On the 15th February I am heading back to the East Midlands and join Pete James to visit Holme Pierrepont to see the spotted sandpiper, a vagrant from North America which probably arrived last autumn but was only identified last month when Neil Glenn made a visit here. The bird showed well for us on […]
Ken breezes through the start of February with more good birds on his patch
A strong north westerly wind is blowing as we move into February and waves are crashing over the top of the breakwater in Holyhead. Plenty of birds are sheltering in the safety of the harbour, great northern diver, red-throated diver, great crested grebe, red-breasted merganser, guillemot, razorbill and at least 8 black guillemots which are […]
Battling with the weather and illness, Ken still clocks up the species!
A storm overnight on the 18th had trees and power lines down. It was a long hard drive back from Norfolk to Long Eaton as I was feeling very unwell. I dropped Pete off at home and made my way back to Birmingham. An early departure the next morning at 0620hrs to try and avoid […]
Kicking off the year with Ken
I have been birding for close on 50 years now and with my 70th birthday coming up this year, I decided that I would take time off from everything and spend a whole year on a Grand Birding Tour of Britain. Over the years I have travelled from Lands End to John O’Groats in search […]
Naturebites is taking a break for 2018
Recent customers and those that follow our social media will know that we’ve been alluding to winding down our services at Christmas this year. Here’s a few words from Ken to explain why: “I have decided to take time-out and spend a whole year on a ‘birding’ tour of Britain. I am hoping to visit […]
Under the Sea, down on the shore.
It’s another world down there, believe me! Although I’m primarily from a bird-watching background I do have a general interest in all aspects of natural history. That is why I am also interested in rock-pooling and the shoreline. It’s a great way for someone like me to get a taster of what’s beneath the sea. […]
Celtic sea-rowing on Anglesey
Sea rowing is one of the nicest ways to observe marine life. One of the delights of outings in the Celtic Longboats of Beaumaris Rowing Club is the close encounters with many types of sea birds found in the Menai Strait. As we row from the slipway at Beaumaris, terns are found perching on the […]
Coastal Foraging around Anglesey
The first nation’s people of British Columbia in Canada have a saying that “When the tide goes out the table is set” and I strongly suspect that the ancient Druids of Anglesey would have had a similar saying had they not been massacred by the invading Romans in AD 77. There’s a very good reason […]
Anglesey rocks!
For a number of years now it has been my privilege to lead a geological walk as part of Anglesey Marine Week. I say “privilege” for two reasons: first, because Marine Week is a fantastic event reminding us of the importance of Anglesey’s coastal waters; and secondly, because it is a great feeling to represent […]
Kayaking around Anglesey
One of our favourite trips here at Sea Kayaking Anglesey is to get out to the Skerries to see the Arctic Terns ‘dreading’. The Skerries is the largest breeding ground of Arctic terns in the country with over 2,000 breeding pairs nesting there last year. The islands, which are owned by Trinity House are a […]
About The Author
From my new home on the wonderful isle of Anglesey I have been lucky enough to be immersed in Welsh wildlife. Since moving here I have met so many wonderful people who also have a passion for British wildlife and thought this would be the ideal way to share my enjoyment of the natural wonders of the island and further afield with anybody who cares to listen! Just so you know… I was born with a passion for wildlife and the outdoors (thanks Mum and Dad) and went on to study Medical Microbiology and Zoology at Leeds University. It was in 2010 whilst volunteering for the Wildlife Trust on the Isles of Scilly that birds showed on my radar too. The wonderful Paul Long saw me hurriedly making my way across the harbour on St Mary’s and assumed I was heading for the Red-throated Diver, I followed him and hence I’d been on my first ‘twitch’! It didn’t seem right to tell him that actually I was just desperate for the loo. Since meeting them on Scilly, my passion for birds and wildlife had been nurtured by the encyclopedic Neil Glenn and the inspiring Dr Rob Lambert (both residing in Nottingham, my birth place). I can thank the RSPB for my first paid work in conservation. I am particularly thankful that that work was here, on an island I have grown up visiting (I have spent many hours on the rocks and straits while my Dad was chasing Conger-bongers or the elusive Bass!). Moving here in spring 2010 only made me fall deeper in love with Anglesey; where the sky meets the mountains, meets the sea. One of the little-known gems of Anglesey is Mr Ken Croft. Ken is a birding legend, spotting many rarities and first birds for Britain. I can thank Ken for all I know about birds. If you are lucky enough to bump into the ‘Welsh Wizard’ then you’ll be engulfed in his enthusiasm and expertise. Through Naturebites, Kathy and Ken offer guided wildlife tours on Anglesey. Please see the 'Wildlife Tours' page on our website for more details of how to join in.