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.
I headed to the causeway hides first of all as I didn’t spend that much time there the first time I came.
I love these ponies but I didn’t think they were tame so I gave them a wide berth.
My view on the way to the hides.
The view of the Saltings hide from the Marain Mawr hide.
An oystercatcher takes off at the Domen Las hide looking over the River Dovey.
A little egret taking in the view.
A lovely primrose on the way to the other side of the reserve.
Ponies on the track!
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.
These ponies seemed wilder as they grazed away and ignored the people wandering past.
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.
I sat here looking for water rails, kingfishers or bitterns and I had no luck but I did see a little grebe.
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.
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
A very fancy hotel for bugs.
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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