South stack r.s.p.b. anglesey

i,m re-posting this as a 'places to visit thread.
south stack r.s.p.b. reserve is on the island of anglesey, north wales.
it is near to holyhead and is home to large colonies of seabirds.
in the summer months puffins ( may onwards is the best) come ashore from their feeding grounds out at sea. large numbers of guillemots and razorbills can be seen as they perch and fly around the cliff faces.
there is a north stack and a south stack. the 'stacks' are large rock faces.
coastal paths allow you to walk over the headland with terrific sea views.
this headland is a magnet to migrant birds during the spring months, as they stop off for a 'breather.'
there are two main car parking areas. the first is by the r.s.p.b. observation tower. here you can enter a small tower where wardens will point out any worthwhile sightings. there are telescopes set up for you to gaze through, if you don't have your own. also on the carpark is a refreshments cafe.
a small distance up the road is a second parking area with limited spaces. this is as far as you can go. here you can go down a steep stone stairway to the lighthouse which is at the tip of south stack.
climbing down these stairs give you the closest views of the seabird colonies.
a peregrine falcon was seen sat on a nest, when i visited, nearby was a shag sat on it,s nest. fulmars, gannets and kittewakes can also be seen.
the puffins, for me , are the star turn. though don't expect large numbers of them.
iv'e visited on a number of occasions, combining the trip with a stop off cemlyn lagoon. ( great for at least three tern species) and never been dissapointed.
the puffin images here were taken of adistant bird which was just emerging from a crevice in the rocks.
also shown is the lighthouse at south stack.

Looks and sounds like a really nice place to spend some time Andy. Thanks for sharing it with us :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by andy b

i,m re-posting this as a 'places to visit thread.
south stack r.s.p.b. reserve is on the island of anglesey, north wales.
it is near to holyhead and is home to large colonies of seabirds.
in the summer months puffins ( may onwards is the best) come ashore from their feeding grounds out at sea. large numbers of guillemots and razorbills can be seen as they perch and fly around the cliff faces.
there is a north stack and a south stack. the 'stacks' are large rock faces.
coastal paths allow you to walk over the headland with terrific sea views.
this headland is a magnet to migrant birds during the spring months, as they stop off for a 'breather.'
there are two main car parking areas. the first is by the r.s.p.b. observation tower. here you can enter a small tower where wardens will point out any worthwhile sightings. there are telescopes set up for you to gaze through, if you don't have your own. also on the carpark is a refreshments cafe.
a small distance up the road is a second parking area with limited spaces. this is as far as you can go. here you can go down a steep stone stairway to the lighthouse which is at the tip of south stack.
climbing down these stairs give you the closest views of the seabird colonies.
a peregrine falcon was seen sat on a nest, when i visited, nearby was a shag sat on it,s nest. fulmars, gannets and kittewakes can also be seen.
the puffins, for me , are the star turn. though don't expect large numbers of them.
iv'e visited on a number of occasions, combining the trip with a stop off cemlyn lagoon. ( great for at least three tern species) and never been dissapointed.
the puffin images here were taken of adistant bird which was just emerging from a crevice in the rocks.
also shown is the lighthouse at south stack.

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Andy , next time you are in North Wales ,there is also a RSPB Reserve in Conway, I will be visiting at christmas, for the first time.