www.northwalesbirding.co.uk

Had a walk up to the woods today and pleased to see the hide complete and feeders full. The BTCV were doing some clear up work so the birds were a bit spread out. Saw at least 2 Marsh Tit in a big tit flock. Does anyone know who's keeping the hide going? They've installed some talking posts too.........but you have to wind them up first.

I drove right up into the upper castle car park and walked to the wood. Does anyone know if you should do any different? There are p/footpaths through the area so guess its ok.

Rob

As long as parking isn't busy at the top I can't see why not Rob.

I don't think there's any problem with using the upper car park Rob, It's usually quite full, outsiders are coming and going all the time using the leisure centre and nothing is monitored.
I actually drove the van right up to the hide last time I was there but I wouldn't recommend it.
Nice to hear that the hide has been finished, I'll call again sometime.

Mike.

I always thought there was a charge to enter the castle grounds, after reading the above I presume there isn't. Could someone please confirm this? Peter

Pete,

There is some kind of toll booth / sentry box above the bottom car park.
I used to go 1 - 2 times a week swimming in the leisure centre for the past year and the place was never manned.

If there is a charge, then they seem to have a pretty philanthropic attitude about collecting it. I have never paid or even heard of anyone paying.

Fill yer boots!

Mike .

Thanks for the info Mike, knowing my luck there will be a 'Fred Scuttle' type in the booth when I go. Pete

Called in at the bird hide this morning and two marsh tits continually taking seed from the feeders for the 25 minutes I was in the hide. Feeding treecreeper, nuthatch, 3 coal tits, blue and great tits and numerous chaffinches also kept me entertained in what is now an excellent set-up. No probs with parking by the way, I parked up in lower end but could have easily gone up to top cark park.

Called in again this morning but feeders had not been restocked and very little about although I did hear marsh tit.

I had an hour there myself about 1.30pm today.
There were 3 great spotted woodpeckers on the walk up and goldcrest. As I got to the hide there was a nuthatch so I entered the hide with expectations and yes what a disappointment to find the feeders were empty!
The great blue and coal tits kept checking them out but a lot of empty moments.
Things then warmed up with a raven over and then great spotted woodpecker nuthatch and the tit flock returned at the same time.
2 birds landed on the floor- a chaffinch and delighted to see a brambling!


As I was photographing the brambling I heard a marsh tit call and it landed on the tree above the brambling for a second or two and then away. Fotunately with the camera in my hand, I just got a photo!


I felt fortunate to see so much with empty feeders. There was even a treecreeper on the way back to the car! (top car park was ok)

I didn't have any luck with the waxwings or SEO's but a good day overall
Steve

Steve
was there any food there to fill the feeders - at one time in the old hide they used to have a couple of dustbins with seed/nuts in. If not we will revert to taking our own!

I didn't see any food in the hide and didn't notice any outside so worth taking a bit, if they don't mind people putting some out. It's a nice spot to sit when there is activity as you get close. For some reason, there were more birds closer when I was stood up rather than sat down, or it was my imagination!
Cheers
Steve