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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-10 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2020:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage, Wendy Peers, Celia de Mengle, Wendy and Ian Peers, Roger Smith, Paul Collinson, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Celia de Mengle, Sue Pearson.

Sunday 15 January 2012

Traeth Lefan and More 14th January 2012

Anglesey and Puffin Island from Llanfairfechan.
Common teal sheltering in one of the channels.
Brent geese on the sea.
Oystercatchers roosting on the shingle bank.
Walk stats: Distance: 13.0 miles. Climb:939'.
Time: 7 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Dave J and Mike.
The weather today was forecast to give us bright and sunny spells, a gentle wind but on the cool side.  In  reality we had better than that, we seemed to be in bright sunshine all day, but it didn't stop us getting cold fingers when we stopped to use are binoculars. Light conditions were superb and the colours of many of the birds stood out.
Walking on days like this is a rich blessing, a joy and privilage to able to be out and about, taking in all of these fantastic vistas.  This was a day when a slow speed was essential, so that we didn't miss anything.  A good thing really, as I for one am finding strolling along more to my liking than setting a brisk pace.
Lunch was taken quite early, sitting by a stone wall on the lower slopes near Yr Ogaf, basking in the warm sunshine as we enjoyed the last of this year's fruit cake.
Bird sightings started well with a Goldcrest showing well in a bush on the edge of a wood less than 200 yards from the car park in Llanfairfechan. Passing the marshes, the Sun was shining brightly, making the colours on the Teal and Wigeon stand out. Later on in Abergwyngregyn Tree sparrows were added to the list. On the return journey about 80 Pale-bellied Brent geese were the highlight, although flocks of swirling Dunlin is always delightful, especially as the Sun caches their underside making them appear to sparkle.  Impressive numbers of Common curlew and Oystercatcher roosting at high tide were a wonder to see.
Birdse seen or heard today included:Goldcrest, European robin, Mallard, Canada goose, Mute swan, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Common redshank, Oystercatcher, Common teal, Wigeon, Chaffinch, Dunnock, House sparrow, Tree sparrow, Pied wagtail, Dinlin, Shelduck, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Common buzzard, Nuthatch, Song thrush, Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Greenshank, Pintail, Lapwing, Common curlew, Brent goose, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Common starling and Rook.
We arrived back at the car, tired, but knowing we had superb day.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, where a couple of pints of Lees Bitter was enough to revive tired limbs and complaining knees.

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