Ynys-hir RSPB 15/05/10

As I missed out on a couple of my favorite birds last summer I decided to make a mense this year. Pied flycatcher and Wood warbler completely eluded me last year, so I thought I would visit the place I know they are virtually guaranteed. Ynys-hir is an RSPB reserve consisting of mixed woodland and wet grassland. It is situated in Powys, Mid Wales near the town of Machynlleth. It's quite a large reserve and definitely worth the 2 hour drive for me to get there.

You are greeted in the car-park with a nice bird feeder situated outside the visitor center. It's always full of Siskin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. Until all get frightened to death by visiting Great spotted woodpeckers. The first song of note I heard as I started walking was my favorite warbler song. Wood warbler giving it everything in the early morning sunshine. A top bird and a Ynys-hir specialty with at least 4 either seen or heard during the day.

But Ynys-hir is not just about Wood warbler it is a fantastic place for all woodland birds. I had no less than 8 warbler species throughout the day. It also can be good for all 3 woodpecker. Although i've only ever seen Green and Great spotted here, there was a sighting of Lesser spotted this week on the sightings board.
The reserve is full of nest boxes, some of which are taken up by the fantastic Pied flycatcher. I really could watch this little bird all day together with the Spotted flycatcher which are also around the reserve. Also present in good numbers are another top bird the Redstart. Another bird I never get tired of watching.
I also got a few new birds for the year today including Common sandpiper, Garden warbler and Red kite. The Kites can be pretty hit and miss though as i've been to the reserve times before and not seen them at all.
I've also had Osprey over the estuary but not today unfortunately. But something I did notice today is that the Wildlife trust have opened the Dyfi Osprey project about a mile down the road from Ynys-hir. Apparently a pair tried to nest with no success last year and only the female has returned so far this year. So fingers crossed for the future.

Just as I was heading back to the car a calling Peregrine circled overhead being mobbed by crows. It still stuck around for about 5 minutes despite the barrage. As I was packing my stuff in the car a gentleman told me he had also had a Hobby being mobbed by hirundines earlier in the day.
So as you can see Ynys-hir is a brilliant reserve and one definitely worth a trip.

Highlights list:

Red kite
Peregrine
Common sandpiper
Gs woodpecker
Redstart
Sedge warbler
Reed warbler
Whitethroat
Garden warbler
Blackcap
Wood Warbler
Chiffchaff
Willow warbler
Goldcrest
Spotted flycatcher
Pied flycatcher
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Siskin.

The RSPB: Ynys-hir

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