On 8th May 2022, I visited the following sites:
RSPB Lake Vyrnwy in the Berwyn Mountains, Powys
RSPB Ynys-Hir near Machynlleth, Powys
MWT Dyfi Osprey Project near Machynlleth, Powys
Llyn Clywedog near Llanidloes, Powys
RWT Gilfach near Rhayader, Powys
RSPB Lake Vyrnwy is a reservoir built in the 1880s to supply Liverpool with fresh water. The reserve covers the lake itself plus the surrounding woodlands, moorlands and streams.
I didn’t spend much time at RSPB Lake Vyrnwy other than the Coed y Capel bird hide and feeding station and a drive along the western shore of the lake on the way to Dinas Mawddwy and onwards to RSPB Ynys-Hir and the MWT Dyfi Osprey Project on the west coast.
However, the highlights, amongst 18 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Mandarin (3 males), Goosander (male and female), Mallard (3), Canada Goose (5), Cuckoo (1 calling male), Willow Warbler (c.5), Chiffchaff (c.5), Siskin (c.20), Coal Tit (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
Addition to my 2022 year list: Mandarin
En-route to
Dinas Mawddwy, I saw 2 Common Buzzards and a male Stonechat plus
I heard a singing male Common Redstart and several singing male Willow
Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.
RSPB Ynys-Hir is situated on the Dyfi estuary with the mountains of southern Snowdonia to the north and the Cambrian mountains to the south. There is an extensive range of habitats at RSPB Ynys-Hir including oak woodland, estuary saltmarsh, lowland wet grassland, freshwater pools, reedbeds and peat bog and this provides for a wide variety of species.
RSPB Ynys-Hir has been one of my favourite sites in Wales for many years and it is almost always included on my trip itineraries.
The highlights, amongst 38 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Pied Flycatcher (4 males and 1 other singing male heard), Common Redstart (1 singing male), Garden Warbler (1 singing male), Common Whitethroat (1 singing male), Sedge Warbler (2 singing males plus 2 other singing males heard), Willow Warbler (3 singing males), Chiffchaff (4 singing males), Blackcap (1 singing male plus 4 other singing males heard), Swallow (1), Treecreeper (1), Nuthatch (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Goldcrest (5 singing males), Stonechat (1 male), Great White Egret (1), Lapwing (2), Oystercatcher (2), Common Redshank (1), Cormorant (1), Mallard (1 male), Canada Goose (c.100), Moorhen (2), Brown Hare (1), Grey Squirrel (1), Speckled Wood (1)
Additions to my 2022 year list: Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler
Addition to my Wales list: Great White Egret
The major disappointment was not hearing or seeing any Wood Warblers but this has been the case on my last few visits to RSPB Ynys-Hir.
The MWT Dyfi Osprey Project lies just 3 miles to the north of RSPB Ynys-Hir. It is a conservation project at the Cors Dyfi nature reserve under the management of the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust and is primarily dedicated to the protection of a breeding pair of Ospreys which can be watched on site or via a live YouTube stream.
In 2011, for the first
time in over 400 years, Ospreys bred in the Dyfi valley at the Cors Dyfi nature reserve following 3 years work to reintroduce them into the
area.
In addition to the headlining Ospreys, a Beaver enclosure has been set up in partnership with the Welsh Beaver Project …. see here and here.
The highlights, amongst 22 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Osprey (male and female), Hobby (1), Reed Warbler (4 singing males), Sedge Warbler (1 singing male and 1 other singing male heard), Willow Warbler (1 singing male), Chiffchaff (1 singing male), Blackcap (1 singing male), Common Whitethroat (1 singing male), Cuckoo (1 calling male), Swallow (3), Cetti’s Warbler (3 singing males), Reed Bunting (1 male), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Lesser Redpoll (1), Grey Heron (1), Canada Goose (6), Common Lizard (8), Large Red Damselfly (1)
Additions to my 2022 year list: Osprey, Hobby
After spending some time at the MWT Dyfi Osprey Project, I drove over the mountain road from Machynlleth to Llyn Clywedog, another Osprey nesting site but one which I had not previously visited.
Llyn Clywedog is a reservoir formed by the construction of the Clywedog Dam which was built between 1965 and 1967 to regulate the flow of water in the River Severn, both as a protection against flooding of the upper sections of the river during the winter months and also to ensure the maintenance of a minimum flow in the river during the summer.
After some difficulty, I eventually found the watchpoint and hide which provided distant telescope views of the Osprey nest.
The highlights,
amongst 11 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Osprey (1), Cuckoo (1 calling male),
Tree Pipit (1 singing male), Garden Warbler (presumed pair), Chiffchaff
(1 singing male), Goldcrest (1 singing male), Mistle Thrush
(1), Brimstone (1)
After my short visit to Llyn Clywedog, I continued on to Rhayader where I saw at least 10 Red Kites flying over the town.
I drove to my campsite from Rhayader via the narrow moorland road that passes RWT Gilfach, the location of my planned visit early the next morning. This provided sightings of 2 further Red Kites and a male Common Redstart.
Babylon Wild Campsite is located in a remote area about 10 miles north of Rhayader. It would have been impossible to find it had Nancy not sent me detailed directions via e-mail. Babylon Wild Campsite really is a wild campsite simply comprising a steeply sloping field behind Nancy’s house with no facilities, hence the cost of only £5 per night. I was the only person camping there.
My pitch provided me with a panoramic view of the surrounding upland landscape and a beautiful sunset and sunrise. In addition, it was excellent for birds including a male and female Tawny Owl both calling in the middle of the night and a Tree Pipit leading the dawn chorus at 4:30 a.m. A continually calling Peacock from a farm way across the other side of the valley did not make it as a legitimate record on to my trip list!
Campsite records (heard only records in italics): Red Kite (at least 5), Common Buzzard (at least 2), Raven (2), Common Redstart (1 singing male), Tree Pipit (2), Swallow (2), House Martin (c.15), Chiffchaff (1 singing male), Tawny Owl (male and female heard calling), Mallard (1 male flew over), Lesser Redpoll (c.5), Mistle Thrush (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 heard calling), Red Fox (a very distant view through my binoculars of 2 animals possibly hunting Rabbits and being mobbed by a Common Buzzard and 2 Red Kites)
💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
No comments:
Post a Comment
If you feel like commenting on my blog, you can contact me by completing the comment form below. I will respond to all comments and enquiries and constructive criticism will always be welcomed.