The Foryd, Brickwork Pool and the Afon Clwyd between Rhyl and Rhuddlan 3rd January 2013

The start of the walk along the Marine Lake, Rhyl.

Spot the Snow buntings.

Another chance to spot a Snow bunting.

Looking across Kimnel Bay towards the Great Orme.

Rhuddlan Castle, but not visited today.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.8 miles. Climb: 260'.

Time: 4 hours 20 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.3 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Annie H., Sue and Michel, Phil, Paul, Mike, Sue and Dave P.

We started the walk by taking the path around the Marine Lake in a clock-wise direction, and after crossing the blue Foryd Bridge, we headed for the beach in search of Snow buntings.  We were luck enough to see about 9 in there normal location.

The next part of the walk took us along the western side of the Afon Clwyd, which thankfully was open again. Again plenty of birds along the river, especially Lapwing and Eurasian curlew, but just one Little egret.

Lunch was taken in the Rhuddlan L.N.R., where we took advantage of the many picnic tables provided.  It was even warm enough to bask in the warm sunshine in short sleeve shirts. 

We returned back to Rhyl on the East side of the river, where we saw huge numbers of Eurasian curlew and Lapwing, always very impressive when they take to the air in such large numbers.  However the best birds along this section of the river, were a pair of Goldenye and a flock of Twite.

We had a short detour from the described route to visit the Brickfield Pool, a pleasant nature reserve that is set out in a way to encourage young children to learn about nature.

Birds seen or heard today included: Snow bunting, Carrion crow, Eurasian curlew, Common starling, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Great tit, Common redshank, Shelduck, Mallard, Goldfinch, Siskin, Twite, Goldeneye, Great cormorant, Canada goose, Lapwing, Great black-backed gull, Black-headed gull, Common coot, Common snipe, Mute swan, Tufted duck, Grey heron, Long-tailed tit, European robin, Red-breasted merganser, Black-billed magpie, Herring gull and Greenfinch.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, where the Lees bitter went down well, but most of us were glad that we had remembered to leave our fleeces on!

All together a very pleasant walk, surprisingly warm (above 10  Celsius) for this time of the year - we should have worn shorts!