up in the hills

A very rewarding walk this morning resurveying a tetrad high above Llanddewi Brefi. 19 species was far more than I would have expected from here at this time of year. There were good numbers of Siskins and Redpolls and other interesting birds included Reed Bunting, Sparrowhawk and a couple of Crossbills. With clear blue skies and opened up views across the top of Cwm Brefi towards distant snow clad hills, the morning seemed complete. Until a Great Grey Shrike flew across in front of me and landed in a tree about 100m away. Great views for a couple of minutes until it flew off in to the sun mobbed by Chaffinches. The Shrike was on Bryn Moel at grid ref SN695526, near a junction of two paths where there were three large log stacks. The forestry blocks here are 450m above sea level but the road up from the village was frosty this morning rather than icy.