This is actually my second visit to Ynys Hir, I also visited in October 2016 but I know more about birds now and I was excited to see it at a different time of year!
I visited on the 1st of April so springtime was not in full swing as yet but there were migrants about. I actually got to the centre before the RSPB people so I must have looked very keen sitting there! Luckily I had the birdfeeder to watch, you can see a chaffinch and two pheasants enjoying their breakfast here.
![Pheasants at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0426.jpg)
I headed to the causeway hides first of all as I didn’t spend that much time there the first time I came.
![Ponies at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0427.jpg)
I love these ponies but I didn’t think they were tame so I gave them a wide berth.
![Ynys Hir Reserve](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0434.jpg)
My view on the way to the hides.
![Saltings hide at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0436.jpg)
The view of the Saltings hide from the Marain Mawr hide.
![Oystercatcher at Domen Las Hide, Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0437.jpg)
An oystercatcher takes off at the Domen Las hide looking over the River Dovey.
![Little egret at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0438.jpg)
A little egret taking in the view.
![Primrose at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0447.jpg)
A lovely primrose on the way to the other side of the reserve.
![Ponies at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0448.jpg)
Ponies on the track!
![Pony at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0450.jpg)
I thought the ponies would be wary of humans but clearly not as this one befriended me and I love it! What a gorgeous young pony.
![Ponies at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0457.jpg)
These ponies seemed wilder as they grazed away and ignored the people wandering past.
![Ynys Hir Reserve](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0460.jpg)
The Covert Du and Breakwater hides are closed due to flooding but here you can the view. Last time I was here I saw Barnacle geese as it was autumn.
![Reed bed at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0464.jpg)
I sat here looking for water rails, kingfishers or bitterns and I had no luck but I did see a little grebe.
![View from Ynys Hir Hide](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0472.jpg)
The view from the Ynys Hir hide over the reserve. Close by I saw a warbler building a nest, I think it was a willow warbler.
![Birding sightings at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0473.jpg)
Here are all the wonderful species you can see, both in English and in Welsh.
This is my full list of sightings:
- Redshank
- Canada goose
- Lapwing
- Teal
- Great egret
- Little egret
- Little grebe
- Pied wagtail
- Shelduck
- Mallard
- Dunnock
- Treecreepers
- Shoveler
- Curlew
- Pheasant
- Chaffinch
- Stonechat
![Bug hotel at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0474.jpg)
A very fancy hotel for bugs.
![Bench at Ynys Hir](https://landofsize.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/img_0475.jpg)
I had some hot chocolate and cake and looked out at these swans.
Another lovely day at Ynys Hir, the place where last year I saw my first hen harrier (a female) and my first reed buntings. I combined this trip with my visit to South Stack and RSPB Conwy and no doubt I’ll be back as Wales is great for birding.
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