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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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Morfa Dyffryn Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, near Barmouth, LL43 2AR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

near Barmouth

The spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Afon Ysgethin in the south to Afon Artro in the north.
Harlech Beach

Address

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UG

Telephone
01286 679686

tourism@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Harlech

Harlech beach is an ideal place for children to play and an even better spot for adults to sit back and relax. The beautiful sand dunes are the reason behind the area’s designation as a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Llwyngwril

Address

Gwynedd, LL37 2JS

Telephone
01341 280787

barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Llwyngwril is a coastal village with a population of around 500. The village falls within the Snowdonia National Park.
Jiali Wang & Philip Lambert | Gŵyl Machynlleth Festival

Address

Y Tabernacl Auditorium, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AJ

Telephone
01654 703355

info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:
28 Aug 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30

A truly inspirational recital given by two pianists, both passionate in their respective fields of artistry, performance and composition.
Talybont | Mynydd Gorddu Walk

Address

Talybont Village Green, Talybont, Ceredigion, SY24 5HE

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Talybont

Start: Tal-y-bont village green
Grid Reference: SN654 891
Distance: Walk A: 10.5 km – 6.5 miles
Walk B: 9.8 km – 6.1 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Tarmac road, firm tracks, fields and woodland. Can be muddy in places
The Beacons Way Walk

Address

National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8EL

Telephone
01874 623366

visitor.centre@breconbeacons.org

Brecon

The Beacons Way walk offers some of the best views the National Park has to offer. If you want to complete the whole 163 km (101 mile) walk it takes eight days, or you can do it one day at a time at your convenience.
North Powys | Cadair Berwyn

Address

Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, North Powys, SY10 0BZ

Telephone
01978 860828

llangollen@nwtic.com

North Powys

Cadair Berwyn mountain summit (Y Berwyn or Mynydd y Berwyn) is the highest point in the Berwyn Mountain range at 2723 ft (830 meters). It can be accessed via Pistyll Rhaeadr which is north-west of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, on the B4580.
Usk Reservoir

Address

Nr Trecastle, Powys, LD3 8YF

Powys

The Usk Reservoir is a remote upland 280 acre reservoir surrounded by the Glasfynnedd Forest. Waymarked route around the reservoir for walking and cycling. Great for fishing and is one of the National Park's top ten sites for stargazing.
Betsi Cadwaladr | Heritage Trail

Address

Station Road, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7NG

Bala

A circular walk first through the town, over farmland and moorland to Llanycil returning along the lake and through the town with many stiles. The walk passes various locations associated with Betsi Cadwaladr.
Llangammarch Railway Station

Address

Llangammarch, Powys, LD4 4EE

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llangammarch

Llangammarch railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Fairbourne Railway Station

Address

Station Rd, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2AQ

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Fairbourne

Fairbourne railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Barmouth Beach

Address

Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1NE

Telephone
01341 281617

info@barmouthstation.com

Gwynedd

Barmouth is southern Snowdonia’s most popular seaside resort. In summer, its big sandy beach is a magnet for visitors, yet there’s so much space along miles of unbroken sands that it never gets overcrowded.
Chocolate Festival of Wales

Address

Minerva Arts Centre, and various venues, Llanidloes, SY18 6BY

meredith@foodatheart.co.uk

Llanidloes

Dates

From:
24 Oct 2026

The Chocolate Festival Wales is a celebration of Welsh chocolate, cacao culture, and artisan food producers taking place in Llanidloes on Saturday 17 October 2026.
Presteigne Festival

Address

Various Venues, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2YT

Telephone
01544 267800

bookings@presteignefestival.com

Presteigne

Dates

From:

27 Aug 2026to31 Aug 2026

The annual Presteigne Festival is Internationally renowned for its commissioning of new work, support of living composers and with a long tradition for the encouragement of talented young artists.
North Clettwr Valley Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - North Clettwr Valley Walk
Start: SN452425 - Car Park, Capel Dewi church hall
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Easy
Distance: 3.2km/2M
Time: 1 hour (excluding rest stops)
Children's Concert | Gŵyl Machynlleth Festival

Address

Y Tabernacl Auditorium, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AJ

Telephone
01654 703355

info@moma.machynlleth.org.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:
25 Aug 2026Open 13:00 - 14:00

Beth McCann We are thrilled to welcome singer Beth McCann in a fun filled lunchtime show for all the family.
Goytre Wharf & Canal Visitor Centre

Address

Goytre Wharf & Canal Visitor Centre, Llanover, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 9EW

Telephone
01873 880516

abclg@goytrewharf.com

Abergavenny

Goytre Wharf is a 200 year old industrial heritage site that includes a busy visitor centre and marina on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
St Myllins Church

Address

Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 6XZ

Telephone
01691 648306

revhl@btinternet.com

Powys

St Myllins church was founded in the 7th Century by the Irish Bishop Molling (Myllin) and the earliest references to a church in Llanfyllin appear in the Norwich Taxation of 1254.
Constitution Hill

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2DN

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Constitution Hill rises dramatically 430 feet from the north end of Aberystwyth promenade. The views from the top are spectacular and on a clear day you can see Snowdon. Take the cliff railway to the summit or follow the coast path.
Llyn Teifi | Teifi Pools

Address

Teifi Pools, Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion

Pontrhydfendigaid

Llyn Teifi is the largest of a group of six pools and reservoirs in Mid Wales in the western edge of the Cambrian Mountains. The area is a Dark Skies Discovery site and the nearest village is Pontrhydfendigaid which is close to the site of Strata…
Bala & Penllyn | Walking Trails

Address

Bala & Penllyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7AD

Bala

The Bala & Penllyn area has a wide range of Walking Trails for everyone – including: all ability, children, heritage, scenic and mountain walks - and all through stunning mountain and lake scenery of southern Snowdonia.