Today we were returning to the RSPB Ynys Hir, a reserve we visited in 2012, just after its role as a host for the BBC Springwatch. Set between the mountains of Snowdonia and the Cambrian mountains to the south we remember the reserve as being stunning. Lying beside the Dovey Estuary it gets both waders and wildfowl, as well as the spring visitors that are so special to this part of the country.
The reserve covers an area of 800 hectares with a wide mix
of habitats - mountain, lowland wet grassland, reed-bed, bog, woodland and
saltmarsh. The word Ynys in welsh means island, but I wasn't sure why this area was so called as I could not make out any form of island, maybe at one point the lowland boggy area was an island within the Dovey estuary.
We were here though once again for the stunning Welsh oak
woodland which in spring has breeding pied flycatcher, redstart, and wood
warbler, and we also remembered the early spring flowers such as bluebells
putting on a good show. Reading up on the reserve it would also appear that there has been extensive management work, and I was interested to see what this has done for the areas away from the wood.
It was about a thirty minute drive from the apartment, and we left at a reasonable time, and as we pulled into the car park there were already several cars in place. We set off onto th green trail that takes you through the woodland on the side of the valley, and almost immediately we were greeted with an amazing display of bluebells.
The sun was still quite low and the light was filtering through the branches and the flowers were lit against the dark back drop of a dry stone wall.
Up close you can see how the "bells" droop, the flower heads bending down with the weight of the blue bells.
I couldn't resist this Dandelion seed head lit up by the sunlight and again set against the dark background of the wood floor. Time standing still for now.
All around there was the song of the Willow Warbler, but not the hoped for Wood Warbler. In fact in the whole time we were on the reserve we never heard a Wood Warbler sing at all. They are recorded as being present but were obviously not in large numbers, and not showing today.
We followed the trail through the oaks, getting once again fleeting glimpses of both male and female Pied Flycatchers, and listening to snatches of song from a couple of Redstarts.
We wound our way down through the woods coming out on to the main path at the bottom of the valley, from here we headed west following the red trail out into the lowlands. It was here that we started to see the changes that have taken place on the reserve with trees having been taken out, and replaced with small silver birches. At the end of the path once again a Willow Warbler was singing, this one however was showing well.
Despite the branches we could get good views
The trail now wound its way out into the lowland bog area, with the sun bleached dead trees scattered across the landscape.
We took a side trail that wound through a small wood, where at least a couple of Garden Warblers sang in the scrub. The trail ended at a viewing screen where at least two Reed Warblers teased sightings as they sang from within the reeds. Here the view from the screen looking east across the reserve.
In the sheltered spots away from the cool wind butterflies were emerging, as always the Speckled Wood were the first.
We had to turn back o ourselves, and as we approached the main trail a Garden Warbler was in full song, and for once was doing so from a prominent position.
It normally takes some encouragement to get them to show themselves from within the scrub, but this was definitely not the case with this individual.
You always wonder if the song you hear could be a Garden Warbler when it is in fact a Blackcap. However when you hear a Garden Warbler you know it is a Garden Warbler.
At Ynys-Hir the also seemed to occupy different habitats, the Blackcaps being heard in the woods and the Garden Warblers in the fresh new tree scrub around the lowland paths.
Having failed to get suitable glimpses of the Reed Warblers as we came onto the board walk we were determined to get some views of a couple of Sedge Warbler singing from small bushes and the surrounding reeds.
This bird stayed very close hidden by the density of the reeds.
But finally moved to a place where I was able to see through the reed stems to catch the essence of the bird in full song.
We followed the board walk around the trail through the reed and scrub where more Sedge Warblers sang in complete obscurity from us.
As we approached the far bank a Whitethroat could be seen singing from the top of a dead tree.
It flew off across the bog and took up another perch from where its scratchy song could still be heard.
We walked off the board walk and headed up to the hide that over looked the flood plain of the Dovey. This was a new hide as looking out across the plain we could see where the old trail went, and we had walked before, and an old hide that was closer to the river we had stopped off in.
There wasn't much on the flood plain, it was dominated by pairs of Canada Geese, some of whom had young goslings.
Mallard was the dominate duck, but there were also a couple of Teal, and five Wigeon, really late for this duck, all have usually headed north by this time.
There was one pair though that was a slightly different arrangement, a Canada Goose and a rather doting Barnacle Goose that was following the larger goose everywhere. First through the grass and bullrushes.
And then out onto the water.
Apparently Canada and Barnacle geese frequently hybridise especially when there are feral populations. The offspring of these liaisons are also fertile. Barnacle geese do winter here so it may just be that this is a migrant bird that has fallen in love, then again it could be a feral, we would never know. I found this site providing details on all possible bird hybrids that is quite interesting.
We left the hide and continued on the boardwalk. Despite the cold wind a dragonfly was on the wing, and from the brown colour and size it was probably an early four spotted chaser. As the boardwalk ended we came across another pair of Canada Geese with, this time, three goslings, who could resist.
The trail then made its way through a sheltered spot of woodland with Hawthorn bushes in flower directly in the sun, a magnet for the few butterflies that were about. This looks like a Green-veined White that has recently emerged, the wings still to be fully out.
And of course the Speckled Wood, maybe a little worse for wear.
The path then opened out providing some wonderful views across the Dovey Estuary.
Here looking west.
And as we looked to the north a Swift flew through.
Still following the red trail it led through a bluebell bank and a small group of oak trees that formed a canopy over the path.
Coming down on the other side a very confiding Robin was perched on the bramble.
From here we made our way back to the visitor centre and despite the fact that it was yet the afternoon we decided to have lunch, taking the time to use the picnic tables that afforded a wonderful view.
After lunch we set out to explore the eastern end of the reserve, following the blue trail. A tarmac road leads out alongside the dry wall and around this tall mature Oaks, and Ash trees. A Pied Flycatcher was singing in the canopy, and I was able to quickly find it perched below the leaves.
We were treated to some lovely views as it sang.
Probably the best views we had of this charismatic bird of the western oak woodlands
We crossed the railway and headed across the grass land area.
Walking around the lakes there was little to see of any significance. A couple of Little Egret were hunting the shallow water, and three Redshank were roosting on the islands along with Lapwing.
We didn't stay too long and headed back into the woodland area once again, and back with the bluebells. Here a few of Aberdovey, the village on the north western tip of the estuary, distantly through the branches of the oak trees
Another close up of these beautiful spring flowers.
The woodland area was interspersed with dark areas and bright glades, and in the sunlit glades there were Large Red Damselflies.
Close up they are quite beautiful with red yellow and black on the abdomen.
In amongst the bluebells were the white flowers of the Field Mouse-ear flowers, so called for the shape of their petals.
And these were an attraction for the Green-veined White butterflies.
While in the sunny spots Brimstone would finally settle.
And even on the bluebell "bells".
A rather faded Peacock added to the butterfly count.
As I stood waiting for the butterflies to settle a Pied Flycatcher literally flew at me only realising its mistake at the last minute. It settled though quite close, but in really bad light.
A little further along a singing Redstart finally revealed itself sitting on a dead branch at eye level on the slope.
The male Redstart is a stunning bird, its looked enhanced by the fact that it quivers its tail which adds to the colour.
And finally I had a good set of photographs of this stunning summer visitor.
We followed the path back to the visitor centre, and after a disappointing ice cream and a chase of this Small White we decided it was time to leave and move on. We were not going far, just up the road to Cors Dyfi and the Dyfi Osprey Project.
This is a flagship project run by the Monmouthshire Wildlife trust. The project started in 2009, following the erection of a nest platform the year before. There was a small visitor centre with a porta-cabin, and put two cameras on the nest platform. No nesting took place that year but a male bird was identified and named as Monty.
Monty returned in 2010 but still no breeding, and then again in 2011 when he was joined by a female who was named Nora. The pair successfully raised three chicks and they fledged later that year.
We visited the project in 2012, when there was a small observation hide quite distant from the nest, but cameras allowed us to see into the nests and get better views of the birds. The weather was not kind to the ospreys in 2012 and only one chick survived that year.
In 2013 Nora failed to return, and there was a procession of females, one emerged as the favourite and she was named Glesni. Over the years the pair raised ten chicks, but Glesni did not return in 2018, and now there is a new female present with Monty still the diligent father.
While all this was going on major changes were happening to the project. A brand new observation centre was built 180 metres from the nest, and believe me this provide incredible views of the birds and the nest. The camera equipment was also updated and the quality of the images was incredible.
Today the female is called Telyn, and while we were there she was sitting on three eggs in the nest. However we were fortunate that Monty had caught a fish and was tucking into it when we arrived.
Here you can just see Telyn's head above the nest.
There was a heat haze despite the coll temperatures which made the photography difficult. Monty then decided to take off.
and fly off around the area.
But returning to a perch on the other side of the nest.
Not the best photographs, but wonderful to see the Osprey fly around rather than stand still. But was even more amazing were the changes made to this reserve. Incredible facilities and show what can be done if you have these wonderful birds around. An opportunity for the south coast?
Back at the apartment I decided to take the chance to walk down to the river to see if I could get some views of the Dipper. Walking down the hill the tree looked spectacular in the field, and I thought it would look equally impressive in black and white.
I was taken by this clump of Wild Garlic.
I stood on the bridge and waited. When I arrived a Dipper flew up stream so I was hopeful that one would come back.
It took about 15 minutes but one did finally arrive, flying to a branch sitting in the river.
Coming slightly closer to a rock in the water.
Then it came to the bank where it was joined by a second bird.
One bird then disappeared, leaving the other to fly to the other side of the river where it was swimming in the water, but the light was so difficult. Finally I decided to move to where the light was better, and fortunately the Dipper stayed allowing me some much better views.
Then it moved into the water and was pushing its head under water as it searched for the water insects.
Much better views now.
It has been awhile since I have seen one, and after the disappointment of Fridays's visit to Gwenffrwd Dinas and not getting the views this was perfect, some of the best views I have had.
I actually left the Dipper fishing in the river as time was moving on, and away from the sun it was quite cold. I made my way up hill back to the apartment in time for dinner.
The sunset that evening again was quiet superb.
One more day left, we only hoped that the information we had received about our destination would not turn out to be correct.
We wound our way down through the woods coming out on to the main path at the bottom of the valley, from here we headed west following the red trail out into the lowlands. It was here that we started to see the changes that have taken place on the reserve with trees having been taken out, and replaced with small silver birches. At the end of the path once again a Willow Warbler was singing, this one however was showing well.
Despite the branches we could get good views
The trail now wound its way out into the lowland bog area, with the sun bleached dead trees scattered across the landscape.
We took a side trail that wound through a small wood, where at least a couple of Garden Warblers sang in the scrub. The trail ended at a viewing screen where at least two Reed Warblers teased sightings as they sang from within the reeds. Here the view from the screen looking east across the reserve.
In the sheltered spots away from the cool wind butterflies were emerging, as always the Speckled Wood were the first.
We had to turn back o ourselves, and as we approached the main trail a Garden Warbler was in full song, and for once was doing so from a prominent position.
It normally takes some encouragement to get them to show themselves from within the scrub, but this was definitely not the case with this individual.
You always wonder if the song you hear could be a Garden Warbler when it is in fact a Blackcap. However when you hear a Garden Warbler you know it is a Garden Warbler.
At Ynys-Hir the also seemed to occupy different habitats, the Blackcaps being heard in the woods and the Garden Warblers in the fresh new tree scrub around the lowland paths.
Having failed to get suitable glimpses of the Reed Warblers as we came onto the board walk we were determined to get some views of a couple of Sedge Warbler singing from small bushes and the surrounding reeds.
This bird stayed very close hidden by the density of the reeds.
But finally moved to a place where I was able to see through the reed stems to catch the essence of the bird in full song.
We followed the board walk around the trail through the reed and scrub where more Sedge Warblers sang in complete obscurity from us.
As we approached the far bank a Whitethroat could be seen singing from the top of a dead tree.
It flew off across the bog and took up another perch from where its scratchy song could still be heard.
We walked off the board walk and headed up to the hide that over looked the flood plain of the Dovey. This was a new hide as looking out across the plain we could see where the old trail went, and we had walked before, and an old hide that was closer to the river we had stopped off in.
There wasn't much on the flood plain, it was dominated by pairs of Canada Geese, some of whom had young goslings.
Mallard was the dominate duck, but there were also a couple of Teal, and five Wigeon, really late for this duck, all have usually headed north by this time.
There was one pair though that was a slightly different arrangement, a Canada Goose and a rather doting Barnacle Goose that was following the larger goose everywhere. First through the grass and bullrushes.
And then out onto the water.
Apparently Canada and Barnacle geese frequently hybridise especially when there are feral populations. The offspring of these liaisons are also fertile. Barnacle geese do winter here so it may just be that this is a migrant bird that has fallen in love, then again it could be a feral, we would never know. I found this site providing details on all possible bird hybrids that is quite interesting.
We left the hide and continued on the boardwalk. Despite the cold wind a dragonfly was on the wing, and from the brown colour and size it was probably an early four spotted chaser. As the boardwalk ended we came across another pair of Canada Geese with, this time, three goslings, who could resist.
The trail then made its way through a sheltered spot of woodland with Hawthorn bushes in flower directly in the sun, a magnet for the few butterflies that were about. This looks like a Green-veined White that has recently emerged, the wings still to be fully out.
And of course the Speckled Wood, maybe a little worse for wear.
The path then opened out providing some wonderful views across the Dovey Estuary.
Here looking west.
And as we looked to the north a Swift flew through.
Still following the red trail it led through a bluebell bank and a small group of oak trees that formed a canopy over the path.
Coming down on the other side a very confiding Robin was perched on the bramble.
From here we made our way back to the visitor centre and despite the fact that it was yet the afternoon we decided to have lunch, taking the time to use the picnic tables that afforded a wonderful view.
After lunch we set out to explore the eastern end of the reserve, following the blue trail. A tarmac road leads out alongside the dry wall and around this tall mature Oaks, and Ash trees. A Pied Flycatcher was singing in the canopy, and I was able to quickly find it perched below the leaves.
We were treated to some lovely views as it sang.
Probably the best views we had of this charismatic bird of the western oak woodlands
We crossed the railway and headed across the grass land area.
Walking around the lakes there was little to see of any significance. A couple of Little Egret were hunting the shallow water, and three Redshank were roosting on the islands along with Lapwing.
We didn't stay too long and headed back into the woodland area once again, and back with the bluebells. Here a few of Aberdovey, the village on the north western tip of the estuary, distantly through the branches of the oak trees
Another close up of these beautiful spring flowers.
The woodland area was interspersed with dark areas and bright glades, and in the sunlit glades there were Large Red Damselflies.
Close up they are quite beautiful with red yellow and black on the abdomen.
In amongst the bluebells were the white flowers of the Field Mouse-ear flowers, so called for the shape of their petals.
And these were an attraction for the Green-veined White butterflies.
While in the sunny spots Brimstone would finally settle.
And even on the bluebell "bells".
A rather faded Peacock added to the butterfly count.
As I stood waiting for the butterflies to settle a Pied Flycatcher literally flew at me only realising its mistake at the last minute. It settled though quite close, but in really bad light.
A little further along a singing Redstart finally revealed itself sitting on a dead branch at eye level on the slope.
The male Redstart is a stunning bird, its looked enhanced by the fact that it quivers its tail which adds to the colour.
And finally I had a good set of photographs of this stunning summer visitor.
We followed the path back to the visitor centre, and after a disappointing ice cream and a chase of this Small White we decided it was time to leave and move on. We were not going far, just up the road to Cors Dyfi and the Dyfi Osprey Project.
This is a flagship project run by the Monmouthshire Wildlife trust. The project started in 2009, following the erection of a nest platform the year before. There was a small visitor centre with a porta-cabin, and put two cameras on the nest platform. No nesting took place that year but a male bird was identified and named as Monty.
Monty returned in 2010 but still no breeding, and then again in 2011 when he was joined by a female who was named Nora. The pair successfully raised three chicks and they fledged later that year.
We visited the project in 2012, when there was a small observation hide quite distant from the nest, but cameras allowed us to see into the nests and get better views of the birds. The weather was not kind to the ospreys in 2012 and only one chick survived that year.
In 2013 Nora failed to return, and there was a procession of females, one emerged as the favourite and she was named Glesni. Over the years the pair raised ten chicks, but Glesni did not return in 2018, and now there is a new female present with Monty still the diligent father.
While all this was going on major changes were happening to the project. A brand new observation centre was built 180 metres from the nest, and believe me this provide incredible views of the birds and the nest. The camera equipment was also updated and the quality of the images was incredible.
Today the female is called Telyn, and while we were there she was sitting on three eggs in the nest. However we were fortunate that Monty had caught a fish and was tucking into it when we arrived.
Here you can just see Telyn's head above the nest.
There was a heat haze despite the coll temperatures which made the photography difficult. Monty then decided to take off.
and fly off around the area.
But returning to a perch on the other side of the nest.
Not the best photographs, but wonderful to see the Osprey fly around rather than stand still. But was even more amazing were the changes made to this reserve. Incredible facilities and show what can be done if you have these wonderful birds around. An opportunity for the south coast?
Back at the apartment I decided to take the chance to walk down to the river to see if I could get some views of the Dipper. Walking down the hill the tree looked spectacular in the field, and I thought it would look equally impressive in black and white.
I was taken by this clump of Wild Garlic.
I stood on the bridge and waited. When I arrived a Dipper flew up stream so I was hopeful that one would come back.
It took about 15 minutes but one did finally arrive, flying to a branch sitting in the river.
Coming slightly closer to a rock in the water.
Then it came to the bank where it was joined by a second bird.
One bird then disappeared, leaving the other to fly to the other side of the river where it was swimming in the water, but the light was so difficult. Finally I decided to move to where the light was better, and fortunately the Dipper stayed allowing me some much better views.
Then it moved into the water and was pushing its head under water as it searched for the water insects.
Much better views now.
It has been awhile since I have seen one, and after the disappointment of Fridays's visit to Gwenffrwd Dinas and not getting the views this was perfect, some of the best views I have had.
I actually left the Dipper fishing in the river as time was moving on, and away from the sun it was quite cold. I made my way up hill back to the apartment in time for dinner.
The sunset that evening again was quiet superb.
One more day left, we only hoped that the information we had received about our destination would not turn out to be correct.
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