Trip reports

Coach trip to Ynys Hir

Sunday, 29 April 2007

The RSPB has many fantastic reserves but Ynys Hir is arguably the most beautiful with its oak covered hillsides and stunning views over the Dyfi estuary. It is particularly attractive in spring when the lovely flora is enhanced by the arrival of oakwood specialities such as redstart and pied flycatcher. As soon as we disembarked from our coach we could hear the unmistakeable trill of the third member of the oakwood trio - the wood warbler and not too long after we were able to watch pied flycatchers visiting their nest. Redstart took a little longer to find but was close to both nesting raven and tree pipit performing its characteristic song flight.
The first of two bonuses was a peregrine overhead as we gathered in the car park late afternoon and finally to round off a memorable day we took a slightly longer way home to view red kites near the Forestry Commision's centre at Bwlch Nant yr Arian. Just parking at the side of the main road we were able to see well over twenty of these magnificent birds - some flying right above us. It proved difficult to persuade one photographer to get back on the coach for the journey home.
Thanks again to Ashley for his picture of a pied flycatcher.