Pond.

Great crested grebe on Brickfield Pond.

Great crested grebe on Brickfield Pond.

Lapwing in fieds, South of The Cut, Rhyl.

The Afon Clwyd just after high tide, looking towards Rhyl from the East bank.

Rhuddlan Castle from the bridge over the Afon Clwyd.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 miles. Climb: 100'.

Time: 4 hours 39 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and Wendy.

This was a great day for walking, blue skies and plenty of sunshine. The South westerly wind was a little cool at times, but not enough to make it feel uncomfortable even when we stopped to look at the birds on the river.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Great cormorant, Teal, Wigeon, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Shelduck, Grey heron, Little egret, Mallard, Common starling, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven, Eurasian curlew, Black tailed godwit, Common redshank, Dunlin, Lapwing, Collared dove, Tufted duck, Coot, Moorhen, Mute swan, Goosander, Great crested grebe, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Common chaffinch, Turnstone, Linnet, Redwing and House sparrow.

 Heading towards Rhyl it was more of a gentle stroll as we stopped frequently to look at the birds on the banks of the river. We were fortunate to see a birder, who confirmed that the large number of waders on the West bank near the Foryd Bridge were mainly Common redshank, Eurasian curlew and Black tailed godwit. The only bird of prey today was seen by Roger and Wendy, its identity a little uncertain, but probably a Common buzzard.

 One of he best sights of the day was seeing huge numbers of Lapwing in the skies above, with the Sun shining on them making them appear to "twinkle".

 Lunch was taken in our usual spot, using the bench next to the Miniature Railway Station that was sheltered from the breeze.

 The return journey was a little quicker, especially after had completed the circuit of the Brickfield Pond, aways a good place to see birds at this time of the year.

 Another good spot for the day was to see our first Snowdrops of the year next to the car park at Rhuddlan Nature Reserve.

 Overall a really enjoyable walk as long as you didn't mind stopping to look at the birds.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter as usual was in tip top condition.