Eglwyseg, World's End, Llangollen

We had a great walk from World's End to Lllangollen today, going we followed the Offa's Dyke path along the base of Creigiau Eglwyseg, and on the return journey we went over the top of Eglwyseg Mountain.

The cliffs were full of wildlflowers, including the very rare Welsh Hawkweed which is endemic and known from only three sites in Wales. Butterflies included Dark Green Fritillary and Grayling. There were lots of birds, including a pair of Peregrines with two juveniles, and we watched as an adult passed prey to one of the youngsters on the wing. There were lots of Whinchats and Stonechats about, and we saw a juvenile Cuckoo being attended by a Meadow Pipit.

Welsh Hawkweed (left) and Pale St. John's Wort. The purple blotches in the leaves of the hawkweed make this a straight forward identification (or so I'm told!).

Creigiau Eglwyseg and Goldenrod

Field Scabious and Carline Thistle

Meadow Cranesbill and Cuckoo with Meadow Pipit. We all know about Cuckoos and Meadow Pipits, but in 40 years birding, this is the first time I have ever seen it in action! As you can see in the photo, the pipit has food in it's mouth, and is about to feed the Cuckoo.