The sand dunes is a protected site and the only surviving largely unmodified
dunes along the North Wales coastline. Deemed a site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI), it still serves a valuable function as a natural sea defence.
During the winter, more than 100,000 waders and 20,000 water fowl make it
their home and it supports Wales' only
remaining colony of breeding little terns.
They spend the winter at sea off the West African coast feeding on fish. Each
Spring, they migrate to this same beach near Prestatyn to nest and lay their
eggs on the shingle.
The colony is wardened day and night by volunteers
with the RSPB.
This is an easy 90 minute trip for me as my father lives only a few minutes away at an old mining village forthe old Point of Ayr colliery..
Welcome to Gronant Dunes
Home of the Little Terns....
A welcoming mosaic
and of course the area is home to various other birds and wildlife
the Little Tern Colony is under 24hr watch to protect the groung nesting birds eggs and young from both human interference - usualy roaming dogs but sometimes preditors such as Foxes and Raptors
The scenery looking out towards Talacre
The board walk offers protection to the delicate dune system and the marsh land within it, while still allowing access in the winter months
Sea bird veiwing platform
and the view from it
and of course here lies the very important Little Tern Colony
the nesting ground is barriered off just before the birds return to the UK in early June
The Colony holds around 200 breeding pairs
and like most Terns they are fast - however the extra complication of trying to get good images are they are extremely small and fast....
taking time out on the beach
the reason for their return year after year is the good supply of sand eels
Ringed Plover on the shingle
I didnt manage to see the Natterjack as its a mostly nocturnal creature
but did manage to see Sandwich Tern, Cormorant, Little Egret, Stonechat, Sedge Warbler, Mute Swan and Family parties od Skylarks
