Gronant, Coed Bell, Foel Nant and Around Talacre Abbey 11t May 2022.

 

Coed Bell from Upper Gronant.

Looking north towards the coast from the path leading to Coed Bell.

The first splash of Bluebells in Coed Bell.

Dominant Bluebells.

View towards Prestatyn from Coed Bell.

Ramsons another flower in Coed Bell.

More Bluebells - nearly missed because someone spotted an open gate and decided to take a short cut to miss out a stile!

The vibrant colour of flowering gorse.

The unexpected information on Voel Nant.

Foel Nant from south west.

Mistle thrush in the field south west of Foel Nant.

Our lunch spot ear Home Farm, on the Talacre Abbey estate.

Song thrush near our lunch spot.

Flag Iris / Yellow Iris at the Big Pool Nature Reserve.

Walk stats: 

Distance: 8.7 miles. Climb: 1175'.

Time: 4 hours 5 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Temperature: 17.2 Celsius at lunch. 14.7 Celsius at Presthaven Sands Beach.

Beaurfort Wind Force:  1 - 4. Mainly light air and only reached a moderate breeze as w walked long the beach back to Gronant.

With rain in the air, we all set off with waterproof jackets on, but arriving at Coed Bell, most of us started to shed them.

Coed Bell didn't disappoint, the display of Bluebells were superb. In addition were saw Bluebells everywhere on hedgerow verges and in adjacent wooded areas.

This was a day for Spring flowers which included: Bluebell, Ramson, Red campion, Stitchwort, Dandelion, Daisy, Orchid, Flag Iris, Red poker, Plantain, Gorse and Hawthorn.

Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, Comon blackbird, European tobin Common pheasant, Dunnock, Sedge warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Common chaffinch, Wood nuthatch, Carrion crow, Rook, Song thrush, Mistle thrush, House sarrow, Goldfinch, Herring gull, Skylark, Common kestrel and Common buzzard.

Distant views towards the Great Orme and the Carneddau were not brilliant, but the view towards the north was always much better with blue skies above.

Our short extension to visit the delightful Big Pool Nature Reservedidn't allow us to bag a few more bird spots, but everyone was impressed by the luxuriously kept hides and especially the meticulous interior and seats. Well done to the Wildlife Trust Volunteers that look after this reserve.

Overall an very varied and delightful walk especially at this time of the year. no doubt it will appear every year fro now now on.

After walk drinks for most of us were enjoyed at the Blue Bell at Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter was in fine condition, warranting a second pint for all those that were allowed that extra drink!