SS15 wildlife watching: Trip away from SS15

On 14th May 2023, I visited the following sites:

RWT Gilfach near Rhayader, Powys

I left Llety Brynawel Guest House in Pennal very early in the morning to drive to Machynlleth and then the 34 miles over the mountains to Rhayader.

Photo: view from the mountain road between Machynlleth and Llanidloes

RWT Gilfach is located just 4 miles north of Rhayader. For centuries, it was a working hill farm but now it is a spectacular nature reserve tucked away in the Marteg valley in the heart of rural mid-Wales. The old farm buildings are used as visitor facilities and a series of way-marked trails provide access to the woodlands, rough grazing areas and heather moorland. A hide close to the reserve entrance overlooks the River Marteg.

RWT Gilfach is another of my favourite sites in Wales for its beautiful scenery and excellent wildlife and it is now always included on my trip itineraries.

Photo: entrance to RWT Gilfach

Photo: RWT Gilfach

Photo: Dipper Hide on the River Marteg at RWT Gilfach

The highlights, amongst 37 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Tawny Owl (1), Red Kite (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Raven (1 heard calling), Dipper (1 seen briefly from the hide as it flew through along the river), Common Redstart (8 singing males and 1 female), Wood Warbler (1 singing male plus another singing male heard), Pied Flycatcher (1 pair, 1 male plus 1 other singing male heard), Tree Pipit (1 singing male plus another singing male heard), Cuckoo (4 calling males), Garden Warbler (1 singing male and 2 other singing males heard), Willow Warbler (2 singing males and 5 other singing males heard), Chiffchaff (3 singing males heard), Blackcap (1 singing male plus 1 other singing male heard), Lesser Redpoll (3), Nuthatch (2), Siskin (2), Goldcrest (1 singing male), Coal Tit (1 heard calling), Mistle Thrush (1), Stonechat (male and female), Linnet (male and female), Swallow (4), Mallard (male and female), Brown Hare (1), Grey Squirrel (4)

Addition to my 2023 year list: Tawny Owl, Dipper, Garden Warbler, Common Redstart, Pied Flycatcher

Photo: male Common Redstart

Photo: male Tree Pipit

Photo: male Willow Warbler

Photo: male Lesser Redpoll

Photo: Swallow

Photo: female Stonechat

Photo: male Stonechat

Photo: juvenile Blackbird

Photo: male Blackbird

Photo: Brown Hare

Photo: Grey Squirrels

Photo: Grey Squirrel

After visiting RWT Gilfach, I drove back to Rhayader and then 3.5 miles south to Elan village. I saw a Red Kite over Rhayader and 2 more between the town and Elan village. In Elan village, I saw 2 Grey Wagtails on the river, heard a singing male Common Redstart and saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

RSPB Carngafallt, is accessed from Elan village and primarily comprises oak woodland with many ancient trees plus wood pasture and its special birds can easily be heard and seen by just walking along the road.

The highlights, amongst 20 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Common Redstart (3 males and 3 other singing males heard), Wood Warbler (1 singing male), Pied Flycatcher (1 male), Willow Warbler (2 singing males), Chiffchaff (1 singing male), Red Kite (1), Treecreeper (1), Nuthatch (2), Stock Dove (1 calling male heard), Grey Squirrel (1)

Addition to my 2023 year list: Treecreeper

Photo: male Wood Warbler

Photo: male Common Redstart

After visiting RSPB Carngafallt, I drove a circular minor road from Elan village via Llanwrthwl which passes through woodland and alongside the River Wye.

The highlights along this short route were as follows (heard only records in italics): Common Sandpiper (1), Common Redstart (1 male), Willow Warbler (5+ singing males), Chiffchaff (2 singing males)

Addition to my 2023 year list: Common Sandpiper

My last visit of the day before driving home was to Llanddeusant Red Kite feeding station.

On my previous trips to Wales, I have sometimes visited Gigrin Farm just outside Rhayader, the most well-known Red Kite feeding station in Wales. However, on this visit, I decided to try Llanddeusant Red Kite feeding station which is located in Llandeusant in the western part of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The Llanddeusant Red Kite feeding station was opened in 2002 by a local partnership with support from the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, the Welsh Kite Trust and various other notable wildlife organisations and individuals.

Compared with Gigrin Farm, Llanddeusant Red Kite feeding station proved to be significantly cheaper and far less busy yet visitors still get the same experience with large numbers of Red Kites visiting the site providing excellent views and photo opportunities as they compete naturally for the food provided by the feeding centre at regular times throughout the year.

During my visit, I saw c.100 Red Kites, 2 Common Buzzards and heard a calling Raven.

Unfortunately, during the afternoon, the sunny weather that I had experienced on my trip disappeared and grey skies with occasional slight drizzle made photography less than ideal. However, I still managed to get many acceptable photos of the Red Kites.