Ynys-hir is a fabulous RSPB reserve in West Wales that has become famous in recent years after being chosen by the BBC for some of their Springwatch programmes. There is something to see at all times of the year but a Spring visit can be very productive birdwise.
We had planned to go in June so on the 10th of that month we set off for the reserve despite all the dire weather forecasts. Not far from the reserve we had to stop and rethink our plans as the main road was flooded and littered with abandoned vehicles including a breakdown truck. Undeterred we donned our wellies and headed for the Dyfi Osprey Project reserve. After walking and wading for over a mile we were disappointed to find that the reserve was closed, so we picnicked in a nearby field then waded back to the car past even more broken down cars!
We manged to find an alternative route to Ynys-hir via a single-track road over some hilly terrain; and it was well-worth the drive, apart from BBC crew and wardens we had the reserve and its super-abundant birdlife to ourselves. Redstarts, Wood Warblers and Pied Flycatchers were all busily feeding young in nests. Treecreepers, Blackcaps, Nuthatch, Little Egrets and Woodpeckers were all seen well. But the Pied Flycatchers were definitely the highlight, I wish we could have arrived earlier and stayed longer to get some decent photos but that will have to wait until next year, hopefully the weather will be better then as well.
We had planned to go in June so on the 10th of that month we set off for the reserve despite all the dire weather forecasts. Not far from the reserve we had to stop and rethink our plans as the main road was flooded and littered with abandoned vehicles including a breakdown truck. Undeterred we donned our wellies and headed for the Dyfi Osprey Project reserve. After walking and wading for over a mile we were disappointed to find that the reserve was closed, so we picnicked in a nearby field then waded back to the car past even more broken down cars!
We manged to find an alternative route to Ynys-hir via a single-track road over some hilly terrain; and it was well-worth the drive, apart from BBC crew and wardens we had the reserve and its super-abundant birdlife to ourselves. Redstarts, Wood Warblers and Pied Flycatchers were all busily feeding young in nests. Treecreepers, Blackcaps, Nuthatch, Little Egrets and Woodpeckers were all seen well. But the Pied Flycatchers were definitely the highlight, I wish we could have arrived earlier and stayed longer to get some decent photos but that will have to wait until next year, hopefully the weather will be better then as well.
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Male Blackcap foraging in an Oak tree. |
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Flooded fields near Ynis-hir |
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Me on the flooded road, note broken down truck! |
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