Ynys-hir

Address: RSPB Ynys-hir, Eglyws-fach, Machynlleth SY20 8TA

Grid ref: SN681960

With the mountains of southern Snowdonia to the north and the Cambrian hills to the south, the Ynys-hir reserve is stunning whichever way you look. Summer brings wading birds, such as lapwings and redshanks and some very special butterflies. Come the colder months, ducks and geese move in.

Plan your visit

Open from dawn to dusk.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: £6

Children: £3

Other discounts: Family ticket: £12

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets off-site
Refreshments
Picnic area
Binocular hire
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails
Shop off-site
Educational facilities

Accessibility

Download full accessibility statement (PDF)

How to get here

By train

The nearest train station is Machynlleth. Proceed by bus or taxi to the reserve from there. If you are coming by bike, it is possible to get a train to Dyfi junction and cycle the 3 miles to the reserve.

By bus

There is a regular hourly bus service between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth which stops in Eglwys-fach (X28).

By bike

Sustrans Route 8.

By road

The reserve is situated between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth. Turn off the A487 in the village of Eglwys-fach and proceed one mile to the car park.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Group bookings welcome. Due to the nature of the access road there is limited parking for coaches, we therefore ask that you book beforehand. We can provide a ten-minute introduction talk to the reserve including recent sightings etc.

We welcome visits by schools, for led sessions please call the visitor centre to ask about what is on offer. Prior booking will be needed. Cost for visits vary depending on length of stay.

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Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 162KB

Ynys-hir trail guide (English)

Crwydro’r warchodfa. PDF, 171KB

Ynys-hir trail guide (Welsh)

Contact Ynys-hir

RSPB Ynys-hir, Eglyws-fach, Machynlleth SY20 8TA
ynys-hir@rspb.org.uk
01654 700222

What will you see?

Our star species

Lapwing

Watch the nesting lapwings here chasing predators that may come too close.

Redshank

Redshanks nest here in good numbers.

White-fronted goose

A small flock of around 20-30 white-fronted geese are generally present between late October and early April.

Wood warbler

Wood warblers can be seen in the woods here in spring.

Pied flycatcher

Pied flycatchers breed in the oak woods and can be seen from the paths.

Nature spectacles

Flocks of wintering wigeon, lapwing and teal can be seen especially around high tides from the Saltings or Ynys Feurig hides. Spring is spectacular. Pied flycatchers and redstarts sing in our woods and the woodland floor in late April and May is covered in a purple haze of bluebells. Quiet pools can give close views of otters and kingfishers. If you don't fancy a walk, our visitor centre bird feeders are alive with birds.

The wetlands have breeding waders including lapwing and redshank. Grasshopper warblers and water rail lurk in the reeds. The woods are alive with breeding pied flycatchers, wood warblers and redstart. Carpets of bluebells are spectacular.

Grass snakes bask in sheltered corners and common lizards dart away from the boardwalk. A wide variety of dragonflies and butterflies cavort in our woodland glades. Quiet pools can reveal otters and kingfishers.

Colours and misty mornings turn the reserve into a magical landscape. Barnacle geese graze the saltmarsh and wigeon whistle from the marshes.

Hen harriers come down from the hills and merlins chase flocks of finches. Teals dabble in the pools giving fantastic views.

About Ynys-hir

Habitat

There are an exciting mixture of habitats to be explored at Ynys-hir. Stunning Welsh oak woodland which in spring has breeding pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler and lesser spotted woodpecker as well as the early spring flowers such as bluebells.

The estuary saltmarsh and lowland wet grasslands support breeding lapwing and redshank. During the autumn and winter months this habitat is important for Greenland white-fronted geese, golden plover, lapwing, wigeon and barnacle geese.

Other areas to explore include freshwater pools, reedbeds and peat bog. Birds to be seen here include grasshopper warblers, water rail with hen harrier in the winter. There are many species of dragonfly and butterflies including small red dragonfly and brimstone butterflies, otters, common lizard, slow worms and grass snakes.

Conservation

The reserve covers an area of 800 hectares with a wide mix of habitats - mountain, lowland wet grassland, reedbed, bog, woodland and saltmarsh. It has many conservation status including SSSI, SAC, RAMSAR and sits in the middle of the only Welsh UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Our team of wardens and volunteers carefully manage these habitats and have helped restore a conifer plantation into an active peat bog habitat and safeguard England and Wales' only wintering population of Greenland white-fronted geese.

Site information

A wildlife haven in the heart of Wales, Ynys-hir has been awarded Ramsar, Natura 2000 and SSSI status.

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What people are saying about Ynys-hir

Excellent reserve. Peaceful and relaxing, easy to spend all day just watching and listening to all the birds.

Steve Cotterill

Told wife I would be about 2 hours. It took me 90 mins to reach 1st hide. Wood warblers, pied flycatchers and redstarts hindered my progress - awesome. Coming again next weekend to make a whole day of it.

Michael J Nicklin

I went to Ynys-hir with school, so much fun, holding tadpoles in your hand, beautiful place is WALES!

Hannah

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Pond dipping kits, children activity rucksacks are for hire. Brass rubbing trail, challenge sheets and wildlife bingo always available. Don't worry if you've forgotten your binoculars, we have those to hire too.

Leisure activities

With the stunning views of the Welsh landscape and local wildlife, Ynys-hir is perfect for a picnic and a walk with family and friends. There is always something to see throughout the seasons from winter waders and geese on the estuary through to the oak woodlands full of bluebells in the spring. Come what may, rain or shine, you can always come back to the visitor centre for a cuppa and a piece of cake!