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You are here: Experience and Enjoy > Wildlife & Nature > Birdwatching in Mid Wales

Birdwatching in Mid Wales

Mid Wales is where the red kite was saved. By the 1960s, this bird had been reduced to just a handful of breeding pairs in the remote valleys of the Cambrian Mountains. From that tiny population, the kite has recovered across the whole of Wales and beyond, and today you can see them overhead from almost anywhere in Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.

Two feeding stations give guaranteed close-up views. At Gigrin Farm near Rhayader, red kites gather every afternoon for the daily feed, and at Nant yr Arian near Aberystwyth the kites come down to the lake while you watch from the cafe terrace. Both are worth visiting, and on a good day you might count fifty or more birds circling overhead.

Ospreys returned to Wales at the Dyfi estuary near Machynlleth. The Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust runs the Dyfi Osprey Project with live nest cameras and a public viewing point open from April to September. Watching a fish eagle return to its nest with a catch is one of the best wildlife experiences in Britain.

The oak woodlands of Mid Wales, particularly in the Dyfi valley, around Lake Vyrnwy and in the Elan Valley, hold breeding pied flycatchers, redstarts, wood warblers and tree pipits in spring and summer. These are some of the most important woodlands for these species in the UK.

On the Ceredigion coast, choughs nest on the cliffs between Aberystwyth and Cardigan. Upland moors across the Cambrian Mountains support breeding curlew, golden plover, ring ouzel and merlin. The estuaries of the Dyfi and Mawddach draw wading birds and wildfowl through autumn and winter.

For guided birdwatching, check listings for local wildlife guides who know where to find the birds at different times of year.

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Land Rover Rally | Talyllyn Railway

Address

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

The Annual Land Rover take-over of Wharf returns!
The Rheidol Cycleway

Address

Ceredigion, SY23 1PG

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

A 28km trail along designated cycle paths and quiet country lanes between the towns of Aberystwyth & Devils’ Bridge.
Coed Nash | Nash Wood (NRW)

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2YT

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Powys

Just outside the historic town of Presteigne, Nash Wood lies half in Wales and half in England. The circular walking trail goes to a viewpoint overlooking one of the many hillforts along this part of the border.
Cefn Cenarth Nature Reserve

Address

Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5LR

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

Two areas of upland sessile oak woodland connected by a recently felled conifer plantation now replanted with native broadleaved species. An important place for mosses and lichens.
Pwllheli Railway Station

Address

Station Square, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 5HG

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Pwllheli

Pwllheli railway station is the terminus of the Cambrian coast Line from Machynlleth.
Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfalls

Address

Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, Powys, SY10 0BZ

Telephone
01691 780392

phillfacey@supanet.com

Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant

Pistyll Rhaeadr is a stunning waterfall in the Berwyn Mountains, just inside Wales, west of Oswestry and Shrewsbury. At 240ft (80m) high it is the UK tallest single drop waterfall.
Montgomery Canal

Address

Welshpool, Welshpool, Powys

Telephone
01938 553271

montycanal@aol.com

Welshpool

The Montgomery Canal in the Mid Wales Marches is a haven for wildlife and tranquility with many Sites of Special Scientific Interest along the way.
Tywyn Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Tywyn

Tywyn railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Bala Lake Railway | Model Railway Show

Address

Llyn Tegid | Bala Lake Railway, Llanuwchlyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Llanuwchlyn, Bala

Join us at Bala Model Railway Show, a popular exhibition of detailed model layouts and exhibits held over 2 days at Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn Secondary School, Bala.
The Three Musketeers - Illyria at Cardigan Castle

Address

Cardigan Castle & Gardens, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1JA

Telephone
01239 615131

info@cardigancastle.com

Cardigan

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas is brought to life by the outdoor theatre company Illyria. Expect humour, action, and lively performances in the beautiful castle setting.
Ystwyth Trail (Stage 2)

Address

Ystwyth Trail (Stage 2), Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron, SY25 6BJ

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ystrad Meurig - Tregaron

The Ystwyth Trail is a 20-mile(32.1km) cycle route and footpath linking Aberystwyth & Tregaron which follows part of the track of the old Great Western railway line
Gwyl Portmeirion Festival

Address

Portmeirion, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Telephone
01766 770000

post@portmerion.wales

Penrhyndeudraeth

Set against the colourful backdrop of Portmeirion, the Gwyl Portmeirion Festival 2026 promises a summer of music and celebration. Marking the village’s 100th anniversary, the event brings together renowned artists and Welsh talent for a unique…
Sioe Sir Meirion / Meirioneth County Show

Address

Llwyn Fields, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2YF

info@sioesir.org.uk

Dolgellau

The Meirioneth County Show returns to Dolgellau in 2026, celebrating the very best of rural life, farming and local enterprise.
Montgomery Cycle Trail | Llandyssil and Abermule

Address

Circular Cycling Route, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Telephone
01938 552043

admin@montgomery-wales.co.uk

Montgomery

There are five Montgomery Cycle Trails based in and around Montgomery that will provide you with beautiful views of the dramatic countryside of the Mid Wales Marches. Cycle Parking is available in Broad Street in the town centre.
Powis Castle | Courtyard Restaurant

Address

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RF

Telephone
01938 551920

powiscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Welshpool

Powis Castle’s restaurant has long been acknowledged as an example of excellence. Enjoy a variety of traditional dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients such as organic Welsh black beef, sourced from a local farm.
Hay Castle | Castell Y Gelli

Address

Oxford Road, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5DG

Telephone
01497 820079

info@haycastletrust.org

Hay-on-Wye

Hay Castle sets the imagination soaring. Once a great medieval stronghold, the castle and the grounds in the welsh borderlands are alive with possibilities once again as a centre for cultural, arts and education.
Mawddach Estuary

Address

Dolgellau - Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 2TA

Telephone
01766 770274

Dolgellau - Barmouth

The vast and sandy Mawddach estuary is one of Snowdonia National Park’s most remarkable areas. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation due to its salt marsh and lowland peat habitats.
Pinocchio - Illyria at Cardigan Castle'

Address

Cardigan Castle & Gardens, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1JA

Telephone
01239 615131

info@cardigancastle.com

Cardigan

Join Illyria Theatre at Cardigan Castle for a magical outdoor performance of Pinocchio. Filled with adventure, humour, and memorable characters, this family-friendly retelling of the classic tale follows Pinocchio’s journey as he learns about…
Ensemble Cymru Music Concerts | Gregynog

Address

Gregynog Hall & Gardens, Tregynon, Nr Newtown, Powys, SY16 3PL

Telephone
01686 650224

enquiries@gregynog.org

Nr Newtown

A series of monthly chamber music concerts lasting 45 minutes at Gregynog Hall performed by our leading associate musicians. 
Y Bwa | The Arch (NRW)

Address

Nr Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Nr Devil's Bridge

The old masonry arch spanning the road was built by Thomas Johnes of Hafod in 1810 to mark the Golden Jubilee of George III. Three circular walking trails are waymarked and start from the Hafod Arch car park and The Arch is designated as a Dark…