Eiders and Manxies

This afternoon promised little but came up trumps – no competition-winning pics but a couple of great birds.

It started at the Spinnies. The roadside hide proved to be a big disappointment with only Blue Tits and Mallard on show. The car park at the end was different.  Immediately obvious were 72 Mute Swans, drifting long only 10 feet from the shore in a line that was over 100m long.
I had heard that there were Eider around and it’s definitely true, they were everywhere. Small groups were dotted around on the water along with a pair who were proudly guarding their single fluffball duckling.

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Moving on to Llanfairfechan I caught sight of a couple of Manx Shearwaters, one of my favourite birds. I love their mastery of the air as they graze the wave crests. At one point they even came in to investigate as a windsurfer briefly parted company with his board. Fantastic birds! (click on any pic for a larger image)

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The windsurfer survived his ducking. I just hope that he cherished that view of the Manxie. I would!

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