Traeth Lefan Nature Reseeves and Aber Falls 16th January 2010.

Looking back towards Llanfairfechan. Rhaeadr Fawr ahead!
A close up of Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls).

Rhaeardr Fawr from the North Wales Footpath across Cae'r Mynydd.

Walk stats:11.9 miles; Climb:1498'.

Time:6 hours 16 minutes; On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:1.9 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Sylvia and Dave J.

Weather forecast to be wet and windy, but thankfully for those that braved it, the only rain we had was for ten minutes around lunch time! Even the strong cooling wind wasn't in evidence often enough for some of us!

The first stretch along the coast was a birdwatchers bonanza with hundreds of Dunlins reeling magnificently before coming back to land.

Our normal route was flooded just beyond the Afon Abaer footbridge and we had to retrace our steps because four of the group didn't want to get wet feet! Although having got as far as the footbridge we did manage to see a Dipper.

The alternative route inland was the one the one shown by Dave Berry on his schematic map.

The raging waters of the Afon Aber impressed all along its course, being much fuller than any of us could remember.

On arriving at the base of the falls, close approach was impossible unless you wanted to get soaked by the spray. The true power of the tumbling water was only appreciated a mile or so away from the slopes of Cae'r Mynydd where you could still hear the thundering noise from the tumbling water as it crashed on the rocks below.

Thankfully we decided to take the shorter route down to Abergwyngeryn and back to to Llanfairfechan.

Birds seen or heard today included:Feral pigeon, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Mallard, Mute swan, Black-headed gull, Carrion crow, Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Dipper, Teal, Pintail, Curlew, Brent goose, Shellduck, Little egret, Knot, Dunlin, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, House sparrow, Mistle thrush, Redwing, Black-billed magpie, Fieldfare, Rook, Jay, Pied wagtail, Shoveler and a small diving duck probably a female Goldeneye.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. It was good to sample the Lees bitter again, the first time this year!