Level RC O 22 25 May Fri - Mon 264 220 175 Birds of the North Wales Coast, Woodlands and Uplands Sole occupancy cost Shared occupancy cost Non-Residential cost FSC Rhyd-y-creuau gives its guests the opportunity to explore the diverse landscapes and habitats of Snowdonia: from its gentle, wooded valleys to its scenic coastlines and majestic mountain views. Course Overview This late spring long weekend course is specially designed for everyone keen to improve their skills in bird identification. In late May in the woodlands, wetlands and uplands both resident and summer migrant birds are well into their breeding cycle, as are the seabirds on cliffs around the coast. The course aims to introduce as many as possible of the commoner species found in North Wales and more widely in northwest Britain and some of the scarcer ones too. Much of the time will be spent in the field in a variety of habitats, explaining how best to identify birds from visual clues and from the sounds they make. This will be complemented by helpful presentations back at the Centre, both to set the scene and review the day s experiences. You will also be shown how to submit records of the birds we encounter using the BTO BirdTrack website. One of the most important elements of the course is to help you really understand why you are seeing and hearing each species we encounter, as we consider: What is characteristic about its size, structure and shape? What can we learn from its behavour and how it flies? Does the habitat make it likely that this is the species we think it is? Where exactly on the bird are any distinctive colours and markings? How can we capture and remember the sounds the bird makes so we will know them next time!? Much of the time you ll be asked what can you see or hear, so we hope there will be lots of lively interaction and discussions!
Places to visit and birds to find The weather will naturally play its part in our decisions on where we can go for our three main excursions on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. However, the following habitats, sites and birds are on the list to select from, to give us the best three days birding possible given the conditions and the forecast. Woodland and Heathland From Coed Hafod, the small oak woodland adjacent to the Centre, to the managed plantations of Gwydyr Forest and the National Nature Reserve at Coedydd Aber, there are some spectacular native oak woodlands and conifer plantations for us to explore. Resident species such as Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crossbill, Lesser Redpoll and Siskin are joined by summer visitors, including Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler. Resident Stonechat and migrant Tree Pipit are both possible in more open heathland with scattered trees. Streams and Rivers Close to the Centre grounds, the River Conwy and its feeder streams can be visited in the hope of finding Goosander, Grey Wagtail and Dipper. Upland Lakes, Mountain and Moorland Our excursions are unlikely to involve extensive mountain walking, as the effort to bird numbers ratio can be fairly low. However, weather permitting, we can try to view these habitats from well-marked footpaths and trails such as those around Llyn Elsi or Llyn Crafnant or from other higher vantage points that don t involve too much walking. We ll be looking out for special raptors such as Hen Harrier, Red Kite and possibly Merlin too. Raven are relatively common. Smaller birds could include summer visitors such as Ring Ouzel, Wheatear and Whinchat. Estuary and Coast The RSPB Conwy Reserve, located to the north east of the estuary, was created as a result of some inspired planning linked to the building of the Conwy road tunnel 20 years ago. The lagoons and scrapes, fashioned behind a new sea wall out of the dredgings from the route of the tunnel, are now a haven for birds and other wildlife. We should see resident water and wading birds such as Grey Heron, Little Egret, Shelduck, Gadwall and Lapwing, plus wetland and reedbed birds such as Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Bearded Tit and Reed Bunting. The RSPB South Stack Reserve on Anglesey and the Great Orme and Little Orme to the north and east of Llandudno respectively all have sea cliffs with summering seabirds - including Puffin, Guillemot and Razorbill - plus resident Peregrine, Raven and Chough. The pastures, heathland and scrub above the cliffs are also worth watching for residents and migrants too.
Outline of the days Course participants are requested to arrive on Friday between 1600 and 1715 for registration at our Reception. Friday evening: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: 1745: Introduction to the Centre 1800: Dinner 1900: Introductions and setting the scene for the weekend Overview of BTO BirdTrack for recording bird sightings 0700: Pre-breakfast local walk 0800: Breakfast and picnic lunch making 0900: Excursion(s) for the day until late afternoon 1700: Return to the Centre 1830: Dinner 1930: Review of what we have seen and learned Entering records on BTO BirdTrack As for Saturday 0800: Breakfast and picnic lunch making 0900: Excursion(s) for the day until mid afternoon 1500: Return to the Centre 1530: Review of what we have seen and learned 1600: Course reviews and departure About the Course Tutor Edward Jackson retired a couple of years ago as Head of Centre at FSC Flatford Mill in South Suffolk. He now runs his own wildlife consultancy specialising in bird survey work and short training courses. He is very pleased still to be able to share his knowledge and passion for bird identification and their songs and calls. As well as running courses for FSC and special commissions for private groups, he is also a trainer with British Trust for Ornithology and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Aware that learning and memorising birds by sight and sound can be a challenging (and often frustrating!) process, he has lots of special ways of describing the special characteristics of each species and helping you to fix them in your mind. What to bring and how to prepare Please bring clothing, weatherproofs and footwear appropriate for days out in the field. No bright colours please! Warm clothing is essential Sun cream and sun hat (check the forecast!) Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers (can be borrowed from the Centre) Outdoor footwear (walking boots and wellies can be borrowed from the Centre, but you ll probably be more comfortable with your own) Day rucksack, warm hat and gloves (can be borrowed from the Centre) A torch, water bottle and/or thermos flask and lunchbox
Participants should have a basic level of fitness and be prepared for some steady walking at times. This will involve no great distances each day (up to 2 or 3 miles). We will use mainly wellestablished paths and tracks, but there may be more uneven ground at times, including walking along beach shingle for 15 minutes each way. It is essential to bring a good pair of binoculars. If you are borrowing a pair, then make sure they are between 8x and 10x magnification and have a large lens diameter of between 40mm and 50mm: e.g. 8 x 40 or 10 x 50. Anything outside these limits is much less suitable for birdwatching. Above all, check to make sure that they give you a clear view and that there is no distortion or cloudiness on the internal prisms. Help can be given on Friday evening to ensure that you can focus them for your own eyes. If you have your own telescope bring this too, but in appropriate habitats there will be one available for course participants to make use of and share. Bring any bird identification field guide(s) with which you are familiar. However, we will be using smartphone apps in the field and a range of ID books will also available for use and comparison. If you are a member of RSPB please bring your membership card for entry to reserves. If you are not a member, please be prepared to pay a day rate for entry. (Joining on the day usually gives free entry too!). Course Fees Resident with Sole Occupancy: 264 Resident with Shared Occupancy: 220 Non-resident: 175 Residential course fees include: Full board accommodation including cooked breakfast, picnic lunch, homemade cakes and an evening meal Vegetarian and other dietary options available with prior notification Up to 8 hours teaching time a day, plus relaxing breaks for meals and refreshments. Tea and coffee making facilities available throughout the day Use of resources including library, workrooms, studios and the Centre grounds Transport for the course excursions Insurance to cover cancellation, personal belongings, personal accident, legal liability and medical emergency If you choose to be a non-resident on a residential course, the fee will include all the above except accommodation and breakfast..continued Tel: 01690 710494 E-mail: enquiries.rc@field-studies-council.org Fax: 01690 710458
Staying longer and attending with a partner Extra nights If you are interested in staying at the Centre for additional nights before or after the course, please contact the Centre for availability and costs, which start from 25 for B&B or 40 full board (we can confirm availability 4 weeks prior to the course). Partner rate For those paying the sole occupancy course fee, we are offering their non-participating partners a special rate of 37 per night for dinner, bed and breakfast, to share a twin room. This offer is subject to availability. How to Book Telephone the Centre on 01690 710494, email us at enquiries.rc@field-studies-council.org or complete the online form on the FSC website at: www.field-studies-council.org