Trip reports

Birdwatching Trip to RSPB Lake Vyrnwy

Sunday, 20 April 2008

Thirty-three members of the Group visited the RSPB reserve at Lake Vyrnwy in Central Wales on Sunday 20th April 2008. The showers died out as we arrived at the reserve and, whilst it was still dull and damp, the weather was pleasant and we had no more rain. Last time we were at Lake Vyrnwy we saw a firecrest by the coach park but this time we had to be content with a goldcrest. We had good sightings of early migrants such as chiffchaff, pied flycatcher and willow warbler. Swallows had arrived in good numbers and were hunting over the water. A marsh tit was special and a lifer for some. The close views of the birds at the feeding station held our attention for some time and we were rewarded with the sight of a hunting sparrowhawk diving at a squirrel-proof feeder and taking a siskin from inside the feeder. A fortunate few also saw an otter by the dam. This is a beautiful place and deserves a further visit.