International Dawn Chorus Day
The Ynyshir nature reserve is run by the RSPB and is roughly a 30-minute drive towards Aberystwyth. Its location - within southern Eryri (Snowdonia) to the north, and the Cambrian mountains to the south - means you will be surrounded by natural beauty. The reserve covers around 800 hectares and is home to such a wide variety of habitats so there’s always a whole host of wildlife to spot.
In the same direction, and just outside Machynlleth, is the Dyfi Osprey Project located at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve. Ospreys were once extinct as a breeding species in the UK, but in response to increasing sightings in spring and autumn, an osprey nest platform was erected in 2007. In 2009, the Dyfi Osprey Project opened and in 2011, the first male was joined by a young female, leading to an osprey egg and chick - the first seen on the Dyfi in centuries! Ospreys have returned to breed on the Dyfi every year since. The 360 Observatory is the centerpiece of the reserve and the new Dyfi Wildlife Visitor Centre opened in Spring 2021. It is about a ten-minute walk from the centre to the observatory. At just 190m from the osprey nest, it provides superb viewing opportunities and is a wonderful place to soak up the 360° panoramic views of the Dyfi Valley. The reserve is fully accessible to wheelchair users and has full amenities for visitors; toilets, the café, seating areas, interpretation, osprey screens and shop, all under one roof.
Penmaenpool is situated on the beautiful Mawddach estuary, home to the old wooden toll bridge that was opened a few miles from Dolgellau back in 1879.
The information centre and observation point are housed in a railway signal box, where telescopes and binoculars are provided for your use. Snowdonia National Park purchased the section of railway line when it closed down in 1965 and converted it into a walk along the southern side of the estuary. The centre is administered by the RSPB and North Wales Wildlife Trust.
Penmaenpool is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is an important breeding site for wetland birds such as redshank and merganser. Water rails can also be observed in the winter. The Garth Gell Bird Reserve lies opposite - nature trails, an information centre, buzzards, ravens, cormorants, pied flycatcher, wood warblers, red start and more.
If you would rather stay closer to the hotel, we are treated to a huge variety of bird species that can be seen locally. Sea birds often spotted in Aberdyfi include the Manx Shearwater, Cormorants, Terns and Gulls. Across the beach you might be able to spot Oystercatchers, Kittiwakes and Sanderlings. A little more inland - particularly across the golf course - look out for Kites, Sparrowhawks, Martins, Wagtails, Thrushes, Sparrows and Wrens. You don’t even need to look out for birds; just listen and try to hear the familiar sound of a cuckoo, woodpecker or during the night, the distinct coo of the barn owl.
We have a full list of birds that can be seen from the Trefeddian; some reside closeby over the summer or winter months, and some just pass through. During your next stay, ask us for a copy of the list, grab your binoculars and see how many you can tick off.
