Trip reports

Trip to Ynys-hir

RSPB Ynis-hyr nature reserve - view of pool from Ynys Eidiol hide -- RSPB image

Sunday, 17 May 2009

Despite the awful weather predictions, the day turned out to be largely rain free! Ynys-hir is one of the most beautiful reserves that the RSPB manage set in the coastal belt of Wales, with large stands of Oak woodland and estuary grazing marshes.

Displaying wood warblers high in the canopy and singing pied flycatchers below them nesting in the numerous boxes provided for them. Redstart proved more elusive but were eventually seen by most of the group, willow warblers, chiffchafs were plentiful filling the woodland with song.

On the marshes a lone peregrine sat on a low post, seemingly deciding what was next on the menu! A hugh raven nest situated in a small pine copse, seemed to have had a successful year witnessed by the young flying around and causing consternation amongst the the local crows. A fly over by a single, rather tatty, red kite was noted but pristine examples seen from the coach earlier did not fly on to the reserve.

The spotted flycatcher near the reserve centre eluded the writer but others were more successful.
A great day in Wales came to a close with all of the group dry and warm which is always a bonus, but not unusual on our coach trips.