Trip reports
Woodland wonders
Sunday, 10 May 2009
The disappointment of the RSPB's hastily arranged Osprey viewpoint being without its star attractions was quickly undone when a family face from the group's recent past - former committee member Mervyn Lloyd - strolled up the path as our coach pulled into the car park. We lacked the beautiful sunshine of this year's other trips but it was a bright and pleasant day throughout and there was no wind or rain to dampen the spirits.
The birds of course were simultaneously thrilling and elusive, as is the way in any deciduous woodland in May. The most obliging by a long way were the Pied Flycatchers. These flitted from branches to their nest boxes and the bright males were a lovely sight for spring. Some of the group got a fleeting view of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but a large number of observes meant the bird remained frustratingly shy - it should have taken a leaf out of its Great-cousin, who offered lovely views to many throughout the day. Nuthatches were busy and abundant and a Treecreeper completed the set of tree dwellers. But for the general absence of Green Woodpeckers in the Powys region some people might have been lucky enough to get the full set of five!
A Willow Warbler and male Redstart both perched for outstanding views, and there were plenty of Garden Warblers and Blackcaps to see. A Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler chased each other among the brambles and Wheatear, Whinchat and Stonechat were all on show. The estuary had a totally different set of birds altogether - perhaps the most magical thing about Ynys-Hir is that it can be abundant with White-fronted Geese in February and Pied Flycatchers in May! Quite a contrast. A large flock of Dunlin accompanied a single Brent Goose, Redshank as well as plenty of Shelduck and a single male Pintail.
My own personal favourite bird of the day were the Wood Warblers. So often can these birds crawl among the treetops with only their spinning coin sound evidence that they're there at all. Yet on this day there were plenty showing well with the luminescent green chests often very close to the paths and their song filling the wood.
And what a wood. The birds at Ynys-Hir are nearly always fantastic but it is the reserve itself that is the real star. From the estuary to the layers of trees on the distant banks, it is a stunning sight in every direction. The woods were filled with bluebells and different types of trees seemed weaved together like a blanket. There were bright new trees and old shapely trunks on steeply-sloped banks in the woods, and rolling green fields full of sheep.
Part of the magic is the unspoiled and rugged nature of the reserve. Few paths are anything more than worn by the feet of their visitors - it truly is in its 'natural state'. You can certainly see more species of birds at other locations, but the hills and woods of Ynys-Hir take some beating.