Calm weather with blue skies were forecast and so I took the train to Holyhead and made my way to Penrhos Coastal Park which is close to the causeway carrying the railway and A55. The tide was out, the remaining water was like glass, the light was excellent after so much gloom and it was quite warm. The immediate centre of attraction were the numerous Pale-bellied Brent Geese scattered along the tide line – 96 of them. Busy feeding amongst them were good numbers of Shelduck, Oystercatchers, Redshank and Curlew with the occasional Grey Plover. Downstream towards the headland of Gorsedd-y-penrhyn were the usual pair of Slavonian Grebes – cruising about and then busy diving – all at very close range. Nearby was male Red-breasted Merganser.
In the wooded area a Coal Tit and Dunnock were singing as were several Chaffinches, Greenfinches and Great Tits. Strolling along the paths I came across flowering Fumitory, Lesser Celandine, Winter Heliotrope and a great sheet of white Violets, something I haven’t seen previously. It was so warm that a Buff-tailed Bumble was very active, later to be accompanied by a Peacock butterfly.