Llyn/ Lleyn peninsula (Wales)

capester · #1 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 07:21 PM

Hi guys, I have just re-discovered the forum after a long gap! Just some general questions really about this corner of Wales. We are going for a weeks holiday and was looking for some tips/ info on where to spot wildlife. Our daughter is literally wetting herself at the prospect of seeing dolphins ( I don't know how likely this is?!) But we are interested in all wildlife, especially the rarities such as choughs, perigrines etc also badgers, polecats, everything really. I am a reptile nut myself! Any help, advice or well-wishing is very welcome!
We live in Derbyshire (about as far from the sea as you can get!) so hoping to make the trip memorable). Thanks

ChrisJB · #2 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 09:04 PM

I have to say that it is not an area that I know that well, but, a few years back I did do a boat trip to Bardsey and loved the place, full of choughs, seals, shearwaters, etc, and a lovely place as well.
If you get chance, go. Just a thought.

Regards, Chris

willowjay · #3 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 09:51 PM

For many years when we lived in Derbyshire - in Whaley Bridge in the Peak District - we would take our VW Camper Van for a week's holiday to the Lleyn Peninsular. We used to stay around the Aberdaron area and every year, without fail, would travel as far west as possible, and sit, munching sandwiches amongst the bracken, watching the Choughs on the exposed rocks on the very end, overlooking Bardsey Island. Magical

I'm a 'southerner' now, and I miss it.

capester · #4 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 10:36 PM

Thanks guys, I am reallly looking forward to it. I wish we lived in "proper" Derbyshire. Unfortunately we are 3 mins from the city centre, rubbish. However there are breeding peregrines on the cathedral!

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 24-08-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capester

Thanks guys, I am reallly looking forward to it. I wish we lived in "proper" Derbyshire. Unfortunately we are 3 mins from the city centre, rubbish. However there are breeding peregrines on the cathedral!

Yes they are on a web cam..

capester · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 01:03 PM

Well I am back from Lllyn (unfortunately!). Basically, wow. What a fantastic place to be.
We stayed on a tumbledown, charming, rustic farm. With swallows swooping over our heads and across the fields (which had a small population of friendly cows). We had a view of the sea one side and a heather covered hill on the other, complete with it's resident family of 3 buzzards.
On the track to the farm I saw a common lizard and heard what I presumed to be many more! Ravens were common place and we saw a few (sadly road-killed) polecats.
Possibly the most exciting thing was a Hen harrier over the moors (what a frightening looking bird!). I also spotted another bird I thought was a little auk but looking at books it seemed heavier in build, similar to a small penguin, swimming flat against the surface then diving under for fish- any ideas? I saw the same bird twice, always on its own and away from other, more boisterous sea-birds??

Also a flock of oyster catchers flew over at roughly the same time each afternoon making a right racket!
All of the above were seen with no special effort as it was a family holiday and I had promised not to "disappear"! Still, there is always next year!

It was bank holiday weekend when we arrived but I was more than surprised at the lack of people, parking was easy and the beaches were all but deserted, even though it was in the mid 20's everyday and didn't rain all week! Incidentally, the beaches were more or less pristine and conveniently split into dogs/ no dogs. The water is clear and calm, more akin to the med than britain!

I think the Welsh kids must go back earlier than the English as I am sure they must have been in school as there was no sign of 'em. The only down-side to the lack of crowds was that our boat trip was cancelled due to lack of interest, never mind we'll be back!

bigdave60dog · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010, 09:06 PM

Hi. I`ve not been too the Lleyn for while but never saw Little Auks there when I did go. The bird that you saw was most likely a Guillemot. \little Auks are tiny. The Great Black Backs give them a hard time so when close to shore they stay underwater pretty much al of the time. You just see little capped head come up for air before disappearing again.
Keep going back there you will see more every time.
Dave