During my time at Bangor University I have been involved with a Pied Flycatcher project at Aber Falls in Abergwyngregyn. Aber Falls is a prime site for this species and with lots of ancient oak woodlands and steep slopes, a population of 30 Pied flycatchers now breed here..
In late April, through to May and June, myself and several other dedicated volunteers survey these boxes and monitor the breeding success, right through until the youngsters fledge.
The data collected from these surveys is sent to the Nest Record Scheme (NRS) at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) where the data is collated and used to produce trends in breeding performance of these birds and helps us to identify species that may be declining because of problems at the nesting stage.
Many different subjects are recorded during these surveys such as nest building stages, number of eggs laid, incubation period and the number of chicks that fledged.
On a personal note, the breeding population at Aber Falls this year totalled 30 pairs which successfully fledged 200+ young.
For more information about the NRS and how you can get involved, please visit the NRS
Bar Tailed Desert Lark
I had always heard that a trip to Morocco would leave you coming back speechless, not only the birds were of top quality, but the food, culture and landscape made this trip one of a kind. I had always wanted to travel to a different continent as I have already seen most of the UK, Ireland, Iceland, Lesvos, Austria and Majorca - North Africa was the next stop.
Temperatures peaked at 35 degrees, but that was in the middle of the Sahara. Our clock in the car was albeit knackered, so ignore the figures from the date and time. Our 10 day trip to Morocco was the best birding trip I have ever been on and if anyone needs any advice or information if they are planning a trip, please do get in touch..
Overall, a fantastic trip and it sure is a place I will travel back to, as we still missed some species. 
Leaving the 'Auberge Taulouine' early morning, we headed to Agadir by the coast for a change of scenery. Driving through the numerous villages, it was clear that we were in good habitat for Fulvous Babbler as these were quite numerous. 
Further along the coast at a site called Tamri, we picked up Slender - Billed Gull, Sanderling and a single Collard Pratincole on the beach. 
Leaving the 'Le Soleil Bleu' Hotel at 6am prompt, we headed straight to a renowned site in search for the Moroccan race of Pied Wagtail. No sooner had we got out of the car, I spotted a candidate and over the next 10 mintues, the bird showed exceptionally well!
Stoppong at a large reservoir before the Tizi-n-Tinifift pass, we managed to see several Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eaters, Great White Egret, Purple Heron, Squacco Heron and Little Bittern. 
Stopping en-route we called in at the Tizi-n-Tinifift pass for African Rock Martin. These birds abundant at this site with at least 10 birds seen and which gave exceptional views with one particular bird perching on the ground right below us some 5ft away. Alpine Swift and Little Swift as well as Crag Martin were also seen here in good numbers.
A spectacular find was a secluded valley where we had great views of Golden Eagle and a pair of Bonelli's Eagle displaying at close quarters. Time was getting tight now so we headed for the nearest hotel being the 'Auberge Taulouine'. Here we had a surprise visit from the Moroccan race Tawny owl..
Before Idir arrived, a flock of 200+ Spotted Sandgrouse flew over our cars heading deep into the Desert. An hour or so later, deep into the Saharan Desert we were stood watching the Nightjar on her nest - spectacular experience!
An overnight stay at the 'Soleil Bleu' Hotel, enjoying couscous, beer and wine - nothing else mattered in the world!
Having never experienced sleeping in a car in the middle of the Saharan Desert - it was something I won't be doing anytime soon. After a awful night's sleep, waking up all groggy and shattered, it was time to get out birding; this being 4am. I had been awake at 3am listening to an Egyptian Nightjar churring which was later followed by great views of a bird flying around our car just before we set off for our dawn walk - great stuff!
Around 6am we bumped into a tour group who kindly gave us a phone number to contact for some 'proper local' bird knowledge.
Another target bird for us here was Brown - Necked Raven. These were very numerous in the correct habitat and are very different from our British species.
Up early again next morning and heading for the 'New Tagdilt Track' by the new Inknouen Road. First stop was to the famous Wheatear Wall for Mourning Wheatear but after several hours - no joy. Desert Wheatear were very numerous here which allowed some more mega digiscoping opportunities.
Thick - Billed Lark was also high on our prioroty list that day and we eventually found a superb male, albeit very showy.
Mid morning we headed off up into the hills to the Dades Gorge for a walk for some mountain/ scrub birds. Here we encountered Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail, Blue Rock Thrush, 1 Dartford Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Woodchat Shrike and several House Buntings.
Early evening was soon upon us so we deserperately tried to find the 'Auberge Derkhaoua' (our hotel for the night) in the mean time got ourselves completely lost in the middle of the Saharan Desert and it was pitch black! Luckily, a Moroccan we named the 'Blue Flash' came to our rescue and very kindly took us to our hotel, but ofcourse it was for a price..
Next morning we were up at dawn and deciding not to have any breakfast this morning. Instead we headed for the 'Old Tagdilt Track' for the dawn chorus and a whole morning in search of Larks and Wheatear species. Spending 6 whole hours on the deserts proved tiring, but extremely rewarding. Temperatures reached a high of 35 degrees - any hotter and we would have keeled over!
Finishing up at around 3pm we managed to have our breakfast, which consisted of some Pancakes, Jam and several mugs of Coffee. A stunning Southern Grey Shrike perched nearby allowing some great digiscoping opportunities.
Mid afternoon and we headed into Boumalne Dades as we had inevitably found ourselves with a flat tyre. Whilst Ralph went and spoke some Moroccan to try and get the car up and running again.. Eugene and I headed into a little Oasis nearby. This place was astonishing and alive with migrants. Birds such as Nightingale, Western Olivaceous Warbler, Western Orphean Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and Serin were abundant and in large numbers. We could have spent hours in this small oasis.
