Coastal
Clwyd





Gronant

O.S. Map Reference SJ092843
One mile east of Prestatyn at Gronant, turn onto the Shore Road towards the caravan park. Cross the kissing gate on the left at the end of the road and cross the footbridge over a stream onto the sand dunes. In the reeds along the stream and surrounding vegetation,Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers can be seen along with Moorhen, Water Rail, Snipe and Reed Buntings. Amongst the dunes, Skylark, Linnets, Meadow Pipits, Stonechat and Wheatear can be found. For those interested in native flora and fauna, some interesting native plants are abundant here. Notably, Sea Holly (Eryngium Maratimum), Lucerne (Medicago Sativa) and Restharrow (Ononis Repens) favoured food plants of the Common Blue butterfly. On the beach, the shingle banks are used by Little Terns and Ringed Plover as nesting sites. During early summer, areas of the beach are fenced off and wardened by the RSPB. The Little Tern now has only a tenuous hold in the British Isles with perhaps 1500 pairs breeding annually. These are joined in mid to late summer by Sandwich Terns and a few Common Terns. Offshore and with a good telescope, Gannet, Fulmar, Gulls and Kitiwake can be seen. In Winter and equinoxial gales, Skuas, Manx Shearwaters and sea duck such as Red Throated Divers, Scaup and Common Scoters, may be seen close to shore.

Llandulas, Pensarn and Abergele

From Autumn to Spring and particularly in strong North-North Westerly winds, a walk along the beach from any of these places should bring some reward. Some waders can be found on the shoreline, including Redshank, Turnstone, Curlew and Dunlin, while close to shore, it is possible to see Red Throated Divers, Scaup, Common and Velvet Scoters, Eider Duck and some Auks. In Abergele, Pentremawr Park Lake can produce some interesting birds. Apart from the swans, ducks, geese and gulls that roost here, Mediterranean, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls are recorded in some years.

Colwyn and Penrhyn Bays

Most of what has been said in the previous paragraph applies here. Sea watching is good all along these beaches but perhaps the most favoured place is from Rhos Point (SH842810). Autumn is good especially when gales blow Artic Skuas, Manx Shearwater and Leach's Petrel Close to Shore.

Rhyl and Clwyd Estuary

Rhyl seafront in Autumn/Winter is essentially similar in most respects to the previous entries on seawatching. At the west end of Rhyl the River Clwyd drains into the Irish Sea. There is good access to the estuary with footpaths either side. The species likely to be encountered here are the same as those on the Upper Dee Estuary.

Conwy Estuary (RSPB)

Opened in Spring 1995 this newest of RSPB reserves is still in the process of construction. Access is gained by taking the Conwy turnoff on the A55 at Llandudno Junction. At the next roundabout, take the first left (signposted RSPB Conwy) onto the reserve. Admission is free in the first year, otherwise a small fee is levied to none RSPB members. The reserve consists of a number of freshwater lakes and ponds with good scrub between, and saltwater marsh and intertidal mud flats. The lakes which are newly created are already attracting a good selection of ducks and waders, while the scrub holds Grey, Pied and Yellow Wagtails, Skylark and Pipits. The dense bramble and trees on the northern edge has Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. Heron, Cormorants, Shelduck, Curlew, Whimbrel, Oystercatchers and Gulls are amongst the many birds that can be seen in the estuary. Amongst the uncommon birds that have been reported since the opening are Marsh Harrier and Garganey.

Frodsham Marshes

Frodsham Marsh lies in the Mersey Estuary northwest of Frodsham town. Access to the marsh can be gained, coming from Clwyd, by turning left between Helsby and Frodsham, on the A56 at Godscroft Lane, just after Godscroft School. A 1Km down the lane turn left over a bridge which crosses the M56 onto Frodsham Marshes.The marsh is owned by The Manchester Ship Canal Company and comprises a number of large shallow Lakes and areas of marshland. At the east end of the marsh, the River Weaver flows into the Mersey at Runcorn. This is an exceptional area for birdwatchers all year round.

Great Ormes Head

The Great Ormes Head juts out into the Irish Sea above Llandudno. It rises to 207 metres above sea level, topped with marine heath and shear cliffs on all sides. The road onto the Orme is private and a toll (currently 1.50) is charged for access. A Nature Trail extends over 5 Kilometres and contains a good variety of breeding birds in summer. Razorbill and Guillemot nest on the cliffs in early summer along with Fulmar, Kittiwake and Shag. Linnet, Whitethroat Stonechat and Cuckoo breed on the heath. Dotterel are often recorded as a passage migrant.