Saturday dawned a dismal, wet and windy day but this did not deter eleven intrepid members if the Ceredigion Bird Group turning up for what proved to be an interesting walk around these Mid -Ceredigion upland lakes. Those members who had not ventured into this part of the hinterland before wondered as to whether they were going to finish up on the moon as they went higher and higher, round bends and higher, before arriving at the assembly point at the end of the road. The clouds had lifted but the chill, gusty wind still necessitated winter clothing - in mid-July!
The first part of the walk took us down alongside Llyn Hir - where we saw the first of several Common Sandpipers, Meadow Pippits and Wheatears. There appeared to be several 'family parties' of juveniles of both these latter species Of particular interest however was not a bird but a small, pale blue flowered plant, emerging from the water along the shale shoreline. Identity unknown until a late arrival to the group identified it as Water Lobelia - a plant only found in some of these extreme acid upland lakes. Other birds seen included Pied Wagtail, Skylark, Red Kite, Raven, Carrion Crow, Greater Black Backed Gulls and a somewhat pale form of Buzzard, which managed to hover in the same position for at least ten minutes without a flap of its wings by making use of the high wind. Llyn Gorlan produced another pair of Common Sandpipers. Of general interest here was the possible occurrence of a 'Stone Circle' at the westerly end of the lake, the large bed of the Yellow 'Brandy Bottle Water Lillies' and with reference to past vegetation - the presence in the lake of an Oak log which David James, the author of the classic book - The Natural History of Ceredigion, had carbon dated to between 5036 and 5517 BC ( I had forgotten the BC when I mentioned its age!). Llyn Bach was devoid of birds except for the odd Meadow Pippit but when we were standing on the bank over looking Llyn Egnant keen ears, then eyes picked up the call, then sighting, of two Reed Buntings. Again along the shore of this lake were to be seen at least two pairs Sandpipers. Three Swallows drifted by to complete the tally of 12 species for the walk.
As an outing it was not highly productive in terms of numbers of species and birds, emphasising the problems which these uplands are experiencing. It was encouraging to see a good number of juvenile Pippits and Wheatears but overall populations of the species of these high hills has declined markedly over the last couple of years. The recent survey of the Elennyd (the SPA which borders the area walked over) has revealed a marked drop in the number of nesting Golden Plover pehaps associated with the changes in land management which is taking place in these hills. The scene is undoubtedly one which requires careful monitoring and action taken if we are not to see a further decline.
Footnote - On his way back John Turner made a short visit down to Llyn Teifi and there were the Great Crested Grebes which we had hoped to see on Egnant!
For further information on the decline in bird numbers see the BTO report http://www.bto2.org/downloads/home/welsh_report/wales-report-en.pdf?utm_source=june&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=welshreport